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So the behavior of the city guard was not an isolated incident and was indicative of the attitudes of the leadership of this country after all. 

Éliane should have expected it, but somehow she was still disappointed. The grovemasters were clearly sticking their heads in the sands of Costa del Sol, comfortable in their ignorance as the rest of the realm continued to fall apart around them as they preached their unique brand of morality and insufferable attitudes. At a time when a great external enemy threatened Ibros, the four nations should have been uniting as one (under the aegis of Skael, of course) to eject the Valheimian foothold on the continent and to rid them of the blight. 

Yet wherever the Kirins went they were met out outright hostility. First it had been Galahad’s foolish father, and now it was the stubborn pride of the grovemasters. Osprey, occupied as it was by the enemy, had been a breath of fresh air, at least. 

Éliane had to be held back by Esben from immediately biting into the attitudes of the grovemasters before her. Just by observing, she could tell that if Drana Asnaeu kept on the same course, they would be the next to fall under the Valheimian thumb, and the blight. 

When Esben finally leaned back in, she was already ready to go. Nodding at him briefly, she cut in once the others had said their piece, deciding to act once more as the big stick of the party.

She adjusted her uniform, now properly laundered and properly looking the part.[b] “As the representative from Skael,” [/b]the pink-haired officer began, [b]“I in part speak for the government of Skael when it comes to the investigation and persecution of those perpetrating or facilitating the spread of the Blight… intentionally or [i]inadvertently[/i].”[/b]

The unamused Skaelan stared direct in the eyes of the second grovemaster that had called Izayoi a warmonger. 

[b]“My government has been historically uninvolved in things as petty as war, but with the news that my fellows here have relayed, we are preparing for the worst. The [i]pacifistic[/i] Skael will be tripling its war budget, and if Drana Asnaeu is the weak link on the continent, if by the inaction of this very council it provides a foothold for Valheim and the Blight to further take hold on Ibros, then we will not hesitate to preemptively move to remedy such inaction and unpreparedness.”[/b]

The threat was obvious. Do nothing, or worse, hinder the cooperation of Kirin and the nations, and Skael would force the grovemasters to be ready. It was a bluff, in the sense that she was definitely not authorized to speak on this type of policy, but she doubted the Overseer would split the details when it came to matters of national security and the Blight. She paused, considering an extra line. Fuck it…

[b]“Warmongering? If Drana Asnaeu is invaded, you will have to commit yourself to defense regardless, no matter who it is. Alternatively, if you are occupied by a country that isn’t the enemy, then you will also be ready…”[/b]

In other words, if Skael invaded, they would have to stick their heads out of the sand anyway or they would be occupied. But if they were occupied then Drana Asnaeu would also be safe. Win win. 

Éliane thought it was a perfect argument if she said so herself.