Straight to the Point, Divide and Conquer

When Robrek entered the tent, John was sitting before a bookcase, quietly sipping a cup of black tea.

The tent was small, with only a table and two chairs. A teapot and a cup had been set on the table in advance, wisps of steam rising from the tea. Robrek did not sit down. He stood at the entrance and silently watched the human before him.

Their eyes met, and Robrek immediately understood that John had noticed the information he had deliberately let slip during the negotiations. Yet John's behavior surprised him.

He had expected the man to be anything but calm after guessing that Robrek might be a member of the royal family.

After all, Robrek had exposed John's intention to station troops there during today's negotiations.

Now that Robrek had come to see him again, John might not be nervous, but he should not have been this relaxed.

Something about it was deeply strange.

It was almost as if...

He's confident he can control me!

What an interesting human.

At that thought, Robrek's gaze flickered.

As though he had seen through the third prince's wariness, John smiled and gestured toward a chair.

"Please, have a seat, Mr. Stone. The place is rather plain, so I hope you won't mind."

"That won't be necessary, Governor Maslow."

Robrek did not know what this human governor intended, but his years in human kingdoms had taught him that the last thing he should do was follow the other man's lead. That would only land him in a trap. He decided to do the opposite.

"I only have a few things to say before I leave."

"Of course. Suit yourself."

John's unhurried attitude caught Robrek off guard. After a moment's silence, he spoke slowly.

"Your Excellency, we cannot accept the outpost proposal you