https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-98-The-Ranking-Storm-and-Free-Game-Insights/12824926/
Chapter 99: Maple City, Duke Seaver, and the Negotiations
Chapter 99: Maple City, Duke Seaver, and the Negotiations
Ten minutes later, Xifan descended from the clouds.
His magical robe was almost shredded at the chest, with a half-meter-long gash across his torso, radiating a bright holy light.
His face was a sickly shade of purple-black, clearly indicating severe injuries.
"Master Xifan, are you badly hurt?" the princess asked with concern.
"It's nothing serious, just a minor injury," Xifan replied. "As for Madeline, she's been hit by my Shadow Madness. She won't last a week before her soul splits and she dies."
"Thank you for your efforts."
"For the glory of the empire."
Xifan transformed into a wisp of black smoke and flew back into the carriage.
The princess sighed softly and turned to Keldron. "Form up the convoy and continue to Maple City."
"Yes, my lady."
Keldron nodded and went to carry out the order.
Su Yu's mission log also updated.
Ding! Your main quest has been updated! [The Glory of the Golden Rose Empire (11/100)].
Quest requirement: Continue escorting [Princess Alyssa]’s convoy to Maple City.
Quest reward: 300 experience points.
After the battle, the players initially wanted to follow Su Yu to Maple City. However, upon learning that the journey would take three days, or six hours of in-game time, most of them returned to Golden Rose City. Players could still use the dedicated teleportation array to reach Maple City without missing the next campaign.
In the end, only Su Yu followed the princess’s convoy to their destination.
...
The rest of the journey was smooth, with no attacks or incidents.
After six hours, the convoy arrived at their destination—Maple City.
At the city gates, Duke Anzu Seaver and his subordinates had been waiting for some time.
Duke Anzu Seaver was a middle-aged man, about 40 years old, with black hair and a black beard, exuding a sense of maturity and gravity.
He was dressed in black armor and rode a tall, majestic black warhorse, his eyes fixed on the approaching convoy.
Above the city gates, over a hundred powerful figures hovered in the air. Players and NPCs of the fifth rank or higher could fly, and these were Duke Seaver's elite subordinates.
Their presence served two purposes: to welcome the princess and to showcase their strength.
As the convoy arrived, Duke Seaver and his subordinates approached.
"Esteemed Princess Alyssa, Master Xifan, it’s good to see you again!"
Duke Seaver leaped off his warhorse, bowed slightly toward the princess and Xifan, and smiled warmly.
Xifan did not respond, merely nodding slightly.
His eyes flicked to the hundred or so powerful figures floating in the sky, a hint of seriousness in his gaze.
The princess, holding the kitten Morningstar, stepped down from the carriage, a smile on her face. "It’s a pleasure to see you again, Duke."
They met and shook hands lightly.
Despite being mortal enemies on the battlefield, both sides maintained a calm and composed demeanor during negotiations.
"Let’s enter the city. I’ve prepared a grand welcome banquet for you, with the city’s nobles and high-ranking warriors in attendance. I hope we all have a pleasant evening," Duke Seaver said courteously.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
The princess, still holding Morningstar, returned to the carriage, and Duke Seaver remounted his warhorse.
Under his lead, the convoy entered Maple City.
Maple City was a large city in the northeast of the empire, roughly the same size as Olran City where Tina resided, with a population of about 400,000.
That evening, Duke Seaver hosted a grand welcoming banquet for the princess.
Su Yu didn’t have the privilege to attend.
Su Yu’s main quest required him to report to the duke’s castle, Wolfhowl Castle, the next day, and the meeting was scheduled to start two hours later.
During those two hours, Su Yu went to the monster-farming area outside the city, easily passing the time.
Two hours later, Su Yu arrived alone at Wolfhowl Castle, located in the wealthy western district of Maple City.
Wolfhowl Castle was a massive four-story structure, nearly 20 meters high, with arrow slits and watchtowers on top and a wide moat at the bottom. This was Duke Seaver’s stronghold.
Su Yu showed the princess’s emblem to the guards at the gate and was allowed to enter the castle.
He made his way to the meeting room on the second floor of the castle.
In the meeting room, representatives from the princess’s side and Duke Seaver’s side were seated on opposite sides of a long table.
Su Yu arrived just as the meeting was beginning.
Naturally, he didn’t have a seat at the table.
He stood behind the princess, acting as part of her entourage.
After some formalities, the negotiations got underway.
The princess had publicly come for peace and a ceasefire.
So, soon after the negotiations began, Minister Hill, who was in charge of the talks, presented their demands:
“Your Grace, my proposal is that the Golden Rose Royal Family and Carlet divide the land along the Radiant River, with both sides agreeing not to invade each other for 30 years.”
The Radiant River ran through the central axis of the Golden Rose Empire. If both sides agreed to divide the land along the river, it would effectively split the empire in two.
Duke Seaver placed his interlocked fingers under his chin, his expression serious: “I agree with your idea, but I have one condition—the city of Golden Rose must belong to us.”
“That is impossible, Your Grace,” Hill quickly interjected. “Golden Rose City is a symbol of the royal family; we cannot—”
“Wait, Hill,” the princess interrupted her foreign minister, her gaze calm as she looked at Duke Seaver. “I can make the decision to cede Golden Rose City to you.”
“Your Highness—” Hill was clearly reluctant.
“But I have a condition,” the princess continued. “Duke Lantilus must also send a representative and sign the agreement.”
“Duke Lantilus,” Duke Seaver frowned.
Within Carlet, Duke Seaver had always advocated for consolidating their gains.
They had already taken control of half of the Golden Rose Empire, a vast territory that would take a long time to fully integrate.
However, Duke Lantilus disagreed.
Lantilus was a proponent of continuing the war, aiming to completely eliminate the Golden Rose Royal Family and prevent them from regaining any strength.
Both had valid points, but their opinions were at odds. Getting Lantilus to agree to the current terms would be extremely difficult.
“Your Grace, let’s be honest,” the princess said seriously. “If Duke Lantilus does not agree to our terms, even if we reach an agreement, it won’t be effective, don’t you think?”
Duke Seaver nodded. “You’re right. Lantilus is indeed the obstacle we can’t overcome… Here’s what I propose: I will send a magical communication to Lantilus. His envoy should arrive tomorrow, and we can start formal negotiations with all three parties the day after.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I hope we can reach an agreement soon,” the princess stood up and shook Duke Seaver’s hand.
The first negotiation after the princess’s arrival in Maple City concluded on this note.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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