Herald of Steel

Chapter 1253 : Metztil's Choice (Part-3)

That drought from two decades ago might have been a tragedy for the natives as a whole, but for the Helvati and Metztil, it was nothing but an absolute boon.

They were able to use that time to grow strong in number, while almost every other tribe lost people, weakening them. The loss ranged anywhere from 5 percent to a staggering 20 percent for the smaller, weaker tribes.

Then, under Atzi's advice, Metztil quickly capitalized on this hunger too, using the same tactic he used with the elites.

By offering to sell grain, he brought the loyalty of a few surrounding suffering tribes while any tribe that did not support Metztil or had a previous conflict with him was attacked and looted of their stocks, resulting in mass famine.

In this way, the Helvati cut down its competitors while at the same time strengthening itself.

It would not be wrong to say the dominant position the Helvati enjoyed was due to them capitalizing on that disaster.

And the people back then rejoiced about Metztil's strong arming tactics.

No one ever bothered to raise any objection about such daylight robbery because in this dog eat dog world, it was us or them.

As Metztil's popularity soared, the elites also began to favor him more and more, while Tepin and his mother found themselves completely on the backfoot.

At first, they were still able to publicly raise loud voices decrying Metztil's acts and privately pressure Atzi to follow through on her word or risk having her position declared void.

Back then even many elites joined this voice, both due to being the former chief shaman's supporters or simply out of righteousness.

After all, it was an undeniable fact that Atzi did make the deal, there were too many witnesses around her to deny it.

So in actuality, she was in the wrong here.

And most elites did not like a chief shaman who was flippant with her words.

Not only were they worried such a thing could happen to them as well, but many also simply found it morally wrong.

As the divine reincarnation of their tribal spirit, Atzi was supported to embody the pinnacle of purity and superior morality.

Hence initially there were many detractors who pressed the young lady to keep her word.

But the stubborn young woman simply gritted her and refused to bend.

Not only that, she even put forth a strong defense, claiming to the elites that she had only made the deal under duress and that the offer was made in bad faith.

According to her, her master was trying to politicize the neutral position of the chief shaman using her and this went against her principles.

That was the reason why she refused to follow through with her word- not for her own selfish desires, but for the greater good of the tribe.

And in that same vein, that was also why she refused to step down fearing her successor would not be as intractable and 'pure' as her.

You would have to give it to the lady- she was a politician by birth. The way she presented herself was simply the work of a genius.

This was also why the elites felt a great headache when dealing with her.

They were of course more than aware of the backdoor dealing as well as its details, but there were some things you simply could not say aloud even if they were true.

It was simply too shameful.

But as time went on, Metztil simply started to slack in his vigilance.

Although he was urged by his wife to act, after getting all that he wanted, and with the whole tribe at his fingertips, he thought himself to be invincible.

At the same time, Tepin seemed to have turned over a completely new leaf and was helping Metztil wholeheartedly in ruling the tribe.

He dealt with all opposition and even led the army in quite a few victories.

For all intents and purposes, Tepin appeared to be in Metztil's camps.

This caused Metztil to think that the man had changed and that his wife was simply being paranoid.

In this way, Metztil simply forgot how he muscled his way to the top, sidestepping Tepin to take the throne.

He also forgot the rough way he dealt with the other tribes, and after a decade of festering, all of it at last came to bite him.

The lull had allowed his enemies to gather and strengthen themselves.

And this was how Metztil was in the position he was in now.

As Atiz looked around the table she felt a very frustrated feeling in her heart, feeling if not for her husband's carelessness, things would have never turned so sour.

But there was little point in crying over spilled milk.

Hence, ignoring her former master's comment about it being inappropriate for her to be here, the plain looking lady simply commented,

"I do not understand why we are arguing about informing the other tribes. What do they have to do with this? This deal is only between us and Alxx. Those chieftains said it themselves- that they know nothing of the deal. So why should we share the land with them?"

"We Helvati alone can raise 10,000 men. 15,000 if we mobilize everybody. This is more than enough! Since those tribes did not share our sorrows, why should we bother to share our joys?"

The declaration sent bolts of thunders steaking across each and every man's heart hearing this.

Not even Metztil dared to have such a big appetite.

Swallow the entire reward for themselves? The thought was too fearful....

But also too tempting.

"Bam! It's decided then." Metztil was the first to give in, unable to resist the allure.

Thus banging his palms on the table with an immense slap, he declared, "We will agree to Alexander's deal. Yaotl! Get the army ready. We march in two days!"

The rest of the council elders could only nod, for they did not have the will to argue

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