Toby leaned back in his chair, resting his clasped hands on the table. His cloudy yet sharp eyes stared at Leopold, waiting for him to speak.
“The Demon Race's influence in the Eastern Border is expanding. You should be more aware of this than I am,” Leopold said, getting straight to the point. “Blackstone Town has completely fallen into the hands of the Demon Race, and they are constantly abducting villagers from around here.”
“I am indeed aware of what you say,” Toby replied.
Toby's words made Leopold raise an eyebrow slightly.
“Since you know the situation in Blackstone Town, you must also know that a single village cannot defend itself.”
“Every time the Demon Race comes, you can only hide in your cellars, waiting for them to finish choosing their victims and leave. The next time they come, you hide again. Until one day, they will no longer be satisfied with just taking people, and they will simply set fire to the village.”
“So, why don't we form an alliance to resist the Demon Race together? As long as we work as one, we can certainly do it.”
Toby did not object, nor did he respond. However, the secretary standing beside him spoke up anxiously.
“But aren't you colluding with sorcerers? And there are demons in Cabin Village. How can you expect us to trust you?”
Toby did not stop his secretary. He simply leaned back in his chair, quietly watching Leopold and waiting for his response.
Leopold was in no hurry to defend himself.
“Chief, it seems your eyes and ears are not to be underestimated.”
“Likewise. As the largest village in the vicinity, Kanu Village naturally has its methods.” Toby stood up, walked over to the window, and turned back to look at Isabella.
“And you, young lady, where do you come from?”
Isabella did not avoid his gaze. She merely offered a slight smile.
“I come from a very distant place, a place that was destroyed long ago.”
Toby's gaze lingered on Isabella's face for a moment. He did not press further, but slowly nodded and sat back down in his chair.
“A distant place... That explains it.”
“This gentleman just said that he wants to establish an alliance to resist the Demon Race. Although I do not believe humans have any chance of defeating them, because it is you two, I am inclined to believe it is possible.”
The secretary opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately just glanced at Toby and kept quiet.
“Thank you for your trust, Chief.”
“Don't be so quick to thank me. Not all villages will willingly submit to Cabin Village's organization.”
“Acknowledging an organization means relinquishing a portion of one's power. And losing power is something some people absolutely cannot accept.”
Toby's eyes flashed sharply, but then he closed them.
“I've lived long enough, and I've been the village chief for decades. I have nothing left to cling to.” He opened his eyes and looked at Leopold. “But there will always be those who stand in your way.”
Leopold narrowed his eyes. The old man before him seemed to have read his mind completely.
Leopold fell silent for a moment, then smiled.
“Chief, you are truly sharp-eyed.”
“Hahaha! For the races at the bottom to survive, they always need extraordinary wisdom.”
“You're right, Chief. For the races at the bottom to survive, brute force alone is not enough. That's why I don't just want to establish an alliance to resist the Demon Race.”
He paused, as if weighing his next words, before continuing,
“I want to establish a human kingdom—a kingdom where humans and sorcerers are equals.”
Toby was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, but then he burst into hearty laughter.
“The youth are truly to be feared! Truly to be feared!” He stood up and waved his hand at the others. “All of you, leave us. I wish to speak with these two distinguished guests in private.”
Once Toby finished speaking, the secretary and Iron Fist exchanged a glance. Saying nothing more, they quietly withdrew.
Seeing that only the three of them remained in the room, Toby dropped his pretense and looked at Leopold with “sincerity.”
“You are not humans, are you? Rest assured, I harbor no ill will.” Toby's gaze was gentle as he stroked his beard. “I am well aware that the human race cannot survive long-term on its own.”
Leopold chuckled. The old fox had indeed seen through them. For now, he didn't seem opposed to Leopold's leadership.
“So, Chief, what is your stance?” Leopold probed.
“On behalf of Kanu Village, I am willing to submit to your rule. You are an opportunity the human race has not seen in a thousand years!”
“Chief, I am well aware of the weight of your words.” Leopold bowed slightly in return. “But I must be honest with you. What I can offer you right now is actually very little. I cannot conjure a magnificent city for you, nor can I provide you with a powerful army.”
“What I can give you is merely a promise that cannot be easily cashed in right now.”
Toby leaned back in his chair and listened quietly. After a moment, he suddenly chuckled.
“Humans do not want to become slaves under the rule of the Demon Race. Obviously, you are the better choice.”
“For now, humanity still needs to borrow your strength to repel the Demon Race. In exchange, humanity will naturally prostrate at your feet and become your servants.”
“Chief, the Eastern Border indeed needs a force capable of repelling the Demon Race right now. And I happen to be able to provide that force.”
“But I do not need servants.”
“Oh?”
“With that in mind, Chief, please arrange for all the village officials to relocate to Cabin Village, leaving behind only the necessary liaisons.”
“Is this a requirement of the alliance?”
“Yes. It is to facilitate the dispatching of orders.”
“I agree. Please give us one day.”
“Furthermore, the able-bodied youths of the village must also gather in Cabin Village for centralized training, though please leave behind enough farmers to maintain the fields.”
These words made Chief Toby frown once again. Anyone could speak pretty words, but he had never expected the man in front of him to actually take them so seriously.
He now understood why so many nearby villages had turned to Cabin Village for help. It turned out this alliance was taking such drastic, sweeping measures right from the start.
However, for now, it was best to go along with them. Their strength far exceeded that of the villages. Let alone Kanu Village, even if all the neighboring villages united, they might not be a match for the man before him.
Speaking of which, the representatives from Hexi Village should be arriving soon. It would be better to see how they react first...
“Chief, the representatives from Hexi Village have arrived,” the secretary's voice called out from outside the door, carrying a hint of nervous trepidation. “They brought over a dozen men with them!”
Toby did not respond immediately. He first cast a glance at Leopold, his gaze carrying a hint of amusement.
The door was pushed open, and the secretary stepped aside. A stockily built, middle-aged man strode in.
Two men followed closely behind him, never leaving his side, looking like guards based on their attire. Further back in the courtyard, there were indeed over a dozen men standing around, some carrying swords at their waists and others holding short clubs.
The middle-aged man's gaze swept across the room, first landing on Leopold, then brushing past Isabella, before finally settling on Toby. “Brother Toby, you have guests?”
“This is the chief of Hexi Village, Barrow,” Toby introduced in a flat tone. “This is Mr. Leopold, and that is Miss Isabella.”
“They are from Cabin Village. We were just discussing some matters.”
“What matters?” Barrow sized Leopold up and down. “From Cabin Village? Brother Toby, you aren't joking with me, are you?”
“Wasn't this meeting organized by you? How is it that you've gone ahead and started talking with the enemy first?!”
Rate on N.U.
