City Lord Keylan glared, "Then what was the point of this parley?" He growled.

Despite the ambient Mana growing agitated, the Devil Envoy remained unperturbed. The only response was from the Argalon bodyguards, who casually put their hands on the hilts of their sheathed swords.

Alaster stared at the Argalon, "We all know that you would all die before you could draw them. Now lets all be calm," Alaster looked at the Envoy, "You would not have called this meeting just to brag about our destruction. What do you want?"

The Envoy smirked, "I had seen the report about you. It is good to know that not all Humans are imbeciles. It would bring shame upon our ancestors to have them be defeated by them. No, we are not here simply to brag or attempt to instill fear.

In your last parlay in your Human city of Zolis, you attempted to negotiate for the safety of Onigas, your reasoning being that it was just a few miles outside of the Human Reservation. A sound reason that truly caused much discussion among the War Masters.

Unfortunately, the boundaries of the Reservation have been discussed for millennia, with arguments for every single inch. It was simply impossible to extend it several miles.

Your city will be destroyed, but it has been decided that the people may not need be. We will allow the people of Onigas to leave the city in safety."

Keylan and Elliot looked at each other, not speaking a word, but coming to the same conclusion.

Lord Siphas spoke first, "How long do we have to make a decision."

The Envoy thought for a moment, "This was not discussed among the War Masters, so it has been left up to the General and I to decide.

The General, of course, wishes to attack immediately, but I managed to persuade him otherwise. He wishes to eradicate your entire Race, but he does not wish for the death of his own soldiers. The less people that are in the city, the less of his own soldiers will die to take it.

We originally gave the Humans of Zolis five minutes to decide and one week to leave. Out of respect for Lord Ashborn here, we will give you one day to decide. Tomorrow, I will be here at midday to receive your answer, whatever it may be. Should you accept our mercy, we will give you one week to prepare the evacuation, nor will we attack or pursue in any way."

The City Lord raised an eyebrow, "Those are generous terms."

"The General is a reasonable man and I have never cared for this war."

"You are a member of those seeking Peace instead of War?" Alaster asked, his curiosity peaked.

"Correct. In order to keep balance, each Army has been given two equal commanders, the General, and the Envoy, me. The General leads the army in its continued conquest, while the Envoy ensures the General does not cross the line as well as ensues the opportunity for diplomacy is pursued. In this way, both the Warmongers and Peacemakers are represented.

Though just because one is an Envoy, does not mean they do not wish for the death of Humans.

Now, I must report this meeting, and I suspect you must return to discuss what you will do."

The Envoy stood up, as did the other two Devils, together they bowed slightly before they left. The Argalon guards followed them.

Still seated at the table, Elliot and Keylan looked at each other. Alaster watched the Demons go, wondering just what the Lord of Onigas would do.

* * * * *

"It is out of the question!" Shouted the General in charge of the Wall.

"It is the smart thing to do!" Countered Minister of Trade.

"At the very least we should consider it." The General in charge of the Scouts said.

It was at this point that Alaster realized he should probably try to remember their names.

"What is there to consider? We don't even know if we can trust them! You said it yourself Jolef, they have slaughtered every Human they have come across."

Jolef! That was the Scout General's name, though he was technically in charge of any Military action outside the city.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Even if we did accept, could we truly prepare to evacuate the entire city in just seven days? And what about the journey to Galmore? Its riddled with monsters. We'd lose half the citizens just getting there! And there is no telling if Galmore would even accept us." The Minister of the Treasury spoke.

Alaster was pretty sure his name was Kelan, or Kecal? It started with a K, he knew that much.

"Lord Kesal, we have the Tunnels we can use. We could have the city evacuated in two days, and have the city emptied before the seven days expired." Lord Siphas calmly explained, though the vein popping out of his brow betrayed his annoyance.

"That's another thing! We can not give up the city because then the Demons will not only find the tunnels, but have a direct connection to them and through them, to Galmore and Ivrand."

"Couldn't we destroy them before we left?"

"No. In order to prevent cave ins or outside attacks, we made them extremely durable. We would not be able to destroy them well enough to avoid detection within the seven days offered." The City Lord spoke.

Kesal spoke softly as if he was afraid that by speaking louder, it would make it true, "So we fight?"

"Worse," Keylan said with determination, "We send all non-combatants through the tunnels and bring the Galmorian trained recruits back to the city. We hold the city, no matter what they throw at us.

Lord Siphas, as the one in charge of the Alliance communications for us, what are the chances we can get those Mana Cannons from Zalar here and installed before the seven days?"

Elliot sighed, "Impossible sir. Those cannons are slow to build, difficult to transport, and even more so to install. Most of the ones that are built are being made in Zalar as well as installed there. Galmore can and has been making four at a time, but it takes them eight days to make and the last shipment was sent to Zalar just the day before last.

By the time they built more, packed them on the train, and sent them here, it would be the eighth day. And as stable as they are, it would be foolish to attempt setting them up on the Walls during a siege."

"What about those…Firearms? The reports say they are easy to learn and quite effective against the weaker enemies." General Jolef asked.

"Those I can get, in large numbers, or at least large enough to be effective. But in truth, I believe it would be more effective to have our soldiers be equipped with the weapons they are familiar with. The Zalarians had access to the Firearms before the Invasion, they were given time to figure out how to use them individually, and en-masse. And they only learned, and are still learning, so quickly because the Firearms are quite similar to the Mana Cannons they are already well acquainted with.

We do not have the time or prior experience to train our soldiers on how to use them."

"I agree." Keylan spoke, ending the matter.

"So we send the train full of civilians, get a train full of soldiers, and continue this process in hopes that we can somehow withstand a siege that we don't know how many of the enemy there is, or how long it will last. Is that about right?" Kesal sighed.

"That is correct." City Lord Keylan said bluntly.

"Great."

"Keep your opinions to yourself, all of you. The last thing the people of this city need is its own leaders moaning about how hopeless it is. Let them figure that out on their own. Until they do, you will support the plan and spread hope, not despair.

This meeting is over. All of you, go make your preparations. An announcement to the city will be made, but it will say that it is just a precaution to protect civilian lives.

Understood?"

They all nodded or murmured their understanding, before bowing to their Lord and leaving, leaving just Keylan, Elliot, and Alaster in the small meeting room deep below the city.

Keylan dropped into a chair with a heavy sigh, "You know, my father is often considered one of the greatest City Lords Onigas has seen. He navigated the treacheries of diplomacy and outmanuvered the enemy on multiple battlefields in order to capturing Onigas too costly for the other Nations to consider. Thus, he brought about peace for an entire generation.

I have always strived to act in a similar manner. To protect, nourish, and uplift the people of Onigas. It was very rarely easy. I often wondered how my father would have approached this or that. But now, I am lost. Because despite all the battles he fought, he never fought one even close to this.

What would he do?"

"The only thing he could have done, exactly what you are doing." Elliot consoled, "Our city is great, but it is too small for events so large. All we can do is our best."

"This will be the end of Onigas."

"No. This will likely be the end of the city, but our people will live on. Onigas will survive."

Keylan laid his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes.

For several minutes, the room was silent, each man buried in his own thoughts.

"What will you do Alaster?" Elliot asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Will you stay and fight? What about your sister? Her friends?"

"I will fight. This is more my home than any other. As for my sister? I would prefer if she would leave, but she won't. Not unless I force her, and I won't, despite my desire to do so."

"She'll have access to my personal armory." Keylan stated, without opening his eyes, "Her friends too. Better them than the Demons." Keylan muttered the last part.

"And what about your daughter?" Alaster asked.

"Hmm?"

"I can perfectly imagine you sending her Knight Order with the civilians under the guise of keeping them safe."

"Don't tempt me, or I'll tell her it was your idea."

Alaster cringed, "Please don't."

Keylan and Elliot chuckled.

The room descended into silence, this time a lighter one.

"I should go tell my wife personally." Elliot announced, standing up.

Alaster groaned, "I guess that means I should also tell my sister."

"Alaster, before you go," Keylan sat up, "Iris tells me you have a girl in Galmore."

"I wouldn't say that, but I do know one that I am interested in."

"Its more than that from what she tells me. Regardless, you should send a letter to her, I can give it to one of my trusted servants to ensure it gets to her. You of all people know how uncertain and chaotic war can be and you might not have another opportunity to tell her the things you need to say."

Alaster hesitated, "I…I will think about it."

Keylan nodded, "Life is short, especially nowadays. It would be a shame to have leave behind regrets."

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