The Emporium,

Aygorzi, Merriheim.

7:57 a.m. 19th Banem 1092.

The Emporium was home to many different facilities, from shops to services like salons and repair shops. The megamall also hosted a number of conference rooms which could be booked to hold meetings.

A member of staff led Kashi and his entourage to a small conference room which could hold 16 people. Even this room was not spared the Maggots' royal treatment. The room was lit by beautiful magelights hanging from the ceiling, shining light on the lovely artworks that hung on the walls. The chairs were designed to match real life swivel chairs, but these were much more comfortable.

Kashi took a seat at the head of the rectangular table that occupied most of the room's space, with Brock and Leila taking their seats at either side next to him. Lunette, Shadow and then Larsial, sat down beside Leila, while Absalon and then Asha sat next to Brock.

Kashi looked around the table and was about to speak, when a sudden knock on the door made him pause. He turned to the door as it opened, and had to suppress a chuckle and a groan as a notorious head peeked into the room with his trademark evil grin.

"Yo," Syèl greeted as he looked at Absalon. "I got your message. Something fun's going down?"

"Get in there," a voice berated from beyond the door as Syèl was pushed into the room. Shokō soon revealed herself, an enchanting smile on her face as she nodded her greeting at the room. "I apologize for our tardiness. We got somewhat lost in the mall."

"Ah, it's fine. We just got here ourselves," Kashi consoled and then pointed towards the chairs. "Please take a seat," he offered, and then added as he glanced at Syèl, "You too."

Kashi's words proved to be unnecessary for the blood mage, as Syel had already begun drawing pulling out a chair for himself before Kashi offered. Shokō shook her head, and then nodded apologetically at Kashi before taking a seat opposite Syèl to maintain the balance.

"Did you call Jade too?" Kashi asked, unwilling to begin if Jade was going to come walking in, in a few minutes.

"No, I didn't," Absalon said as he regretfully shook his head. "Jade said she's at a critical point in her experiments, and should not be interrupted unless immensely important."

"Huh? Wasn't Jade the MC yesterday?" Syèl asked, brow raised.

"Yes, but only so she could show off the prototype skyboat to the public to raise awareness," Absalon explained.

"Wait, MC?" Kashi asked, speaking for those who were completely lost. "What event did she MC?"

"Ah, yes, I forgot you weren't here," Absalon muttered as he looked at Syèl and Shokō. "These two held an exhibition match yesterday to commemorate the opening Aygorzi's Emporium."

Kashi's eyes sparkled at the mention of a fight. "Wait, they fought? What was it like? Was it real or staged?"

"It was a magnificent battle," Brock attested with an affirmative nod. "The kind you rarely get to experience in a lifetime. At some point I forgot it was supposed to be an exhibition match. It was like watching a true deathmatch without any hostility involved. One wrong move, and either or both would have lost their lives."

"Really?" Kashi exclaimed and the Maggots all sighed as they recognized the excitement in the daeben's eyes. Almost like clockwork, they all knew the next words that would come out of his mouth. "Who won? Wait, no, more importantly, let's go fight after this, the three of us."

"Not now," Leila cut him off. "We have a more important mission to accomplish remember? You can fight later."

"Besides, I'm still in recovery after fighting the Prince," Syèl complained as he massaged his shoulder. "Even with the best potions, healers and my regeneration, it still took over ten hours to fully recover from our battle. Her sword ki is too sinister."

Kashi nodded, understanding what Syèl was talking about. In the past, a technique was developed by warriors and mages to combat enemies with crazy regeneration like orcs and trolls. This technique was bombarding the enemy's body with harmful ki or mana, which should disrupt the enemy's regeneration. The effectiveness was usually down to a difference in the ki or mana between the enemy and the warrior.

For someone like Syèl who had low ki, this technique was quite fatal. However, it was not like he could not do anything against it. If he wanted, he could have expended some blood to rid himself of the ki. However, because of his injuries, that would have truly left him in a very dangerous state, one in which he would be forced to drink a hume's blood to survive (or use the alternative [Dawn Pelmut]).

"That's unfortunate," Kashi lamented with a downcast expression. "Another time then."

Syèl nodded, "For sure. Look forward to it."

"I will," Kashi said and then rose to his feet as he looked at Brock. "My apologies, I've kept you waiting. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Kashi, Guildmaster of the Hopeful Maggots, By my side, is Leila Lightwood, Vice-Guildmaster of the Hopeful Maggots, Lunette Falsetto..." Kashi went on to introduce everyone on the table as well as their ranking and position in the guild, and then said, "On behalf of the Hopeful Maggots I thank you for making the trip down here."

"Let me formally introduce myself as well," Brock said as he stood up. "I am Brock Klaweson, Steward of Merriheim's north-eastern claw."

"Steward?" Syèl, the least tactful person in the room questioned. "What's a steward? Like a king? Are you the King in the North?"

"No, I am no king," Brock, oblivious to the Summoned's mental eyerolls, clarified. "A Steward is like a Protector of the Realm. I generally only intervene in the event of a natural disaster or a catastrophe like an invasion. Most of my time, however, is spent as a mediator of sorts for quarreling parties."

"If people listen to your commands, aren't you a king?" Syèl pressed. "It sounds like you're a king without a crown."

"Kings issue royal edicts, I offer advice," Brock patiently explained. "There is no punishment even if the parties ignore my advice."

"I see," Kashi muttered. The daeben would never admit it, but he was thankful for Syèl's lack of tact. The brief exchange helped clarify Brock's position in the region, which would immensely aid the discussion going forward. Kashi collected his thoughts and asked Brock, "So, may I ask what you hope to achieve through this trip?"

"The future," Brock said, drawing curious glances from those gathered. "I wanted to see for myself the intended future Rosendun's invaders sought."

"Oh?" Kashi muttered, "Have you gained any insight from your trip?"

"I have indeed," Brock stated, and then added, "But I would like to hear it from you directly." Vwoom! Crushing pressure descended upon the room as Brock questioned with narrowed eyes, "Kashi-kun, what is your ultimate goal?"

"Unification," Kashi answered without the slightest pause.

"Merriheim does not satisfy you?"

"Merriheim is not the whole continent," Kashi refuted. "I will unify the continent under Rosendun's flag."

"Then you will plunge the continent into more chaos and war," Brock stated with a hard glare. "The continent is still recovering from the last Unifcation Wars, and you wish to start another one? Do you have any idea how many lives will be lost to your selfish desire?"

"I will admit that my desire selfish," Kashi accepted with a grave expression. "But this selfish desire will save millions in the long run." The daeben paused for a second and then said, "Wars are fought for three major reasons: fame, greed or necessity. I am hoping that Unification will at least get rid of wars fought over necessity, and eliminate the chance to obtain fame."

Brock shook his head. "It is a lofty goal, but what of all the lives lost during your quest. How many children will be orphaned? How many lovers will lose their partners to this goal?"

"And lives aren't being lost right now?" Kashi said with a sad smile, causing Brock to hesitate. "Even as we speak, countless innocents are losing their lives on the battlefield, to bandits and even to monsters. Why? Because of countless warlords each hoping to become the next king."

"Take Aygorzi for example," Kashi said as he tapped on the table. "Immediately the city walls were built, an army was formed by local warlords to seize it for themselves. If the Maggots were not around, or if we lost the battle, what do you think would have happened? Would those warlords have thanked us for the city and sent us on our way? No. They would have slaughtered all of us where we stand, leaving only a few to teach them how the city operates."

"Destia is currently in a lawless state," Leila raised a finger as she chimed in, cold eyes focused on Brock. "Merriheim's warlords are like children playing in sand compared to Monoch," she reported. "Monoch has thousands of tribes, big and small, fighting every day to take over the country. Aside from the halben territories, nearly all of Monoch is a battlefield. These are wars fought for fame."

Leila held up her second finger, "In Daggerfall, there are reports of orcs and dwarfs fighting over the few resources available because neither can freely trade with the outside world. In Serisis, threats of a civil war are abound over the lack of food and perceived unfairness by the nobles. These are wars fought for necessity."

Finally, Leila held up her third finger, "In Rosendun, Merriheim and even Ederwood, there are nobles, warlords and locusts known as Summoned trying to gain more territory, power and Syros. These are wars fought over greed."

The Hopeful Maggots' Vice-Guildmaster balled her hand into a fist and placed it on the table as she said, "The continent is already a theatre of war with countless plots and story threads. Whether we intervene or not, the play will go on, harming numerous innocent lives. However, we are trying to end that play altogether so the audience can finally go home."

Kashi nodded, and then said with a sardonic smile, "What Leila's trying to say in not so eloquent terms is, 'We want to start a war to end all wars.'" The daeben folded his arms as he said, "There is a famous quote in the Summoned's world, 'Every time a person tries to end a war before it begins, innocent people die.' It is a good quote, and one I mostly agree with, but looking at it from another perspective, it is also a quote used to justify doing nothing until a war begins."

Kashi's gaze hardened as he challenged Brock, "At the rate this world is going, it will not be long before it repeats the tragedies of the Daeben Wars. Only, this time, it may very well be worse since there won't be a central figure to hate." The daeben lightly rapped on the table as he said, "I want to unify the continent before it reaches that state. Am I wrong to think this way?"

Brock's eyes narrowed, but then a smile rose at the edge of his lips as he confessed, "I made this trip because I believed it would be worth it, and so far, I have not had a single reason to regret this choice. If anything, I am extremely glad I did." Brock nodded and rose to his feet. "Contrary to what you might expect, I did not come here looking for a good man. Like I said, I came to witness the future you are trying to build, as well as the conviction behind them. Today, I have borne witness to both your conviction and heart."

Brock held out his hand, gaze solemn as he said, "I came not only as the Steward of the Eastern Claw, but also as a spokesperson for the tribes that have made it their home. Today, I wish to formally propose the East Claw's surrender to Rosendun's flag – if you will accept."

Kashi's heart skipped a beat as he stared in shock. Was this really happening? With the East Claw captured, all that was let to fully unify the Merriheim was the West Claw. However, most of the western claws chiefs had participated in, and lost to the dwarfs in the battle of Aygorzi. So, all that was required was a formal sweep by Absalon's forces to fully unite Merriheim.

Kashi looked at Leila and noticed she shared the same amount of disbelief and joy in her eyes. With this development, both Guidmaster and Vice-Guildmaster's confidence in the upcoming summit had shot through the roof.

Kashi quickly rose to his feet and tightly grasped Brock's hand. "On behalf of Rosendun's Royal Family, I Kashi of the Hopeful Maggots, under the eyes of the gods above, formally accept the East Claw's Surrender."

From his side, Kashi caught Leila flashing him a thumb's up, impressed by his acceptance speech. The daeben responded with a hidden 'V' with his left hand and a happy grin as a notification popped up.