Elizabeth took a deep breath and reconfirmed her theories before saying, "This is what I think: the Featherwind Sect… is just you five."
"What?" they were stunned.
"No… more specifically, there is no one else in or near the human world. The Featherwind Sect… doesn't exist anymore, does it?"
"What… What preposterous claims!" Elder Crus flared up.
"This is an insult to our sect!" Elder Terus snarled. Likewise, Elder Ludin and Unvo were equally upset. Those were the words they wanted to hear the least.
"Your Highness, we came to negotiate in good faith, and you slander our sect? This is beyond rude!" Elder Argo narrowed his eyes dangerously as a hint of killing intent emerged. Everyone could feel he was furious!
"You arrived at the Xingyuu Empire's Xi Wall on the February of last year and negotiated an arrangement with the Imperial Council. You would assist the Imperial Council in their war, while they would assist you in establishing a permanent presence here. This was what Elder Crus and Ludin told me before. However, what caught my attention was this. Throughout this entire time, we have not encountered any others from the Featherwind Sect, nor of its Rank 3 King, your Sect Master. Here we have the acting Sect Master, and four elders, yet no one else, whether it be servants, disciples, or peers. No one else. You sought our kingdom's communication array in hopes of contacting your allies, your flying ship and your Featherwind Pearl are heavily damaged, and you sought assistance from the local powers. There are three conclusions I can draw from this. One: you're lying about your identities and you're not from the Featherwind Sect. Two: you are truthful about both, but for whatever reason, you are unable to return. Three: the Featherwind Sect doesn't exist anymore," Elizabeth explained. "From your reactions, I take it that my third conclusion is correct."
She was observing them extremely closely for any reactions, and she noticed the strongest reaction came from her last point. It was clear what that meant. The Imperial Princesses and Imperian Qiang noticed the same. The four of them were trained extensively in the realm of body language, and though a bird was fundamentally different from a human, similarities existed regardless. Against seasoned veterans like them, the birds stood no chance! This was why they suffered at the hands of Prime Minister Pon-Wai. Their political inexperience became their downfall!
"Those are merely your assumptions. We haven't said anything," Elder Argo vehemently rejected. He almost reverted to his native language from how agitated he was.
"Then why don't we arrange a meeting between our masters? My master is very eager to meet your Sect Master," she returned with a dauntless smile, but to the birds, it was a fatal blow! That was the one thing they could not do! The birds drew silent, another affirmation that Elizabeth's suspicions were correct. They were backed into a corner, so she offered them a way out. The last thing she wanted was for them to become desperate and fight their way out. "Now, I know that you cannot leave the human world easily, because only Rank 3 Kings can do so. This would mean you're effectively trapped here. Since your alliance with the Imperial Council draws to a close, you wish to negotiate with us instead, am I correct?"
"…Indeed, Your Highness is correct."
"What is it you want, and what can you offer in return? Please remember that you're wanted criminals in the Alzar Kingdom for your acts of terrorism, mass destruction, and mass murder. You were directly responsible for killing over twenty, maybe thirty, thousand people, and you contributed heavily to the degradation of peace in the world. Your crimes are too many to count. By all regards, we should have you tried for your crimes against humanity."
"We offer vital information that your kingdom cannot go without, and, in exchange, we want amnesty, freedom, and support."
"You're bluffing."
"Are we?" Elder Argo grinned as he regained control over the conversation. "Isn't Your Highness curious as to how the Imperial Council gained several thousand Rank 2 Lords at once or how they grasped Martial Energy so quickly? From what we can see, most of humanity is underdeveloped Rank 1 Mortals. A few well-trained armies of Rank 2 Lords with Noble Grade treasures and mastery over the energies could sweep through the world. This information is but one thing we can offer."
It was Elizabeth's turn to grow quiet. Regardless of their current circumstances, they were still the elders of the Featherwind Sect, a once supposed Rank 3 civilization. Their knowledge, abilities, and technologies were unimaginably valuable. For example, if their flying ship was successfully understood and produced, it would revolutionize the entire world, heralding a bright new era for humanity! The same went for the mysteries behind Rank 2 Lord and Martial Energy. While others knew about them too, namely the Sword King and her teacher Rena, neither were too fond in revealing their secrets. Prying anything from their mouths was akin to robbing food from a lion, an impossible endeavour. However, with the Featherwind Sect's offer of cooperation, those possibilities became a reality! The future was within her grasp!
"Furthermore, we know about the current situation inside the Imperial Council, about Prime Minister Pon-Wai, and about the three Great Nobility Families. Our assistance could greatly aid in resolving the Second Great Kingdom War."
Another tempting bait dangled in front of their noses because what he said was true. Although the Alzar Kingdom had countless spies in the Xingyuu Empire, none of them travelled as deeply as the Imperial Council or to Prime Minister Pon-Wai. There was a distinct possibility that the Featherwind Sect had vital information that could sway the scales of war in their favor. Not to mention, the five birds themselves wielded monstrous abilities, bordering on the divine. Now that they were facing the combined might of the Imperial Council and the Li Family, they could not afford to be picky. They needed every bit of help they could get! However, Elizabeth anguished inside. To forgive their crimes was to insult the thirty thousand people who they killed! All their friends and families would never accept this outcome. They would never get the justice they deserved. When she thought back to her own family, and the anger she felt towards the Xingyuu Empire, she could not rob thirty thousand people of their justice too. Otherwise, how could she face their loved ones? Her indecision was noticed by the others.
"Your Highness, is something wrong?" General Petra asked, worried that the Featherwind Sect might have done something without their knowledge.
"It's nothing. I'm fine," she mumbled. "Elder Argo, would you be willing to consider an alternate request?"
"I'm afraid not. Our requests are non-negotiable."
Elizabeth drew a difficult face, prompting Ming to step in. She whispered to Elizabeth, "Your Highness, I understand your misgivings, but I believe we should accept their proposal. We should not mistake the trees for the forest. We should look at the bigger picture instead."
She was right. They could reject the Featherwind Sect's offer, but what would that bring them? They would antagonize a powerful enemy and lose a powerful asset in this war! Their goal was to end the Second Great Kingdom War and the more it dragged on, the more people would die. In the end, rejecting their help might lead to even more casualties, far more than the thirty thousand that they killed! As Princess Ming said, to mistake the trees for the forest was a show in shortsightedness. They could not lose track of their goal. Elizabeth tightened her fists. She might not be able to repay the fallen with the birds' deaths, but she would not let the birds off that easily. She would make sure to use them for all they had!
"…I understand. Elder Argo, we agree to your proposal."
The birds were pleasantly surprised that despite the various ups and downs, they had reached a satisfactory conclusion. This much was enough for them. They needed to regain their strength for their inevitable confrontation with the Luminous Central Origin! The acting Sect Master nodded and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. Shall we seal our agreement with a contract-type spell?"
"You violated your contract with the Imperial Council to negotiate with us," Elizabeth pointed out. "We won't need a contract spell. You need our help as much as we need yours. A verbal agreement is enough."
"Very well. We look forward to our cooperation together." He extended his wing out.
"Likewise." She grabbed his wing and shook it awkwardly, concluding their negotiations.