After listening to their requests, Tetsuya smiled, took a sip of tea, and set down his cup before speaking.
"Oh, so you saw the changes in the Land of Rain and came here looking to cooperate."
"That's right."
"Exactly."
"Heh!"
The smile on Tetsuya's face grew even brighter.
"Then do either of you know exactly what sort of agreement I signed with Hanzo of the Salamander, the leader of the Land of Rain?"
"I really don't."
"So what agreement did you sign?"
"How about this? There are quite a few terms in the agreement, and I couldn't explain them all clearly. But I have a copy here. I'll have someone bring it over for you to read."
"That would be excellent."
"Then let us have a look."
"Shinada, go fetch my contract with the Land of Rain."
"Yes, my lord."
Shinada of the Salamander's voice came from outside the garden. Soon, he hurried inside with a document in his hands.
"Lord Daimyo."
Shinada approached Tetsuya and respectfully offered him the document, but Tetsuya did not take it.
"Give it to our two guests."
"Yes."
Shinada brought the document over to the two Daimyo instead.
"My lords, please have a look."
The Daimyo of the Land of Rivers took the documents. There were two copies, so he handed one to the Daimyo of the Land of Birds, and they began reading.
After a quick read through the agreement, both men stared wide-eyed.
"Th-this! How did he agree to these terms?"
"He practically sold the Land of Rain to you!"
Neither could believe that what they were reading was real, yet the document bore both Hanzo of the Salamander's signature and the official seal of the Land of Rain.
That meant it was all true. Hanzo of the Salamander really had agreed