Chapter 498.2: This Victory Belongs To Us!

Looting the spoils of war, deciding the fate of the defeated, and offering mercy or cruelty... Those were the privileges of victors. They were merely exercising their rights.

Escaping Mole glanced twice at the tightly sealed iron door, feeling a twinge of regret.

During the New Alliance’s first military campaign against Sunset Province, their command had diverted the Heart of Steel airship to the City of Abundance and deployed the Skeleton Corps toward Lost Valley.

Back then, Griffin anticipated that the New Alliance had discovered their plans and laid an ambush east of Lost Valley with all their armored units.

Even now, Escaping Mole had to admit, the guy was a genius.

Back then, the Skeleton Corps had been completely caught off guard.

If not for various unpredictable factors outside the battlefield, if not for the Enterprise-supplied Model 60 Railgun, Griffin’s plan might have worked.

And earlier still, without Battlefield Cheerleader’s reports from Camp 530, the Lion Kingdom might never have had time to prepare for war.

Even though his plans repeatedly fell short, that guy had always managed to recover, right up until his last breath.

Even without digging up old grievances with the Bonechewer Clan, the New Alliance had already come close to destruction at that boss’s hands at least twice. Shifting his gaze from the iron door, Escaping Mole looked toward Karloff in the observation post.

"Setting aside the destruction, your commander was a truly impressive opponent... I’m glad he’s dead, though I do regret that he didn’t die by our hands."

Karloff’s expression shifted slightly. His throat bobbed, but he said nothing. He merely nodded silently in thanks and turned back toward the bunker.

At the same time, in Falcon City.

Sitting in a castle room, Cohen finally received a call from Acting Commander General Yalek after a long wait.

"We’ve arrived in Farwest City. Damn, this place is dirt poor," came Yalek’s relaxed voice.

Though he would only get to play commander for a few days, he was thoroughly enjoying the taste of commanding tens of thousands of troops. Back under Griffin, he’d only been a glorified errand boy, often caught between senior officers and junior commanders, suffering on both ends. Those miserable days were finally over.

"Has everyone withdrawn?"

"We are all out, except Griffin’s personal guard. They insisted on staying. I couldn’t convince them, so I let them be."

Cohen nodded.

Griffin’s loyalists weren’t his concern. If they were so eager to die, he would let them.

"You’ll need to remain there for a while. Once the ceasefire takes effect, General Adelia will bring you home."

Yalek replied cheerfully, "That’s great news."

After those words, both sides fell silent for a moment, as if each expected the other to say more. But the quiet didn’t last long.

Seeing that the governor-general wasn’t speaking, Yalek finally broke the silence. "Sir... did we lose?"

Cohen answered crisply, "The ceasefire negotiations don’t include such statements. You will return to Triumphant City with the claim of victory."

Each side would declare themselves the winner. That was the narrative they owed their people.

Relieved to hear what he wanted, Yalek exhaled. "Understood."

Just as he and the other captains, commanders, and generals had guessed, the Army would never surrender to the Enterprise, let alone to the New Alliance.

The Enterprise wasn’t naive enough to think that a single victory meant the East Coast had surpassed the West Coast.

As for those opportunistic wastelanders... In the eyes of those important figures, they were likely hoping to fish for some benefits. They were naive and laughable in the eyes of anyone important, but if problems could be solved with bribes, they weren’t real problems. He wouldn’t waste energy bickering over scraps. If those barbarians wanted them, Cohen would let them have it.

Cohen had already made concessions where his authority allowed. He tacitly allowed the New Alliance to punish the vassal states, diverted supplies originally meant for Griffin to others, and turned a blind eye to their occupation of Bist Town...

In exchange, the New Alliance would return a number of prisoners, including General McClennan and General Swofte, and would allow the garrison at Horn Fortress to lay down their arms and withdraw with dignity.

Those rescued officers and prisoners, along with the factions in Triumphant City, would all be grateful to him. Not only had he preserved their strength, but he had also helped them secure a victory they hadn’t won on the battlefield. They would be indebted to him. It would be a huge political asset.

"Oh, Governor-General Cohen..." Yalek suddenly remembered something and asked.

Cohen replied casually, "What is it?"

Yalek hesitated briefly, then reported truthfully. "We didn’t recover Griffin’s body... The cause of death is suspicious."

Cohen replied indifferently, "Let it go. If someone wants to collect his corpse, let them. It’s not important."

He had already warned Joseph not to count on saving that man, though he hadn’t expected him to die. Still, the outcome wasn’t a bad one.

A mere three star general trying to hold Triumphant City hostage? He felt that those upstart officers really dreamed big.

Guess that’s the boldness of someone with nothing to lose.

If he had returned alive, things wouldn’t have gone well for him. Dying out there might even let him go down as a tragic hero. It was thanks to guidance from the Eastern Army Commander.

Cohen chuckled softly and shook his head, then casually hung up the phone, as if settling a trivial matter.

...

The next day.

The conference hall of Falcon City’s castle was packed.

Not long ago, the place had been desolate, with each side sending only a few representatives and even fewer speaking up. But now, the once-spacious meeting table felt almost crowded.

On the Army side, aside from Cohen, the governor-general appointed by Triumphant City and a five star general, nearly every officer who hadn’t been captured was present, including newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Joseph and the Adjudicator’s General Adelia.

On the Enterprise’s side, in addition to Wu Changnian of the Enterprise Management Group, a whole host of subordinates and delegates from the five major corporations had arrived, Yi Chuan from Silver Wing Corporate Group, Yun Ye from Endpoint Group, Wu Mu from the Long Axe Group, Li Changkong from Ideal Corporation, and two androids from the Health Luxury Corporate Group.

Besides those prominent figures, Chu Guang also spotted several journalists from Ideal City.

Among them were some from Distant Times, and others whose logos looked vaguely familiar, likely journalists who had previously reported about Dawn City. Given the historical significance of the ceasefire talks and the fact that photos and footage would be replayed countless times, Chu Guang had been mindful of his expressions since stepping into the hall.

And just as he expected, the moment he entered, nearly every camera lens turned toward him.

"The administrator of Shelter 404 and the New Alliance!" a reporter from Futurism Daily whispered excitedly. "I heard he’s from the pre-war era!"

"Where did you hear that?" A reporter from Omniscent Broadcasts cast a surprised look her way.

"During an interview in Dawn City."

"But he looks like he’s only in his twenties."

"So what? Aren’t all shelter administrators old popsicles thawed out from cryosleep? He might be a 200 year old monster!"

The journalists from Ideal City chattered noisily. Though it didn’t stand out too much in the chaotic room, it still annoyed Li Ke, especially when they tried to interview him.

Thank goodness there are no pests like them in the Wandering Swamp. Otherwise, who knows when disaster would strike... These nosy creatures are harder to guard against than mutant crocodiles in the wetlands.

Some New Alliance soldiers nearby were also giving him odd looks...

It was pretty hard to describe. They were like merchants from the Golden Lizard Kingdom staring at a pile of gold coins.

Looking at Chu Guang, who sat beside him, Li Ke leaned over and lowered his voice to ask, "Why are there so many people here all of a sudden?"

"Well, it’s a historic moment. Isn’t it normal to barge in here and squeeze their way into to take a group photo even though they’re not involved in the war?" Chu Guang smiled, then, realizing this might offend their northern allies. He politely added, "Of course, I meant the reporters."

Li Ke coughed lightly, "You didn’t need to clarify..."

"Quiet, please." At last, after signing the papers, representative for the Enterprise, Wu Changnian, clapped his hands, signaling the rowdy reporters and nobles from the Falcon Kingdom to settle down.

Once the room grew a bit quieter, he began to speak in a measured tone. "Thank you all for your support and cooperation. Today’s peace wouldn’t have been possible without your efforts."

"A contract that has lasted a century and a half shall continue. This dying world needs no more war. In the face of an existential crisis, we must unite to confront our common threats and explore a shared future..."

After speaking for over ten minutes, during which some Army representatives began yawning, Wu Changnian finally wrapped up, handing the three signed copies of the agreement to his aide, who then passed them to the Wislander officer standing at the side.

"So much nonsense," Cohen muttered, spitting to the side. He picked up a pen and signed his name sharply on all three copies before pushing them across the table to Chu Guang.

The contents had already been confirmed many times. This final signature was just for show.

He was eager to finish the tedious ceremony and clean up the mess left by Klaas so he could retake control of the Falcon Kingdom from the New Alliance.

After all... Even if they hadn’t technically lost the war, the agreement’s contents were far from glorious for the Army.

Most of the New Alliance’s real gains weren’t even on paper.

Chu Guang skimmed through the document. Besides terms like military withdrawal and force limitations, only three clauses truly mattered for the New Alliance.

The Army and Falcon Kingdom agreed to an unconditional ceasefire.

The Heart of Steel airship and Bist Town, both formerly under the Army’s control, would remain with the New Alliance under the principle of maintaining the status quo.

Regarding Shelter 0, each side would send one or two delegates to investigate, with the Academy sending a staff as an observer.

After confirming the content, Chu Guang signed at the bottom of the ceasefire agreement under the watchful eyes of all participants.

Tradition dictated that he give a speech at such a moment, but long-winded declarations weren’t his style.

Setting down the pen, Chu Guang turned to Old White, Sideline Slacking, Spring Water Commander, and other commanders nearby as he nodded. "It is an honor to witness this moment with all of you. This victory belongs to us."