Chapter 97: CONFRONTATION WITH THE GLOBAL ENVOYS

The high altitude, heavily armored transport aircraft bearing the silver and blue crest of the World Hunter Federation descended rapidly through the grey cloud layer, its heavy twin engines whining loudly as it touched down on the cracked runway of the central capital airfield.

As the aircraft’s pressurized hydraulic doors hissed open with a cloud of white vapor, a chilled, biting wind swept across the wide tarmac, carrying the faint, metallic scent of ozone, burnt steel, and dried blood from the previous battle. Stepping slowly down the motorized stairs were three senior plenipotentiary diplomats clad in immaculate tailored suits, accompanied by two imposing, armor clad figures World Class S Rank Hunter Vance representing North America and World Class S Rank Hunter Ymir representing Northern Europe. Both elite guards radiated thick, high tier kinetic mana barriers that shimmering like pale blue glass around their bodies.

However, the moment their leather boots hit the solid concrete runway, both World Class Hunters instantly froze in their tracks. Their pupils dilated in sheer, instinctual panic, and their breath hitched in their throats.

Standing along both edges of the three thousand foot tarmac, arranged in two flawless, motionless military lines that stretched as far as the eye could see, were Three Thousand Shadow Knights. Their pitch black adamantine armors leaked swirling, dark Monarch miasma that visibly ate into the afternoon sunlight, their glowing golden violet eyes staring down at the arriving international delegation with cold, absolute, and unyielding hostility. The ambient temperature across the airfield plummeted toward sub zero levels in an instant.

"This... this isn’t a formal diplomatic reception..." Envoy Harrison, the head of the North American Delegation, stammered nervously, clutching his leather briefcase tightly as he wiped cold sweat from his forehead with a trembling handkerchief. "This is an army of high tier spectral entities... Every single one of them registers at high S Rank mana output!"

"Quiet, Harrison," Hunter Vance growled softly, his hand resting tightly on the hilt of his glowing frost broadsword, though his knees trembled slightly under the suffocating atmospheric density filling the open air. "Keep your eyes straight forward and do not make any sudden movements. If we show a single second of physical weakness now, we won’t live long enough to leave this runway."

At the far end of the tarmac, hovering three feet above the cracked asphalt, sat the dark phantom throne of the Ominous Sovereign.

Renan leaned casually against the left armrest of his throne, his long black Monarch coat trailing majestically over the edge. His glowing golden eyes observed the advancing international delegation with complete, unyielding indifference. Glowing Monarch runes burned brightly across his chest, neck, and forearms, projecting the quiet, crushing physical density of his 45,000 physical stat points. Every calm breath he took seemed to subtly distort the surrounding light into faint golden rings.

Flanking him on his left and right were Shadow General Ignis and Shadow Commander James, their spectral weapons pulsing with dark, suppressed Monarch mana that distorted the air around them.

The three diplomats and their two World Class guards stopped exactly twenty paces from the base of the phantom throne, bowing their heads slightly in a rigid, forced diplomatic gesture.

"Greetings, Sovereign Renan," Envoy Harrison spoke up, his voice wavering slightly despite his best efforts to project international authority and composure. "We represent the Extraordinary Executive Council of the World Hunter Federation in Geneva. We have travelled across the ocean to deliver the official terms and mandates of the international community regarding the sudden collapse of this nation’s Hunter Association."

Renan did not move, nor did he offer a single word of welcome or political formality. He merely tilted his head slightly, gesturing impassively with his dark gloved hand for the diplomat to state his business.

Harrison cleared his throat nervously, unfolding a heavy parchment document sealed with gold foil and official Federation ribbons.

"The World Federation fully recognizes your extraordinary martial prowess and absolute strength, Sovereign Renan," Harrison read aloud, his voice echoing across the silent tarmac. "However, the unilateral execution of a recognized head of state, the total erasure of the Association council, and the unauthorized seizure of national mana vaults directly violate the Global Hunter Security Accord of 2012. Therefore, the International Council demands: First, the immediate opening of all Class S Gate Containment Vaults to international inspection teams. Second, the reinstatement of an interim international oversight board to manage local hunter licenses. Third, an immediate ceiling cap placed upon your personal faction asset accumulation."

Harrison paused for a brief moment, looking up nervously from his paper to gauge Renan’s reaction, but Renan’s golden eyes remained completely unreadable.

"In direct exchange for your compliance," Harrison continued quickly, "the World Federation will grant your ’Ominous Territory’ official international sovereign recognition, grant your faction full voting seat rights in Geneva, and waive all pending economic sanctions."

A heavy, suffocating silence descended upon the airfield like a shroud. The howling wind itself seemed to stop blowing as the surrounding three thousand Shadow Knights tightened their grips on their phantom spears in absolute unison.

Shadow Commander James stepped forward smoothly from Renan’s side, a cold, mocking phantom chuckle echoing from beneath his dark obsidian visor. "You offer voting seat rights to a Sovereign who holds the absolute power to burn your entire assembly hall in Geneva to cinders in a single afternoon?"

Hunter Vance stepped forward aggressively, unsheathing his glowing frost broadsword halfway from its scabbard as his pale blue mana flared angrily around his armor. "Watch your tongue, dead shadow! We are speaking on behalf of five billion citizens and thirty international super guilds! If your master rejects these reasonable terms, the Fifth Pacific Fleet stationed offshore will enforce a total maritime blockade that will starve this nation of all international trade and resources!"

Renan slowly sat up straight on his phantom throne. He did not draw his dark blade, nor did he call upon his commanders to execute the threat. He simply released a small fraction of his unsuppressed physical aura into the atmosphere.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

An invisible, multi ton gravitational shockwave slammed down onto the five international representatives like a falling mountain of solid iron!

CRACK CRUNCH!

Both World Class Hunters, Vance and Ymir, gasped in pure horror as their high tier kinetic mana barriers shattered instantly like thin sheets of brittle glass! The sheer, unyielding physical density of 45,000 Physical Stat Points forced both elite guards and the three diplomats straight down onto their knees, smashing their faces hard against the cracked asphalt runway!

"A ARGH!" Hunter Vance spat a mouthful of blood onto the pavement, his back muscles screaming as he struggled frantically to raise his head, but the immense physical weight pressing down on his spine felt like an entire mountain range resting upon his shoulders!

Renan descended slowly from his phantom throne, his dark leather boots clicking softly against the runway as he walked toward the kneeling envoys. He stopped two paces in front of the trembling Envoy Harrison, looking down at the diplomat with glowing golden eyes that burned like twin suns.

"You brought paper terms and cheap threats to a Monarch who conquered this land with blood and steel," Renan whispered, his layered, double toned voice vibrating directly through their skulls and rattling their teeth. "Go back to Geneva, Harrison. Tell your Chairman that I do not negotiate for recognition from sheep."

Renan turned his back on them, walking slowly toward the central vehicle column as he gestured casually with his left hand.

"If the World Federation wants my land, my vaults, or my strength..." Renan said softly, his voice chilling the surrounding air to sub zero temperatures, "...tell them to send their armies instead of paper pushers."