Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 315: Reparation Demand II

CH315 Reparation Demand II

***

Earl Kellerman’s glare was intense as Grand Mage Taman voiced his confusion.

”While I understand your determinants, I still fail to see how they combine to necessitate such a demand.”

”The unprovoked and unreasonable attack on our lands—which went as far as allowing a Wildkin invasion on Imperial soil for the sake of their ambition—was predicated on the fact that the Kellerman fief was a viscounty away from reaching the minimum threshold for a marquisate. By taking away a county from them, we remove the temptation of another such attack. That satisfies determinant one,” Alex revealed.

Grand Mage Taman’s eyes flashed with surprise for a brief moment.

While he had surmised the reason for House Kellerman’s attack on Fury lands, he never expected Alex to speak so bluntly—and to Earl Kellerman’s face, no less.

Alex continued, ”As I mentioned earlier, due to the war, House Kellerman has depleted nearly all its resources. Not just gold—even ore, which the fief is famed for—along with textiles, salt, and other commodities valuable enough to serve as reparations, have all been exhausted. The only asset they have left that holds any worth to us... is their land. Hence, once again, our demand.”

”And finally,” Alex went on, ”after having been in the area myself—after seeing the devastation left behind by the Wildkin whom House Kellerman intentionally allowed to attack their own territory—”

”Let me stop you there, Young Master Alex,” Grand Mage Taman interrupted. ”It would be best if you refrained from making such statements, which at this point remain mere accusations.”

”Very well,” Alex conceded, not pushing further. He didn’t need to.

He continued calmly, ”After seeing the devastation the Wildkin brought upon the people and the land—due to the negligence of House Kellerman, who were too focused on raising an army to stab my family in the back, an army they could have used to defend their own people—we realised that if we wanted the sacrifices of our soldiers not to go to waste, we would have to take over the affected land ourselves and rebuild it.”

”As I mentioned before, House Kellerman’s finances are stretched thin. They also lack the manpower to secure the affected lands—something I’m sure everyone in this room is well aware of by now. In that case, we have decided to do it for them.

”By doing so, we will protect and safeguard Imperial citizens who expect at least this level of dignity and security for their fealty, while also honouring the soldiers who lost their lives defending the land of the very ’noble’ who turned around and attacked their home.

”That said, we are still a noble family with limited resources. We cannot do all this for free. Hence, our demand for the cession of the land to us. Only then can we justify the resources we must invest.”

Alex paused for a brief moment before concluding,

”As you can see, this is a very reasonable price. It serves as reparation, removes a burden from House Kellerman, and ensures the stability of the region. Let’s not forget—each noble house holds an obligation to the Imperial Sun to protect the citizens who live under their dominion. Failure to do so is a crime in the eyes of the Empire.

”In essence, despite their transgression against us, we are still willing to put that aside... for the greater good.

”I just hope Earl Kellerman will be able to see reason and do the same.”

Grand Mage Taman was about to speak, but he hesitated. He could feel the tension thickening in the air—far more than ideal. Alex had seized control of the negotiation far too easily.

If things continued as they were, the talks would either break down completely or end in a result far too favourable to House Fury.

After weighing his options, Taman finally said, ”Since Young Master Alex has presented his demands, let us take a short recess to allow Earl Kellerman time to consider the proposal and prepare an agreement or counteroffer.”

Bang!

Alex frowned slightly at the sound of the gavel. The recess would undoubtedly stall his momentum and give Earl Kellerman precious time to recover from the ’shock and awe’ rhythm of his negotiation.

Alas, there was nothing he could do. The High Arbiter was fully within his rights to decide such matters.

It was the first visible change in Alex’s expression since the beginning of the talks—and Earl Kellerman, who had been watching him closely, noticed it immediately.

A small glee crept into the Earl’s heart. He had thought Grand Mage Taman was out to get him, but now it seemed the old man was, in truth, impartial.

Earl Kellerman was the first to rise. Reinvigorated by Alex’s frown, he waved his hand with suave confidence, motioning for his delegation to follow him into the adjoining private chamber to discuss their options.

However, in his glee—and with his back turned to the youth—Earl Kellerman failed to notice Alex’s expression shift back into his usual calm, smiling composure.

More importantly, he missed the subtle exchange of looks between Alex and one member of the Kellerman delegation.

Why was Alex so confident of victory? Was it his charm, his sharp tongue, or his ability to win hearts regardless of age or gender?

Yeah, right. Of course not.

It was because of meticulous planning—the kind where every contingency was prepared and every outcome accounted for, leaving little to chance.

One particular contingency was inspired by something he’d once heard from an immigrant worker in his previous life:

”The enemy is at your door, but a traitor is already within your house. Surely, a traitor is more dangerous than an enemy.”

And so, one of Alex’s key contingencies lay in a traitor standing right beside Earl Kellerman.

The Earl might have believed that the recess had broken Alex’s rhythm, but he couldn’t have been more mistaken. For every path blocked, another of Alex’s plans quietly opened.

And this one... was already in motion—by someone under the Earl’s very nose.

Alex rose gracefully, offering Grand Mage Taman a respectful bow before leading his delegation in their adjourning chamber.

While Earl Kellerman missed the fleeting return of Alex’s soft smile, Grand Mage Taman did not.

The old man realised that even at such a young age—barely a year past coming of age—the youth’s mind was already dangerously sharp.

Not only had Alex overcome the limits of his age, he had turned them into a weapon.

’He used the Earl’s arrogance and initial disregard against him,’ Grand Mage Taman mused silently. ’Even though I granted the man a reprieve, I fear the damage has already been done.’

The Grand Mage shook his head slowly, turning toward the window with a faint sigh.

His next words were barely a whisper—one meant only for himself.

”Lass... you’ve caught the eye of a man who may yet become the most dangerous soul you could have come in contact with... or the safest.”

***