Chapter 53
In business, you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.
Chester L. Karrass
Three hours after the previous chapter, in Juno...
The airship used by the representatives from Einbroch and Lighthalzen has arrived in Juno. Both representatives parted ways as soon as they reached Juno, perhaps to avoid further conflict between themselves. "God, they are so annoying. Good think they are leaving.." Emilio stated with gratefulness seeing Jose Martinez and The Pythons leaved.
"Damn right,captain. They are so cocky. Not to mention that they acted like an asshole" Martina agreed with her captain.
"Now,now. Calm down you two. We're here to fight no one. Now, let's head to the Sage Castle where the Grand Meeting is being held" General Eduardo tried to enlighten the mood with his smile and words, as the three gunslingers goes quietly towards the sage castle.
As Emilio, his subordinate, and his father walks through the streets of Juno, Emilio started recalling back the event that had happened in the town of the wise, "Juno is quiet a peaceful place. Valdomir began attacking The Republic of Schwaltzvalt approximately a year ago, four years after they defeated Prontera Kingdom and ruled the whole Rune Midgard. But Juno didn't seem to be...affected by it. Perhaps the Heart of Ymir protected this land just like it does the last two millenniums? Who knows, but one thing to be regretted about Juno is perhaps....their leader, which is also The Republic of Schwaltzvalt President", the gunslinger sighed.
"Two years ago, The President of Schwaltzvalt Republic by that time, Raul Salazar, was found killed on his room one night. All the gunslingers who guarded him were also killed. The culprit had never been found until now. And what makes people confuse even more was...there was no signs of retaliation. It's as if...the president didn't recognize his murderer as his murderer. In my opinion, the murderer must be someone he knew, someone close to him.....either way, ever since his death, the ministers led by the bastard Jose Martinez, chose the fifteen years old son of the president, Antonio Salazar, as the president of Schwaltzvalt Republic. Poor kid...he is totally helpless and...useless, if I may say. All the decisions made by him originally came from the high minister. He is just a puppet for the ministers to do as they wishes using his name...pathetic. Good way to be the 'De Facto' leader of this land, Jose. This grand meeting is literally only between Lighthalzen and Eibroch, because Juno is dead and Hugel doesn't have much power of influence as the previous two" Emilio finished his cynical recalling as he and the other two gunslingers arrived at the Sage Castle.
They slowly entered the building, which was quiet by that time. No guards, no soldiers, really quiet and peaceful. They headed towards a hall with a large door on its corner. They entered the door and found a large round table with three people sitting around it, Jose Martinez with Red Valdes behind him, Antonio Salazar, and a bald man, who is a representation from Hugel, Balwer.
"P,p,please take a...s,s,seat General Barragan" Antonio Salazar nervously said, as the mentioned General smiled and took his seat. "Pathetic. Really pathetic" Emilio rolled his eyes as he and Martina stood behind his father.
Jose Martinez, the de facto leader, takes his chance to open the meeting, "So, let's begin the meeting shall we? I'll start the discussion by mentioning the main subject of the meeting...ARMAS". The last word is more than enough to stole the attention of the three gunslingers, although Bawler and Red Valdes seem calm. The young president looks nervous all the time, however.
"ARMAS? We haven't been informed about this. I thought the main subject will be the Midgard-Juno alliance?" General Eduardo tried to straighten the fact he knew. "Yes, this is related to that subject as well, General. Apparently, The president and I had a small talk about the Midgard-Juno alliance earlier, and we came to conclusion that it is not possible" The cunning minister answered.
"Is that true president?!! What makes you think like that?!" Emilio barged in to the discussion, but the president looked like he wanted to cry. "Oh, shit!! How pathetic this kid could be?" The sphere of death grunted. "Calm down, Emilio. Now, minister. Please explain what makes you come into a conclusion that the alliance would not be possible" General Eduardo calmly tried to enlighten the atmosphere.
"Well, you see, General. Thanks to the Military of Einbroch efforts on fighting Valdomir Kingdom within the last one year, Valdomir failed to conquer this and and retreated. While it's a possibility that they would launch their second attack, for whatever reason, they are currently concentrating themselves on fighting a group of rebellion called 'Sagramore', which consist of the remaining warriors from the old Rune Midgard during the Prontera Kingdom reigns. Although only a rebel, they were able to gather at least 120,00 soldiers and gave Valdomir Kingdom quite a fight. But, the real problem starts here" The cunning minister began the explanation.
"You see, I believe the idea of having an alliance was first based on Valdomir. They are both Sagramore and Juno's enemy. Since we have the same enemy, why not joining forces? That's what you think, right? But, why should we care about Sagramore in the first place? Which one is more important? The glory of our land or the glory of Rune Midgard? It is very obvious, with our 1,500,000 gunslingers soldiers we are far stronger than Sagramore could ever be. Our technology and culture are far more advanced. Compared to us, they are primitive. Why would we risk our lives for those lower than us in the first place?" The high minister continued.
Although the other listeners didn't gave a respond, Emilio couldn't contain his anger anymore, "That's ridiculous!!! Three of my men, one of them is The Angel of Darkness, are working to help Sagramore and it turns out just fine!! He even helped Sagramore defeating the leader and the vice-leader of Lethe Guild and one of Valdomir's Quarter Kings!!!".
Jose Martinez smirked and responded, "Exactly!! That's why I said we shouldn't help them. Your men makes it easier for Sagramore to work, right? Isn't that a prime example of how unreliable Sagramore is? Over the last twelve months since Sagramore declared a war against Valdomir, what did they get? Gonryun and Amaterasu, two of the weakest area conquered by Valdomir. And not to mention several small strongholds in Komodo area. But look what they got with the help of just one capable fighter from our land? That's why, I ad the president come to a conclusion, rather than helping them why not using them for our...bait?".
"What bait?" Martina finally spoke.
"Well, you see...until now, we never really know where Valdomir resides. But, if Sagramore somehow forces Valdomir to its extent, although we don't know how strong Valdomir really is, Valdomir will finally unleash all their forces, right? When Sagramore engage Valdomir in specific area, we should unleash ARMAS in that area. We can use your men as our spies to tell us the exact location of . That way,we will take out two birds with one stone. Does that sound good to you?" Jose Martines finished with a smirk.
"I don't know, let's see if the sound of your head exploding sounds good to me!!!" Emilio pulled out his Inferno and aimed it at the minister's head. Red Valdes quickly tried to attack him but General Eduardo and Martina quickly hold him. "Don't do this, captain!!!" Martina said while trying to hold her captain from his behind. "Put your gun down, Emilio. This is inappropriate for the leader of Ropera Squad" General Eduardo said calmly as he hold his son's grenade launcher. Jose Martinez, who looks shocked from the 'surprise', quickly hide behind Red Valdes and shouted, "This is an insult!!! I will not tolerate such act, you will not escape after threatening me!!!". With that said, he and his guardian quickly left the room.
"President, I think it will be better if you call this meeting off" General Eduardo advised as the president nodded and run away. Bawler slowly follows him, left the three gunslingers on the room. "That was reckless, we will have a serious problem because of your action" General Eduardo slowly tells his son as Emilio lower his weapon. "But...who gives a freaking shit, right? I was about to do the same had the event takes another place" The general once again enlighten his son, as his son smiles, follows by Martina.
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Well, that's it for Juno chapter. These two chapters are originally intended as an introduction of the characters in Juno and Einbroch. Next chapter will be....hell.
C u !!!