Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

The position Faelan took at the table represented Nerathia's stance in the negotiations.

They were neutral!

Carissa couldn't help but marvel once more at the power of a strong kingdom.

The initial stages of the talks were tedious, with the same points being repeated over and over. The translators were busy, their voices echoing with historical debates. This was inevitable, as conceding too early would only lead to further compromises.

As such, the first round of negotiations yielded no agreement. It was simply a test of boundaries.

The second round began the following day. Again, they emphasized the same points.

But after the second repetition, Faelan spoke up, saying, "There is no point in prolonging this. The dispute over the border has lasted for decades. It will not be resolved in a day. Let us set the border issue aside for now. What I wish to know is whether both sides are committed to establishing peace and mutual non- aggression between your kingdoms."

The answer was unanimous. Both parties expressed their desire for a peaceful resolution and hoped to avoid further conflict.

Faelan then presented a stack of papers. On them were detailed lists of goods from both kingdoms-grain, livestock, silk, textiles, handcrafted items, tea, furs, porcelain, paper, and herbs and spices unique to their lands, as well as larger commodities such as rock salt, iron ore, and emerald.

sides picked up the lists, their initial tense expressions

benefits, some issues could be negotiated, and those that couldn't

war having drained their treasuries, both kingdoms needed to recover. Based on Nerathia's own experience, they knew that focusing solely on agriculture while neglecting commerce was outdated. A balance of both was the true path to prosperity. After all, taxes

kingdoms agreed to temporarily halt the border discussions and

was a strategic distraction. Yet, they understood its purpose. Nerathia, with its thriving maritime trade, also sought to

into it. Everyone stood to gain, and both kingdoms desperately needed what was being offered. The

the following day,

kingdoms are inevitable, especially over border lines. Every kingdom faces the same challenge. But if

sides nodded in agreement, recognizing the truth

that moment, the tone of the negotiations changed. Gone were the endless repetitions of the past,

disagreements, and the debates remained intense, but the hostility was gone. Neither side was stubbornly refusing to budge anymore. With Faelan mediating, a consensus was reached by

would establish its

last for twenty years, after which the border

treaty signed, the two sides eagerly began discussing trade. But these talks

"Whi net

could be traded and