“If you invite me to this meeting to amuse me, then you have achieved your goal,” Zhang Mengyao smiled as she found it funny how someone who represented the big faction would act like this, “You are talking about manners, and yet, you are trying to poach one of my people right in my face. That’s funny from you. You do really have good manners.”

“I am thinking about what’s best for your people. And he is one of my people too, the beastmen. Someone of your caliber will get the best treatment if you join the sixth world of The Federation of Allurion,” Redvers Scovel ignored Zhang Mengyao and continued with his poaching. It was amazing how thick his skin was to do it in front of Saintess Marisha and Zhang Mengyao.

Zhang Mengyao looked unconcerned because she knew Moonsong took an oath. The Moon Chief would not betray her or the Tang Empire. More than the oath, she also trusted him with the things they had gone through. It was a little less than a year, but it was one long year for them because of the war. Moonsong just gave Redvers Scovel a glance and ignored the offer. He did not say anything to the offer.

“That’s enough, Sir Scovel. Let’s get to the main topic,” Saintess Marisha could no longer bear to watch her ally embarrass himself in front of their common enemy. Before Saintess Marisha could continue to the main issue for the meeting, the door opened as a group of four people entered the room. The three looked toward the door and were surprised who came in. The First Order Guild and the Giteron Dynasty’s representative came in.𝒐𝔳𝓛xt.𝗇𝓔t

Zhang Mengyao furrowed her brow, “I am not informed that they will come to the meeting.”

“We are from the same starter city, no? Shouldn’t we discuss it together if something important comes up? You can’t isolate us,” Reinar Thamsen glanced toward the people standing behind Redvers Scovel and smiled, “May I also have a seat?”

Hines Myer was unsure what to do with the uninvited guest. He glanced at Redvers Scovel and Saintess Marisha, awaiting their order, “Since he is here, might as well give him a seat.”

Saintess Marisha turned toward Redvers Scovel with a frown. She clearly disagreed with the decision. They should not have let the Giteron Dynasty know what their intention was to speak to the Tang Empire, and yet, the wolf beastmen allowed Reinar Thamsen to join the meeting.

“The Giteron Dynasty also entered The Earth. We need to discuss it together, no? We can come to an agreement to settle things to avoid bloodshed,” Redvers Scovel smiled while Hines Myers ordered his Vice Guild Leader to bring a seat for Reinar Thamsen.

Reinar Thamsen took the seat, and glanced at Zhang Mengyao before looking toward the wolf beastmen, “So, you two big factions are bullying the Tang Empire together, now?”

“I will not say bullying, but more like a conflict of interest,” Redvers Scovel smiled as he looked toward Zhang Mengyao, “We invited you to the meeting to give you choices.”

“Ultimatum!” Saintess Marisha seemed to have had enough of Redvers Scovel’s wordplay, “We are here to give the Tang Empire an ultimatum!”

“I like to word it friendlier, choices. It’s not good if they have a bad impression of us, Saintess Marisha. We still need them to manage Earth, after all,” Redvers Scovel then turned toward Zhang Mengyao, “First choice, surrender and there will be no more war and bloodshed. None of your people will die if you surrender, nothing will change but the fact that Earth will be under the Federation of Allurion and The Divine Church’s jurisdiction. You will work for us, that’s it. That’s the only change. You continue with what you are doing, no more war, no more dead bodies. We will take nothing from you. It’s just you have abandoned your late emperor’s legacy and continue as the Federation of Allurion or the Divine Church.”

Redvers Scovel raised his hand before Zhang Mengyao could speak, “Wait a moment. I haven’t done it yet, Lady Zhang. Don’t make a hasty decision because of your feelings. I understand your loss, but you must think for the living, not the dead. Think for your people who stand behind you and support you until now. I have said about the good thing, but you don’t know the bad thing if you make the wrong choice.”

“The second choice, you can fight and die like an animal…” Redvers Scovel paused for the suspense, “Our God Ranks has located Earth’s location, and at most, within a month, they will open the portal to your world. Our God Ranks desire your world. If you refuse to surrender, you will not just fight us, but also the God Ranks. One or two God Ranks should be enough to kill all your people. Think carefully and make a wise decision, Lady Zhang. Your decision will decide millions of people’s lives, not just yourself.”

Reinar Thamsen clicked his tongue, “Tch. You guys really like to bully the weak, huh? If you have the third choice, Lady Zhang. Our offer is still on the table. The Giteron Dynasty will help you to take back your world and land if you agree with our offer. We will help you to fight them, Lady Zhang.”

Redvers Scovel and Saintess Marisha were surprised to hear that came from Reinar Thamsen. Even with the help of the Giteron Dynasty, they felt like they still had the upper hand. They could not understand why the Giteron insisted on fighting them over a lower world control. The two exchanged glances and did not understand why the Giteron Dynasty wanted to take a loss fight against them.

“Are you sure you can take responsibility for your words, kid? I don’t think your father will agree with your decision,” Redvers Scovel tried to probe, whether it was Reinar Thamsen’s decision or Augusto Thamsen’s order.

Reinar Thamsen shrugged, “Your God Ranks were quite slow, huh? You get to Earth earlier yet you just find the Earth’s location right now. We also have found the Earth’s location, and it’s our God Ranks’ decision to make an ally with the Tang Empire. Not me or my father. We are just following the order.”

Everyone in the room now looked at Zhang Mengyao, waiting for her decision. An alliance or surrender or a war, that would be decided by Zhang Mengyao, “I thought it would be just another useless meeting, but I got useful information. A month, huh? We have more time than I thought for our preparation. I have to take the fourth choice then. We will stand and fight for our home and maintain our freedom. That’s my choice,” Zhang Mengyao stood up from the chair, “Our next meeting will be on the battlefield. I am not sure though that any of you will join the battle. From what I know, you are all just cowards that hide in your luxurious building while your people fight for you or died for your greed I would say.”

Zhang Mengyao turned around and left the room with her people. Her answer surprised Redvers Scovel and Saintess Marisha, not because Zhang Mengyao rejected the offer to surrender, but because of her words saying the Tang Empire had more time to prepare to fight God Ranks. They were not sure if it was a bluff or the truth.

Reinar Thamsen was the only one laughing, “She has become hotter each day, and I can’t wait to have her. She has the courage and a fearless attitude even though she is facing an enemy she could not beat. I wonder what expression she would make on my bed. I can’t wait for this.” The young man stood up and laughed, leaving the room without even glancing at the Redvers Scovel and Saintess Marisha.

*** ***

Paris’ border

“They keep gathering more people,” Virion could see that stream of a new army just arrived, getting into the formation along with the army that arrived earlier. He could not estimate the number, but it might reach a million or maybe even more. He could see everything clearly from on top of the wall. The army was forming a long line.

“You are nervous, Young King?” Jasmine noticed that Virion’s hand shook quite a bit, “This is your first big battle?”

Virion admitted openly that he was nervous, nodding his head, “Yes. This is my first big war and might be the biggest battle. Look at their number, they almost double our numbers. Can we win this?” The nervousness got into him and his confidence started to shake a little bit. He felt like they could not win this, and they had not included there might be possibility there were a few or even dozens of Legend Ranks in the enemy’s army.

“Nervousness before the battle is a good thing, but don’t let it get into you, Virion,” A voice came from the side. Aleesa, Virion, and Jasmine turned toward the voice and were surprised to see the person who came for them. It was the former Elven King and his second son, Revalor and Arbane who left the Tang Empire. Revalor was the Tang Empire’s third Legend Rank.

“Father!” Virion was surprised and froze for a moment before he rushed toward his father, giving him a big hug. After hugging his father, he hugged his brother as well.

“So, you are the reinforcement that Lu An mentioned?” Aleesa was surprised and had mixed feelings to see her brother-in-law, or maybe, her ex-brother-in-law right now.

“You can say so. I have to return and defend my new home too,” Revalor smiled and nodded.

Aleesa had doubt and suspicion about Revalor. She knew it was cruel to have suspicions after what the former Elven King had experienced, but it was suspicious that Revalor came back right, the moment before the big battle. Especially when Tang Shaoyang nullified Revalor’s oath, meaning they did not know if Revalor had betrayed the Tang Empire or not. She could not help but feel suspicious of the timing. More than that, Revalor had a reason to betray the Tang Empire. He might want the Tang Empire to be destroyed.

Jasmine shared the same caution as Aleesa, furrowing her brow. However, she said nothing about it, ‘I have to watch him closely and report it to Mengyao.’

“Long time no see, Aleesa,” Revalor smiled, “I thought you would be happy that I am here. Our chance to win is much bigger when I am with you guys, no?”

Virion immediately noticed the strange atmosphere with his father’s arrival. He thought the same too as his father, thinking that his aunt and Jasmine would be happy with his father’s return. He did not expect them to be suspicious of his father.

“Come on, Aunt. You should believe in Father. He will not take the enemy’s side, not when the Elven Kingdom is still supporting the Tang Empire,” Virion tried to ease the atmosphere.

“But his arrival timing is just too impeccable. The timing is odd, right before the big battle,” Jasmine voiced her suspicion, “We have been in a war against the World Government for almost half a year, and the World Government’s reinforcements just arrived an hour ago, and yet your father came right now. How does he know Paris’ border is under siege when he is no longer in the Communication Systems group? How does he know about the upcoming battle and come at the right time? More than that, he has the reason to destroy the Tang Empire.”

Virion did not want to believe it, but he also could not deny the suspicions. When his father decided to leave the Tang Empire to travel outside the world, he was taken out of the Communication System. There was a limited number of people who could use the Communication System, so the Tang Empire took it from his father. He agreed to the decision even though it meant he could not communicate with his father, and they reserved the spot if his father returned. However, his father was not part of the Communication System until now, so how could his father know that Paris was under siege by the massive army?

“I am sorry, Brother. You are the sacrifice we need to destroy the people who ruined our family,” Virion heard his brother’s voice from behind. Before he could turn around, a sword pierced his chest from the back. The sword pierced his heart.

Virion’s eyes widened in shock as he slowly turned his head to see his brother’s face. He could not believe his brother wanted to kill him. Blood trickled down from the corner of his lips as he muttered in a low voice, “Why?” That was in Virion’s head right, he wanted to know why his brother did this.

Arbane smiled, “Don’t worry, Brother. The Elven Kingdom will thrive under my rule. I will bring our kingdom to glory. Rest in peace, Brother,” Arbane pulled the sword and cut his brother’s neck with his sword. Virion’s head fell to the side as blood spurted out from the neck. The Elven King lost his life before the big battle.