"What do you mean, Daemon? Who would this third guest be?"

At that very moment, preceded by a strong light and a powerful current of air, Kali appeared in the center of the room together with Emperor Ademar still sitting on his throne.

"Your Highness!?"

"Perfect timing. I knew Thecla wouldn't disappoint me. Thank you for your help, Miss Kali."

"You're welcome. Call me when you're done." She winked before disappearing.

If she hadn't been disarmed, Aria would have immediately drawn her sword and pointed it at Daemon.

"What does this all mean?"

"Be calm. I mean no harm to His Highness."

Ademar seemed surprisingly calm, and as soon as he felt he could move again he rose calmly from his throne, straightening his robes.

"Daemon Haselworth, I presume?"

"At your service."

"I've always wondered what you looked like. Now that I see your face, it's even more incredible that you've accomplished so much in such a short time. You look like just another boy."

"Says the man whose father earned the nickname The Righteous despite putting belladonna in his brother's stew to take his place on the throne."

"How dare you, Daemon!" Aria thundered

But Ademar nodded at her, smiling mockingly: "My uncle was as useless as my grandfather, who had brought Saedonia to the brink of ruin. If my father had allowed him to take power, the Empire would have dissolved in a matter of years."

"Don't get the wrong idea; I do not blame your father for what he did. I love my family, but I love my country even more and the cause I swore to defend, and I would not hesitate to sacrifice it in the interest of the Free State."

"On condition that it be done only as a last resort. If I poisoned my brother just to take his crown, I would be nothing more than a vulgar animal."

"I agree. Family is sacred. Severing that bond is something that should never be done lightly."

"Well? May I know what's going on?"

"My apologies, Your Highness. Unfortunately, we are in a very difficult situation, and there was no time to make a formal request to ask you to attend this meeting."

"What situation are we talking about, exactly?"

Aria looked down in shame and embarrassment.

"Of course, the last messenger has not yet arrived in Maligrad. In that case, allow me to give you a quick summary."

The Emperor was a man who rarely let his emotions show; but even he could not remain indifferent to Daemon's tale, allowing a few drops of sweat to streak the wrinkles on his face.

"So, that's the situation. Aria cannot attack my positions without it resulting in a massacre for her, and I do not have the forces to exploit the favorable moment. In Jovtan, your forces are gaining a few hundred meters a day. By the time they finally make it across the valley, Medici and his army will have already besieged the Castle. Forgive my bad language, but frankly... all three of us are sinking in a sea of shit."

Not very appropriate, but it certainly got straight to the point.

"I never thought Medici would have the guts to go that far," Ademar muttered.

"I think we all felt the same way," Daemon said. "Besides, as talented as he is, he doesn't have the strength or determination to keep Congress and the House of Lords in check. They must have forced his hand to make him act. But to his credit, he prepared this invasion with great care and intelligence. None of my spies in the Union suspected a thing."

Then came the question no one really wanted to ask.

"So? How do we get out of this?"

Daemon sipped some coffee. "There's only one way. An alliance."

"What!?"

"Don't pretend to be surprised. You know this as well as I do. Both our armies are exhausted. Even if one of us were to prevail, there is no hope of repelling the Union forces with what remains. The only thing we can do is join forces and fight together."

"Daemon, do you realize what you're saying? I am sent here to defeat you."

"But you didn't succeed. And if you're as smart as I think you are, if both of you are, then you know that desperate situations call for creative solutions. Medici certainly took that into account, which is why he showed up with such a large army. Even if we join forces, we'll still be outnumbered."

"You are occupying a land that does not belong to you. And the Empire has mobilized enormous capital and resources to crush you. How could His Majesty justify an alliance with those who in the eyes of all are nothing more than his rebellious subjects?"

"Consul Montgomery is right," Ademar said. "But if you would agree to submit and return to Imperial control, then perhaps we could try to find some way out."

"You both know that's not possible. Even if I were to accept this solution, and I won't, my people would not be happy. We started the Revolution because we wanted to create a new world, and destroying it to return to the old one is not something we can hope to do."

"It seems we're at an impasse. How do you plan to get out of this, boy?"

"You want the Free State to cease to exist, at least as a rebel and potentially hostile province. Perhaps I can grant you some of what you want."

"How, exactly?"

"Of course, returning the territory to the Empire by renouncing the Revolution and its conquests is out of the question. But there is another way, and deep down you know what I am referring to."

Aria and Ademar looked at each other for a moment.

"Reunionism," said Aria. "You want to reconstitute the Grand Duchy entirely."

"Not as it was originally. The people of Eirinn have also known the Revolution, and they will not give it up so easily. Therefore, here's my offer. As compensation for its victories against the Barons, the Empire will formally cede the province of Western Eirinn to Consul Montgomery. Thus, it will appear that His Highness has voluntarily ceded the territory of the Free State to one of his Generals in reward for her services, while keeping up appearances. The Montgomery Family will retain their title and dynastic right to Eirinn, but will have to recognize the Constitution and the power of the Assembly. All trade agreements will be restored, no longer needing to go through the black market and backroom deals. As for the Empire, it will officially recognize the new nation, making a new agreement with Eirinn based on an alliance between equals. An alliance sealed by an oath made by placing our hands on the Stone Tablets."

The Stone Tablets were the cornerstone of imperial power, and the foundation of Saedonia's legal system; since ancient times, making a pact by swearing on them was tantamount to establishing a sacred and binding agreement, the disavowal of which was heresy.

If you look closely, that proposal solved all the problems in just a few steps: the end of the war and tensions, and a new geopolitical order capable of guaranteeing lasting peace.

Saedonia would have welcomed as a blessing the birth of a buffer state, which similarly to the elven territories to the east would form a natural barrier between the Empire and one of its enemies.

The problem of Eirinn and Reunionism would be solved once and for all, and no one would lose face; moreover, a victory against Medici would have further legitimized the strength of the Empire and at the same time dealt a pretty good blow to the Union.

There was just one small problem.

"To make a deal with rebels in this way would be an irreparable disgrace to the Empire. If we accept such a compromise, others will feel justified in making similar demands."

"They won't. Because from now on, Your Majesty, you will have me and my cannons watching your back. With the unconditional support of the Free State of Eirinn, everyone inside and outside the Empire will think twice before challenging you."

The thought of gaining such an ally was tempting indeed, and Ademar considered himself too pragmatic to be hindered in his decisions by frivolities such as honor and principle.

But even he struggled to muster the courage to make a move with such unpredictable outcomes, just when his authority was beginning to improve after the end of the rebellion.

"This is not an easy decision, not to mention that-"

Daemon raised his arm, silencing him as no one had ever dared to do before any Emperor.

"There is a messenger waiting at the camp. Should the meeting go badly, or I fail to return by noon, he has orders to carry this same offer to President Medici."

Both Aria and Admear nearly fainted.

"What!?"

"Medici is desperate for someone to support him in his reforms. He will be more than willing to accept all my demands, if in exchange he can avoid war and secure my support at the same time. The only difference between dealing with him and you is that the deal would not include you, Aria. I want to be there when you have to explain to the people of Eirinn why the reunification that now seems achieved is destined never to happen."

"Damn you, Daemon! This is not a negotiation, just vile blackmail!"

But Aria's fury evaporated as Ademar burst out laughing in return.

"Your Majesty..."

"Well done, boy. If you hadn't acted this way I would have doubted your supposed brilliance. You've outwitted us all."

"I was sure you would understand. Only a fool shows up defeated at negotiations without a final card to play."

"However, there is one thing you didn't take into account. Centuries ago, I could have made a similar decision without consulting anyone, but today things are very different. I must ask the Senate for authorization."

Daemon almost sneered. "Whenever he finds himself in imminent danger, the Emperor puts his own judgment before anyone else's. Stone Tablets, Third Law, Fifth Paragraph. Luckily for us, even after the Senate was established, no one has remembered to amend this article."

"I don't think I know a noble in the Empire who could recite even a single law from the Tables. The fact is, I don't feel the slightest bit in danger."

"If you prefer, I can hold a knife to your throat."

"Daemon!"

"We are running out of time, Your Majesty. While we sit here arguing about this and that, the Union army is advancing on the Castle. So far I have managed to divert them by making them take the long way round, but now my options are exhausted. Either we reach a mutually beneficial agreement, or we will witness the greatest demonstration of third-party greed ever seen."

On the table, in addition to the coffee pot, there was also a bottle of wine; the Emperor took it, and without even having the courtesy to use the glass, he emptied half of it in a few gulps.

"Severus and the others also swore on the Stone Tablets to serve me until death, but this did not stop them from betraying me."

"We will change the Constitution. From now on, we will need the authorization of all three highest representatives of the institutions to start a war or any military campaign; the Grand Duke, the Prime Minister and the Head of the Assembly. Lady Montgomery was prepared to risk everything for you and the Empire. Do you really think she would allow me or anyone else to act against you?"

Aria was not without ambition, and she dreamed of claiming her father's throne to ferry Eirinn out of the hell that Victor and their uncle had dragged her into. But her honor and the oath she had sworn before the Emperor were too great to simply cast aside.

"Your Majesty," she said, bowing her head. "I love my country, but I still remain your General, and as such I will do what you wish. However, I humbly ask you to consider Commander Haselworth's offer. Not for my sake, but for the sake of my people. Eirinn and her people have suffered enough already."

Ademar looked at her in a way that Daemon didn't miss.

"Three conditions. The Free State will support the Empire in any military campaign it undertakes."

"It can be done."

"You will share your technological discoveries for the military with us."

"We'll sell you weapons and equipment as the Empire invests in our manufacturing centers, but you'll have to learn how to use them yourself. We'll keep the construction methods to ourselves, too, but if you figure them out on your own, that won't be a problem for us."

"Finally, and most importantly, from now on the Free State will no longer support or sponsor any attempt to export the Revolution within the Empire in any way."

"I agree. However, we will continue to grant asylum to all slaves who manage to reach the Free State on their own. Furthermore, you will not hold us responsible for any uprisings or rebellions inspired by revolutionary ideals that may break out within Saedonia, if it is proven that they were not caused by elements personally connected to us. Finally, I have a request of my own. The Empire will provide safe conducts that allow our citizens, even former slaves, to travel freely within its territories."

And so it happened that the most important diplomatic meeting of the last five hundred years ended with the most classic handshake.

"So be it. I entrust you with the command of this operation. Repel the invasion, and I give you my word of honor that I will respect the agreements made today."

"I am pleased that we have reached a compromise, Your Highness. I assure you that you will not regret it."

"Now I would like you to take me home, so that I can stop General Theodore from mobilizing every single soldier in the Empire against you."

"Of course. Lady Kali?"

"Right away."

At that point, the Emperor and his throne vanished as quickly as they had appeared, leaving Aria and Daemon alone once more.

"I will notify my Generals and order them to begin disbanding the camp. We will meet back here at noon for a joint tactical meeting."

Aria clenched her fists, staring at the ground with a broken expression.

"I spent a whole day wondering why you didn't want to attack us after you defeated us last time. Now I understand. This is what you were aiming for. You knew you couldn't defeat Medici on your own, and you forced the Emperor to accept this alliance. Neither your people nor mine would have agreed to cooperate with the Empire. But if the reward is the reunification of Eirinn and its final liberation from Saedonia's influence..."

Daemon didn't answer, at least not with words.

"Smile, Aria," he said before he left. "You just won a kingdom."

And for a moment Aria couldn't help but think back to Basil's words.



"Allied with the Empire!? If that's a joke, it's not funny, Daemon!"

"Do you see me laughing, Scalia?"

None of the Generals had greeted the news with enthusiasm, of course, but none seemed more shocked, and angrier than Scalia.

"You can't do this, Daemon! Not to them! They represent everything we're fighting against! Everything so many of our friends have died for!"

"Scalia, I don't think I can truly understand what you feel," Oldrick tried to say. "But I think Daemon thought long and hard before making this decision."

"There was nothing to think about. This was the only thing to do."

"Shut up, Natuli! What do you know about what those damned Imperials have been doing to us for centuries? The ghettos, the servant stones, it's all their stuff!"

"I think the same. Daemon did the only thing he could."

"Jack!? You can't be serious! You were a slave too!"

"For once, try to think rationally. The Revolution cannot survive in a hostile world, constantly surrounded by enemies."

"General Jack is right," Cassia said. "We would be constantly at war. And as you too Scalia have seen, a war is always a risk, no matter how brilliant and innovative Messer Daemon's tactics are."

"I will not take lessons from a centaur who was fighting alongside those dogs only six months ago! If you enjoy being used by the Empire so much, you can leave any time you want!"

"Do you really think we're happy about this?" Richard pressed. "We all have something against the Empire, otherwise we wouldn't be here, and we believe in the Revolution as much as you do. But as Daemon has taught us by example, sometimes you have to put your personal feelings aside and think for the greater good."

"If the Empire recognizes us as a nation, we will no longer be just rebels," Oldrick concluded. "And that can make a real difference. Moreover, this land will finally be reunited, ending centuries of tension and fratricidal strife. All considered, don't you think fighting alongside them against the Union is a small price to pay?"

But although she was alone against everyone else, Scalia refused to see it this way, and forgetting her strength she grabbed a table and smashed it to the ground.

"I won't accept this! You may have forgotten what happened, but I'll never do it!" and she ran away crying

"Lady Scalia, wait!"

"Let her go, Oldrick."

"But..."

"You forget that she is almost two hundred years old. She has been through more because of the Empire than we have. Let's give her time to calm down. You'll see that eventually she will understand."

At that moment, a sentry entered the tent.

"Consul Montgomery and her officers have arrived."

"Let them pass."