The Inevitable Massive Bloodletting

At that moment, the document in Reiner's hands became the focus of everyone's attention. The imperial lords widened their eyes, practically trying to see through the parchment and read the words written on it.

They had no idea what conditions Reiner had drafted to obtain peace. Negotiating peace was the monarch's prerogative, and they had no right to interfere.

The people of the Holy War Coalition were the same. They held their breath and concentrated, unwilling to miss a single word of the peace treaty that would determine the course of their interests.

Reiner looked at the parchment and read its contents aloud.

"To obtain peace, we require only the following compensation!"

"First, acknowledge defeat in the war!"

"Second, the Bazhalan Kingdom will withdraw from the western territories of the empire and return all the lands it seized from the empire!"

"Third, including Pope Rossa, acknowledge the emperor's title as supreme!"

"Fourth, pay three hundred thousand gold coins in a single installment as war reparations, to compensate the empire for its enormous losses!"

"Fifth, all lords and kings of the various nations must hand over one-tenth of their annual income to the empire for twenty years!"

"Sixth, all nations will acknowledge that the empire's territory is sacred and inviolable!"

"Seventh, no nation may invade the empire's territory without cause. Otherwise, the treaty will be void, and the empire will retaliate!"

"Eighth, the king of the Bazhalan Kingdom will enter the imperial palace of the Redka Empire and be personally raised and educated by His Majesty the Emperor!"

"Ninth, all nations will send members of their royal families to serve in the empire!"

There were nine clauses in total. After reading them one by one, Reiner observed everyone's expressions and reactions.

The first three clauses were not unacceptable to these people.