Chapter 2842: Lobbying for Right of First Occupancy, Alliance Associate Members

Laruian also expressed understanding regarding Xia Duo's conjecture, as Evereska was thinking the same thing: "We have checked and found no traces of being influenced by psionic spells; for this, we even specifically brought in a psionic Mage to inspect."

"As for whether it is a Demon Descendant, we also entrusted the Northland Alliance Demon Descendant Intelligence Research Lab to conduct an inspection. The intensity of the inspection was second only to the recruitment requirements of the Time-Related Magic Research Laboratory, meaning that except for not directly conducting a psionic Inquiry, everything else that should have been checked was checked."

"In addition, we also asked the Danzo side to conduct a detailed investigation into the tribe where that Adventurer belongs, and no suspicious points were found."

From the moment that Adventurer broke the news of the Giant Mithril Mine in the tavern to Xia Duo coming to understand the situation, not even one night had passed.

And in just this one night, various countries first sent people to confirm the existence of the Mithril Mine, followed by investigations into this matter. This efficiency, let alone in the Elf World, could be called extremely fast even in human kingdoms.

……

"Then what about the four Adventurers who accompanied him? Have they also been investigated?"

Regarding this question, Laruian also gave an affirmative answer; the result, of course, was that no abnormalities were found. Everything on the surface indicated that this was completely an accident.

As for whether it is an unexpected joy or an unexpected shock, it depends on the attitude of each country going forward.

But regardless, even if it is an unexpected joy, the willingness of various countries to work together to divide the Mithril Mine—dividing the cake itself—is a laborious and difficult task. Who gets what share is something no one can say for sure.

Comanthar and the other eight Dwarf nations within the Alliance are the same; that nation's territory is located entirely underground, in the Underdark. If Comanthar Dwarves want to reach the Surface, the easiest way is to go to the neighboring country Ruier, and then come out from Asikeer.

Furthermore, this place was not originally Comanthar's territory; one cannot demand sovereignty over the Surface above that piece of the Underdark just because one occupies the Underdark. That is not reasonable.

As for the other eight Dwarf nations, let alone Ruier, Asikeer is its Surface city; Besmoer also has its own Surface city; Shafeier is a bit more special and also has a Surface city, but it is within the borders of Amalin.

Laruian looked at Xia Shao thoughtfully and replied: "The Comanthar side has no reaction to this, but Ruier is already lobbying various countries, requesting support at the Alliance General Assembly for Comanthar to enjoy the right of first occupancy over the Grey Peak Mountains."

However, Xia Shao did not ask Laruian what Evereska's view was on Ruier's lobbying. Asking now would be in vain; before the situation becomes clear, Evereska is unlikely to express a stance easily.

Since it is hostile to Ruier, Comanthar, Shafeier, and Amalin, it is naturally impossible to let them join in.

However, the Gnomes establishing an independent nation was a unilateral promise by Netheril Danzo and has nothing to do with the Northland Alliance. The cause was that the Gnomes had performed meritorious service for Netheril Danzo during the Snow Melting Competition; plus, Amalin had been eyeing the Gnomes, so at the time, the Tower simply liberated the Gnomes and gave them a place to recuperate, which is the Yellow Maple Hills.

If strictly following the agreement previously reached by the Northland Alliance regarding the demarcation of national borders, Comanthar, although located right beneath the Grey Peak Mountains, does not have ownership of the Surface Grey Peak Mountains.

Xia Shao sneered inwardly; one truly cannot underestimate anyone. These days, even Dwarves are no longer simple and honest. One must know that the first topic after the establishment of the Northland Alliance was to determine the borders of each country.

Even how to distribute it within the country is a problem. This is different from a mineral vein discovered somewhere within the country; there must be a consensus on who it belongs to. For this kind of windfall outside of territory, who doesn't want a larger share?

And he felt that Evereska might also have the idea of using this incident to strengthen itself.

Even Xia Shao was tempted and wanted to occupy the largest share, let alone others. Xia Shao knew how to restrain himself, but others might not.

Regardless of whether the right of first occupancy can truly be occupied, at least it can be used as a talking point when dividing the cake in the future, allowing Comanthar to get a larger share. Since Comanthar's strength is limited and it cannot truly eat the cake, it will naturally be handled by its brother nation, Ruier.

"Comanthar—"

This is to say, in the future, the Northland Alliance can at least have two more member states, and both are close to Netheril Danzo, which can further stabilize Netheril Danzo's leading position in the Northland Alliance.

Or it could be said that Asikeer is an Underdark exit shared by Ruier and Comanthar, only that the ownership belongs to Ruier.

The Northland Alliance has already clarified the boundaries within this; it is impossible to make an exception for Ruier. Therefore, what Ruier is lobbying for this time is for various countries to support Comanthar's right of first occupancy over the Grey Peak Mountains.

Conversely, one cannot have sovereignty over the Underdark beneath the Surface just because one occupies the Surface.

That area was designated as a neutral buffer zone and does not belong to any country. The reason why the buffer zone could be designated there is that Netheril Danzo also made concessions, promising to allow the Langasi to establish an independent nation and join the Northland Alliance in the future if conditions are suitable.

As if suddenly thinking of something, Xia Shao hurriedly asked again: "By the way, what is the reaction of the Comanthar side to this news?"

Only in this way was a vast territory encompassing the entire Langas Plain and its southern forests obtained. Also receiving the promise of independent statehood were the Gnomes over at the Yellow Maple Hills in the south of the Kangqi Plain within Netheril.

Before seeing Laruian, he already knew, only he hadn't gone to check it on-site yet.

Although this topic was discussed for a long time before a final result was reached, it was a result and a conclusion after all.

But that does not affect Comanthar being a member of the Northland Alliance. The Northland includes the Surface and the Underground; in fact, there is also a Dwarf Branch in the Netheril Underground, only that it is a branch corrupted by the Drow.

"So it has already started lobbying various countries?"

Every country hopes to get the largest share, and when all countries think this way, disputes arise.

This includes Xia Shao. On his Territory, the docking base for Yongle City is currently being built, which is Yongle Square, and it requires a large amount of gold and Mithril. Besides that, the subsequent construction of Yongle City also requires a large amount of Mithril.

Even without these two things, hoarding more Mithril is never a bad thing; this is something every faction will do.

Afterwards, Xia Shao asked about some details of the investigation into that Dwarf Adventurer, and only then did he bid farewell and leave. As for the location of the Mithril Mine, there was no need to ask, because this was no longer a secret and had long since spread everywhere.

Unlike the areas already promised for statehood, the Grey Peak Mountains area has no such promise at all. Even if it were truly Comanthar's territory, given how sensitive the previous discussions on the demarcation of national borders were, it is highly likely to be taken out as a buffer zone.

And the Surface belongs to Comanthar, while the underground part belongs to Shafeier.