/n/jackal-among-snakes-1520/c-402
chapter-401

Batbayar didn’t change expressions noticeably, but something about his mien became all the scarier in half a second. “You were right about making an enemy of me without proof, I hope you realize.”

“Has the dryad told you about the end of the ancient elven empire, about your true origins in the rebellion?” Argrave began.

Batbayar looked hesitant to speak, but he slowly said, “We’re rebel slaves. It’s a secret privy only to myriarchs.”

“That was something orchestrated to bring down the empire,” Argrave continued. “Onychinusa over there... she’s the last living ancient elf, and indeed the last member of their imperial family. The very same being that orchestrated the death of the old empire has come back for seconds. With the dryads’ ability, we learned the truth of her birth... and in that library down below, we received proof.”

“A truly despicable being, this Erlebnis,” bemoaned Orion, listening intently. He set down the bags he held one-by-one.

“Through my own personal experience, I know that those creatures your army fought were Erlebnis’ servants,'' Argrave continued. “And I can’t say this for certain, as we weren’t there... but if things are as I suspect, your army was taken by surprise. We know Chiteng betrayed your gods, but if I’m right... perhaps one of your Tumens was not hit as hard as the rest. Perhaps its leader quickly got control of the situation, minimizing losses and assuming command in one fell swoop. And perhaps... perhaps there is a reason those monsters didn’t focus your army, wipe it out, and then switch to the gods.”

Batbayar shifted on his feet, the point driving home as he connected dots. “You say all of this, but there’s a reason I stayed behind while you went off into those ruins again. It was to ask the dryad what that woman was, since I wasn’t sure I could get a straight answer from you,” he continued. “The mother dryad talked, King Argrave. And from what I remember of its explanation... the reason that woman was kept alive was because she was taken in by Erlebnis.”

Trees aren’t supposed to talk, damn it all, Argrave thought, though his face was stone.

“That's true," Argrave didn't deny it, and was about to continue before Batbayar interrupted.

"And in terms of who I trust, I'm far less likely to suspect those who I've lived and died beside than a silver-tongued despot from a family of conquerors and rapists."

In a blur, Orion seized the S-rank myriarch's neck, saying firmly, "You ought to atone for those words."

"Stop!" Argrave shouted, putting his hand on Orion's wrist as Batbayar struggled to breathe. "Don't make enemies where we have friends, Orion. He's right."

"He isn't. You bleed for ingrates. All of us remaining are good, and you are the best of us," the prince said with eerie quiet.

"Prove that," Argrave gripped his arm.

Orion released Batbayar, though his anger did not seem abated.

Argrave said cautiously as Batbayar coughed, “Forgive him. What you said was too much, but that response was the same. Let's end it there before things get out of hand. Fundamentally, we are in agreement."

"No..." Batbayar coughed, rubbing his throat. "No, I deserved that. I understand his rage. If you doubt my myriarchs, you doubt my family... so I understand. And I hope you understand why I view you with suspicion, bringing that ancient elven woman into this."

Argrave gathered his thoughts as Batbayar caressed his throat. Then, he felt a rush of confidence, and so said, "I don't think she's a servant of Erlebnis. After all, she's going to heal the forest. That's rather contrary to what he wants."

"She is?" Batbayar narrowed his eyes.

"Yeah. Onychinusa will heal this forest," he nodded, going all-in on Anneliese's promise.

But if she doesn't... guess it's all over, now.