Little by little, the meeting attendees began to arrive. Of course, the first to show up were those Kragash had arranged to be on his side, including key government figures like Dregg and Carter. The individuals requiring attention, such as various rescued mages who had requested an audience with Alex, accepted a provisional meeting with Kragash upon hearing that Alex might be away for an indefinite period. Everyone arrived except the main figures who were supposed to be attended to first.
"Kragash, is it? Is there any chance you could see me first? We've been waiting for over 20 minutes," the elf druid remarked, clearly bored.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we have a schedule to follow, and it will be respected. My master taught me the importance of keeping one's word."
"I'm sure your master didn't mean that literally. There's no harm in resolving issues out of order as long as they're addressed."
"We will adhere to the schedule, and with respect to—" Kragash was interrupted by the arrival of both elven leaders and their entourages.
Naturally, both groups were quarreling over every small detail, making a grand spectacle over a trivial matter.
"Enough!" Kragash shouted, irritated, which momentarily silenced both groups before they began yelling at him for his insolence.
"Captain, the next one who speaks will have their limbs severed," Kragash commanded, directing a glare at the elven groups. Instantly, both groups fell silent as the surrounding soldiers drew their weapons.
"Do you think you can intimidate us like this?" asked the leader of the Sun Elves.
"I'm not interested in your petty differences. Approach and sit down. You will be informed of King Alex's final decision and can cease being the nuisance that you are," Kragash responded angrily.
"You think you can command us just like that, boy? You don't know who we are," queried the leader of the Moon Elves.
"If you don't sit, you'll be two pieces of dead meat soon," was all Kragash replied.
The lunar elf felt extremely insulted and began looking to the gathered mages for support, thinking that if they united, the garrison couldn't do anything against them, especially since many of them should have regained some of their powers after no longer being deprived of mana.
"It's a futile attempt, little Rin. All of us here already have agreements with the boy. You two are the only ones under threat," the druid responded to the elf's interrogative look.
"Don't call me that, you old pervert," Rin snapped, then proceeded to move forward and sit down.
Marya, the other leader, hesitated for a moment, but Anya whispered something in her ear that gave her the confidence to advance and sit as well.
"To begin with, both of you are late. My master mentioned that if you showed respect, he could extend hospitality to both of you. However, due to your attitude towards us, that offer is off the table. Each of you must provide a tribute of 100 portions of Light Leaves from your respective kingdoms, and this is non-negotiable."
Both leaders looked aghast.
"You're absolutely out of your mind. Our kingdoms produce no more than 20 a year. Where on earth do you expect us to get that much?"
"Firstly, I know you produce more than that. Even if you didn’t, it's not my problem. Access your vaults or secret stashes. I don't care how you do it, but you will deliver that amount initially. Without it, there's nothing more to negotiate."
"You mean that's not all?"
"Of course, that's not all. Additionally, there will be a monetary compensation. Both of you will have to surrender your assets in the form of infrastructure and commercial properties in the marked cities on the map."
Both leaders looked at the map and pretended to be horrified by the high cost. In reality, between the two kingdoms, they owned few assets in those cities, mainly some trading rights, a few houses and warehouses, and other miscellaneous possessions.
Both thought that would be the end of it, but Kragash continued, listing more demands, including some exclusive minerals from the Floating Islands recommended by Lin, certain herbs and roots endemic to that place suggested by the druid, and finally, a request from Alex.
"Also, the Gnoll matriarch currently in possession of both kingdoms."
At first, both leaders looked at the young man with terror, but by the end, they simply looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Do you really think we'll give you all that?"
"Do you really believe there's even a chance you could obtain so much from us?"
Kragash looked at them and smiled brutally.
"Of course. Do you think if I offer your heads to the rival kingdom, they wouldn't agree to pay such a price?"
Both leaders were petrified. Say what they might, the hatred between their kingdoms was so deep that while they might not be willing to pay such a price to rescue their own people, they would likely be willing to pay to obtain the head of the other.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"You wouldn't dare."
"You can't do such a thing."
Kragash merely laughed, a sound echoed by the Gnolls present, resembling a pack of hyenas and increasing the fear creeping up each of their spines.
"So, I trust you will now offer a method to guarantee we receive what we demand from your respective kingdoms, or we'll have to resort to other means to get what we want."
"As if you had a way to force us," Rin responded.
"Perhaps we can't force you to do anything, but I'm sure someone would be willing to pay the price we've set for your head."
At first, the elves thought it was merely a bluff, an attempt to squeeze more out of them. Slowly, however, the idea that they might actually be sold to other factions began to settle in their minds, causing a slight terror they couldn't shake off.
"I don't think it's necessary to go that far, boy. Let's start the negotiations as the kid ordered," Lin intervened.
Kragash looked at Lin apathetically before responding, "Alright. Miss Rin, please step forward and provide a method to contact your faction."
Rin pondered what to do and could only stall for time. "Don't call me Rin. My maiden name is not for you to use. Use my title—"
"I don't care what you're called. If you insist, from now on you'll be 'Annoying Elf'."
Rin bit her lip in frustration, never having been spoken to like that in her life.
"Fine, I don't have enough mana, but I can draw a rune that can be used in a communication ritual to send a small paper over long distances. It should be possible to send your message back home, and they would recognize it as mine."
"Fine, draw the rune and the ritual instructions. I'll ensure your observations are transmitted to the matriarchs to perform the ritual."
Rin smiled. "Of course."
The elf began tracing the runes and writing the ritual along with its specifications, then handed it to Kragash, satisfied. She never expected what he did next.
"Mr. Melier, what do you make of this?"
"I don't need to review it, boy. It's a bomb."
The room fell silent, and the killing intent from the Gnolls and Resh became palpable.
Kragash glared at the old druid.
"Don't play with me, old man."
"Alright, it's not a literal bomb, more like a time bomb. This specific rune is designed to summon a squad of white griffins, the ancestral mounts of the Moon Elves."
Kragash was unhappy with being made a fool of but had more important things to deal with.
"I see you've made your choice. Let's move on to the next. Marya, can you provide a method to contact your kingdom for the ransom?"
"May I ask what will happen to her?"
"The annoying elf is now for sale. Anyone who pays the proposed price can take her."
Kragash’s response surprised everyone, and before Marya could continue, a present mage of a hybrid species commented.
"Isn't slavery prohibited in this... kingdom?"
"Indeed, the kingdom's constitution prohibits owning or trading slaves... of the races recognized by the constitution."
Kragash noticed concern in the eyes of some mages and hastened to clarify. "Moreover, the only valid cause for obtaining slaves is through war. Only those captured during war qualify as slaves."
"But what about this situation? Why are you threatening to sell them? Not that I care or sympathize with them, it's more of an academic interest," the mage inquired.
"The reason you all paid a price is that, from my master's perspective, the help and resources needed to rescue you were enormous. Initially, we only planned to rescue one matriarch, and the rest didn't matter. But involving most of our army and delaying other operations changed things. As for selling them, we're not actually doing that. The truth is, if they wanted to leave, no one would stop them. What they want is to leave with our support because without it, they would never get out of the forest, and that has a price."
"I see. If that's the case, it makes sense."
Everyone present knew what the young man said was 100% true. They didn’t need any chains to hold them because they all knew the rough layout of the forest. Although this sector was very large, it was mostly peaceful and sparsely populated by dangerous beasts. However, the route to the nearest city passed through many dangerous sectors, notably one small area inhabited by spiders. Setting foot there meant becoming food.
"So, what will it be, Miss Marya? Will you pay or not? My patience is running thin, as you can see, many others are waiting for a meeting."
“Of course, I’ll pay. Although I don’t have the means to contact my kingdom with me right now, I can send Anya to the city to communicate with the realm. Additionally, if you're willing to accept payment in installments, I can manage it,” Marya proposed, hoping to gain leverage for her faction. Being able to buy out her opposition would immediately end the war between the two factions. The fact that Rin had made such a grave mistake was almost like a gift from the Sun for her.
“I’m sorry, we don’t accept credit. You must deliver all the Light Leaves before the next step of negotiations. This applies to you and her,” Kragash replied sternly.
“Gathering 200 Light Leaves tributes in such a short time is impossible, but if you give me three months, I’m sure we can manage it,” Marya tried to negotiate.
“Don’t make me repeat myself. If you can’t deliver the Light Leaves, we won’t consider anything further. I’d be more concerned about delivering your 100 first,” Kragash insisted.
“There’s no need to worry about that. The 100 will be sent. How long do I have to confirm the availability of the other 100? If you allow me to consult with…”
“You bitch, how dare you…” Rin couldn’t finish her reprimand. She felt something hard against her throat. Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw the soldier holding her in place. A faint noise behind her indicated that her companions were likely meeting the same fate.
“You seem to forget where you are, troublesome elf. Let me assure you, this is not your home. I recommend you stay silent while I continue with the negotiations. If no one else offers for you, you might even have a second chance.” With a sinister smile, Kragash added, “Prepare your subordinates, they will depart at dawn tomorrow.”
“I understand. Thank you for this opportunity, and we apologize for any inconveniences,” Marya responded, standing up and leaving with the rest of her retinue.
The remaining time was filled with various mages and warlocks reporting on their progress and requesting permissions, resources, or manpower to continue their projects. One even requested to retire, to which Kragash agreed, thanking him for his work and informing him he could join the caravan departing the next day.
The mages found it amusing that throughout the entire reporting process, the spears remained at the throats of the Moon Elves. To the dismay of the elves, some mages unnecessarily prolonged their discussions.
Finally, it was Rin’s turn again, her demeanor now much calmer and collected.
“Are you ready now?” Kragash asked.
With a more composed look and no spear at her throat, Rin sat up and asked, “You never intended to sell me, did you?”
“Me? Of course, I did. It was on my master’s orders that I gave you a second chance. If it were up to me, I would have handed you over to the beastmen.”
“If you had done that, you would have lost a lot. It was the perverted Melier who was offering the highest price.”
“Well, I can still do it. Mr. Melier has proven to be a great supporter of our kingdom.”
“There’s no need for more threats, child. I believe you. You should tell your master that his technique worked. When I return to the Moon Kingdom, I’ll ensure we open trade relations with you.”
“I’m glad to see you’ve reconsidered. Will you send your subordinates to the city tomorrow to deliver the message?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a pleasure to cooperate.”