Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 511: Forell Contracts

Garold wasn’t entirely sure how to take that statement. But one thing was certain. He had no right nor ability to refuse, not before King Zelsh and Dean Vloz. Hesitating, Garold bowed. “... Very well. Then allow me to excuse myself.”

Seeing her father leave, rather than asking to potentially join, Freele felt a wave of disappointment and slight exhaustion settle in her heart. Luckily, she felt her husband grab her hand, supporting her and her confidence to speak up.

Tranton was also speechless from hearing everything that had been said. Not only was he surprised at how serious they were regarding this youth that Freele had bowed to, but Trantor was even more shocked to learn that his sons had already reached some sort of agreement with both Iron Territory and King Zelsh. That was the greatest news he could ever want to hear!

With Garold gone, Zelsh created a wide-range silent barrier with his ring to encompass the majority of the room.

Then, Vloz stepped forward with Oli, who nodded to the Forell brothers.

Trenk and Trantor both took the floor as Trantor explained, “Father, we were lucky enough to come into contact with Iron Territory by chance and to present the propositions that you were preparing. To our great satisfaction, they agreed to the second proposition.”

Tranton sighed as he heard those words. A hint of dissatisfaction remained in his gaze but he smiled a bit wider as well. “Very well... Then that must be why King Zelsh is here also.”

.....

“That’s right. You have my permission to secede from Rot Region and join Iron Territory.”

Immediately, an enormous sense of relief overtook Tranton and his wife. They had never anticipated that a region king would so easily accept the loss of two territories, losing Forell as a vassal territory and Prodson due to Iron Territory’s imminent invasion.

Zelsh laughed after seeing Tranton prostrate himself. “There’s no need to bow to me. They’re the ones you should be thanking. I’ll be rewarded handsomely for giving your territories away. But there’s more to this discussion than simple border disputes.”

“King Zelsh, Dean Vloz ... and young master, what do you mean by that?” asked Tranton.

Oli smiled but left the explanation to the Forell heir.

“Father, becoming a vassal to Iron Territory is a tremendous blessing and opportunity! Forgive me, Master Zelsh, but I personally believe that Iron Territory is offering benefits beyond anything we’ve ever received from or been offered by Rot Region,” claimed Trantor, baffling his parents. “And there’s no loss of honor in making such a decision either. Though we’re now sworn to secrecy for the sake of protecting Iron’s interests, Freele, Trenk, and I have learned that Forell Territory has greatly underestimated Iron Territory’s power and resources, even to a pitiful degree. They’re more comparable to an elite region than any territory.”

Before Tranton was able to reply, Oli retrieved a scroll and a vial of ink from his void ring. He walked up to the couple and laid out the contracts before them. “My name is Oliver. We met once before during the territory exhibition a few years back when I represented the Practor Family and won. As a direct representative of Iron Territory, I present these contracts. One represents Forell becoming Iron’s official vassal. The other represents Forell Family becoming a subordinate to the Iron-body Clan leading Iron Territory. By signing these contracts, you cement your affiliation with us and will receive our full support henceforth. Please, take your time to look them over as you wish.”

Tranton didn’t hesitate but he didn’t immediately sign either. He passed the subordinate contract to his wife while he looked over the one involving the territory. “... So the Forell Family will keep the title of Territory Leaders?”

“Yes,” answered Oli.

“... And you’ll rebuild our institute as a second Iron Academy, taking all battle arts and techniques in the process? Will you be offering-”

“Father,” Trenk interjected. “I know I’ll be moving to Iron Town upon the signing of that contract, but allow me to speak while I’m still able to represent the family. We will lose nothing by agreeing to these terms. There are only gains to be had. They’ve-”

“Careful with what you say, Trenk,” warned Oli. “He hasn’t yet signed the deed, and thus can’t know certain details just yet.”

“Yes, Master Oliver.” After a quick bow in apology to Oliver, Trenk continued and rephrased his thoughts, “Father... I beg that you and mother sign these contracts. If you trust me and trust Trantor, then please agree to everything they ask.”

A sense of deja vu washed over Tranton and Barba as they remembered Freele’s recent plea to her father. Seeing such dedication and devotion from all three of the youths was something that the couple wouldn’t dare to ignore. So Barba asked, “Young Master Oliver, this states that we’ll be forever subordinates to the Iron-body Clan with no exceptions or ways to change that in the future. That being the case, I wish to ask how we’ll be treated after agreeing.”

Smiling softly and nodding, Oli stated, “Barba, being a subordinate of Iron doesn’t make you our lackey. It makes you our guaranteed ally and a pillar of influence for us to guide. Due to your position as a territory leader, Forell Family is in a unique situation. It’s different compared to how Libarn will be integrated into Iron Territory. Though Kuldar Libarn sighed a contract similar to the one regarding your family, it’s not entirely the same. Your family will continue to hold the seat of territory leader under our care and will have our support to face any and all challengers. And due to the extreme level of subservience we require, we’ll also refuse to have weak subordinates. So we’ll be overhauling the battle arts and techniques your family has access to, as well as your institution’s current curriculum.

“As your sons stated moments ago, though you’d become our subordinates, we’ll in turn take over as your providers of resources and any sort of support you require, as both a subordinate clan and as a vassal territory.”