Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 231: Signed and sealed (2)

There are many emotions in his heart right now.  Silas must have informed Azrael of his appearance because he knows who he is with just a glance.

Then finally begins his last task.

They firstly began exchanging stories as Arial relay to their Kings about what has transpired and what really happened to Arianna.

Arianna who is standing nearby, nodded, confirming the stories.

Thankfully nothing happen that would taint the lady honors though not for lack of trying on the Emperor part.

The lady then told the assembly of how she had been kidnapped and imprisoned in a lake, guarded while every day the Emperor came to the lake, trying to woo her, to no avail.

It seems the Emperor have a very twisted mind.

Luckily, and this is the part of the story that Arial knew, she met Zhang Liao Bao who she has entrusted to give a letter to his beloved which falls into his hand.

Arial then summon Lord Leander to present the letters to the King of Arakath,

Arial then give the letter to Azrael and he read it and looks towards his bride and Arial could see tears are forming on his eyes.

He wiped it away and Arial continued the story. He tells them how he sees that this might create misunderstanding and might invite a political problem and even incite wars between the two continents.

It is at this time, he orders people to investigate and he explain to the assembly the pains that he have taken to procure the Princess and avert this tragedy of two continents at war with each other

Hearing the story, everyone was silent. It took some time for them to digest all of this and some of them even sighed.

Young love was manipulated to plunge the Demonkind and Humankind into war. If such war come to pass, then there is only suffering and death.

The fact that they are standing here pondering about a peace treaty is a miracle in itself.

Then someone ask Arial a question

'Why would you help us so?' The Orc King asked.

'Yes I am curios' suddenly Azrael interjected. Arial then answered

'At first, I have a suspicion that surely you, as our neighbor, albeit a faraway neighbor would have believed that if it were to be found out, that your beloved wife is in the Human Continent, you would march here to retrieve her back.'

And at this the other kings nodded. They all know the importance of Arianna to their new king.

She is not only the King bride but her lineage puts her as a very special existence in the Dark Lands which is why they would gladly lay their life for her and why the plea of the factions so easily sways the nobles and Kings of Anvali to go to war with the humans.

'This is my initial assessment. And haven't I been proven right?' And the Kings nodded again.

Arial then continue

'If I do not resolve the misunderstanding, showing my goodwill by rescuing the Princess wouldn't I instead will be accused as an accomplice? And if I do not resolve that misunderstanding, instead of sitting here talking about peace and treaty wouldn't we, right now, be in the battlefield, shedding blood and cursing each other ancestors?'

The Orc chuckles as Arial continues

'Of course when I found out there is a plot and conspiracy that is determined to pit, to make war on peace, to bring blood and fire, when there is calm and prosperity, I could not stand still and let such injustice be. I am then determined to save the Princess, unravel this perpetrator and to put salt in his wound, what would be more avenging then to make peace when the perpetrator desire war?'

And at that the Faeries King laughed.

'I like the way you think, Lord Arial' and with that the other Kings also laugh.

'True' Azrael remarked.

'What would be a better way to show to him then this? Sweet revenge indeed. We Faeries like peace and the Elves like their forest' King Oberon remarked and the representatives of the Elves' nodded silently.

And then it was the Demonkind turns to tell their story.

King Azrael tell the humans of the conspiracy while the Human Continent Kings all listen with great attention and showing the appropriate reactions.

Of course, when Arial set the treaty as his end goal he himself did not expect the other Kings would be so interested in joining the assemblies which makes Arial in an awkward position right now.

As it stands the treaty concerns Arrandy not Aetherland, and while the Demon King have agreed to sign the treaty he only wish to sign it with him, as he trusted Silas, which means he trusted the lord of the man he trust.

And as Arial did not expect even King Adrian to come to this signing, the fact that he is now sitting in the stone chair conversing with important people of the land Beyond the Sea might be a sore sight for Adrian courts.

Such display shows to the other Kings that he, as a vassal, is higher than the King itself. Of course Adrian might not mind.

After all, if it's not for the Vermont intervention in Vern, Aetherland might not have such strong allies in the Northern Chu.

A protectorate for Aetherland which will keep all of Aetherland safe from the Austen family if they ever decide to attack the northern border.

Arial could only ignore it right now.

Then as misunderstanding is being resolved, their talk shift to jokes as the servant pour the drinks to the Kings and they all share their stories of crossing the long bridge and their near death by a sandstorm near the Holy City.

Then the moment came and the treaty is brought into the table.

The treaty is crafted by Silas which has considered both points of contention between Humankind and the Dark Lands.

The churchmen began examining the treaty on both sides and after Arial explained to them of the intention, they grudgingly accept though their wariness does not recede.

But even the denizens of the Dark Lands do not look at the churchmen very eagerly. One could say their wariness is mutual.

The treaty describes Arial willingness on his side to open the wall and port for the traders of the Dark Lands while the Dark Lands will also do the same but only on ships and trader that bears the seal of the region of Arrandy.

The treaty also describes a non-aggression pact against each other, that if there is some matter of contention in the Human Continent, it is agreed, that the House of Vermont will act as an arbiter to both side, and even in extenuating circumstance joins the scuffle.

But the Dark Lands have to promise safe passage to the Dark Lands. They agree but only the Land of Dragons is excluded from the treaties.

After all, if you're stupid enough to go into a land of the dragons you deserve to be eaten up by a dragon.

Reservation is also included if they wanted to amend the existing treaty.

The treaties are written in the common tongue and the Dark Words, the language humans called the Demon Kind language.

Arial who have studied this before in the library can understand it perfectly.

That day they both sign the treaty and write their names, he styled himself Lord Arial Vermont, Prince and Duke of Arrandy and Arial also include the time and date and the venue of the treaties is sign, at night 35 Seedmonth 1017 After Fall signed at Dagur Hill and with that they exchanged the treaties, one written in their language, one in common tongue while they hold the treaty that he signed.

It would be kept in their Keep, to be preserved as long as this agreement stands. This treaty is a treaty of mutual benefit.

The threats from the East no longer poses any immediate threat and while the people present does not understand what he had truly achieve, which is averting a great catastrophe from befalling humanity, he does not begrudge them

Arial has seen a new path that is not trodden by anyone before. A peace talk and a treaty that guaranteed that peace.

With this his quest, his life goal is completed. He had averted that tragic invasion and for some reason he felt everything become lighter.

He could come out from that house now. He could forget that blood soaked room now.

Now, his only quest that is left is acquiring a dragon heart, expel the poisons and then he can live peacefully in his castle with his family and wife.

Arial got up from my seat.  Azrael followed. They shook hands and talk a bit about something and then they both called for a feast, laughing in happiness on their way to the castle.

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