Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

A profound and unsettling silence fell upon the area. Revan's untimely demise, despite being sent as a messenger during negotiations, sent shockwaves through those gathered. The act of killing a messenger engaged in diplomatic discussions was a flagrant violation of the rules of warfare, one that carried grave consequences.

The severity of this transgression was not lost on anyone present. Eliminating a messenger who had arrived with intentions of negotiation was a crime with significant implications.

"How dare he!" The king shouted. "That dirty barbarian! How dare he kill my most loyal soldier?!"

"Who killed him? What happened?" Joanis asked.

"... We don't know sir, not even the messengers that went with him saw what had happened. It was too fast."

"Joanis… use everything that you have to kill that boy and all of those dirty peasants," The king said while grinding his teeth. "It doesn't matter the cost, all of them have to die."

That was convenient for Joanis, with that chance, he will have the opportunity to kill someone who might try to stab him in the back for whatever reason, Rain was too much of an unknown factor to him.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," Joanis said and then bowed. "Come with me and tell me how the conversation went with them."

— —

Half an hour earlier, Rain was forced to retreat a bit when he saw the human army moving to attack him. He had planned to kill them, even though he probably would lose some water thanks to their shields, but then he saw the other armies that had left the area returning and he felt satisfied for now.

"Won't this give them the chance to fill the holes?" Terra asked.

"Not a problem, I can use more potions and my experience to recreate this whole thing a lot faster," Rain explained. "We don't have to worry about the costs since it is coming from the pockets of the magic people."

Terra sighed… while it made sense, she wished that Rain hadn't said that when so many of the magic people were Listening to them. Still, everyone soon forgot about that when they saw suspicious movements in the enemy's camp. Before long, they could see a small group of soldiers approaching while carrying a white flag.

"... They want to surrender?" Terra frowned.

The appearance of a white flag amidst the gathered crowd triggered widespread confusion. It was difficult for many to comprehend why the humans, who had recently violated the truce by launching a significant invasion into the magic people's territory, were now proposing a truce themselves. This abrupt shift in their stance seemed illogical and left everyone bewildered.

The magic people present couldn't grasp the rationale behind the humans' sudden desire for peace, especially given the gravity of their recent actions. The situation appeared devoid of reason, leaving most attendees skeptical about the authenticity of the truce offer.

While everyone was confused, Rain considered the options and soon he realized what was going on when he saw Revan. A guy like that coming in the place of Joanis or the king was a sign of how desperate they were… he was the third most important person when it comes to military power in that world, after all.

"We came by the command of our king and wish to negotiate with Rainendall in the place of the magic people," Revan raised his voice.

"So, it is like that, huh?" Rain muttered.

"Are they stupid? They think that you became a high ranked officer here?" Josar furrowed his eyebrows and then stepped forward with his arms crossed.

"Let me handle this, you will like it," Rain declared.

Josar didn't like to see a human negotiating with humans in that situation, but he knew that Rain wasn't stupid, so he nodded and decided to wait and see… Besides, he was starting to learn a lot from Rain and perhaps they could use what they learned from him to fight back.

"Stay here, they might try something funny since it should be common knowledge that you are here to be my health walking potions," Rain said.

"No way, I have to keep an eye on you and no one dare to think like that about me," Terra raised her right eyebrow.

"I suppose that makes sense after you punched so many people in the stomach," Rain shrugged.

In the end, Rain and Terra moved a bit ahead to talk with Revan, but soon they stopped thirty meters ahead. They want to let the magic people listen to the conversation, after all.

Revan and the others apparently didn't like that, but soon they moved to talk. It has been a while since Revan saw Rain, but he couldn't help but frown in surprise. He had grown a bit too much for a fourteen years old boy. Still, forget about his stature… Revan could tell with a simple glance that Rain was definitely the strongest person he had ever met.

There was this aura of danger that Revan could see on him, even though he couldn't use Magic Eyes.

"I am here to deliver a pardon letter from His Majesty," Revan said with a low tone. "Please read the terms that His Majesty offers to you."

One messenger approached Rain and then gave him a letter, he began to read it and so did Tera and she couldn't help but frown after what she had read… there wasn't a single mention of apologies after all the issues and things that they did against Rain, his friends and family.

"It isn't enough," Rain said and then tossed the letter back to the message. "This much isn't enough to make me forget that you targeted my friends and family."

"... His Majesty sent me here with the order to negotiate with you further," Revan said with his voice still low.  "What do you wish for?"

"I want the king to become a baron, and I will become the new king," Rain readily declared with his voice as loud as possible. Find your next read on m_v l|e'm-p| y r