Two weeks after Martin's return and Valkin's death, the invitation from the Hectagon Alliance reached the Arkanian high command. Michaela was in Egnisk at that time. The sudden appeal of the ceasefire startled all top generals. They immediately understand that this is a trap.
"I don't think I need to tell you why we should reject it." General Yarna said to the Supreme Commander, Michaela.
"Yes, it may be a trap. But I will go." Michaela responded.
"What? It is a clear trap. As clear as glass." General Irgin responded.
"But, still," Michaela answered.
"So…why do you think you should go?" Colonel Yornus asked him.
"If I go and reject it, they will be humiliated. That 8 countries are asking for a ceasefire. And when we reject, the world will say that 8 countries don't have the will to fight, but a small, lone nation has." Michaela responded proudly.
"Ugh…This is a good reason. But they will kill you." Yornus sighed.
"I doubt that. We have our air force and the Special Forces. So I have my defences." Michaela said. He wasn't going to budge.
"I will go with him." Brigadier Hensfer said.
"Well, you are the only person in our country to train alongside Argen after the liberation, so I will allow it," Michaela responded.
"I know you aren't going to budge, but I would like to say something," Hensfer spoke.
"What?" Michael asked.
"If you can't see what's wrong, you can't plan right," Hensfer spoke. "I hope you will understand.
"Okay…We are leaving in two hours. Ready the escort and the vehicles," Michaela ordered a guard.
The higher-ups left the command room, and the supreme commander's convoy began to prepare. Brigadier Hensfer stood outside with Colonel Yornus, waiting for Michaela.
"I don't understand why he is so stubborn," Yornus spoke.
"Yes, you are right. All we can expect is that he accepts the deal and we come back alive." Brigadier Hensfer spoke.
"Why accept?" Yornus asked.
"If we accept it, we will get time to research our prototype weapons and manufacture more ammunition," Hensfer replied.
"So you think that if he declines, they kill you?" Yornus asked.
"Yes, Yornus, if Michaela declines, they kill us. As Argen is there, I can't think of anything else. This is the book move of Argen. I have trained enough with him under the treaty to identify his moves." Hensfer replied.
"You are the only one I failed to defeat in tests; therefore, I won't doubt your observation." Colonel smiled.
Hensfer laughed and patted Yornus's back. Soon, Michaela arrived, and Hensfer, alongside another brigadier and major general, left for a town in Zaphlis, called Rofgist, 30 kilometres from Egnisk.
The convoy moved towards the border. The Hectagon Forces at the border knew about their arrival and, without any delay, let them go. An armoured vehicle joined their convoy. They said that the soldiers may attack if the convoy is alone.
They travelled for half an hour and arrived at Rofgist. Michaela and the rest of the generals got out of the jeep. They were escorted to the meeting building. As they followed the soldiers, they reached the door, and in front of them was Argen standing.
"I will handle him," Hensfer whispered to Michaela, and he nodded in approval.
"We meet again, classmate," Argen spoke as Hensfer whispered and stepped forward.
"Indeed, General. How was your time with our 17-year-old? Liked it?" Hensfer said and smirked.
"It was indeed good. I hope your time here will be better." Argen replied.
"I expected a better thing from you. But you went for a ceasefire. We two still had to play." Hensfer taunted him again. Argen wasn't smiling anymore.
"We won't need to play," Argen replied.
All the soldiers and the officers looked at the two of them. It was above them; those two were in their own class.
"I won't be joining the meeting. I have to rest." Argen said.
"It seems you have changed your office." Hensfer wasn't smiling as well and stared at Argen. "Be careful, the environment outside isn't good for someone in your condition."
Argen was startled. "How does he know that we are planning their assassination?" Argen thought.
"I was right." Hensfer thought. Hensfer then took out a folded paper and handed it to Argen. Argen took it and left. The Arkanian convoy entered the meeting room.
Argen unfolded the paper and read its content.
"Even if you kill us, that boy won't lose or die. Remember, if you live, so he does. If he dies, so will you."
Argen was shocked, and he stopped. He looked back, but no one, except the guards, was there.
Michaela and his team entered the meeting hall and sat in their chairs. The General of the Army and other brass of the Hectagon Army were present there.
"You really came." The General of the Army, General Rafnis, said.
"What? You want us to leave?" Michaela replied.
"Well, our soldiers do," Rafnis spoke. "We will get it straight. You have three options. Stop the war and sell all your resources, or become a colony of the empire or die." He said, and a sergeant stepped forward and placed a paper in front of Michaela. Michaela read it and passed the paper to Hensfer. One by one, they read it. And they shared the same reaction.
"Should I expect that you think we will accept any of these?" Michaela asked.
"No…That is why we wrote the third option." Rafnis replied.
"We will sell resources if you give us the latest weaponry and rebuild the industries," Michaela said.
"That is never going to happen. You have those three options; accept any one of them. There won't be any changes." The Zaphlisian general said.
"Then there won't be any changes in the situation we both are facing," Hensfer spoke.
"We knew that you would do something like this. We will fight like we have been doing for the past three years." Michaela responded, and he got up. The rest of the generals followed him.
"You would regret it," Rafnis spoke.
"If we were going to regret it, we wouldn't be asking for a ceasefire," Hensfer replied. And Rafnis looked at him while clenching his teeth and fists.
They all left the building and moved towards their vehicles. Hensfer sat inside the jeep alongside Michaela. He ordered his soldiers through the comms, and they reloaded their weapons. He took out his pistol and examined the bullets, and then loaded it. He knew what was going to happen. And he was ready for it.