Thrace Kingdom

"I, we."

Dayev gritted his teeth, his expression grave.

He was sent by Wilhelm, but his main task was to gather intelligence on the Embers of the Burned Empire. He did not have much diplomatic power and was not qualified to make such a promise.

However, from the conversation just now, he realized the enormous crisis facing the Thrace Kingdom.

This rising Red Dragon, this brand-new empire, is far more terrifying than he had imagined.

If they were to ally with the Kassand Kingdom and launch a pincer attack on the Thrace Kingdom, the consequences would be unimaginable, and there would even be a risk of the kingdom being destroyed!

This must not be allowed to happen!

Finally, he made up his mind, a resolute look flashing across his face, and gritted his teeth as he answered, "Your Majesty, our Thrace Kingdom is willing to offer an equal amount of Gold Coin and provide a certain amount of magical resources."

"Oh?"

"What about the other two-thirds of the territory?"

"Keosius asked casually."

Dayev resolutely refused, saying, "Absolutely not, Your Majesty. The Thrace Kingdom will not give up any territory."

"I'm sure you know that His Majesty Wilhelm would never agree to such harsh conditions, and there's no need for you to bring it up."

"That's not necessarily true."

Keosius grinned again.

If you want to tear down the roof, you are allowed to open a skylight.

Human nature has always favored compromise, and this negotiation tactic will never be outdated in any place or era.

"Since that's the case, and you can't offer the same terms, why should we give up the benefits we're already talking about?"

"Your Majesty, you have actually been deceived by the Kassand."

"Dayev said in a calm and powerful voice."

"In their rhetoric, the Thrace Kingdom is portrayed as a lamb to the slaughter, easily destroyed—but the reality is far from that."

"I admit that your empire is quite powerful, but what you have shown is not enough to defeat Thrace."

"His Majesty Wilhelm has sixteen Divine Descendant Duke of divine lineage, as well as hundreds of Ascended Sun Warrior."

"They followed the old emperor in his Southern Expedition, even venturing into the Nine Hells, the Abyss, the Gray Waste, and many other planes, making great contributions and spreading the glory of Holy Fadlan throughout the multiverse."

"If we fight to the death, your empire will suffer enormous losses. And at that time, the people of Kassand will only gloat; they have always been so despicable."

Keosius narrowed his eyes slightly.

What you said seems to make some sense.

"But that's still not enough to convince me, based solely on your empty words."

"."

The atmosphere froze instantly.

Dayev believed he had stated all the advantages and disadvantages and had done everything he could.

If this still fails to persuade the Red Dragon, war may be the only thing awaiting the Thrace Kingdom.

He lowered his head, remained silent, and said in a heavy tone, "Your Majesty Keosius, is there really no room for maneuver?"

"Hmm"

"This is a real headache. I have said before that I am a peace-loving monarch, but I cannot see any sincerity from your Thrace Kingdom."

"How about this, we each compromise. I only want your two million Gold Coin, but you have to give up the Katpa Hills south of Anstika. How about that?"

"This, this..."

Dayev looked solemn and lowered his head in deep thought.

Although the Katpa Hills cover a large area, they are nothing compared to the vast territory of Thrace.

Moreover, it was not a prosperous land; various wild beasts and monsters roamed there, and it could even be considered a wasteland without any government control within Thrace. The Thrace Kingdom only included it in its territory in order to communicate with Anzeta.

If it can create a peaceful situation on the front lines, even if it only buys a little time, then ceding the Katpa Hills would be worthwhile.

On the other hand, Wilhelm did not grant him the power to sign contracts or even cede land, and if the Embers of the Burned Empire were to acquire this land, it would make the northern part of Thrace even more precarious.

For a moment, Dayev was caught in a dilemma.

He hesitated for a long time before solemnly saying, "Your Majesty Keosius, I am willing to agree to this condition on my own terms."

"But this agreement concerns the kingdom's territory and is of great importance. I still need to go back and consult His Majesty Wilhelm."

"I know."

Keosius wore a sarcastic smile.

"Go tell Wilhelm that he can choose to have my friendship or a surprise attack for his own benefit."

"It is His Your Majesty Keosius."

Dayev replied with a sigh of relief.

"What a greedy and cunning Red Dragon!"

Dayev thought to himself.

In any case, he temporarily stabilized the Embers of the Burned Empire, intimidated the Red Dragon in front of him, and made the kingdom's war in the south go more smoothly.

Next, he only needed to persuade His Majesty Wilhelm to make some insignificant "sacrifices".

However, Dayev was unaware that all he was hearing was merely a tactic of diplomatic blackmail by the Red Dragon — Keosius simply wanted to intimidate the two kingdoms without paying any price, move between them, and extract benefits from them.

Commonly known as – getting something for nothing.

Tinia stared blankly at Dayev as he walked away, her mouth agape. "Master, you... you're just going to make him hand over two million Gold Coin like that? He won't renege on his promise, will he?"

Keosius gazed into the distance and smiled slightly.

"Just you wait, Tinia."

"Soon you will see an official delegation, magical contracts, and carriages laden with gold coming from the south."

Tinia munched on her fantasies, her mouth practically watering.

Two million Gold Coin.

"Master, can I see this when the time comes? I've never seen so much money before!"

The White Dragon jumped up happily and rubbed against the Red Dragon's legs again, its face full of flattery, and it kept wagging its short, thick tail.

"Aww—"

A loud slapping sound.

Tinia squatted on the ground, covering her flushed face with her paws, and asked weakly, "Master, you only said a few words, why are they willing to hand over so many Gold Coin?"

Keosius gently clenched his claws, and an illusory triangular balance appeared in mid-air.

The triangular balance is in equilibrium, with weights on each side. One side has a larger weight, and the other two sides have two smaller weights.

"This is the current situation."

"The power of the Three Great Kingdoms is currently at a balance, and this war will last for a long time in a stalemate, with each side wanting to break the deadlock."

"It only requires a little intervention from external forces."

Keosius snapped his fingers.

"Smack!"

A brand new small weight was added to one side of the balance, and the triangular balance immediately lost its balance, tilting entirely towards the side with the added weight.

"This is the role the Empire plays in all of this, an external force capable of stirring up the situation."

"But right now, I don't want either of them to win, so I'll just stand by and watch."

Tinia nodded as if she understood, her eyes full of eagerness. "I think I understand. So, as long as I speak like Master, I can earn two million Gold Coin?"

"."

The courtiers in the palace fell silent once more.

Keosius looked up at the sky, watching the sun slowly sinking.

Strangely, it's only noon, but the outside scenery looks like evening.

"As I expected, the timing of the sun has gone awry. Amanata, the Law and Sun God, revered as the upholder of law and guardian of time, is unable to maintain its stability and is about to fall into slumber."

"A chaotic era is about to begin."

In the afterglow of the sunset, Keosius's eyes shone brightly.