Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons-Chapter 349 - Taming Negotiations

"What the hell are they doing?" muttered Victor, observing the movement in the Goldcrest districts from the sky. His Eagle carried him effortlessly on currents of wind, allowing him a comprehensive aerial view of the disturbing developments below.

"Preparing for secession," Arturo responded, his expression somber as he directed his brother’s attention with a pointed finger. "Look there."

He indicated a residential zone where several noble mansions were being systematically dismantled. This wasn’t normal demolition; entire teams with earth elemental affinity were carefully extracting the most valuable minerals: magical crystals, rare metals, mana-reinforced stones.

"Approximately twenty percent of the nobility with residences in the city are already in motion," he continued. "And another ten percent are preparing to follow them. Mainly opportunists and families with commercial connections in Yino."

"Already 30%... The situation deteriorates faster than anticipated," Victor declared. "We must accelerate the negotiations to save face."

♢♢♢♢

The negotiation tent had been expanded for this final meeting, its canvas walls now reinforced with subtle protective enchantments that shimmered faintly. Inside, the room felt both more spacious and more oppressive, with additional guards lining the perimeter. Tension was high as both delegations took their seats.

"We have considered your request," Julius began with a carefully measured diplomatic tone. "Kassian will be released into your custody."

Kharzan raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the swift capitulation. His fingers, adorned with heavy golden cristal rings bearing his family’s crest, drummed momentarily against the polished surface of the table before falling still.

"However," Julius continued, maintaining eye contact, "Klein will remain under our protection as collateral until he reaches adulthood. And Kassian must remain under house arrest… that’s as far as we can bend for crimes of this nature."

Kharzan remained silent for a moment, studying the expressions of Yano’s delegation with intensity. Then, slowly, a mocking smile spread across his face, revealing teeth that seemed unnaturally sharp.

"Well, well," he finally said, leaning back in his seat with brazen arrogance. "It seems you’re quite afraid of war. I didn’t expect you would acquiesce so easily."

Victor visibly tensed, his hand gripping the arm of his chair with such force that it cracked. The Qilin within him flared, antlers of light briefly manifesting above his head before he brought himself under control with visible effort.

"Perhaps," Kharzan continued, savoring each word like a fine delicacy, "I should simply take everything at once while you stand by, trembling with fear."

Sirius stepped forward, the shadows at his feet undulating dangerously, taking forms that resembled serpentine creatures poised to strike. But before he could speak, Selphira rose from her seat, her presence suddenly dominating the room with an authority that seemed to compress the very air around them.

"If you want to give everything to Yino by starting a war, you’re welcome to try," she declared, her voice as cold and unyielding as glacial ice. The Black Turtle patterns momentarily surfaced on her skin. "Without our King here... you will definitely win."

Kharzan began to laugh, a harsh sound filled with mock, but Selphira cut him off with a gesture that seemed to part the air itself.

"But I promise you," she continued, "that in such a case, it is one hundred percent certain that your head will adorn my spear from the very beginning, when I personally eliminate your entire family and half of Yino’s."

The temperature in the tent seemed to drop several degrees. Kharzan’s laughter died on his lips as he contemplated the elderly Ashenway, seeing something in her ancient eyes that gave even his corrupted courage pause.

He spat on the ground, a deliberately offensive gesture that left a dark stain on the ornate carpet separating the delegations.

"Deliver my eldest son to me by tomorrow at the latest," he finally growled, the abyssal energy momentarily surging more visibly beneath his skin. "Then I’ll grant you a few more years to surrender Luna with Yino’s second ring and to say your goodbyes." His eyes swept across the delegation with undisguised contempt, lingering momentarily on Sirius with particular malice. "Don’t fool yourselves that some miracle will save you."

Sirius stepped forward abruptly. The White Tiger briefly manifested around him from his barely contained rage. Selphira attempted to discreetly call him to a stop, but Kharzan had already turned toward him, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.

"If you want to face me, I accept the challenge," the Goldcrest declared with a ferocious smile that showed too many teeth. "One against one, if that’s what you desire. You can use Yino’s second ring that the Dumb King entrusted to your care as support."

His eyes flashed with malice, the purple undertone becoming more pronounced. "But don’t imagine that because that foolish king entrusted you with making the stupidest exchange with Yino some years ago, you’re superior to me. Not convinced yet? Fine, if you want, use the third ring for support as well…"

A tense silence fell over the tent. Counselors from both sides exchanged worried glances.

"We don’t have the third ring," Selphira interjected calmly.

"And ensuring peace for the kingdom’s innocent people isn’t foolish," added Julius, his voice regaining some of its diplomatic firmness as he rose to stand beside Selphira.

Sirius, after a moment of visible struggle with his emotions, finally stepped back, though his eyes never left Kharzan’s face. The Goldcrest patriarch studied the delegation once more, his gaze calculating and cold, before releasing a contemptuous snort.

"Tomorrow," he repeated, striding toward the exit with the confident gait of someone who believes victory is already theirs. "Don’t make me wait."

♢♢♢♢

In the days that followed "Goldcrest’s victory on technological abyssal progress", the changes in the city became impossible to ignore.

Entire caravans abandoned the eastern districts, heading toward Goldcrest territories in the outskirts. The barriers and internal divisions within Yano grew in height and complexity... And most worrying of all: Yino’s positions across the Rift continued to strengthen, with new fortifications rising daily.

The logistics of an inevitable war seemed to be slowly favoring the Yino neighbors.