Chương 16: Chapter Sixteen.

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~~~Tharlan, Xandarian Empire~~~

~~~June 1942~~~

The U.S. Seventh Fleet arrived on the shores of Tharlan an hour after the end of the battle between the Xandarian forces and the Japanese Fleet, having crossed from Qarth to Tharlan for 'helping' to fight the Japanese in a joint effort.

No flashy, their help came late, and likewise, was never needed, the Enderman, the Guarden, the Wyverns, the Xandarian warships, and their monarchs were more than necessary to exterminate the invading enemy forces.

Still, whether the Japanese fleet had been destroyed, the damage had been done, and Xandarian pride and nationalism had been wounded, which would only mean War.

Azrael knew that the time in which they found themselves, precisely in the year 1942, was the respective year right in the middle of the Second World War, and Azrael was not interested at any time in entering into that conflict, indeed, if it were up to him, he would be a capybara, friend of all and enemy of no one. Unfortunately for his enemies, this vision could not become a reality, and Japan attacked forces that were beyond his military reach.

Still, Azrael had not the initiative to go to war, because he was first getting more information on the big picture of the current world. After all, as Cersei once said, power is power, and knowledge is.

Chester Nimitz, U.S. Admiral and Commander-in-Chief in charge of the U.S. Seventh Fleet stationed on Tharlan, was gathered together with senior U.S. commanders in Tharlan's stately palace, where a secret closed-door meeting was taking place between U.S. military leaders and Azrael and Xandarian Ministers.

"Xandar, for hundreds of thousands of years has been invisible to the outside world, not out of fear or dread of world rejection or negativity, no, but because Xandar is not interested in world affairs beyond its borders, where people who dare to call themselves powerful hold power in high regard," Azrael, dressed in Imperial garments representative of Xandarian culture, addressed all those gathered in the room.

He had thought about it and discussed it at length with Isabella and Valka, several meetings were held in the Privy Council, and the conclusion was reached to pass off Xandar as an Empire that had been kept secret under technological effects to remain unseen.

While this move could create thousands of questions without clear answers, it was better to have the backing of a history to go with it, so they could pass as an Earth nation with advanced powers that had refused to show itself to the world, rather than showing itself as an Empire of a different world, which would lead to negative reactions from the world leaders and inhabitants of this 'new' world towards a powerful alien country.

"But now, Xandarian pride has been wounded, and what I feared has come true, and that is having to initiate a war with a nation that Xandar never had hostile relations with, nor any relations at all to any degree, that is why, now, in front of you, representatives of the American nation of America, I give my word, that Xandarian forces will not foment any conflict with your nation, as a result of the relationship that exists between our nations, it is thus, as I ask you, before it is too late, to withdraw your forces from territories near Japan, because dragon fire does not recognize friend from foe." Azrael finished his speech, which was being listened to attentively by the Americans.

"You know that is impossible, Emperor," Chester wasted no time in making his points known, "The United States cannot withdraw its forces from acquired territory in the Pacific now unless we want a response from Japan that involves Japan retaking those important positions in the Pacific."

"You need not abandon your efforts, but give enough space so as not to fall into open fire, after the fury of Xandar is poured out against your attackers, you will be free to take what is left of Japan." Azrael leaned back in the chair he was sitting in, waiting for the American representatives' acceptance, and he didn't have to wait long.

"What do you want in return for this?" Chester saw behind Azrael's altruistic proposal, recognizing that a nation like Xandar would not agree to wipe out an enemy nation just because they were attacked, he had seen the reports, and only four Xandarian ships had been destroyed, with only a few hundred soldiers injured, beyond that, Xandar had a crushing victory, sinking two Japanese carriers in the conflict. "It's more than clear that you can fight Japan and beat them, you don't need to give information about it, so what are you looking for with this?"

So there was no concise reason for Azrael to initiate a war against Japan if he did not see an opportunity on the horizon, either with Japan or with the nation that would benefit most from Japan's defeat, and in this case, it was the United States that would benefit from it, so it was obvious that Azrael wanted something in return, or he would not tell them about his future conflict with Japan.

"The Panama Canal," was Azrael's simple reply, earning several hardened faces from the American ministers present, as well as Secretary of State Cordell Hull, who thought nothing of the proposal and immediately refused. "I am afraid that will not be possible, the Panama Canal is under American power with the signing of the Hay-Bunau Varilla treaty, it is impossible to grant canal rights to a foreign nation, especially at this time of crisis such as the war."

"I am thrilled that you have spoken, Secretary of State, and that is why I make an offer," Azrael, with narrowed gaze and calculating temper, expounded, at which point a man entered the room, being followed by two witches.

"This man here, his name is Raggo, he is a private who lost his arm in the conflict that took place only a day ago," Azrael began to explain why Raggo was in the room, though many of the Americans were focused on the two witches standing behind Raggo, which drew attention the moment they entered.

"Now, let me show you a part of Xandar's power, and why I am sure you will think better of it about the channel," Azrael, like the devil himself speaking in his victim's ear, made an almost imperceptible signal, to which one of the two witches standing behind Raggo approached him and offered him a small vial.

At this, the Americans were interested, and motivated to understand what Azrael was referring to. Raggo accepted the potion with his right hand and held it up, "the vial that Private Raggo has in his possession is something very powerful, called a regeneration potion, a potion capable of healing, curing, and regenerating any part of the body, with no negative results and in just a matter of seconds."

"I didn't think you were a braggart, Emperor Azrael, know that pranks like this based on naturalistic herbal medicines and lamb's feet will make the United States consider the missive of handing over the Canal rights to Xandar." Cordell immediately went on a rant, being a bit annoyed that he was being played for a fool.

"See for yourself, Secretary," was all Azrael said, permitting Raggo to take the potion. Raggo, like all dutiful soldiers and sure of the potion's outcome, swallowed it without haste, emptying the vial into just two mouthfuls and swallowing its contents.

One...

Two...

Only two seconds were needed for the potion to begin to take effect, the sunburned skin was restored to its former glory, and cuts and bruises on his face and body were erased, as for his missing left arm. It was that which poured the water from the half-full glass.

From the bandage-covered stump below the elbow, the arm began to grow at a speed visible to the naked eye, the bones were the first to grow, being closely followed by tendons, nerves, veins, and arteries, and then being covered by muscle and skin.

The whole process lasted only five seconds, the time in which the entire arm grew back, leaving all the Americans present surprised, for them, this was an entrance to something never seen before, a possibility of cure to those deadly diseases to which the world had no cure. Something that still held back America's attempts to be the world's greatest power, and now, it turns out, a nation already has that power under its control, all summed up in a single vial.

"Xandar is offering the amount of two hundred gold bars, which is equivalent to 260 million dollars, along with the amount of one hundred regeneration potions for your use, know that if they accept the payment, you will have one less enemy in your war, plus your ships will still be able to cross the Canal, even your aircraft carriers and warships will be able to cross without mishap once Xandarian engineering takes over the Canal, you just have to accept" Azrael continued speaking, with a voracious smile growing bigger and bigger on his face as he spoke. Happy to make good deals.