Romanoff Dukedom: The Valk League (8)

"Ulysses, I am requiring your full cooperation. I want your word that you won't initiate another useless fight." Ius insisted, glaring intently at Ulysses.

Though he had a certain abhorrence for the Empire's knights as well, Ius didn't want to create unnecessary tension between their groups. After all, it would be the Valk League who would get the short end of the stick when it came to the Emperor's favor.

For them to be able to roam around the capital freely, they had to preserve a cordial relationship with the people of the Emperor. It was better to have the monarch's discourtesy than to acquire his full anger.

In the event that they were driven out of the capital, the entire Valk League would be forced out of the competition for Skarrighan's blood. Since they're the only candidates, the elders explicitly advised them not to incite trouble when it's not warranted.

Ius was only trying to be the elders' messenger to his companions.

"I- I'll try my best." The indecisive Ulysses Parvour conceded.

The sole reason for him to agree was for him to not anger their leader by stalling his response.

Ulysses Parvor was the most dishonest among the six young men. During their discussions, he had bravado in insulting those he didn't like. He would agree to Ius' plans in hopes of giving proper retaliation to the enemies.

Withal, whenever they're in action, he would always wish that they had chosen Fluger's safe plans rather than Ius' meticulous ones. Whether it was because he was a coward or lazy was a question to be answered in the future.

"What is with that answer?' Ius questioned, his eyebrows slightly knitted, "I want you to promise to follow what I said, not just try your best."

Gritting his teeth, Ulysses slowly nodded his head and said, "Alright, alright, I won't get into trouble."

"What will you sacrifice in case you break your own pledge?"

Ulysses thought long and hard about what would satisfy Ius as collateral. However, he couldn't think of anything since Ius already had everything he wanted in his possession. So, he shook his head.

"You don't know? Then give me all of your allowance for this year. Would that suffice?"

"What?!" Ulysses screamed as he took a stand.

His knees bumped the edge of the table, forcing him to sit back down. Ulysses immediately massaged his knees while blowing some air on them. Ivar looked at Ulysses as if he was an undesirable spectacle.

"Why are you blowing on them? It's not like that will help." Ivar spoke, lightly hitting the back of Ulysses' head.

Ulysses whimpered at the hit, glowering at Ivar to call him out for it.

"Why did you hit me? If there's someone you need to hit, it's Ius for suggesting such an outrageous arrangement!"

"Well, you just have to suppress your urges, right? Besides, it will be effective in keeping you tied down. Every time you have the urge to attack those knights, remember Ius' hunting words."

Ulysses' eyes widened as he nodded at Ivar's reasonable explanation, retorting with, "That makes sense then. That's a good reality check for me." He then looked at Ius, "Alright, I agree since I won't have to give you my allowance."

Hearing the answer he wanted, Ius sighed at once. He could finally move on with the briefing.

"Fluger, I will trouble you with the northeastern area along with the castle. Since the two of the knights' camps are located there, just avoid them. However, if you sense something suspicious within the camp, you can invade it. I'll take responsibility."

"Most assuredly, I'll inform you through the device if something of that sort happens," Fluger responded right away, much to Ius' delight.

Now that he was down to the last person, Ius couldn't help but feel relaxed. But when he spotted who was left, the stress in his body heightened almost instantly. He brushed his hair with his fingers before concluding the briefing.

Ius abstained from looking at the young man, still irate about the harmless antics he had done earlier.

"I will be inspecting the entirety of the Erantel Prison. Accordingly, the unassigned areas will be for the last person. I might finish my inspection within an hour or so. Hence, I will pay a visit to any of your areas to be of help. "

Even if Erantel was quite a large place to cover, Ius' companions did not have any qualms with his decision. Their compliance was on the grounds that the prison was the most dangerous hole that one could enter. Nevertheless, it would be a walk in the park for the individual nominated to be the next head of the wolf clan.

In the meanwhile, Herkel was dreading his unfair assignment. It was not because Ius refused to look him in the eye. It was for the reason that the regions assigned to him were more than a third of the capital's total area.

He slumped down his seat, grumbling about Ius' attempt at bullying him. Though he could hear Herkel, Ius just ignored his mutterings and put an end to their congregation.

"I urge the lot of you to refrain from shifting into your wolf forms. The hue of a nobility's fur is noticeable and our size is also bigger than most. If any of you manages to spot an Orschetta, capture them as quietly as possible. If you have the time to spare, contact the others who are nearby for help. You can even ask the knights if they are around."

Ius then got up on his feet and stood by the empty end of the table. He gazed at the faces of all the members of the league, assaying to see if there were any of them who had some reservations on the mission.

Seeing their faces devoid of hesitation, Ius exhaled his satisfaction.

"Well then, we'll commence our mission at the hour of the rat. I'll wish you all a safe night."