Chương 135: Chapter 119. Envoy Dartz

It's been a few days since I visited Warrick. Today is a rest day. We've collected enough meat to feed us for around 2 years. Many alligators were harmed in making that possible. Our Craftsmen have been having fun as of late. They've been figuring out how best to use the hide, claws and teeth of the Animals we've hunted that are left over from weapon and armor creation. Today I was going to prepare the vegetable field for picking.

From what Lily tells me, because she used so many Spells when planting the field, the plants will bear veggies for the next 2 years with no lasting damage to the soil. I decided that after we finish the first picking, we'd move on to a new field and repeat the process. We plan to do the same for hunting. Now that the Animal population has gone down so much in the North, it was time to move our operations East.

I had just gotten done my daily Tempering session as I thought about all of this and that's when I heard footsteps approaching me." Lord Drake! There's a Noble Envoy requesting to meet with you!" Rodrick had come running to me, it seemed he was panicked for some reason? I turned to him and began to respond." Have you verified it's actually an Envoy? What has he seen since arriving?" Rodrick was surprised to hear my words. He fixed his posture and began to speak.

I suppose I let my feelings slip about a Noble sending an Envoy to me. If I was a betting man, I'd say he wanted to take a look around the Human led Territory. Let's see if Ruby's been following my rules about outsiders visiting..." H.. He's been held in the Meeting Building! Our Guards informed everyone to stay in their houses until you've ordered otherwise."" Good. Where are Sarah and Anna?"" Already at the building, awaiting your arrival, Lord Drake."" Okay, let's get going.

We'll send him on his way after the meeting. If he asks for supplies, only give him Government Provisions... And make it seem like you're parting with an important amount of food."" Understood, I'll make sure your orders are heard by the Customs Officers." I followed Rodrick to the Meeting Building, it's a tiny place with a window facing the bush of the swamp and allows no sight into Paradise. I need to be careful of others and what they see for the time being after all. The fact a Noble sent an Envoy bothers me.

Why this late of a time? I've been here for nearly a month at this point? Why not visit themselves? Hopefully this envoy will answer my questions." Lord Drake, you're looking too aggressive for a meeting. Please calm yourself." Rodrick called to me as I was deep in thought. Seems I've let some of my thoughts leak out through my face. I need to fix that habit." Thank you, Rodrick. Continue on." Rodrick continued to guide me to the Meeting Building.

Before long, we saw Ruby standing guard at a door in a decently sized building near the entrance to Paradise. Ruby saw us and smiled as we arrived." Good afternoon, Lord Matthew!"" Good afternoon, Ruby. I hear we have a guest?"" Yes, he was quite rude and didn't want to follow our rules. He changed his mind when I repeated his refusal and asked if that was his final words on the subject, I then drew my greatsword for added effect."" Excellent work."" Is it though?

What if he says Ruby did that to him when he returns to Lord Fracks?" Edmon interrupted Ruby and I smirking at the treatment of our "guest". I turned to him and began to speak." 1st, Edmon, he disobeyed our security measures. He is a guest here. Therefore, he is to follow our rules. He didn't, so he was threatened with violence. Last I checked, that's still how Demons solved most problems, correct?" Edmon looked at me with a disagreeing eye.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it." Yes, but..."" And 2nd of all. Paradise and the Rose Swamps at large, are known to be rough and tough. If someone sends an Envoy and they're disrespectful, what would you think would happen?"" But, Lord Drake! What if this ruins our relationship with Lord Fracks!?"" Good, fuck'em! They're bothering me on my rest day. I'd rather be picking our veggies for our people."

Edmon was surprised at my bluntness." Lord Drake! What if he hears you!?" I guess he wasn't informed." I had Gil use soundproofing material in the insulation. The person only hears silence. It's closer to being like solitary confinement than a conference building." Edmon was still freaking out." Edmon, you need to calm down. I'm only revealing these thoughts to my side of this whole thing. When I enter, I'll be entering my Politician Mode. Along with my Wives as back up.

I'll figure out the best course of action from there. So, relax. And you can watch the whole thing because I had a double-sided mirror installed as well."" You're right, it is close to being a place to hold prisoners." Ruby spoke in surprise. I entered the building with Edmon and Ruby following behind me. Sarah and Anna were there waiting for me. I greeted them." Sarah, Anna, sorry about all of this." They both nodded and Sarah spoke to me." This is part of Governing as well.

Let's enter and figure out what they want so we can get back to enjoying ourselves."" Sounds like a plan to me." I agreed with Sarah's plan and off we 3 went. Ruby followed as a bodyguard and Edmon sat in the double-sided mirror room. I entered the door to the holding room." Hello, Lord Drake." I was greeted by a self-assured smile and a calm tone. The man was yellow-skinned and had 5 eyes colored green, with neon green colored hair shaped in a mohawk with shaved sides. A weird look to be sure.

Seems I may need Ruby to draw her blade again if that smile is any indication." Hello, Mr....."" Dartz, Sir."" Yes, Mr. Dartz. I believe Lord Fracks sent you, am I right?" The 3 of us sat opposite of the man and waited for him to respond. Before long, he did." Hello, Princess Sarah, Lady Anna. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Sarah and Anna nodded to his words but did not answer him. After a few seconds, his attention fell on me again." Lord Drake. I must say.

The treatment I've received has been quite rough."" From what I understand, you disobeyed the commands of the Guards. You see, I've been quite careful as of late. From my Wife being kidnapped almost a year ago to Demonic Alligators breaking down the walls and assaulting my citizens a few weeks ago. I've grown weary of a lack of security. That reflects in the orders I've given to the Guards."" I apologize, I didn't know people were attacked so recently." I smiled at his words.

He almost seemed a little joyful at my news. That was interesting to a degree. I responded to his statement after a brief moment." Of course, how could you? No one visited to greet me in the days after that, and no one travels for Trading here. Not hard to see how news doesn't travel. Speaking of news and traveling, why have you visited us today, Mr. Dartz?" Dartz seemed to have gotten the hint that I would like to know why he's here. His answer came soon after my question.

First, he pulled out a scroll from his Mana Storage. Then he began to recite what was written." Lord Fracks, hereby invites Lord Matthew Drake, to his Birthday Banquet happening 4 months from now during the Winter Solstice." Dartz placed the scroll down and handed me a card with the name of myself and my Wives on it. Dartz began to speak again." I've come to invite you to Lord Fracks Banquet in Zana." I nodded my head to Dartz words." I see, by all means, sign us up. We would be happy to go.

And you've given us enough time to prepare. Thank you, Mr. Dartz and please, extend our thanks to Lord Fracks as well. We'll supply you with some of our provisions and send you on your way."" Wait! Can't I stay for at least a day! > I'm weary from travel!" Dartz responded quickly to my words. I looked at him and with as nonchalant an attitude as I could, I began to speak."

If you so wish, however, I must warn you that while no gators have made their way here, gatherers have noted that a pack are traveling near here today and tomorrow. Along with that man-eater squirrels have hopped the wall and fought our citizens in the dark of night in their own homes. As you could no doubt see, our buildings are old and frail. The only homes used are the ones we occupy and there is no room for travelers at the moment. Are you sure you wish to stay?" I waited patiently for him to answer.

Before long, Dartz happily packed up and left by the late afternoon. We gave him grains and dried meat and sent him on his way. Of course I made special note that the provisions I gave him were the last of that specific meat. He seemed to be a bit spirited as he left after I told him that." You did well, for the most part. At the end, your true intentions almost leaked out. We'll have to practice later. I'd say a "B-" would be the score.

Thankfully, he bought your lie since he had no information on us, and your poker face held up. That won't be the case once our plans begin to unfold, My Love." Sarah reviewed my work. It was good that I passed, but it wasn't good enough. I'll have to review it later on." Will do. I'll go and Meditate again. I'm feeling pretty good about today."" Very well, be safe, My Love."" Be back in time, dinner will be delicious!" Sarah and Anna saw me off as I walked to the garden.

Ruby waved goodbye as she went off to continue her guarding duties and Edmon returned to his house to record the events of today. The sun was setting, so I think I only had about 2 hours of light left. That would be just enough to Meditate a decent amount.