Chapter 583 - Attack or Retreat? (1/2)
”I've heard of Amaharpe's War Intelligence Group's legendary skills, but it seems that, in the end, rumors are just that—rumors.” Alkori disdained as he looked at Soothing Smoke with a death glare.
He then faced Solomon and continued, ”General Solomon, I'll make it easy for you. My brothers have made a great sacrifice at the expense of your side's failure. Double—I want twice as much as what was originally promised. Otherwise, I will cut my losses here and walk away from this cursed battlefield.”
”Ridiculous! You already signed an agreement, Alkori! It's too late to go back on your word, or can it be that you Pzenium warriors only know how to run when real trouble arrives?!” Tonne jumped to his feet and immediately rejected Alkori's proposal. As the Manager in charge of resource distribution in the Demilitarization Belt, he found Alkori's request too unreasonable.
”You should be grateful that we are allies—for now. Otherwise, your head would not still be attached to your body. Regardless, my demands stand. The previous agreement was before the error on your kingdom's side and the emergence of that demon.” Alkori stated coldly.
”You-!” Tonne's face turned red from anger; however, Solomon decided to speak before things got too out of control.
Though the General inwardly sighed. Sometimes, he felt that managing this group of individuals was akin to keeping a bunch of children in line.
”Manager Tonne, Controller Alkori's words are justified. Asking for double is indeed too much for our current finances to handle, but I do not believe that we cannot come to a mutual agreement that satisfies all parties involved. Although it pains me to say, our kingdom holds much responsibility in this matter.” Solomon said calmly.
Tonne wanted to protest but held his anger in as he released an annoyed grunt and returned to his seat.
Alkori sneered, ”I'm glad to see that you know how to weave your words, General S-”
”Controller Alkori. I have entertained your outburst and outspoken nature thus far; however, even my patience has its limits. If you continue to test it, I hope you can bear the consequences that follow.” Solomon a.s.serted.
Alkori narrowed his eyes but remained silent in response.
Solomon internally sighed. Alkori's att.i.tude was poor, but Solomon knew that when it came to the battlefield, Alkori was someone who could be taken at his word and then some. Besides, Solomon understood that Alkori was not as reckless as he appeared on the surface. If he left the safety of the camp now and ran into Tempest forces, there was little to no chance Alkori and his mercenary group would make it out of the Demilitarization Belt and back to Pzenium. Even if they did, their losses would be too significant to ever recover from.
After agreeing on a 40% increase to the Pzenium mercenary group's original payment, Solomon set the meeting back on track.
”Soothing Smoke, we are not done with our conversation. However, I must move onto the main topic of the conference.” Solomon said as the mood in the tent experienced a drastic s.h.i.+ft. The atmosphere was so heavy that it seemed as though the air was made of lead.
”We will put it to a vote—whether we should come up with a plan of attack, or... If we should cut our losses and retreat from the Demilitarization Belt.” Solomon announced.
”Attack.” Alkori was the first to answer, and there was no hesitation behind his decision.
He then continued, ”If we were to retreat now, the blood of my brothers would have been spilled in vain. A Pzenium warrior has never known of defeat outside of death!”
”A Pzenium warrior has never known of defeat outside of death!” The two personal guards who accompanied Alkori declared proudly.
'Pzenium warriors—a strange bunch.'
Any other mercenary group would have already packed up and left after everything that happened. However, Izroth was reminded of his battle against the Pzenium warrior Falcinean in the Millennial Veiled Oasis. They were a kingdom of warriors that only knew how to properly speak when using their blades in battle.
”I also say that we attack—take the fight to them. That creature is too much of an anomaly. It's too close to Rosentarus and is moving towards our border with every pa.s.sing moment. If it's not stopped here, the number of casualties will not be small once it crosses into Rosentarus.” d.u.c.h.ess commented.
”Have you ordered the Zensana living near the Ronsentarus border to retreat?” Solomon questioned.
d.u.c.h.ess shook her head as she heavily sighed and said, ”It's no good. We were able to convince some of them, but most of the Zensana sub-species at the border are too prideful. They will not abandon their home—even in the face of danger.”