The Empror's Trap

To be honest, Molor already knew that today's meal was likely not just about eating.

But when Pluvia finally spoke up, he was still somewhat worried.

Pluvia had given their Soler tribe lush grasslands for free. While this was certainly good for the Soler people, Molor, as the leader of one of the nations surrounding Camelot Central Empire, understood the empire well enough to know that this free gift of fertile land would likely come with a price to be paid in the future.

He just never expected it would come so soon.

"May I ask what Your Majesty needs from me and my tribe? If it's within my power, I will certainly do my utmost."

Molor said respectfully.

"Hmm..." Pluvia looked at him thoughtfully.

Well, well, if it's within your power, you'll do your utmost? In other words, if you think you can't do it, then you won't do it, is that right?

However, while she was criticizing him in her mind, her face never revealed it. She simply nodded: "Very well, I'll speak plainly. Recently, I've been deploying troops to the west. The court's army has already been sent there, and you should know about this to some extent. Now, I hope you can do something for me."

"What I mean is, I hope your Soler tribe can help me with the breeding techniques and cultivation of your horse breeds. That is to say..."

"Your Majesty wishes to acquire our horse breeds, is that right?"

Though the Soler tribe wasn't particularly powerful and couldn't compare to the Sal Kingdom, they had one significant advantage: their expertise in horse breeding and rearing techniques. Soler warhorses were often purchased by neighboring countries. Though not the fastest, they possessed sufficient endurance and excellent environmental adaptability.

Before this, a considerable portion of Camelot's cavalry—especially the heavy cavalry's horses—were purchased and imported from Soler. However, due to the complex breeding and rearing techniques, Camelot, despite buying many horses, could never successfully raise truly capable warhorses themselves. They could only buy the fully-grown horses from Soler.

But now, Pluvia was determined to pry open their mouths this time.

"Exactly. I know this matter is quite difficult for your tribe. A significant portion of your tribe's wealth comes from selling horses—so, I invited you here today with the intention of discussing this matter with you."

"Your Majesty, this matter... is truly challenging. If this were merely my personal technique, I would naturally present it to Your Majesty to repay your kindness. But these horse-rearing experiences and techniques have been passed down by our tribal ancestors, and there's already a consensus within the tribe. I'm afraid they won't agree..."

Molor said sincerely.

"It's alright. Since I invited you here today, I certainly won't try to get something for nothing. First, I want your horse-rearing techniques and breeds only for internal use within my Camelot, and will absolutely not share them externally. At the same time, we won't compete with your business outside."

Pluvia knew she needed to offer these assurances before continuing the negotiations.

The other tribal members won't agree? That was complete nonsense. The Soler tribe's chief was the controller of the entire tribe, and this so-called pillar industry like horse breeding was monopolized by the tribal chief. If he made up his mind, it was impossible for him to have no say in the matter.

In the end, he simply didn't want to give it up.

By offering these assurances, Pluvia expressed her sincerity while also conveying an attitude to him: Today I want your horses, you won't give them? Are you looking down on me? I might really lose my temper!

Clearly, the determination Pluvia displayed truly made Molor somewhat hesitant.

Mainly because the Camelot Empire's power was evident, and now that the Soler had obtained Kalashige Plains, Sal Kingdom had significant grievances against Soler (though they didn't dare provoke Camelot immediately). If he offended Camelot now, his tribe might soon face an intimate encounter with Sal Kingdom's iron cavalry.

"Since Your Majesty has spoken to this extent, I am willing to explain the situation to our tribal elders on Your Majesty's behalf. However, I cannot guarantee they will fully agree..."

"Molor, hasn't your Soler tribe always wanted to reclaim the water source that was seized by Sal?" Pluvia didn't look at him, just casually tasting the braised sea cucumber before her. "I recall that was decades ago, wasn't it? After Soler lost that water source, Sal Kingdom dammed the water, causing your pastures to become sparse."

"When my army completes the western campaign, I also intend to resolve the northern issues—I will have Grand Marshal Kenji handle your water source matter as well."

Molor's body trembled.

The words from Pluvia's mouth were spoken so casually.

But for the Soler tribe, this represented decades of blood and tears.

That place called Mulerco by Soler people, despite its complex terrain, was the source of the mother river that irrigated Soler lands.

However, since Soler's defeat and forced contraction decades ago, that water source had been occupied by Sal Kingdom. Sal Kingdom had dammed most of the water flow, causing large areas of the Soler grasslands to become barren. Later, the Soler were forced to present heavy gifts to Sal Kingdom, who then agreed to release a bit more water during the critical growth period of the pastures each year.

If providing horse-breeding techniques to Camelot could earn their support in reclaiming that area... this would be the tribe's greatest joy.

"What do you think? Let me emphasize again, we won't sell the warhorses we breed to other countries, nor will we share the techniques externally. Of course, I should clarify that you can refuse, as many people view such promises as reversible. But if you choose to trust my promise, it might be the most correct choice you'll make."

Pluvia wasn't rushed at all. After saying all this, she continued eating by herself.

Molor let his mind recover from that tempting impact and began to consider the possibilities of this matter.

Camelot's reputation was quite good. At least if they promised to protect you, they would certainly try their best to do so. Molor didn't believe they would suddenly renege—that would be a deadly joke for Camelot and many tribes.

If that's the case...

"I am willing to serve Camelot. Besides the horse breeds and horse-rearing techniques, I am willing to offer a thousand fine horses as thanks to Your Majesty."

Hearing this, Pluvia nodded.

This unexpected gain was something she hadn't anticipated.