Chapter 297 Tears (1)
The Neles state was a land pretty similar to Hiloh. The only difference was the fact that it had some massive mountains, and the biggest cities were built around it because the dungeons were also inside those mountains. The capital was no exception, and despite the fact that they could use the castle that Jeannette built for herself, they decided to use the guildhall of the capital. The current guild master was actually one of Gilles' disciples, so he was invited to join the meeting since no one else from the state wanted to participate. After losing their leader and hearing that they used magic to control a lot of people, they didn't know what to do anymore. The guild master had made his choice, and he looked resolute. Fortunately, he was a reasonable man.
"Although I am here, I won't ask for anything aside from a fair treatment to our people," Laurent said. "I know that we can't demand anything because of the last few years and because of the fact we let all of that happen, but I still decided to express this.
Laurent was the guild master and a short, black-haired man in his fifties. While he didn't have the aptitude to become a soldier, he became a famous fighter and adventurer after studying under Gilles. Even he didn't know why Jeannette left him, the other guild masters and adventurers alone. However, Billy is more or less knew. The adventurers were free, and most of them wouldn't join wars along with their guildmasters unless it was to defend their state. Since Jeannette only attacked, she didn't have their cooperation. Another reason was the fact that guilds gave her a good source of income. Changing personnel would probably result in less money in her pockets. It was another way to fund her future actions was to ignore them. It wasn't the wrong move.
"There is no need to be so negative," Edward said. "Everyone here knows that wars only make the people feel more miserable with all the deaths. I am sure we all want to avoid any more bloodshed in the future."
"That being said, our states that suffered a lot in the last few years need to be compensated for all the losses," Jean said while his eyes were closed and his arms crossed. "So, I want to hear what do you think we should do before voicing our own opinions."
"We don't have many options aside from splitting our territory among your states," Laurent said. "Still, our people wouldn't feel happy from being separated from their families and friends, so let the people move as they see fit would be for the best. Despite what happened in the last few years, I believe we wouldn't face problems cohabiting with the people or Hiloh and Toles state. However, things would be different state Kriesal state. Our cultures are too different."
Kriesal state was the place Svan, and the barbarians belonged to. Most of them grew to be tall and bulky warriors, and their training was quite rigorous. While they had towns and cities, some still were divided into nomads tribes that liked to move around instead of staying in a single place.
"I agree with that," Svan said. "I also think that would be for the best. However, my people like to fight. So, at least a single dungeon town would be enough for us to be annexed. If the inhabitants of such a place want to live, they may do so. If they want to stay, I give my word that they won't lose their jobs or be mistreated."
Lauren picked a map of the state, and he showed that they had a dungeon down on the eastern side of their territory, but it was a bit far away from the border with Kriesal state. If all the lands north and south from the dungeon town were to be annexed to Svan's state, then they would get a bit more than one-third of the states' territory.
"That should suffice," Jean said. "Am I right?"
"I feel like we are receiving more than we should, though," Svan said.
"It is fine by me since it wouldn't make any sense for us to get lands so far away from us," Jean said. "I believe that Rosalie and the people of Toles state should get the remaining territory of your former territory. While her uncle started this series of conflicts, her people suffered the most."
I agree with that," Aura said. "Our lands are already fertile enough, and we don't have enough hands to maintain more territory."
"Although the location of our territories makes things difficult, I believe that we are getting too much of this," Rosalie said. "To compensate for that, I think we should give half of the former territory of Toles state to Hiloh. We are shorthanded to use those lands, after all."
"Who said that we aren't shorthanded as well?" Jean frowned.
"You have the cooperation of the mages, and their students can also do a lot in helping on the management of those lands," Rosalie said.
"... I suppose that is true," Jean said. "Let's hope that all this division and lands annexed don't cause trouble between the masses. Let's make some laws to make sure that neither of the states will let xenophobia go unpunished."
In the end, Billy wonders what he is doing there. While he caused Jeannette's downfall, he didn't have anything to add. Fortunately, it wasn't like he wasted his time. Jeannette amassed a good amount of resources, including books, weapons, armor, and money… Half of those were going to be used to rebuild the states, while the other half went to him. Thanks to that, Billy had a hard time holding his grin. Still, he was going to become a father soon, and he would need a lot of money to make sure that his kids would grow to be healthy and have as many if not more opportunities as he had.
