Chapter 418: Young Master
Vossberg wasn't done, though. He knew his brother Cassian wouldn't have sat back and let all the benefits be grasped by others. He would definitely want a share of them, and it would only cause problems for the others.
So Vossberg threw him a bone. He smiled. "How about this? Since you all don't trust me not to make a mess, why doesn't Cassian follow me to Matsumoto to make Vale submit?
"Then you and Seraphine can head to Ryujin to deal with the Ito there. That way, we'll all do our parts."
Cassian frowned, the mockery on his face gone as he looked at Vossberg with narrowed eyes.
He thought to himself, '....So you're saying I should find my own benefit in Matsumoto. Hehehe....interesting. But the one I'm actually interested in is Vale! Do you think you are the only one interested in turning him into your subordinate? I'm afraid you've goofed this time, Vossberg...'
At the same time, Vossberg was thinking, '....I can guess your thoughts, Cassian. Somehow you think you can win Vale Athrimir over, but you don't know that I'm the only one who will turn him into my dog!...'
The two brothers looked at each other and smiled. It was a peaceful smile on the surface, like daggers hidden behind silk.
Hartmu leaned forward. "Then this is settled. We will leave for Ryujin in three days, the same day that Vale's official meeting will take place. Vossberg, Cassian, this is the day you'll leave for Matsumoto as well.
"He wants to legitimize his rule over the three territories that day. It'll be fitting for him to pledge to us as well.
"You should know better now that we can't handle another mess that will force us to write to Father about using the army. I tell you, Vossberg, be careful."
The warning was only for Vossberg. The responsibility for the new mission would be carried by him instead of the two of them. It's as if Cassian would just be accompanying him.
Vossberg smiled and used his fan to blow air on his face. "I understand. Right, I have to go and start putting my team together. I suggest Brother Cassian do the same as well.
"If you'll excuse me."
And with that, he stood. He nodded slightly at Hartmu, and then he left. The three watched him go before Cassian snorted as well. "I am going to enjoy this. Really, nothing can possibly go wrong!
"Let me go and see to my 'team' as well!"
Silence returned to the room. After a while, Seraphine opened her mouth. "Is this the best possible solution?"
Hartmu shifted. "It might turn double-edged. We don't know how Vale Athrimir will react, and this might all turn into a mess. Let Vossberg and Cassian take the blame. And if they manage to subjugate him, we can then focus our own attention on the Ito Clan. All in all, it's a good thing for us."
Seraphine looked at Hartmu and shrugged. "As long as I get my military base. Then there won't be any issues."
Hartmu nodded. He stood up without much expression. "When you want to build the bases, concentrate your forces more on Matsumoto."
"You want to sandwich Vossberg?" she asked with a raised brow.
"We'll see, Seraphine." He paused on his way out. "When I become the heir, I will hold our promise true."
Seraphine smiled in return, but Hartmu was already gone before she could say anything. She stood there in silence for a while, her brows furrowed. "Matsumoto....why do I suddenly have a strange feeling about that city...."
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In another place entirely.
A man in his thirties stood before a door. Although he was in his thirties, his face was still young, like someone in his early twenties. Of course, as a Knight, it was only expected!
The door he was facing was ordinary in appearance, and yet the man did not dare approach it carelessly. Even though he himself wasn't ordinary-looking. The way he was dressed, the casual way he held his head high, and the slightly narrow look on his face, as if he held the world itself in contempt.
The aura that surrounded him was that of a Master Knight, but it was profound. Different from the vast majority of the Hinterlands' Master Knights, even more so than WaterLord Freya.
All of these spoke of his special background. And yet, when his eyes met the door, they lowered slightly as he waited.
Eventually, a voice came from behind. "You can come in, My Lord."
He stepped forward and opened the wooden door, entering the room without hesitation. His eyes instantly swept through the room before resting on the man who was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room, dressed in a light blue robe.
The room was unnaturally cold. Even though there was not a hint of it in the air, somehow the man still felt the coldness penetrate deep inside.
The man bowed. "I greet the Honored Elder Litos."
Elder Litos looked up, his blue eyes like shards of ice as they stared at the man before him before he smiled a little. "Lord Cedric Akakawa. Welcome to my place."
Cedric straightened. "Please, Uncle. You'll kill me before my time if you keep calling me 'lord.'"
Elder Litos laughed, his expressionless face breaking into a warmth that looked as if the sun were shining on ice. He gestured for his nephew to sit. "But you are a lord! Everyone calls you so because you are. One of the young masters of our Akakawa Clan!"
Cedric grumbled. "How many young masters are there in our Clan? The title of lord means less and less as time goes by!"
The Clan Leader of the Akakawa Clan was a Knight of great power and had a long lifespan. That also translated into the number of children he had, just like in most High Clans. Even some of those children had children of their own.
Cedric was considered one of the 'newer' children.
Elder Litos looked at him with a critical look. "And yet, you are among the most well-known and prominent of them all. You even have a large following!"