In the council hall of the Iron Fist City Lord's Manor, the rulers of the three great empires gathered once more. Agulie, royal consort of the Fallen Angel Empire, attended as a specially invited guest.
This meeting was strikingly similar to the peace talks held in the Shadow Imperial Capital two years ago. Yet in merely two short years, people and circumstances had changed beyond recognition. It was still these four negotiators, but the situation had been completely reversed.
The Fallen Angel Empire, once the weakest, had become an existence the other two empires had to look up to, whether in economy or military strength. With one rising as the others waned, Shadow Emperor Catherine should have joined forces with Blood Fiend Emperor Lei Chan to preserve the balance of power. Yet this Empress had stunned everyone at the martial tournament by making an astonishing decision—she had tied herself to Agulie's warship. In a sense, the Shadow Empire had already become an ally of the Fallen Angel Empire. Thus, Lei Chan could not remain calm. Seizing the chance while all three emperors were at Iron Fist Castle, he made the prompt decision to begin negotiations at once.
Both Catherine and Shea attached great importance to these negotiations. Catherine did not even spare Chen Rui an extra glance, for she represented the Shadow Empire, and Chen Rui understood that clearly. However, there was no longer any need for formal exchanges between him and her. If their love endured, what need was there to cling to every dawn and dusk?
As always, Shea and Catherine merely nodded to each other in greeting, without any special gesture or hint.
Soon, the talks began.
Without any suspense, the central topic of this meeting was the "Confederation System" Chen Rui had mentioned during the finals.