Chapter 705 (Patreon)

The high general wasn’t prepared to give up any more ground in the negotiation. With a clear reason for not giving up the hammer and even a proposition to revisit the topic once the condition was fulfilled their opening was cleanly neutralized. The high general promised himself he would choke the ambassador that had assured him Ajax was a political liability.

“We can revisit the issue of the heirloom in that case.” The high general ignored the angry glare his prince levied at him as well as the triumphant grin Gryndor’s prince gave him. “What would it take for Gryndor to step away from our conflict with the Republic.” 

Since they couldn’t get a concession out of Gryndor with the hammer the high general planned on getting the advantage by going for a topic he knew for sure Gryndor would have to unilaterally deny them on. 

“Well now you would have to make some large concessions on that front.” Surprising the beastkin it was Aurexion that was the first to answer when the prince took a moment as he bit his tongue to stop himself from cursing out the crafty tiger beastkin. “House Hearthbound alone has large interests tied up with the Republic not falling.” 

“Such business agreements can be maintained.” The king knew what the high general was trying to do so while he was surprised to hear what Aurexion had revealed he knew how to support his right hand man. “Though a rather lengthy peace treaty between us would need to be in effect for such a guarantee.” 

“Are you sure you can make such promises?” Aurexion ignored the looks the rest of Gryndor’s representatives gave him including Ajax, unlike them he had absolutely no attachment to the Republic so his opinion was an honest one. “You would also need to account for any reparation your own nation might need to pay out in the event you lose the war.” 

“Some minor allowances in line with what he can ask we would be fine to accommodate.” As much as the beastkin prince disliked Ajax he had come to respect his power after the demonstration he put forward. “The investment of a single individual in a war is something we can repay, though I hope you wouldn’t expect that we do so for the rest of Gryndor’s combatants.” 

“That would be perfectly fine.” none of the humanoids could read the dragon’s facial expressions but his smile came through clearly in his words. “So you would be fine with honoring the Republic’s promises in regards to dungeon access to Gryndor as a whole as well as House Hearthbound in particular, Ajax would as part of his reparations get to delve all of your dungeons once as well. And as insurance for the agreement since there is a chance that Highmountain might attack and take the territory from you he would be getting a spot in the dungeon exchange you set up with Highmountain as well. All of this is to happen as soon as possible as my bond has been gaining levels at a rather fast pace so I would rather he not lose out on any further gains.” 

Ajax instantly felt four different Identify Skills hit him, and while [Enigma] managed to block three of them fully, the one from the high general managed to get a glimpse at his level. A quick wave of hands later that Ajax didn’t understand but everyone knew the purpose of the rest of the beastkin representatives were also aware of Ajax’s level. Once they learnt that piece of information even with their political Skills it wasn’t hard to tell what conclusion they all came to, there was no way in hell they would agree with Aurexion’s offer of allowing someone of Ajax’s level to delve another four nations worth of dungeons.

Aurexion’s proposition came as a surprise to Ajax but he did find that it would be something he would accept. That wouldn’t have been the case a few days ago right after the battle but after he made peace with the fact that both the Republic and Gryndor were willing to agree to a five year peace treaty, this deal, while selfish from his perspective, was one of the best outcomes not just for him but also for House Hearthbound and depending on the rest of the terms Gryndor as a whole. 

“There is no precedent for allowing a champion access to our dungeons as part of a peace treaty which is exactly what such an agreement would be.” The king for once managed to think of an excuse faster than his high general. 

“And you consider Duke Hearthbound to be just a champion?” The prince wasn’t at all on board with the direction the conversation had taken, his brother and his father had given him very strict terms for accepting peace and they hinged on the Republic being protected. But just because he wasn’t going to agree to any such terms didn’t mean he wouldn’t follow the conversation in hopes of putting the beastkin in a worse position for the final agreement that would be struck. “He is not yet fifty years old and you are aware his level has not yet surpassed one hundred which is the agreed upon limit for dungeon access.”

The king, prince and high general all opened their mouths to answer that Ajax was obviously a champion yet no word came out. All three of them knew that they didn’t really consider Ajax to be a champion. After discussing their own engagements with him following their battles they had all agreed that Ajax, with Aurexion as his bond, was a pinnacle. And there was precedent for a pinnacle being allowed dungeon access to another nation’s dungeon, even if that access had been as a booster.

“It seems we cannot cover your investments for abandoning the Republic.” The high general barely got out. “Prehaps a discussion for a more limited short term peace is in order.” 

With the topic finally brought up both Ajax and Aurexion knew to take a step back. The prince had already discussed the exact terms with his father and brother they would be willing to accept so now that this particular negotiation had begun Ajax and Aurexion focused on other things. Ajax took an interest in the recovered prisoners and began applying first aid to them while Aurexion focused on their surroundings. Specifically Aurexion focused on the ground beneath their feet to ensure no ambush was tunneling beneath their feet. 

With both sides having standing it made for quite a show as political Skills were pushed against each other. Evelyn had also been an active participant in the discussion supporting the prince, in the end the final agreement had been more favorable than the prince had expected. 

For the next five years not only would Gryndor and the beastkin have an enforced peace that was conditional on the beastkin having a peace treaty with the Republic, but certain previous trade agreements would be reinstated giving Gryndor access to certain goods exclusively available to the beastkin. The biggest concession the prince had managed to sneak in their agreement thanks to the advantage Ajax and Aurexion had given him was that Gryndor was allowed to support the Republic in a war with Highmountain while the beastkin would have to wait until the peace treaty expired before joining such a war.

“Those were quite the liberties you took there.” The prince commented on their way back. “You remind me of myself when I was younger.” 

“Your liberties ended up with Gryndor making concessions, Your Highness.” Evelyn pointed out. “While their contributions paid off I would advise not going too in depth with the Republic’s representatives about your discussions.” 

Despite what the final agreement ended up being, the build up to it showed clearly that Ajax and Aurexion would have thrown the Republic under the cart for selfish gain.

“It should go without saying then that none of you are to talk about the details of the negotiations.” The prince said as he turned towards the squads they had traded the champion for as well as Evelyn. “By order of the crown.” 

“Hmph.” Aurexion didn’t seem impressed by the implied threat at all. “Those fools must have been really surprised seeing as they forgot to cover a rather important opening they left.”

Ajax, the prince and Evelyn all activated their privacy zone at the same time once they processed the dragon’s words. “What opening?” All of them were sure the beastkin were going to be aware of the dragon’s words since they hadn’t even made it half way back to the Republic’s army base. 

“The peace treaty only covers the established lands of the beastkin, there is nothing about the dungeon or dungeons they have been using in the Wild Lands.” Aurexion explains.

“That has the same problem as you and Ajax just flying to delve their dungeons right now.” The prince shook his head as he and Evelyn dismissed their privacy coverage. “Entering might not be an issue but you’d have an army awaiting you at the exit.” 

“No, there is another key difference.” Aurexion’s voice was filled with anticipation. “Those dungeons are in the Wild Lands.” 

“What difference does that make?” Evelyn asked. 

“There is nothing to stop my aunt from helping boost us in those dungeons.” Aurexion answered. “And I would very much like to see them try and ambush us as we exit with her by our side.” 

As he heard the answer Ajax was glad he had maintained his privacy zone. He hadn’t even considered asking Khalysstra to help boost them in a dungeon, especially since with [Absolute Body Enhancement] as well as [Elemental Avatar] there was a good chance Ajax and Aurexion could kill a dungeon monster three times their level. The achievement for something like that was bound to be rather impressive.