**Chapter 6: Simply**
After finding Luci, I thought it was time to meet the envoys from other countries. Well, actually, it was quite late from the promised time. It was around 10 PM, and the meeting was supposed to start at 8 or 9...
"Luci, can others see you?"
I walked past several guards, and strangely, they didn't seem to notice Luci hovering over my shoulder...
"They can, and they can't. You know, I'm a spiritual being, so I don't manifest myself to others under normal conditions... except to my contractor, like you and Kzarka. But they can see me if you ask, it's an easy task... I just have to think about it..."
Hearing that, I realized she was something 'different'.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
"Isn't that like using an illusion to hide your form? I thought it was something like that."
"It's not like that... How can I explain it? It's like breathing; it happens naturally... but it can also not happen... Seb-"
"I know, Luci, I know... Showing yourself is like 'manual' breathing, right?"
She nodded. "Yes, something like that..."
"Hahaha... ha... Isn't this ridiculous... We're talking, but all they see is me babbling nonsense alone." I laughed in despair, thinking about how my 'image' was destroyed just a day after I built it up.
"You're not stupid... Look, we're using telepathy; you haven't even opened your mouth since earlier." She puffed her cheeks and jumped around in front of me.
"Euh... We've reached the meeting place."
I diverted her attention.
"Hmp~"
I saw Cedric standing in front of the room door with a panicked face.
"Welcome, sir. The envoys have been waiting inside."
"Old man, you need to calm down. It's only a few hours..."
I walked past Cedric, who stood there in disbelief at my nonsense.
_-----_-----_-----_-----_
"His Majesty, King Muraka, has arrived!" Announced a herald.
I glanced left and right in the large room, seeing several envoys sitting in chairs with irritated expressions.
"Thank you for waiting, gentlemen."
Hearing my words, they became even gloomier. Perhaps this was what they were thinking...
'Instead of apologizing, he spews nonsense.'
Why? Of course, because my words were nonsense that couldn't be faulted. They couldn't blame me for their wait because I wasn't at fault, and I thanked them for their patience.
Also, I had already gained a bonus from those words...
Back on Earth, this was called 'creating conversational momentum.'
"Hm... I know His Majesty must be tired and it's late. Why don't we get straight to the point?" said a fat man with an unhappy face.
"Well... no problem. Let's get straight to the point. Simply put, I want each of your countries to send me 5 million gold per month."
Not a second after I said those words, their faces looked like people suffering from constipation, desperate to go to the toilet.
"Hah! Your Majesty, did I mishear, or are you belittling our countries?"
An older man responded with displeasure.
Hearing his words, I put on a puzzled expression.
"It's not that I'm belittling your homeland, but you are indeed inferior. I don't need to prove it; you've already proven it yourselves."
After my words, their faces turned even darker, as if they wanted to attack me with their absurd glares.
"Don't interrupt me. You know, our kingdom has been protecting the continent from those damned demons. But ironically, the creatures we protect are fighting among themselves and don't even think to help. So, I, King Themera, have decided. Those who pay will be safe, and those who don't will be attacked by demons."
"Don't make me laugh, Your Majesty, yo-"
'Luci, make them see you.'
"I can't control the demons? I know, but, nonetheless, those brainless creatures attack anything they see. Have you ever heard the phrase 'using a carrot to lead a donkey'?"
After my words, their faces turned ugly.
"You! Yo-"
I got up from my seat and walked to the door.
"Yes, I will demonstrate it. I'm just looking for a target. So... instead of wasting my time further, you'd better go home and ask your respective rulers. There's no negotiation."
"Bang!" I shut the meeting door.
Later
"Lucia that old man from haraketh, who is that?"
"His name is George Lavalen"
"So why tf is his face is so bad i didn't think that he's really a 'loyal'"
"Well actually i don't know but i know things about haraketh!"
I ask her to enlighten me just in case the story is different from the game...
Well, the good news is, it's same as the game's story
Haraketh started as a small village nestled within a lush jungle, its people living off the land and the river that flowed through it. The village was known for its fertile soil, which allowed the cultivation of various crops and the growth of medicinal plants. The villagers were skilled farmers and herbalists, their knowledge of the jungle passed down through generations.
The village of Haraketh gradually grew as more people settled in the area, attracted by the promise of fertile land and a peaceful life. Over time, it became a collection of warring tribes, each vying for control over the bountiful resources. Despite the conflicts, the tribes shared a deep connection to the land, using their intimate knowledge of the jungle to survive and thrive.
The unification of Haraketh began with a visionary chieftain named Zael Harak, who saw the potential for a powerful kingdom if the tribes could be united. Through a combination of diplomacy, strategic marriages, and occasional warfare, Zael managed to bring the major tribes together under one banner. This unification marked the beginning of Haraketh as a kingdom.
As Haraketh grew, it became renowned for its advanced agricultural practices. The kingdom's fertile deltas and river systems allowed for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops, making it an agricultural hub. The jungle provided a wealth of exotic wildlife and medicinal plants, further enhancing Haraketh's prosperity.
However, the kingdom's wealth attracted attention from neighboring kingdoms and empires. Over the centuries, Haraketh faced numerous invasions and attempts at conquest. Each time, the Harakethi people, with their deep knowledge of the terrain and guerrilla warfare tactics, managed to repel the invaders.
In recent times, Haraketh has maintained a delicate balance of power with its neighbors. Its wealth from agriculture and trade, coupled with strategic alliances, has allowed it to remain independent and influential in regional politics. The kingdom continues to thrive, its history a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of its people.