Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 158 - 154: Negotiations

Chapter 158: Chapter 154: Negotiations

"Whether it’s important or not, we underlings don’t really know, you’d have to ask the higher-ups." Luo’er shrugged, wearing an indifferent expression.

Melia sighed softly, knowing that Luo’er was playing dumb. Despite their brief acquaintanceship, she clearly understood that Luo’er knew a lot more than he let on, definitely more than just being a mere pawn for the earth organizations.

Luo’er nudged his horse forward, Cheng Ziang asked nonchalantly over his shoulder, "Enjoy it?"

"Enjoy what?" Luo’er stumbled on his words momentarily.

"Oh, nothing, just asking." Cheng Ziang shrugged.

"You, you’re doing this on purpose to make me look foolish, aren’t you!" Luo’er sighed.

"Is Melia planning to go solo?" Cheng Ziang turned to Luo’er to ask.

"Seems so, she appears to be planning to form her own army as leverage to seize power." Luo’er looked back sneakily at her, then turned back and admitted, "Honestly, I admire her."

"She’s not like those foolish nobles and ministers, she knows the rebels have Earth’s backing." Cheng Ziang noted.

"She knows who’s supporting the rebels and who can be trusted, which is why she’s come to Yazhi City seeking support." Luo’er analyzed.

"Do you think headquarters would agree to her requests?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"Not sure really, Melia seems to have cards she hasn’t played yet, I wonder if she’ll use them as bargaining chips." Luo’er pondered.

"You’re referring to the artillery of the Frontline Corps?" Cheng Ziang evidently heard their conversation.

"Yes," Luo’er nodded, "Melia seems to consider this as her bargaining chip."

"kind of looking forward to her confrontation with Wang Xu!" Cheng Ziang said grinning.

"Wang Xu is what you call him, it should be Instructor!" Luo’er glared at him. Though he always called him Wang Xu, Wang Xu was actually more than a decade older than him. Other students in the academy have to call him instructor when they see him.

Ignoring his correction, Cheng Ziang changed the subject. "Speaking of which, don’t you think Melia seems to be trying to flirt with you?"

"Really?" Luo’er was taken aback.

"It’s obvious. Every time Melia sees you, she smiles. When she sees others, she withdraws her smile." Cheng Ziang stared at him.

"This..." Luo’er fell silent, after a moment, he replied somewhat awkwardly, "Maybe it’s because I’m easy to talk to."

"Why not discuss it with Moumou?" Cheng Ziang suggested.

"Don’t make it worse! How come you start to gossip after spending time with Hu Daoke?" Luo’er retorted, irritated.

"Everyone thinks it’s fun to tease you!" Cheng Ziang chuckled, quite bluntly.

"You guys..." Luo’er was so angry he couldn’t find the words to respond, so he chose to remain silent.

After a few hours of travel, the group finally arrived at the checkpoint. After presenting their entry and exit permits, they were let through. Melia kept her gaze on the soldiers and their weaponry, even from a distance.

These soldiers were mercenaries hired by the frontline headquarters, their weapons primarily being automatic ones, mainly semi-automatic rifles. These weapons, combining firepower and precision, were very effective, especially when accompanied by their fully automatic rifles and machine guns. Even the Earth’s army would have to take a detour upon seeing such an arrangement.

After passing through the checkpoint, they could see the large gates of the distant manor. Arriving at the gate, they saw Wang Xu standing with the residents and servants of the manor, waiting for their arrival.

Although Melia was powerless, she was, after all, the princess of the Masya Kingdom, and therefore such formalities were deemed necessary.

There were about a dozen personnel in the entire resident, all of whom were Earthlings. Half of them were Earth’s mixed-race, which made it easier for them to hide their identities in Yazhi City, where everyone else was of Otherworld race.

Entering the gate and into the manor, both of them got off their horses and handed the reins over to a servant, then led Melia to Wang Xu.

"I am Wang Xu, at your service, Your Highness." Wang Xu slightly bowed, offering a salutation customary to Masya. He spoke in Tasta, the common language among the Otherworld Human Race.

"You’re too kind, Mister Wang Xu." Melia looked at the robust middle-aged man before her, his demeanor exuding an aura of authority. He must truly be a senior member of this organization.

"Melia Alaphasia, the princess of Masya Kingdom." Melia introduced herself. Although she was not wearing a dress, she still gave a princess’ curtsy.

"Please, Princess, this way." Wang Xu respectfully made a gesture to go inside.

"Mr. Wang Xu, could you have your people remove all my belongings from the carriage?" Melia said politely.

"Of course, no problem, Princess." As Wang Xu spoke, he waved his hand and a few staff members and servants began unloading boxes from the carriage.

Luo’er and his companion followed them into the main hall, where they ended up in the large hall where their previous meeting took place. The ten-meter-long table had been replaced with a somewhat shorter one. After all, for such a serious meeting, having everyone sit so far apart, though impressive, felt somewhat odd.

There weren’t many people in the main hall. Other than Wang Xu, Melia, and the two men from Luo’er, only a secretary remained. The hall was spacious and well-lit. Wang Xu and Melia sat opposite each other, and although Luo’er and his companion wanted to sit down as well, they felt it wasn’t right, so they stood respectfully against the wall with their hands behind their backs.

"May I ask the purpose of your visit, Your Highness?" Wang Xu broke the silence amid the tense and slightly awkward atmosphere.

"Are you the highest-ranking official here in Luo’er?" Instead of presenting her request immediately, Melia began with a question about Wang Xu’s identity.

"You could say that." Wang Xu nodded, aware of what Melia was getting at. "We have our top headquarters on Earth, but when it comes to the affairs of the Otherworld, my word carries weight."

"If I want to cooperate with you all, can you make the decision?" Melia straightforwardly asked.

"What kind of cooperation does the Princess wish for?" Wang Xu asked with caution.

"I need weapons, Earth’s weapons. I want to use them to form an army!" Melia declared.

"Is Princess Melia in need of weapons to confront the rebels within the Masya’s territory?" Wang Xu inquired.

"Yes." Melia nodded.

"If you’re looking for weapons, Your Highness, you should go to Yazhi City and find the merchants dealing weapons. As long as you show the proof of Masya’s royal lineage, they’ll sell you any weapon." Wang Xu suggested.

Earth’s military weapons exports are not available for civilian procurement, but if Melia can prove her royal lineage, she can easily acquire the militarized weapons not available to civilians through the merchants in Blaiqi from Earth. These weapons would be much superior compared to what the rebels have.

Melia didn’t say a word. She stood up, walked over to the wall, and opened a wooden box that the servants had just brought in, instantly attracting all eyes with its glistening gold contents.

It was a box full of gold bars. Melia had five or six boxes like this. While it appeared to be a lot, if she wanted to organize an army with weapons, this money wasn’t nearly enough.

Melia picked up a gold bar and placed it on the table. "This is all I could gather to purchase weapons. I need weapons, as many as possible, but I know this is just not enough."

"So Your Highness is suggesting..." Wang Xu watched Melia carefully, hesitantly.

"You help me claim the throne. In return, I, representing Masya, can agree to any of your requests!" Melia met his gaze fearlessly and stated her ambitions clearly and decisively.

Indeed, as Luo’er and his companion had anticipated, Melia was seeking cooperation in her quest for the throne.

Seeing as Wang Xu remained silent, Melia continued, "I know that I am powerless now. But I believe that as long as I can find a partner to cooperate with, I am sure that I can secure the throne of Masya. Although the kingdom is now in rebellion, from the king to the ministers, no one realizes the strength of the rebels. Everyone is still intoxicated with the allure of White Fruit Wine. To completely annihilate the rebels of Masya, only I can do it, only me!"

Melia’s words were so vehement that Luo’er and his companion were overwhelmed by her forcefulness. They just stood against the wall, utterly still, and watched Wang Xu earnestly.

Wang Xu remained thoughtful and silent for a long time, as if lost in contemplation. He finally asked slowly, "Princess, if we do provide you with the weapons, are you confident that you can eradicate the rebels entirely?"

"Yes. As long as you help me form an army, I guarantee that I can claim the throne of Masya and vanquish the rebels!" Melia replied confidently.

The issue inevitably circled back to seizing the throne, something Wang Xu was hesitant about. If it was only a matter of providing weapons, they would gladly help. However, clearly, Princess Melia expected their assistance politically, not just deliverance of weaponry.

Whenever the prospect of expanding influence in the Otherworld arises, the General Staff Headquarters faces the question of whether to interfere in the political affairs of the Otherworld countries for personal gain.

There has never been a definitive answer to this question since interfering in another country’s internal affairs violates the basic principle of peaceful coexistence. Therefore, the Headquarters remains divided with half in favour of intervention and half against.

This issue has now reemerged for discussion at the negotiation table. Wang Xu knew he had to make a choice. Do they help Melia seize the throne of Masya? If they succeed, the entirety of Masya could be brought within their sphere of influence. However, if they fail and the other Earth nations find out, it would be trouble.

While it might appear that Earth countries are influencing the course of the Otherworld, all parties maintain a friendly outward appearance, keeping their manipulations covert. If Princess Melia’s plot to usurp the throne with their aid gets exposed, it will undeniably instigate a new wave of political support from the Earth side.

Faced with Melia’s firm and urgent request, Wang Xu was lost in thought. What should he do?