Break with the Human Alliance

Inside the conference hall, on the other side.

Faced with Roland's outrageously harsh terms, a trace of anger finally surfaced on Seraphim's aged face. A flicker of killing intent flashed through the depths of his star-filled eyes, yet his next reply shocked everyone present even more.

"If you want them, you can have them."

"Your Highness, absolutely not..."

Before Roland could answer, the other great nobles of the Arcane Empire below the stage could no longer sit still, their expressions anxious.

Ribela, Autran, and the Storm Kingdom were the Arcane Empire's greatest gains in this internal upheaval among humanity. If all of them were ceded to the Sacred Co-Prosperity Kingdom, then within a few years, the Arcane Empire's strength would fall to the bottom among the four nations. After the alien races were eliminated, the Arcane Empire, situated in the center of the continent, would instantly find itself surrounded by enemies without sufficient strength to support itself.

Seraphim raised a hand to stop the several great nobles below who opposed the idea, then changed the subject.

"But not now. I promise that after the alien races have been eliminated, Ribela, Autran, and the Storm Kingdom may all be ceded to your Sacred Co-Prosperity Kingdom."

"Heh... After the alien races are eliminated again?"

"Grand Mage Seraphim, don't you think that's rather childish?" Roland said disdainfully.

Roland had expected Seraphim to argue back, but to his surprise, the man nodded seriously.

"Roland, you're right. It does make me seem rather childish. But the Arcane Empire still needs the Three Great Kingdoms to strengthen itself and eliminate the alien races. We cannot cede them to you now. However, I can first hand over the land within two hundred kilometers of the coastlines of Autran and the Storm Kingdom as a deposit."

"..."

Roland