Chapter 4607: Chapter 4596: Griffon’s Roar (Part 2)

"What do you mean?" Lith asked.

"I mean that those greedy bastards are one of the reasons I still haven’t delivered everything I promised you, Lith." The Firstborn Vampire’s eyes narrowed. "The Valak Region is now mine, but that’s just a fancy way to say I’m on my own.

"Neither Awakened Council is going to protect my territories unless I compensate them, swear my allegiance to either of them and pick a side in their ongoing conflict, or I let them have a few productive mana geysers they can assign to their Regional Lords.

"Simply put, the Councils want not only a share of my resources, but also a say in how I handle my territory!" Vladion slammed his fist on his desk with so much strength that the room around him quaked.

"As for the three great countries, the Beast Empire and the Verdant Kingdom, they left me hanging unless I pay their protection fee as well. I can’t spare much, Lith, because I need to protect my borders from invasion while also taking care of Lightkeep and the mess of Undead Courts in Garlen.

"Undead are helpless during the day, and my loyal human soldiers in Jiera need good equipment to hold their ground until the sun sets and my vampires rise. I can ask my mother’s help or Dawn’s from time to time, but I can’t rely on them.

"I trust the people of Zelex and have invited them to live in my territory, but since they can’t move from the mana geysers, they can only stand guard on my magical resources."

Vladion lowered his gaze, looking old and tired even though undeath kept his body from aging a day.

"I haven’t forgotten that my Radusk got his medicine thanks to you, nor how much you put on the line to help me retake Detemer. I only ask you to wait a few more months, or after I pay you, I’ll lose everything I just recovered."

"As I said, there is no rush, Vladion. I can wait." Lith repeated, and this time he meant it. "Out of curiosity, what’s going to change in a few months?"

"By then, even the farmers and the merchants that travel Valak will be Thralls." The Firstborn Vampire replied with a wolfish smile. "I’ve moved to Jiera solely undead who can bless mortals with their powers and assigned a few of them to each settlement.

"My vassals rule their territories during the night, while their subjects are more than capable of defending themselves during the day. On top of that, every woman, child, and man in Valak receives enchanted equipment."

"Fuck me sideways!" Lith whistled in approval. "Isn’t that a bit much?"

"No, it’s an investment." Vladion replied. "Don’t forget that my mother can use Creation Magic, so I can always recover the equipment simply by adding a tracking spell. The only issue is that Forgemastering so many artifacts and creating so many Thralls takes time."

"Don’t worry, and send Lysa and Radusk my regards." Lith said, aware that solving the elves’ issue was likely to shift everyone’s attention to the second easiest prey: Valak. "If you need help, just give me a call. I imprinted Detemer’s geyser after the battle."

"And I never purged it in case something like this happened." Vladion nodded. "I hope the moment never comes, but I might need to take you up on your word. Vladion out."

***

A few days later, Lith received a call from Aalejah. She gave him the details about the negotiations’ location and his transportation.

"As predicted, the Jierans tried to arrange the meeting on neutral grounds, but the Magic Empress twisted their words to our advantage." Lith said after announcing his imminent departure for the city of Valeron.

"She chose the geyser city of Tarna and appointed the people of Zelex as mediators."

"How is that neutral ground?" Kamila asked.

"The people of Zelex have no allegiance to anyone but their battle brothers and have no interest in the controversy." Solus replied. "On paper, Tarna is the epitome of neutrality, and the great powers of its citizens can ensure everyone’s fair play.

"Yet once Lith arrives there, its people will take his side and reinforce Garlen’s position."

"That’s smart." Rena nodded. "How are you supposed to get there?"

"Transoceanic Gate from Valeron to the nearest outpost to Tarna." Lith replied. "From there I’ll join the Kingdom’s delegation and travel with them. Is everyone ready?"

"Almost." Ryla hugged Garrik tight and kissed his forehead. "I’m sorry, sweetie. I’d love to bring you with me, but if something goes wrong, I can always leave the geyser, whereas your life force would lose every chance to stabilize naturally."

"Don’t worry, Mom. I understand." Garrik returned the embrace. "How long will you be away?"

"Two days at worst." Lith replied. "I’m not a diplomat, and I have no active political role. How much leeway the three great countries are going to allow to prevent a conflict and the terms of a potential treaty are not up to me to decide."

"Don’t worry, Little Brother." Morok knelt to look Garrik in the eyes. "I promise you we’ll keep your mom safe. Look after Quylla, Orikan, and Jirya for me while I’m gone. You’re the man of the family now."

"I will, Big Bro." The young Fomor briefly embraced the Tyrant.

"Are you sure you don’t want us to accompany you?" Kamila held Raldarak and Elysia while Lith bid them goodbye.

"Sadly, yes." He sighed. "There is no way to hide your presence in Tarna, and with you gone, everyone else in the Mansion would be in danger. Bringing the Guardians with me means leaving none here.

"Be a good boy, Val." Lith lifted the young boy in his arms. "Always listen to your mother, okay?"

"Okay." Valeron hugged his father tight, trying to imprint his smell and warmth in his memory in fear of losing him, as he had already lost Jormun.

Reaching the city of Valeron from the Mansion’s Warp Gate only took one step, and from there Lith’s group reached Jiera in an instant.

"What is this abomination?" He expected to travel to Tarna in a DoLorean, a Train, or maybe just a Warping Array.

What Lith found waiting for him and the rest of the Kingdom’s delegation was a hybrid between a Train and a destroyer ship. Instead of their usual rectangular shape, the wagons had the streamlined design of missiles.

Each carried batteries of alchemical wands and a large mana cannon fueled by white crystals embossed on the four corners. The wagons could move independently to attack like a swarm or scatter during an organized retreat.

Once fused into a single body by their enchantments, however, the wagons formed a juggernaut about 160 meters (510’) long and 20 meters (66’) across, with Adamant-reinforced Orichalcum walls and equipped with more weapons than Lith had ever seen together in one place.

"This is the Griffon’s Roar, the pride of the Kingdom’s military." Princess Peonia said. "The Crown informed you that your creations would be modified for military use, Magus Verhen. I don’t see why this comes as a surprise to you."

The princess hadn’t changed much since the last time Lith met her.