A meeting was held at the usual time the following month. It would still be another week and some days before they received Kuro’s response, whether it be more soldiers or the acceptance of defeat. Suffice to say, he understood that Miya would prefer the latter. Andreas was just glad that they seemed to consider his suggestions.
Elias had left early as per usual, so Andreas went at his own pace. When Andreas did arrive at the meeting, he was greeted with chatter—albeit chatter specifically about their recent driving out of Kuro soldiers. The talk continued on for a while before Elias started the meeting proper.
“Settle down,” Elias told the group. “We have other things to discuss.”
It took a few minutes before Elias seemed satisfied with the amount of silence.
“First,” the grand chief said firmly, “Everyone’s help was appreciated in our last fight. If Hylli is on our side, let this be as swift as Sólstaður’s occupation in the first place.”
There were cheers of agreement; Andreas nodded to express his own feelings. Elias continued once they quieted down again.
“There will likely be some adjusting needed, whether we continue to fight or are able to stand on our own again,” Elias continued. “We’ve had trade with the black kingdom thanks to them being here, but that may stop; we have the silver kingdom’s merchants to aid us, but there might be a time where we’re a bit low on nonessential items considering the kingdom’s current status. I would like to focus on that possibility, and any ideas for strategy if the black kingdom resumed their attacks.”
The meeting proceeded with that in mind. Andreas allowed most of them to do what they pleased, interjecting if something in particular sounded counterproductive. It had to be one of their longest meetings, at any rate—or at the very least, it was one of their longer important meetings. Everything that they discussed was hypothetical, but it carried on for a while.
After roughly three hours, Elias nodded and stood. “I believe we’ve talked enough about these matters; we should be prepared for whatever outcome does happen. I have one last announcement before you all return home.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
For once, the whole place was silent. Andreas wondered if everyone made the same guess as to what the ‘announcement’ was—there were only a few things the grand chief would need to say.
Elias seemed to have recognized that most of then had an idea of it, so he said it bluntly. “When this fighting ends—whether it be soon or years from now—I plan to resign. Andreas will take my place as grand chief when that happens.”
More silence. From what Andreas understood, most chiefs believed the work of their leader to be dull—you have to talk more than you can act, as well as fix problems and plan meetings. No matter how much they seemed to dislike Andreas, they wouldn’t protest; that would mean doing the work themselves.
Andreas didn’t feel particularly pleased about the position, but preparing for it was why he was here at all. He knew Elias likely just wanted to get out of the house and away from the others.
There was a pause, then Elias started to leave. That marked the end of the meeting, and most of the men followed.
…
Another two weeks passed, and one of Kuro’s ships arrived on Sólstaður’s seas. Whoever it was requested Miya to greet them, so Andreas brought his wife there; Elias went as well, albeit not traveling with the couple.
When Sólstaður’s side emerged unarmed, some people of Kuro’s ship left to greet them. Among them was the woman Andreas assumed was their ‘kitsune-advisor,’ considering her fox ears and tail. There were some people nearby murmuring about it in Sólstaður’s native language, although the fox herself didn’t seem to mind.
The fox-woman spoke to Miya in Kuro’s tongue. Miya looked back at Andreas and Elias to report.
“Yanami Sukaru can’t speak the modern language well,” Miya explained. “I’ll be translating her words and clarifying if necessary.”
Sukaru nodded, and she went on to speak a bit more. Miya dutifully translated, and it was something similar to negotiations—it was more open than Andreas had originally thought. Sólstaður’s requests were simple, and Sukaru seemed bored enough to accept most of them without complaint. There were a few things Miya argued with without translating—whether they were general comments or something else, however, Andreas wasn’t sure.
They discussed it until all terms were settled after two hours; Miya was tasked with putting it onto paper, and Sukaru was given the authority to agree to the terms in the name of Kuro’s throne. It ensured that it would last longer, at least, after Miya explained that Sukaru was believed to live longer than a normal person.
After everything was settled, Sukaru seemed to wish Miya well and left. Just like that…the occupation was lifted. Andreas found it a bit odd—he knew they were indifferent, but was it truly to this extent?—but came to accept it in a matter of days. Miya was allowed to stay in Sólstaður, so in the end he couldn’t really complain.