Chapter 391: Negotiations and Miracles
Cassius nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Yet his gaze passed over the envoy and fell on the dozens of chests of gold behind him.
Burly ogres were struggling to carry the chests, transporting them to the steam locomotives waiting nearby—this new mode of transportation was already in use in several locations.
Even the ogres could feel the heavy weight of the chests, faintly guessing they were filled with gold, but the presence of the red dragon quashed any delusions they might have had.
"Not bad."
"Two million gold coins, just as promised. It seems your sincerity exceeds my expectations."
Saxe Barry wiped the sweat from his brow with a silk handkerchief and once again bowed with his staff in hand.
"Of course, His Majesty greatly values your Empire and hopes we can establish a peaceful and friendly relationship, which is why he sent me here personally."
"This is the Kingdom of Thrace's sincerity, and it represents the goodwill of His Majesty Wilhelm."
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Saxe Barry pulled a prepared parchment scroll from his robes and slowly unfolded it.
It bore lines of magical inscriptions in the common tongue, the general content of which outlined a peace treaty between the Kingdom of Thrace and the Ember Empire, agreeing to a year of non-aggression.
However, Cassius's gaze darkened, and the surrounding draconic aura spread like a tangible force.
"Deception within the contract—is that truly wise?"
"As descendants of Aragon I, have you even retained the most basic integrity?"
"Your Majesty, are you referring to—"
Saxe Barry's hands trembled violently, sweat dripping profusely.
Inwardly, he cursed their king for his cunning idea to preserve the kingdom's territory with such a scheme.
"Where is the Carterpa Highlands I asked for?"
Cassius asked bluntly.
Saxe Barry struggled to stand straight and replied, "Your Majesty, the Carterpa region is too barren and desolate to be worthy of such a great treaty. Perhaps we could offer compensation in another form—"
"Enough."
Cassius spoke coldly.
"Do you think I care about the land itself?"
"The Ember Empire will not allow any nation to grasp it by the throat."
"If the Kingdom of Thrace refuses to hand over the Carterpa region, I would rather form a military alliance with the Kingdom of Kassander and seize the land from you!"
Cassius paused briefly, then slowly rose in the hall, revealing a menacing smile.
"At that time, what you'll lose won't just be the Carterpa Highlands—it will be two-thirds of the territory north of the Glorious Mountains."
"Y-Your Majesty, please calm down!"
The hurricane formed by the draconic aura surged forth, sending Saxe Barry tumbling backward, the contract in his hand instantly dimming and turning to ash.
"You've misunderstood, Your Majesty! This isn't the final contract—just one of the Kingdom of Thrace's proposals!"
Frantically, he pulled another parchment scroll from his robes, holding it high and hurriedly unfolding it.
This time, the contract clearly stated:
"The Kingdom of Thrace cedes the Carterpa region to the Ember Empire."
"Signed: Wilhelm Aragon"
"Your Majesty, this is the true contract from the Kingdom of Thrace!"
It turned out that while Wilhelm and the ministers of Thrace did not value the barren Carterpa region, they were unwilling to give it up easily.
Doing so would damage the kingdom's dignity and make the Ember Empire a greater threat to them.
Thus, they had prepared multiple contracts, instructing Saxe Barry to argue his case and try to retain control of the region, which was a strategic chokepoint leading to the Anzeta Wasteland.
Now, seeing no hope of persuasion, Saxe Barry produced the final contract.
"Your Majesty…what do you think?"
"Not much."
Cassius sneered coldly.
"As expected of former Fadlan citizens, arrogance and deceit run deep in your bones. Do you truly believe the Empire doesn't dare go to war with you?"
Saxe Barry hastily explained, "Of course not, Your Majesty! We have always upheld the principles of peace and integrity toward you and—"
"Heh, do you really think I'm unaware of the situation in the south?"
Cassius interrupted again, stepping forward slowly.
"I hear your front lines are in dire straits. Your army has retreated over a hundred kilometers under General Temur of the Kingdom of Kassander, losing several cities in succession, and even your capital is under threat."
"So…"
A massive shadow enveloped Saxe Barry.
"With Thrace in such a miserable state, who gave you the courage to negotiate with me?"
"…"
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty."
Saxe Barry's lips trembled.
After a long pause, he struggled to stand, adjusted his robes, and cautiously asked, "Then, what are your demands?"
Cassius replied calmly:
"You're fortunate. While I detest your arrogance, I also don't want the Kingdom of Kassander to achieve victory."
"You should thank me. My demands are even beneficial to you."
Confused, Saxe Barry held his tongue and waited.
Finally, Cassius's voice broke the silence.
"In addition to the Carterpa region stipulated in the contract, you must also purchase weapons from the Empire."
"Once the transaction is complete, I will sign this contract."
Before he finished speaking, the contract flew from Saxe Barry's hand to the red dragon before him.
Then, under the escort of Tiefling guards, Saxe Barry and his delegation were led out of the hall.
"This way, please. His Majesty has made arrangements."
Strangely, the guards stationed at the altar formed ranks and left.
Walking along the path, Saxe Barry still felt uneasy about the red dragon's overwhelming power and aggression.
However, he couldn't help but wonder and asked Dayev, "Why does he want us to purchase weapons?"
"I thought…His Majesty would directly demand our gold."
Dayev was silent for a long moment before cautiously replying:
"Perhaps…"
"He truly hopes we will achieve victory?"
"Boom!"
Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled violently.
A deep rumble echoed, dust billowed, and a long dragon's roar came from the sky.
Saxe Barry instinctively turned his head to see the area where the Isthalia Grand Altar once stood enveloped in dirt and dust. Within the haze, a massive shadow emerged.
As the dust began to clear, an even more astonishing sight unfolded—
The ground far away rose nearly a hundred meters, forming a towering platform that lifted the entire Grand Altar into the sky, allowing everyone in Isthalia to gaze upon the pyramid.
At the peak of the altar stood Cassius, gazing down at the land with an indifferent expression as if he had accomplished something trivial.
It was like witnessing a miracle.
"Long live His Majesty Cassius!"
"Long live the Empire!"
"This is His Majesty's might!"
"What the hell? Can this faction leader create wonders with his bare hands?"
The humans, monsters, and players in Isthalia looked up at the "Sky Altar" in awe, their cheers ringing out.
Saxe Barry stared in stunned silence at the magnificent scene, his expression dazed.
As a mage, he naturally understood that reshaping the environment on such a scale required at least a ninth-circle spell—yet the Emperor had done so effortlessly, with minimal exertion.
This was the pinnacle of individual power.
"By Ammanata…"
"Thankfully…thankfully we've signed the peace treaty…"
After a long silence, Saxe Barry patted his chest with lingering fear, unable to stop himself from feeling relieved that he hadn't acted recklessly.