1776: Terms

Terms

Emery's knew full well the weight of his actions and was prepared to face the aftermath. His open admission, resembling a knight laying down his sword, sent ripples of emotion throughout the room. The Kronos faction, in particular, reveled in his submission, their faces lit with smug satisfaction. Murmurs and chuckles of victory hummed among them, their eyes glinting with a mix of malice and glee.2

On the other hand, Emery's allies bore expressions of unease, silently communicating their shared anxiety and disbelief. They had hoped for a more strategic approach, perhaps one filled with arguments and defenses, rather than what seemed like a white flag of surrender.

However, the response from the Grand Magus Emissaries was more measured. The leading emissary nodded with a slight upward curl of his lips, almost as if he had expected this from Emery.

Recognizing the agreement, the Grand Magus Emissary said, "Very well. Given your acknowledgment, it falls upon me to mediate an appropriate retribution that would be just for all parties involved."

One of the aides, a younger magus with sharp features, stepped forward. He handed the emissary a cube, which, upon activation, emitted a holographic projection. The visuals it showcased were stark — the desolation and wreckage of the Moon outpost, with only a few artifacts intact amid the ruins. The once-majestic structure now lay in ruin, its glory diminished.

The Grand Magus Emissary took a moment, letting the images sink in, assessing the full scale of the destruction. He then turned his attention to both Kronos and Emery, his gaze analytical. "Given the extent of the damages, I believe a compensation of 10 million spirit stones would be apt."

To many in the realm, the sum was exorbitant, equivalent to the value of several highly sought-after tier 5 artifacts. It was a sum large enough that even the usually assertive Kronos had no objections, at least none that he voiced.

Julian, on the other hand, visibly blanched at the declaration. "This amount seems... excessive," Julian began, his voice firm yet diplomatic.

The Grand Magus Emissary raised a placating hand, "It is a justified sum. The Magus Alliance values the sanctity of its territories. A fortified outpost not only symbolizes our strength but also ensures that your planet remains well-protected."

The argument was sound and left little room for counter. Emery, taking a deep breath, nodded in agreement. The weight of the debt was immense, but he believed in his abilities and his recent apothecary inventions. Given time, he was confident he'd amass the required amount.

Despite Emery's concession on the damage costs, a cloud of dissatisfaction hung heavily over Kronos, darkening his features. He leaned forward, the raw emotion evident in his voice,

"The destruction is one thing, but what about the lives of my brethren? The men who lost their lives? And Magus Apollo? His injuries? What of the consequences for such actions?"

The Grand Magus Emissary acknowledged the concern with a nod. Taking a moment, he reviewed the detailed reports before him. "The situation with Magus Apollo is not as dire as it might seem, his injuries, though grave, are not beyond healing. As for Magus Hades, their confrontation was a duel, Its outcome can be seen as a just conclusion."

Kronos's lips parted, a counter-argument poised to escape, but the emissary preempted him, raising his hand in a gesture demanding silence.

"The weight of lives lost, however, cannot be ignored. As restitution, I propose a compensation of 200,000 spirit stones for each life taken, to be distributed to the bereaved families."

Such a result was something Kronos could not accept. The emissary turned his penetrating gaze back to Kronos. "Let's be pragmatic, Kronos. The alliance isn't eager to incarcerate a magus of his potential into prison time over a few saint-level casualties. If you were to escalate this to court, I suspect the outcome would be no different."

Kronos, though visibly struggling with the emissary's words, found himself forced to agree. The pragmatic logic was hard to counter, and deep down, he knew there was truth in the statement.

Emery considered this and found it a fair compensation. But just as he was about to voice his agreement, the emissary interjected with a final clause, "Additionally, considering the turmoil this has brought upon the Kronos faction, I believe fifteen months of dedicated service to the Kronos would balance the scales."

The moment the words left the emissary's mouth, the room erupted into a cacophony of voices. Emery's allies were quick to voice their indignation. Whispers of the emissary's alleged bias toward the Kronos faction circulated, with murmurs of disagreement and disdain.

Surprisingly, amidst the uproar, Kronos's voice stood out. "Fifteen months? It's too lenient!" His tone was laced with skepticism. 

The emissary, displaying a patience that seemed almost otherworldly, expanded his domain — a silent yet overpowering force that blanketed the room. As it washed over the attendees, their clamor quickly receded, replaced by an uneasy stillness.

Taking a deep breath, the emissary spoke with clarity and deliberation, "It is the Alliance's aspiration for caretakers and their governed people to coexist harmoniously. My initial verdict was intended to foster such harmony. But it's evident that this suggestion might not achieve its desired effect."

He paused, giving the room a chance to absorb his words. After what felt like an eternity, he continued, "Given the concerns on both sides, I propose a different solution. Instead of serving Kronos for fifteen months, he will dedicate fifteen years of service to the Magus Alliance."

The gravity of his words bore down on the room. A fifteen-year servitude was a significant commitment, even for a magus. Yet, the emissary's demeanor signaled that he believed it to be a fair compromise. He reminded all present that the stakes of taking this dispute to the court were high: financially burdensome for the Kronos faction and potentially more punitive for Emery.

With the air charged with tension, the emissary finally posed the question, seeking resolution, "So, where do we stand? Can we reach consensus on this?"

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