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754 - Negotiating III
🕑 Added 2024-10-09 20:18:03 +0000 UTC"I like them for their boldness and straightforwardness, and I’ll respect them if they can back it up," a Xor'Vak representative remarked during the meeting, openly expressing his thoughts without restraint.
Whether it was a feeling of admiration or disgust, the Xor'Vak never hid their true feelings. This attitude stemmed from the immense power they possessed, allowing them to speak the truth without fear of consequences. As one of the strongest races in the Conclave, they saw no need for deception, earning them a reputation for being brutally honest.
When the rest of the room heard his words, "surprised" would have been an understatement. Earning the respect of a Xor'Vak was as difficult as turning mana into mist form. They only respected those they deemed their equals, making it nearly impossible for most members of the Conclave to even dream of such recognition.
Though he stated that respect would only come if they proved themselves, the very declaration was significant—it meant he was willing to give them the chance. This, in turn, implied that the Xor'Vak would cooperate with the process, setting aside their usual unpredictable disruptions. It would make the negotiations on the Xor’Vaks side smoother than anyone could have anticipated.
“Their suggestion is quite tempting, and it appears to have no negative consequences for us. It allows races unsure about sending a representative the option to abstain while those capable of sending a contestant have the opportunity to earn more—albeit with the risk of losing more if their contestant fails,” a high-ranking member of the Shadari civilization remarked, reigniting the conversation that had stalled after the Xor'Vak's bold declaration.
“That’s true. They've even considered our position, ensuring that other civilizations can't simply ride on our coattails when their subpar fighters inevitably lose,” a Valthorin added, disdain evident in his tone for the lower-level civilizations that seemed intent on doing just that.
They had been planning to advocate for a singular joint agreement, which would allow them to benefit regardless of their performance, but it seems like they have been caught and stopped before they could even start their campaign against it.
Ignoring the glares directed at him, he continued, “It’s quite a shame that it was them who proposed this, as it will be a regret their race carries for generations.” His excitement was palpable, as he anticipated the upcoming face-off.
This was a golden opportunity presented to them by the enemy—an occasion to redeem the honor they had tarnished when they momentarily faltered at the sight of black holes that actually scared them. They had no intention of playing it safe; they planned to send their strongest fighters, not only to secure victory but also to humiliate their adversaries, ensuring they would never again dare to lift their heads in their presence.
As the discussions progressed, representatives from various civilizations began chiming in, expressing their intentions—some gleefully gloating while others remained quiet, wary of attracting the ire of the top ten, who were not in the best of moods. Although they masked it well, the top ten were still simmering with anger, viewing the upcoming fight as an opportunity to vent their frustrations. They sought to justify their forced participation in negotiations with a civilization that held only a single star system, while they themselves controlled vastly more territory.
They were not Valthorins, but they still took pride in their positions, and that pride had been bruised by a backwater civilization they believed they could easily crush. Previously, their thoughts had been consumed with how to deal with other members of the Conclave who had come to this location, but now their focus had to be shifted to the unexpected challenge posed by this lesser civilization.
“With that, the basic agreement for those who are not sending representatives has been finalized and will be presented to the other side for their approval or renegotiation,” Xylor declared, signaling the conclusion of that discussion. The basic agreement was more of a foundation than a comprehensive deal; while it offered some benefits, it was hardly different from a negotiation between equals. It included provisions allowing them to purchase mana stones at seller's prices and ensured they couldn't be barred from buying them, along with other fundamental rights. This setup was designed to ensure that those who sent fighters could gain additional privileges beyond the basic terms.
However, it wasn’t just about benefits; the agreement also contained clauses mandating that they vote in favor of the empire if it emerged victorious, particularly when the empire's demands in the agreement required the Conclave's overall approval. Many viewed this as a mere formality, as for the empire to secure a win, it would first have to overcome the top ten civilizations’ fighters, each formidable in their own right.
“So, how many of you will be sending fighters?” Xylor inquired a few moments later.
When the time came to make the decision, only twenty-three representatives raised their hands, indicating their willingness to risk sending a fighter in exchange for a more favorable deal if they won, and accepting the potential losses if they didn’t.
The number of civilizations willing to send fighters was small, a result of either their strongest individuals being lost in the initial attack or the significant damage inflicted upon them by the relentless imperial breaching forces. The risk of further losses was deemed too great, leading many to not risk it at all.
“Those who are not sending fighters, please leave,” Xylor instructed. After a brief pause, the representatives of the remaining civilizations exited, leaving only the representatives of the twenty-three civilizations behind.
“Please state your demands,” Liasas requested. “I will relay them to their representative, who will either accept them and propose their own in return—marking the finalization of the deal—or deny some of them. In that case, I will serve as a direct link, delivering your intentions and responses during the negotiations between both sides until we reach a compromised agreement.
Keep in mind that the format of the fight has not been finalized yet. This means you might be limited to a single fighter, or there could be no restrictions at all, depending on the agreement that will be made jointly with the other side after they complete their individual agreements with each of you.”
With that, she took over the proceedings, ready to listen to everything they had to say in order to later facilitate the negotiations with the negotiator from the opposing side.
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EternalCosmos
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