Chapter 620: The Seven (2/2)
”We demand an apology and compensation for the lives and destruction wrought by your fleets!” Veins could be seen popping out from the side of the Iron Kingdom Ambassador as he shouted at the representative of the Tri State. ”And an immediate retreat of all your forces or face the wrath of the Iron Kingdom!”
”Release the Duchess and her ships!” The Tri State representative shot back. ”We will not yield to your threats!”
”So be it!” The Iron Kingdom Ambassador roared angrily, ”War it is!”
”Calm down, calm down!” The Ambassador for the Loose Confederation tried to appease both sides at the table. The rest of the representatives and ambassadors for the Great Nations remained quiet, watching the showdown between the Iron Kingdom and the Tri State. ”We can work something out that benefits both sides and end this war!”
”Sure! As long they return our Duchess, our people and ships,” The Tri State statesman said sternly. ”And a thousand stones weight of magic crystals! Then we will pull our forces back!”
”HMPH!” The Iron Kingdom Ambassador let out a snort of disdain. ”Your Duchess is involved in the disappearance of our Crown Prince! She must be investigated properly before her fate is to be decided! And a thousand stones weight of magic crystals? You must be dreaming!”
The fat Green Dragon from the Domain of Dragons laid on his cushions and watched the argument with interest. His mouth never stopped moving as he threw piece after piece of sweet meats into his jaws. He glanced over to the Suugon side and saw Lord Lei sitting calmly and sipping tiny cups of wine. Lord Lei seemed to noticed his glance and he looked back to the Green Dragon and gave a small barely noticeable nod.
Dragon Lord Alder gave a small nod back in return before he turned his attention back to he bickering, but in his mind, he was trying to figure what the Suugons would gain by inciting a war between the Iron Kingdom and the Tri State. The current events were certainly caused by the plot against the Third Prince and the Duchess taken by the Iron Kingdom was just an excuse the Tri State used to mobilize their fleets.
In fact, the Green Dragon was certain everyone here knew that, but were just keeping quiet. The true reason was for the invasion was the magic crystals found inside the flying island! Despite all the efforts made by the Iron Kingdom to keep the contents inside the vaults of the flying island hidden, the influx of magic was too strong and like a mighty beacon in the darkest of nights, everyone with even a tiny bit of magical ability could feel it in their blood despite the vast distances.
This in turn made the Iron Kingdom the focus of interest by every nation. Plans and plots were hatched, every nation wanting to get their hands on the horde of magic crystals. Out of the Seven Great Nations, only the Protectorate and the Cartel were successful in gaining some resources from the New World. Suddenly now, the Iron Kingdom came into a great fortune that could tip the balance of power in the Old World. This made the other nations jealous, worried, and greedy.
”War it shall be!” The Tri State representative smiled coldly, but in his heart, he laughed. His objective to gloat the Iron Kingdom into war has been successful. ”The Tri State hereby issues a formal declaration of war with the Iron Kingdom!”
The Iron Kingdom Ambassador's eyes narrowed and he frowned, knowing that he had fallen into a trick of the Tri State. But nevertheless, he banged the table with his fist and said, ”We accept!”
He turned to the Cartel diplomat and asked, ”Will the Cartel stand together with the Iron Kingdom?”
The Cartel diplomat rubbed his thick beard before he shook his head, ”Rock and stone! This is bad business! We want no part of this!”
The Iron Kingdom Ambassador angrily turned his glance to the Suugon envoy who continued to sip his wine. He placed the wine cup down and gently shook his head, ”The Eternal Emperor has no wish for wars to befall his subjects. We will not take any sides.”
The Green Dragon licked his claws and said, ”The Domain of the Dragons will not join this folly either!”
”Erm... the Loose Confederation will also be not involved in this... matter...” The Loose Confederation representative looked away from the glare of the Iron Kingdom Ambassador in embarrassment.
”Good! Very good!” The Iron Kingdom Ambassador glared at everyone on the table before settling his glare at the smiling Tri State representative. He jabbed a finger at the direction of the Tri State representative and growled. ”I hope your damn Grand Marshal is prepared for this treachery!”
He stormed out of the chambers. headed towards the Iron Kingdom wing of the Ivory Palace to relay the results of the meeting back to the Iron Kingdom through a very expensive magic communication array.
The only person that did not speak throughout the entire session was a crimson robed delegate from the Protectorate of Ramuh. He watched the entire fiasco without interest and kept chanting under his hood. He ignored everyone and the others also happily ignored him back, unwilling to have any contact with the fanatic Protectorate envoy.
The Protectorate envoy only raised his head when the chamber emptied, leaving him alone inside. He mumbled another prayer to the Judge before he smiled, ”These infidels shall soon be judged and justice shall once more prevail in this foul land!”