CALCULATED MOVES

The council chamber erupted into a cacophony of murmurs and whispered conversations in reaction to King Vontimr's question.

"Forgive me, but is that question really relevant to this meeting?" Mikael answered craftily.

"I'm sure we're all aware of the kingdom's commitment to maintaining balance and order."

Lord Mikael's gaze swept the room, meeting the eyes of the various representatives. Some, like the elegant Lady Xevia of the Necroleonic Federation, seemed intrigued, while others, like Chancellor Klarian, had a change of demeanor and appeared outright hostile, despite the comparatively calm disposition at the start of the meeting.

"So, you're saying he's under your control?" Chief Bane growled in indignation.

Mikael's smile was thin.

"I'm saying that Kojo Atari is a loyal subject of the kingdom, and that we have made... arrangements in place to ensure his cooperation."

The room fell silent once more, the only sound the soft scratching of quills on parchment as the council's scribes recorded the exchange.

"I'm not sure that's good enough, Lord Mikael," Lady Xevia said, her voice dripping with honey.

"After all, we've all heard rumors about the Champion's... unpredictable nature. Your assurance alone won't be enough to put our minds at ease."

Mikael's eye twitched.

"I agree with the bat. Tell us what measures have been put in place to keep him in line," Bane said.

"Chief Bane, please refrain from likening me to animals."

"Huh?" Bane turned to look at her.

"I would respectfully urge you to call me by my name and appropriate honorific."

Bane opened his mouth to say something but hesitated, seeing her glaring at him from the corners of her ruby-red eyes.

Klarian chuckled, and Bane glared at him.

The tension in the room continued to build, the air thickening with unspoken threats and alliances. Lord Mikael knew that one misstep could spell disaster, especially from the Adonian side. A single glance at the emperor told him that the old snake was already planning on how to capitalize on the situation.

Before he could say anything, there was a bright light that appeared above them, illuminating the room. The guards and security detail of each representative rushed forward, drawing their weapons. The light dimmed, and hovering above them was the Goblin King. Everyone was taken aback. Even the composed Xevia's eyes widened in surprise. This was the first time that all nations on the continent were represented on the council. The Mongul's arms were folded over his chest, and he had a neutral, slightly bored expression and didn't seem to have any evil intent. Still, his being there in the first place was, in itself, quite unsettling for the gathered dignitaries.

"I never expected you to be here," Bane said, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.

"Why? Do I not have a say in matters concerning this continent?" he asked.

"No, it's just that you are rarely in attendance. Well, no matter, once you're here, take a seat so we can continue the meeting, Mongul."

He floated down and also landed on the table.

"Please make this gathering brief and less boring," he said, sitting down in an empty seat and resting his ankle on his thigh.

"And my name is Kamau Gwaltchmey. Address me as that from now on."

The room suddenly fell silent.

"W-wait, you have been named?" Klarian asked as he began to sweat.

"Did I stutter?" Kamau asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, it's just..." His voice trailed off.

"How can this be? The Mongul ruler has been named, and not once, but twice?" The elven ruler thought. And it was clear from their expressions that the others were thinking the same thing and what this development meant for their future. The reason why any of the other nations hadn't attempted to subjugate the goblins was due to the existence of the Mongul.

Names meant power, and for a monster like the Goblin King, a Mongul, one of the apex beings in their world, to receive two?

"Could you please tell us how you managed to get a name?" Vontimr asked.

"Are you insinuating that I am unfit to have a name?" Kamau asked with an eyebrow raised.

"No, no, that's not what I mean, Go- I mean Lord Kamau," Vontimr said, flustered.

"All according to plan," Mikael thought.

Just like Adriana had sought an ally should any of the other dukes act up, he had equally found an ally in Kamau. He was taken aback when he saw the Mongul lying lazily on the couch at Kojo's house and had come to learn that at the cost of a continent, the Goblin King had been made subordinate to Sasha but had been named as well.

Well, it works just fine. His appearance has caused quite a stir in the council. They didn't know that they two of them were allowed, so Mikael could now get backing in the form of Lord Kamau. Two nations against the whole council would be difficult, but then he had the reputation, and he wasn't exactly subject to the rules of the council.

Lady Xevia's gaze shifted to Kamau.

"Lord... Kamau, I must ask: were you aware of the extension of a river along the Archadia-Adonis border to form a lake bordering Tessaloni and Granoa?" she inquired, her voice laced with curiosity.

Kamau's expression remained impassive, but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "Of course I knew. What kind of king would I be to not know?" he replied, his voice calm.

"After all, I gave them permission."

The room fell silent, the council members exchanging stunned glances.

"You gave them permission?" Chief Bane repeated, his voice incredulous.

Kamau's shrug was almost casual. "They did require my permission, due to the... nature of the magic they employed."

"But hasn't there been a recent conflict between your nation and the kingdom of Archadia, I believe a little over a week ago?" Klarian asked.

"You are well informed. The network of spies you all have sure know how to do their job, but I must inform you that any found within my country will be executed first with questions asked later, so take note. In regards to your question.... There was an incident, yes. However, it was not a conflict between our nations, per se. As you know, a group of renegades, known as the Decorum, have been causing trouble along our shared border with their anti-human and goblin supremacy agenda."

"The Decorum? I've heard of them. They made a few appearances even within my empire," Brianos said.

Kamau nodded.

"Indeed. They launched an invasion on the Kingdom but, thanks to the Champion of Archadia's... intervention, they were dealt with. The captives have been returned to me for questioning."

The council members exchanged skeptical glances. The emperor, however, sat still, resting his chin on his interlocked fingers.

Mikael opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly, a voice cut through the silence before he could get a word out.

"I think we've heard enough, Lord Mikael," Emperor Brianos said, his tone dripping with malice.

"It's time for us to discuss the true nature of the kingdom's relationship with Gwaltch... and the implications for our continent's future."

Mikael blinked.

"How did he know?"

"For the ruler of Gwaltch to personally come to make this clarification, it's obvious that the two countries have built some kind of relationship. The how, when, or why is irrelevant. What matters now is my earlier question. In fact, this adds substance to the concerns King Vontimr raised. Having two or more powerful individuals and having the Goblins as Allies. What is the kingdom planning?"

Mikael's eye twitched slightly, and a vein appeared on his neck.

Emperor Brianos's words hung in the air, heavy with accusation. This was a carefully laid trap. Brianos wasn't simply curious; he was maneuvering to isolate Archadia, to paint them as power-hungry since he couldn't derive any benefit from the river's extension through their border. Mikael had to choose his words carefully because if he said anything, the Emperor would use it as leverage to trap them in the future, and if he said anything else, it could be interpreted as hostile, and Brianos would rally the other kingdoms against Archadia. He was caught between a rock and a hard place. Mikael could see the old man staring directly at him, daring him to speak with a glint in his eye and a faint smile on his lips.

Just as the silence stretched to an unbearable length, Kamau spoke, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "This is why I hate coming to these things. Simple, simple topics, and yet so much tension." He said with a yawn.

"Emperor Brianos," he began, a hint of amusement in his tone, "your concerns are understandable, but don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself? I just show up, and bam, I'm working with the Archadians. What about you and the dwarves? You two have been planning and plotting since day one, yet you don't hear us complain now, do you?"

The others looked taken aback.

"My presence here today is simply a matter of… personal interest. I've grown tired of the petty squabbles and the constant misunderstandings that plague this continent. I decided it was time to speak up since you lot are so small-minded that you act like children. There's a mutual understanding between us and the humans. No more, no less, so freaking mind your own business and let's wrap this up, I'm already drowsy from all this talk." He yawned.

Mikael turned his gaze towards Brianos.

"Now, Emperor, I believe we've addressed your concerns, both concerning our relationship with the goblins and how we treat our mages. Any more questions will be seen as a breach of international secrecy," he said firmly. Brianos didn't have more to say and sighed as Mikael changed the subject to the benefits to derive from cooperating with them.

Xevia stared at him.

"This man, Mikael Listowell...." she thought.

"Right from the onset, he was already leading the direction of the meeting. All the changes to his countenance and demeanor at every given moment were all calculated to achieve the desired result. He had just subtly manipulated the council into accepting the Kingdom's relationship with the Goblins, all while dealing with opposition and bringing up any secret that would shut the other nations up since they didn't want to be exposed or a target of exposure. Just how much did this man know?"

The council members, sensing the shift in power, quickly fell in line. They murmured their agreement to his proposals and brought up any points for negotiation in a docile manner, eager to avoid being targeted. It was to the point where they weren't doing it intentionally but subconsciously. Even Emperor Brianos, though clearly displeased, refrained from further accusations.

Mikael smiled, a genuine smile as the discussions dragged on.

"I wonder how he got the Goblin... no, this Kamau Gwaltchmey to his side? But then again, he was known as the Astute, so it wouldn't be surprising."

She smiled, exposing her fangs.

"Oh, what interesting company you've found yourself in, dearest elder sister."