City of Desire: Chapter 1064 Peace Offer (Patreon)

Proofread by Thomas F

Marquess Grimvale

“It is collapse—utter, unstoppable collapse!”

I slumped against my chair as I finished my call with the new Count Viremont.

He had called his army back, as he didn't want to get entangled in the region any further and wanted to take a different direction. He agreed with me until he lost the city, but now that three bastards control it, he doesn't want to try anymore.

I promised him a city, better than Bilgas. A foothold that his house could establish itself in, but he is not willing to listen.

It was the same with the three mercenaries; their backer had called them back. They were about to stay, but the assassination and betrayal made them change their minds.

Then there are those three bastards. I am sure, without doubt, they played a part in the assassination.

Silver may have directed it, but those three played a part. It had now become clear, seeing how smoothly they have gained control over the city.

Now, I only have sixty thousand of Viremont’s over two hundred and fifty thousand coming toward me, plus one Lv. 40. That is not enough, but not all hope is lost.

“Anything?” I asked with hope in my heart. Both of them shook their head.

I didn’t even curse. I just lay slumped against the chair.

Both Zanav and Summerfield declined to send their people. They had made it clear they would help only if I got aid from Viremont’s full remnant; I didn’t. Now the assassination has spooked them.

I've heard since morning; they are always keeping watch.

One Lv. 40 beside them; I don’t think they will sleep without one watching them for at least a couple of weeks.

“With Yamos, reaching the Nakar, we can take it.” I just looked at my friend, feeling my gaze; he just shook his head. Yes, I have a bigger army there and five Lv. 40s, with Yamos joining.

I am confident that I would be able to take it, but then what?

Silver has already said that if I did that, then he would not only move to take it back, but also attack my other cities. It would be an all-out war between us until only one survives.

I am not ready for it, after all the power Silver has shown.

If I had had support, I would have done so without hesitation, but not anymore.

“You have to agree that what that bastard did was unbelievable. He remained quiet until his battle with Viremont before using that leverage to surgically dismantle the offensive building toward him.”

I glared at Talmire.

He didn’t say anything wrong. Silver had moved fast and used every advantage to crush the offensive.

He paid an unholy amount to Selvaron not to attack, after removing the greatest powerhouse; he then allied with three bastards, assassinated Gaiden, and then the opposition in Bilgas.

Then, at the gates, they threatened Yerk with battle; despite the lower numbers, they held the obvious edge.

He had to back down when the three mercenaries refused to support him.

“My lord, there is a call from Lord Silver,” the mage informed me, surprising me. Our people have talked, but we have not for some time.

“Must be calling to gloat,” Dasir said.

I wasn't in the mood to take the call, but he was a worthy enemy who had blunted my attack plans. I respect that, despite hating the bastard at the moment.

So, I extended the aura, and the call connected, but no sound came.

“Marquess Grimvale, I hope you have been well.” He spoke after a moment of silence. “I am, but I would have been better if you hadn’t assassinated my allies.”

The bastard laughed at that.

‘What would you have done, Marques Grimvale, if you were in my place- send them flowers?’ he asked, and I snorted. Of course, I would have killed them and, just as he did, set an example.

‘I believe now you will not be attacking me? At least for a short while,’ he asked, his voice totally serious.

“You made sure I wouldn’t.” I spat.

I could have lied, but it would have been no use. He knows the numbers I would need to attack him; the numbers I don’t have.

‘I would like it to be more permanent. A non-aggression agreement, a longer one, more encompassing and stricter than the last one we had signed,’ he said.

I am not surprised; I know he would say something like that when he called.

“It is no use to me,” I replied, and he laughed, but I could not feel any mirth. It kind of set off alarm bells in my heart.

‘I want peace, Marquess, and I shall have it. It will be by agreement or by war; the choice is yours,’ he said, with his voice filled with conviction.

‘I want to develop my territory, and I don’t want to look over my shoulder every day.’

‘If there is no agreement, then it is war. It will be long and bloody, but believe me when I say it, I will be victorious.’

This surprised me. The directness of it.

Silver threatens, but his threats are always veiled; they are never so direct.

“Say that to someone who is scared of you,” I replied calmly, despite my heartbeat quickening for a moment.

‘It’s not a threat, but a promise, Marquess. I want to develop my territory in peace, and your threat will not let me do that. I don’t want the war, but you are forcing me toward it.’ I wanted to laugh.

If anyone is to blame, it is him.

I want Greltheaven, and I would have done it slowly, but his rapid growth had forced me to be quick with it. If I don’t defeat him, he will come for me, and if his battle against Viremont is any indication, it won’t take him long.

So, finishing him is about my survival.

“You are growing too fast; you threatened my own very survival,” I stated. Yes, I have ambitions to conquer the entire region, but I would have done so more methodically, less aggressively.

Unfortunately, he leaves me no choice. The preparation might have collapsed, but they are not dead.

‘It does not have to be,’ he replied.

‘We could sign a long non-aggression agreement, even a peace agreement,’ He said, laughing, knowing it would benefit only him. ‘I am willing to offer the benefits for the peace,’ he added.

It instantly surprised me; I did not expect that.

‘What benefits?’ I asked. I would not agree, but I was curious. ‘Trade privileges, people, and even essence potions. I am even willing to charge an artifact, depending on the agreement.’

‘Of course, it will not be one-sided; you will have to reciprocate. I want trade access and a few other things from you.’

Saying I am shocked would be an understatement.

We are enemies, and he is offering me the things I desperately need in exchange for an agreement. For a moment, I doubted whether I heard right. Even Talmire and Dasir’s expressionless faces turned inquisitive, seeing the stark change in my expression.

It is too shocking not to; even when he is gaining something in return.

…

Silver

Silence came from the other side.

Of course, I am not an idiot. Grimvale is my enemy; he wants to conquer my territory, but war with him would be costly, and I am not as confident as I am showing him.

If it is just Grimvale, I could handle him, but if Summerfield and Zanav allied with him, it would be troublesome.

Though the things I am scared about the most are those shadow interests.

The ones who sent Viremont at me and could use Grimvale. I had to stop that, and I have to give the resources to my enemy; that will strengthen him. I will do it.

The reason is simple: I will grow faster than them. The only thing I need is time. This will buy me time and also keep Grimvale from allying with those shadow interests.

He does not like them, but he may become desperate to join them if I continue to outpace him. So, I will have to keep him happy with benefits and buy the time that I need.

As long as I have that. I am sure I could become powerful enough that Grimvale would cease to be a threat.

‘You intrigue me with the offer, but if it is scraps you are offering, then you can stop,’ he said, and I smiled.

I have him!

“I will let you buy essence potions with 10% Grade IV in them, and give you ten thousand people per year. There will also be special trade privileges, and if the agreement lasts five years, I will recharge your artifact,” I stated.

Once more, there was silence, and that is a good thing. He is thinking about it.

‘It's not enough, but it could be negotiated starting from there.’ He agreed, and the big smile appeared on my face. He agreed, or maybe he was buying time to make his own preparations against me, or it could be both.

‘What about your expansion?’ He asked.

“I had told you before, I  have no interest in expansion; I am more than satisfied with what I have,” the man snorted at that.

‘Is that why you attacked and conquered Norke?’ he asked; there was a sharpness in his voice. “That was a consequence, Marquess. If someone attacks me, they will have to pay with their lives and territory.”

This is more of a threat to him than an answer to his question, but it is also the truth.

Currently, I am in no state to support expansion. I was forced to attack Norke. I needed to do it to make my enemies understand that there is a cost to attacking me.

I sure enough made them understand, and if Rutto succeeds, the message will hit even harder.

‘Then you are willing to sign that you will not take action against any cities in the region?’ he asked slowly.

“Correct, as long as they do not threaten me and mine in any way.”

‘Not even Bilgas?’ he asked, and I laughed.

“Bilgas is mine,” I replied, drawing the line.

‘I didn’t hear they were allying with you,’ he said, and I laughed once more.

“Really? Then you should talk to them.” They are not taking his calls.

Of the four, one is already in my pocket; the second one is nearly so. So, we could be said to be allied. Though it will need official ratification, which will happen after Rutto and Barb reach Bilgas.

Rutto said we could get more.

So, I made a call, and to my surprise, the response was not what I had imagined it would be. Rutto was right; we could get more from Bilgas than what I had thought.

‘So, you will not go to any other city in the region?’ he asked.

“As long as they do not move against me, I will not move against them. I could sign any agreement for that.”

As I had said, I need time, and not much. I believe five to ten years would be more than enough.

‘Fine, I will give peace a chance, but remember, Lord Silver; these scraps will not do. You will need to show sincerity in negotiation, or all bets will be off.’

“You can count on that, Marquess.” With that, I cut the call.

It went well, better than I had thought. I believe I would have to go further, but I did not. At least not now; I don’t know what will happen during the negotiations.

“I believe we should still launch an attack. Deal with him once and for all, before moving to the real problem,” said Zala.

The real problem is the undead.

“The cost would be too high, and I don’t want to pay it,” I replied. People will die in the tens of thousands, not to mention losing in development, financial, and other costs.

I’d rather do it in a gentle way, and I believe I could as long as I have enough time.

“Call Valebrook,” I said.

This will be the last call before Rutto and Barb reach Bilgas. If she agrees, it will make things much smoother for them, and I believe she will, with what I am offering her.