Chapter 644: Chapter 644. Alliance

None of the Vagrant Sect members dared to talk back to Amon’s words. The Charger Guild members were similarly silent, even when everyone could perceive their displeased expressions.

Since no one uttered another complaint, Amon wrapped up his statement with a monologue.

“Now that we have settled this matter about the High Council, I have one more thing to say. There might be a time when someone decides to do something foolish, like postponing my tribute, or even cancelling it. Some of you might even decide to change the councilor I have chosen by assassinating them. Let me tell you this. If that ever happens, I will return here with my army.

“When I do, I will wipe out whoever is in the High Council who is not these five. I will also wipe out the Vagrant Sect and the Charger Guild. I won’t give you the chance to explain yourself. I will just do it, because I won’t accept any excuses. I don’t care if a natural disaster happens that halts the shipment. I don’t care if these five die out of natural causes, suicides, accidents, or whatever. I will hold your two organizations at fault, no matter what!

“After that is done, I will take control of this nation. Because you know what? By then, I can use the justification that you have gone back on your promise. After all I did to deliver you from a tyrant and give you freedom, you repay me with betrayal. Most Khode’s citizens will still oppose having a foreigner rule this nation, no matter the justification, but the backlash won’t be as severe as it would be if I conquer this nation now.

“In other words, if you go back on your promise, I can use it as an excuse to crush you and take over your country. So, do… not… give… me… that opportunity. Do I make myself clear?”

Everyone gulped after hearing Amon’s threat. Gui Dou even felt a cold sweat rolling down his forehead.

After making sure everyone understood, Amon commanded everyone to leave except for the five High Council members. His platoon escorted those people out with their weapons drawn. The members on the ground floor were also chased out. They replaced the two organizations in securing the building.

Amon stayed in the Council Hall and told the five the tributes he expected from Khode. Every half a year, he demanded that Khode send him five million aer stones, one million Blackstone bullets, and fifty thousand elemental mines.

As for the levy, since Khode didn’t possess strong cultivators, Amon demanded battle puppets in exchange. Every half a year, Khode must send ten thousand battle puppets accompanied by one hundred expert-level job specialists. At least ten percent of the ten thousand battle puppets must be low-tier runic grade, and ten percent of the rest must be equipped with Faxien Radars. As for the job specialists, half must be tech specialists. He also demanded that two Yuanxu Cannons and ten thousand of their ammunition be delivered with these battle puppets.

Zee Min complained that these demands were too steep a price. Amon didn’t relent. He told her that he had seen what Khode was capable of. He didn’t believe the price he asked was unreasonable.

Amon also gave the five several papers filled with laws and organizational charts that he had drafted for Khode.

“I thought you said you would let us rule this nation our way?” Hong Zi protested.

“I did, but I also know that most of you are clueless about how to rule a country,” Amon returned. “I don’t want my tributes to stop flowing in just after one year. I want you to flourish and continue sending me payment. You don’t have to follow anything I wrote in this draft. They are guides. Throw them away if you like. But like I said, I won’t accept any excuses. If you fail in ruling this nation, if riots happen or famine strikes, which causes Khode to be unable to send my tributes, I will still hold Khode responsible. I will return and take over the management. Got it?”

Hearing that, Zee Min picked up the drafts and read them. To her surprise, the laws and the organizational charts on those papers were sensible and applicable. Most of all, they were detailed. This allowed her to immediately implement them.

He passed the papers to the others to study. The others came to the same conclusion as hers.

Ha Velet asked Amon how long he and his army would stay in Khode. Amon replied that he would remain for quite some time without specifying an exact timeline. He told her he still had many things to prepare before departing.

*

The First Demon Army moved into one of the large forts near Dabao City. The fort was called Kulun Fort. The army stayed there to let its wounded soldiers recover, while healthy soldiers conducted daily training as they did at Fort Fresh Maw.

Amon spent more time at Dabao City, helping the High Council during their initial effort. True to his words, he remained only as an advisor. He didn’t impose his will on any decisions the five councilors made on state matters.

The mayors and important officials from all over the nation were summoned to Dabao City to streamline the process. Some of them, of course, protested the right of the five to be their ruler. A few even ignored the summons and didn’t show up at all.

Amon suggested they show their strength to intimidate those rebellious officials into obedience. Amon offered to use the Royal Puppet Army for that purpose, but Zee Min rejected his offer. With a vote of three against two, they opted for a diplomatic approach. Amon didn’t push the issue.

While the new High Council’s control over the nation was shaky, most of the settlements submitted to its authority. The Vagrant Sect and the Charger Guild had members in almost every settlement, after all. Even though these two organizations’ higher-ups were still bitter with Amon’s interference, they still enjoyed an overall increase in influence. Hence, they did their best to support the new High Council.

Amon wasn’t impressed by how the five in the High Council ruled, but he didn’t think it was disastrous, either. So, he kept to his words. Other than providing advice, he stayed out of their way.

Two weeks after the formation of the new High Council, Wu Di requested a meeting with Amon.

“So, you have made up your mind?” Amon asked. They were inside the commander’s office in Kulun Fort. In Amon’s hand was a transfer letter from Wu Di. He made a transfer request after the battle of Dabao City. He just received a reply letter, which approved his transfer.

“I have made up my mind long ago. I already told you,” Wu Di replied.

“You did. That’s a pity. I have high hopes for you. Well, perhaps you will still fulfil my hopes even when you tread a different path.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Wu Di didn’t understand what Amon said.

“Never mind me. It’s just my rambling. Anyway, you can leave any time you want. Here, this is for a parting gift.” Amon placed an Aetherium Fruit on the table.

Wu Di stared at it but didn’t pick it up. He said, “Thank you, but I must refuse. I consider my debt cleared after serving you in this campaign. I don’t wish to add new debt.”

“I see. As you wish,” Amon replied. He took back the fruit.

After Wu Di left, Bo Wu emerged from his left arm. It was laughing while it spoke, “Are you going to deal with him before he leaves this country? I will be happy to help you get rid of his body.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I will be in trouble if every soldier who leaves my army ends up dead. I still have someone to answer to, for now. Furthermore, I still have use of him, even if he is no longer my follower.”

“Oh? How so?” Bo Wu asked.

“I have no obligation to explain to you, and I don’t remember giving you permission to come out.”

“Hehe. My apology,” Bo Wu laughed as it returned to its tattoo form.

*

Wu Di travelled to Surly Gate Town before using the path there to return to Echos. On his way, he saw that many Khode workers were in the process of building a railway. This railway seemed to head toward Echos.

This railway was one of Amon’s proposals. Now that the war between Khode and Echos was over, the two countries signed a trade agreement. Both countries possessed resources not attainable in their respective countries, so King Huang San easily agreed to it when Amon sent the proposal.

In addition, Khode was obligated to build a railway to Echos, which would allow speedy transport of the traded products. This was a demand Amon forced Khode to accept as the party that had figuratively lost the war. Khode and Echos also signed a fifty-year treaty of non-hostility and open border.

With this treaty and trade agreements, the two countries were now in a formal alliance.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep