***
This time it was Anin who was inside John's office to finish the deal for General Nokhud and other prisoners.
John looked at Anin and spoke, "Ok, we will not beat around the bush. How much are you willing to pay for your men? Or are you going to disown them. However, don't think that I will take this lying down. You know, there are a lot of pirates in the seas so you too may face some hardships."
Anin had a face as if he was eating shit when he heard John, He thought, 'This guy is practically blackmailing us and trying to extort us in plain sight. And people say that he is righteous, Bullshit! He is simply a bandit. Okay, let's negotiate from our lowest offer for now.'
Anin sighed and spoke as if he was really being butchered, "We are willing to give you guys 20 million gold coins for our prisoners and peace of both the nations."
John furrowed his brows and spoke, "Just 20 million for your army which you raised for 5-10 years? I know how much resources you poured on them. Your General spoke a lot when we interrogated him."
Anin thoughts, 'Hmph, Bluff as much as you want. You want to sow discord between us? In your dreams.'
As if he was angry, Anin spoke in anger, "Lord John, you may be rich but we aren't, The most I can give you is 27 Million Gold coins. And this is our bottom line."
Looking at Anin, John thought and spoke, "27 Million Gold coins isn't enough, How about 27 Million gold coins and access to your markets. We won't touch your sensitive industries like Magic metal mines and others."
Anin thought and spoke, "Hmm… it is possible to give you access to markets but we would require access to your Ships and Mana restoring pills which you are going to sell to Fire-abyss, Aelius and other countries."
John didn't think more as his goal was achieved as he pretended to think for some time and spoke, "Okay, you can get access to them. And yes, stop trying to probe in our factories. Your men's theatrics are quite funny to be very honest. If your men are seen near Military factories next time, then there will be a public show. If you don't know about them then you better ask others."
Anin sighed and thought, 'I guess it can't be hidden from them. Anyway, buying their items and reverse engineering is enough for now.'
Anin showed a shocked expression and spoke, "Ohh, I think those guys might not know about the laws of Aelius and might be simply curious and hence the offense of new travelers."
John snorted as he heard him and spoke, "Anyway, you better prepare 27 Million and make an official announcement for the agreement later on. Only then will you be allowed to meet the prisoners. And yes stop trying to interfere in the affairs of Tornwall."
Anin had a pale face when he heard John but nodded and spoke, "Okay, I will later bring in a contract and prepare the required 27 Million. I will take my leave for now."
Anin thought as he left, 'The deal was better than what we expected apart from the talk about Tornwall. Access to those ships and Mana restoring Pills is a bargain for 27 Million Gold coins. From now on, I will see how that Fjord tries to extort us.'
Anin laughed hysterically as he was going down from the corridor which was heard by some people in the Palace.
***
At the same time, in the island, east of Ayananore near the violent sea belt.
The undead king was looking at Crystal as he sensed that the Crystal had lighted.
He muttered slowly, "It seems he has used space magic. I better start my preparations and leave as soon as possible."
The undead king signaled as the generals under his command started making preparations.
***
This time, it was Plato along with Joel and Princess Rona who were at John's office along with Quill.
Quill's secretary was entertaining the guests with snacks as both sides remained quiet.
Joel's sight was attracted towards glassware as he didn't dare to speak without Plato's signal as he knew who was the guy with power.
Looking that Plato wasn't going to speak. John smiled and spoke to Princess Rona, "Your Highness Rona, how was your trip here at Sky? Was there anything that was not to your liking?"
Princess Rona was quite shrewd as she spoke, "No, everything was good. However, I didn't like the abrupt auction or else I would have bought that Magic staff."
John smiled as he nodded and spoke, "I liked your honesty. How about this."
John signaled Quill's secretary who was prepared and bought the Magic staff which was packed in the box.
John thought, 'It seems, she also is a high leveled magician at Level 34. Anyway, lets see how long Plato will remain silent if I gift Princess Rona and make her owe me a favor.'
John spoke as the Secretary brought the Ice-fire magic staff, "Take this magic staff as a gift."
Princess Rona was quite surprised at John's generosity as she looked at Plato's eyes which were irritated.
Before Princess Rona could say anything, Plato sighed and spoke, "Your Majesty John, lets not waste our time and get to important discussions. Lets first finish today's agenda which is related to the North-south peace deal."
John spoke as if he was uninterested, "Haven't we negotiated the terms already? I thought this was just a meeting for namesake. Okay, what are your requests? I will do what I have in my power."
Hearing John's tone, Plato was quite frustrated but swallowed it as it not the time to fight, "Ok, I heard you are selling Mana-Restoring Pills to Bryndyll. As far as I know, you promised that we too would have access to it if we are sincere enough. Comparing your deal with Bryndll and comparing your deal with us. You are simply butchering us. Just 27 million gold coins for their prisoners of war? His bragging just pissed me off."
John thought as he heard Plato, 'It looks like that Anin deliberately spoke about our deal to Plato.'
John spoke harshly as soon as he heard him, "Please remember, you guys were the invaders and as for Bryndyll their navy simply didn't know where they were going and hence the misunderstanding and our conflict. And what are you going to do about the Greenwoods village massacre? You know, we have witnesses when this incident took place."
Hearing about the Greenwoods Massacre almost choked Rona and Joel who were simply eating the snacks leisurely.
Joel thought as he sneakily looked at the duo, 'It seems he still won't forgive Lord Hector. Anyway, these are just scaring tactics.'
Rona meanwhile thought as she pitied Prince Hector, 'It seems nephew Hector has made a stubborn enemy. He is quite lucky that he isn't assassinated up until now.'
Plato like his usual self spoke without minding John's fake rage, "We are investigating that case, After we find the perpetrators we will tell you the details. For now, Antonio is under house arrest at Baron Mendez's domain but he too can't be suspected since this seems like a sinister plot of those mercenaries to bring down the nobles' honor. However, we want the same treatment as Bryndyll's "
