This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 496: Open Spears and Secret Arrows

Chapter 496: Chapter 496: Open Spears and Secret Arrows

"How could it not be our concern?"

Despite being the butt of the joke, Li Ke was in no way flustered; instead, he chuckled and retorted.

"A son’s issue, no matter how minor, is still a significant matter, haven’t you all traveled a long distance to get here too?"

Cohen initially failed to catch on, but he quickly got the double meaning and his expression darkened.

The term "son" could refer to the Golden Lizard Kingdom, or it could refer to the Vellante People.

In a distant half-century past, there were no Vellante People on this planet; they were all engineered by the Academy’s predecessor—the technical department of the Post-War Reconstruction Committee, under the mandate of the Defense Department, through a genetic improvement project designed to create super soldiers.

As a Ten Thousand Leader, he was of course aware of the origins of the Vellante People, but just because he knew didn’t mean he cared.

The pride and glory of the Army didn’t stem from some ancient history, but from the infinite path that lay under their feet.

Yet, not minding did not mean it was okay to be mocked.

Chu Guang looked at the B-level researcher with mild surprise.

Having seen the players’ casual chat on the Forum before, he had thought these bookworm types were tongue-tied.

It appeared that the only tongue-tied ones were those grassroots officers who couldn’t talk in riddles.

Seeing the crowd stand unmoving in the wheat field, their sarcastic banter increasingly laced with an explosive undercurrent, King Montegarde couldn’t help feeling his scalp tingle.

After all, this was right at his front door.

Unable to bear the anxiety in his heart, Montegarde bravely interjected to smooth things over.

"... My lords come from afar, you must be exhausted from your journey! Why not come and rest at the castle first? Then we can further discuss the future matters. After all, this really isn’t the place to speak..."

Cohen glanced at the old man indifferently, then signaled to one of the guards with his eyes.

The guard nodded respectfully and retreated to the "Wild Bull" All-Terrain Armored Walking Machine nearby, stepping over the open hatch.

The giant steel body slowly lifted, and the air currents it raised set off a breeze that rustled the wheat stalks.

Pleased with the array of naive expressions brimming with surprise and fear on the faces around him, Cohen, contentedly accompanied by a host of Level 30 guards, walked past the king, crossing through the river dike gate.

This was a vassal country of the Army.

Coming here was like returning home, no need for others to invite him.

Whether kings, nobles, or the common residents, everyone on this oasis was his servant; since when did a servant invite their master to visit home?

Realizing his own presumption, King Montegarde kept his head low, not daring to take a deep breath, and the other nobles around him did the same.

The Alliance was too lenient towards them.

So much so, that they had almost forgotten their status as a vassal country.

Only in the eyes of Count Krunwi shimmered an ambitious glint as he pondered how to ingratiate himself with this seemingly new master.

He had already offended the Manager of the Alliance.

This time, he couldn’t afford another mistake...

"Damn, this NPC is quite good at putting on airs," Night Ten muttered quietly into the comms channel, eyeing Cohen’s departing figure.

Wild Wind touched his nose and spoke calmly.

"A five-star Ten Thousand Leader... apart from Marshals and Legion Leaders, there should be no one with a higher status than him in the entire Army."

In other words.

He stood there on behalf of the Army’s Marshal, fully authorized to manage all matters concerning Luo Xia Province, including the authority to engage in combat.

This guy was obviously much tougher to deal with than that Griffin.

Especially off the battlefield.

Chu Guang watched the governor’s figure for a while before turning his gaze toward Wu Changnian standing next to the Tiger Whale Transport Aircraft.

The middle-aged man’s face had regained its sunny smile, and he looked back just as friendly.

"A pleasure to meet you, Manager of the Alliance. I’ve long wanted to pay you a visit... You are even younger and more capable than the media portray."

"Mr. Wu flatters me."

"Not at all, this War owes its victory to you," Wu Changnian shook his head, continuing to speak with a soft smile, "but our War has only just begun, hasn’t it?"

Chu Guang knew what he meant.

The fruits harvested by the soldiers on the Battlefield had to be solidified at the negotiating table.

The fact that Triumph City had sent a five-star Ten Thousand Leader to serve as the governor of Luo Xia Province indicated that these ceasefire negotiations were not likely to conclude hastily.

"You’re right. If it’s convenient, I would also like to understand the Council’s position."

A pleased smile appeared on Wu Changnian’s face.

"I happen to be planning to discuss this matter. Can I steal a moment of your time?"

Chu Guang, too, smiled.

"I have the same intention."

The two walked smilingly toward the direction of the city gates.

Only players who hadn’t had their fill of excitement were left on the scene, along with the upright "Wild Bull" All-Terrain Armored Walking Machine, enterprise transport planes and assault team soldiers, and King Montegarde with a group of nobles behind him.

Standing next to the elongated flying machine, Li Ke felt awkward. He had no choice but to approach King Montegarde, clearing his throat forcefully.

"I’m from the Academy."

King Montegarde snapped back to attention, hastily replying courteously.

"May I ask what instructions you have, sir?"

"Find me a place to stay... closer to those people."

Li Ke pointed towards the distant Chu Guang and Wu Changnian, emphasizing sternly, "The Academy has a seat at the ceasefire negotiations, do you understand what I mean?"

Although Mountegarde had no clue what the Academy had to do with this War, he was well aware that one does not offend a colossus, especially when one’s country has been a defeated nation with a dissolved army. He promptly nodded.

"Understood! Very well understood!"

"Good to know."

Li Ke gave the man a satisfied look, took his two artificial-being bodyguards with him, and contentedly passed through the city gate.

...

Although the friend from Wandering Swamp made quite the fool of himself upon his entrance, his blunder helped to ease the tension between the enterprise and the Army.

Looking at Li Ke, who seemed completely indifferent, not taking to heart what Cohen had said, made sense too.

The gifts of far-sightedness were not only extreme materialism but also consequentialism.

Ordinary prospectors were never privy to the details of negotiations, and even if that so-called "Conclusion Doctor" knew the details, he likely wouldn’t care whether his subordinates embarrassed themselves.

As long as the final goal was met.

As long as the cost was acceptable...

However, the ceasefire negotiations were not going smoothly.

Although this was expected, the stubborn attitude of that representative named Cohen had taken Chu Guang somewhat by surprise.

The castle at the very center of Falcon City.

Within the spacious conference hall, representatives from the Army, corporations, the Academy, and the Alliance were seated.

Under the watchful eyes of bodyguards, the castle’s servants were trembling as they poured tea and water for these bigwigs, daring not to slack off in the slightest.

Cohen was tapping on the table with his hand, his aggressive demeanor fully exemplifying the Weilante People’s rudeness and unreasonableness.

"If you truly have the sincerity to cease fire, then immediately withdraw your forces from Oasis No. 2! That is the prerequisite for restoring peace!"

"That’s not realistic."

Undaunted by the aggressive aura, Chu Guang resolutely interrupted him.

"The Alliance’s military operations will only end after the ceasefire agreement comes into effect."

Cohen raised his eyebrows, surprised by the Alliance’s firm stance.

According to the battle reports sent to Triumph City previously, the Army and the Alliance had their victories and defeats.

Although Griffin was at a disadvantage due to being isolated and without support from corporations, the troops under his command had still inflicted significant casualties on the Alliance.

Especially a legendary attendant, who alone had caused a thousand casualties within the Alliance!

By rights, even if the battle reports from the frontlines were somewhat exaggerated, at least a small part of them could be taken at face value.

Before disembarking from the airship, he had been sure that the Alliance was also at their limit, which is why he adopted such a forceful attitude right from the start.

But now...

The strong reaction of the Alliance was beyond his expectations.

Cohen was uncertain for a moment, not sure whether the man before him was bluffing or if the situation on the frontlines was not as optimistic as he had imagined.

His mind racing with thoughts, Cohen’s expression remained unchanged as he shifted his strategy and said, "Then at least have your people withdraw from around Horn Fort and maintain a fifty-kilometer buffer zone with ours."

It was a reasonable request.

However, to his surprise, the man opposite him still refused.

"The garrison at Horn Fort hasn’t surrendered. There are fifty thousand Army soldiers stationed there; we can’t leave such a significant threat alone. We won’t move an inch until they surrender their weapons or significant progress is made in the ceasefire negotiations."

Are you kidding me?

Chu Guang could never agree to such terms.

Cohen might not know the supply situation at Horn Fort, but Chu Guang heard it crystal clear from Old Soldier.

Not only was the garrison at Horn Fort lacking water, food, and ammunition, but they were also on the verge of a mental breakdown due to continuous harassment by planes and were already pushed to the edge of infighting.

If they were to retreat fifty kilometers now, the Skeleton Corps and the Lion Kingdom’s ground forces would not be able to completely cut off supplies as they currently were.

Moreover, if by some mischance ammunition was delivered into the fort, they’d most likely have to fight another battle.

Looking at Cohen, who clearly had not grasped the situation, Chu Guang spoke in a calm tone.

"Mr. Cohen, I wonder if you’ve heard this saying, ’What you can’t get on the battlefield, never expect to get at the negotiation table.’

Cohen’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

""You mean to settle it on the battlefield?"

The air in the conference room seemed to freeze.

In the moment he heard Cohen’s words, Li Ke, sitting in front of the negotiation table, immediately tensed up.

Wu Changnian’s expression did not change, but he kept making eye signals to Chu Guang, hinting not to push Triumph City too hard.

The tension at the negotiation table was unprecedented.

Chu Guang ignored everyone else and continued to stare unblinkingly at Cohen.

""What I mean is, please put forward a more practical demand."

The gazes of the two parties were like colliding swords, creating sparks over the negotiation table.

Although the Army’s power was clearly stronger than the Alliance’s, in terms of personal courage, Cohen, who was just an ordinary person, was definitely not a match for Chu Guang.

Knowing that this standoff would lead nowhere, Cohen snorted coldly, pushed the tea on the table away, and stood up from the conference table.

Startled by his move, Li Ke, who had not spoken a word from the beginning, quickly tried to mediate.

""Let’s all talk nicely, why not take a step back—"

""It seems you don’t have the sincerity to talk properly,"" ignoring the B-level researcher completely, Cohen eyed Chu Guang across from him with narrowed eyes, ""Let’s call it a day for now."

To that threatening tone, Chu Guang merely smiled faintly and spoke calmly.

""It seems you didn’t rest well on your way here."

""So be it, we can continue tomorrow,"" he said.

He knew why Cohen was acting this way.

Adjudicator had just arrived at Luo Xia Province and was not yet familiar with the actual situation on the frontlines. And with the expansionistic tendencies of his faction, the battle reports sent to Triumph City were undoubtedly embellished.

Perhaps, in the Triumph Newspaper, Griffin was portrayed as fighting the Alliance to a standstill, and Cohen, who was new to the scene, would naturally be confused about the Alliance’s firm stance.

It would be good for him to understand the current situation at Horn Fort.

After leaving the conference room, Cohen immediately contacted Joseph, who was on standby at Adjudicator.

""Can you contact Griffin?"

""Can’t reach them... the communication is abnormal. The Alliance’s planes have destroyed the fort’s signal tower, or it could be some other malfunction."

Cohen nodded silently.

This "other malfunction" had a significant implication in his ears.

Joseph was from the Army system and also a confidant of the Eastern Legion Leader Salen; obviously, he understood the ways of the expansionists better than himself.

Perhaps...

This man had already deduced something from certain telltale signs.

""General Joseph, are you loyal to His Excellency the Marshal?"

The response on the other end of the communication channel was immediate and without the slightest hesitation.

""Of course, my loyalty to His Excellency the Marshal is unrivaled. Why do you suddenly ask?"

Cohen’s tone remained unchanged as he spoke.

"There’s nothing much. I just hope that every choice you make from now on will be worthy of your identity and the trust His Highness the Marshal has placed in you."

There was a brief silence from the other end of the communication channel.

"I understand."

After the call was disconnected.

The elevator on the Adjudicator was lowered, and two motorcycles were deployed to the surface, rushing non-stop towards Horn Fort.

Before tomorrow’s negotiations began, they needed to understand the real situation at Horn Fort.

And what exactly Griffin was up to...

At the same time, just after leaving the conference room, Chu Guang was pulled into the next room by Wu Changnian.

Before he could open his mouth to speak, Wu Changnian hurriedly said,

"Anyway, the Army only has fifty thousand troops left in Luo Xia Province, and you’ve agreed to withdraw from Oasis No. 2, so why not just play along with that big-nosed guy?"

Looking at Deputy Minister Wu’s anxious face, Chu Guang patiently reassured him,

"My friend, you don’t understand the front lines, so it’s normal to think that way. This isn’t about the Army taking two steps back, if we retreat fifty kilometers, it’s like opening the pocket surrounding Griffin. It’s akin to giving up the leverage in our hands before the ceasefire talks even start... Do you understand?"

"If you don’t, you can call Yi Chuan. I’ve already discussed this with him beforehand."

Wu Changnian responded with a wry smile upon hearing this.

"You’re still thinking about this..."

The Council had never expected to get anything substantial from those poor people in the west; the lands that the Weilante People took pride in were essentially worthless in their eyes.

It wasn’t due to arrogance, but because the Weilante People had never genuinely governed the territories they had conquered. Most of the time, it was simply a brutal process where the land and the residents were treated as spoils of war and handed over to various junior officers for their control.

Places like Lost Valley and Qingquan City were common within the Legion’s territories; essentially, they hadn’t solved any problems.

"Of course." Chu Guang had a different view from Wu Changnian; the Dinar was still good for purchasing nice things, "We can give up Oasis No. 2, but as a negotiating chip on the table, not as a so-called display of sincerity, unilaterally handing over a position we already hold to the Weilante People."

Wu Changnian couldn’t help but ask,

"Aren’t you afraid at all that this could become the catalyst for a full-scale war?"

Chu Guang shook his head.

"Such things can’t be resolved by fear. We hope for peace, but we’ve never imagined that peace can be achieved through compromise."

Wu Changnian pressed his index finger to his temple.

"Negotiating chips... You’re still expecting the Legion to compensate you?"

Chu Guang said matter-of-factly,

"Why not?"

As if expecting him to say this, Wu Changnian sighed.

After contemplating for a moment, he spoke up.

"Here’s what we’ll do... One billion Cr, we will pay you in the form of aid as compensation for the Alliance."

The Council had given him some autonomy.

If the ceasefire terms were not negotiable, it was one of the options for the corporate side to compensate the Alliance for part of the war expenses.

At least, that cost was less than a full-scale war across the Central Continent.

Upon hearing about this one billion Cr aid, a smile appeared on Chu Guang’s face.

"How embarrassing."

Wu Changnian resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

If you’re so embarrassed, why don’t you decline!

Chu Guang wouldn’t reject such an easily gained advantage.

With a slight cough, he continued in a serious tone,

"We can give up the claim for war compensation from the Legion and its vassals, as you mentioned... that’s indeed unrealistic. Once the ceasefire agreement takes effect, our Army will also immediately withdraw from Oasis No. 2. However, like I said before, we won’t initiate withdrawal before the ceasefire agreement is active, and we hope for your full cooperation at the negotiation table. This is not just for us but for your interests as well."

Wu Changnian nodded.

"I have no objections. Our only demands are a cessation of hostilities, the safety of No.0 Shelter, and the security of all crew members aboard the Pioneer."

Chu Guang breathed a sigh of relief inwardly and extended his right hand with a smile.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

"Hopefully so."

After shaking Chu Guang’s extended right hand, Wu Changnian let go and then suddenly remembered something, speaking up,

"Oh, this is a personal suggestion, have you considered... uh, setting up a private account in Ideal City?"

Chu Guang paused when he heard something unrelated to the negotiations.

"...A private account?"

Wu Changnian nodded.

"Yes, it’s not that troublesome. Even without the resident status of Ideal City, you can register. Many nobles from Giant Stone City have one."

Upon hearing this, Chu Guang immediately grasped his implication and leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with a smile,

"No need."

Wu Changnian didn’t give up; he explained patiently,

"Don’t misunderstand, I’m not trying to bribe you... It’s just that, looking at the current situation, the risk of a full-scale war is not nonexistent. A bank account could at least provide you with a way out."

So far, the Legion hadn’t gone all out to invade Luo Xia Province, and the corporations were being careful to control the scale and pace of the war.

Ideally, the ceasefire negotiations should take place in the Royal City of the Lion Kingdom. As for Oasis No.3, formerly belonging to the Honey Badger Kingdom, the Council even planned to cede it to the Legion.

Nobody expected the Alliance to be so formidable.

Directly pushing Griffin back to his homeland.

Now, developments had exceeded the Supreme Council’s expectations. If things did escalate to full-scale war, he at least hoped to secure the survival of their ally’s leader.

This was also the intention of the Council.

However, Chu Guang’s response was unexpected to Wu Changnian.

"I don’t need such a thing, even if that day comes, I won’t go anywhere. Instead, I will stand with those who trust me."

Wu Changnian looked at him blankly, somewhat unable to fathom the young man before him.

He looked slightly regretful but still nodded.

"Alright then. By the way, this is just a personal suggestion... it has nothing to do with the Council."

Chu Guang smiled and nodded.

"I understand, those words earlier won’t affect our cooperation."

...

The first day of the ceasefire negotiations ended without joy, and the second, third, and fourth days of negotiations failed to make any substantial progress.

The ceasefire negotiations had temporarily reached a stalemate.

The Academy didn’t play any role in mediation at all, and the governor from Triumph City didn’t seem to care much about the B-level researcher.

As for the corporations.

Wu Changnian indeed provided a lot of support to the Alliance, but the nature of the council meant he couldn’t make too many independent decisions. He had to consult with the council and discuss matters there before he could make any final decisions.

It was completely unexpected for him that the Academy would arrive.

A Tiger Whale Transport Aircraft flew back overnight, just to bring this news back within the communication range of Ideal City as quickly as possible.

Chu Guang thought the mediation by the Academy would make the negotiations go more smoothly, at least as leverage to pressure the Army.

But now, it seemed to have added more variables to the negotiations.

However, Chu Guang was not in a hurry.

No matter how strong the Army was, the Alliance, which occupied Falcon City, held the initiative in these negotiations, giving him ample time to complete the "transformation" of the Falcon Kingdom.

Right now, the ones who should be most anxious were the fifty thousand defenders trapped in Horn Fort, cut off from water and food, as well as General Cohen, who hoped to retrieve the prisoners of war at the smallest cost.

Chu Guang had successfully worn down the ceasefire conditions from "the Alliance and corporations withdraw from Oasis No. 3" to "maintain the territorial borders as they were before the outbreak of the war."

The only dispute now was Bister Town.

The Falcon Kingdom had already given up this small town; after all, it wasn’t in Oasis No. 2 to begin with, but a fortress built by the Army for an eastward advance.

But Cohen insisted that even though the town wasn’t within the borders of Oasis No. 2, it was still built by the Weilante People.

"It looks like we will have to hold a fifth round of negotiations." Seeing that Cohen couldn’t be persuaded, Chu Guang feigned regret as he sighed and pushed the notebook on the table, but didn’t close it.

Cohen squinted slightly at the man who didn’t take him seriously, his fists clenched and then released atop his knee.

He really couldn’t delay any longer.

According to the situation Joseph had learned, the situation of the defenders in Horn Fort was not optimistic. Although the Alliance’s planes had stopped the air raids, their food and fresh water were already running out.

What was most fatal was that the Alliance’s planes were targeting their kitchens specifically for bombing, resulting in pots and pans becoming scarce commodities.

Just then, a knock on the door of the conference room came, and a Weilante People Soldier with a stern expression walked in from outside.

Those sitting at the table turned to look at him, trying to discern something from his grave expression.

Li Ke from the Academy was even more direct - he simply took out what appeared to be a volume-amplifying earphone from his pocket and put it on.

Clearly, he took everyone for fools, thinking no one noticed his little action.

A silly thought crossed Chu Guang’s mind as his brow twitched; he wondered if he could just startle the guy by suddenly yelling into his ear and thus, send him away.

Yet, the clever friend was bound to be disappointed. The soldier didn’t whisper in Cohen’s ear but handed him a piece of paper instead.

Cohen took the note and glanced at it, his face suddenly changing.

Standing up, propping himself on the table, he scanned those in front of the conference table and then hurriedly dropped a sentence.

"That’s it for today’s negotiations."

Without waiting for the surprised voices and perplexed faces around the conference table, he left the conference room without looking back.

Wu Changnian quickly turned to Chu Guang.

To his disappointment, Chu Guang also looked puzzled.

Was his house on fire?

He was in such a rush to get back...

His earlier words were just to show that the Alliance didn’t care how many meetings it took, not that he actually planned to dismiss today’s meeting.

"Do you have any news?" Li Ke, having taken off the amplifier, looked at Chu Guang and couldn’t help but ask.

"No."

Chu Guang shook his head.

Li Ke hesitated, about to say something.

At that moment, Chu Guang’s VM suddenly vibrated on his arm, projecting a light blue window only he could see on the screen.

The instant he saw the words, he held his breath.

Noticing the change in Chu Guang’s expression, Wu Changnian immediately asked,

"What happened?"

Chu Guang pondered for a moment then spoke.

"Griffin is dead."

The moment those words fell, the air in the conference room seemed to freeze, and the expression on each person facing the table became uniquely vivid.

"Dead..."

Wu Changnian was stunned on the spot.

He hadn’t expected that the old desert fox would end his life so abruptly on an ordinary afternoon.

For a moment, he didn’t know whether to be happy or to regret.

"That guy is actually dead..."

Li Ke’s face was also filled with surprise, but mostly, it was schadenfreude.

That guy had hung up on him before he died; although he was not a petty person, he hadn’t forgotten that.

Haha.

Good riddance!

Stupid and arrogant Weilante People, they should die obscurely in a lowly corner... There was no ending more fitting for this madman.

And with that guy’s death, this stalled ceasefire negotiation should soon come to a conclusion.

Li Ke was now only curious about how Griffin had died.

King Montegarde, who was listening in, sighed softly. Griffin had treated him with some respect... at least much more than Kras and McCullen did.

Chu Guang’s feelings were a bit more complex.

He had thought that the guy would hold on for a while longer, at least until the end of this ceasefire negotiation. Unfortunately, he had passed away so soon...

What a pity.

He had even promised McCullen before that he would let him reunite with Griffin...