Chapter 71: Talent Fit to Assist a King
Summer’s words placed invisible pressure on Morgan, but he remained unmoved.
“Before that, I wish to step forward and speak.”
Morgan’s attitude was calm and unyielding, his tone steady, with not a trace of panic.
“Permission granted.”
As Summer spoke, the attendant beside him quickly produced a mat woven from hemp and laid it beside the campfire.
“Thank you, Chief.”
Morgan stepped forward and sat down. His actions piqued the curiosity of the gathered leaders; all were eager to hear what insights he might share.
“Before I begin, let me ask two questions.”
First: How much true assistance have the Ratmen given us Lizards?
Second: What is our real demand?
...
“These Ratmen merely granted us a patch of land they don’t currently need, and demand we guard the southern border for them. Isn’t that the acknowledged truth?”
“Elder Frank speaks rightly!”
“Those sly, treacherous Ratmen!”
No sooner had Frank finished than several leaders voiced their agreement.
Within the Lizard tribe, Frank, Roger, and Lawrence held the position of elders because their clans comprised a significant portion of the tribe’s population. Since the Lizards settled on the Northen Plains and began to prosper nearly a year ago, their numbers were nearing five figures, and the five major clans represented by the elders together made up nearly half the population.
Each elder naturally enjoyed support from their own kin, attesting to their influence.
Morgan merely smiled at their words, his tone steady as he spoke:
“Elder Frank is not wrong, but that is only the most superficial part.”
“If you don’t understand, let me ask you two more questions.”
“One: Why do the two major factions on the Chakarak Plains fight to the death, yet neither steps a foot onto the Northen Plains?”
As Morgan finished, the murmurs and private discussions faded instantly. Even the elders began to ponder his question.
“If you cannot grasp it, then another question: Why do the Dark Elves, who border us to the east, battle fiercely in the Fargon Forest yet dare not touch the Northen Plains? Why have they, time and again, sought to curry favor with us, visiting and gifting supplies?”
The Lizards fell silent as Morgan struck at the heart of the matter.
“Is it because our tribe is powerful? Because our warriors are brave?”
“Clearly, neither is true.”
“It is because we are sheltered by the Ratmen.”
---
“They not only gave us land to thrive but serve as our unseen shield. Without their protection, our own strength could never secure the southern part of the Northen Plains!”
Morgan’s words pierced the hearts of the Lizards, even Frank found himself deep in thought.
“The reality is, we are weak.”
“In a one-on-one fight, whether against the Ratmen or Dark Elves, we would be crushed.”
“For example, the ‘Seventeen Sky Lords’ now on the Chakarak Plains—any one of them could easily destroy us!”
(The Chakarak Plains have been embroiled in chaos for years; from over a hundred lords, only seventeen remain, split into two factions.)
“We have no grounds for arrogance. We have always lived under the Ratmen’s protection. That is the harsh truth.”
“All present should travel and observe, humbly seek out the gap between ourselves and others.”
At that moment, a young captain of the city guard stood and pointed at Morgan.
“You’re wrong! We have two thousand troops ready to take the field. That may not be strong, but it’s not as weak as you claim!”
Morgan’s words had clearly provoked the young captain, who now stood to challenge him.
Morgan, for his part, remained indifferent.
“I ask you all—have the Lizards ever truly fought a war?”
The hall fell silent; even the young captain was struck dumb.
“The Ratmen and Dark Elves aside, let us consider the south, namely the ‘Seventeen Sky Lords’ of the Chakarak Plains.”
“Each of those tribes is a survivor of bloody struggle among hundreds of civilized clans.”
“But we, since entering the Plains, have never endured a large-scale battle! Our warriors spend most of their days farming or herding cattle; in essence, they are no different from peasants!”
“Though we can raise two thousand troops, warfare now is no longer mere skirmishes between dozens. It is legion battles of thousands. Our neighbors are battle-hardened, but we have no experience.”
“If war comes, the outcome is predictable!”
“Where do we find the courage? Do not cling to false hope!”
Morgan’s words resounded, silencing the spacious council chamber. The Lizards’ leaders began to sweat coldly, reflecting—those who had felt inflated now faced reality.
...
After the tribe had digested his words, Morgan continued.
“There have always been complaints that the Ratmen treat us unequally in diplomacy.”
“I won’t deny it. It’s true; the Ratmen, in dealing with us, naturally show a sense of superiority.”
The gathered Lizards nodded; many had dealt with the Ratmen before.
“But! Think from another angle—our tribe only exists as it does because of their shelter. What right do we have to demand true equality in dialogue with the Ratmen?”
---
This struck home, opening the eyes of many leaders who had failed to see the heart of the issue.
...
A heavy silence followed. Most Lizards ultimately accepted the harsh reality, and recognized that their survival depended on the Ratmen’s protection, though some had not shown gratitude.
...
“Now, for the second question: What is our true demand?”
Morgan’s tone grew stronger, his words more impassioned.
“I believe the answer is unanimous—a peaceful and stable environment to live.”
“And that environment is almost entirely provided by the Ratmen!”
If the Ratmen live, we live!
If the Ratmen perish, we die!
No one jumped up to rebut him; silence was the best acceptance of the truth.
“In the coming battle between the Ratmen and the Human Alliance, if the Ratmen are defeated, we too will be uprooted by the Humans and Dark Elves!”
“But if the Ratmen survive this ordeal, we may hold our land and safe environment for growth!”
Morgan’s words struck deeply; the five elders, including the previously opposed Freeman, rose to support sending troops to aid the Ratmen, and discussions began in earnest about deployment plans.
“Support the Ratmen with all our might, repel the Humans!”
Someone shouted, and the chamber echoed with cries.
“Quiet, quiet! I haven’t finished yet.”
Morgan hastened to calm the room.
Freeman, his face dark, stood and shouted, “Didn’t you hear the call to be silent?”
Instantly, the chamber fell silent.
He had been the first to oppose the Ratmen, and now the first to change his stance.
Thus it was seen: Freeman’s seat as elder was not held by stubbornness, but by quick candor and genuine temperament.
“Ahem...”
Morgan cleared his throat softly and continued:
“You have only spoken half the truth. The other half, you must hear from me, patiently.”