Chapter 67 - Request for Help

Mishal didn't hide anything.

He spread the news about [Dakan Al-Ahmar] as quickly as possible—I have captured these people, and I will kill them.

This method of fishing couldn't be cruder, practically writing "come to your death" on his face.

But it worked, and it worked well, because Dehya was that kind of person.

She would take the bait, even knowing Mishal wanted her dead, she wouldn't abandon her father's old friends.

"It's my fault." The valiant beauty couldn't help but look a bit weary, "I haven't paid attention to Kusayla... to father's matters for a long time."

She had left after a fallout with her father and hadn't followed Kusayla's situation since.

Before she left, [Dakan Al-Ahmar] had already been active in the desert for a long time.

Dehya thought nothing unexpected would happen.

She didn't realize that her father, whom she just enjoyed playing hero with, was an actual hero.

"Even his death and the matters of those uncles were told to me by their enemy," Dehya said with a bitter smile. "This is really..."

If Mishal hadn't spoken, she, as a daughter, would have known nothing.

"I have more detailed information," Candace said calmly. "[Deshret's Relic] threatened all its members with criminal records, and a few years ago, Uncle Kusayla burned the archive room where those records were stored, leading to the decline of [Deshret's Relic]."

"Sounds a bit like your husband's habits," Dehya rubbed her cheek.

"A similar tyrannical rule, but they used criminal records for coercion, while Rama uses absolute force," Candace shook her head. "They would lose for such reasons, but Rama would only fail under one circumstance."

Even Mishal felt their defeat was unreasonable.

It was just a random act by a cripple, and then [Deshret's Relic] collapsed.

They ruled their mercenaries with tyrannical power, using criminal records for threats.

While Rama controlled the tribe with force in his hands, that was the difference.

Dehya was silent for a moment, "I won't beat around the bush. Mishal is clearly fishing for me, and I can't handle the ambush [Deshret's Relic] has set."

"I'm here to seek help."

Dehya didn't disregard face, but this involved her life, her uncle who had looked after her, and her gilded brigade. She couldn't neglect these because of pride.

She needed Candace's help to seek Rama's assistance.

Because she couldn't resolve this issue alone.

"This is troublesome, so you can't speak," Dehya didn't intend to ask Candace to handle it. "I'll pay the price myself."

She understood Candace's situation well. To put it bluntly, Candace was just a pawn for the desert regime to control Rama, without much authority.

As a friend, asking Candace to do something beyond her capability or would cost her greatly was not what friends do.

Acting as a mediator, giving a chance, was the limit of what Candace's position could offer.

The greater cost should be paid by Dehya herself, as the one seeking help.

If Rama didn't agree, Dehya would be in a very awkward and difficult position.

Candace lowered her eyes.

Dehya wasn't foolish; she understood Candace's status in the tribe.

A beautiful woman held by her weaknesses and sent to a man's bed. Both women usually ignored this reality during their interactions, but both knew the truth.

Dehya wouldn't ask Candace for more promises and help. Candace didn't have that power. She wanted a chance to get Rama's support.

It was the most reasonable thought, but Candace's promise would exceed Dehya's expectations.

"I will use you to fish for more people, the Fatui, dissenters within the tribe, maybe even more."

During a break, Rama rested his chin on Candace's shoulder, gently smelling the enticing scent of the woman.

It was an intimate gesture, but his words weren't gentle.

"Many say I am a loner, so my enemies can't do anything against me. They can't even find me, let alone plot something against me."

"But now they have found another rope. The more I value you at the other end, the more they will recognize your worth and use you to carry out plans against me."

"Coincidentally, I also need a suitable opportunity to draw them in."

Candace understood Rama's words.

"So, you will pretend to like me very much." Candace nodded.

"Not necessarily a pretense," Rama said warmly, "but certainly very much."

"The simplest way is for me to become a muddle-headed king because of you."

Muddle-headed didn't mean incompetent; it meant at certain times, he would abandon the best choice for a wrong decision due to his desires.

The desert had such precedents.

A foolish story created by the Jinni Matriarch, Liloupar, buried the royal power of Gurabad in the desert.

Candace couldn't help but suspect that Rama knew Mishal would do this.

So, he had promised long ago and revealed everything before Candace approached him.

He wanted to be a foolish king, and this was a great opportunity.

"I'm afraid I can't help you much."

Candace sighed with a plan in mind, "The desert elders have signed a contract with Mishal to ambush the [Corps of Thirty]."

"Telling you this is already somewhat inappropriate."

Dehya smiled bitterly, "I understand."

She couldn't force it.

Mishal was her enemy, but to the desert, Mishal was more useful.

The other party was more useful, so they favored Mishal. It was the best choice.

What else?

Would they oppose Mishal because of her relationship with Candace, forcing [Deshret's Relic] into the [Corps of Thirty]'s camp?

It was unrealistic and unreasonable.

"Since they have an agreement, my request is indeed a bit presumptuous."

Dehya stood up to leave.

Without external help, she still had to do it herself.

(End of Chapter)