[Six Days Ago]
[Kingsfort]
"I'm still somewhat worried, Minister..." Lanco Boyle hesitantly asked, "What if the rebels refuse a prisoner exchange, how will negotiations continue?"
"It doesn't matter, the focus has never been on 'exchange', but on 'order'," said Cornelius, looking at the quietly flowing River Shijian, where it's said the ten tribes of ancient Paratu swore their arrow-bending allegiance.
"The situation is clear," Cornelius continued, "the primary casualties in the Battle of River Valley Village were in Gessa Adonis' and Skur Meklen's units.
"These two are native Paratu people but are not politically inclined towards the Blue Blood Faction. If handled properly, they could have been won over... but it's too late to say that now.
"In short, for the native faction within the rebels, the Battle of River Valley Village was a Pyrrhic victory that significantly altered the power dynamics within the rebels.
