Chapter 75: Fighting Dirty

"I am Yvangelista the XI, pleased to meet you." The pope who had a stiff smile on his face introduced himself to Patriot, Yelena, and Alina.

"Oh, hello. I am Alina, a member of Reunion I guess?" Alina didn't knew what to say, so she introduced herself too.

"Buldrokkas'tee." Patriot said succinctly as he continued eating his cake.

"I am Yelena, it is nice to meet you too." The Cautus gave him a slight nod.

The pope looked at Ash's table a few feet away from them. And he almost choked on his saliva after seeing what he was doing.

'H-he's flirting? Is this man even serious about the meeting?' Yvangelista prevented a frown forming.

"Ahhh~" Platinum recovered from what he did earlier and she resumed feeding him some of her parfait.

"You have some on you as well Ash." Gertrude copied Shining and she kissed him. Inserting her tongue that still had a bit of ice cream on it.

"Hmm, thanks." He smiled and Yvangelista's face twitched.

And an agonizing thirty minutes later, they were all finally finished eating their food. In which Yvangelista couldn't help but sigh at the Perro who kept on ordering more.

"Ahhhh~ Kay is so full, thank you Ash!" She beamed at him and he petted her ears. Making her close her eyes, a fluffy brown tail wagging excitedly.

"No problem Kay, you loved it didn't you?" Ash pinched her cheeks for being so adorable.

"Hehe~ Yes!" Yvangelista can't fault an enjoyer of sweets to indulge a bit. "Are you ready for the meeting? I believe that due to this incursion, my subordinates have had ample time to prepare the conference room."

Yvangelista smiled sweetly at Ash. 'Heh, he's pissed eh?' Ash ignored his subtle jab.

"Hmmm, Narcissa. Want to pick a souvenir? Nobody here has been to Laterano except Exusiai after all." Ash looked at the Feline.

Yvangelista almost groaned. 'I shouldn't have done that...'

"The guns here suck, but I want to see one." Narcissa requested and Ash smiled at her.

'That's my girl, she's already being a devious little cat.' Ash rubbed her ears until she purred.

In all honesty, he wasn't really interested in Laterano's guns. Paradiso already knows they don't hold a candle to theirs, thanks to Exusiai's patron gun, her Kris Vector.

But the originium part of it did irk him a little. 'If it's being propelled by arts, then shouldn't be triggers useless? In revolvers and semi-automatics, I can see the use of it as help for timing, but automatic ones? It's there for shits and gigles.'

"I-is that so young lady? Then let this old man guide you towards one of our facilities that hand out patron guns for our citizens." Yvangelista gave a forced smile.

He was squirming around, anxious and annoyed as hell. Ash didn't have anything against Laterano, but it was entertaining to see him give concessions because they have the high ground.

And because the pope is a vulture that capitalizes on wars. Yes, he wasn't being petty at all. They could've done this already with Victoria, but the supposed angels want other nations to help them strong arm the Sarkaz.

Shining grinned at Narcissa and gave her a concealed thumbs up for her plan.

The group then arrived at a guarded facility. "Welcome everyone, this is the place in which adults of Laterano will receive their patron guns."

Yvangelista was at least expecting them to react towards the amount of armaments in the place. Especially because they were guns made in Laterano.

Guns that are sold outside, like what Liskarm uses is merely a bastardized version of theirs. Laterano's guns aren't only much easier to use, it is superior.

But the pope was disappointed, they were unimpressed to say the least. Nian and Ling were yawning even.

"Why'd we even want to go here Narcissa? I can make you a nice gun if you wanted to. Ooh! How about swapping your melee weapons for Gau-8 avengers for long range?" Nian suggested.

Yvangelista listened in intently, but he has no idea what that was.

"That's a great idea Nian, we'll arm Narcissa with them later. How about dual wielding? Two guns and two melee weapons for versatility?" Ash asked the Feline.

"No fair, she can use those awesome Gatling guns with her arts proficiently." Alastor whined.

"Then practice your telekinesis young lady. You can just carry one around and use a button as a trigger." Ash chided her.

"What he said, you might just shoot yourself with it anyway." Astaroth shrugged.

"Hey! Are you calling me an idiot!?" They started quarrelling and Yvangelista coughed.

But everybody ignored him. He started coughing louder. "Ash, the old man's having a coughing fit. Is he going to croak?" Narcissa pointed at him and the pope finally choked on his spit.

"T-this old man is still healthy young lady..." Mlynar gave him a sympathetic nod. He was getting called old man a little bit too much.

"Alright, let's go and get on with the meeting." Ash shrugged. 'Finally!' Yvangelista screamed in his head.

Travelling to the conference room, Yvangelista was now being shadowed by Federico.

At Ash's rear, the destruction trio was standing right there.

Margaret and Degenbrecher went to Mlynar's side so they won't link the two to Ash.

The twin empresses had Gertrude as their support. Well, moral support that is.

Enya was the head of state, so she was the one in a seat.

Patriot also had one, as the representative of the Sarkaz. With Sonus and Shining there to feed him lines. He is a soldier, not a politician.

And the last one was Gladiia, in front of her is a plaque with the symbol of the abyssal hunters. Which Ash created, emblazoned with a cute little octopus that you would see in takoyaki stands.

Gladiia glared at him a bit, but she can't do anything. So she just massaged her temples.

"Now, we are all gathered here to speak of an important matter. A united front against wars so Terra's citizens wouldn't have to experience bloodshed." Yvangelista announced.

Patriot almost sneered at that. Laterano was one of the most racist countries in the world. They actually attack Sarkaz on sight alone, even harmless ones.

As evidenced by the picture of the ancient Sankta fighting against Wendigo Sarkaz who are Patriot's ancestors. (pic)

"And as we all know, it does more harm than good. It keeps on taking without mercy. And just recently, there were battles against Yan and Ursus. It might just escalate to a full blown war that would sweep every nation." Yvangelista frowned.

"That is correct, so let us proceed. We actually already formed a treaty Yvangelista. All the other nations in this meeting collaborated to create it. Because we do not want any unnecessary bloodshed." Ash put his hand over his shoulder and Narcissa gave him a brief case.

He opened it and let the twins give everyone a copy of the accords.

"Go on, please read it with Federico and we shall discuss anything that needs further reforms." Ash smirked inside his head.

They won't find anything wrong with it of course. He made it to be that way.

Laterano's representatives was of course surprised by this. They looked at it suspiciously. The two noted that it was going too smooth.

And the other representatives coming with Ash without any delay presented warnings all over in the Pope's head.

'He's planning something... But what? Can their quick response be attributed to those three?' Yvangelista looked at Shining, Gertrude, and Platinum.

They were from the other nations. And it is no secret that Ash washed his hands off of politics in Leithanien. 'Let us check this for now...' Yvangelista warily read the papers in front of him.

"The Gelato Accords?" Federico and Yvangelista were dumbfounded. With the former blinking as he asked.

"Why yes, Laterano is the most neutral ground in this place. And we can't exactly meet at the true neutral nation which is Aegir." Ash looked at Gladiia and the abyssal hunters. Azureus was cutely hiding herself in her hood.

"Is that so? Then it is a great honor to name this treaty with a dessert. Laterano's citizens would be pleased." Yvangelista replied with a smile.

But he wasn't convinced, there was a feeling inside him that the other nations were conspiring against them. But there is no evidence at all.

At most, Leithanien, Kjerag, and Kazimierz have trading agreements with Paradiso which is an unofficial offshot of Leithanien was the conduit and source of goods.

"Is this really what the other nations here have agreed upon?" Yvangelista needed more time to check it out. Scrutinize it for any loophole or problematic clause.

"Yes, we have all agreed of it. That has actually been made for years now. The other leaders here have actually been communicating about alliances. But it is the best time to enact on it." Soleil smiled.

"Is that so? Then forgive me, can we have time to look it over before we also give our signature?" Yvangelista hoped they would agree.

"Why yes, this is not a simple agreement for trade and the like. You can examine it more and discuss it with Laterano's government. Do we all agree on that?" Mlynar looked at the members of the Red Axis.

They all nodded and Yvangelista nodded. "Then, our first meeting is adjourned. It has been a pleasant talk. Especially with all of you already desiring peace." Yvangelista gestured that it was fine to go.

"Then we will take our leave, it was a pleasure." Patriot's deep voice unsettled the representatives of Laterano as they all left in one cohesive unit.

"This is suspicious your holiness. They seem to be more... Friendly with each other than expected." Federico could smell it, a conspiracy.

"I understand Federico, but this is the only chance for us to create united nations that is against wars. And just by skimming the accords, there is nothing wrong with it at all." Yvangelista frowned, conflicted about the ease of the meeting.

"Then we shall search it for any problems." Federico replied, certain that there is a loophole in it or something.

"I hope not." Yvangelista frowned and they called a meeting to scrutinize the treaty.

"Haha... Kuahahaha! I can feel it, I can smell it. They won't find anything and Yvangelista will be forced to agree." When they arrived in the villa they were designated with, Ash immediately laughed like a villain.

"Ash, what is it that would happen if they were to sign it anyway? I have read the treaty with Alina and Yelena. It does not have any downsides for Laterano." Patriot was curious.

"Hehehe~ That my friend is due to this clause right here." Ash pointed at the paper and he cackled.

"If the allied nations are to detect a threat. Issues, international or local, would need to be discussed by the council of the nations in league with the treaty. And a democratic vote would be needed for potential solutions presented?" Patriot read it and was still confused.

"Tsk, tsk, Buldrokkas'tee. You need to learn more about politics, you are one of Reunion's leader. This kinds of things will come more often." Ash clicked his tongue.

"Then explain it." Patriot sighed, Yelena and Alina agreed with him though. But they too did not understand what was so important with that clause.

"That means, Laterano has no power in their vote. We will always vetoe their decision via majority. Everyone here knows that we are already allied. But they don't. Even if they have a suspicion, Kjerag and Paradiso have the most evidence. With Ash's marriage with Enciades." Shining explained and she took off her glasses.

"Correct, that is. My wise secretary." Ash nodded at her sagely.

"Do I really need to wear glasses whenever I have to explain things?" Shining sighed.

"Yup." Ash popped the p, making Margaret and Liz giggle at their friend that is bewildered by his antics.

"Don't complain, you know you like it. Especially because Ash is basically saying you look good in it." Liz snorted and Shining glared at her.

She then gave him a glance and he smiled. Making her blush.

"Ahhh, this is quite devious indeed. I did not even see it at all." Patriot frowned, thinking he was like the devil.

"That's not all. Do you know why I gave it that name?" Ash smirked and Patriot raised a brow. Mlynar also listened intently, he was getting a free class about manipulating things to his advantage.

And he'd be damned not to learn about it. For a moment, Enciades thought more of the whole peace treaty. As she didn't really concern herself with it earlier.

She gasped and grinned at him. "You rascal, Laterano is so fucked. You're basically going to sodomize them like how priests do their choir boys." Enciades chuckled like a villain.

"Heh, exactly. They won't know what hit them. When this is announced to the public, what do you think would happen?" Ash gave a toothy grin that made Mlynar gulp.

He then thought about it and decided to ask facts and previous history. Like what were their actions back in Kazimierz.

Mlynar then blinked as he pieced it. "Laterano is the one who invited us and it's the nation it would be agreed upon... And the name sounds like it came from Laterano... You evil guy. Margaret, should you, Maria, and Zofia really stay there? He'll rub off on you." Mlynar sighed.

"Oh he's rubbing off on them alright, more so with Margaret~" Degenbrecher had a sly grin on her face and Margaret blushed like a tomato.

"Degenbrecher! You perverted goat!" Margaret shouted in embarrassment.

Mlynar just froze and he imagined his niece being defiled. He then did an orz and thought that he would put his grubby hands on Maria and Zofia too.

"So, ignoring that. Laterano would be seen as the instigator of the allied nations." Patriot suddenly realized and he nodded.

"Yes, now we can skirmish and even go to wars without people painting as the bad guy. Laterano would be the ones seen responsible. And what'd you know? We are also using guns like it's gonna go out of stock." Ash finished his explanation and sipped on his tea.

"Wow... You are one circuitous and underhanded motherfucker." Enciades sighed, admitting defeat to her husband once again.

"I'm an orphan, hence, I can't be one Enciades." Ash shrugged.

"Big brother Ash, won't Laterano retaliate against us if we start abusing the treaty?" Enya was concerned. She then looked at Kjera, they weren't exactly propagating her teachings.

But the dragon was stone cold, she didn't even blink. Her teachings were to protect and love family. Which is her people; and Laterano sure wasn't. They clearly have ulterior motives

"Ahh, don't worry about that. They can't, because when the jig is up. They'll know that we're all in this together. Wait, did I just quote high school musical?" Ash groaned.

"Let's have a toast kyahahaha! To Ash who is the devil!" Lappland suddenly popped some champagne.

"Where did you even get that? Nevermind." Mlynar wondered, but it would lead to more mysteries.

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Thanks for reading everyone, ciao.