Path to Prosperity - B3 Chapter 29

A detailed map showing dozens of forests, small plains, and a mountain range had been spread on a flat stone. Percy and the Beast King leaned over the map while Melissa and the Imperials studied the map from further away.

“Is it really okay if we see this?” One of the Imperials asked, but Melissa replied with a shrug.

She had never seen a detailed map of the Beastlands. The most recent map was from dozens of years ago, and it didn’t look anything like the one spread out before them.

“Study the map all you want. I don’t care,” The Beast King said, but the tone in his voice was clear.

‘If you replicate the map and use it against us, a second Beast War will be your smallest issue.’ His tone suggested.

Percy didn’t hear any of that.

“The slavers are often near these plains even though there are only three tribes. You tried following them a few times, and so did your Trackers, right? But they didn’t find anything and lost their tracks,” Percy murmured.

“I followed them through the air, but they disappeared behind a canopy once they reached the borders. I checked the ground for hours, but there weren’t any tracks,” The Beast King tried to stay calm and composed but failed miserably. His blazing mane flared up, and the pressure in his surroundings increased as he emanated mana.

“These attacks in the outer tribes are more recent, right? They started attacking the tribes further away after you and the Beast Legions arrived to protect the three tribes,” Percy added, trying to stay calm. It felt like he was getting somewhere, but something was still missing, “They’re very stealthy and are smart enough to avoid stronger enemies, but they also avoid equally powerful Beastmen. The slavers aren’t out for fights and take easy picks even though the mana sequences indicate they’re strong enough to best some Beastmen of the Beast Legions.”

He nodded slowly, his attention returning to the crystal containing the mana samples. There was only one crystal, but it contained all the samples of mana they’d found and collected. At first glance, one could detect three different types of mana, indicating only three slavers. Mana sequences were unique to the Gifted and couldn’t be faked easily, so the Beast King was certain that there were only three enemies.

However, Percy didn’t think like that. Two or three mana samples were the same, but most showed a minuscule sequence difference. Perceiving them was nearly impossible for those with the average purity level of a powerful noble. Percy was certain that his parents would also have difficulties detecting the subtle differences. However, Percy, with his exceptionally pure mana and [Hawk Eyes], could say one thing for sure.

“There are multiple groups of perpetrators. The three mana types seem similar, but more than 20 different mana sequences exist.” 

That meant more than 20 slavers had to enter and leave the Beastlands at will. 

“That cannot be. Mana sequences are unique. These mana sequences…”The Beast King angrily pointed at the crystal in Percy’s hands, “Are identical – nearly identical if I were to believe what you said. Nearly identical mana sequences mean these slavers are all–...”

Percy nodded, “They are either closely related to each other, all twins, triplets, and so forth, or their mana sequences were all altered through external means.”

The former was highly unlikely, but the latter was something Percy disliked more.

“You think someone’s altering mana sequences of the Gifted?”

Percy nodded, but he didn’t go deeper into the topic. He didn’t know what was happening, but it reminded him of something. 

He won't believe me if I tell the Beast King what I think. He will think I’m trying to convince him of something that ‘cannot be the case.’ But what if it is? 

The mana sequences were all fairly powerful, being at the Peak of the Elite Tier or stronger, but the problem was that the Beast King had only discovered three enemies on his land. If there were more than 20 perpetrators, the Beast King and his patrols would have missed them entering and leaving the Beastlands countless times. The Beast King didn’t believe his people were this incompetent or that many humans were this fast, stealthy, and cunning.

That means I have to show them the truth in a different way. But how?

Percy raked his mind to devise a solution, but the more he thought about it, the more complex his devised plans were. That was until he remembered minor details from the Beast King’s reports.

“I think I have a plan,” Percy said, attracting the Beast King’s attention, “But you won’t like it.”

…

A few minutes later, the Beast King held Percy high up in the air at his throat.

“Are you insane? You want me to resign my fate to a mere human?! Who in the Beast God’s name do you think you are to believe I will trust you with that?!” The Beast King roared, clenching his claws around Percy’s throat.

“Either we try this…or you come up with a better…plan,” Percy uttered while struggling to breathe.

The Beast King hurled him to the side, and Percy slithered on the ground. He remained on the wet soil to take a few deep breaths.

“I want to help you and your people, but they won’t attack the tribes near your positions. They know where you and the Beast Legions are at. I don’t know how, but they do. That’s why you either HAVE to trust in me, or we try something else. But you will have to come up with a better plan. Soon, or even more of your beloved people will get kidnapped.”

The Beast King glared at him, his mana gushing out, forcing the Gifted around him to the ground, but Percy looked at him unhinged, “I am not forcing you to do anything. I gave you a simple plan. Reject it if you don’t like it, but don’t tell me that I’m not trying!” 

The Beast King growled deeply, “I loathe you.”

“No, you don’t.” Percy responded, “You loathe yourself because you cannot find a fault with my plan.”

***

The Beast King, the Beast Legion under Apex Dex’s command, and the envoy split into two groups and departed for the other tribes that had been attacked more recently. Their sole mission was to protect these tribes, forcing the slavers to return to their former routine.

Only Percy was left behind. He stayed in the trees where he slept the night before with [Silent Reaper] active and watched the Beast King leave with the royal envoy. Once everyone had left, Percy could have made a move, but he didn’t. He kept [Silent Reaper] active while absorbing as little mana from the surroundings as possible to supply [Silent Reaper] and keep it active. 

Then he waited. He kept his eyes closed to sort his thoughts and think of ways to improve their plan, but there was little for Percy to do.

I’m sure they know something is off, but they didn’t stop their attacks even after the Beast King nearly caught them. They might be afraid of the Beast King, but their lack of patience is their greatest weakness. Even if they knew that it might be a trap, the slavers would make their move at some point. 

All Percy had to do was to be more patient than the slavers. He waited until it was late at night before channeling more mana into [Silent Reaper]. Only when [Silent Reaper] was unleashed at full power did Percy dare to descend to the ground. He didn’t waste any time and rushed through the forest with [Hawk Eyes] utilized at its lowest. Traveling through the darkness of the night was still not easy, especially lacking the ability to absorb the surrounding mana greedily – he had to stay lowkey and was thus not allowed to stir much mana –but it worked out. 

Percy didn’t know how long he traveled, but he located the plains and the settlements of the three Beastmen tribes. There were no walls to protect the settlement, which demerited Percy’s impression of the Beast King. No matter how attuned a race was to nature, you had to construct some defensive measurements when ghost-like enemies endangered your subjects. 

But that was something to discuss later. Percy rushed into the nearest settlement, avoiding the illuminated areas, and swooped inside the largest hut, where he found a Rabbit-type Beastman leaning over a stone Desk. Notes written on hide were spread out before the old man, whose ears twitched when Percy deactivated [Silent Reaper] for a moment.

The man jumped up and circulated mana through his body. He was about to retrieve something with his left hand when Percy threw a small sigil across the room.

The hut was faster than the Rabbitman. It hit the man’s left hand, pushing it away as Percy’s voice rang out.

“The Beast King sent me. Stay silent while you verify the sigil before you ignore my existence for as long as I stay here,” Percy commanded in a calm voice and activated [Silent Reaper] again.

The old Beastman’s hair stood up to its end, but he remained silent as he inspected the Beast King’s sigil. 

It was genuine.

His eyes drifted to Percy, who had already inspected the hut. He retrieved a comfortable chair and a mattress from the spatial ring and spread it out as if the hut belonged to him now.

The Beastman had many questions, but Percy’s icy glare refrained him from speaking up.

He accepted Percy’s order, remained silent, and ‘forgot’ the unknown stranger’s existence.

Then, the wait began.