Chapter 2028: War Ends, Investigation Begins

"It actually turned out like this?!"

Xia Duo also felt it was somewhat bizarre; he had only mentioned the matter of the southern region of Siluwende becoming independent to Xierdalanna yesterday, and she had promised to work on it, but he hadn't expected the efficiency to be so high!

This was very un-Elf-like!

However, Badijiaer probably didn't know more of the inside story behind this matter for the time being; he would ask Xierdalanna when there was an opportunity in the future.

As for the Northland Alliance wanting him to participate in the investigation of the Demon-born Secret Base, Xia Duo did not refuse; after all, he also really wanted to know what kind of secrets were hidden in that so-called secret base.

But the commotion of the Floating City moving was too great, which made Xia Duo somewhat hesitant, and he was not prepared to use the Floating City excessively in front of the Elves, so as not to let them find any flaws.

The spear and the shield are mutual; for now, the Floating City could be considered an impregnable fortress, but the prying eyes from the outside world were endless, and sooner or later, the Elves would find a way to resist the 【Annihilation Light】.

From the moment the Floating City made its debut, Xia Duo deeply understood that he had already fired the first shot in this special military competition.

After thinking for a moment, he stated his conditions to Badijiaer, "I can participate in the investigation myself, but the Floating City might not necessarily be there; perhaps it will appear, perhaps it won't. Tell them not to have too high expectations, and don't omit the preparations that should be made."

"That is how it should be!"

Badijiaer had previously warned Xia Duo to be careful of the Elves prying into the Floating City; now that he learned Xia Duo refused to let the Floating City participate, he was instantly happier than if he himself had taken advantage of the Elves.

"By the way, Lord Xia Duo, actually you don't have to participate either. After all, we know too little about the Demon-born, and you would be accompanying the Elves; in case some accident happens—"

"Rest assured, I am traveling as an avatar, nothing will happen!"

"An avatar?"

Badijiaer carefully scrutinized Xia Duo, and Xia Duo cooperated by displaying some of the avatar's traits. Only then did Badijiaer set his mind at ease, saying with quite a bit of emotion:

"I originally thought the star-quality projection of the Seven Towers was already realistic enough, but I didn't expect Lord Xia Duo's avatar to be even more realistic than a star-quality projection!"

To this, Xia Duo just smiled slightly and was not prepared to say too much on this topic. The Saint Form Avatar was still too sensitive; even if Badijiaer was trustworthy enough, he dared not display all its traits in front of him.

If this were to spread to the Elves' side, he would probably never have a peaceful day again.

After agreeing on the departure time, the Elves on that side had also finished dealing with the Demon-born Mage. After bidding farewell to Badijiaer, Xia Duo sent them out of the Floating City.

……

The next day.

Representatives from various countries gathered again at Adofeier Fortress. This time it was not on the Floating City, because all parties had already reached an agreement, and they had come this time to resolve this matter.

As a relatively key intervenor in this battle, Xia Duo was also invited to the ceremony site at the upper plaza of Adofeier Fortress. Under the witness of representatives from various countries, Yierlan and Siluwende signed a formal ceasefire agreement.

The most important clause in the agreement was—Yierlan would withdraw all war personnel from north of Terminos in Siluwende within three days starting from now.

As for south of Terminos, there was also a relatively clear withdrawal deadline; they would not withdraw now, but once a temporary regime appeared in that area, Yierlan would need to withdraw.

In addition, regarding the independence issue of the region south of Terminos, Yierlan and Siluwende also signed a separate memorandum as the legal basis for its existence as a new member of the Northland Alliance in the future.

As for war reparations and the like, the agreement did not explicitly state them, but Xia Duo learned through Badijiaer that both sides had also signed several agreements under the names of "aid" and "cooperation" under the witness of the various countries of the Northland Alliance.

The essence was what had been discussed previously: Yierlan would bear the majority of the losses and fines of this war, but considering realistic factors, the specific contents of those agreements were not yet convenient to be made public.

Finally, the representatives of the various countries announced the end of the war in the name of the Northland Alliance and lamented the lives lost from both countries in this battle.

Of course, the banquet segment that should follow after the ceremony could not be missing, even if the two sides at the table had just been fighting to the death; at this moment, they would still put on hypocritical masks and drink and make merry with their opponents.

However, this had nothing to do with Xia Duo. After the ceremony ended, he used the excuse that the Floating City should not remain in the local area now that the war was over and left directly by piloting the Floating City away.

But when he sent the Floating City into the Ether Plane, he did not immediately return to Netheril, but instead circled around and arrived once again at the nameless wilderness where the Floating City had temporarily docked before.

Visiting the same location twice, Xia Duo even had the thought of building a base here, but this was merely a fleeting thought; if he really built a base, maintenance would become a difficult problem.

He couldn't just keep the Floating City parked here forever!

In reality, the Floating City itself could serve as Xia Duo's temporary base and mobile base in the Ether Plane, which was far better than holding onto one spot.

After settling the Floating City, Xia Duo returned to the Main Plane alone again.

……

Siluwende, near Terminos.

Xia Duo met the Great Arcanist Puman of the Seven Towers and four Elf High Mages at a Yierlan camp that had already begun to be dismantled.

Regarding Puman, although Xia Duo did not know him very well, he was not a stranger either, and as they were both in the Netheril camp, the two had previously cooperated with Xierdalanna to raid the Demon-born Secret Base together.

Cooperating again this time should also yield a good result.

Among the four Elves, Elder Laruian from Evereska was no stranger to Xia Duo, and the two sides still had some friendship.

Laruian was the first to hear about the concept of the Small Nations Alliance, and it was only later that the late Great Elder Ankalita heard of it. Not only that, the military equipment trade between Daxia Territory and Evereska was also facilitated by Laruian, who provided a lot of convenience.

Now that they met on such an occasion, they inevitably had to exchange a few pleasantries.

As for Mage Suweilisi of Keman and Mage Tailun of Yierlan, Xia Duo was not familiar with them, nor could it be called understanding, let alone friendship; the two sides just nodded slightly, which counted as having officially met.

Finally, there was Mage Kesita of Yierlan. When Xia Duo met the other party, the scene was somewhat awkward—not for Xia Duo, but for Kesita.

Not long ago, when Yierlan attacked Adofeier Fortress, Kesita was locked onto by the fortress, and it was Xia Duo who appeared at the critical moment and pulled them out. If it had only been that, the meeting between the two sides would not have been so awkward.

The key was that Xia Duo had conveniently "invited" Kesita and his companions and subordinates onto the Floating City. Although he let them go later, this experience was ultimately not a good one.

If Xia Duo were Kesita, he would also feel awkward.

"Alright, Lord Xia Duo has arrived, so our operation can begin. There happens to be a suspected location near Terminos; let's start from there!"

The one speaking was Tailun. Currently, Yierlan could be considered the one with the lightest Demon-born infiltration among the Elf countries besides Akaola, at least from the surface.

And this also gave Tailun enough confidence and reason to serve as the commander of this investigation operation.