It was finally time to sit at the negotiation table.
Of course, strictly speaking, it was already too late for any real negotiation—what remained was more or less a series of detailed adjustments based on an already decided outcome.
'It won't be easy, but… I'll have to trust Ganesha and Diallo.'
The leadership of Rose Line and the leadership of the Kronos Union headed to the nearest command building from Rose-19 Gate.
There wasn't much time left before the approaching multi-wave, so there was no room for any grand reception.
'More importantly, keeping the Kronos Union's high command inside Ark while their forces remain outside is a significant risk.'
The leaders of the Kronos Union glanced around.
Understandable—this was probably their first time stepping directly into Ark.
"This is indeed Ark. Far more impressive than the rumors suggested."
"Haha, this way, please."
As Julius voiced his admiration, the mayor of Rose Line smiled and led the group.
The leadership of Rose Line.
The leadership of the Kronos Union.
At last, gathered in one place, they faced each other.
"We would have liked to treat such esteemed guests to a meal, but time is short. We've prepared only some tea. I hope that's acceptable."
"This is plenty. We can save the toasts for after everything's settled."
"Thank you for understanding."
Ganesha Tripathi gave a polite nod.
"Since time is short for all of us, shall we get straight to the point?"
"The point—excellent. Glad to see Ark has someone who speaks reason."
At Ganesha Tripathi's words, Diallo chuckled in response.
"First of all, before anything else, I hope this joint operation further solidifies the alliance between Ark and the Kronos Union."
"The feeling is mutual."
At Ganesha's signal, soldiers inside the command post began pouring tea into cups.
"Please enjoy. The aroma is quite nice."
"Hmm."
Diallo quietly sniffed the tea and shifted his gaze to Ganesha Tripathi.
"In olden days, sailors had a custom of clinking glasses to check for poison when meeting strangers. It was a tradition born from the nature of their lives—always dealing with unknowns."
Diallo's eyes swept across Ganesha and the rest of Rose Line's leadership.
"So, do we really need to clink our cups in this situation?"
Can I trust you? That was the question in his eyes.
A subtle tension hung in the air until Ganesha Tripathi smiled and extended her cup.
"Why would I hesitate to share a drink with a friend?"
Diallo's eyes widened slightly, perhaps surprised.
"A friend, huh."
Something about the word seemed to please him. He smiled and gently clinked cups with Ganesha Tripathi.
It was a little strange to see tea cups clinked instead of wine glasses, but no one saw the need to point that out.
"Indeed. It tastes quite good."
"I'm glad to hear that."
As soon as Diallo took the first sip, the rest of the Kronos Union's high command followed.
Lania also sipped her tea, then stuck out her tongue like she'd tasted something awful.
"Ugh, bitter."
"Here, have some sugar."
"Thank you."
While Lania tossed two sugar cubes into her cup, an absurd act in itself, she met my gaze.
To the casual eye, it looked like childish behavior, but with that single gesture, Lania had deftly drawn the attention of Rose Line's leadership away from more delicate matters.
A deliberate performance.
So very Lania.
'Hmm, looks like she's going to observe for now.'
I didn't want to disrupt her little performance, so I simply stepped back with my hands behind my back.
"Well then, to continue… I'd like to ask about the military strength of the Kronos Union. Roughly how many forces have arrived before Ark?"
"Ah, I'll answer that," Julius spoke up.
There was something strange about how different he looked from the Julius in my memories. But change was change—there was no harm in it.
"As of now, the Kronos Union has deployed around 30,000 troops, all of whom are combat-ready. For specifics, please refer to the materials here."
Thirty thousand soldiers.
That meant the Kronos Union had essentially mobilized its entire available force.
Conversely, if all 30,000 troops died here, the Kronos Union itself would likely collapse.
A gamble with their fate…
From my perspective, it wasn't a gamble, but for the Kronos Union, it absolutely was.
Moving nearly 30,000 troops based solely on my and Lania's word must have taken tremendous courage.
'Well, to be fair, Ark's consistent support likely played a part in that, too.'
The Kronos Union had grown larger and stronger than in the original history.
Naturally, their consumption of resources had skyrocketed, and at this point, they couldn't sustain themselves without Ark's support.
For better or worse, the Kronos Union and Ark were now a shared destiny.
"This is an impressive force. The sincerity of the Kronos Union is evident."
"You flatter us. But it's true—everyone's fate rests on the outcome of this war."
"That much is clear."
Ganesha Tripathi smiled.
"Next, we must discuss troop deployment. Since we've never trained together, forcing a joint operation is bound to create friction."
"That's to be expected. But it's unavoidable, isn't it?"
Diallo, ever unreadable, spoke as if testing the waters, but Ganesha responded with a relaxed smile.
Diallo was a cunning old fox, while Ganesha was a bold young statesman.
"Carl Marcus, what's your opinion? I'm curious."
"Does my opinion matter?"
"Yes, especially in a meeting like this."
Hmm…
Whatever they expected of me, I simply stated the truth.
"Indeed, if we force the Rose Line soldiers and the Kronos Union troops together now, conflict will erupt. That's not ideal before a major war."
"Right. But there's also a benefit. If we overcome this, the alliance between Ark and the Kronos Union will grow even stronger. Comrades who stand back-to-back earn deep trust."
Then Diallo interjected.
"Or it could backfire. The battlefield could turn us into sworn enemies."
A colonel from Rose Line nodded.
"That's also true. If we can pull through, we'll be comrades. But if we can't trust each other in battle, the result will be catastrophic."
"Hmm, then we need another solution. Carl, do you have one?"
I nodded.
"There is a way—quite a simple one."
"What is it?"
"If putting them together is dangerous, there's no need to force them together."
Ganesha Tripathi's expression hardened slightly.
"…Are you suggesting we separate the fronts between the Kronos Union and Rose Line?"
"Yes."
The command post stirred.
"Carl Marcus, can you take responsibility for what you just said? Surely you understand the implications?"
The voice belonged to a familiar face.
One of Rose Line's top warriors—unlike Ark's many political soldiers, a purebred man of war.
'Brigadier General Caesar.'
A legendary name in Ark, the aura he exuded was no joke.
He probably surpassed even my enhanced physique by a wide margin.
In short, he wasn't human.
"I know."
"Oh? So, the rumors were right—you're not one for manners. Not that I care. Now explain what you meant by that. Otherwise, I'll teach you just how sacred Ark's law is."
"General Caesar, that's enough."
"Don't get in my way, Councilman Ganesha. Surely you know defending Carl Marcus right now is unwise?"
"What's unwise is your conduct. Please, compose yourself. We have guests."
Caesar's brow twitched at Ganesha's rebuke.
He was known for his temper, even within The Defense.
So much so that more than a few players had been killed by him in the game—he was notorious for being a brute.
'But there's no denying his strength.'
Which made him a perfect fit for the power-hungry Rose Line.
"Carl Marcus. Explain what you meant."
Having barely calmed down, Caesar growled.
"I meant what I said. Water and oil don't mix. If it's dangerous to keep us together, let the Kronos Union handle one front entirely while Rose Line uses the remaining forces to hold the others."
Boom—!
A thunderous crash echoed the moment I finished speaking.
Caesar had slammed the desk in front of him.
"Carl Marcus, do you understand what you're saying?"
"I do."
"And yet you let those words leave your mouth?"
His reaction was expected.
Leaving part of the front to the Kronos Union essentially meant entrusting Ark's lifeline to an external force.
If, during the wave, the Kronos Union changed its mind, opened the gates, and attacked during the chaos—
Rose Line might meet the same fate as the old Black Line.
"Sit down, General Caesar."
"I don't care how great you are, Councilwoman. You're not my superior."
"Before I bring in someone who is, sit down. This is an important meeting."
"Try me."
Caesar sneered and strode through the wreckage of the broken desk toward me.
To ignore even the words of a Tripathi councilwoman—he was exactly the brute I remembered.
And likely hadn't thought even once about the consequences.
"Carl Marcus. Answer me. Can you take responsibility for your words?"
"As much as needed."
"You're good with words. But I don't trust smooth talkers."
Caesar glared.
And with that glare, the surrounding ether began to scream.
[Heeeek—!]
[Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.]
[Sca…ry…]
Caesar wasn't an ether adept.
And yet his overwhelming presence made even the ether tremble in fear.
"Can you stake your life on it, Carl Marcus?"
"As much as needed."
"…If things go wrong, I'll take your life myself."
Just as Caesar was about to turn with a beast-like warning—
"Well, that won't do."
A soft voice rang out, drawing everyone's gaze.
"He's my one and only precious brother, after all."
Lania Marcus smiled as a violet flame bloomed from her fingertip.
A terribly ominous flame.