"Lania!"
As we joined the Kronos remnants' evacuation procession, many welcomed Lania with open arms.
Among them, one stood at the forefront—someone whose face I knew all too well.
"Dennis, the Smiling Face."
A man who, in the future, would earn that moniker while bombarding Ark with artillery fire. One of the key figures of the eventual Kronos Union.
But whether that title was given later or for another reason, right now, Dennis's face was far from smiling—it was grim.
"That was reckless… What would you have done if something had happened?"
"Sorry, sorry. But look, I made it back alive, didn't I?"
Lania grinned playfully.
It seemed that going to where the investigation team was had been a decision she made on her own.
Dennis looked like he wanted to scold her further but eventually just shook his head.
"…Forget it. You came here with these people—does that mean you have something in mind?"
"Yeah. Convene the council."
"…The council?"
"It's important."
Seeing Lania's serious expression, Dennis nodded.
"…If you say so, I'll do it. Wait here."
"Thanks."
With that, Dennis disappeared into one of the temporary tents.
Lania turned back to me.
"I did what you asked. Now it's up to you."
"That's more than enough."
"Sigh… You always talk like you have everything under control."
Beside her, Esther nodded.
["For once, you actually know what you're talking about."]
"Right?"
'Would you two just get a room already?'
"Oraboni, wait here for a bit. I have things to take care of."
"Got it."
And with that, Lania disappeared into the maze of tents. She must have a lot to do, given how long she'd been away.
"…Do you think this will work?"
Kalakin approached me, concern written all over his face.
"It has to."
"You know as well as I do that, we have no actual authority to negotiate with the Kronos remnants. Even if things go well here, we'll have to negotiate separately when we return to Ark."
"I know."
I understood Kalakin's concerns.
But Ark would prefer to have a dangerous force like the Kronos remnants under control rather than leaving them as a wild card.
If I presented this deal to them, rejecting it was unlikely.
'And even if they did refuse, there were always… other ways.'
To the investigation team, this negotiation might seem reckless.
But to me, it wasn't.
This was an opportunity.
'Esther.'
["Yeah?"]
'Go find Horus. Hunt down as many flying beasts as you can together.'
["Wait, you want me and Bonehead to go on a hunting mission?"]
'I can't do it myself right now, can I?'
["Tch… You're such a damn slave driver."]
'Just go.'
Esther's form flickered and disappeared.
She was already moving to find Horus.
It wouldn't be much, but even a cat's paw was better than nothing.
How much time passed, I wasn't sure.
Eventually, Lania emerged from one of the tents and waved me over.
"Everything's ready. Let's go, Oraboni."
I glanced back at the investigation team.
"Move out."
"…Are you sure we should be going in?"
"You misunderstand. It's not a matter of should—it's a matter of must."
Kalakin hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Understood."
Hildegard, Dmitri, and Iris no longer showed any outward resistance.
Maybe it was because Lania had helped them, or maybe for some other reason.
Either way, that was convenient for me.
"I managed to gather most of the Kronos council members."
"Just the Kronos council?"
"The other faction leaders aren't here. You'll have to convince the Kronos members first."
Her point was clear.
"So, if I want to meet the other leaders, I have to win you over first. That it?"
"Exactly."
"Fine. That won't be a problem."
"Ooh. Feeling confident?"
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."
After that short exchange, I stepped inside the tent.
Inside, Kronos's council members were seated around a round table, waiting.
Most of them were familiar faces.
A few, however, were strangers to me.
"I hear you've come from Ark. Welcome. I am Diallo."
Diallo—one of the key figures in the future Kronos Union.
A master strategist whose policies would shape the entire faction.
"I am Carl Marcus."
"You must be short on time, so let's get to the point. What does Ark want from us?"
Straight to the point.
Just the way I liked it.
"It seems there's been a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?"
"Ark wants nothing from Kronos."
"What? Oraboni, what are you—"
Lania started to object, but Diallo held up a hand to stop her.
"Then why are you here, Carl Marcus? If Ark doesn't want anything from us, what is your purpose?"
Even the weight of age hadn't dulled Diallo's sharp gaze.
"It's exactly as I said. Ark has no demands for Kronos. In fact, let me turn the question around."
I let my eyes sweep across the room—across the familiar and unfamiliar faces alike.
"What does Kronos have to offer Ark?"
A beat of silence followed.
"…What?"
"I'm asking what you have. Weapons? Soldiers? Food supplies? Rare treasures? Do you have anything Ark would actually want?"
Another moment of silence.
"…"
Of course.
They already knew the answer.
Kronos, in its ruined state, had nothing to offer Ark.
"…Is this Ark's stance?"
Diallo finally spoke again.
"No. Strictly speaking, I am not speaking on behalf of Ark. So, I cannot claim to represent its official stance."
"Then what are you doing? If you do not speak for Ark, then what right do you have to be here, making demands?"
Diallo's voice carried a sharp edge.
The investigation team, seated near me, stiffened.
This was, after all, the very heart of enemy territory.
Their nerves were understandable.
"True, I do not officially speak for Ark. But that's exactly why you should find me even more trustworthy."
Diallo, who had been glaring with open hostility, turned his gaze toward me.
"…What do you mean by that?"
"I am not a citizen of Ark."
"What do you—"
Diallo looked at Lania.
Lania responded with a small nod, confirming my words.
"Then what about those beside you? Are they not part of Ark either?"
"No, they are soldiers of Ark. Very promising ones at that."
"Then why did you step forward, leaving them behind?"
"Because it's in your best interest."
At that moment, one of the council members, who had been silently observing from his seat, raised a hand.
It was a face I didn't recognize, which likely meant that, when the Kronos Union eventually formed, he would either be purged or swept away by the wave of change.
"…Then, Carl Marcus, why did you seek us out?"
"Ark has nothing to ask of Kronos. However, if Kronos bares its fangs at Ark, then that's a different story."
"That… That would never happen. Why would Kronos ever antagonize Ark?"
Sure, that might be what they believe now.
Right now, for the remnants of Kronos to oppose Ark would seem impossible, as Ark must appear overwhelmingly powerful.
But as time passes, and the Kronos Union forms and grows in strength, they will inevitably start to think differently.
"Still, from Ark's perspective, the old Kronos faction is an obstacle. This time, it's just an investigation team. Next time, it could be a subjugation force."
The council chamber buzzed with unrest.
"…A subjugation force?"
"Why would Ark target us?"
"But if Ark does form a subjugation force…"
Unease spread across the council members' faces.
The name "Ark" carried that much weight for them, and in this situation, the mere suggestion of a subjugation force was a significant threat.
'Well, that's a lie.'
It had to be.
No matter how powerful Ark was, they didn't have the resources to send a subjugation force all the way out here.
More precisely, Ark would prefer to avoid making enemies of the remnants of Kronos if possible.
"…Carl Marcus, then what exactly are you proposing?"
"Nothing much. I'll negotiate with Ark on your behalf."
"…What?"
Not only the council members but even Diallo couldn't hide their shock at my words.
Even the investigation team and Lania stared at me with their mouths agape.
"Right now, Ark sees you as a potential threat. And rightfully so. But I'll take responsibility and mediate between Ark and Kronos."
"What…"
The chamber grew restless.
But no one scoffed.
That was how serious this issue was.
After a brief silence, Diallo spoke again.
"…You there, the members of Ark. What do you think of Carl Marcus's proposal?"
Kalakin answered.
"As members of Ark's investigation team, we support Carl Marcus's opinion."
"…I've heard that you are soldiers of Ark. Your words may be taken as the will of Ark itself. Are you aware of that?"
"Yes."
"Hah…"
Diallo's gaze turned to me.
"Fine. But Carl Marcus, as you said, we have nothing to give to Ark. And I doubt Ark has anything to offer us either. What could Ark possibly give to us?"
"Weapons and food. Will that suffice?"
"…Weapons and food are valuable even in Ark. Are you saying this is possible?"
"That's exactly why it's possible. As long as Ark supplies Kronos with weapons and food, you won't even think of turning against them."
"So, you're saying Ark wants to control Kronos with incentives?"
"If that's how you interpret it, then yes."
"Haha…"
Diallo, who had been laughing dryly, suddenly furrowed his brow deeply.
"How dare you!"
BANG!
The center of the round table split apart.
Though he was now an elderly man with graying hair, Diallo was not someone to be taken lightly.
Of course, that didn't really change anything.
"It seems you're mistaken."
"Mistaken? Carl Marcus, you clearly see Kronos as insignificant. According to you, we're supposed to accept Ark's weapons and food, and in return, swear allegiance like obedient dogs!"
"What's so bad about that? And I never told Kronos to submit. I simply want a non-hostile relationship."
"You think using fancy words changes the meaning?!"
A dangerous aura emanated from Diallo.
Not just Diallo—many of the council members were showing open hostility.
The word submission alone was enough to ignite their fury.
"And as I said, you are mistaken."
"Mistaken? What exactly am I mistaken about?"
"Do you think I came here only with incentives?"
Diallo's aggressive aura wavered slightly.
"…Are you threatening us?"
"No. I'm just talking about reality. You remember the Church of Morte that ambushed you not long ago?"
"…Why are you bringing that up now?"
"Do you know what happened to them?"
I figured I should let everyone here know.
I didn't come here just to persuade them with carrots.
It was time to show them the stick in my hand.
"They're all dead. I took care of them."
"…By yourself?"
"Yes."
Diallo turned to Lania in disbelief.
Lania gave a small nod.
"If it's my oraboni, he can do it."
"Hah…"
Lania's credibility seemed to be quite high within the council, as their faces filled with shock.
An entire Church of Morte branch had been wiped out.
And they knew well what that meant.
After all, the remnants of Kronos had been forced into this state because of that same Church of Morte branch.
"The entire Church of Morte branch was erased. It's obvious where the church will place the blame."
"…If you think Kronos fears the Church of Morte, you are gravely mistaken."
"Then I have nothing more to say. I'll be leaving. It seems that Kronos has now made enemies of both the Church of Morte and Ark. Things are going to get tough for you."
At my mocking words, Diallo's face turned bright red with rage.
But the situation was already in my favor.
"…Wait!"
"Do you have more to say?"
"…Sit down."
"And why should I?"
Diallo gritted his teeth.
Then, as if forcing himself, he carefully enunciated his next words.
"As a member of the Kronos Council, dedicated to justice, fairness, and the pursuit of righteousness, I will accept your proposal, Carl Marcus."