Chapter 2174: Contending for Leadership

Ailintar.

After completing the centralization reforms, all affairs, large and small, within and outside Yierlan were concentrated in the hands of the Executive Advisory Group, and diplomacy was naturally no exception.

However, Tailun, who was representing Yierlan at the Northland Alliance Assembly this time, was a subordinate of the Crown King, so the Advisory Group also invited Crown King Luoruian to this discussion.

In the center of the great hall, Tailun had projected himself here early, but at this moment, he was not facing the Crown King, but the Executive Advisory Group headed by Chief Executive Consultant Wazele.

After listening to Tailun's statement, Wazele pondered for a moment and discussed it with the other consultants for a while before asking: "Mage Tailun, you just said that Lord Xia Duo intends to push for the boundary demarcation of the various Northland nations to be completed as soon as possible?"

"Yes."

"Then in your view, does that Lord Xia Duo want to use this to expand Netheril's existing borders, or is it purely for the sake of so-called Northland order?" Wazele asked again.

"The former cannot be ruled out, but I believe the other party should not have much selfish motive; after all, as long as he is willing, he can ask for whatever he needs. According to the past traditions of the Northland, the strong have the right to demand everything."

Tailun's answer made Wazele's brows tighten, and he then changed the subject, "Let's discuss this question later. Do you think that if our nations unite to pressure him to obtain the technology related to the Floating Fortress or the kind of war spell he used in the south, would he compromise?"

"This—I am afraid that would be very difficult!"

Tailun had already spoken very tactfully, but Wazele heard it as something worth trying, so he asked again: "The Executive Advisory Group gives you full authorization; how much confidence do you have in accomplishing this?"

"……"

Tailun was speechless for a moment. He looked toward the direction of the Crown King for help, but at this time, although Crown King Luoruian was sitting upright on his throne, his mind was not on this at all. Seeing Tailun's plea for help, he only nodded symbolically to show support.

Tailun had no choice but to bite the bullet and meet Wazele's stern gaze: "Consultant Wazele, there is one thing you have likely forgotten. Just a few days ago, that Lord Xia Duo just destroyed a city in Zhamu Dasi protected by an Artifact. Do you really think Yierlan has the ability to resist? Or are you mistaking the other party's humility for weakness?"

As a fellow high-level Mage, if he were not working under the Crown King, Tailun would not even have to stand here and be questioned at will by the other party like a prisoner being interrogated.

It was just that while he felt satisfied after talking back this time, it would inevitably be troublesome if he had to ask the other party for something in the future.

However, to Tailun's surprise, Wazele did not show the slightest dissatisfaction after hearing his successive counter-questions; instead, he looked thoughtful and finally sighed:

"If Yierlan possessed such a sharp weapon, I would absolutely not tie my own hands like the other party! A remarkable figure has emerged among humans; perhaps the Northland will change because of him."

At this moment, Crown King Luoruian, who had been acting like a wooden statue, suddenly spoke up and interjected: "Is Consultant Wazele preparing to support the other party's proposal to demarcate the borders as soon as possible?"

"Yes!"

Wazele nodded, then changed the tone of the conversation, "However, negotiations always take time. The more humble that Lord Xia Duo appears, the more some countries will likely delay, or even give birth to some unrealistic ideas, just as they have done before."

"Haha, but this is not a bad thing for us."

"Crown King, as for the upcoming negotiations on territorial boundary demarcation at the Northland Alliance, I will trouble you to lead the team personally. By the way, observe that Lord Xia Duo for us. I will have Yintinuo assist you."

"This is what I should do."

Luoruian did not feel there was anything unusual about the other party's words. Several generations had passed since Yierlan's centralization reforms; the Crown King only held the power of supervision and occasionally needed to act as a figurehead, which was naturally part of his duty.

Afterwards, Wazele turned to instruct Tailun: "Please have Mage Tailun notify Evereska as soon as possible of the Yierlan Crown King's visit. All etiquette must not be neglected."

"Yes."

Tailun responded, then dispelled the projection.

Inside the great hall, the Executive Consultants continued to discuss for a while before they began to arrange the specific travel plans for the Crown King.

……

Meanwhile, in Yierlan, a similar conversation was taking place between the monarch and his subjects in Taiweimansa, except that Crown King Helien of Yierlan had made compromises and concessions during the centralization reforms, yet he still held great power.

But because he had made concessions, the High Tree Elder Council also possessed real power. It would have been fine if the two sides had no disagreements, but once a disagreement arose, Helien had already begun to regret his compromise.

It is a pity that Yierlan was no longer his one-man show now. Of course, it wasn't in the past either, but regardless, the Permission Level Helien possessed in the past was far greater than it was now.

"Honorable Elders, you only see the threat of the Floating Fortress, but you do not see the threat to our northwest. Once the territorial boundaries of the various countries are demarcated, our previously formulated expansion plans will surely die halfway. The already independent Ailan Kingdom is under the protection of the Northland Alliance; is it possible for us to let them be controlled by us?"

"Why not? Their current high-level officials are all appointed by us. Later, we can just find any excuse to have them merge Ailan into Yierlan," an Elder immediately retorted.

But Helien only shook his head, "Elder Ansai, the current situation is clearly that Lord Xia Duo wants to shape the order he desires in the Northland. Do you think it is possible for him to let us hold an independent country in trust for a long time?"

"Besides, do not underestimate Ailan. They were also Siluwende Elves before. Do not think they have lost the Courage of Siluwende just because they changed their name!"

"We might be able to control Ailan for one or two generations, but as long as they are not completely integrated into the Yierlan system, the other party will sooner or later awaken an independent consciousness. You should understand: how did Shaerwen appear? And how did Yierlan appear?"

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Helien was actually beyond furious now. He discovered that letting Ailan become independent was entirely falling into a meticulously designed conspiracy, and what they were waiting for was likely this moment.

Yierlan had paid a huge price for that war; was it just for the independence of Ailan?

In Helien's view, there was clearly no such logic, so he firmly disagreed with conducting any territorial boundary negotiations of practical significance right now.

If they want to talk, they can wait at least until Yierlan completely annexes Ailan, and there is even Siluwende; as long as this country exists for one day, Helien will never feel at ease.

The situation now is—

Helien does not agree to conduct territorial boundary negotiations, and the High Tree Elder Council does not have the power to act alone. However, correspondingly, whatever Helien wants to do, the final decision-making power is in the hands of the Council.

This system of mutual checks and balances is the result of Helien's compromise, and now he must pay the price for the decision he once made.