Chapter 421: Lord's council
Grandmaster Litos snorted. "There's no need. You are still not experienced enough, that's it. Before you left Akakawa, we already used an artifact to craft a double body that's in seclusion. Now, nobody can point fingers at you."
Cedric nodded sharply. "So this is why. Thank you for this opportunity, Uncle!"
Grandmaster Litos smiled at his nephew. "Go on now. Go and prepare. You'll go mix with the Tachibana today because tomorrow is when they plan to go to Matsumoto."
Cedric stood up and bowed. "Of course!"
Grandmaster Litos watched him close the door behind him, the smile on his face not leaving entirely. It was only tinged with a bit of sadness.
Suddenly, a voice sounded in the room. "Eh, Litos? I didn't know you could smile this much. It seems you really cherish this boy of yours."
Grandmaster Litos did not deny anything, but his face closed off, turning cold and frigid. "He is my family."
"Which is why I'm surprised you're using him." The owner of the voice suddenly appeared. An old woman, thin with bony hands that looked as if they'd snap at any second. She held a long walking stick, the head of which housed a small cloudy orb. She gently floated in the air. "Sending him to Vale Athrimir is incredibly dangerous, as we've seen."
This woman was from the Mystic Order. A Seer.
Grandmaster Litos snorted. "It's dangerous, and yet it's filled with treasures. Whether he can gain the treasure is naturally up to his own luck."
"And yet you need the boy," the woman said.
"Do I now? With my power, any of the Akakawa heirs would want me, and they'll pledge the secret to me."
The woman raised her brows. "So... you're doing your nephew a favor then. You want him to rise above the other heirs so he won't be killed in the succession war that's predicted to start soon. You like him that much? Impressive indeed."
With all the words the woman said, Grandmaster Litos didn't seem worried, as if he trusted her. "I am only giving him a chance. Take Vale's destiny for his own or perish. He would perish in Akakawa anyway. Better to try for something better."
The woman snorted. "And yet, you went through all the trouble to get him all of these."
Around the woman floated different artifacts.
"Just return my artifacts to me after you're done with them. I don't want to have to chase down your boy, or whatever remains of him after..."
☆☆▪︎☆☆
Adara of Clan Astrum was at a night party gathering, and he couldn't believe his eyes, although he was getting used to it these past few days as the Lord's Council officially started.
There were simply so many important people! So many things he had to keep track of that he sometimes felt dizzy. But he was also enjoying it.
As a formerly small Clan that was totally suppressed by the 'normal' Clans of Akatsuki, he was finding his new explosive power quite addictive.
He had absorbed the total power, land, mines, and businesses of one of the other Chiefs as gifts from Vale, and if not for High Chief Eamon Rikon in Akatsuki, he would have absorbed all of the previous Chiefs' power!
And he did try. With his new wealth, he had used indirect methods to buy business neighborhoods and properties cheaply, but all of that was stopped by High Chief Eamon Rikon.
Adara found the man frustrating, especially since the High Chief wasn't even a Knight! Nor was he made an official Chief of Akatsuki, and yet his authority was unmatched, second only to Vale Athrimir himself in the capital.
And so Adara turned his gaze outside. He wanted to use the opportunity to quickly absorb the smaller villages and resources outside the capital that belonged to the other former Chiefs, but a surprise was waiting for him.
They had all been claimed by small Clans of the Akatsuki territory!
How could Adara not smell the conspiracy? He knew then that High Chief Eamon must be doing things behind the scenes.
And so, the one thing that he came to the Lord's Council for was to lobby for more power in Akatsuki, and to use the new officials to get a lot of infrastructure built in his land, even if he had to partner with the High Command.
Adara smiled as he saw the Master of Environment, a burly man with a red face. He hurried to him, taking care not to collide with anyone. He called softly, "Master of Environment!"
The man turned and frowned slightly before forcing a smile. "Lord Adara, how are you enjoying the party?"
Adara smiled back shamelessly, not at all caring that he had been sending letters to the man over the past few months, asking him to visit Akatsuki personally. "The party is well and good, Master of Environment. This is the first time I'm seeing you since the Lord's Council started a few days ago."
The Council started two days ago, and those two days were basically for everyone to get to know each other in private, and for Vale to officially meet many of his appointed officials and people in person. Then today, very early in the morning, everyone met to discuss how to progress forward as one and to talk about the challenges facing the Clan as a whole.
The Master of Environment shook his head. "I have been extremely busy since the Lord's Council began. Since I am responsible for infrastructure as well, I have to cooperate with security."
"Of course, of course." Adara nodded. "You have a very important job. I'd be surprised if you weren't busy! That's why I think you should look at funding the project surrounding..."
Adara began to talk about his project. The one that would transform his territory, especially the 'Lord's' land just outside his domain, which would make the transportation of mining resources more comfortable.
Or was Lord Vale already planning that transportation hub for farmers and miners to carry their resources?
That and more were discussed. And not only by Adara. Throughout the warm night in the hall, people talked and negotiated. Different officials walked around and listened to plans, taking notes. The guests themselves met each other and bargained.