Even more exaggerated

"Ah?" The officers looked at Karaga Pasha in disbelief, seemingly unable to believe that this was his proposed solution.

"Brother, but the Khitans killed our Sultan," the second empress also said incredulously.

Regardless, the second empress still had some affection for Mumoona. It's just that she couldn't spare the time to avenge her now.

But isn't this peace negotiation a bit...

"This is inevitable," Karaga Pasha said irritably. "The city simply cannot be defended at this point."

"The Khitans outside could rush in at any moment."

"Right now, our battle with those empresses and princes is at a critical moment. We must find a way to stabilize the Khitans."

"Moreover, the Morya Legion supporting us is still on the way."

"And the Albanian Legion supporting the grand empress is likely to arrive soon—they're much closer to the capital!"

"The Morya Legion has twenty thousand men, while the Albanian Legion has less than ten thousand."

"I believe that in a direct confrontation, they are not our match."

"The premise is to wait for the Morya Legion to arrive!"

"Trust me, as long as we can hold off the Khitans, successfully kill the grand empress and the fifth empress, making certain compromises is not a shameful thing."

"If we don't do this..."

The country uncle said with profound meaning, "If the grand empress reaches an agreement with the Khitans first, and even gains their support."

"Then it will be too late for anything."

After a moment of silence, all the noble figures present agreed.

So, Karaga Pasha summoned a group of eunuchs and drafted several peace treaties.

First, Esman and the Normans would end their hostilities and abandon their attacks on Norman territories and the blockade of the Bosporus.

Second, a circle of villages, towns, and small castles near Constantinople on the Seleze Plain would be ceded to the Normans.

Third, several hundred pounds of gold and thousands of pounds of silver would be delivered to the Khitan Caesar.

Fourth, the Khitan people would be allowed to "collect provisions" from the estates on the outskirts of the city for several days.

Of course, as a return for these conditions, the Norman Khitan Caesar must withdraw from Adrianople as soon as possible, recognize the second empress's son as the only and legitimate Sultan, and refrain from interfering in Esman's civil war.

While Karaga Pasha was drafting the terms, the grand empress of Esman was not idle.

Upon discovering the elite archers of Shu Yichao, she made a swift decision.

"We must immediately win over the Khitans!" declared the grand empress, who was at a disadvantage in the civil war.

She summoned messengers and told them, "Tell that Khitan Caesar."

"I am willing to give him five thousand pounds of gold, twenty thousand pounds of silver!"

"And cede Thessaloniki to the Normans. The city currently has a population of up to ninety thousand and is incredibly wealthy!"

"Of course, the condition is that he must ally with us."

"And rendezvous with our Albanian Legion to kill the second empress and all others coveting the Sultanate, then together defeat the Morya Legion."

As she spoke, she handed over her seal. "If there are any other conditions, use your discretion to agree."

"Hurry and return!"

The second empress and the grand empress were unaware that compared to their conditions, someone who was about to perish had proposed even more outrageous terms.

"Cede the entire Balkans!?"

"Not even wanting the capital!?"

"Lead all Esman people back to Anatolia!?"

"And convert to another faith!?"

When the fifth empress saw these terms written by her brother, she jumped up from her chair.

"Are you serious!?"

"These conditions are too outrageous!"

"No, not at all," her brother, after carefully drying the ink on the letter, looked up, his eyes terrifying.

"My dear sister, we have no bargaining chips left."

"In such a critical moment, you are still indulging in slaughtering slaves for pleasure..."

"It's because those slaves, whose entire families you killed and whose hands you severed, managed to escape and lead the enemy to us."

"Resulting in our meager army being almost slaughtered, and our supporters being massacred."

"Everyone is doing the same thing, aren't they?" The fifth empress still tried to be defiant. "Who would have known that those slaves..."

In her brother's icy gaze, the fifth empress closed her mouth sheepishly.

"Most importantly, the grand empress and the second empress have gained the support of their legions, while we have nothing..."

Her brother continued.

"If we don't offer conditions that appeal to the Normans and the Khitans, what awaits us is undoubtedly complete annihilation!"

"...," the fifth empress sat back down with a pale face.

"We will go to negotiate in person later," her brother rolled up the letter, his eyes still shadowed.

"Furthermore, I suggest you dress up nicely."

"I heard that the Norman Khitan Caesar is a beautiful young man in his teens."

"At the prime of his youth—"

"When necessary, sister, you may need to make certain 'sacrifices'."

"Huh?" The fifth empress widened her eyes.

"I told you, sister," her brother's shadowed gaze never left.

"We have no bargaining chips left."

"...," after struggling with her expression, the fifth empress finally lowered her head in resignation.

"I understand."

[Master, are you ready to enter the city?]

System 12345, which sensed the approximate location of Shu Yichao, began to strategize once again.

[It's not just me saying this, Master.]

[In times as critical as this, you must be extremely cautious.]

[Considering your current situation, the slightest mistake could lead to irreversible consequences.]

[You must listen carefully to my advice.]

[Follow my instructions.]

[There might still be a chance to turn the situation around.]

System 12345 persuasively advised.

[Alright, let me explain the situation to you, Master.]

[Dangerous beauties, how could they not match up with the image of femme fatales? They can be as alluring as they are dangerous—But let's focus on the key points.]

[The imperial consorts of Mumoona are also quite dangerous.]

[Although not as extreme as Mumoona, if you were to provoke them, they wouldn't hesitate to throw you into a pit of snakes!]

[But don't worry, Master, I've got your back.]

[First of all, Mumoona's senior imperial consort seems to be particularly fond of you—Oh my, what's going on!?]

System 12345 exclaimed in disbelief.

[Why are these imperial consorts showing such a high level of interest in you, Master?]

[What's going on?]

System 12345 was utterly puzzled.

[Did they perhaps see you during the celebration? By the way, this city does seem quite lively...]

[Tsk tsk tsk, I can only say, Master, your beauty is truly unparalleled.]

[To have captivated several imperial consorts so easily.]

[Oh dear, it seems like this fifth imperial consort is still interested—Hehehe.]

System 12345 felt like it was about to burst with excitement.

[Master, this seems like an extraordinary turn of events.]

[Flatter the fifth imperial consort extensively, and then persuade her to do the same with Mumoona!]

[There's no need to be shy—]

[In this era, it's quite common for noblewomen and knights. It's especially popular in the Iris Flower Kingdom.]

[Master, I hereby issue a task—Conqueror Them.]

[Show off your cunning and resourcefulness!]

[Hehehe...]