"Are you joking?" Ishar's expression shifted slightly.
"Of course not. I'm quite serious!" Kloros shook his head.
"You want us to hand our blade over to the enemy, then hope for their mercy?"
"No, no, no! Before the last battle, it was a blade. But after that battle, in my eyes, it's nothing more than a thorny rose.
"It might prick your hand, but it's hardly lethal.
"If you really had the ability to defeat me with it, you wouldn't have waited until now."
Ishar fell silent for a moment, but still shook her head.
Granted, the Reaper's firing rate was abysmal, and the enemy had already figured out exactly how its attacks worked, greatly reducing the threat it posed.
But even if their hidden trump card had been exposed, it was still a pair of jokers.
If they handed over even their strongest hand, how was that any different from crippling themselves?
Besides, the Vector Engine installed on the Reaper was a technological creation from an unknown, advanced civilization. Its value was beyond measure.
"Your conditions are far too harsh. Our ruling Congress would never agree.
"What's more, the war isn't over yet, but you're already dictating terms as the victor. Don't you think that's a little premature?"
"Heh!" Kloros smiled and shook his head.
"Quite the opposite. I believe now is the best time for peace talks.
"While both sides' losses are still bearable, we still have a chance to shake hands and make peace.
"If we wait until the dust settles and both sides become mortal enemies, I'm afraid the price you'll have to pay will be far greater."
"Hmph! In that case, why don't you wait until then and reap greater profits?" Ishar retorted with a cold snort.
"Well... you know we're a conglomerate. We fight