The Clearwater District was a stark contrast to the rest of Aether. Nestled along the southern edge of the capital, it was a place of pristine beauty, its streets lined with manicured gardens, sparkling fountains, and elegant buildings crafted from white marble and polished steel. The district was reserved for diplomatic visits, a carefully curated facade of Aether’s prosperity and sophistication. It was here, in the heart of Clearwater, that the Adelpha Delegation was set to arrive.

Prin Keli stood at the edge of the grand plaza, his crisp white shirt immaculate, his blond hair perfectly styled. His posture was relaxed but commanding, his piercing blue eyes scanning the horizon as he waited for the delegation to appear. Beside him stood Asina Keli, his sister and Aether’s newly appointed Relations Minister. She was dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, her dark blonde hair pulled back into a sleek bun. Her expression was calm, but there was a sharpness in her gaze that hinted at the calculating mind beneath.

“They’re late,” Prin remarked, his tone light but laced with irritation.

Asina glanced at him, her lips curling into a faint smile. “Patience, brother. Diplomacy is a delicate art. Rushing it only leads to mistakes.”

Prin snorted, adjusting his cuffs. “Diplomacy is a game. And I intend to win.”

Asina didn’t respond, her attention shifting to the horizon as a sleek, silver airship came into view. The vessel was of Adelphan design, its smooth, aerodynamic shape a stark contrast to Aether’s more angular and utilitarian crafts. As it descended, the hum of its engines grew louder, the air around it shimmering with the faint glow of mana.

The airship touched down gracefully, its doors sliding open to reveal the Adelpha Delegation. The group was small but imposing, their attire a blend of practicality and elegance. At the forefront was Agatha Teen, the lead delegate from Adelpha. She was a striking woman in her early forties, with sharp, angular features and piercing gray eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Her silver hair was pulled back into a tight braid, and she wore a tailored suit of deep green, the color of Adelpha’s forests. Beside her was Philus Meybryn, Adelpha’s military advisor. He was a broad-shouldered man with a weathered face and a no-nonsense demeanor. His uniform was adorned with the golden stag emblem of Adelpha, and at his side hung a sleek, compact poison gun—a weapon designed to incapacitate rather than kill.

Prin stepped forward, his smile polished and practiced. “Ambassador Teen, General Meybryn, welcome to Aether. We’re honored to have you here.”

Agatha inclined her head, her expression polite but reserved. “Thank you, Minister Keli. The honor is ours. Adelpha has long admired Aether’s… achievements.”

Prin’s smile widened, though there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. “Achievements, yes. But I suspect you’re here to discuss more than just admiration.”

Agatha’s lips twitched, the barest hint of a smile. “Perceptive as always. Shall we?”

The delegation was led to the Clearwater Hall, a grand building at the center of the district. Its interior was just as meticulously designed as the plaza outside, with high vaulted ceilings, intricate mosaics, and mana-infused chandeliers that cast a soft, golden glow over the room. A long, polished table dominated the space, its surface gleaming under the light.

Prin took his seat at the head of the table, with Asina to his right. Across from him sat Agatha Teen, the lead delegate from Adelpha. She was a striking woman in her early forties, with sharp, angular features and piercing gray eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Her silver hair was pulled back into a tight braid, and she wore a tailored suit of deep green, the color of Adelpha’s forests. Beside her was Philus Meybryn, Adelpha’s military advisor. He was a broad-shouldered man with a weathered face and a no-nonsense demeanor. His uniform was adorned with the golden stag emblem of Adelpha, and at his side hung a sleek, compact poison gun—a weapon designed to incapacitate rather than kill.

Prin’s smile was polished and practiced as he addressed the delegates. “Ambassador Teen, General Meybryn, welcome to Aether. We’re honored to have you here.”

Agatha inclined her head, her expression polite but reserved. “Thank you, Minister Keli. The honor is ours. Adelpha has long admired Aether’s… achievements.”

Prin’s smile widened, though there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. “Achievements, yes. But I suspect you’re here to discuss more than just admiration.”

Agatha’s lips twitched, the barest hint of a smile. “Perceptive as always. Shall we?”

The meeting began with the usual formalities, but it wasn’t long before the conversation turned to the real reason for the delegation’s visit. Agatha leaned forward, her gray eyes sharp and probing. “Minister Keli, we’ve received troubling reports about the state of Millinggarde. Forced labor, restricted access to resources, violent suppression of dissent… These are not the actions of a benevolent protector.”

Prin’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of irritation in his eyes. “I assure you, Ambassador, those reports are exaggerated. Millinggarde was on the brink of collapse when we intervened. Its infrastructure was crumbling, its people suffering. We’ve brought stability and progress.”

Asina interjected, her voice calm but firm. “Aether’s presence in Millinggarde is not an occupation. It’s a partnership. We’ve provided the resources and expertise needed to rebuild. But change takes time.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Philus Meybryn, who had been silent until now, spoke up. His voice was deep and gravelly, carrying the weight of someone who had seen too much. “Partnerships don’t usually involve armed patrols and mass surveillance. The people of Millinggarde don’t seem to share your view of this… arrangement.”

Prin’s smile tightened. “The resistance is a small, misguided faction. They reject progress, clinging to outdated ideals. But they are not representative of Millinggarde as a whole.”

Agatha raised an eyebrow. “And yet, they seem to be gaining support. Why is that, Minister Keli?”

Prin’s eyes narrowed, but his voice remained calm. “Because change is difficult. Some people fear it. But that doesn’t mean we should abandon our efforts.”

Agatha leaned back, her expression thoughtful. “And what of Aether’s own challenges? Your mana reserves are dwindling, are they not? How long can you sustain your current policies?”

Prin’s jaw tightened, but he kept his composure. “Aether’s mana reserves are stable, thanks to our advancements in refinement technology. But you’re correct—resources are finite. That’s why we’ve taken steps to ensure their efficient use.”

Agatha’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Steps such as the annexation of Millinggarde?”

Prin’s smile returned, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Millinggarde’s phildron reserves are vast and untapped. By integrating them into Aether’s network, we’ve secured a future for both nations.”

As the discussion continued, Prin carefully wove a narrative of Aether’s benevolence. “Millinggarde’s people are thriving under our guidance,” he said, his tone smooth and convincing. “We’ve provided them with opportunities they never had before. Education, healthcare, employment—all of it is available to those who are willing to contribute.”

Agatha exchanged a glance with Philus, her expression skeptical. “And what of the Honorary Aethan Initiative? We’ve heard mixed reports about its effectiveness.”

Prin’s smile didn’t waver. “The Initiative is a success. It allows Millinggardans to integrate into Aetherian society, to enjoy the same privileges as our citizens. Those who embrace it find their lives improved immeasurably.”

Asina added, her voice calm but firm, “Of course, there are always those who resist change. But we’re patient. We believe in the potential of every individual.”

Philus leaned forward, his gaze sharp. “And what of the violence? The executions? The suppression of dissent? Are those also part of your patience?”

Prin’s expression hardened, but his voice remained calm. “Every nation must maintain order. Aether is no exception. But I assure you, our methods are measured and just.”

Agatha’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Measured and just. That’s an interesting way to describe it.”

As the meeting drew to a close, Agatha gestured to the poison guns carried by her guards. “You’ll notice our weapons are designed to incapacitate, not kill. Adelpha believes in minimizing harm, even in conflict. It’s a philosophy we’ve found effective.”

Prin’s smile was polite but dismissive. “A noble sentiment. But sometimes, a stronger hand is required.”

Agatha’s gaze was steady. “Perhaps. But strength without restraint is just brutality.”

Prin didn’t respond, his expression unreadable. Asina, sensing the tension, stepped in. “Thank you for your insights, Ambassador. We’ll take them under advisement.”

Agatha nodded, her expression polite but distant. “Of course. We look forward to continued dialogue.”

As the delegation left the hall, Prin turned to Asina, his expression dark. “They’re too clever by half. We’ll need to keep a close eye on them.”

Asina nodded, her gaze thoughtful. “Agatha’s no fool. And Philus… he’s seen too much to be easily swayed.”

Prin’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Then we’ll have to be smarter. This isn’t over.”

While the Adelpha delegation made their way to the Clearwater Hall, far from the polished streets and gleaming fountains, Skyla Mellow stood in the dimly lit backroom of an abandoned warehouse in the Figsty district. The air was thick with the scent of oil and rust, the walls lined with maps and diagrams of Aether’s infrastructure. Skyla’s inner circle was gathered around her, their faces tense but determined.

The door creaked open, and a shadowy figure slipped inside. The man was cloaked in darkness, his face obscured by a hood, but his voice was clear and urgent. “Skyla. The Adelpha delegation has arrived in Clearwater.”

Skyla’s eyes narrowed, her expression sharpening. “Adelpha? What are they doing here?”

The silhouette stepped closer, his voice low. “They’re meeting with Prin Keli and Asina. Word is, they’re here to discuss the state of Millinggarde. They’re asking questions—hard questions.”

A murmur rippled through the room, the tension palpable. Skyla’s mind raced, her fingers tapping against the edge of the table. “This could be our chance,” she said, her voice firm. “If Adelpha is questioning Aether’s hold on Millinggarde, they might be willing to listen to us. We just need to get their attention.”

One of her lieutenants, a wiry man with sharp features, spoke up. “And how do we do that? Aether’s got Clearwater locked down tighter than a vault.”

Skyla’s lips curled into a faint, almost predatory smile. “We hit them where it hurts. While Prin and Asina are busy playing diplomat, we strike. Their mana refineries, their supply lines—we make enough noise to get Adelpha’s attention. And when we do, we send them a message.”

The silhouette nodded, his voice grim. “It’s risky. Aether’s guards will be on high alert.”

“Everything we do is risky,” Skyla shot back, her tone sharp. “But if we don’t act now, we might not get another chance. This is our moment.”

The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them. Skyla’s gaze swept over the group, her expression unreadable. “If we’re going to do this, we need to move fast. And we need to be smart. Any questions?”

No one spoke. Skyla nodded, her lips curling into a faint smile. “Good. Then let’s get to work.”