Steel and Mana

Chapter 363 – The Summit (3)

Kadosa IV sat rigidly in his seat, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair so tightly that his knuckles whitened, and the wood began cracking under stress, dangerously close to breaking. He loathed the fact that he was here on Ishillia's behalf, answering their call... But he hated that Leon of Avalon, this upstart nobody with no background, was clearly even worse. To that day, he didn't know where they came from or how they even formed. Yet, this nobody, calling himself Sovereign, was dictating how the region would take shape? How dare he sit there, amongst kings and queens, acting smug and unchallenged, as if they were the arbiters of every other empire's destiny? Nonsense! They had come here and declared themselves not merely a neutral force but the guiding hand of the continent? Because they can... trade? Nobody needs their little inventions; they can do the same themselves! The sheer arrogance of that man was suffocating him. And the worst part? Yet... As he glanced around, suddenly, nobody spoke... Cowards, all of them.

Kadosa's teeth ground together as he observed the other rulers. He caught as some nodded in approval while others remained silent, carefully hiding their thoughts, waiting for others to speak up. Even with the rageful red mist covering his eyes, he could still see it. Feel it. They feared Avalon. They feared it more than they feared Ishillia. But most of all... They were clearly greedy. They wanted to be like this... Avalon, not realizing that there is no way they would be allowed to gain their power.

Quickly, he turned his gaze to Ahnud Sar, sitting across from him. They were once close friends, supporters of each other, allies brought together by centuries of intermarriage. Even if their current relationship was chilly, the talks frozen for the past decade, they were still not enemies. Yet...

"You are hesitating now, aren’t you?" Kadosa thought bitterly, asking with his eyes. The very fact that Ahnud wasn’t looking at him said enough. "Was this the plan all along?" Kadosa asked himself, thinking that maybe the fact Ahnud never really joined him when they marched on Ishillia was a plan executed perfectly. Maybe the Sar Empire was just a vulture... waiting to pick at the carcass of his empire.

Just by that thought, his stomach churned. Damn them all! Have they already forgotten who they were? He was the Emperor of Geth. The wielder of an Artifact, one that was the gift of Goddess Orsi. They were not just a mere Empire... His pride refused to accept that they saw him as weakened.

"They think I’m finished. Do they think I’ll slink back to my borders and lick my wounds like a beaten dog and accept the handouts? Oh no... They don’t understand. The Geth Empire does not bow its head. Not to Ishillia. Not to Avalon. Not to anyone." He told himself, his eyes twitching.

His fingers curled into fists. What he failed to realize, though, was that the people sitting around him, people from his own delegation, had vastly different expressions. Hearing Leon's words and watching how he pointed toward the door of the chamber... their blood froze. Not because they were angry but because they suddenly realized he wasn't bluffing. Times were changing, and if they were to be isolated, they would suddenly be surrounded by nothing but cold enemies... It would be over for Geth.

They exchanged glances, thinking about the same course of action, looking at the back of the trembling Emperor... Kadosa had to go. He was now a liability for the Empire, and although he managed to hold onto power, the opposition to his rule grew stronger and stronger every year. What he did here was his last mistake.

...
....
......

Hearing Leon, Sovereign of Avalon's words, Ahnud Sar exhaled slowly, keeping his expression impassive, avoiding looking at the Geth delegation, yet his mind was racing furiously. This was worse than he imagined. Far worse. He had come to this summit with a clear goal: to ensure Geth and Sar did not fall entirely. He expected trouble, maybe Ishillia and Roblesia demanding some kind of reparations. He was willing to brace against it, standing with Geth once again, to repel any suggestions that would weaken them... But, the thought of a union was not what he expected. He knew there was nothing concrete yet, but from Mirian's words alone, he got the feeling that everyone would start from fresh, old grudges and debts forgotten. Which was something Sar really needed right now.

When the ruler of Avalon began speaking, he thought about intervening and speaking up for Kadosa. Yet, right before he could open his mouth, the words echoing in the chamber made him stiffen.

After Avalon’s declaration, his strategy was stuck in his throat, and it was unable to come to the surface. Roblesia and the Theocracy were already eyeing this union favorably, he could tell, especially from the light in Queen Nuen's eyes. Even if he moved to bolster Geth, he could not stand alone against an entire coalition of nations backed by everyone else. Not even if their two empires unite!

"Damn, Kadosa... Open your eyes... You are losing so thoroughly!" He wanted to say, but he couldn't. It was actually time to abandon him.

He clenched his jaw, the significance of the decision settling in his mind, but his Empire, its future, was more important than anything else. He could not save Geth—not without sacrificing his own future.

"And yet, if I abandon them, what does that make me? A traitor to the old ways? Or a cold pragmatist, doing what must be done to survive?" He asked himself, but of course, there was nobody to answer such questions.

His gaze flicked to Nuen of Roblesia, and he saw what he dreaded most—confirmation of his thoughts. That woman had already made up her mind. Of course, she has. She’s always been quick to seize the opportunity. One visit from Mirian in the past prevented him from joining Kadosa against Ishillia, resulting in the current mess. This also meant that if she was on board, then the Theocracy’s High Cardinal was not far behind.

Watching the cardinal, his hands folded as if in prayer, Ahnud knew better than to join Kadosa's death march. The cardinal was already calculating and weighing how much influence the Theocracy could gain by joining this alliance. If he stays out of it, Sar may lose more than just trading opportunities.

There was only one road forward. If he backed this union, he would ensure stability but at the cost of handing Avalon the keys to regional supremacy. The thought made him sick... but he saw no other alternatives. The deals coming from that faraway, northern city were reaching even him. Even his people petitioned to build these so-called railways as fast as possible.

"There are no choices here," he thought grimly. "I must negotiate and join them. I must ensure that the Sar Empire retains its sovereignty while preventing total Ishillian or Avalonian dominance within this new union."

...
....
......

Nuen IX of Roblesia sat with the perfect posture of an elegant monarch. She had been silent during most of Mirian’s speech and then when the first sparks were ignited between Kadosa and Leon. She did not do it out of uncertainty, but because she had already made up her mind the moment, Leon spoke up so domineeringly. This was the future.

"And I will not be left behind..." She thought.

She wasn't naive. She realized which empires around her held the valuable cards for prosperity, and she knew her kingdom's place on a global scale. She knew when to bend and when to remain firm.

She stole a glance at Kadosa IV, taking great satisfaction in the tension in his face. That man... he didn't know when to bend.

"The once-mighty Emperor of Geth, now reduced to a cornered wolf. I always disliked him," she thought, her lips curling faintly. "Now, he reaps what he has sown." Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, savoring the sight of his discomfort while Leon of Avalon was raising an arm to point toward the entrance of the chamber. "I like the style of this... Sovereign." She thought, barely holding back a laugh.

Then, her attention shifted to Ahnud Sar. Unlike Kadosa, he was at least somewhat composed—but she saw it, the hesitation in his eyes. He’s still clinging to the past between their empires, trying to weigh his options.

"Poor fool. There is no decision to be made. The tide has turned." She almost pitied him. Almost. But she also knew by how his eyes darted around... "He’ll come around eventually."

Nuen had no such issues within her. Ishillia, with Avalon's backing, was on the path to something greater. She saw it happen and bloom. While most regions were still struggling to rebuild, Ishillia acted as if the civil war they experienced was nothing... They were back to full force in only four measly years. No, they were even stronger.

If she stood against them, she would be on the losing side of history. But if she embraced it? Then, Roblesia would be at the heart of the new world order. Increased trade, security from invasion, a place at the table where decisions are made and not just followed—the possibilities were endless. Most importantly, she would like to have the chance to shape this new order in a way that benefits them, too. While some may think she would be frustrated to give up her hold on the three little kingdoms she was overseeing after their failed invasion of Ishillia, they were wrong. She would gladly trade that nuisance away for what this future union represented... Looking at the cardinal, they exchanged a slight, understanding nod.

The Theocracy would follow; she had no doubt about that. Nuen allowed herself the faintest of smiles. The future looked... really bright.

...
....
......

While slowly lowering my hand, still looking at Kadosa's shaking figure, I let my twins' thoughts and feelings enter my mind. I could, without looking at the others, gather how they felt.

The three smallest kingdoms were eager to sign. Queen Nuen and the Theocracy were also on board. The western kingdoms were wary of each other; they smelled blood in the water and jumped on it like sharks. This was as good as done and dusted... The only ones now out of playing cards were Kadosa and his Geth.

"Arrogant nobody," Kadosa spoke, making me smile as I watched him stand up. Well... I wasn't exactly looking at him. But at the people behind him, lagging enough with following their Emperor to stand up. Their hesitation was visible to everyone... Telling us that they weren't on board with his decision to leave the table.

"The only arrogant one here is you," I said, remaining seated and letting him look down at me. I watched as his hand wandered around his chest, where he probably wore the Medallion of Life, making me smirk even more.

"You don't know––" He started, making me moan, rolling my eyes.

"What? That you are the chosen of one of the Gods? Isn't Mirian one, too?"

"Yet here you are... speaking as if you are one too!" He spat back, getting agitated like a little kid. It was turning from funny to pathetic. If the Artifacts hold such power, then I should probably present them with one. Would that further legitimize Avalon's position? Maybe. Maybe... Oh well.

"Merlin." I said calmly, "Please."

"Yes, My Sovereign." Merlin nodded, standing up, drawing all the eyes on him.

With a hand, palm facing upwards, a sudden light burst forth from it, as a massive codex appeared, opening up, releasing hundreds of tiny formations, like embers from a fire, glowing in different colors, filling the chambers with a sensation that even those could perceive who had no magic.

"Impossible!" The cardinal said, shooting to his feet, mouth agape, while Mirian let out a sigh, a slight smile on her face.

"You found one..." she muttered while Kadosa was still clutching his medallion, feeling its resonance.

"The book of God Wayland," I said calmly while Merlin closed his palm, and it disappeared, sitting back in his chair with an impassive look. "If Geth can get a proper Emperor," I said, chuckling, not even looking at him, "Our Union would wield three of the Gods' Artifacts. Just consider... that."

Of course, I wasn't going to tell them that the book itself was mostly useless. Merlin only managed to realize three years ago that the library in his mind was the codex itself, that his soul was bound to it, becoming one and the same with the Artifact. At the moment, he could do nothing more than to call it forth and, in it, read all the knowledge he learned so far. As for accessing his past self's memories, he was still working on that.

But they didn't need to know that. The book alone was enough to reinforce the idea behind a prosperous unity and probably make them think that all our inventions are because of it.