Negotiations

"Lord Yago, may I ask what this means?" Inside the makeshift combat tent, Magath solemnly slammed a piece of intelligence in front of Yago.

"According to reports from our Marley garrison in Iolean and Sedes, over 100,000 troops have gathered at the Northern Border recently. These troops appear to be the Eldia Revival Army under Yago's command. Shouldn't Lord Yago give me an explanation for this?" Magath's tone was unfriendly. For any national leader, allowing foreign troops to run rampant on their own territory is not a pleasant thing.

Hearing Magath's question, Yago was sitting calmly in his chair, seemed completely unconcerned and slowly picked up the intelligence report on the table.

It seems that Selina and her team have completed their mission exceptionally well. In fact, the Restoration Army arrived at the northern border much earlier than Marley intelligence had indicated, and they have probably already surrounded most of the cities in northern Marley.

Yago put down the intelligence report, looked at Magath with a grin, and readily admitted, "That's right, it's our Eldia Revival Army. Magath Marshal, don't doubt it; this was indeed my order."

Seeing Yago's open admission, Magath was stunned and didn't react for a moment. It was like a jungler who had just respawned and found their jungle gone, and before they could even question the marksman, the marksman blurted out. "How was my food?"

"What? Lord Yago, even if we are allies now, isn't Paradis Island's behavior going too far? Or is Paradis Island determined to fight Marley to the death?" Magath's tone was filled with uncontrollable anger. It was already very difficult for them to agree to Eldia joining the Allied Army despite the enormous pressure and opposition, and now the Eldians were defecating on Marley's neck.

Magath couldn't imagine the uproar his subordinates would cause if they found out, but the relationship between the Marleyan and Eldians would definitely plummet to a freezing point again. A strange sense of exhaustion enveloped Magath.

"Very well, since that's the case, it seems there's nothing more for us to discuss. Lord Yago, you have three days to withdraw your troops. After three days, the Marley and Paradis Island will be mortal enemies!"

Seeing the enraged Magath turn to leave, Yago immediately stood up and stopped him. In truth, Yago had a certain amount of respect for Magath, this soldier. In some ways, he was similar to his former Instructors, Shadis, and Prime Minister, Pyxis. They had a will that surpassed that of ordinary people, and at the same time, they had more enlightened ideas.

"Marshal Magath, wait a moment. Why don't you let me explain before you make a decision?" Yago took out a pre-prepared document from the drawer and handed it to Magath, gesturing for Magath to open it and take a look.

Magath suppressed his anger, opened the document, and after a moment, the angry expression on his face began to freeze, then shatter, and finally turned into horror. "This! How is this possible? How could you know so much about this?" Magath asked in shock.

Yago smiled mysteriously and said calmly, "So, Magath Marshal, why are you angry? Look, even your own people don't care who those lands belong to. Besides, is Marley really a monolithic entity these days?"

Magath slammed the file shut and said coldly, "That's none of your business! For a hundred years, we Marleyan have never lost an inch of land. That's our bottom line! We will not back down an inch!"

"Heh, but Hope City is in our hands, oh, which is your former capital. It seems like you've long since crossed that line, haven't you?" Yago retorted sarcastically.

Veins began to appear on Magath's originally dark forehead.

"Alright, enough joking, Marshal Magath. Let's be frank. I hope that the nineteen cities north of Marley, including the Shia River, will henceforth fall under the jurisdiction of Hope City. Of course, please don't be angry yet; we won't take it for nothing. We will naturally offer something in exchange..."

No one knows what Yago and Magath discussed that day, Marleyan! All that is known is that after Magath returned to the National Defense Command Headquarters, he immediately ordered the garrison in the northern cities of Marley to begin an orderly transfer, and the people in the cities were encouraged to move to other cities, with very generous incentives offered.

While the rank-and-file Soldiers and civilians might still be confused, many high-ranking Marley were utterly shocked. What? What happened? Wasn't this handing over the north to the Eldians? What's wrong with Magath Marshal? What triggered him? Good heavens! Magath Marshal is leading the charge in selling out the country, and to the Eldians no less!

For a time, the entire Marley leadership was in chaos.

Inside the detached villa, the sounds of children playing and laughing could be heard from behind the half-open door.

Before long, Willy, the current head of the Tybur family, walked out of the room with a smile on his face and carefully closed the door. Willy was much better off than when he was first down on his luck. He was more energetic and no longer looked so lost and dejected.

Outside the room, a figure was already quietly waiting for him.

Willy accompanied the figure to the balcony. Gazing at the soft white clouds in the sky, Willy sighed deeply after a long while, and said with slight hesitation, "Lara, actually, there's no need anymore, Founding Titan. What's the point of fighting for it anymore?"

I've been thinking a lot lately. The past glory of the Tybur family has been tormenting me. You know, when we fled the capital in such a sorry state, I was so ashamed that I wanted to commit suicide. But now, Lara, you see, apart from ourselves, no one cares about the sacrifices of the Tybur family or about the existence of the Tybur family.

Having lost their status, those once docile, lapdog-like creatures transformed into bloodthirsty, greedy wolves. For a moment, I wondered, what were our ancestors' motives in betraying their own people and helping the Marleyan overthrow Eldians rule? Was it merely for this false glory and status?

Willy Tybur rambled on like a long-winded old man, but no one around him responded. By the time Willy realized what was happening, he was all alone.

"Twilight Town? Aili, are you really going? What if that guy is lying to you?" Upon learning that Aili was going to Twilight Town in the Middle East alone, Annie instinctively felt something was wrong and asked with a frown.

Aili, seemingly carefree, cheerfully said, "Don't worry, there won't be any problems. Besides, didn't Boss Yago send several senior Ackerman with me? And there's also Pieck and Porco. It'll be fine. And Twilight Town is right by the sea; the ocean is the home ground of us Sea-Swimming Titan!"

Although that's what they said, Annie still felt uneasy and immediately prepared to go find Yago and ask him about it.

(It hasn't been easy. There are still two exams left. My Muzi this period can only be described as excruciating. Fortunately, I can see a glimmer of hope! Everyone, it will be over soon!)