Chapter 496.2: Out In The Open, Hidden In The Dark

After leaving the chamber, Cohen immediately contacted Joseph aboard the Adjudicator.

"Can you reach Griffin?"

"No... Communications are down. The New Alliance bombers destroyed their signal tower. Actually, there might be some other malfunction."

Cohen nodded silently.

That sounded ominous.

Joseph belonged to the branch of another unit and was a trusted aide of Eastern Army Commander Saren. He clearly knew how the Expansionists operated...

That guy had already pieced together a few clues.

"General Joseph, are you loyal to His Excellency the Marshal?" The voice on the other end of the comms channel came without a trace of hesitation.

"Of course. My loyalty to His Excellency the Marshal is second to none. Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

Cohen's tone remained unchanged as he said, "It's nothing. I just hope that every decision you make next lives up to your position, and the Marshal’s trust in you."

This time, there was a brief pause on the other end of the line. "...Understood."

After the call ended, the lift platform on the Adjudicator descended, deploying two motorcycles to the ground. They sped toward Horn Fortress without stopping.

Before negotiation began the next day, they needed to figure out what was really going on at Horn Fortress, and what Griffin was planning.

At the same time, just after leaving the conference room, Chu Guang was pulled into an adjacent room by Wu Changnian.

Before Chu Guang could even speak, Wu Changnian blurted out urgently, "Look, the Army only has 50,000 troops left stationed in Sunset Province. You guys also promised to withdraw from Oasis No.2. Why not just go along with that big-nose's suggestion?"

Seeing how anxious he was, Chu Guang patiently reassured him. "My friend, you don’t understand the situation at the frontlines, so it’s normal to think that way. But this isn’t just about pulling troops back a few steps. If we retreat 50 kilometers, we’re basically opening the noose around Griffin, it’s like giving up our bargaining chip before the ceasefire talks even begin. You understand what I mean?"

"That surrounded force of 50,000 soldiers, over 1,000 officers... That’s our biggest leverage.

If you don’t get it, you can call Yi Chuan. I already cleared it with him in advance."

Wu Changnian smiled bitterly. "You’re still focused on that..."

The Highest Council never expected to gain anything substantial from those penniless folks out west. The territories the Wislanders were so proud of meant nothing to them.

It wasn’t out of arrogance, but simply because the Wislanders had never actually governed the lands they conquered. Most of the time, they just lumped the land and its people together as spoils of war and handed them out to low-ranking officers.

Places like Lost Valley and Clearspring City were all over Army territory, and they hadn’t solved any real problems.

"Of course."

Chu Guang’s view differed from Wu Changnian’s, he could buy some good stuff with dinars.

"We can give up Oasis No.2, but as a bargaining chip on the negotiation table. Not as a one-sided gesture of goodwill. We’re not going to hand over ground we’ve already taken just to look sincere."

Wu Changnian couldn’t help asking, "Aren’t you afraid this could spark a full-blown war?"

Chu Guang shook his head. "Fearing it doesn’t prevent it. We want peace, but we’ve never imagined peace could be bought with compromise."

Wu Changnian pressed his index finger to his brow. "Bargaining chip, huh... Are you actually expecting the Army to pay reparations?"

Chu Guang replied as if it were obvious. "Why not?"

As if he had guessed that answer, Wu Changnian sighed and, after a pause, sighed, "Alright... 1 billion CR. We’ll give it to the New Alliance as ‘aid’, compensation in another name."

The Highest Council had granted him some discretion. When ceasefire terms couldn’t be agreed on, Enterprise compensation for some of the New Alliance’s war expenses was an option. At least, it was cheaper than a continent-wide war.

When Chu Guang heard the offer of 1 billion CR, a smile appeared on his face. "How generous of you."

Wu Changnian resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Generous, huh? Then go ahead and refuse it!

But of course Chu Guang wouldn’t turn down such a gift. After a polite cough, he continued seriously, "We can drop demands for war reparations from the Army and its vassals. Like you said, it’s unrealistic. After the ceasefire takes effect, we’ll also withdraw our troops from Oasis No.2 immediately. But as I said earlier, before the ceasefire takes effect, we won’t retreat. We also hope you’ll fully support us at the negotiating table, not just for us, but for yourselves."

Wu Changnian nodded. "No objections here. Our demands are simple. We want a ceasefire, control of Shelter 0, and the safety of all crew aboard the Pioneer."

Chu Guang let out a quiet sigh of relief and extended his hand with a smile. "Pleasure doing business with you."

"Let’s hope so."

They shook hands, and after the brief shake, Wu Changnian suddenly seemed to recall something. "Oh, by the way, just a personal suggestion, have you considered opening a private account in Ideal City?"

Chu Guang blinked. "... A private account?"

Wu Changnian nodded. "Yeah, it’s easy. You don’t need to be a resident of Ideal City to register. Plenty of nobles from Boulder Town have one."

Hearing that, Chu Guang instantly understood.

He leaned back in his chair and smiled while shaking his head. "No need."

Wu Changnian didn’t give up and patiently explained, "Don’t misunderstand, I’m not trying to bribe you. But given the current situation, the risk of total war isn’t zero. A personal deposit could at least secure you a way out."

So far, the Army hadn’t gone all-in on invading the Sunset Province, and the Enterprise had been very careful about the scale and pace of the war.

Originally, the ceasefire negotiations were supposed to happen in the Lion Kingdom’s royal capital. As for Oasis No.3, formerly part of the Honey Badger Kingdom, the Highest Council had even been prepared to hand it over to the Army.

No one expected the New Alliance to fight this hard and push Griffin all the way back home.

Now, things were spiraling beyond the Highest Council’s expectations.

If war did escalate fully, Wu Changnian at least hoped to protect the leader of their ally. That was also the Highest Council’s intention.

But Chu Guang’s reply surprised him. "I don’t need that. Even if that day really comes, I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stand with the people who trust me."

Wu Changnian stared at him, momentarily unable to read this young man. His expression was tinged with regret, but he nodded anyway. "Alright then. Just a personal suggestion... nothing to do with the Highest Council."

Chu Guang smiled and nodded. "Understood. Nothing we just said will affect our cooperation."

The first day of ceasefire negotiations ended in deadlock.

So did the second, third, and fourth days.

Talks stalled completely.

The Academy failed to play any real mediating role.

The governor-general from Triumphant City had little interest in entertaining a B-class Researcher.

As for the Enterprise... Wu Changnian was quite supportive of the New Alliance, but the Highest Council's nature meant he had limited authority.

Most matters had to go through deliberation before he could act.

The Academy's unexpected arrival had caught him off guard.

An Orca had flown back overnight just to deliver this news to Ideal City within communication range.

Chu Guang originally thought the Academy’s involvement would help move negotiations along, at least by pressuring the Army. But now, it only added complexity.

Still, he wasn’t in a rush.

Even if the Army was strong, the initiative remained with the New Alliance, who occupied Falcon City.

It gave him ample time to complete the transformation of the Falcon Kingdom.

The ones who should be panicking were the 50,000 troops trapped in Horn Fortress without water or food, and Cohen, who still hoped to retrieve his prisoners at minimal cost.

Chu Guang had successfully shifted the ceasefire terms from the New Alliance and Enterprise’s forces to withdraw from Oasis No.3 to restoring the pre-war borders.

The only unresolved issue was Bist Town.

The Falcon Kingdom had already abandoned the town.

After all, it wasn’t even inside Oasis No.2, it was a forward base the Army had built to advance eastward. But Cohen insisted that even if it wasn’t within the oasis, it was still built by the Wislanders, and thus theirs.

"Looks like we’ll have to enter round five." Seeing Cohen unmoved, Chu Guang sighed with faux regret and pushed the notebook on the table, but didn’t close it.

Cohen narrowed his eyes at the man so casually dismissing him, clenched his fist on his knee, and slowly released it. He truly couldn’t afford more delay.

From what Joseph had gathered, the troops at Horn Fortress were in bad shape.

Though the New Alliance had stopped bombing, they were nearly out of food and water.

Even worse, the New Alliance aircraft had deliberately targeted their kitchens. Even pots and pans were becoming rare commodities.

At that moment, a knock came from outside the conference room.

A Wislander soldier stepped in with a grave expression.

Everyone turned to him, trying to read something from his stern face. Li Ke from the Academy was even more direct, pulling out what looked like a voice-amplifying earpiece and slipping it into his ear.

Clearly, he thought no one noticed his little trick.

Chu Guang’s brow twitched. He couldn't help but wonder to himself...

What would happen if I suddenly yelled? Will that send the guy flying?

But the scheming little friend was destined for disappointment.

The soldier didn’t whisper to Cohen, but handed him a note instead.

Cohen took one glance, and his expression changed instantly.

He stood up with both hands on the table, scanned the faces around him, and dropped a single line. "That’s all for today."

He turned and walked out without waiting for the confused voices or surprised looks from the rest of the table.

Wu Changnian quickly looked at Chu Guang. But to his surprise, Chu Guang also looked puzzled.

Why is he running out? Is his house on fire?

Chu Guang hadn’t actually meant to end today’s meeting. His words were more for show, to express the New Alliance’s indifference to dragging out talks.

"You got any new intelligence?" Li Ke removed the earpiece and looked at Chu Guang.

"Nope." Chu Guang shook his head.

Li Ke hesitated, just about to speak, when Chu Guang’s VM on his arm vibrated. A pale blue screen popped up in his vision which only he could see.

He held his breath the moment he read the line.

Wu Changnian noticed the shift in his expression and immediately asked, "What happened?"

Chu Guang paused a moment, then spoke. "Griffin’s dead."

The words froze the air in the room.

Everyone seated at the table had their own unique reaction.

Wu Changnian was stunned.

He hadn’t expected that cunning old desert fox to end his life in such an ordinary, unceremonious afternoon. He didn’t know whether to feel happy, or sad.

"That guy’s actually dead..."

Li Ke’s face was equally full of surprise, though his expression leaned more toward schadenfreude. That guy had even hung up on him before dying. He wasn’t petty, but he sure hadn’t forgotten that.

Heh. Serves him right.

Foolish and arrogant Wislanders should die in some obscure corner of the world...

There is no ending more fitting for that madman.

And with him gone, this stalemated ceasefire negotiation might finally progress. Now Li Ke was just curious how Griffin had died.

King Morgott, who was merely observing, sighed softly.

Griffin had at least shown him some respect... More than Klaas or McClennan ever did.

Chu Guang’s emotions were mixed. He had thought Griffin would hold out a bit longer, at least until the ceasefire was signed.

He hadn’t expected him to go out like this...

What a pity.

He even promised McClennan to send him back to reunite with Griffin.