World Development System 267 198. Conclusion of Negotiations and Important decisions.

Both Taylor and Plato had cunning smiles as both were grinning for getting the better end of the Trade-Peace deal.

Taylor thought as he smiled and lead Luke out, 'I guess we benefitted from this deal. However, it seems Lord Plato plans to amend his relations with us even if it means losing a bit of face. I guess he is not a defense minister and main counselor to the King without reason. King Lionheart will be the one who will be mostly anguished because of this deal but I guess he understands the importance of this deal. It seems Plato is determined to go through with this deal and recover from the losses in the previous war.'  

Luke was wondering about the deal on why did Lord Plato who used to be always arrogant yielded so easily to the new king of Sky John this time around. 

Luke thought and came to a conclusion, 'I guess this is because of Radiant church and hence Plato's investment in Sky and taking a clear position against Lord Hector to amend his relations with King John. It seems Aelius is going to face turbulent times since Lord Plato has taken a position against Lord Hector and the Radiant Church. I take King Lionheart has already given tacit approval to Plato's position since he wants to end this war as soon as possible.'

Concluding the talks, The Crystal ball stopped glowing and was back to normal as Luke took it back.

Luke sighed as he headed to his mansion which was recently built after concluding the talks.

Plato sighed and thought, "I guess Taylor butchered us for real in these rounds of negotiations. I guess our real takeaway from these negotiations was inviting Sky in Aelius with their Medicines and Shipbuilding to curb Radiant Church and that money-hungry Fjord. I guess I need to start focusing on the development of Grand Potioneer Melanie's Great Grandson, Dwight. However, we need to solve the case of Eva's Parents who died 20 years ago so as to improve our relationship with Miss Eva and Grand Potioneer Melanie. Okay, I will tell the prosecutors to look into it for now. I wonder if their experiment with Paper currency will work or go down the drain. Anyways, we can't allow the paper currency in Aelius when we start our trade. I will ask King to make only gold, silver and copper coins, etc to be legal for trade. That paper currency will only be allowed in the upper class for now and see what are its implications."

Plato's apprentice who had been watching his master for a long time, asked, "Master, is it worth it to make such a big deal with King John."

Plato sighed and spoke, "Well, we had two choices, 1. To get swallowed by Radiant Church and Dwarves while making sky our enemy at the same time or 2. make all of these powers fight against each other at the same time. And it seems though Sky is aware of our plan but they still want to deal a blow to Radiant Church and Fjords at least. And only this kind of big deal was juicy enough to invite Sky into Aelius and also make a Peace deal so as to lessen the tension at our borders currently. A lot of soldiers are deserting their posts after hearing about the weapons of Sky so we need to improve the morale of our army at least."

He continued, "And currently, Radiant Church is the biggest threat to Aelius now that an Oracle has dawned from the Radiant City's Church. From what I know, Pope David's Disciple will be the next Head of the Church and the Holy son according to the Oracle. To prove the worthiness of this oracle, I guess there will be a big event. Something like an eclipse of the two moons together which has rarely happened and most of the time in our history it was due to due to an Oracle by churches or Demon gods. I guess this eclipse will be during King John Coronation ceremony to intimidate others from following his footsteps." 

Plato's disciple nodded and understood, "I see, so it seems Radiant Church will be a direct threat to Aelius since the Gods are directly getting involved and hence the urgency to decline their influence in Aelius."

Plato smiled and spoke, "Correct. and this is why King is willing to negotiate with Sky as he understands the consequences of giving space to the Radiant Church from the history of the previous centuries. However, he also sees this conflict between Radiant Church and King John as a chance to root out Radiant Church from Aelius while weakening Sky at the same time. But this time, John most likely knows this but because of his conflict with Radiant Church I guess he is prepared for a fight."

Plato's disciple nodded with an understanding and spoke, "No wonder Aelius has given so many concessions to Lord John in this deal. Knowing the ego of ministers and king, they wouldn't have bowed down without having a more bigger deal in our favor. I guess they would still be happy at the prospect of selling slaves for 10 gold coins since they deem them those slaves worthless."

Plato sighed and spoke, "I wonder selling people is a good deal or a bad deal. From what I know, King John is quite a cunning guy and he still hasn't made a loss-making deal from the time he came to prominence. When Luke agreed to sell people, I could see that Taylor felt as if he has achieved his target so that is why I wonder if People were his main goal in this deal. Additionally, my instincts say that King John is making a very big profit from this deal. Well, we will sell the demons and other violent species to them first so as to disrupt his plans."

Before leaving Plato instructed his disciple, "Yes, I would like to introduce a new system of security domestically. There was something called Police in North-frontier city as what I heard from the reports of our spies. The army and Police were completely divided and came under different jurisdictions and hence more flexibility. You can start the preparations. I will ask the king later on."

***

At the Imperial Capital of Aelius,

On the orders of Taylor, Dearil and Grey's group of spies started their action. meanwhile, Plato was organizing his men to keep a watch on the movements of Hector, Alistair and the Radiant Church.

However, to Plato's dismay, Radiant Church's men had already started moving and were inside the Prison Barracks after bribing the officials and it was too late for him to stop the assassination.

Plato rubbed his glabella and instructed his disciple, "You should keep a watch on Hector and his butler Alistair. If their assassination fails, I am sure he will try to pull something else. So inform me immediately if he tries to do anything. I don't care if he knows that we are keeping a watch on him but make sure to trace their movements. Meanwhile, I will Inform the king about this deal with John and his conditions right now."

His disciple nodded and headed to spy division, "Ok, Master. I will try my best."

Plato thought, 'Controlling that Butler Alistair would be very hard. Well, even if he is delayed then it would be worth it.'

At present, Antonio was inside a special cell made for political prisoners and nobles. Currently, he was having his meal as he remembered of the delicacies which were at Dolores because it was influenced by the North-frontier city.

He sighed and thought, 'I guess I was pretty petty-minded when I confronted Lord John and got played in the hands of Hector and Norman. No, It was more likely my greed for more power.'

He gritted his teeth thought balefully, 'I wonder when will they make their move on me. I guess I am paying for my sins. If I get a second chance then I will certainly become the biggest thorn for Prince Hector and his road for Throne. And there is a need to again apologize to my father for my reckless behavior. He is most likely angered at the Greenwood Village massacre which I ignored due to Hector and Lord Duke. Well even if I die, I am taking down Hector and his reputation with me.'

***

King Lionheart sighed with relief as well as frustration he heard Plato, he spoke after some careful considerations, "I guess this was inevitable when it comes to Hector. This time you can make the decisions since Antonio's life is very important to complete this deal with the Sky Kingdom. I guess he is deliberately doing this so as to avoid making a deal with us. He would most likely want that Antonio dead from our very own hands so that he Manipulate and use Baron Mendez to do his bidding. We can't fall for this simple trick. Let John and Hector continue their fight. You can ignore it and just treat it as a nuisance. We won't interfere in their face slapping anyway. I hope this lesson at least improves Hector's petty mindedness and makes him a better leader for the future."

King got serious and asked the important details, "Back to the important details. Is there any news on Manrestoring pills?"

Plato spoke carefully as he knew about the importance of Manrestoring pills, "No, I have been cautious this time around. but I was successful in pitting Sky and Radiant Church against each other by allowing their drugs in Aelius. I hope this affects the influence of Radiant Church since they are always looking for more followers and in this way, we can sell the poor folks to Sky without coercing them. So there would be no legal recuperations internationally. After the peace deal is successful I will tell Luke to move forward and ask them of Manrestoring pills in informal conversations so as to lessen the pressure."

****

After Plato left the Royal Chambers, King Lionheart sighed and thought, 'I guess Plato has already made his decisions on who he is going to support and whom he would not in the future.'

'Hector is quite troublesome. I guess I had to make this decision since this concerns the Manrestoring pills. Well, this ordeal will harden Hector to live in realities and take decisions accordingly. I guess I can give some good news to the elders.'

Chapter end