Chapter 283: Negotiation with Family
A massive force, centered around the land battleship Jotun, slowly comes to a halt. Leading the way are the multi-legged Ground Mother Unit and its escort machines.
“…”
Opposing them are the guard monk soldiers from the Demon Forest development area, a unit of the Chimiya family.
They seem to have noticed the Communicator Android peering out from the upper hatch of the multi-legged Ground Mother Unit, but they are not immediately on high alert. A few individuals begin to approach slowly, heading towards the multi-legged Ground Mother Unit, which is stationed several hundred meters away.
Confirming this, the Communicator Android leaps down from the multi-legged Ground Mother Unit, followed by three more Communicator Androids and three escort multi-legged assault machines.
To indicate that they harbor no immediate hostility, they resume their advance with just these units.
“Is dialogue possible?”
The distance between the two parties is about ten meters. While this is typically a range where one could easily strike, the opposing side consists of monk soldiers who wield magic. It could be said that they are practically within arm’s reach. However, the same could be said for The Tree, which is equipped with electromagnetic projectile cannons.
“We are prepared for dialogue.”
In response to the call amplified through a loudspeaker, the Chimiya family replied.
“I can’t believe they can actually have a conversation,” Eve remarked while watching the relay footage.
“The assault on the Holy Capital went smoothly, but I wonder how this will turn out,” she mused.
A few days prior, the second invasion operation of the Holy Capital had been executed. As a result, while The Tree had lost a considerable number of automated machines, they had successfully eliminated all hostile units and completed the total subjugation of the Holy Capital.
While holding the Archbishop at bay with a saturation attack, they had taken down the bishop-class enemies with energy attacks. Subsequently, they unleashed enough energy to turn the ground beneath each Archbishop into boiling lava, effectively vaporizing them. The surrounding shells and various components of automated machines were also vaporized and dispersed, leading to significant soil contamination from heavy metals and other harmful substances. However, it was expected that recovery would be possible within a few months, and since no one remained alive, there was no immediate impact.
By the way, the melting point of silica, the primary component of rocks, is 1,650°C, and its boiling point is 2,230°C. Just a side note.
“Somehow, the situation in the Holy Capital must have been conveyed to them. How they will react is uncertain, but Iris predicts it won’t turn out too badly.”
“Is that so? Since that area is close to the Demon Forest, if we make too much noise, it could lead to troublesome consequences. I just hope it doesn’t escalate into conflict…”
The Chimiya family was developing the Demon Forest. Naturally, their stronghold was at the entrance of the Demon Forest.
There had been instances where wyverns had swooped in after battles erupted hundreds of kilometers away, so they could not afford to be careless.
“Let us hear your demands.”
“Do not resist us. In exchange, we will provide food and all necessary supplies.”
“…”
The monk soldiers of the Chimiya family fell silent at the invader’s words. It was likely that this response was entirely different from what they had anticipated. A victor offering assistance to a vanquished foe is a concept that would be incomprehensible when viewed through their lens of understanding and common sense.
“We are interested in the development of the Demon Forest that you are undertaking and your journey to the Holy Land. We are willing to assist you in that endeavor.”
“…Please wait a moment. I cannot make a judgment on this matter. …Teronia, summon Lord Ureberia.”
“Yes, sir.”
A man, presumably a subordinate, dashed off to relay the message. As he was sent off, the Communicator Android Ichihatsu—Iris turned and raised her hand. In response to her gesture, the Ground Mother Unit slowly lowered itself to the ground. The side hatch opened, and self-propelled machines emerged.
“I cannot remain standing in such a manner. Prepare a table.”
“…Understood.”
A tarp that had been loaded onto the self-propelled machines automatically unfurled, creating an impromptu meeting area. Once a table and chairs were set up, a waiter machine placed a glass pitcher filled with water on the table.
With a crisp sound of ice clinking, Ichihatsu—Iris poured water from the pitcher into a glass.
“Please, help yourselves.”
“…I shall partake.”
Seemingly unperturbed by the possibility of poison, the man who appeared to be the representative of the Chimiya family brought the glass to his lips.
“This is delicious water.”
By the time everyone present had finished their drinks, a man dressed in somewhat ornate clothing, accompanied by several subordinates, approached.
“…I am Ureberia, who will be in charge of negotiations with you.”
“Very well.”
Ichihatsu—Iris nodded and stepped forward to greet the man, who had two guard soldiers flanking him.
“Welcome. I am Ichihatsu, sent to negotiate with you.”
“I am Ureberia. I had thought this was a surrender proposal, but is there something else?”
“It is a negotiation. We wish to engage in dialogue with you.”
With that, both parties took their seats at the table.
Ichihatsu—Iris took the initiative to sample the prepared light refreshments. Ureberia, though somewhat hesitant, also picked up a pastry.
“We are demonstrating our strength. We deemed it necessary to engage in dialogue with you.”
“Hmm… It seems you are familiar with us.”
In response to Ureberia’s inquiry, Ichihatsu nodded.
“We have conducted our investigations. However, this is the first time we are actually conversing. You are the first authority in this nation with whom we can speak properly.”
“…………”
While Ichihatsu’s words were merely a statement of fact, they seemed to be interpreted as a form of provocation or complaint. Ureberia furrowed his brow, closed his eyes, crossed his arms, and let out a light sigh.
“The people of the Holy Capital are inflexible. We shared a common goal, which is why there were no issues. But it seems we have come into conflict with you.”
“Regarding that matter, you need not concern yourself here. We initiated it, and we will conclude it. We understand that it is fundamentally unrelated to you.”
“…Is that so?”
He did not seem to doubt Ichihatsu’s words. Though the means were unclear, Ureberia appeared to be aware of the battles in the Holy Capital. Whether he understood the power of The Tree or not, he seemed willing to continue the conversation.
“Fighting against you would incur great losses. Therefore, we propose negotiation. We are prepared to provide food and other supplies, and we ask that you continue the development of the Demon Forest. Use your power solely for development and do not oppose us. This is what we seek.”
“…I see. That seems rather advantageous for us. I would like you to explain your benefits.”
“The development of the Demon Forest and the journey to the Holy Land. We are also aiming for that.”
“…………”
It was hard to believe. That was likely the consensus of the Chimiya family. In a negotiation with a typical nation or group, they would be starting from a position of disadvantage.
However, for better or worse, the Chimiya family was anything but ordinary. Their calculations of profit and loss operated on a different level than that of typical human groups.
“If you are willing to assist us in the development of the path to the Holy Land without obstructing it, we would welcome that and have no objections.”
“You need not worry about the amount of support. We can provide more than enough.”
“Understood. While I cannot accept everything here and now, let us continue our dialogue.”
Ichihatsu could not discern the truth behind her words. Nevertheless, the negotiation would continue. That was Ureberia’s response.
“I am pleased that we can engage in dialogue. It may be difficult to continue further today. Let us resume tomorrow, but first, I have brought a gift.”
“…A gift?”
“Food and samples of weapons. I believe you have been struggling with food supplies.”
“…That is indeed the case, as you have halted everything.”
The infrastructure of the Prava Divine Nation was nearly at a standstill. Naturally, this was due to the invasion, which had rendered transport convoys immobile.
The second invasion was swiftly passed over. Nothing particularly noteworthy occurred. Now, the negotiation with the mysterious Chimiya family begins.