Book 9: Chapter 25
Socina City is a very simple and unsophisticated city. Although it’s situated in snowy lands, there were no signs that snow was collected on the streets. Perhaps that was due to strict regulations in the city to ensure tidy and unobstructed paths. As we travelled along the street, the people gathered up on the two sides of the streets and shouted something. I, admittedly, don’t quite understand the dialect here.
“The people are welcoming you, Your Majesty.”
“They are? I’m very grateful for the warm welcome, then.”
Karana laughed. She then looked at me and said, “You can, actually, rightfully accept their welcomes, for you contributed a lot toward their livelihood. Were it not for your rationality and courage, I would not have been able to fulfil my promise to them.”
I lingered for a moment. I then smiled helplessly and responded, “I’m in a real dilemma now. Shall I consider that your praise, or shall I consider it your ridicule for me, who was the loser?”
“Of course I am not ridiculing you. Your Majesty, I never thought that I defeated you that time. I believe that there would have been nothing that I could do if you destroyed it at the time. You gave me the map after rational thinking and out of generosity. I have always been very grateful for your help.” Karana looked at me as if she was offended and continued, “I consider you my friend, Your Majesty. Could it have been that you have always thought of me in that light?”
I shook my head with a smile and replied, “No. It’s as you said. I always considered you my friend, as well. If I didn’t, I might not be here at Socina right now.”
Karana didn’t mind my somewhat rude remark. She, instead, nodded and responded, “That is right. You are the strongest Prince of this continent, after all. I believe that it would be much more meaningful to be able to use you, than have the mineral.”
I always said that Karana and Nara were highly capable individuals. They both know very well who they should ingratiate themselves with and what they should reject. They don’t believe in unrealistic futures. They only believe in those that currently hold power. Their trust for me is not unconditional, and they won’t use their nations’ power to come rescue me when I’m in a pinch. If I want to maintain their loyalty, then I must hold the power they desire.