Which element of a story is most likely to develop the conflict

A lot of the time the conflict really starts in the rising action which is where the imagery of the characters happens and you are learning about the characters.

Atahualpaemperor of the inca empire who rose to the throne after winning a civil war between him and his brother.  -he refused to become a spanish vassal or christian.-francisco pizarro kidnapped him and demanded a huge ransom.  -pizarro's secretary described him as "a man of thirty years, good-looking and poised, somewhat stout, with a wide, handsome, and ferocious face, and the eyes flaming with blood."-after the ransom was paid, atahualpa was killed by pizarro