River Of Anew: Farming In Another World

Once again, silence settled in the room. The four individuals looked around the table, each searching for some sort of reaction from the others, or some even searching for some sort of alliance. Majnor and the other young, well-dressed man instantly looked at one another.

They stared at one another as if they were able to communicate without even having to say anything, and just before they looked away, Major nodded, at which the other man only shook his head and sighed.

"Great, it seems Major and Vision have decided to team up... Though they were the greatest threat from the beginning, and I did expect them to go against me, but not this soon... This is going to be tough."

Aier thought as she observed a somewhat hidden yet still obvious alliance being forged. She couldn't help but let out a sigh and brace herself for a tough match.

"It seems everyone is ready, so first of all, it seems that you were the first to voice your opinion; let us start with you, then."

The old man looked at Major with his usual kind expression. However, the young-looking boy knew that it was nothing more than a fake image, a courtesy which was mandatory.

"Everyone knows about that land; that used to belong to me!"

The boy spoke up with anger and glared at Aier but then quickly looked at the old man with a grin. This grin indicated only one thing: he had just started his first assault, and the war had begun.

"Yes, I remember that well. The land in question truly was yours. However, it seems you have forgotten your linguistic lesson. WAS is was because it happened in the past. I have the feeling that you have forgotten that you had been in one hell of a situation and desperately needed my aid..."

Aier replied calmly, but she had a slight grin on her face, clearly enjoying the situation she managed to create. She enjoyed seeing how the young boy's face soon turned red with anger. She could feel his intense glare and anger. But it was not enough; she wanted to push further and decided to continue.

"You requested a large amount of supplies from my region in order to keep up your crumbling army in your meaningless war, which in the end was still defeated. So you have no right to claim and call that land as yours. That was the payment we agreed upon, as you had no other valuables to offer."

"That is correct; I have been there when the documents have been signed! Though it has been decades since the agreement, that still applies!"

As the old man said it, he smiled kindly; however, he said the smile was not directed to Aier, with whom he had agreed, but to Majnor. The smile seemed to be just a courtesy smile to show his sympathy. However, it was something entirely different.

The old man's smile was a message to the people at present. Although he seemed indifferent, he showed that he, too, has great goals, which he will work for. His smile was just a figurative message, which meant no less than a declaration of war. Though, as he looked at Majnor, the man could see that he was possibly the only one who didn't get his intentions.

Visgon, on the other hand, slightly leaned back and took a loud and long sip of tea, using the old man's technique against him to disrupt the pause. In this stalemate, it was clear as ice that this was a two against two.

Due to Ayer's policies and laws, no man in her domain knew how to work in the fields; as she was a meat eater, she prohibited agriculture. Her people were expert hunters, and other than meat, they could use mushrooms to spice the food up. Though she had already issued a new order, it would take time for her subjects to learn how to cultivate and grow plants.

However, even if it is a long process, at least her opponents are not capable of exploiting her land and gaining even more power. She knew that whoever had that piece of land in their hand would have their might and influence greatly increased.

"At least Idosen is against them..."

Aier thought and drank a sip of tea with a sigh. She was thrilled, though she knew that the situation was severe. Her usually boring and slow life was now filled with some excitement, so she wanted to make the most of it.

"I do believe that, though we can not claim the land without adequate evidence or basis, we can trade it. I do believe that in your current situation, you might be interested in trading."

Spoke up Visgon as he put his cup of tea down and smiled. Aier gritted his teeth as she knew why he was grinning. He knew that Aier was on a meat-only policy and that, eventually, his meat would run out. Also, there was a powerful trade connection between each of them, and should one be severed, it would have great consequences.

Suddenly, as he opened his mouth to speak up, his fairly-like creature leaned close to his ears and whispered something which seemed to have shocked him.

"However, unfortunately, I have urgent business to do. I am willing to compensate for the trouble. Also, Majnor, this urgent matter involves you as well, so please come with me."

"W-what are you..."

Uttered the shocked boy, but the well-dressed man grabbed his shoulder. The two men and their fairies vanished in a blink of an eye.

"What is going on? I thought we would have a hard negotiation?! I dressed up and prepared just for this event... "

Aier spoke up and slammed the table, making it lift up on the opposite side. Idosen could just take off his cup of tea in time.

"Lady Aier, I have received news... Should I say it out loud?"

"Yes, Idosen and I have been working together for quite some time; our goal is to prevent the advancement of those two bastards. So, what is it?"

She said, and the old man nodded while drinking the remainder of his tea and then put the cup back onto the table.

"It is regarding that area... We have conducted a few hidden investigations about the ground and the soil. However, it doesn't seem to be blessed. It is just as withered as it has always been."

"But the vegetables I ate were most definitely grown on such a land."

Aier said, and she scratched her head. In her frustration, she quickly chugged the tea down just before the girl could continue.

"It is safe to assume that the individual to whom the product belonged came in possession of blessed seeds and is capable of reproducing them. There is no other explanation for it!"

Felfey declared though she was greatly afraid that her mistress would burst out, so she hovered a bit back.

"It is safe to assume that they have extrapolated something out; that is why they vamoosed with such urgency. I advise we discuss the subject further and come up with a strategy to counterattack whatever Majnor and Visgon have in store for us... Visgon is a shrewd fox, so we must be prudent... I fear he already started moving."