Armistice (2/2)
Honestly, Haalfrin wasn't expecting the talk to go this well. Given how much they've all suffered, he really saw no other outcome than them crying for blood like they've always used to.
His Advanced Syl Name may have instilled a stronger sense of honor in them and abated much of their hatred, but after all they've suffered recently, he fully expected all of that progress to have been undone.
'Perhaps I've underestimated the stubbornness of a dead person's character,' Haalfrin thinks wryly.
Seeing them all settling their grudges and getting emotional, Haalfrin can't help but let go of his disappointment at realizing that this war won't continue.
With a flourish, Haalfrin pulls a long scroll out of his space bag that was hanging on his waist, and he says, "Ok now. Let's draw up an official peace treaty. I want this to be official. I want everyone's concerns and demands for the Queen and Dakka laid out clearly."
This scroll is enchanted to show whatever contents were written on it in bright, magical letters in the air above it, where everyone could see it. This is useful for presentations or public discussions.
"Now then, let's get started."
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In the end, the Arkin volunteer to man the castle and at least help keep watch over the Ants. With Haalfrin being unable to leave, due to his own Syl Name restriction, the least these soldiers can do is be nearby in case he needs help evening the odds against the Ants.
In all honesty, it's not a big deal for these Arkin to stay in the mortal realm anyway. The Death Realm is extremely harsh and hard to live in, so Haalfrin's soldiers are actually happy about being given the opportunity to stick around and spend less time in the Death Realm.
As for the Rehkin, all of Haalfrin's generals agree that the Rehkin need to remain unknown by both the Queen AND Dakka. In case a war DOES break out again, it would be good to have a surprise waiting for her.
Besides, if they casually show the Rehkin now, wouldn't that have wasted all that time they've spent in the mana farm – stubbornly keeping the Rehkin a secret?
The Rehkin war chiefs still want to be useful, so one of them says, "While you are all keeping watch over the Ants in the Valor Hall, me and the other Clans will supply you everything that you want – bedding furnishing, luxury foods… anything you want. During this long peacetime, we'd like you all to be comfortable. We'll give you everything money can buy."
"Hold on a second," Haalfrin abruptly raises his hand. "The Arkin keep talking as if there are no resources to find in the Death Realm. They're always acting like paupers desperate to make a living. Where'd you get the confidence to say you'll provide 'everything money can buy'?"
Some of the Arkin scratch their faces and look down in embarrassment. They forget sometimes that their commander is still a mortal, and that he still doesn't know how the Death Realm works for the most part.
The Hawk war chief puffs his chest proudly, "Humans are usually super poor in the Death realm because all the territory and resources are monopolized by the big powers." He thumps his fist against his chest proudly. "The Rehkin clans ARE all the big powers in the Death Realm!"
One of the Arkin taps Haalfrin's shoulder and says, "Don't worry. During the long time you've been wrapped up in your Soul Realm, getting your latest Name Advanced, the Clans have been treating us with a lot of hospitality. They're just offering to extend that hospitality to the living world as well."
Another Arkin nods his head. "Don't feel bad about accepting their offer, either. Their clan's well-being in the Death Realm depends on them having fresh new descendants joining them in the afterlife. By us protecting their descendants, they owe us more for more than just warm, fuzzy feelings."
"Plus," another general tells Haalfrin, "we soldiers are a strong force on our own. We do help the Clans quite often, and we volunteer to help quell the wars that pop up all the time there. Trust me; we're all living well there."
"All right," Haalfrin nods. "I see that things are turning out quite well so far. However, what are we going to do in case the Queen does start the war again? With her advantage of being able to eat mana directly now, as well as her ability to revive endlessly… We would absolutely lose."
Suddenly, the double doors to the room swing open, and Freyya walks in. "I have a thing or two to say about that, dear."
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"Oh!? Freyya!" Haalfrin calls out. For the first time this 'morning', he actually has a smile on his face. "You're here! Come! Sit down next to me!"
Without waiting for her answer, Haalfrin shoos the Arkin sitting to his right away.
Once the seat is vacated, Freyya sits down. "Are you tired?" he asks. "You look tired. Do you want a pillow to sit on as well?"
Freyya gives a small laugh. "It's fine. I'm in a good mood really."
She'd spent several hours past her usual bedtime figuring out how to still complete her Mantling Ritual, even after Das had completely derailed it earlier.
Despite this setback, she's still in a good mood because this avatar of hers had managed to communicate with her True body, and she's learned that her other self is on the verge of making a new, more reliable Mantling Ritual.
"So, Mistress Freyya," one of the Rehkin asks with a bow, "You said you had some news to offer?"
She then over the room and wags one of her fingers, "You all forget the training I can offer your Commander. He still has 1 Name he hasn't Advanced yet. I can help him shape that Name into something that can make any conflict with the Queen meaningless."
"What? Why didn't we do this before?" Even Haalfrin is shocked by this, though he lets everyone else voice their alarm while he remains silent.
Freyya rolls her eyes at their freaked-out faces, and she laughs, "OBVIOUSLY, the more perfected your soul becomes, then the harder it is to make further progress… and at the same time, any progress becomes more exaggerated."
"That's true," Haalfrin nods. "My first Names Advanced were rather lame compared to my last Names."
"Yes," she nods. "I've had a certain power in mind for your Fel Name for a while now. Sadly, it was way too powerful to train with such an undeveloped soul, so I wasn't willing to risk training you in it until your other 5 Names were finished Advancing."
"What did you have in mind anyway?" Haalfrin one of the generals asks Freyya. "As far as we know, killing her is completely useless."
Freyya looks up and thinks for a moment. Then, she says, "Remember. Your Fel Name lets you convert Death Aura into mana."
"Yes…?"
"Wouldn't the next logical step for your Name be to have the reverse process?"
"You mean…" Realization slowly dawns over not only Haalfrin's face, but everyone else's too.
"I see," one of the generals strokes his beard. "That might work."
…
After they talk a little more about Haalfrin's Advanced Fel Name, Haalfrin concurs in the end, "So, this sounds like it'll take a while. Well, it'll work eventually, at least."
Freyya looks down and sighs. "I just hope we don't have to use it against the Queen. Dakka looks so happy, too."
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Right after the meeting is over, Faylin is waiting outside the door, and she pulls Haalfrin aside. Before he can even think to be curious about what she's doing, she points her finger at him and says, "Where's Dakka? I need to talk to him."
"What for?"
"You kidding?" She crosses her arms and huffs. "I have Fhulk's bones with me, and Dakka is the only one who can bring him back to life again."
She looks up and laments in her heart, 'I've waited long enough for that stupid dragon to wake up. I'm not waiting any longer.'
Haalfrin looks down and tries to not let his embarrassment show on his face. Truthfully... he'd forgotten that Fhulk even exists. "A-ah. Yes. Fhulk. I'll let Dakka know."