“Yeah.. when we give him that, the last of the responsibility will be off our shoulders.”
“But it will be a while before we can do so. Until then it must not be found.”
“Definitely. What’s it look like? I still haven’t taken a look..”
Holo glared at Lawrence for bringing it up again. She wasn’t proud of her curiosity.
“It is about this large and is wrapped in cloth.”
She used her hands to estimate its size for him, making it clear that it was a rod-like device. Lawrence had assumed that Hildir was being given a dagger, since those were so often exchanged in important deals. But what Holo had brought over her shoulders was the very future of the Diva company.
“It is quite heavy.”
“Yeah, too heavy for a rabbit.”
That was the crux of the problem. It was a bit of a downer to end the topic on that note, however, so Lawrence continued.
“Well, we’ll likely get a chance when we get to Sovereign. After all, Hildir has to turn into a human to deal on Diva’s behalf.”
Holo nodded slowly, and opened her mouth only to immediately close it. Lawrence quickly realized it was because Moid was walking up to them.
“Mind joining me?”
“Sure.”
“It’s time to discuss the future.”
Lawrence and Holo looked at each other, nodded, and replied in unison.
“Alright.”
* * *
“Who’re they?”
Walking to the head of the procession made Lawrence and Holo suffer many a questioning stare, and the attendant carrying Hildir’s cage up to them couldn’t help but ask that question.
“They’re with us.”
Myuri turned back as Moid answered the question. Lawrence was sure Holo hated the situation, but he took back Hildir’s cage regardless.
“Ah, another part of the script, then.”
“Welcome back, Ms. Holo. I hear you’ve brought a book with you.”
Holo accepted being called “Ms.” and nodded.
“Please tell me the details.”
Lawrence spoke up.
“It’s a book on mining.”
“I hear it’s banned.”
“Indeed. Mr. Hildir could probably fill you in on that better than I could.”
Hildir finally opened his eyes.
“All our investigations turned up was that its author was put to death, taking any such details with him to the grave.”
“For real?”
Myuri seemed taken aback.
“It’s authenticity was confirmed by a book dealer, but it’s written in a desert language that we don’t understand.”
“I see. But as a member of Diva company, you still have faith in it’s worth?”
That was a difficult question to answer, but Hildir did so immediately.
“We’ve placed our bets on this book’s reputation.”
Lawrence’s ears picked up the sound of Holo’s tail bristling.
“Hmm, alright. It’s just a crucial element to our negotiations, so we’re counting on it.”
“Finding a translator is never easy, so there’s no way to be strictly sure if it’s everything it’s cracked up to be. That’s just the way these things go.”
He sure wasn’t softening any blows. Even Moid, who had fallen behind a bit, visibly flinched.
“But all the key pieces are in place now: your mercenaries, the book, and just in case, Ms. Holo.”
Those were the prerequisites for Hildir’s plan. As always, victory came down to how well one used the people around them, and there was no questioning Myuri and Hildir’s abilities in that department. Holo, however, was upset to be treated as a “piece.”
“Well, there’s good news from ahead of us, at least: Sovereign’s municipal council welcomes us.”
That meant they wouldn’t have to fight their way into town.
“That doesn’t really mean we’re safe, though.”
The moment they realized that Myuri’s band was pursued, they seemed worried. However, there was nothing anyone could do about that.
“Of course not. After all, the enemy of my enemy isn’t always my friend.”
It was likely that Sovereign was just like any other group of people who had organized into a town despite having their own agendas. This was a good time to be prudent and play it safe.
“At any rate, we do share one common goal. It’s just that we have to figure out how to deal with people who are resisting for the sake of resistance, rather than for the sake of survival.”
Myuri looked over at Hildir.
“In other words, you are saying that I cannot hide forever?”
“Precisely. It’s not like we can do your job, Hildir Schunard. My people don’t take kindly to being ordered around, which is why you merchants will have to do the talking when we get to Sovereign.”
Hildir undoubtedly aimed to expand Diva company once he retook the reins. Not everyone in Sovereign would agree with that policy, and in fact they were probably going to withhold their help unless they came to an agreement. However, Hildir poked his head through the bars of his cage and spoke fearlessly, in spite of having more bandages than fur right now.
“Even the Bible warns that one cannot hide forever. I have no intent to do so.”
“Oh, so you’re saying that you’ll reach an agreement with all of those disagreeing parties?”
Myuri shot him a menacing stare. He had to trust Hildir, having sided with him, but it was time for Hildir to confirm that he would honor his end of the deal. They were nothing but a bunch of rebels to Diva, so it was necessary to spell everything out. Hildir was unfazed.
“That’s my job. Hopefully you’ll let me do it.”
He wasn’t being impetuous, and it was not a request. After a staring contest, it was Myuri who looked away. He stepped back, put his hand on his chest, and bowed before pledging his loyalty.
“Then we shall be your sword and shield, and your body will be the flag on our banner of blood.”
“And may that flag be the one left soaring in the end.”
Myuri was taken in by Hildir, who seemed to know exactly what to say to get his way. His words could even sway these hearts. It was a dangerous skill to use.
“When I was younger, I wanted to be a merchant just like you.”
Hildir could even coax that kind of admission from Myuri, despite barely moving in Lawrence’s hands.
* * *
It was midnight when a scout from Hugo finally caught up with them. It wasn’t the same messenger who had approached them secretly, but a proper ambassador. He was treated respectfully by Myuri’s men.
“Good.”
That was all Myuri said in response to the man. He was behaving as seriously as someone under the watchful eyes of appraising merchants. Miracles could happen in the dark, even the survival of the Myuri mercenary band.
“We shall meet at the promised place.”
The man left almost as soon as they had greeting one another, leaving behind only silence. Everything had been set up beforehand, but it was still quite a tense situation.
“Moid! Time to go!”
“Yes sir!”
Myuri barked at Moid, who spoke to the man standing guard next to him, watching their sleds full of equipment. The man carefully pulled a fur coat out for Myuri; it was the kind of coat that commanded respect, even if wasn’t particularly warm and weighed too much to be comfortable. Myuri put that coat on and drew his sword.
“I can never tell if it’s this thing that’s too heavy or if it’s my conscience.”
For him to crack such a dumb joke now showed just how nervous he was.
“All set, Mr. Lawrence?”
Their conversation earlier had been to inform Lawrence that he needed to join the negotiations. Hildir was too injured to join, and revealing that during a negotiation was at best unwise. Besides, everything was scripted out, so he was little more than a glorified spectator.
He’d done his best to reassure Holo, but in the end it was obvious that he was really reassuring himself. He only received a jab to the side from her.
“We have to be ready to run at any moment, in case things turn sour.”
Moid’s face became grim as Myuri mentioned that, but all the other men just smiled back. Lawrence felt like he should say something to Holo to improve her mood, but she was yawning and drinking without so much as peeping at him. She wasn’t even trying to hide her displeasure at how nervous he was.
Lawrence, Moid and two other guards then followed Myuri out into the darkness. The moon was dim, and the clouds didn’t help things. It was freezing, and it felt like it would snow at any second. By the time they made it to their designated meeting place in the valley, Hugo was already there.
Hugo had dressed like they won the battle, but even Moid and Myuri were surprised by their choice of dress. Lawrence, too, wondered why Reginald was wearing a normal coat. It was clearly expensive, but Myuri’s coat was far more impressive. Lawrence assumed it was to aid in their negotiations somehow, and Myuri and Moid seemed to come to the same conclusion.
“Let’s go.”
Myuri was the first to head down the slope, with Lawrence clumsily trailing him. The Hugo captain and the young representative from Diva stood side by side with two guards directly behind them. Moid was keeping an eye out for traps, but having seen nothing he winked to Myuri. They then stopped.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
He hopped off his horse and greeted the men.
“You did get my message, didn’t you?”
Reginald jumped right into antagonism.
“Well, just in case you didn’t: this is not a negotiation. It is an ultimatum.”
Reginald’s coat was simply worn for warmth, unlike Myuri’s showy coat. With Reginald’s declaration, there could be no mistaking this as anything but an ultimatum.
“Fine by me. I’ve no mind for negotiations, only swinging swords.”
Myuri’s reply made the Diva representative frown. Reginald put on an even less pleasant expression than Moid and continued.
“We’ve captured fifteen of you, and you’ve captured only four of us. There’s nothing more to say. However, you have an honorable reputation, so we’ve decided to spare you.”
Reginald wasn’t just talking big, because if they really had fought to this kind of conclusion they would have destroyed Myuri’s mercenaries. These would be the same words he would have chosen in that case.
“We’ll let you go if you submit to our terms.”
Reginald spoke as if he wanted nothing to do with Myuri, which suited the dark and cold atmosphere of the valley perfectly. The merchant standing next to him finally smiled.
“I am Roger Graham from Diva company.”
He was staring Myuri down, like he expected people to bow at the mere mention of the Diva company. But Myuri had no fear of them, nor Graham. He didn’t look back at all. Graham’s response was one of pure rage. He knew better, though, and took a few deep breaths of freezing air to calm himself. He then revealed a piece of parchment with their terms written on it.
“Two conditions. One, pay for the hostages. Two, halt your advance.”
Everything was going exactly as they expected it would, except perhaps for Graham’s immensely bloated sense of self-importance.
“What is your reply?”
He was trying to corner them. Reginald looked at him, but made no move to stop him. Myuri shot back with a dismissive gesture.
“Pay for hostages? It’s like you’re selling slaves or something.”
Graham’s face turned red in rage at his provocation. Lawrence was surprised to see a fellow merchant with such a short fuse. Perhaps he’d landed his position before he’d grown into it, much like anyone who’d been too lucky. Graham glared at Myuri.
“Ten Lumione for each hostage! Now!”
That amounted to five thousand Trenni silver coins. Lawrence didn’t know what hostages went for, but this was quite obviously ludicrous.
“H-hey now..”
Reginald tried to nervously calm Graham down.
“You heard me! It’s already too much that we’re letting these losers go!”
Reginald had made it clear this wasn’t a negotiation, but Graham’s demands were well beyond reason for an ultimatum. Myuri glared back at him just as coldly.
“Is this how low the great captain Reginald has fallen?”
Reginald could say nothing. Graham didn’t care at all, and just raised a piece of parchment in the air.
“Big talk, loser! This is no negotiation, see?!”
Myuri shot Graham a look of pure hatred, breathing quickly and angrily. In that state, no one could negotiate effectively. Myuri was shocked by what Graham was holding up.
“What?!”
“..Ha! Hahahahaha! See?! Losers! It says so right here, in this contract! Those men you so willingly left behind were the ones who suggested this amount after we saved them! Their fingerprints are right here! Get it now?! You have to pay, or you’ll be breaching this contract! So go ahead and breach it, cowards! We’ll just hunt you down!”
Lawrence was unable to see the contract from where he stood, but if there really were fingerprints there then it was true: it was a contract, and had to be fulfilled.
“W-what have you done..”
Graham was so pleased with himself that he wore it plainly on his face.
“Read for yourself! It’s a proper contract all right!”
Lawrence felt nothing but pity for Graham, who was clearly too used to solving his problems with tactics that only worked on companies. He didn’t even know the most basic rule of contracts: they were not magic spells capable of restraining people.
“Wait.. wait..”
“What? I can’t believe it! Are you illiterate?!”
A split-second later, Graham was confused by what was happening.
“God you’re annoying.”
“Myuri!!”
Reginald screamed out and pointed his sword at Myuri, but he was too late. Myuri had grabbed Graham and flung him over to Moid. The tables had turned. This might seem like a business deal, but it was really a battleground.
“Oh.. uh..”
Moid held Graham by this thin neck, as the man kicked for his life.
“Don’t move, or I’ll snap his pathetic neck.”
Myuri glared at Reginald as he delivered his own ultimatum. Graham finally stopped thrashing around.
“Hey, Myuri..”
“Oh please, Uncle Reginald! Don’t look at me like that, you’re the ones working for this filth!”
Reginald looked over at Graham with an even grimmer expression, then breathed in deeply.
“Unhand Mr. Graham.”
“Mister?! Your flag is weeping! How could you be a dog for such a master?”
Myuri turned back, and Graham began kicking again. The gravity of the situation seemed to have sunk in for him.
“Oh? Now who’s the loser?”
Myuri’s fist struck Graham’s stomach a moment after that. Lawrence heard bones breaking.
“Oy, Myuri!!”
Reginald bellowed.
“Okay, okay.”
Myuri raised his arms in a gesture of surrender and turned back to Reginald, who seemed stunned by the turn of events.
“Bring my people here, now!”
“Mmph..”
Graham tried talking, but Moid’s hand was covering his mouth. It was possible he was actually crying.
“You’re the one who didn’t want a negotiation, right?”
Myuri’s voice was ice cold. He knew this was an act, but deep down he couldn’t forgive what Graham had done. Reginald looked back over at Graham, then Myuri, then spoke.
“..Please unhand Mr. Graham.”
“Only if he stops dishonoring my band.”
Graham was really struggling to talk now. Reginald walked by Myuri and took a look at him. Myuri sighed and spun aro
und.
“Jeez, you’re going soft, Uncle Reginald.”
“Don’t be stupid! He’s from Diva company..”
“Well, at least you’re proving to be an honorable and loyal mercenary. If Mr. Graham shows even half of that honor, maybe we could come to a bargain!”
Myuri smiled and Reginald nodded. What a show they were putting on. Myuri nodded to Moid, who released Graham. Graham collapsed and coughed. Myuri looked down on him like a bug he’d stomped on with his shoe, like he had already forgotten having crushed him. Graham finally looked up and called out a name.
“..Reginald..”
His words would probably be “save me.”
“Now!”
An instant later, Lawrence saw Myuri take to the skies. At least, that’s what it looked like at first, until Lawrence saw Reginald’s fist hovering in the air where Myuri was a moment ago.
“..I thought better of you, Myuri..”
Reginald shot his guards a look, and when they had placed their swords against Myuri’s throat he turned like a great bear.
“Who’s going soft now?”
“..Mr. Reginald..”
“Yes?”
Reginald casually responded to Moid. Was this part of the act, or had Myuri gone too far? No.. this was clearly betrayal, wasn’t it? By the time Lawrence had realized what was happening, he saw Reginald flick his wrist and felt something pass through his left leg. Suddenly, he was kneeling.
“Oh, he really is just a merchant.”
Reginald sounded disappointed. Lawrence must have been slashed by a sword. Moid had moved to grab Graham again, but was too late.
“Jeez, what a disappointment..”
Moid looked over at Myuri, who wasn’t dead or passed out. Swords were on his throat, so he couldn’t move, but he was still wobbly from having been dealt such a savage blow to the head. He might not even be entirely conscious. He was a sitting duck.
“Come here, Mr. Graham.”
Graham crawled over to Reginald as Moid watched. Lawrence couldn’t do a thing.