Chapter 1713: of the peace talks?
The first meeting of the Cosmic Military Alliance led by the Conqueror Civilization and the Holy Elf Empire.
It's called a cosmic military alliance, but in reality, it's just the Holy Elf Empire.
Or to be more precise, it was the'stage' for the two elf kings, Kaguya Onyons and Salamander.
The other eight people were all 'actors' they temporarily hired.
The only requirement is to prolong this negotiation meeting as much as possible.
It's important to know that these eight people weren't chosen randomly.
Those were all carefully selected by the Elf King Onyne.
"You should all be clear about the mission this time," said Onyrons, the Elf King of Kaguya, addressing the eight people of different ranks and statuses.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty the Elf King, we excel at this kind of wrangling!"
"We promise we will not disappoint the two Elf Kings!"
"Hehe, I never thought we could actually make a difference in this area."
These eight people are now all confident and ready to act.
Kaguya Elf King Onyne looked at the Flame Elf King Salam beside her.
The Flame Elf King Salam nodded.
Although they were in different places, they had entered a holographic projection room.
Once you agree, you can access the meeting room of the opposing Conqueror civilization.
Then, both sides can begin this holographic video negotiation meeting.
"Let's begin." Kaguya Elf King Onyons pressed the start button.
Soon, the scene in front of the ten of them changed.
A meadow appeared in the surrounding area.
On the grass, you can see a long table.
The ten of them sat on one side of the long table, while the ten representatives of the Conqueror Civilization sat on the other side.
This was also the first time the two sides had met on such a formal occasion.
Based on what Kaguya Elf King Onyne had known before.
The Conqueror Civilization itself is a multi-ethnic civilization, so among the ten people attending this meeting, several different races can be identified.
The largest ones are over three meters tall, and their entire bodies are extremely hard.
The smallest of them is only about one meter tall and looks harmless, but its head is very large, at least three times larger than that of a normal person, indicating that it should be the one with the highest intelligence.
The two sitting in the middle are clearly the leaders of the other side.
One was wearing a fancy uniform, while the other was wearing a military uniform.
If I'm not mistaken, one should be a civilian official, and the other should be a military commander.
Neither side spoke at first; the twenty people simply stared at each other with their eyes locked.
This awkward silence lasted for nearly five minutes before the office worker sitting in the middle finally spoke.
"Ahem, let me introduce myself."
I am an envoy from the Conqueror Civilization, and my name is Malthuslit.
This is our highest commander here, Grand Marshal Kevins.
These people...
The Elf King Onyne didn't even glance at the other eight people.
He just stared at the Grand Marshal Kevins, who stood opposite him with his arms crossed and looking down his nose at everyone.
This guy gave him a very uncomfortable feeling.
That concludes the introduction.
Kaguya Elf King Onyne also spoke up.
"I am Onyx, the current ruler of the Supreme Cosmic Military Alliance of our universe group and the Elf King of Kaguya."
This is also from our Holy Elf Empire, the Supreme Military Commander, the Flame Elf King Saloman.
"These people..." Kaguya Elf King Onyne introduced all the people he had brought with him.
He would never let go of such an opportunity to stall for time.
After the introduction was quickly completed, nearly twenty minutes had passed.
Knowing that the other side's envoy, Malthus Ritt, spoke rather slowly, he took the initiative to initiate the negotiation himself.
"The topic of our negotiations this time is that we hope your universe group can recognize the times and be wise enough to lay down your weapons and surrender to us."
We, the Conquerors civilization, are ready to welcome you to join us.
...” The special envoy, Malthus Ritt, started by rambling on and on.
In the past, the Elf King Onyne would have impatiently interrupted him long ago.
But now, the Elf King Onyne looked at the other party with a sincere expression, as if he were a very devout listener.
The expression on his face seemed to say, "I heard you. Say more, say more."
At first, the special envoy Malthus Ritt thought that the other side had really listened to what he said.
But he soon realized something was wrong.
These guys just listen without saying a single thing.
It's like watching yourself perform.
"Ahem, what are your thoughts, gentlemen?" Envoy Malthuslit looked eagerly at the two Elf Kings.
If this invasion can be ended without war, that would naturally be a good thing for them.
After all, the conqueror civilization is currently in a really bad situation, and invading this universe cluster at this time is a last resort.
Their war machine, which conquers civilizations, is nearing its limit.
The strategy of using war to sustain war is becoming increasingly unsustainable.
If they could take down this universe cluster without combat, it would undoubtedly solve their immediate crisis.
But the special envoy Malthustriet naturally wouldn't reveal these things, and his face didn't even show any expression.
He still maintained that aloof and superior demeanor.
"We are willing to talk to you."
"But I don't see any sincerity from you right now." The Elf King Onyneus, arms crossed, said calmly.
Before the other party could speak...
The Elf King Onyne pointed to the people beside him and said, "You talk to my subordinates first. I will only speak when I am satisfied with what you have said."
Let's continue our discussion.
Grand Marshal Kevins was clearly displeased with Kaguya Elf King Onyne's attitude, and he was already exuding a murderous aura.
If it weren't for the special envoy Malthuslit secretly holding him back, who knows what he'd be saying to the head of the Kaguya Elf King Onyne.
Meanwhile, the subordinates beside the Elf King Onyne were already impatient.
During the introduction, the Elf King Onyneus of Kaguya bestowed upon them certain identities.
For example, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cabinet Ministers of the Space Military Alliance.
Just hearing the name, it does sound quite intimidating.
However, within their cosmic clusters, those interstellar civilizations probably had no idea that such positions and titles existed within the Cosmic Military Alliance.
All of these decisions were just finalized by the Elf King Onyne.
"Our Lord Kaguya Elf King means that if you want us to surrender, you can't just listen to your words."
We need some concrete assurances, don't we?
"We are now, in this universe cluster, at least, the overlord of one of our universes, and we have a very high status."
How do we know that after we join your conqueror civilization, we won't still have our current status and wealth?
"Furthermore, how do we know if what you're saying is true?"
What if you go back on your word later?
"First, we need to write down everything we've agreed on in black and white, and then we need to have something that can completely convince us!"
They launched into a long and detailed explanation of their requests.
The special envoy, Malthustrier, kept talking, and the two sides went back and forth, as if they were really going to finalize the peace talks.
They talked back and forth like this for ten hours straight.
"Now we can confirm it, right?"
We have confirmed all the conditions you just mentioned, and we will try our best to finalize the rest as soon as possible.
We will preserve the existence of your Holy Elf Empire as a lord in your current universe, requiring only the payment of a portion of taxes.
You are still your Elf King, your nobles, and nothing has changed.
"Even under the protection of our conqueror civilization, you need not worry about external threats," said Envoy Malthuslit.
He was incredibly excited, as if he could see unparalleled achievements beckoning to him.
"No, we have to wait until everything is settled."
"Only then can we make an announcement to the public." One negotiator directly refused.
"How long will that take?" At this moment, Grand Marshal Kevins couldn't help but slam his fist on the table and ask.
The negotiator said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Then let me ask you about the compensation and related terms."
We also demand that you withdraw the vast majority of your legion's fleet.
When will you be able to do that?!
"Withdrawal is absolutely impossible!"
"How do we know you won't go back on your word!" Grand Marshal Kevins sneered.
"The Grand Marshal is right."
You are worried that we will go back on our word, and we are just as worried that you will break your promise.
We should be the ones who are more worried.
For us, this is a huge gamble.
If we lose the bet, and you break the agreement and then wipe us all out, what can we do?
But what do you lose by withdrawing your troops?
It's just a matter of time; your vast conqueror civilization still has a chance to make a comeback!
"So we should be the ones who are afraid!" the negotiator said emphatically.
The two sides then engaged in another heated verbal exchange.
Kaguya Elf King Onyne watched this scene with a cold face, but he was overjoyed.
These guys were really putting in a lot of effort; he couldn't find any loopholes in their nonsense.
And the other side was helpless.
Ideally, this delay would continue indefinitely.
At this moment, the Flame Elf Queen Salam spoke up, squinting at the other party: "Since neither side has any sincerity in negotiating."
Let's not waste any more time here, let's just end it here!
"Wait, wait."
Why did it end like this?
We just have a few minor issues; we haven't worked out yet.
"We can still discuss this!" the special envoy Malthuslit said anxiously.
With the negotiations on the verge of success, how could he possibly let such a sure thing slip away?
Naturally, there was constant dissuasion.
Their gazes involuntarily turned to Onyne, the elven king of Kaguya.
During the current negotiations, he could tell that the Kaguya Elf King Onyne had shown an intention to negotiate.
At this moment, the Kaguya Elf King Onyne looked at the Flame Elf King Salam and said, "Don't be in such a hurry."
How could something so important be settled so quickly?
Who doesn't need to go through three or four rounds of negotiations like this?
After all, this is a matter of life and death for our civilization.
The Flame Elf King Salamander snorted coldly and offered no comment.
At this moment, the Elf King Onyne looked at the other party's envoy Malthuslit and said with a smile, "Judging from the current situation..."
Our negotiations have indeed reached a stalemate.
Instead of wasting time here, let's just leave it at that for now.
Let's both go back first and then discuss it further.
Let's organize the information, and you should also take a good look at the conditions we proposed, especially the condition of temporarily withdrawing most of the legion's fleet.
You should discuss this internally and give us a definite answer.
How about we schedule another time to discuss this later?
Envoy Malthus Ritt grew anxious when he saw that the other party was preparing to end the conversation.
At this moment, Grand Marshal Kevins, who was standing next to him, said with a sneer, "From what I'm seeing, you seem to be trying to stall for time."
I know that you exist within your universe.
There is a powerful interstellar civilization called the Dragon Star Empire.
We are currently engaged in a sworn duel with the devouring civilization.
Are you planning to stall for time until that so-called Dragon Star Empire finishes its oath duel, and then turn around and intercept us?
So, they're trying to use this negotiation as a pretext to stall for time with us.
In reality, you had no intention of surrendering at all, right?
Am I right?
The two Elf Kings of the Holy Elf Empire.
Moreover, it seems that this Flame Elf King Salamander has a close relationship with that Dragon Emperor!
At this point, you should surrender.
How are you going to explain this to that Emperor Xiaolong?
The Grand Marshal Kevins of the Conqueror Civilization exuded an imposing aura, and even as a holographic image, he exerted a powerful pressure on everyone present.
It was as if it was suffocating everyone.
The Flame Elf King Salamander looked at Grand Marshal Kevins opposite him without any fear and said calmly, "Surrender is a matter of..."
I never thought that dying on the battlefield would be an honor for me as a soldier.
I only came because these people insisted on dragging me here.
They kept saying things like "for the future of the Holy Elf Empire" and "for the sake of the bigger picture."
Hahaha, utter nonsense.
A bunch of cowards.
I'm not going to waste my breath arguing with you guys here.
"If you want to fight, then let's keep fighting!"