Chapter 52: The Conference of the Alliance
It's just before noon and Milla leads our group towards the building that the meeting will take place. Keeping with the theme of being in the centre, a nation in the centre of the continent, a city in the centre of the nation, it's a building in the centre of the city, the Shining Arena. On the ground level, it is an open-air arena where many different competitions are held. But underneath are is a large conference room, well actually its supposedly a former part of the arena where less than savoury fights that were not to be publicly shown would take place but it has since been repurposed into a conference room. And this is exactly where we are now, with everyone's eyes on us as the last group to arrive.
In the large room, there is an elongated table with the leaders of the other factions and their entourage. We take a seat on the left side of the table which also seats the Giant's group. On the right side are the Humans, Dwarves, and Elves. At the end of the table is an aged solitary Dwarf.
Noticing my wandering eyes, Lia leans over to my ear and briefly introduces who they are. "This is the Giant Chieftain, Patriarch Draul. That old human is Current Doge of the Republic, Doge Olsen. The Dwarf opposite of us is one of the representatives of the Dwarven Confederation, Skorsug. The annoying old Elf is the same one from the other day, Elder Folmer. As for the Dwarf by the end of the table, he is the current magistrate who presides over Draelgium, Thrasin."
So I guess that's all the important people. Taking one more look around the room I notice that one of the Elves look a little familiar. Not because of the dispute we had the other day, I can already see everyone from that argument. But one of Elves opposite of us wasn't there yesterday yet I can't help but feel as if I've seen him before. Compared to the other Elves that accompanied the Elder, this one seems much younger, as if he was a young adult being brought around by his grandparents... a young-looking elf with short blonde hair... is it the same guy from back then? Damn it! I had nearly forgotten about that, now I can see those disgusting rats in my head! But if it is him, then we are probably not the only group that has other plans for the conference.
In a whisper, I speak softly to Milla and Lia, "Watch out for that young elf with the short hair. I think he is the same guy I fought with several months ago, the one with the... unusual interest."
"I've already figured out the Elves, like us, have other plans similar to ours. But I wasn't able to figure it out earlier. Since you already know, I don't think I need to remind the two of you, but keep watch for any suspicious movement from the Elves and follow the plan. The Giants and Dwarves should be relatively content with the status quo and the Humans are just looking to make a profit. So long as we don't provoke them I don't think they will get too involved with the upcoming bout with the Elves."
All the groups are going through their own internal discussion at the same time as us. After a few minutes, Magistrate Thrasin brings down a large war hammer into the floor, directing everyone's attention towards him.
"I believe you have all had enough time for your team discussions, But it is about time to move forward with the annual Alliance Conference. Let us start with means of addressing the recent monster activities plague much of our country."
As soon as the signal was given for the start of this meeting, Doge Olsen waits no time at all at bringing up a suggestion. "In light of the recent uprising in monster aggression, I propose that we establish a trade expedition with the hopes of establishing a new deal with the Lausiel Empire from across the sea. Everyone knows that their technology is far better than most of the nation of Talonia, so I believe there is much benefit for us all if we could fund this expedition as a nation, over it being a mere personal endeavour. I'm sure you Dwarves would like the chance to study the new weapon they have developed, matchlock, I believe that was what it was called. And it can certainly be of use for the raids the Khanate partake in, as well as the hunting activities of the Giants and Elves. Has there not been a recent spike in monster aggression lately as well? I've heard that the training needed for these matchlocks are a mere fraction of the training needed to be proficient at the bow. Arming new soldiers with these might be an effective way of dealing with the recent monster problem."
"We Giants do not need any new weapons from cowards who don't dare fight on the front lines. We simply increase the frequency of our hunts, simply more food for us to eat."
As Patriarch Draul finishes his rebuttal of the Doge's proposition, Milla speaks out against it as well. "The Khanate is also in no need of new weapons to deal with the recent monster aggression. We have our own way of dealing with it through the help of our guardian. In addition, our cavalry is in no hurry to arm ourselves with weapons that are rumoured to occasionally explode. Moreover, do we even know if the Lausiel Empire will even sell their technology to us? I too disagree with the Doge's proposal."
Milla, your so called guardian doesn't want to deal with all the monsters by herself... I had thought that there would be some big ones to deal with, but the reality was that my thoughts were wrong. There were a couple of large monsters that offered a lot of rewards for me, but most of the time it's nothing more than a mass gathering of cannon fodder. But I keep my thoughts to myself since in the end, despite the tedious nature of the tasks, they actually will often provide more experience and biomatter than killing a single big monster solely due to the sheer amount there is.
By the end of the discussion on Doge Olsen's proposal, the vote came down to Dragonoids and Giants against, while the Humans and Elves are for, and the Dwarves are undecided. In the end, the expedition will still take place but it will be considered a private movement from the Republic and the Elves and will not be funded by the five factions.
Magistrate Thrasin swings his hammer into the floor once again to bring attention back to him. "Now the Doge's proposal is behind us, there is still the matter of the rising monster aggression. Since it seems that most of us have some way of dealing with it we can temporarily put the matter on hold. But I have been receiving reports of a massive winged monster showing up in many of the country's territory. Most of the time, the reports show that this monster appears in the Steppe regions, but there are still many reports of this monster being sighted in all of our territories. It tends to disappear from sight with a blinding light before anyone is able to identify it, so we still don't know the true identity of this monster outside of the description. A large blue feathered serpentine monster with large wings and a pair of antlers on its head. As it has been seen many times in the steppe, what does Khatun Milla have to say about this monster."
Uh-oh, I think my secret trips just got revealed. Thankfully when I am at the mountain base, I am either at the summit above the clouds or deep in the pit I dug out, so people looking from afar shouldn't know my affiliation yet and are simply asking Milla as the one in charge of the region. But the sharp look at got from Milla says all I need to know... I should have been more discreet in my secret trips out from the steppe.
"I don't think there is any need to worry. This monster mostly picks on other monsters. So I do not believe there is a problem as long as no one provokes her."
"Her? You seem rather familiar with the creature."
The old Magistrate looks my way and I feel that chilling feeling of being inspected again. As the feeling disappears, Magistrate Thrasin just nods at me and continues. "I think I understand now. just don't let her cause too many problems."
Before anyone can get the chance to settle the issue of my sporadic appearances across the Alliance, the Elven Elder speaks up in objection. "I disagree with the words of Khatun Milla. One of my subordinates has personally fought with the beast and can personally attest that it is a potential threat and we should organise a party hunt the monster."
So they're making there move first, time for things to get interesting.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Akkre_Kojuuin
Akkre_Kojuuin I got up late again, but it was on purpose because I was tired. I also got distracted several times and took a break for lunch so the chapter is a couple of hours later than I wanted it to be.
Plans are starting to move forward, just what do the Elves have in store, for us? I don't even know, so I'll think about it.
Have a good day everyone.
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