I’ll admit, the appearance of Altair the demon had shaken my nerves a bit. I used the beginning of the meeting to regain my thoughts and composure, something I practised quite often when serving under the other nobles in Jeddan.

  We had just finished discussing the existing terms portion of the summit and were about to move on to trade routes. A large map of the four nations were sprawled out across the massive table, taking up its length entirely. Acardt’s attendant had his finger across the edge of Horinn and traced the path along the massive split between all four nations.

  Honestly, it’s a wonder how Acardt never hung the fool for his whiny tone. I mostly tuned it out until then, obviously noting any information I needed or did not already possess, as little as it was, but it was soon to be my turn to speak.

  Acardt folded his fingers together in front of his face as he examined the documents, “Merchants have been increasing by the month, so I feel it’s only fair to increase the tax fare along trade routes. Lucilia, I still haven’t received any feedback from you on this matter. Have you come to a conclusion yet?” Acardt gestured to the documents in front of him with a raised brow.

  “What, when was this decided? It’s all a bit too sudden to conclude here and now, isn't it?” Lucilia riffled through the pages frantically.

  “Lady Lucilia, I brought Lord Acardt’s request to you a month ago…” She whispered softly, but still loud enough for everyone to hear.

  “Oh… what should we do?” She whispered back, cupping the wrong hand around her attendant's ear.

  Her attendant sighed heavily, then adjusted her posture to face the end of the table, “Ahem! Lord Acardt, we apologise for the delay, and would like to proceed with the proposed terms. Granted that residents of Marjna without licensing will not be held to those same rates.”

  Acardt glanced over his shoulder to his attendant, who nodded back in agreement, then faced Lucilia and her attendant with a firm expression.

  “Agreed. We can discuss the exact terms at a later stage, but let us proceed.”

  Acardt’s attendant let out a brief sigh of relief, then pulled out the next document, “Alright then, moving on to–”

  “I have something to add, seeing as we’re on the topic of trade routes.” I raised my hand abruptly, already standing.

  “Oh… of course, lord Midas.” The attendant nodded nervously.

  “For the past decade, the nobles of Jeddan have lowered their heads to the nations of this table, all for the exchange of coins and financial security. None of which has ever made its way to the citizens who needed it most.” My tone roused the complex stares of those around the table.

  “For that reason, I will exercise my right as a Nation Ruler and will be halting all immediate trades in and out of Jeddan with the allied nations of this table.”

  Quick murmurs of voices shot from across the room from the attendants present. Acardt leaned forward with a slight hunch, and the creases on his forehead doubled.

  His fists balled on the table, “I believe an explanation is necessary.” He added sharply.

  The disdain in his voice was clear. That unrivalled scowl was all he could do to keep his head at the moment, probably thinking over all the ways he’d like to break my arm or worse. Perfect. If it meant he felt even a fraction of the rage I did, then it was all worth it.

  “I feel it is only fair, seeing as my people not only provide the spices and minerals your nations consume so much of, but also harvest them in massive quantities.”

  Acardt's fist collided with the table with a crash that sent a crack across its surface. Glass shattered on the floor.

  “And we provide your nation with enough funds to stay afloat! This is trade, not charity! Do you have any idea what you are suggesting?” Rage seethed behind every word.

  “It was not a suggestion, but rather a declaration. Don’t get things twisted.”

  Even his knights gave up their composure and blatantly stared daggers in my direction. Held back only due to their position, but I’m sure if they could speak or move, they’d opt to slice me down on the spot. Not that they’d make it close enough to do so.

  “Unthinkable… This is just too unreasonable!” The attendant at Lucilia’s side spoke out.

  Lucilia’s eyes narrowed with a pout, “Agreed. Are you not aware of how many resources we supply to your nation in return, Midas?” she asked with a surprising maturity to her tone.

  “I’m perfectly aware of the terms of all your agreements.”

  “So then?”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “However,” The words whipped across the room, silencing the lot, “The Jeddan I will forge does not rule from under anyone's thumb, but rather from a golden throne,” I answered firmly.

  They’re all perfectly aware of how powerful our nation is. It’s been that way too long after all, but no longer. Jeddan doesn’t need the world. The world needs us!

  The distraught expressions shared among the rulers brought a relaxed grin to my face that I struggled to hide. How could I when everything was going so perfectly?

  Basking in the displeasure of those around me, I adjusted my head to the side and rested my gaze on the demon, Altair, to gauge her reaction.

  Her chin rested on her palm, leaning off to the side as she moved her fingers along the table's surface with small taps. Her eyes weren’t even on any of us. Not on me. She was looking outside, admiring the scenic view of birds and towering buildings off in the distance.

  I wanted to ask her thoughts, hear what she could have possibly been thinking of at that moment. My lips parted, ready to form some kind of clever taunt or question, but the deep bellow of Acardt’s voice beat me to it.

  “Altair, you’ve been quiet this entire time. Surely you have thoughts on this as well?” He looked genuinely curious.

  “Not particularly.” She dragged the words out. “Whether it’s within ten years or a hundred, none of this will have mattered by then. It’ll all sort itself out by then.”

  Her eyes drifted from the view of passing birds and tiny flying beasts to the occupants in the room. It was only a brief moment, but she looked over to me with those crimson eyes, and I caught a glimpse of my anxious appearance.

  “Just a young pup who’s in over his head. I’m sure you’ll be consumed by that greed one day.”

  “I-is that supposed to be your expert advice?” I responded hesitantly.

  “No. Just the truth I see before me.” Her head turned back to the view outside the room.

  How… How dare she try to make a fool of me? I have half a mind to turn her to gold right here and now. I balled my fists at my side, then slammed my hand down on the table. No, I’ve gotten what I need.

  “I believe all that needs to be said has been said. I look forward to your responses in due time. Until then, I’m sure we won’t need to wait ten years to see one another.” I stopped in front of the guards at the exit, and they hesitated before parting ways.

  Acardt stood from his seat and shouted across the room, “I hope you’re aware of your actions here today, boy! You’ll surely regret this.” His very tone was drenched in bitter rage.

  “I’ve thought of this moment very clearly,” I answered over my shoulder as I left the room. “For far too long now.”

  I had accomplished my one mission for the summit. With my intentions clear, I could move on to the next phase without delay. I quickly made my way to the carriage, ignoring the glances and scowls from the balcony above as Lucilia and her people descended after me.

  That elf woman won’t be much of a threat. I’m sure of it. The demon, however… tsk! Who would have ever expected her to arrive at a moment like this? It’s a bit bothersome, but I suppose I can deal with her at a later stage. Her territory doesn’t pose much of a threat to me right now, either way.

  The long-tailed lizard outside let out a high-pitched moan as the whip cracked, jolting the beast and cart forward. Pulling a coin out from my coat pocket, I rolled it between my fingers with quick turns and flips.

  “Report, One.”

  The air at my side distorted with the sudden appearance of Viper One, the assassin I hadn’t seen in hours. She knelt down at my boots, head lowered as she spoke.

  “My lord, they have already deployed spies through refugee camps along the eastern routes to Jeddan. A total of sixteen rogue combatants and eleven thieves who were hired ten days ago. Their intel has only reached surface level as of this moment.”

  “Good. Those routes should be sealed off within the week. Make sure they get in before then.” I closed my hand on the coin and once opened, revealed a solid gold coin in my palm.

  “As you command, my Lord.”

  I caught a glimpse of a slender man, a father, grasping his silky children at his side under the evening air. The skin around his ribcage retracted slightly with every shiver as his bony arms struggled to hold them.

  “One, make sure we’re not followed. Report back to me once we reach the Jeddan shores.”

  “Yes, my lord.” She swiftly disappeared under a haze, and the carriage was left in silence.

  Only the rattle of the wheel against stone remained, as I methodically rolled the coin over my knuckles and along my nail. With a flick of my thumb, it shot across the air and landed in front of the man on the street. The dim light in his eyes returned, almost causing him to fall over at the sight of it.

  A brief smile curved my mouth, but was quickly straightened out again at the sight of a lone figure on the road ahead.

  Viper One appeared in the carriage with her signature golden dagger drawn. Vipers Two and Five appeared with her on the sides of the carriage, armed and prepared to strike.

  It was a single person, dressed in light robes and wearing a peculiar mask, with a pattern along its centre. With a wave of their hand, a white ring of light appeared at the figure's palm and radiated a rich magical energy. All three Vipers dropped to the ground, seemingly in pain, but unable to move.

  The carriage came to a sudden halt, and even I could feel an immense pressure over us. As if the very gravity in our immediate area had weighed down on us.

  “W-what is this…?!” I groaned.

  Snap!

  The lone figure snapped their fingers, and the intense weight lifted from my body in an instant. I left no room for chance and jumped out of the carriage into a roll. The moment my hand touched the ground, I poured mana through my palm and encased the ground in solid gold.

  A trail of gold shot forth into spikes and pierced the space where the masked man had stood.

  My eyes trembled at the sight. My golden attack had crumbled down just before it could reach the man. A shield of multi-coloured lights spun in a focused ring just between him and the spikes before disappearing.

  “Quite powerful. Possibly stronger than hers.” He muttered to himself. His voice was deep and muffled behind the mask, but I could tell it was a man, at least.

  He extended a hand to his collar and offered a bow, keeping eye contact the entire time.

  “Greetings, Lord Midas of Jeddan. I believe we have much to talk about.”