Bab 71: Chapter 71: Irrelevant
Mishal had never imagined that one day he would hear such news.
While tormenting the hostage in his grasp, ensuring their suffering, he leisurely awaited Dehya to deliver the heads.
Yet in the blink of an eye, someone emerged suddenly to declare his methods were wrong.
"Dehya has a slight connection with our king. You better release all the hostages."
It wasn't a negotiation. Alongside the warning came a devastating ground bombardment.
By the time the smoke cleared, the captives were long gone.
The sudden attack hadn't cost Mishal much. The surface situation was bait after all. Even if they knew you were fishing, Mishal wouldn't risk exposing all his manpower.
That wasn't what baffled him.
"For what reason does Rama turn against me at this critical juncture?"
Mishal harbored no hatred, only confusion.
Because he couldn't fathom any reason for Rama's actions.
"Yes, I intended to play both sides and see who offers a higher price."
"It might look ugly, and I won't argue that."
"But this is illogical."
"Listen to your reasons. Because of them, you dare act against the [Deshret's Relics]. Do you not regard it as important, or do you not care about your Desert regime?"
Mishal racked his brain but couldn't understand why Rama would thwart his justified revenge.
At most, it was a conflict between him and Dehya. Would Dehya be more valuable than him?
She was useless. Why would you conflict with me for her?
On what grounds?!
Mishal couldn't find an answer, but he knew he had no choice.
When Rama made this choice, one door had closed in two directions.
Mishal merely happened to play both sides. But if one didn't cooperate with him, he'd side outright with the other.
And the sooner, the better.
Now he had bargaining power, but once things spread, he'd be branded not as an opportunist but as a dog backed into a corner who could only choose the [Corps of Thirty].
Once labeled, the value of the [Deshret's Relics] would plummet and become mere cannon fodder.
His face contorted as he suppressed his frustration and anger, but he had to grit his teeth and quickly pledge allegiance to the [Corps of Thirty].
Shortly after the action, Rama was swiftly invited by the tribal elders.
They all needed an explanation.
This wasn't about authority. Doing something wrong didn't make it right just because you were powerful.
Power only ensured you didn't pay more for your mistakes, but right or wrong was plainly visible and wouldn't change.
Rama would pay for his mistakes too.
He was the king of the Desert regime, but even kings couldn't do as they pleased. At least that's what the elders believed.
Rama acknowledged this truth.
Rules and laws favored him, but if he refused to comply even then, those laws would lose all deterrent power.
"Indeed, an explanation is due."
Rama would attend this meeting, of course.
He had his overarching plan, but undeniably, this action lacked rationale.
To do something irrational yet done was to pay the price for it.
The meeting proceeded without any surprises. After the initial formalities, the elders eventually broached the question.
"Your Majesty, regarding the [Deshret's Relics], did Mishal, that cunning man, commit any further atrocities?"
"Your intelligence must far surpass ours, and we trust your ultimate judgment."
They extended an olive branch, painting the torn contract and Mishal as morally compromised, while Rama had refused him for more just reasons.
Babel, the first to charge in, was rarely seen questioning, instead finding a way out for Rama.
A mercenary leader, particularly one who maintained rule with the likes of [Deshret's Relics], was undoubtedly morally compromised.
"Not because of his morals," Rama declined his goodwill, "his morals won't affect his worth."
Bad morals merely meant he was difficult to control, but that wasn't an absolute problem.
He could wait until Mishal completed his work, then dispose of him.
"My reason for doing this is simple. You may or may not know that Candace and Dehya are good friends."
"And Mishal's retaliatory actions target Dehya's father, Kusayla, and former [Dakan Al-Ahmar] members under Kusayla."
"This would distress my lady."
Rama's words were calm yet absurd, leaving all the elders wide-eyed.
Reality could be more absurd than rumor.
Mishal fled to the [Corps of Thirty] soon after Rama's deed.
And thereafter, rumors began to swirl in the Desert.
Rama had done such a thing for a woman.
Now it wasn't just a rumor; it was true, and even more absurd.
"Just for this reason?" Someone couldn't help but restrain themselves but toned down their voice. "But, Your Majesty, is it really necessary to impact the plan with just this reason?"
Such behavior, disdainful even of lying, was hard for them to accept.
You could have used more effective reasons, like Mishal's disloyalty to the contract, his leanings towards the [Corps of Thirty] rather than the Desert regime.
But you didn't want to use even such reasons, instead directly using the relationship between Dehya and Candace... Just how much do you like this woman we thrust upon you?!
The elders' faces were bitter.
Should we say it's the common failing of youth?
They didn't think it was Candace's charm but believed Rama was young and accomplished, thinking everything should revolve around himself, hence making such a straightforward choice.
"I intend to clean up a guild, and this explanation suffices."
Rama stood, "The controversy surrounding this matter ends here. If my actions have brought unbearable losses to the tribe, you may all rest assured."
"Whether with the cooperation of the [Deshret's Relics] or not, the ultimate outcome won't change."
His words were as usual, devoid of any emotional fluctuations.
"I will secure this victory, and whether anyone cooperates or not is irrelevant."
His gaze swept over everyone below, his voice rather calm than intense.
This attitude, more than not needing the [Deshret's Relics], was Rama's final ultimatum — actually, whether you cooperate or not, it doesn't matter.
(End of Chapter)
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone