Chapter 44:Treaty

"So, in the end, Avarya realized that their leader was a pig, huh?" Richard sat comfortably in his large tent, observing the delegation from the Avarya Kingdom before him. King Cedric was kneeling in submission. After losing the war and returning to the palace, Cedric was ousted from the throne in a coup attempt by his son, Crown Prince Viktor Avar. Prince Viktor, while agreeing to pay annual taxes to the Asina Kingdom, also presented Cedric's head as a gift and offered a peace treaty.

"So, you're suggesting we take this worthless swine's body and make peace for a paltry annual tax. Do you think I mobilized a thousand-strong army just because of this useless Cedric? Are you mocking me?" Richard raised his voice, addressing the envoys sent by the Avarya Kingdom.

"Your Majesty, we are only conveying what the king said," the envoy replied timidly, visibly afraid.

"In that case, tell that brat king of yours to surrender the capital immediately. If he comes and kneels before me to beg for forgiveness, I might spare his life. Now, get out," Richard dismissed the envoys with these words. The envoys hurriedly left in fear, while Cedric remained on the ground, trembling. "Take this pig and have some fun with him. Try to extract any secret information about the capital," King Cedric instructed his guards before returning to his tent. Cedric was forcibly taken to a tent where he would undergo torture.

The envoys passed through the walls of the capital and eventually arrived at the Avarya palace. They were immediately brought before Crown Prince Viktor. It was evident that Prince Viktor was comfortably seated on his throne. The envoys, trembling, relayed the situation and delivered King Richard's demands.

Prince Viktor, contemplating, addressed the envoys, saying, "This is not the development we expected. King Richard's reaction may be harsh. However, opting for peace rather than fighting him would be wiser."

One of Prince Viktor's advisors spoke up. "Perhaps we can make a deal to meet King Richard's demands. By agreeing to surrender the capital and paying taxes for a certain period, we could also offer a princess. Just like the Moritan kingdom. This could facilitate a peaceful transition."

Prince Viktor pondered for a moment and then made his decision. "So be it. We will agree to surrender the capital to King Richard. However, we will keep the tax amount for the peace treaty low and offer one of my sisters as a peace gift. This will ensure both the stability of our kingdom and the end of the war."

Another advisor intervened, "But sire, all of King Richard's sons are married; only the youngest prince Ethan is unmarried, but he is engaged. Do you intend to offer one princes of the Avarya kingdom as a concubine?" he asked, looking at Prince Viktor.

Prince Viktor, slightly angered, responded, "I would offer my sister to be a slave if it meant remaining king. Now, if everything is clear, you may leave." He said, gesturing for the envoys to depart.

The envoys hastily returned with this decision to King Richard. Meanwhile, Prince Viktor began making plans for the future of his kingdom. King Richard, awaiting the return of the envoys, was filled with mixed emotions. While he was reluctant to accept terms such as surrendering the capital and paying taxes, he also contemplated the pain and losses that prolonging the war would bring. Meanwhile, the guards overseeing Cedric's torture were pressuring him to reveal the secrets of the capital.

Once the envoys returned, King Richard summoned them back to his tent.

The envoys, trembling, recounted, "prince Viktor is willing to surrender the capital and offer one princess to your son. He also requests a reduction in the specified tax amount."

King Richard pondered for a moment and then made his decision. "In that case, we will accept their offer to surrender the capital. However, we must negotiate further on the tax amount and the terms of the peace process."

King Richard then drafted a letter to the Avarya Kingdom outlining his terms and sent the envoys back to continue peace negotiations. Thus, a hopeful process for the future of the Avarya Kingdom began.

In the letter written by King Richard, the terms of the peace treaty were as follows:

Article 1: The capital of the Avarya Kingdom, along with the specified 6 other cities and 4 castles, will become the new borders of the Asina Kingdom.

Article 2: The boundaries of these cities to be ceded to the Asina Kingdom will be delineated, as shown on the map sent with the letter.

Article 3: one princess of the Avarya Kingdom will become the concubine of Ethan Lenistark, the prince of the Asina Kingdom.

Article 4: An annual tax of 10,000 gold coins will be paid to the Asina Kingdom.

Article 5: Land and sea passages will be open to the Asina Kingdom.

Article 6: An immediate war indemnity of 20,000 gold coins will be paid to the Asina Kingdom.

Article 7: The Avarya Kingdom will provide military and logistical support to the Asina Kingdom when needed for assistance in war.

Along with the peace treaty between the two countries, the signing of a non-aggression pact will also take place.

To Prince Viktor by the ambassadors delivered the letter to Prince Viktor. After receiving King Richard's letter, Prince Viktor and his advisors began evaluating the terms of the treaty.

"They want us to be their dogs," said one advisor.

Another advisor said, "We're not in a position to object right now. The only reason King Richard is offering us a peace treaty is because winter is approaching. If we don't accept these terms, he will destroy our capital."

"I accept King Richard's terms. Now, prepare the specified amount of gold and adorn all eligible princesses for marriage," said Prince Viktor.

After completing the preparations, the ambassadors entered the Asina Kingdom's camp with the gold and three eligible princesses from the Avarya Kingdom. When they entered King Richard's tent, they informed him that Prince Viktor had accepted the terms and presented the gold coins.

"Now, my son Ethan, as far as I know, you still don't have a concubine. You can choose one of these three beautiful girls. What do you say, are they worthy?" said King Richard.

Ethan carefully looked at all three girls and activated his telepathic ability. Although it took some effort to read the thoughts of the three princesses, who were excited and anxious, it was not impossible. Ethan finally made his decision and turned to King Richard with a smile, saying, "My king, I have managed to make my choice among these three beautiful princesses. With your permission, I would like to take her to a quieter place to get to know her."

King Richard smiled and said, "Consider this as a reward for your successes in battle, and you absolutely deserve it. You may go now."

Ethan took the chosen princess by the arm and left the tent. The other two princesses watched with jealous eyes as their half sister went with the prince of their dreams