Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons

Chapter 867 - Taming the Fifth Year - Cold Diplomacy

Arturo felt his muscles tense involuntarily while processing the audacity of the proposal, the way the Gold-ranksʼ leader presented it shamelessly as though it were a perfectly reasonable option instead of tactical suicide.

Selphira said nothing immediately, but Arturo observed a subtle change in her posture.

A small inclination of her head indicating she was evaluating the situation from multiple angles, considering not just what they were saying but also what the complete configuration revealed about the true nature of the enemiesʼ position.

Her eyes were calculating something that Arturo couldnʼt quite identify yet but that seemed to be generating conclusions that increased her tension incrementally.

Arturo decided to test the ground with a response that committed to nothing but opened space for additional dialogue.

”Your ʼinvitationʼ is appreciated, Lord Goldcrest,” he began with a tone that was diplomatic without being warm. ”But surely youʼll understand our reluctance to enter an enclosed space where you completely control the terrain. Perhaps we could conduct these ʼcivilized negotiationsʼ out here, where everyone can clearly see all participantsʼ intentions.”

Standard negotiating tactic. Push back, make them work for what they want. See how they respond to resistance.

The noble woman from the opportunists intervened before her leader could respond, her voice carrying artificial sweetness as transparent as glass.

”Certainly we could, Lord Arturo, but Iʼm afraid this discussion of specific terms requires discretion that a public setting canʼt appropriately provide. There are... sensitive... details about Victorʼs situation that surely all of us would prefer not to share with every soldier in the field.”

Her smile didnʼt change, didnʼt waver… It remained fixed in place like a mask that had been painted on rather than worn naturally.

It was an argument designed to exploit the natural concern about his brotherʼs wellbeing but also public image, suggesting that horrible information waited that should only be revealed privately out of respect for the older princeʼs status.

Obvious manipulation. But effective in its simplicity.

Because it worked regardless of whether you recognized it as manipulation. Classic hostage negotiation pressure. Make the rescuers desperate and use that desperation to force compliance.

The younger noble opportunist added his own contribution with a voice attempting to sound reasonable.

”Furthermore, Matriarch Selphira will surely appreciate that conducting negotiations before a ʼcompleteʼ army creates... unnecessary pressures. Younger soldiers get nervous. Can ʼleadʼ to situations that escalate ʼwithout intentionʼ when tension is visible. Better to handle this as civilized people in a more controlled environment where cooler heads can prevail.”

It was a triad of arguments communicating theyʼd rehearsed exactly how to present the invitation so it sounded reasonable.

Political considerations, logical necessity and ʼconcernʼ for othersʼ wellbeing.

All angles designed to make refusal seem irrational or cowardly. Not direct pressure... Subtle framing that made acceptance appear to be the obviously correct choice for anyone acting reasonably.

Arturo had to admit it was well done. If heʼd been alone, if Victorʼs safety hadnʼt been at stake, if the entire situation werenʼt so obviously designed to trap them...

He might have almost believed it.

But Selphira had been listening with attention going beyond the specific words they were using.

Her gaze had been scanning the enemy forcesʼ disposition during the entire conversation. Not obviously… She maintained appropriate eye contact with speakers, nodded at appropriate moments, gave all surface indicators of paying attention to the dialogue.

But Arturo knew her well enough to recognize when she was multitasking.

And something in what she saw had triggered recognition beginning to manifest as growing irritation in the expression she normally kept neutral.

Not just that they thought they could stop her, looking at their highly defensive position lacking offensive positioning.

But something else. Something larger…

”I have a question,” Selphira interrupted with a cold voice cutting through the trioʼs cheap diplomatic speech like an ice knife.

The leader blinked with surprise at the interruption but recovered his composure quickly. ”Of course, Matriarch. Weʼre here to answer any legitimate concerns you may have.”

His smile stayed in place. But something behind his eyes changed. Wariness, maybe… ”This army youʼve deployed,” Selphira continued while gesturing toward the forces distributed across a considerable area, ”several thousand Silver-rank tamers with approximately 24 Golds leading them according to my count. Thatʼs a significant concentration of military personnel.”

Sheʼd counted them... During the conversation, while appearing to focus on dialogue.

”Yes,” the leader confirmed with pride he didnʼt completely hide. ”Weʼve gathered considerable resources to ensure that…”

”Where exactly did they come from?” Selphira interrupted again, tone becoming sharper.

The shift was subtle but unmistakable. No longer diplomatic. No longer playing the game of polite negotiation. Moving toward something else.

”Because unless Iʼm mistaken about how basic military responsibilities function in this kingdom, forces of this size should be stationed at specific locations fulfilling specific duties. Not simply wandering around this small side of Goldcrest territory waiting for an opportunity to participate in this stupid hostage-taking operation.”

There was uncomfortable silence extending for several seconds.

The noble woman exchanged a quick look with the younger noble, communicating they hadnʼt expected this specific line of questioning that had nothing to do with Victor. The leader attempted to maintain a confident expression but small tensions around his eyes revealed growing nervousness.

”These are forces that have been... appropriately reassigned according to the present situationʼs needs,” the leader responded with a voice attempting to sound authoritative but carrying underlying defensiveness.

”Reassigned,” Selphira repeated with a flat tone, converting the word into accusation. ”By whom exactly? Under what legitimate military authority were these forces removed from their assigned positions on the defensive wall thatʼs been under siege by mutants?”

Arturo was beginning to see where Selphira was taking this line of questioning, and he felt admiration and apprehension about how this would unfold.

Sheʼd observed something heʼd processed subconsciously but hadnʼt fully articulated yet. Something about the numbers. Something about the timing. ”The positions from which these forces were ʼreassignedʼ,” Selphira continued with biting emphasis on the word the trio had used, ”are sections of the defensive wall surrounding not only this Goldcrest territory but also an entrance point for mutants into all of Yano and according to recent reports youʼre also taking soldiers from a small but functional part of Yino. Areas that should be constantly patrolled against the threat of mutants attacking without prior warning.”

She gestured toward the army.

”Yet here they are. Hundreds of soldiers who should be defending a critical perimeter, concentrated in a single location for a purpose having nothing to do with the kingdomʼs security. Thatʼs desertion on a massive scale according to any military definition I know.”

Her voice was rising. Not shouting, Selphira didnʼt shout. But increasing in intensity, pressure building behind each word like steam in a sealed vessel approaching critical temperature.

”Now wait a moment…” the leader began with indignation sounding rehearsed.

”And yet,” Selphira interrupted with voice elevating slightly in volume and intensity, ”the mutants havenʼt attacked those unprotected sections during the time these forces have been absent. Donʼt you find that... strange?”