Enlightened Empire

Chapter 311: The Power of Rumors

Spread out across the table were all the treasures of the Green Island's woods and waters. All kinds of nuts and fruits as well as unusual meats sat within bowls of exotic wood. Next to them sat dried kelp, pickled lotus and lightly seasoned fish of all colors and sizes.

The entire ensemble was collected atop a draped canvas, knitted into complex patterns that reminded Corco of home. While there were many regional differences between the Verdant Folk and the Medalans, it was in these details that one could see that they were of a common origin, both Yaku.

However, what interested Corco the most today was the steaming cup of coffee in front of him. While he ate a few bites of fruit from time to time, he took big gulps of the bitter drink to wake up both his mind and his body. Just as he was waking up, Sumaci entered the room together with her maids. Although she was well-dressed like a proper queen should, her face was all squished and grumpy, clearly still half asleep.

“Good morning,” Corco said, and poured some coffee for her.

With a “yeah,” she plopped onto her seat opposite him and took the coffee with sloppy, mechanical movements. As soon as the drink touched her lips, her face scrunched up. “I really can't stand this stuff.”

“But at least it'll wake you up,” Corco said with a smile. He knew what sort of long-term effect coffee had on most people. In time, his wife may struggle without coffee in the morning. While she was still struggling with it, Corco threw another piece of melon in his mouth.

“This sort of biodiversity is really something you should make better use of,” Corco said. His meal already done, he stood up to get ready for the day.

“Huh?” She stared up at him with an empty look.

“I mean, all those meats and fruits... those should make for good exports, right? Either store them with ice or dry them, then export them as exotic flavors, those rich people in Medala and Chutwa would pay a fortune for some of those,” Corco explained. “And the wood should be studied too. There's probably some really valuable, rare stuff among these.”

“I just woke up,” Sumaci groaned while rubbing her eyes. “Do we really have to talk about your plans already?”

“Aah, don't worry. We still have time for that later. For now, I'll go work out for a bit.”

“Wait, you're done already? I just sat down.”

“Well, I just stood up.”

“I thought you were getting up to stretch or something.”

As soon as the servants around them heard that Corco was done with his food, they began to clean up his bowl and utensils.

“I can't eat too much in the morning, not before I'm done with my cultivation.”

He looked at the windowpane that was being pelted by rain. Here, he could just barely make out the weather through the paper windows, compared to the precious glass he had installed in Rapra Castle.

Sumaci followed his eyes and asked. “Is this a good weather for running?”

“You can't always get what you want. I don't mind a drizzle. Once I'm back, we can still talk about kingdom development, and other fun things.”

“Be careful in the cold weather. Don't get sick.” Rather than reply to his nonsense, Sumaci stood up and fastened his robes. “And remember we have a court session later today.”

“Yeah, I'll keep an eye on the time. See you later, little student.”

While they were talking, Corco had put on his shoes and hairband already. After a kiss goodbye, he was ready to start his morning run. However, he hadn't even reached the door when he was surprised by a knock. The couple stared at each other for a second, before they nodded towards one of the servants. Once, the maid had slid open the door, one of their guards entered the room.

“Excuse the intrusion,” the man said and bowed.

“Yeah yeah, you're excused. What's up?”

“Some strange news has just reached us, King Corco,” the man said. “Although we still know little, I thought it was necessary to share it right away, since the implications may be heavy.”

“What's so important that it can't wait until after breakfast?”

The guard looked at the table covered in food and his face paled.

“I really need to apologize again.” He lowered his head even deeper.

“Don't,” Sumaci said this time in a tired tone. “Please just tell us what's happening.”

“Captain Tayali has disappeared,” he answered finally.

“Is that even news? I thought he was going to the jungle in some weird reality TV challenge?” As usual, Corco's joke was ignored by those blessed with ignorance of modern television.

“Yes, and the captain has yet to return,” the guard replied.

“It hasn't been that long though, has it?”

“No, it's already been two days, now that he's mentioning it.” Sumaci's face was tense, which surprised Corco.

“So?” he asked. “Spending two or three days in the forest isn't that big a deal, right? Wasn't this guy supposed to be an accomplished warrior? Maybe he's just increasing tension for his great return or something.”

“Clearly, you've never been in the forests here, dear teacher.” Sumaci said with a troubled smile. “It's a different world in there, much more dangerous than the mild, explored forests of Medala. Even a great warrior would struggle to survive the jungle for long, even more so by himself. A single day is often enough to kill even those who are experienced with the dangers inside. Also, his goal would have been to catch some rare game so he can show off his abilities as a warrior.”

“Well, that's pointless,” Corco interjected. He really didn't understand Tayali. From a politician's perspective, his every move seemed ridiculous. Maybe that was the result of a pure warrior gaining too much power too quickly, he thought as he remembered similar moves from his own uncle.

“It is,” Sumaci agreed. “but hunting a single animal wouldn't take that long. Maybe if he were hunting deer and the like, but he's trying to show his strength, so he'd be going after predators. Those wouldn't run from him, and putting out some bloody meat would be enough to attract them. By now, he should have long come back, whether or not he succeeded.”

“So... what? What's the explanation here? Am I missing something obvious?” Corco asked Sumaci, but she had no answer for him. Thus, he turned to the guard instead, who had been interrupted before.

“This was the very reason I had to bring this message right away. there have been rumors among the local warriors, and they seem too loud to ignore.”

“So just say it then. What's with the holdup?” Corco asked.

Again, the warrior hesitated, before he took a deep breath and finally spoke up.

“There are rumors that Captain Tayali is dead. And that he was assassinated by... King Corco and Queen Sumaci.”

“What!?” the queen in question looked shocked, just as shocked as the king.

“No, wait. Halt. Stop,” Corco rambled. “That's weird. I'm almost certain I didn't kill him, even though it totally sounds like something I would do. I would know if I killed the guy. You know, the feeling of glee when you've made the world a better place? I didn't have that. Maybe there's an evil clone afoot somewhere?”

“Who's spreading these rumors?” Sumaci asked, far more focused than her husband.

“We don't know for now, Queen Sumaci. I apologize.” The warrior lowered his head yet again. “I only received the news from the other guards who were out in the city and overheard the rumors. Should we ask around to find out who has spread those rumors?”

“Please do.” After some hesitation, Corco agreed with the guard's plan, even though he felt that it wouldn't yield any results. They were foreigners here after all, and didn't have an established intelligence network. However, they couldn't do nothing, so this was still a barely better alternative.

As soon as the warrior had left to start his fruitless investigation, Sumaci turned to Corco with a conflicted expression.

“What a shitty start to the day,” Corco commented.

“And you're sure this wasn't you?” Sumaci asked him, her face still struggling.

“Please. You think I wouldn't admit it if it was me? Me taking on the blame was my entire, poorly thought out plan,” Corco said. “But as things are, people are gonna believe it was me whether it's true or not, so what would be the point of hiding? Plus, if I had killed him, I would be able to control the narrative and we wouldn't be surprised like this.”

“Someone is trying to frame us,” Sumnaci concluded. “But who?”

While the two were still thinking about possible suspects, another knock on the door interrupted them again.

“What is it this time?” Corco shouted.

Again, the guard entered.

“Queen Sumaci, there's a guest for you outside. Advisor Phuyu has come, and he says that he has important information regarding the rumors.”

King and queen looked at each other again, this time with surprise.

“Let him in,” Sumaci said, before the two sat down on their breakfast table to await their guest.

“I think we've found our first suspect,” Sumaci said.

“I think you're right,” Corco added with a grave expression. Somehow, he felt that things wouldn't be that easy this time.

After the old advisor had announced his arrival, he was told to wait for a short while. In the meantime, Corco and Sumaci got themselves ready to greet him in one of their salons, while they prepared possible questions to trap the old man and force his confession.

As usual, Corco and Sumaci thought they were being smart by targeting advisor Phuyu as their first suspect for spreading the rumors. However, when the man arrived, they were shown up with his first sentence.

“Princess Sumaci, this servant wishes to report great success, for the threat of Captain Tayali has been removed from Rasacopa.”

As he stared at the harmless old man who stood in front of them with a deferential attitude and a bent a back, Corco was shocked. Why would this guy just admit to the assassination like this? Now all of their carefully crafted questions were out of the window. It took him a while to gather his thoughts, but even when he did he felt like he was already one step behind the old man.

“So you're behind the disappearance, are you? Now please do tell why you would do something like that.”

“This servant does not understand,” the old man said with a mask of confusion. “Of course Captain Tayali needed to be removed because he presented a real threat and danger to the people of Rasacopa, and to Princess Sumaci's rule. From the interactions between them throughout the court sessions, this servant assumed that Princess wanted the threat removed as well, so this servant took it upon himself to do the necessary work. There is no need for thanks, for this servant has done so for the good of the island, and to the boon of Princess and her husband. All this old servant wishes is for the two to focus their minds to save this old servant's home.”

“And that's the story you're sticking with, is it?” Corco stared Phuyu down, but couldn't find even a trace of emotion in the old man's dark eyes. Meanwhile, Sumaci tried her luck with a different approach.

“Someone's been spreading rumors. The local warriors claim that we were the ones who ordered Captain Tayali's death. Did you hear anything about that, advisor Phuyu?”

“Such slander towards princess is terrible, and unforgivable.” This time, the advisor faked outrage as he stomped up and down the room. After a few empty gestures to show his frustration, he turned back to the couple. “Please excuse this servant, Princess. This old man lost his reason out of rage. However, this issue should be easy enough to resolve This servant has great clout among the warriors and will do everything to right their false views of Princess and her husband. Surely they will understand so long as this servant explains the misunderstanding to them. By then, all that is left to do is find those responsible for the rumors, and bring them to justice.”

Finally, with the old man's words, Corco understood the old man's bizarre behavior, and he gained a clue of his plans. Even then, he earned no joy from discovering the advisor's plans, since it seemed like Phuyu made no attempts to hide them.

“Is that how this is gonna work?” he asked, stunned at the advisor's brazenness. “This is your plan?”

“This servant does not understand,” Phuyu lied. From his crafty smile, it seemed obvious that the old man had been guiding the conversation the entire time. For Corco, the best way to break someone's control over a conversation was honesty, so he tried the same once again.

“Okay, you can cut the bullshit now.” Corco sighed out of annoyance, because he felt like they had been played. “You kill Tayali, then, mysteriously, bad rumors start to spread about us. Should they go unchecked, those rumors would make ruling impossible for Maci, or at least very difficult. And then, you show up right at our doorstep to save us, just in time before the problem grows out of control. Isn't that too much of a coincidence? You don't think we wouldn't notice that you're the only one who benefits here, did you?”

Although the old man's face and posture didn't change, somehow it felt like his entire atmosphere was different from one moment to the next. It felt like he exuded the pressure of a man who was used to leading others, a certain charisma that came with full confidence.

“Indeed, this old man made the right choice when he decided to work for Queen Sumaci and her husband.” The change in Sumaci's title didn't escape Corco's ears. “You are far more competent rulers than the rude captain, and far calmer in your actions. Tayali would have already cut off my head by this point.”

“And what makes you think I won't do the same?” Corco asked with narrowed eyes. “Back home I'm known for being quite the choleric, you know?”

“King Corco seems rational enough to me. At least King will not make emotional decisions that would only harm him. After all, this servant's support will be necessary to rule Rasacopa in the foreseeable future.”

“But why do this?” Sumaci asked between gnashed teeth. “You're already an important member of the court. You've served my father for decades, and were valued then. Your experience and influence only make you more valuable now. You would have been a key member of the court either way, so why offend us like that? Even if we wanted to get rid of Tayali, doing it like this will only make us consider you an enemy. Don't think either of us will have a good opinion of you after today. Do you think that you can hold on to power for long if your lords dislike you?”

“Princess, this servant's family has served as advisors within the Green Court for many generations, long before your father came to power. Over all that time, we have learned many important things about power. More than anything, we have learned how to retain it even without the strength of warriors or the power of kings. The key to power is to make oneself irreplaceable. If a ruler cannot complete his work without an advisor, they would not dare replace him, no matter how much they dislike him.”

“And you think that's what you've done?” Corco sneered. After Phuyu had calmed down the locals, he would become surplus to requirements right away. He wouldn't let someone like that stay near Sumaci anyways, and he was sure his wife saw it the same. However, the advisor smiled.

“Of course it is,” he said. “King Corco seems to underestimate just how popular Captain Tayali was amongst the warriors, and how much the island folk distrust outsiders. While Tayali's death was necessary to muster the island's defense, his disappearance will cause significant unrest. For now, only I have the reach to calm them down and accept the rule of Queen Sumaci. Were they to find the body of the captain, with all those arrows still stuck in his back, they would all draw the same conclusions. And if they all believed their king and queen had ordered the assassination of one of their own, a civil war would be the least that could be expected.”

At last the old man had bared his teeth and revealed his entire plan. However, the threat didn't impress Corco the least.

“Then bring on the body,” his icy voice rang through the room. “Good luck trying to fool everyone with me around. We'll reveal you for the fraud you are, and then you'll die, just like that.”

“King Corco, you should understand that I was around when Prince Wacoca told his father about your many exploits. Your feats are the stuff of legends, and they had remained in my mind like the stars in the sky.” The old man said, still unfazed by the constant threats. “I am well aware of King Corco's impressive methods. I myself, as well as my men, made sure to never handle the captain's corpse with uncovered hands, so no finger prints will ever be found. In other regards as well, we have done our best to avoid leaving behind any traces of our actions. After today, no one on my side will ever speak the truth of the matter, even in torture. That much, I have guaranteed. However, should anything happen to me, like an unfortunate accident or sudden disappearance like the one that befell Tayali, I can guarantee that someone would find the captain's shallow grave very soon thereafter.”

“And you think this gives you a stable position?” an enraged Sumaci asked. Corco could feel her seething besides him. “People forget, and as time goes by they will care about Tayali less and less. We'll also replace more and more of your people with ours, and your position in the court will only get weaker as the years pile up. In a few years' time, no one will care anymore about the things we have or haven't done to gain power. By then, Tayali's reputation will be eroded, and ours will reach the sky, and your threat will have lost all power. This won't keep you safe for your entire life.”

“I am already old,” the advisor replied. “My 'entire life' will only be a few years longer either way. For this short while, this insurance will be plenty. So please do not hesitate to make good use of this servant during this time, as there are still many things he can provide you with. This old man does not require special treatment, nor any coin for his silence. All this servant wishes for is a continued seat within the court, so that he may serve to the best of his abilities.”

Uncaring of the angry expressions from Corco and Sumaci, Phuyu raised his bent back.

“This old man will excuse himself for now. There is much work to be done should the warriors be calmed down as soon as possible, and there will be another court session this afternoon that needs to be prepared. No need to show me to the door, I will find it myself. Please, continue to make good use of me in the future.”

With that, the old fox turned and left the room.