The Martial Unity

Chapter 3257: Final Decision

Many dwarves stiffened at those words.

Many winced.

Others gritted their teeth.

”Don’t bring up such matters lightly, Prince Festus,” an older dwarf growled. ”We are aware that our first military invasion into the Lost Continent ended in a fiasco. But the fact of the matter is that the incentives haven’t changed—”

”Are you stupid?” Festus asked, tilting his head.

Out of all the male dwarves there, he was the only one who didn’t have a beard.

His face was smaller, and his skin was supple and soft, compared to the rough, conditioned flesh of the other dwarves in the room.

”We tried invading them and we failed,” he pressed. ”That should be the end of the analysis. The Lost Continent is impregnable. The monsters of their oceans are led by that terrifying creature at the very bottom of their waters. The beasts and monsters on their continent. And, of course, their warriors, these ’Martial Artists,’ are a force to be reckoned with. They even repelled an invasion from the Evolutionary Army and killed Supreme Commander Anthea.”

His silver eyes sharpened.

”Our initial invasion was simply a test. To see whether the indigenous natives of the Lost Continent are worthy of being acknowledged and respected, whether they could protect their land effectively and force the world of Gaia to acknowledge their claim,” he continued. ”And the results are clear.”

He closed his eyes.

”Human civilization is strong. They will not be bullied easily. If we wage a war against them, it would have to be through space, for the oceans have become absolutely deadly to us,” he reasoned aloud. ”A war from outer space will cost trillions of Beards in currency. It will drain our economy, and unfortunately, it does not have a guaranteed victory. On top of that, we will lose countless dwarves and countless artifacts and capital. The loss of our juggernauts that day is still painful. And on top of all of that...”

He directed a sweeping gaze across the table.

”The alliance with the dark elves means that we will lose food, healing services, and all organic ingredient imports from the dark elves,” Festus explained. ”Our people will undoubtedly suffer famines on top of all the death and suffering that war brings. And all of this for simply a chance of getting more of Hephaestus’ Blood, among other exotic treasures.”

He shook his head.

”It’s not worth it. Especially when there are other and more peaceful ways of getting these treasures.”

The hawkish dwarves stiffened as they gritted their teeth while the elderly king nodded with approval.

”Well said, my son.”

He directed a knowing glance at the dissatisfied dwarves.

”I am not principally against imperialism,” the Emperor continued. ”I was the one who ordered the invasion into the Lost Continent to plunder their treasures myself, after all. However, it is, as my son said, a test to evaluate whether an all-out invasion and plunder was even possible. And unfortunately...”

His elderly eyes narrowed.

”...I don’t see any way that we emerge out of this with anything more than an excruciating pyrrhic victory that will leave us on the brink of collapse,” he remarked. ”I do not know about all of you, but I don’t wish to obtain Hephaestus’ Tears at the cost of the destruction of our country.”

The young prince smiled, nodding approvingly while the older dwarves simply heaved a resigned breath.

”However, you have not given war enough credit, my son.”

Prince Festus turned towards his father with furrowed eyebrows.

”We don’t need to wage an invasion against them, we can just fund and arm their enemies with powerful artifacts and have them do all the hard work,” the dwarven emperor’s tone was as wise as it was ruthless. ”The Evolutionary Army and the Imperial Tekvorian Federation appear deadset on the destruction of human civilization. We could use them to weaken human civilization for our eventual invasion and plunder of the continent.”

Prince Festus’ eyes widened. ”This...”

”Not to mention, human civilization is strong enough to weaken the evolutionaries and the tekvores to a great extent,” the dwarven emperor reasoned. ”Thus, we can arm the latter, use them to weaken human civilization, after which they themselves will be weakened. This path leaves us the option to invade the Panama Continent unhindered and plunder all their esoteric treasures for ourselves. We use them to weaken each other, leaving us in a position to reap all the benefits.”

The dwarves grew engrossed in thought at the proposition.

Indeed, it was a rather clever way of getting what they wanted while minimizing bloodshed and losses on their side.

”However, even this...” He shook his head, ”is not the most optimal path in my opinion. We will still lose many dwarves and suffer famines if the dark elves cease all trade with us. I don’t wish to starve my people for the sake of esoteric treasures that cannot fill our stomachs. However...”

He directed a knowing look at his advisors.

”There is an even better and less costly way of getting their treasures,” he raised a finger. ”That is, of course, trade, bilateral friendship, and a treaty. Perhaps we could become allies to form an entente.”

”Will they be willing to trade away their treasures at a price and quantity that satisfies our needs?” one dwarf raised an eyebrow. ”If I were them, I would never give away my treasures, no matter what.”

”You’re too shortsighted,” the dwarven emperor shook his head. ”The humans, from everything we have seen, are an intelligent species, even if they aren’t as intelligent as we are. They should be capable of making the calculations that if they were to be too selfish and greedy about their treasures, they would be making an enemy of the entire world. Indeed, I know that they are that intelligent, because you see...”

He raised a sheet of paper.

On it was the crest of the Kandrian Empire and the emblem of the Panamic Alliance.

”...I have received a letter from one Emperor Rael Di Kandria, the supreme commander of the Panamic Alliance and the leader of human civilization.”

The dwarves widened their eyes with shock.

”He beckons us with peace despite our invasion of their land,” the dwarven emperor continued. ”He assures the well-being of the prisoners of war that they have captured and expresses a willingness to return them in exchange for an armistice and peace. He even goes out of his way to mention trade and export of esoteric substances at rates that can be negotiated, and even proposes a mutually beneficial exchange of their Martial services for our craftsmanship for their warriors. Just by reading this...”

His eyes returned to the dwarves around them.

”I can instantly tell that we are dealing with a very intelligent, rational, and aware individual who is entirely cognizant of the position that he is in. He understands the danger that they are in, and understands that war with us is very undesirable for him, and has even estimated what we desire from this continent by looking at our actions in the short period of time we were present on it. He uses it to try to obtain peace with us. Moreover...”

His eyes lit up with interest.

”He says the strongest warrior of human civilization, the one they call the Dawnbringer, will arrive at our Empire as an ambassador of peace. And so...”

He placed the letter down as he directed a firm gaze at his advisors.

”I have decided to wait for this Prince Rui.”

His eyes lit up with interest.

”I wish to meet with the man who defeated Supreme Commander Anthea before I make my decision.”