Chapter 420: An Ass Kisser.

Nobody rushed to reject or accept the grand elder’s suggestion. When it came to talk of war, they could all do so eagerly, but reality was different. An all-out war like the one he was speaking of could very well end humans or end in their enslavement. It was not something to take lightly.

Lady Viola Simms, the newly elected leader of the Iron Vale Confederacy, gave a nod so firm her sharp chin practically cut the air. "I agree with Ralph, we have entered the now or never territory." She said loudly, her voice echoing in the grand boardroom. "And just as a reminder to everyone, we are in absolutely no position to go to war with the Somnivores right now! We lost a great number of our elite military force during the Wildlands conquest that Trinity started."

Her sharp eyes darted across the long oval table, landing square on Zyra. The silent accusation she shared was not a silent as she thought. But considering how much power Zyra wielded, nobody was about to say a word.

Zyra didn’t even flinch. She simply leaned back, picked at a non-existent speck of dust on her sleeve, and gave a lazy shrug. "Hey, don’t look at me. Blame Trinity. That’s what happens when you try to forcibly occupy land that’s already packed with locals who know how to bite back. These lands belong to the beasts...you humans have enough."

"Lady Viola, I hope that you are not blaming the divine maiden for the weakening of the army." Logan threw in.

A chair screeched as Viola shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I said no such thing!"

"Good, because I plan to defend the divine maiden’s honor to the last drop of my blood." Logan declared. "If she wishes for me to die, I would gladly shoot myself in the head."

Achilles raised his eyebrows curiously. Where did this clown come from and why is he kissing Zyra’s ass so much? he asked himself.

Zyra winced loudly, "That is unnecessary and I am not the divine maiden."

"As you say." Logan released a chuckle as if to imply that Zyra was joking.

The Grand Elder let out a heavy, bone-weary sigh that sounded like a deflating tire. "Back to what matters. Commander Xavier and his team are recruiting as fast as they can. But these new kids? Raw. Inexperienced. Half of them don’t even know how to somersault or shoot at a moving target. It’s going to take time to train them into actual soldiers. This is another reason why we need a ceasefire." He paused, rubbing his temples before continuing. "Besides... this is the very first time the Supreme Leader is reaching out himself. It’s a very big deal and it is only fair we give the man or alien an audience."

"How do we know he is a man?" Achilles asked.

The leaders looked at him, wondering what he was doing in such a high-profile meeting anyway as he was not a politician.

Zyra shook her head. "Read your history, all the Somnivore were men."

Achilles raised his hands as if to ask for pardon for raising a stupid question.

Sitting a few seats down, Mayor Logan clicked his tongue loudly in disapproval, shaking his head with a dramatic frown. He turned his gaze toward Zyra, his expression softening into an overly sweet smile. "Well, I trust Zyra’s judgment on this matter. If she’s on board, I’m on board."

Zyra gave him a single, crisp nod. "I’m on board."

"Settled, then." the Grand Elder declared, slapping a hand onto the table. "I’ll send a reply on our behalf, accepting the invitation to meet. However_ this meeting happens strictly on our terms. We, the humans, will decide the time and the place."

A hum of approving mumbles swept through the room. Setting the location meant home-field advantage, and in a high-stakes negotiation, that was everything.

"Alright, everyone," Zyra announced as she stood up, brushing off her skirt. "Meeting adjourned. You’re all free to stay at the Beast Mania Hotel. Eat, sleep, order room service_ all bills are on the city budget."

"Ah, generous as always! Thank you, Mistress Zyra!" the leaders chimed in, suddenly in high spirits at the mention of free luxury lodging.

As Zyra stepped away from her chair, Mayor Logan practically scrambled out of his seat to catch up with her. "Zyra! A quick word?"

He was smiling_ a little too wide, a little too bright. It was the kind of smile that made Zyra’s skin crawl. Before she could walk away, Logan reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek, plush red jewelry case. With a grand, theatrical flourish, he popped it open.

Inside lay a breathtaking necklace. Deep-blue energy stones, polished to perfection and brimming with high-grade mesmerizing glow. It was subtle, elegant, and screamed ’extravagantly expensive.’

"A small token of my admiration," Logan said smoothly, holding it out like a prize. "Consider it a gift."

Zyra looked at the sparkling jewels, then looked at Logan’s eager face. Right. I know your type, she thought. Always kissing up to whoever holds the biggest stick. Word was spreading that the position of Divine Maiden would remain vacant until she took over, and Logan was practically panting at the chance to win her favor.

Reaching out with a single, calm index finger, Zyra tapped the lid of the red box.

She pushed it shut, right in his face. "No, thank you."

Logan froze, thoroughly bewildered. No thank you?! This wasn’t some cheap glass store trinket! This was a top-tier artifact that could buy a small town! And he had gone through hell just to get it_ especially for her!

Zyra turned on her heel and walked away. Logan stood there for a second, mouth slightly open, before quickly shoving the case back into his jacket. "Wait Zyra!" he called out, trotting after her into the hallway.

He didn’t make it three steps.

A towering figure stepped smoothly out from behind him, blocking the corridor like a brick wall.

It was Achilles.

Achilles crossed his arms, looking down at the mayor with a smile that was about as friendly as a hungry shark. "The lady said no, Mr. Mayor."

Logan’s face twitched. "Get out of my way," he muttered, folding his lips tightly as he tried to sidestep the giant.

Before Logan could take a full stride, Achilles’ hand shot out like a steel vice, clamping down firmly on the mayor’s shoulder.

"Ah_ hey!" Logan squirmed, trying to wriggle out of the grip without making a scene in front of the lingering diplomats. He pulled, he twisted, he tried to slide away_ but Achilles didn’t budge a millimeter. He held Logan pinned right there in the hallway, casually watching over the mayor’s head until Zyra safely stepped into the elevator and the doors slid shut.