Matapju interjected casually into the conversation between Bireta and the village chief.

Matapju raised his arms, stiffening his neck with a dignified expression.

“So, I, Matapju, officially propose that I will take over this land for the development of Matap.”

Rustle, the stones worn by Matapju shook with his hair. It was a refined and dignified gesture as Matapju.

It was the moment when admiring glances were about to fall upon him, completely intoxicated by his own dignity.

“That’s difficult, Lord Matapju.”

“Are you refusing? Dare you refuse Matapju’s proposal?”

Matapju shot a threatening gaze with wide-opened eyes.

On the other hand, the village chief exchanged glances with Bireta and then made an embarrassed expression.

“We are just ordinary villagers, so such a proposal will not be accepted in the first place.”

Matapju blinked. What did the request for land have to do with the village?

He was vulnerable to imperial law.
“Above all, this village doesn’t belong to us but to a certain noble.”

“Noble? The hidden village is someone’s private property?”

“Go inside and discuss it. We also have a proposal for Lord Matapju.”

The village chief smoothly led Matapju to the negotiation table.

As wind chasers, Bireta and Karun followed. They had already prepared alternative scenarios for how Matapju would react.

Matapju obediently moved along with the village chief. When he heard the story related to the village, he clenched his fists and began to mutter.

“So, are you planning to ruin the friendly relationship between Matap and the imperial family? The noble with the scorpion emblem?”

Matapju, who had initially burst into laughter at the absurdity, was nowhere to be found.

“That noble said, this village is a valuable resource for a significant event.”

“But the attitude of the noble faction towards Matap has been subtle for a long time, right? It’s needless to say now, after the war.”

“If they possess the resources of this village, they believe they can use it as a substitute for Matap.”

“So, did ‘that’ noble unilaterally conceal and steal the existence of the village long ago?”

The information shared by the mercenary group and the secret the village chief had concealed were not aligning well.

“…Were you waiting and preparing for this?”

Matapju touched his forehead.

Putting it together, it meant that there were people daring to oppose Matap.

Meanwhile, the glances between Karun, the village chief, and Bireta briefly collided and then disappeared.

“After a long war and a turbulent period, there will be an opportunity for the bond between the imperial family and Matap to weaken.”

“They will try to erase Matap’s existence by promoting imperial peace.”

“It’s ironic that residents in our village have been increasingly falling due to mana addiction. They might think the ‘time’ has come.”

The land hidden as a ‘rebel resource’ aimed at the empire from the beginning.

Matap had a deep alliance with the current emperor, and the noble faction aimed for the imperial throne, making the conspiracy to cleverly twist the truth quite plausible.

“…These bastards dare to see us as pawns and do such disgusting things.”

Matapju’s hair fluttered in the air with the magic he emitted.

Since the noble faction was mentioned, it was not difficult to figure out who the noble with the ‘scorpion’ emblem was.

“Bridend, this XXX XXX…!”

Matapju suddenly stood up. His pupils glared at the title of Viscount Bridend as if he were about to crush it with his magic.

Magicians cannot tolerate being ignored and persecuted by others.

Especially when they touch what they have created, ‘Matap,’ it is no different from aiming for their heart.

“Don’t get so excited, Matapju. Anyway, it’s all just verbal speculation, isn’t it?” “Ha! Bireta, are you serious about this?”

When they poured oil and fanned the flames, now they were sprinkling water.

Matapju wrinkled his face in anger, and Bireta laughed heartily.
“A cunning leader of the noble faction skilled in political maneuvers wouldn’t have left evidence behind. Instead, he’s likely someone who, upon smelling a faint scent, is prepared to counterattack if someone dares to intrude.”

“Wouldn’t that be possible only when alive?”

In response to Matapju’s grim death threat, the village chief swallowed dry saliva nervously.

On the other hand, Bireta and Karun maintained unchanged expressions, providing nonchalant responses.

“We should let him live. Why would we kill him?”

“Ah. Naturally, we must see the expression on that damned bastard’s face when he is desperate and dies miserably.”

“…….”

The village chief discreetly closed his ears, and Matapju had a look of realization. Matapju gathered his long hair into one and combed it with his hands, then sat down with an enlightened expression.

A hearty laugh returned to Matapju’s lips.

“I have a feeling that the reason you informed me about this village is because of your charming plan.”

Ignoring the sly wink from the greasy Matapju, Bireta tapped the table with his index finger.

“Let’s start by taking out the magical contract.”