Chapter 533: Deliberations and Sovereignty

That there must be a war between Netheril and the Elves is considered a shared understanding among the upper echelons of the Seven Towers, but having Princess Xiya state it so bluntly still made some Great Arcanists frown.

"Your Highness, let's talk less about things like starting a war."

Princess Xiya nodded. "I understand. Our current priority is development, but not looking for trouble does not mean we must tolerate the Elves' probing indefinitely. Like today, if Stuart had truly died, what would you have done?"

What would they do? What could they do?

Every Great Arcanist present had their own answer in their heart. Princess Xiya did not continue on this question, but instead changed the subject: "Yierlan has proposed establishing further diplomatic relations with us. What do you think?"

"About that observation group?"

"No, a High Mage has just arrived from their country to be in charge of this matter." Princess Xiya scanned everyone's expressions, then finally looked at the Great Arcanist from Morien Tower and said:

"I still have to handle matters regarding Cormanthor. Lander, you shall be the one to receive that High Mage from Yierlan. Although the Yierlan Elves are of a different race, they are also a party we can win over. It would be best if we could reach a mutual defense agreement with them."

Great Arcanist Lander nodded, feeling the importance of this mission increase in his heart. Of course, he was not worried about being unable to complete the mission; Yierlan had already taken the initiative to approach them, so he only needed to respond. It was just that the specific content of the agreement was worth deliberating.

After all, Yierlan was not stupid. Even with a common enemy, that was no reason for one-sided contribution; Netheril must also have something to offer.

Thinking this way, Lander felt he had a grasp on the tone of this meeting. However, in front of Princess Xiya, he couldn't help but ask: "Your Highness, how do you intend to handle the situation in Cormanthor?"

Stuart, who had nearly died this time, came from his Morien Tower. Although Stuart was not the most outstanding among the Arcanists of Morien Tower, he was, after all, a gifted Arcanist; it was not impossible for him to become a Great Arcanist in the future.

Now that such a situation had occurred, it would be impossible for Lander not to feel angry, especially since, in order to secure compensation from Cormanthor, Stuart would not appear in public for a very long time, which was also no small loss.

As soon as Lander said this, Princess Xiya immediately understood what he wanted to say, so she did not hide it. "The matter of the Star Spirit body can only be hidden for a while; Cormanthor will know sooner or later. You need not worry about Stuart being unable to appear in public."

"After this matter concludes, Cormanthor will not keep staring at him. Before that, just let him stay in the Sub-plane. As for compensation, don't count on too much. I need to make Cormanthor back down in other areas."

"By the way, Cormanthor's behavior this time is very abnormal. It is difficult for us humans to inquire about the situation among the Elves. You can probe that Yierlan High Mage to see if some change has occurred within Cormanthor. Perhaps this news can play a key role in my negotiations with Cormanthor."

"I understand. Since that is the case, I will go meet that High Mage first. You all continue your discussion."

After Lander left, Princess Xiya looked at the remaining five people and brought up the next topic. "Danzo has requested that we send people to participate in the joint clearing operation of the Underground Passage. I was notified of this half a month ago. The fact that that Holy Hammer Warrior came over this time is also largely because of this. What do you think? Should we participate?"

As soon as Princess Xiya finished speaking, Badijiaer immediately shouted, "Participate in what? If you ask me, we shouldn't have built that Underground Passage in the first place. Not many merchant caravans pass through there every year, but that bunch of granite-heads collects quite a lot in maintenance fees every year."

"You can't say it like that. Since it's already built, maintenance is necessary. Especially since the Dwarves have requested our participation in the joint clearing this time, I believe we must participate. Otherwise, it won't even be clear whose this passage is in a few hundred years. It's used little now, but Netheril is still developing, and it might become an important traffic artery in the future. What do you say?"

"Huo En is right. Perhaps you haven't been to the Underground Passage in the last few years, but I went there a while ago. The Dwarves have already carved their tribal epics into the passage. In a few hundred years, it really would be hard to say whose passage this is!"

The Underground Passage has Netherese participation and Dwarf participation. It was agreed at the beginning that both sides would own it, but with the Dwarves doing some 'de-Netherization' in the passage, they might be unintentional now, but who knows what the situation will be later!

The several Great Arcanists saw it clearly: clearing the passage, and even future maintenance, required the Netherese to participate. At this point, Badijiaer no longer opposed it. "Since you all say so, I will make the trip myself this time. The carvings in the passage cannot be left to the Dwarves alone."

"Then it's settled. Badijiaer, take more craftsmen with you when you go, and let them get closer to the Dwarves. Perhaps even an ordinary Dwarf soldier could allow their skills to be greatly improved."

"And take more wine, right? I know. I just don't like to think, I'm not actually stupid!"

"You, oh you. I don't know how you managed to become a Great Arcanist. You're the only one who led the entire Gustav Tower astray!"

"Don't talk about me. Huo En, did we help you sire all those little brats? If you ask me, out of the entire Seven Towers, you are the most bizarre!"

Seeing that the two were about to argue, Princess Xiya coughed heavily. "Does no one have anything to do? You argue the moment you meet. Let's end it here for today. Dismissed, dismissed!"

Saying this, she prepared to leave, but just as Princess Xiya was about to depart, she suddenly stopped, her expression somewhat strange. "Greta just sent me a Sending, saying that the Yierlan Ambassador has important news he wants to tell us."

"Yierlan?" Badijiaer found an opportunity again. "That bunch of fickle long-ears? In nearly a thousand years of interaction, we haven't wronged them, yet they turned around and colluded with Cormanthor. What important news could they possibly have to tell us? Don't let them be here to mislead us!"

"Regardless of whether they are here to mislead us, the Yierlan Ambassador must still be met. Your Highness, I will go meet him and see what he actually wants to say."

"Fine. You contact Greta. I'm leaving first."

This time it was truly dismissed. After Princess Xiya left, Badijiaer was the first to leave, and then the other four Great Arcanists left one after another. This secret Reception Room fell back into darkness once again.