Varahan Palace!
Gawking a little at the sheer size of the tree that formed the palace, Bronsk Brimgan accompanied his delegation and entered the place. ’This is already one of the biggest trees on Sumatra, if not the biggest already. And from what I heard, it continues to grow.’
The group was accompanied by a team of soldiers and brought to the throne room. Bronsk Brimgan recognised some of the Ministers, who were at the Empyrean Colosseum. ’So, five of them made it out safely.’
With a casual glance, Bronsk Brimgan could clearly perceive the State of Harmony users among the Ministers. They stood at the peak of Free Human society at present, and as they continue to progress through the Life Stage, they’d further cement their status.
He then lifted his head and stared at the seat of the Empress, one where Yarsha Zahara used to sit. Now, occupying the spot was a Mystic Human, the race created by Yarsha Zahara’s most detested enemy.
"I greet the Varahan Empress!" Bronsk Brimgan made a respectful bow towards Yoribu, surprised to see the latter stand up in response to perform a similar bow towards him.
"I greet the Brimgan Emperor!" Yoribu stated upon noticing Bronsk Brimgan’s surprise, "It’s only right I treat the Brimgan Emperor with respect."
"At present, the Varahan Empire is the challenger while the Brimgan Empire is the leader of Free Humans." She smiled, "Through the Mystic Humans, I intend to forge a cordial relationship with the Brimgan Empire."
She then pointed to a private corridor at the side of the throne room, "Now, please follow me. I intend to discuss a few things in private."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." Bronsk Brimgan nodded and commanded his delegate to stay put in the throne room. The Brimgan Royals part of the delegate immediately moved to discuss various matters with the Ministers and were escorted to a nearby hall where such discussions could take place.
"These are the Varahan Emperor’s private chambers." Yoribu expressed once Bronsk Brimgan accompanied her, inviting the latter into a secluded room where Narkahamy and Mesupoh usually discussed various matters.
"T-This is...?" Bronsk Brimgan gasped in shock to see a statue of Amita Brimgan, ’This is the Varahan Palace! The heart of the faction that opposed the Royal Zinger!’
"Shocking, right?" Yoribu chuckled, "But it existed ever since Narkahamy took position as the Varahan Emperor. Actually, the statue was transported here after he took this position. It existed even before, for as long as I can remember."
"How is that possible?" Bronsk Brimgan expressed his confusion, "It doesn’t make sense that the Varahan Emperor has a statue of the Royal Zinger. Does he...worship her?"
"No, he doesn’t." Yoribu shook her head, "He simply idolises her, especially the Royal Zinger’s journey to the Mystic Grade."
"That’s why this statue exists." She commented and took seat in one corner of the room and motioned for Bronsk Brimgan to sit on the other, "I hope you don’t mind sitting on the floor."
"The Varahan Emperor made it a habit and I simply wish to honour his actions."
"It’s not an issue." Bronsk Brimgan sat on the floor and flashed a cordial smile, "Tell me, Your Majesty. For what reason have you invited me to the Varahan Palace?"
"There are a few matters to discuss." Yoribu nodded, "First, I need to address an issue."
She expressed in all seriousness, "I’m pretty sure the Brimgan Empire has already obtained Gold Inheritance Art, including the version created by the Varahan Emperor at the Empyrean Colosseum. I ask you this, Your Highness."
"Don’t advocate its usage in the Brimgan Empire or in any satellite Kingdoms affiliated to you."
"Why?" Bronsk Brimgan didn’t deny anything and instead asked why Yoribu expressed such a statement. ’She neither blamed us nor threatened us. The reason seems to be something else.’
"It’s an invasive cultivation technique." Yoribu expressed solemnly, "Once it’s made public, everyone will adopt it, since it’s a self-sufficient cultivation technique. Using it, you’ll produce the mineral necessary to build your Human Avatar yourself, making it easy to use anywhere and everywhere."
"I’m aware of its uses," Bronsk Brimgan nodded, "But what do you mean by an invasive cultivation technique?"
"It’s damn easy to use." Yoribu harrumphed, "That means, when a Free Human is given choice of cultivating their family or Kingdom’s cultivation technique or Gold Inheritance Art, they’ll always choose the latter."
"When this happens on a large scale, it’ll kill the Free Human Race as a whole." She uttered, "Every other cultivation technique will eventually become obsolete, as no one will be using it. All manners of innovation will be restricted to only a Vara Human Avatar."
"Isn’t the Varahan Empire faring exceptionally well?" Bronsk Brimgan stated, "Even your weakest citizen has Silver Grade strength. The pros far outweigh the cons."
"No, it doesn’t." Yoribu shook her head, stunning Bronsk Brimgan as she explained her reasoning, "The Vara Human Avatar and the Wean Clansman have an eat and be eaten relationship. In the Varahan Empire, we’re constantly making changes to counter the Wean Clan."
"Now, tell me this," She stared at Bronsk Brimgan, "Suppose a Free Human from the Brimgan Empire has a Vara Human Avatar. All he’ll do is consume Pranic Beasts and gain their Natures. That is enough there, so that’s all he does."
"And the day he encounters a Wean Clansman, he’ll die, being unable to do anything, since he has never faced a Wean Clansman before and has no idea how to counter one." She said and stared at Bronsk Brimgan, "That is its biggest weakness. You’ll be extremely susceptible to the Wean Clan’s control unless you’re updated with the Wean Clan’s developments on a daily basis."
"Only here, at the Varahan Empire, is that possible." She concluded, "That’s why I wish you refrain from making it public. You can still have a small group with a Vara Human Avatar, but make them live in the shadows. And from time to time, they can arrive at the Varahan Empire to keep up with the developments."
"Limit it to no more than ten," She said, "And ensure the children of such people never follow the same route."
"Why is that?" Bronsk Brimgan asked.
"The influence of a Vara Human Avatar makes you susceptible to external influence, since that’s what this entire build is based on." She expressed solemnly, "That means, these Free Humans will become primary targets for Pranic Beasts to be made into Ravaged Tribesmen."
"Only here, at the Varahan Empire, can we guard against such practices. Despite that," She shook her head, "There still exists a sizeable population of Free Humans with Vara Human Avatars on the Wean Clan’s side. They are being sold to various Pranic Beast groups for an exorbitant price."
"Through the Quip Clan?" Bronsk Brimgan asked.
"Yes," Yoribu nodded, "It has become the Wean Clan’s most popular export. They operate large Free Human farms and are earning enough money to fund their war against us."
"I understand the picture now." Bronsk Brimgan nodded, "I will add Gold Inheritance Art to the Brimgan Empire’s library, along with all its accompanying issues you have enlightened me with."
"I’m grateful, Your Highness." Yoribu cupped her fists in respect and then switched to the real matter, "What do you think of an exclusive trade route between our Empires?"
"Hmm..." Bronsk Brimgan thought for a moment before stating his opinion, "The Quip Clan wouldn’t sit still if they come to learn of it."
"Even if it’s a secluded railway line, information will eventually leak to the Quip Clan." Bronsk Brimgan hesitated for a moment before stating, "They have Piezo Resonance. Even if we don’t leak any information, they’ll extract it from us eventually, as long as we keep interacting with the Quip Clan."
"Are you nervous about antagonising the Quip Clan?" Yoribu asked, "Isn’t the Brimgan Empire their biggest customer?"
"No, we don’t have to worry about the Quip Clan. Rather, they usually worry about maintaining good ties with us, since almost half their revenue stems from us." Bronsk Brimgan shook his head, "We simply intend to maintain a status quo where the Quip Clan intends to please us. A secret trade route between our Empires will make the Quip Clan less desperate to remain in our good books."
"It’s a matter of profit and loss." Bronsk Brimgan, "If trade with the Varahan Empire is profitable enough, we’ll consider this trade agreement."
"I understand your point." Yoribu nodded.
"But that doesn’t mean I am averse to laying down the trade channel itself." Bronsk Brimgan smirked, "Currently, the Quip Clan is having a trade monopoly. That gives them the soft power to force our hand when necessary. They can threaten us by refusing to trade with us or jack up the prices when necessary."
"In such instances," He chuckled, "We’ll resort to using our channels."
"I am enlightened by your wisdom." Yoribu expressed gracefully. Internally, she was scrambling through the Narkahamy Dictionary, trying her best to ensure she wouldn’t make a loss-making deal with Bronsk Brimgan.
Unlike her, Bronsk Brimgan was trained since young to take the helm of the Brimgan Emperor one day. He had plenty of experience in a variety of matters, the wisdom and political cunning too. Against him, Yoribu was a mere hatchling.
A mistake, and she’d be ripped off. Hence, even though she didn’t display it on her face, Yoribu was nervous. Or rather, she was using psychokinesis on her face to maintain a poker face and controlling her expressions through it. That’s how she appeared calm and composed.
Thanks to it, and the Narkahamy Dictionary, Yoribu didn’t embarrass herself and engaged in a discussion with Bronsk Brimgan about various matters. Trade agreements, research cooperations, raid plans into the Kalahatra Desert, joint ventures in many regions to collectively extend the influence of Free Humans, etc.
They discussed and finalised on many topics, some of which went well while others couldn’t be concluded at a common ground. After more than six hours, Bronsk Brimgan took his leave, "It was a pleasure meeting you."
"Likewise," Yoribu smiled politely, "I hope the two Empires can meet and discuss once every decade on various matters like this."
The Brimgan Varahan Forum!
That was Yoribu’s proposal, which Brongak Brimgan accepted. She then spoke as he left, "Please stay for a few days. I’m sure there are more matters to be discussed."
"Yes," Bronsk Brimgan nodded, aware of the interaction between the Brimgan Royals and the Varahan Ministers. He too had many things to discuss with the Varahan Empress, ’This is a good opportunity for the Brimgan Empire. We can benefit a lot from the Varahan Empire.’
’Maybe I can even find a cure for the poison eating away at Boul.’ He thought, firming his mind, ’After all, this once used to be the Celestial Boar’s home. And his descendants are living right across the border.’
"I’ll retire for the day then." He began to walk towards the quarters assigned to him within the Varahan Palace, thinking during the journey, ’The Varahan Empress...she’s pretty strong. She’s nowhere close to Ruvva in terms of strength or intelligence, but she outclasses the rest of the Mystic Humans.’
’And most of all,’ He thought in silence, ’She’s bearing Narkahamy’s child. That child would truly be a force of nature.’
He arrived at his room, filled with thoughts, ’It’s time we fully turned the Brimgan Empire into Ruvva’s home. It’s all up to you, brother. We need someone with your talent to lead us.’
"Whether it’s me or the Varahan Empress," He smiled self-deprecatingly, "We’re merely placeholders waiting for the real Rulers to emerge."