The Fourth Evolution

"Tsk." Bart clicked his tongue and grunted as he leapt to his feet. Raising his recovered arms in surrender, he masked his hesitations and spoke with unwavering assurance.

"Did you take my lord for a fool? Of course, he'd protect himself in an enemy territory." He shrugged, asserting dominance with a playful smirk. "Or did you believe he'd jump into a lion's den praying they wouldn't eat him? No. We stole your treasures and resources to start the real negotiations. After all, we now have something you desperately need to recover."

He saw the guard captain's jaw clench. But so what? He had to strike the metal while it was hot, Muramasa's teachings.

"I'd drop any idea of retaliating if I were you. You see, we've set up a rallying point, and if the others don't hear from us in what? An hour? Anyway, they'll return to the territory richer than ever."

The captain let out an icy chuckle before he barked at his soldiers.