Post by Ward on Jan 5, 2023 6:19:50 GMT -5
The longer the conversation was going the more it was starting to show on Brumal's face, even if it hadn't been much of a long conversation. His body was tired, his mind was tired, and it was catching up not having enough rest for both in a long time. If it wasn't for this transformed state of Brumal, it would have shown in the dark coloration under his eyes, but his slowly worsening posture and the way he was starting to speak slower showed he was clearly tired.
With the way he felt, even with his strength, with his techniques, it might not be near enough if his hand were forced and he had to fight Mint right this second. His body was willing in the sense that he had trained it well, but his mind was lagging behind and filled with too much to focus the way he needed to. For all that he was able to keep up with the Empire, his position as a leader, the goings on with other planets, other people, juggling between being Brumal and just being himself; it was stressful and it was getting to him in a way he had never saw coming.
"I don't know if there is a name for it, but yes, he is a Saiyan. I don't put much stock into legends. If you've got a catchy name for it, then so be it. I just know he was strong. When I first met Azoth he was considered too strong for anyone to fight against, and both of us have surpassed him and then some. I'm not concerned."
It was strange that Mint kept referring to Lottus as a friend to Fukushu, because even now this was the first he had heard of it, as Cato certainly didn't make it seem that way, and from the way the fight went he wasn't to keen on being more than on the same side due to circumstance at best.
"I'm not confident that Lottus and Fukushu were ever friends. Perhaps they were aligned in some way for a time, but as far as I'm aware that passed before either of them made their way to Hatchi City. They seemed at best, tangentially aligned, temporarily. From what I saw Fukushu was taken out in quick fashion by a few in a fight I didn't witness, and Lottus seemed by no means concerned. The Saiyan I was speaking to that is friends with Lottus certainly made it seem as if they didn't trust him, so I'm not convinced they were more than conspiring and using one another. I'll say again, I'm not concerned. Being as strong as both of us doesn't mean he could defeat both of us."
From what he had seen, Lottus wouldn't have been bothered if Fukushu was dead right now, and as far as he was aware he could have been as he wasn't able to sense his power when he was leaving the fight. The fighters that were against him came back ready to fight. Sure, Lottus was strong, and if he decided to turn the power he had on Plant against Arcose there would be serious issues, but he wasn't too worried about that happening, and if it did, he was confident enough himself, Mint, and Ise could handle it.
"I don't imagine they've ever been given a choice. They like to fight, it's in their blood, but they don't exactly seem to be conquerors, or at least not very good at it if the conflict with the Tuffles is any indication. As far as Derry, yes, I signed his accords for power registration for Earth. I don't particularly like his planet, and I have no reason to be there, so it was an empty gesture. It's not as if I have any reason to hide my presence, I am an Emperor. I tend to stand out in crowds on Earth as you would likely imagine. I don't hide my power in battle, I don't hide my power during conversations, so I don't see a reason to do it on Earth. What's the worst he could do with information related to my power that anyone couldn't know by standing anywhere near me?"
Raising a hand he began to rub at his eyes, leaning forward in the seat as he looked clearly exhausted suddenly. It was slowly becoming apparent, but it was getting hard to hide. It was just the two of them in the room anyways, so eventually he gave up trying to pretend otherwise as he let out a sight.
"I need a vacation. We certainly need a few dozen more of Ticoga willing to help. I could use some eyes and ears without having to be so hands on, but as you can likely attest to, trusting others to do that is difficult."
He immediately leaned up at the mention of Taori, narrowing his eyes even further as he wasn't quite sure what expression let alone reaction to give to the news.
"When did this happen? I'm not sure those on Plant are aware, or at least weren't when I left. This could most certainly exacerbate issues with those that don't particularly like their current Queen, along with those that didn't necessarily like the previous King either. I will say bluntly that yes, Taori is the one I received my information from regarding Azoth. It was a relationship that neither of us made others aware of for likely obvious reasons given the anger those on Plant had towards Azoth. This was all, as you'd assume, information I found out prior to Blizzard's actions, but when I say prior to, I mean no more than minutes prior. It was part of why I acted as I did and came to Arcose as quickly as I did, and learned of Blizzard's actions while I was in the midst of travel. I was worried about the potential of an all out war, as the intelligence I was receiving was saying that Taori was ready to launch an attack on Arcose in retaliation. What I don't know is what changed his mind, if anything."