"This is our proposal. As a part of the alliance, we hope to obtain the right to purchase the market price of the 30 products on this list. Also, we hope that the Dark Elf merchants will be able to freely enter your city."
In the spacious conference hall, it is still decorated with the same luxurious Elf sword dance style as before. Listening to the negotiation of both sides, I almost dozed off.
"Anne will deal with the military affairs, Marguerite will assist in the business affairs, there is nothing for me to do. Since I have nothing to do anyway, let's find some fun."
"… Of course, the market price of the 23 common products is acceptable. But mercury, dragon poison, twice processed liquid sulfur and the other 7 products are controlled or prohibited by the government. It is impossible for them to be sold outside unless you agree to trade equally with those special products on our list. Furthermore, as long as your Dark Elf merchants are proper merchants and not spies and assassins wearing the clothes of merchants, why would you be afraid of our inspection? "Pushing up her glasses, Eliza says so.
"… Big sister, you are still trying to bargain with this little cucumber. Fine, 2.5 dollars, take it all, but you have to include these tomatoes. Don't worry, they are all fresh goods. "
"Hehe, little girl, then let's trade equally. To be honest, these trade deals are just the appetizer to deepen our relationship. Perhaps, we should talk about the main topic. For example, about that Power of Law of yours. "Kajah smiles.
"Hehe, young lad, let's do it this way. I don't care about such a small amount of money. Right, how much are you selling those yellow croakers for?"
This time, Eliza frowns slightly but doesn't say anything. Instead, she looks towards Anne.
"Un, Anne can decide on this matter. If you Dark Elves are interested in the Power of Law, you can send someone to Sulfur Mountain City to learn. But, you have to swear in the name of the Spider Queen that you are not to harm the citizens. At the same time, you have to swear to give up on pursuing and killing the Dark Elves in Sulfur Mountain City. "
"Un, if you want the yellow croakers, 12 dollars a catty, I will give it to you at a low price. This yellow croakers are very fresh, it is best to eat it when cooked. But, if you accept the yellow croakers, then don't blame me for the potato from before. "
Hearing Anne's reply, Kajah shook her head.
"The will of the Spider Queen cannot be neglected. The traitors must be eliminated, and we elves have plenty of time to wait. Let these traitors patiently wait for the arrival of the day of the end … Alright, let's not talk about these disappointing things. Perhaps we can talk about a deeper topic, such as a military alliance against a certain side. Of course, an alliance that won't be written on paper."
"That won't do. Our cafeteria boss is a fair trader. The potato bill has to be paid sooner or later … But, let's talk about something else. For example, when are we going to beat up that fatty who always bullies people? Of course, if fatty finds out beforehand, I won't admit it."
Obviously, what happened before was just the appetizer. The current private military alliance was the real reason for the secret meeting today. Anne hesitated, but Eliza's eyebrows furrowed, and her face was full of frost. She seemed to be troubled.
Heh, it should be very troublesome. Of course it will be very troublesome. This decision will represent countless lives and futures. However, it is precisely because there is great pressure that one can grow and improve. I have high hopes for you two, Elisa, Annie.
"… Please wait for a moment." Finally, she made up her mind, stood up, and … walked in front of me.
"Master!! Have you had enough? Don't play those boring vegetable buying jokes in my head. Don't hinder our negotiation!!! "
"Ah, did I accidentally say it out? Sorry, sorry. " Apologizing without any sincerity, then lowering her head to reduce her presence … Of course, one should have a target to complain to. Wouldn't talking to yourself make you crazy?
Alright, in the eyes of outsiders, Eliza stood silently in front of me, looking me in the eyes. Then, I maintained my silence, as though tacitly giving the right to make the decision to the other party.
"Sorry for my rudeness." After apologizing, Eliza sat back down.
"Actually, what I said isn't wrong. Negotiation is still bargaining, haggling over every ounce. Is there any difference from buying vegetables in the market?"
"I'm thinking about a problem, please be quiet."
Alright, alright, you all only know how to bully old bones. If you think that old bones are annoying, then old bones should go out for a walk.
Coincidentally, I was also fed up with the boring atmosphere in the negotiation room, so I stood up to leave …
"Please be careful on your way back. Return to the encampment earlier. Don't randomly pick up food from the ground, don't make too many children cry, in case their parents come knocking on your door. Also, don't get caught doing bad things. I'm not familiar with the police station here, so I don't want to go there to collect people."
Alright, away from the child-like nagging, I started to reflect on whether I made a mistake. Back then, the cute little girl who was afraid of the dark and loneliness, the one who would tug on the corner of my clothes to sleep when there was a storm, how did she become so sharp-tongued and twisted under my education.
Along the way, under the cold gaze of Eliza, I had to pretend to ignore the ambiguous gazes and vague invitations of the Elf Matriarchs … What a pity, the adult art and various skills of the Dark Elves are their world-renowned 'art treasures', something that every man dreams of …
Alright, even without that sharp-tongued maid, I wouldn't be able to do anything. But thinking about it is fine. As a man, imagining isn't a crime, right?! … Eliza! Don't sing 'Father-in-law has a migraine!!' in my head. I shouldn't have taught you how to sing pop songs back then! Even more so, I shouldn't have told you what a father-in-law is!
"Hmph, wait till I revive …"
Before leaving, I took one last look at Anne, who was still speaking confidently, hoping that she would be able to stand on her own, so that I can collect the reward for reviving …
What I didn't know was that after I left, all of the Dark Elf Matriarchs heaved a sigh of relief at the same time.
"That robe and mask seem to be God Equipment. The true appearance and strength of the person within are completely unfathomable."
"There isn't any change in his emotions, his heartbeat is also undetectable. When I close my eyes, it doesn't exist at all. What kind of existence is that?"
"Is it a Demon? Human? Elf? Undead? Completely unfathomable. The two little girl representatives are obviously relying on his judgment. Yet, at this moment, they are destined to leave. Why? Could it be that they are plotting something? "
From a certain perspective, the only obstacle in this negotiation is that Wumianzhe.
In the eyes of the Dark Elf Matriarchs who have lived through countless years, strength isn't scary. What is scary is always the unknown. Wumianzhe, this person, is simply too mysterious and dangerous.
"As the discoverer of a new Power of Order, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to overestimate Wumianzhe. If the Power of Law is destined to become a powerful Order like the Holy Light, we might be facing a future God. But no matter what, his departure is a good thing for the negotiation … Perhaps, we should let 'Shadow' follow him, if there is a chance … "
Lucyna, the first Matriarch of Morsblight City, from a certain perspective, is Sulfur Mountain City's neighbor. Even though those eccentric Dark Elves who believe in the Holy Light caused the original first family to lose the trust and favor of the Spider Queen, allowing the Syfan Family which Lucyna belongs to to rise in power.
But no matter what, Diana Yixin, who betrayed the Dark Elves and is living better and better, is still the humiliation of Morsblight City. If this humiliation isn't wiped away in time … The Spider Queen has never been a reasonable God. The pitiful state of the previous first Matriarch who was turned into a spider elf and wailed in agony is still fresh in her mind.
But at the same time, Kajah who is chatting with Anne suddenly glances at her, as though seeing through her selfish intentions.
"… If there is a chance, send a small gift to deepen your relationship with that lord and form an alliance with Sulfur Mountain City, this new Autarch, to fight for the leadership of the entire Underground Alliance. This is a huge matter that concerns the entire Dark Elf race, no one would be so short-sighted to affect the big picture for their own selfish desires."
Even if Lucyna changes her words quickly, the moment Kajah's gaze stops on her, her heart feels as though it has stopped beating and her back is instantly soaked in cold sweat.
For Kajah to be able to control a small half of the Dark Elf race, Lorci's blessings alone aren't enough. Among the vicious and merciless Dark Elves, this High Priestess who always has a smile on her face also uses bloody suppression to strike fear into the hearts of those who resist. Otherwise, why would the Dark Elves, who view rebellion as glory, obey this highest leader in name?
"Then, the gift will be prepared by you, the respected Matriarch Syfan, personally. Right now, we indeed need an ally that is worth trusting. "
"Yes, it's my honor. I'll do it perfectly."
Having no time to care about the snickering of the other Matriarchs, Lucyna Syfan can only feel the joy of surviving a calamity.
"Then, let's confirm the communication channel between us …"
The alliance between the two powers, even if it is an alliance with their own ulterior motives, there are too many details to discuss. This conference is destined to last for a long time.
As for me, I don't really care. No, it should be said that there is no need for me to care.
Just like what I said to Eliza, the negotiation between countries and powers is actually no different from buying vegetables in the market. It is nothing more than giving me 2 cents and I will give you an extra carrot or potato.
When the market price is fixed, no matter how skilled the negotiation is, it can only move the price slightly.
To put it bluntly, the outcome of the negotiation is usually determined before the negotiation even begins. What can't be obtained on the battlefield, can't be obtained on the negotiation table … Alright, I know that there are special cases. Let's not talk about that uncomfortable history. If the ruler is that stupid, then no matter how much negotiation or how much war is, it would be meaningless.
That 'market price that dominates the outcome of the market transaction' is the situation that both sides face before the negotiation, the bargaining chips that they possess and can exchange. The more anxious the side is, the easier it is for them to lose the initiative in the negotiation. On the other hand, the side with more bargaining chips is more likely to trade small for big, earning big.
Due to our hard work in this period of time, the initiative in the negotiation is already in the hands of Sulfur Mountain City. Molly and Shou have been on the move recently, Ainsterna.Eduar and the Demon behind him are as cunning and fickle, obviously a two-faced person who can't be relied on. Adding on the Dark Elf Matriarchs who never know what is loyalty, the pressure on Kajah should be huge.
I remember that in the original 'history', 10 years later in the Underground Alliance's epic war against the Surface, the highest leader of the Dark Elves is a Dark Elf Matriarch named Victoria … The abdication of a Dark Elf Matriarch has never been peaceful, and it is impossible for them to abdicate voluntarily. After all, that usually means an ending worse than death.
Then, no matter if it is her or the Dark Elf faction that she represents, they are in dire need of allies now.
As for Sulfur Mountain City, this negotiation and even the application to join the Underground Alliance, they can just turn around and leave if they are unable to come to an agreement. At the very least, before my little jokes and arrangements are exposed, there is no reason for Sulfur Mountain City to get involved in this mess.
Since the initiative in the negotiation is in our hands, not to mention that the other party has something to ask of us, they are even determined to form an alliance with Sulfur Mountain City. Then, the Dark Elves have to succeed in the negotiation. We, on the other hand, don't care about the outcome of the negotiation. Furthermore, we have a lot of bargaining chips. No matter how we negotiate, the winner will be us.
This is also the reason why I have been delaying my contact with Kajah and Ainsterna. I want to make them anxious, worried that if we come to an agreement with Shou and Molly, it would cause the internal balance of the Alliance to tilt once again.
This is also the reason why I said that the outcome of the negotiation has been decided long before the negotiation. Furthermore, after confirming that Anne and Eliza's negotiation skills are above average and that they don't show any signs of fear or panic, I left with a peace of mind.
At this moment, walking on the streets of Vance, looking at this alternate form of prosperity, I intend to start my own plan.
"I, Wumianzhe Roland, am not a magnanimous person. Since you dared to launch a sneak attack on Sulfur Mountain City, you should have thought of the possibility of retaliation. Shou and Molly, it is time for you to return what you owe me. "
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