Strictly speaking, when the Ice Valley City incident occurred, the first gatherings had been very peaceful and mild. They had even been reported to the local authorities in advance.
Still, at a time like this, Ambassador Wilbert had to force herself to believe in something.
Fifi hid her sympathetic gaze beneath her long lashes, then patiently reasoned with the other woman. "Even if we take the worst-case scenario, the Alliance government won't become our enemy. The Taita Shipyards will still ensure the Athena and Marduk are completed on schedule. We can negotiate a transfer and production license for Thor Corporation's standard missiles, and continue discussing military labor exports through Whitewing Angro and Deepwater Corporation. The low-interest loans from the Rainbow Rose Foundation and the Balance Bank can keep things moving. We can even expand the civilian psychic exchanges between the Adventurers' Association and our country."
The ambassador's expression finally softened a little.
"Besides, she promised me that after President Nihita arrives in Nefi, there will be a private but very grand summit."
"A summit?"
"Yes. The chief marshal of the Iron Army Consortium, the First Seat of the Tos Merchant Guild, the Speaker of the Minlan Republic, and the Prime Minister of the Mazawi Republic are all secretly making their way to Nefi now."
The ambassador paused, her thoughts already beginning to race.
She knew, of course, that the president had met with envoys from Longsummer City and several countries around the Grand Sea. Perhaps he could ensure the Grand Sea remained neutral as a whole. If this summit took place in Nefi, could they form a ring of containment around the Empire?
Yes. Even if the Commonwealth couldn't get directly involved, a little help behind the scenes could still do a great deal to support the war of resistance.