After breakfast, Norton tended to paperwork in the study.
Ye Muo was also in the room.
Adlet had brought over a desk and chair for Ye Muo in the middle of the room. As usual, bottle of paint lined his desk as he painted away.
Ye Muo insisted on his desk and chair being the same size as the other Grantz. His feet swayed subconsciously in the air, unable to reach the floor just yet.
Ano was watching from the side. He was responsible for offering praise from time to time.
Norton rose. Ye Muo vigilantly raised his head the moment Secretary-General Lin opened the door for him. “Dad?”
Norton just got back after leaving two days ago.
Norton’s footsteps paused. He simply said, “There’s a conference in the Grantz Hall.”
The Grantz Hall was referring to the main palace of the Grantz palace, where the throne resided. Many coronations had taken place in the Grantz hall and it was only used for formal occasions.
Ye Muo relaxed slightly at the explanation. He raised his slightly paint-stained face. “Remember to come back for lunch then. Adlet said dessert is going to be delicious.”
Norton approached Ye Muo and wiped his face clean. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
Secretary-General Lin adjusted his glasses. “The conference may take awhile, but it should conclude before dinnertime.”
Bert didn’t even raise his head. “Is it that conference?”
They all knew which one he was talking about.
Dylan caught word and turned to Norton. “We’ll attend as well then.”
“I’ll have to decline then.” Bert drawled as he propped his feet back on the coffee table.
Dylan and Helene had already stood up one after the other. The rest soon followed suit, including Ano, who was keeping Ye Muo company.
The study fell silent.
As he watched them standing there, Secretary-General Lin could almost see Grantz’s bygone glory once more.
But Bert leading his children out to fight during the insect tide was not nearly as wholesome a sight. The killing intent radiating off the assembled Grantz really left an impression on onlookers.
In those days, the Grantz were all in their prime and Bert was still emperor. Even back then, it was rare for all of the Grantz to appear in front of the camera at once.
Ye Muo looked around. He too stood up after a beat of hesitation with curious eyes. “I want to go take a look too.”
Norton looked down at him with disapproval. “You’ll miss lunch.”
“I can eat later. Adlet will save me some, right?”
Adlet nodded. “I would, but I believe His Majesty would prefer that you eat your meals on time, Your Little Highness. The conference shouldn’t be very interesting.”
“Still, I want to go take a look. I can’t be the only one not going. Besides, I’m still stuffed from all the gummies I had this morning.”
Ano couldn’t help but speak on Ye Muo’s behalf, “Why not let him go? He’ll be all alone otherwise. Besides, he has the right clothes already.”
The coming-of-age ceremony gave a good opportunity to broaden Ye Muo’s wardrobe for various occasions.
Norton finally relented. Ye Muo happily went to stand by his side.
Norton ruffled his hair as he stated, “You can leave early if you’re bored.”
With that, he strode out of the room.
……
News of the virtual conference had been circulating for a while.
As with the previous insect tide, an international organization dedicated to all insect-related matters was in charge of the conference. It would be broadcast live so everyone could listen in.
Many anxious viewers had joined the livestream before its scheduled time.
Hours before the conference would begin, the number of vieweres had already reached an unprecedented number and was still climbing slowly. Countless people gathered here to wait.
[It’s terrifying how many people are waiting at the moment. I’ve never seen so many during previous conferences.]
[It’s the insect plague we’re talking about this time, ah. Even my grandpa got up early this morning to start waiting. We’re relatively close to the Grantz Empire so insect tides tend to pass without incident, but that might not be the case this time.]
“You all know, right? Even Grantz can’t hold down such an extended line of defence. They’re already constructing refuge cities.]
[Sigh. It’s understandable. Our generation is so unlucky. What are the chance the Plague would happen during our lifetime? Still can’t believe this is actually happening…]
[It would do you some good to be more optimistic. In a century we’ll all be gone anyway.]
[More like several centuries! Besides, the situation out there is getting bad. There were several disturbances in my area, but things improves after the ringleaders were arrested and publicly executed.]
[Special times call for special measures. I think even the Exile Sectors have gotten their act together. Somewhat, that is. It’s still a mess over there. Grantz seems to be business as usual though. Xavier’s cocooning period is about to end. His coming-of-age ceremony is also coming up.]
[It’s to stabilize domestic opinion, right? The Empress has always been good at her job, but the citizens of Grantz seemed to hold their royal family in high regard. I think even if Grantz publically state they can’t deal with it and everyone should wait to die, the citizens will ask how they can die with the Grantz around.]
[Shh, it’s starting.]
The livestream room shifted into the same conference hall as before, featuring circular rows of seats partitioned into several areas.
In the Arachnid base on the galactic boundary, the director and Cartabelli paused their discussion. “It’s about to start.”
The conference room quietened.
Everyone was waiting for the conference to start.
Secretary-General Lin kept a close eye on the time. Norton was already seated above in his throne.
On either side of the next step stood Dylan and Helene. Then Aria and Jacob. Then Adrian and Ano.
Finally, there was Secretary-General Lin with a folder in hand and Ye Muo, who was pencil-straight due to nerves. His uniform and the sword at his waist was juxtaposed with his young age, like an imposing lion sniffing a rose.
They stood before Norton, who was seating above on the throne.
When it was time, Secretary-General Lin headed down.
Ye Muo couldn’t help but glance his way.
Secretary-General Lin went all the way down the steps as he activated the holographic conference mode. There he remained.
The livestream room was fully activated at this point. Nations began appearing in order.
From the apex, Norton’s gaze swept across the attendees, past Arachnid and landed on the facilitator of the conference in the center.
The vieweres were unusually active.
[The Grantz are all here! Even His Little Highness Xavier! This is his first public appearance after cocooning. Just look at that little sword. I’m going to die of cuteness overload…]
[Well that ‘cute little sword’ can split a king insect in two. They’re not all here either. What about His Majesty Bert?]
[Bert: You’re being a little rude.]
[Why’s there an extra seat this year? Is it for a new country or is it another internal conflict of some sort?]
Cartabelli also glanced at Grantz’s position. His gaze paused on Ye Muo before continuing to Norton.
Norton didn’t spare him a glance. He was waiting for the meeting to begin.
The conference moderator looked extremely nervous, “…We have an additional attendee today, the representatives from the Exile Sectors. At present, they are governing over 60% of the habitable planets in their region.”
He paused, “In addition, the representatives from the Exile Sectors bring good news. They have confirmed the existence of another branch of humanity.”
With that, the other representatives fell into hushed discussions. Few could remain as indifferent as Norton, who waited for the moderator to continue.
The moderator continued after a beat, “They are the civilization that developed from the seeds sent out through the Ark project. They possess technologies unknown to us capable of countering the insects and are willing to cooperate with us.”
[Tell me I’m not dreaming right now.]
[Gosh, another branch of humanity… I wasn’t even this shocked then the Plague was announced…]
[What a time to be alive.]
The moderator glanced at the representatives of the Exile Sectors. Cartabelli had already stood up. He performed a military salute before saying, “My name is Cartabelli of the Keller Empire. We have come with sincerity. A ship channel connecting our locations is being built as we speak. We plan to station in the Exile Sectors. We are willing to provide aid and work together with all of you to overcome the insect plague.”
[I’m unused to Grantz not being the first to speak.]
[So we’re saved? I know about that point in history and the Ark project. It was a move of desperation. People just assumed the worst when the Ark never sent any word back. Either they all perished or they lost contact due to a lack of coordinates. Do you think the people over there think we’re gone too?]
[There’s no free lunch in this world. Just wait for the punchline.]
Cartabelli continued, “However, fending off the insect plague is very costly even for us, so this aid will come with stipulations. We hope to source all ore required for the production of mechs during the insect tide locally due to the extreme distance between our locations. We will take responsibility for all other expenses.”
“Additionally, our help will only be offered to nations that are willing to capitulate to the Keller Empire and become part of its territory.”
“We hope that everyone present can see this as a mutually beneficial cooperation. The Exile Sectors have already agreed to work with us.”
The whispering became noticeably more heated after that.
Cartabelli continued, “We respect your way of life and will not intervene unnecessarily. As long as you acknowledge that you are part of the Keller Empire, the Keller Empire will provide technical support even after the insect plague. We will not take ore and other resources on a whim, but we do hope that the Keller Empire can be given priority when purchasing ore.”
[This is like setting up a lemonade stand in a desert. Expanding their territory without lifting a finger. Sure enough, there are no free lunches in this world.]
[How shameless! Don’t they see the Grantz right over there? If this meeting wasn’t virtual, they would be cut down already.]
[Why are you two getting so worked up when you’re not even from Grantz? Besides, I don’t think this is such a bad deal if they’re really as hands-off and open to negotiation as they seem. You’ll even get technical support just by registering. Looks like they’re after the ore and want to be the first ones to be able to buy any. Money is money, so why not? It’s not they’re going to take it without compensation.]
[On one hand, it’s humiliating. On the other hand…well, the insect tide is almost here so pride can be set aside for now. It would be great if this is real, but if they can’t keep their promise then there goes your entire country.]
[The Plague is almost here, for goodness sake! Nothing is more important than surviving. I think they’re 80% believable. You guys are talking like we can afford to make an enemy of them by refusing. If you can’t beat them, join them.]
[? The Grantz want to know your location.]
Norton shifted. The entire conference hall fell silent the moment he set down the hand supporting his chin.
Noting this, Cartabelli became more convinced of what Arachnid told him before.
Norton’s eyes sharpened as he glanced at the base director beside Cartabelli. “Arachnid?”
The base director seemed to have made preparations in advance. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Norton watched him a few seconds longer before rising. “Grantz will not be cooperating.”
Secretary-General Lin, who was watching closely, prepared to leave the conference.
Cartabelli was stunned, apparently not expecting such a reaction from Grantz.
The director hurriedly stood up. “Please be rational, Your Majesty. As a ruler, the interests of your nation, of humanity should be of the utmost priority!”
Norton didn’t even spare him a glance. “I believe not acting against Arachnid during the Plague is being rational enough.”
With that, Grantz left the conference.
The remaining attendees then started to express sentiments like:
“We need more time to think it over.”
“We would love to work with you, but as far as the specifics of the cooperation is concerned, we feel there is still room for discussion.”
“We are also interested in cooperating, but we have to confirm something beforehand: Are you at odds with Grantz? If so, we will have to reconsider. We prefer to work with Grantz.”
Cartabelli returned to his senses and mentally sighed. Sure enough, things became more difficult after failing to win over Grantz.
He had prepared for pushback against the conditions of the deal, but he never expected Grantz to refuse outright without even trying to negotiate.
Cartabelli was given a certain amount of leeway before coming here. His orders were to secure a contract giving the Keller Empire priority access to ore and other necessary resources at minimum. The more the better, of course. The conditions he posed just now would be the best case scenario.
