Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 392: Inka’s True Intentions

“Oh? Aren’t you cute...” Inka chuckled, letting her tail caress Vloz’s side. “Nothing. It would entail nothing that you wouldn’t desire yourself. Everything to your benefit.”

“Are you asking me to relocate to Tempest?” he asked plainly.

Shrugging, Inka replied, “Honestly, I’d prefer you didn’t. I’m willing to let us be whatever you want. But I’ve been pent up for too long. And after meeting you, I feel like you can spice things up for me.”

“Whatever I want? ...” Vloz took that moment to think. Then, he let his tail gingerly rub Inka’s cheek. “So, if I agreed to spend time with you until the end of the exhibition, would you pressure me afterward?”

“Oh? Are you saying I won’t be able to let you go? Ha, ha, don’t tempt me... But no. Tempest has already pissed off too many prefectures, so I wouldn’t be able to pressure you even if I was insistent,” answered Inka, leaning into Vloz’s tail.

“And you aren’t just trying to bear a child?”

“I...” Inka scoffed but didn’t shrink back. “And what if that is what I’m after? A child of my own, without being subject to my fool of a husband. The child of a powerful, fine feline such as myself...”

.....

Since Inka didn’t seem to care if those in the room heard their conversation, Vloz acted similarly. “So, you’re using your husband’s arrest to fulfill a dying dream against his wishes? I’m sorry, Lady Inka, but making an enemy of a prefecture lord is something I’m entirely against.”

“Come on, Vloz. Please? It’s only for a few days... and the child would be born before my husband returns. He’ll never know.”

Chuckling, Vloz asked, “And what of Brak? Wouldn’t he figure it out?”

“Perhaps. But the moment he says a word to Zrand, he’ll earn my ire and I’ll hunt him down,” remarked Inka. “Zrand wouldn’t be able to stop me next time. And even if Zrand figured it out, Treeda promised to shield you if the need arises.”

Realizing something, Vloz sighed. “Oh. I see. So I’m one of the reasons you agreed to Treeda’s terms?”

“That’s right. And should you decline, I’ll renegotiate with Treeda...” Inka claimed, now caressing Vloz’s legs with her tail. “You want the best for the territory, don’t you? For it to come under Treeda’s control, and for the territory to have a prefecture’s direct support...

“Also, wouldn’t this mean I’d be tied to Iron Territory in some way?”

“Are you saying that you’d become an ally to Iron Territory?” Vloz asked with a doubtful tone.

Yet Inka smiled softly and nodded. “What’s wrong with that? The leading clan of this territory has produced a mortal champion in the past, and they already have a true candidate after only a few years. And given the academy, how you handle politics, the boost in popularity you’ll get from this sudden exhibition, and the direct support of Toxic-shadow Clan, Iron Territory will become formidable in many ways.

“... Are you surprised I know so much? Don’t be. My husband and his men investigated every rock of this territory. Of course he would figure out your trajectory for growth. And the thought of how pissed he was imagining Iron Territory’s growth, I’m almost excited for him to learn that my son or daughter would come from here.”

Noticing that Vloz still wasn’t fazed or convinced, Inka sighed. “There’s one more thing I insisted on when talking with Treeda. I want the child raised here.”

“...”

The rest of the room was already quiet, but that was more out of respect than shock. But now... Everyone, including the calm and collected Vloz, felt their eyelids tighten up while staring back at the Ivy Jaguar.

“Wh-what do you mean? Why would you-”

“It’s the best way to ensure that my husband doesn’t try to kill or claim the child for himself. I’m sure you understand that as well as I do,” reasoned Inka, getting subconscious nods from everyone. “Also, wouldn’t such a child add to Iron Territory’s influence and potential? Just imagine it. A child with a mutated bloodline, harnessing your striking darkness and my healing nature. And with a divine bloodline, they’d be sure to become a pillar for Iron Territory to lean on.”

Leaning forward, Inka whispered into Vloz’s ear, “Come on. Everything is in your favor. And Treeda is the one mediating the deal, so you won’t need to worry. She’s strong enough to kill me, should I not hold my end of the bargain.”

‘Accept the offer.’

Vloz flinched as the mysterious voice crept into Vloz’s mind.

Sensing the new kink in Vloz’s emotional armor, Inka licked Vloz’s neck. “Please? Who would turn down the intimate plea of a peak-king? I’m not asking for your hand in marriage... but I want a child. And that bastard refuses to let me have one. Just knowing that my child is alive and well, being able to hear and learn of their growth without the manipulation of that slimy snake... that would be my greatest dream come true.”

‘Say yes!’ the man’s voice boomed through Vloz’s mind.

“... I... I suppose, we can try...”

Inka reflexively gave Vloz’s neck a passionate nibble. “... Thank you...”

The two cats broke apart for a moment, easing the palpable tension in the room. Vloz was the first to get up and walk toward the door. But he stopped. Holding out his tail, Vloz looked back at Inka. “Are you coming?”

“Of course, dear.” Inka linked her tail with Vloz’s without a second thought.

When they left, those still in the room were floored by the sudden development. And first to shout and laugh was Bradok, pounding into the floor, “Wow! You lucky house cat! Just wait till my brat hears about this!”

Ania and Zelsh broke out laughing as well, followed by Rhyner. No one was safe from the assault of laughter.

It took a few minutes for everyone to calm down but they were left with all major figures gone. That being said, they decided to find an open tavern and relax with a good lunch. It would help with the stress they all felt from trying to follow the mysterious man’s plan.