Redgenald leaned against the wall of the square, watching the interactions before him. Slowly, his eyes moved between Legatus Panta, who was dealing with the Kin representatives, and Scout Green. To be honest, the inquisitor reaper playing crime boss had a sneaking suspicion that the most impactful event happening in this meeting was not the interactions between the representatives of the nations but what was transpiring around the scout.

Even if no one else noticed, Redgenald overheard that Green had not told Panta and him everything that had occurred on his journey. Understandable to a certain extent, as they didn't need to know about how he set up camp or other such minor details. However, the inquisitor wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't at least question whether the scout was intentionally withholding the information or if he didn't realize the import of some fact he considered innocuous but actually wasn't. Whatever the reason, Green would need to be watched carefully and maybe questioned again.

But that was a suspicion that he would have to get to the bottom of later. Right now, he was focused on the beastkin — no, the Kin — inspecting the amulet. It was supposed to block the call — something Green was apparently familiar with — and could only easily be done with his help.

There was a context he was missing, which was to be expected as he could only gain so much by listening to their short conversation. A task that was made easier, he must admit, by his ears. They were a double-edged sword to his career and life if there ever was one, but there was no doubt his elven ears could be useful at times.

Turning his eyes away from the woman, who was not giving up any more information while muttering to herself, he looked to the east, where the delegation from Olimpia was arriving. Just from the number of Raven Knights marching in the front, it was clear that those who had just arrived were by no means minor players in Olimpia.

The thuds of their footfalls filled the air as they spread out around the entrance, forming a half circle in which six men were taking center stage. From the quality of their purple robes, it was clear the two at the front were nobles and senators, at the very least.

Suddenly, the Tribune Latic of the 15th stepped forward, exclaiming in surprise, "Father!" Coming to a halting stop before she could take three steps, her expression shifted between joy and trepidation, as she apparently had no idea why or even that he was coming here.

The middle-aged man only acknowledged his daughter with a flick of his eyes and what might have been the smallest smile before his head turned away, and he boomed, "Legatus Panta! What is the meaning of this?"

Slowly turning, Panta looked at the senator for long seconds. As the silence stretched, everyone within the square became increasingly anxious. It was quickly approaching the point that Redgenald was sure someone was going to do anything to break the tension, which was when Panta spoke, "I am formalizing a trade agreement with our neighbors to the north along with a tentative defense pact, as is within my right as the Guardian of the North. Now, if you excuse me, I believe we were about to begin some festivities to commemorate this occasion… Along with the adoption of Scout Green into the ranks of the badger faction, if I am not mistaken."

The senator's face flushed red before turning purple as he shouted, "You overstep your authority! I am within my rights to have you removed and executed for this!" At his words, the hands over everyone within the walls fell onto the hilts of their weapons, a bloodbath only a word away.

"You are mistaken, Senator Ponpti," Calmly stated the other senator who was present, severing the building pressure like it didn't exist. "While you Southerners are not familiar with the charter that created the position of the Guardian of the North, everyone who falls under its authority is."

Visibly taking a few deep breaths, the man who looked like his head was about to pop calmed down and turned to his companion, "Could you take a moment to expand on that, Senator Cross?"

"Well," the old man shrugged, an amused smile playing on his lips, "it's a simple example of overlooking the obvious. When the position was created, the Guardian was given absolute authority in dealing with anything north of the Republic's border and wide-sweeping powers over anything five hundred miles south of the line to ensure he could perform his duties. At the time, no one imagined that we would ever encounter anything but rabid beastkins in the broken peaks, so no stipulations regarding foreign nations were made. As such, the authority to deal with them now falls under the Guardian's position."

"Th— Wh… It's a technicality at best! There was no intent by the senators who created the position to hand over such authority!" Senator Ponpti spluttered in incredulous indignation.

A small smile quirking his lips, the older senator broke ranks with the angry one, shuffling forward. His head tilted from one side to the other as he inspected the Kin around the square, then started speaking, "Intention or not, technicality or not," the man shrugged, "it makes no difference. The wording is clear. And with the authority being used, well, to repeal it now would take the abolishment of the Guardian's position, which will never happen."

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"…Never happen?" Senator Ponpti hissed after a moment where his mind was racing, "No noble or senator will stand for a common position that has the ability to unilaterally determine the Republic's stance on foreign affairs. If this authority is allowed to stand, the position of Guardian of the North days are numbered."

"Again, you are mistaken," Panta said, finally speaking up, "As I said, this is a tentative proposal. My position and interactions with the Kin will be heavily influenced by the Senate's decision on how to deal with them. Until that decision becomes clear, however, I am asserting my authority and adding a new level of consideration to your future conversation."

"A fine line," The old senator from Cross said, "But it will appease many. Enough perhaps that they will focus on how to claim the position for themselves rather than dismantling it."

"That would be a convenient coincidence," Panta said with an uptick of his lips at the corners, "But this is all assuming that you are not here as official representatives of the Republic here to approach the Kin as a foreign nation?"

"We are not." Ground out, Senator Ponpti.

"Oh," Panta replied, not sounding surprised at all, "Then what is it that we owe the pleasure of your company? I cannot believe that you would come up here for simple pleasantries and sightseeing."

The politician straightened his back and fixed some wrinkling of his clothes as he considered how to answer the question while looking around, a nasty smile forming on his lips. "From the reports we have received of the calamitous events that have happened around and within the Triad, the Senate has decided to send us to assess the situation."

"I see," Panta replied calmly.

Senator Ponpti's brow briefly wrinkled in annoyance before smoothing out as he got back into his rhythm, "From what we have seen, it is clear that you do not have the ability to hold your position while fulfilling its purpose!"

"So you have the two-thirds votes from the senate and the agreement of the Legion Consul to remove me?"

"No, but that will all come in due time. Given that you can not maintain control over the Triad with the generous support of three legions of the Senatorial Guard, the Senate insists that you return to Olimpia and give a full accounting of your actions. Of course, your position cannot remain vacant for even a moment in times like these, so I will graciously take it upon myself to take on that burden."

When the politician finished, he threw his head back like he was taking on some significant burden, not undermining the Republic's image before the Kin. Redgenald almost released a bark of laughter at the absurdity of it all. Glancing at Panta, the reaper felt a thrill of anticipation. The old dog didn't look perturbed in the slightest, and from the condescending gleam in his eye, he knew that this would not turn out like the politician wanted.

"I wonder, what is the exact part of the Triad that is not currently being controlled by the legions under my command?"

The senator's forehead furrowed in incredulity, and he half turned around, whipping his arm out as he motioned behind him. "You lost all but the First Ring of Southtown! You have what's left of the city living in tents and half-collapsed hovels outside the Western Fort. How can you stand there and say you retain control of the fortress?"

"Because," Panta said, his tone as placid as ever, "While Southtown is under the protection of the Triad—

"See right there! You admit your failure!"

Like he was never interrupted, the legatus of the 15th continued, "It is not part of the Triad. The council, which runs the city's affairs, had made that clear numerous times in the past. It operates similarly to Basetown and Cross, but only the three forts are under the direct control of the Triad and her commander."

Senator Ponpti looked to the other politician, who, at his point, had wandered over to the trays of food and was helping himself. The older man shrugged as he swallowed a chunk of meat, "I could not say one way or another, but I would not be surprised if what he said is the truth."

"It is," Panta confirmed, the confidence in his voice making it so that no one could doubt him. "While the Triad has suffered severe blows, it is still entirely under my control, and we are working to rebuild before exceeding its former glory. Not to mention, you yourself said that it is critical that someone remain in control of the Triad at this time, so I regret to inform you that I will not be able to return to Olimpia. At least until it is time for my term of service to end. I will, however, be glad to send a representative back with you to testify for my actions on my behalf."

Redgenald let out a snort of a laugh as he watched the frustrated anger distort the politician's face when he realized that his plan for taking control of the Triad was falling apart around him. Petty it might be, but the arrogance of politicians made them all believe that they were all untouchable, like it was part of the natural order of the world that they got exactly what they wanted.

It was nice to see one fumble and flail about when reality didn't play out as he expected. Not to mention, Panta… well, from what Redgenald has seen, he was one of the men in history who happened to have the right abilities and be in the right place for the world to be reshaped by their actions. On the other hand, the politician was looking more like the type to get a lot of other people killed for his ambitions.

"I see." The man snapped, glaring around at everyone like they were all responsible for his actions. "Legatus Hellious, I require a meeting with you now. Ahh, and Legatus Kellaport, it is a pleasure to see that you and your legion survived. If you would be so kind as to come to my quarters later, I would much appreciate it."

With that, the man turned with a flaring of his robes and marched away, all but two of the Senatorial Knights forming up around him. Indifferently, Redgenald watched the black knights take a position a step behind the old Cross Senator.

"Now!" Panta shouted, gathering everyone's attention, "I believe that we were about to have a party before the interruption arrived. It would be a shame to put it off now."

"I agree," the foxkin leader said loudly with a broad smile covering his face, "Allow us to put together the festivities, as it seems that you have other concerns that will require your attention. By sunset, this square will be unrecognizable, and we will provide enough alcohol for all to participate."

Panta nodded to the foxkin as he said, "So be it." The legatus turned and began walking back to those he arrived with, only for his eyes to lock onto the last member of the political delegation who hadn't moved and was standing stiffly in the eastern entrance to the square.

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