Herald of Steel



Mohshin's proposal was something that Perseus thought he could work with.

Though convoluted, it was indeed possible to contact the man this way.

And so with a small nod, as Perseus felt there was nothing more to talk about, the old slave was at last allowed to excuse himself.

Though not before he made this request, "My lord, with our cooperation solidified, perhaps you may write a letter detailing our agreement. So that I may show any proof to my master!"

But it was quickly denied by Leosydas even before Perseus could say anything, where he said, "We do not know how you Adhanians work, but over here, the gods are our greatest guarantors. We have already sworn to them, there is no need for any mere scraps of papyrus."

Leosydas said this with great conviction and the forceful nature of his delivery made Perseus too join in, saying, "That's right. For now, let us keep everything verbal. We will call you again to make everything official later."

Though the king was internally curious why Leosydas had done so, as writing things down for future reference was widely practiced in Tibias.

While Mohshin hearing this reassurance, especially where the gods were a witness, and feeling that carrying any letter with the Tibian seal could implicate him within a blink of an eye if caught, decided to return empty.

Hence came the end of the fateful meeting.

And while the man was escorted out of the camp by armed soldiers, Perseus turned to look at Leosydas for his own two cents on the matter that had been discussed just now.

Though after hearing everything, personally Perseus doubted it could be a trap, especially given it was all open and easily verifiable.

But still, deciding to err on the side of caution, wanted to ask for Leosydas's thoughts.

And sensing the gaze and easily guessing what it could mean, Leosydas strangely did not immediately comment on his thoughts on the matter and instead only said, "Let us wait for the scouts to go and see the site. Then we can decide how to proceed."

And deciding to defer to this judgment, Perseus put off whether to trust the dubious man inside the city after judging the value of the information for himself.

So instead Perseus asked about Leosydas so easily accepting the unknown man's demands, calling out, "Leosydas, why did you accept everything the man wanted so easily? Making the collaborator a count might still be doable, but handing over Zanzan? That's….:" Perseus did not sound as displeased as he was confused.

Because he did not believe Leosydas did not know about the significance of Zanzan, and how handing it over to a foreigner was a no-go, if not for any other fact than the very real risk of it rebelling again soon after.

Nor should it be any new knowledge to him that in almost any type of negotiations, it was practically a golden rule to shoot for the moon and then haggle down to something more reasonable.

So when Leosydas had readily acceded to Mohshin's demand, Perseus had even gone slightly aghast and wondered why he was bending so much to just the initial demand.

"Haha, well I did say we would make him a count and give him Zanzan. But we did not say for how long! Hahaha," Leosydas sounded very pleased with himself as he said this, as evidenced by his wide grin, as he felt he had pulled off a great prank.

And this made Perseus slightly agape.

A count was a hereditary title, meaning the title was lifelong and hereditary by association.

So what was Leosydas talking about a time limit?

Of course, after thinking for a bit Perseus understood what Leosydas talking about.

The man simply had no wish to fulfill his promise, and would find any lame excuse to break his word to the collaborator.

'So that's why you refused to give a written promise!' And with that, the event from a bit earlier too became clearer to Perseus.

As for how Leosydas intended to accomplish this, well that remained to be seen.

Perhaps the traitor would die during the chaos of the city capture, or be offed silently after being taken to a corner, or even actually be allowed to become a count and rule Zanzan for a few days until he is poisoned or even removed from the position for incompetence.

These were only some of the many ways Perseus could think just off the top of his head which Leosydas could use to remove that unknown man.

And as for Perseus, given he had sworn to the gods about this, he was unsure about how to feel about this.

Breaking a promise to the gods or even hoodwinking them using a technicality was never a small offense.

But he did not argue with Leosydas then and there, deciding to cross that bridge when they got there.

Besides this was Leosydas's scheme and however he dealt with it, was his problem.

So, as over the years Perseus had built up enough of a trust to know whatever Leosydas did, he did it for the good of the nation and the throne, he decided to leave it to Leosydas's discretion.

And instead got to working organizing his scouts to prospect that route Mohshin had alluded to, surveying the lands there and finding the potential routes ahead.

While on the frontlines, he also decided to decrease the intensity to a low simmer, making the enemy think they had given up and wishing to lull the city's defenses into a false sense of safety and complacency.

While Perseus laid out his net, the man who had set the wheels of fate in motion, Mohshin soon returned to the city via the same passage.

And upon returning to his house, was immediately called to his master's room to relay the recently occurred events.

"So how was it? When will they attack? Is it soon?" As soon as Mohshin entered the room, he was dragged to a side and asked such in a hushed but excited voice, the tone dripping with anticipation.

In fact, he was so eager that the man did not even ask if Tibias had agreed to the condition, so confident was he in his bait.

And Mohshin knowing about the man's impatient nature very succinctly, with a bit of sugarcoating gave the answer, "Yes, Young Master. I have just returned after meeting with the enemy king. And he promised to launch an attack soon."

"He did not give me an exact date, but told me that we just need to wait and be patient! And everything will unfold as planned! Very soon!"

"Good, good!" The young man nodded several times in satisfaction at this, but then his mood mercurially turned sour, and he fiercely grabbed Mohshin to ask,

"But where is the proof? Why didn't you bring any proof?" The man's eyes suddenly seemed to have turned bloodshot it an abrupt mood swing.

'*Groan*, that's why I should have brought it in writing,' And hearing this Mohshin regretted a bit at not having a concrete proof.

But he quickly gave the reasonable excuse of citing the patrolling guards being all around and the fact they had sworn to the gods so as to not requiring a written document.

And though it calmed down the man for a bit, he again pointedly flared,

"Then why didn't you get the date? Then we could have gone to the temple beforehand! Do they not trust us? After all, we have done!"

Mohshin found his master to be crankier and even more on edge than usual,

"No, no, it is nothing like that! It's just that they need some time to plan for the attack. But it will be soon Young Master, it will be soon." Mohshin repeatedly promised to placate the man.

And then quickly fetching a drink to offer to his luxuriously dressed master, said,

"Here Young Master drink this. You have not slept the entire night and are tired. Have this and let me recount everything."

Hearing Mohshin's soothing tone, the man accepted this and sat on a nearby couch while Mohshin offered a shortened, heavily colored, and edited version of the story, one where the king was much more deferential to him and his master, showering them with praise for bringing them this valuable information, and even supposedly made fantastical promises.

All while pouring copious amounts of wine for the man to drink.

And the combination of the sweet wine and the honeyed words worked wonders in improving the young man's mood.

"Great! Great! Once this city is taken, we will live like kings!" The drunk man at last began to daydream, as his face turned a touch red, and then turning to Mohshin even promised,

"And I guess also my days of ordering you around are coming to an end. Hahaha, soon you will be a freeman. Free to do whatever you want, hahaha!"

By this point, the man was swinging his head and his eyes were drooping.

"This lowly slave will be always yours to command, Young master. Mohshin is forever your slave.," While Mohshin attempted to bootlick the man like this, regardless of whether the other party could actually hear it.

Though in reality, his heart blazed at the thought.

It was the sole reason why he had decided to partake in this dangerous endeavor in the first place.

The young man would get the city and he would be a freeman.

As for how well that deal would go, time would tell.