Leader

Taetel walked through his village. After resting, he chose to go on a morning walk. The people around him greeted him with respect.

Taetel’s gaze landed on pairs of kids playing with wooden swords. They looked healthy, like they were burning calories after eating a good meal.

So it did help.

Their sacrifices weren’t in vain.

Taetel shook his head and arrived back at the hut.

“Where’s my father?”

“He isn’t here.”

Inanna was engrossed in writing or drawing, a wooden stick coated in a mysterious liquid ran up and down a slice of wood.

“When will he be back?”

“Later when he’s done with the meeting.”

“What meeting?”

“Things that don't involve you.”

With that sharp and bitter response, Taetel had enough. He slammed his fist against the table, knocking over Inanna’s materials.

“Listen here. I’m the clan heir. Speak with respect.”

“Not until you’re the clan head.”

Taetel’s face twitched.

“Fine. If that’s how you want to be.”

Inanna glanced at Taetel, basically glaring at him.

“Why would you be so stupid to do that?”

“Are you unsatisfied with the mana stones obtained?”

“I don’t care about that.”

“Then what is it?”

Taetel pressed on, his voice getting louder.

“Why did you let Nelson die?”

“So this is what it’s about. I figured it was.”

Taetel went silent for a second before he awkwardly shrugged.

“His sacrifice won’t be forgotten. I will make sure of that.”

Taetel’s answer was met with an abrupt response. Inanna had stood up and shoved a finger against Taetel’s armor.

“How could you say that about your own brother? You filled his head with all these thoughts and see where it led him to! He’s dead!”

Her eyes watered, tears threatening to spill over.

“Right. He was your favorite son. What, did you hope I died instead of him?”

“You know what? Maybe I do. Maybe I do want to see you experience true consequences for once in your life.”

Taetel clicked his tongue before swatting Inanna’s hand away. Her touch alone left Taetel disgusted. Taetel wasn’t even blood related to Inanna, yet she had the gall to reproach him.

“Do something about it then. I’m not that little kid who will let you walk all over him again.”

Before either could continue, Taetel’s father appeared.

“Father.”

“What is it, Taetel?”

“How are the resources I provided helping the community?”

“Rather well. As much as their deaths hurt us in the long term, there are less mouths to feed and provide for.”

Serge calmly explained as if not caring for the two’s arguing.

“I’m assuming expanding our territory is still a lousy dream, no?”

“Correct. Our lack of human forces and resources makes it impossible.”

Taetel nodded along.

“But what if I summoned my familiar?

Wouldn’t that increase our power enough to expand?”

“What foolish nonsense are you saying now?” asked Inanna.

“Even if that is the case, there’s no point in searching for a summoning statue.”

Serge’s words were logical. So logical. He was right.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking for permission to search for it. I’m only asking that if we were able to find one, we should obviously use it, right?”

“Sooner or later we will need it, so yes.”

“That’s good to know. Thank you very much, father.”

Taetel turned around, hiding the grin plastered on his face. Right before he could take another step, however, his father’s words stopped him.

“Rest up. The others will patrol the village.”

“…understood.”

Taetel gave a dismissive wave and headed out. Now outside, he mindlessly wandered. The injuries he sustained weren’t all too bad, but they would take time to heal. His father was right, he needed to rest.

Since Taetel wasn’t paying attention, when he bumped into someone, he kept walking.

“It’s Taetel!”

“Huh?”

It was the village kids. A bunch of enthusiastic children who had yet to see the horrors of this world.

“I’ve been training like you told me! One day I’ll serve under you! It’s a promise!”

“Me too!”

“I can be of use because I can use magic!”

Taetel couldn’t help but let out a small smile. He ruffled a kid's hair before playfully pushing him.

“Big talk for brats who can’t land a single hit on me! Gahahahah!”

“It’s because you’re super strong!”

“Yeah! You’re the next leader!”

“Leader! Leader Taetel!”

“Keep praising the great Taetel!”

Taetel may have gotten lost in the sea of compliments as he abandoned any sense of decorum. He was naught but an emperor getting his rightful shower of praise.

“Where are the little girls? Studying again?”

“They finished training and, uh, went home?”

“Idiot, they were clearly bringing us the swords and left!”

“Ah…”

Taetel sighed and flicked one of the kids’ forehead.

“Make sure to treat those girls with care. After all, you will be protecting them in the future.”

“But why are there so few girls?”

“Yeah!”

“Tell us! Tell us!”

Taetel rubbed his chin as he was bombarded with those questions. Now, obviously they didn’t need to know, but on the other hand, they did need motivation.

“It’s because we are different. Girls have different needs than boys, so our environment doesn’t allow for the prosperity of the opposite gender.”

That was completely wrong.

Maybe.

Probably.

“What?”

“Such complicated words!”

“I don’t understand…”

“It’s luck. More boys are born than girls.”

Taetel settled for a simpler answer that the boys quickly accepted, making Taetel wonder why he bothered with the first answer.

Taetel glanced at the statue of a six-pointed star with an owl above it and glared at it.

Taetel swung a wooden sword, gently hitting the static target. Over and over. He practiced in such a calm way, it looked to be a dance, not sword practice.

He wiped sweat off his forehead and let his body relax. Lowering his weapon, Taetel scanned his surroundings. Empty.

“Of course, it’s late.”

An occasional group of guards would come and greet Taetel before they went about their way.

The village was rather small, so every 30 minutes Taetel would be greeted. And so, when they didn’t show themselves at the thirty-minute mark, Taetel's suspicions grew.

Luckily, given the quietness of the village, Taetel was able to pick up the faint sound of shouts.

“What is it this time?”

Taetel rushed over. As the sounds became more audible, Taetel pieced together the situation.

“Don’t worry my people! I have arrived.”

Taetel stood on top of a hut and smiled, holding his sword next to his shoulder. The men's eyes lit up and they cheered. At the bottom, there were two orbs lying down. They were so small, Taetel initially confused it for a pebble.

“You guys already dealt with it, huh?”

Taetel jumped down and picked up the pebble. Small. Probably not worth a single meal.

“It’s not that, boss.”

“What is it then?”

“This girl is giving us trouble…”

True to his word, there was a girl clad in light armor with a katana in her hand. Was she glaring at the group or did she naturally have an expression like that?

Taetel did not know. Either way, no one was dead, so the situation could still be saved.

“You over there. State your identity.”

Taetel kept his casual smug grin as he approached the girl.

“We serve Enki.”

“Oh, you’re from the west? What are you doing all the way here?”

“None of your business.”

“What uncouthness unbefitting of a follower of Enki.”

Taetel raised his free hand and ran it down his hair. The guards looked unsure of this exchange, ultimately choosing to form a circle around the girl.

“Listen, you are in my territory. Cooperate unless you want things to escalate.”

“Try me. I don’t believe someone of your caliber can beat me.”

“I see. Well don’t worry, I won’t kill you. I have so many questions for you.”

Taetel motioned to the guards to pull back. Soon each guard was behind Taetel, glancing and whispering between each other.

“Hold my longsword.”

Taetel casually tossed his weapon to a nearby guard, who almost failed to catch it. He then gripped his wooden sword and pointed the tip in the direction of the girl.

“Kneel down to the future leader of the Taetel clan! Gahahahah!”

“Taetel? Wait you’re—“

Taetel closed the distance and swung his sword, aiming for her ribcage, which she barely managed to parry. Too slow.

Was she even taking this seriously?

The sheer force of the attack launched the girl back. By the time she had recovered, Taetel was right there, ready to deliver an easy kick to her face.

“I feel bad for ruining your cute face, but drastic times require drastic actions!”

The girl managed to swing the katana, cleanly slicing off a nearby hut. Taetel looked at the hut and grimaced.

“Hey, don’t damage properly.”

Taetel sighed as if watching a particularly mischievous child. The girl, too caught up in fighting, charged at Taetel.

“I think I should finish this quickly.”

Taetel parried the attacks with ease. When finding an opening, he dodged and tripped the girl. Obviously not expecting the loss of balance, she took time to adjust, but by the time Taetel had swatted her katana with his wooden sword.

“Fights over, Honami. Surrender.”

“You knew…”

She slightly groaned as Taetel’s foot was holding her back from standing.

“Obviously, we’re both heirs of our respective villages. I’m more hurt you didn’t recognize me,” said Taetel as he let out a fake sigh of sadness.

“Of course I wouldn’t! The rumours say you’re a great warrior!”

“That’s what I am.”

“If I had known you were such a sleazy guy I wouldn’t have stepped foot in here!”

“Oh, so you’re at the right place. I thought a cutie like you was lost. Bummer.”

“What do you mean a bummer!?”

Taetel took his foot off the feisty Honami, who promptly dusted herself off and glared at Taetel. Hey, don’t look at Taetel like that. Honami lost fair and square.

“It’s Lady Honami?”

“You people also seem to be struggling.”

“Don’t compare your hellhole to my glorious, soon to be land.”

The whole area was like that. Every single village probably was at a similar level. Not only that, but the distance between each made trading extremely difficult.

So what did she want?

Taetel grabbed the mana stone, which was the size of a pebble, and handed it to Honami.

“Here’s a gift for you coming so far. Consider it a token of hospitality.”

“You’re way too casual about this.”

Taetel was currently leaning back on his seat, his legs propped up against the table in a relaxed manner.

“Don’t mind it. Let’s talk about what you’re here for.”

“Fine. We, specifically the clan leader, asked for your cooperation on our upcoming harvest.”

“If it’s something the clan leader asked, surely he should be the one coming here? And the talk would be with my father, not me.”

“Yes, I raised those concerns to him and, well, he told me that my presence was more suited for some reason.”

Taetel rubbed his chin and grinned.

“Your old man sure knows how to negotiate. What a sly old man.”

Honami tilted his head, she had a confused stare as she didn’t know how to respond.

“Anyhow, transportation of materials across our villages won’t be possible. There are too many dangerous beasts.”

“You’re right. My village would be the only one to benefit given its proximity to the harvest.”

“Then?”

“We aren’t offering mana stones,” she said and paused as if contemplating what to say next.

“I’ll give you my spot in the rite of passage.”

Honami made a fist, looked away, and ultimately gave the offer. An offer Taetel shouldn’t reject, but Taetel himself did not know why.

“As you know, your village is considered an extension of our village. As such, you are not considered a real heir. Not by the Council of Elders, at least.”

“I still find it hard to believe a group of geezers is able to have authority over us.”

Taetel clicked his tongue and leaned his head further back, exposing the nape of his neck.

“So, basically, you were given some sort of mission, and you want me to represent you?”

“That’s…correct.”

"Is it more free work I’ll be doing? How’s that a benefit? Are you playing me for a fool?”

“Of course not. I would never! Don’t assume such things about my character!”

Whether from shame or embarrassment, Honami dug her nails into her hand as if each word that came out of her mouth was poison being drunk.

“The benefit is obvious! Whoever reaches the top of the shrine will have access to the summoning statue!”

“Is that so?”

Taetel’s ears perked up before he settled down, choosing to listen carefully.

“Where is it at?”

“East of here.”

East? That was wrong. It had to be. If anything, the location should be at west. According to Savi—wait. Why trust her? Her words weren’t the truth. Who was to say she got something wrong? It was possible. Very possible.

“Fine. But on one condition—the current heir is to stay in this village until my return. In the case of my death, they, too, will receive the same fate.”

“That’s fine by me, I’m willing to put my life on—“

“Not you.”

Taetel moved forward and dropped his feet onto the ground. Now, sitting upright, he leaned closer and poked Honami’s neck.

“The 2nd heir. He who has the ability to summon a familiar.”

“I can’t—I mean I would have to consult the eld—“

“No,” Taetel said in a flat tone.

“Decide here.”

“…”

Honami stayed silent, beads of sweat rolled down her forehead as she clenched her free hand. Taetel’s eyes wandered. His gaze fixed on the small pouch filled with orbs. He risked his life for those. For his people to have a better future. Yes, it must be why he so recklessly charged in.

“I…”

Honami’s surprisingly hesitant voice brought Taetel’s thoughts to an end.

“If that’s what we must do to get your cooperation, then by all means we will do our utmost to satisfy your conditions.”

Honami’s eyes sparked with determination. Gone was the hesitant girl who needed the consultation of those older and more experienced than her.

“Good to know. We have an agreement then.”

Taetel smiled and stood up, offering a handshake which was promptly given. The two hands firmly pressed together, signaling the first step to change.