…As Vaar stopped behind Josefina, Napolean mosied besides him, his face full of anger and his stubble practically shaking.
"What do you think you're doing! This wasn't the plan!"
He whispered though you could hear the anger seep through his speech. Unfazed, Vaar simply said:
"A wise man once said: 'Improvise. Adapt. Overcome'"
Mouth agape, Napolean could only watch Vaar continued to speak:
"Your pride may get in the way; But I have no such restrictions, this will ultimately make the transaction better... Now the only thing left to deal with is Jesus,"
"Don't worry, he won't get in the way. Even if he gets this dingy machine, he can't just steal it. After all, he cares far too much for those two idiots,"
***
At the same time as Vaar and Napolean's ongoing whispers, there was another more secret conversation happening within the room:
'He lied?'
'Affirmative,'
'Which parts?'
'All except for the infinite conflict bit... And his name,'
'So... The Axel-Road is also one of their objectives?'
'Gerald... You know I can't go any farther than that, I'm not a psychic, but from context, they do,'
'Mn, I understand... Look! They're starting the actual negotiations! I'll activate the mind-warp now,'
***
First, let's address the elephants in the room, Ann's apparent lie-detecting power, and Gerald's "Mind Warp".
If you can recall, In the first chapter, It has been pointed out that Ann is a genius and has become the youngest economics professor in Oxford ever. Now, concerning that high-intellect; Ann's brain has had small modifications made in utero and now has the instinctual ability to tell if a person's lying. (This came in handy when Gerald lied about being in love with her! lol)
Naturally, as with the telekinesis, Gerald was similarly born with a power of his own, which he dubbed: 'mind warp'. His powers basically gave small suggestions to a person's brain, directing their thought towards where he wants them to go. Minor mind-control, in laymen's terms.
Of course, these powers came with a price. And unfortunately for both of them, they get unreasonably tired if they overused it too much.
Anyways, back to the story!
***
'...Look! They're starting the actual negotiations! I'll activate the mind-warp now,'
Being reminded by Gerald, she looked towards Jesus and Josefina, getting ready to see the ongoing; Hoping for the best the Axel-Road wouldn't go in the wrong hands...
"Shall we start? Teehee!"
"Yes, but let's make it more formal,"
Declaring this, Jesus signalled to his men. Who orderly lined up rank-and-file, with their hand on the breast and side.
Smiling quite brightly, Josefina promptly did the same, and her contemporaries quickly stood to the side, leaving only the two of them sitting at the table. Smiling, though nobody was sure if they really meant it... Just as they were about to begin:
-Thud!-
A light thud echoed across the silent room, allowing everyone to pinpoint the location of the sound.
Before the crowd were 4 individuals, they all had drastically different builds, though that didn't stop their stride, as they walked confidently to the table. And that thud? well, it was the frozen carcass of a templar, one of Jesus's followers.
As they arrived at the table, the person in the front spoke, his cool demeanour reminding everyone of a glacier. This man was naturally Isaiah Clark; The King of Black Ice.
"Sorry, I'm late... Let's get this show on the road!"
***
30 minutes later,
The men and women sitting at the table smiled satisfactorily, either due to achieving all of their objectives or preventing the other negotiating powers from achieving theirs.
With all of them agreeing the talks were over, A Templar knight assigned by Jesus started speaking:
"I shall therefore conclude the preceding arrangement, and therefore all persons present will be bound in agreement. Any objections? Sir Jesus?"
The old man smiled and shook his head, confirming his agreement.
"Miss Cleopatra?"
One of the late-comers, Cleopatra is the sitting chief of the Deathland tribes, shook her head at his question.
"Sir Wimbley?"
Wimbley S. Geronimo, head senator of the Oceanic Council also shook his head.
"Miss Josefina?"
"Hehe... No, not really,"
"Your majesty Peke?"
Peke Nambwati, Emperor of the Assian empire, shook his head disinterestedly.
"Finally, Sir Isaiah Clark?"
"No, but I'd like to make a quick change on my part,"
"Oh?"
"I'd like to relinquish my control over the Axel-Road,"
"Wah?!"
Many cries were heard from around the room, including Gerald and Ann. But after calming the crowd, the Templar Knight resumed the discussion, seemingly not caring about Isaiah's decision.
"Understood... Now, I shall announce the results of the negotiations in regards to the property her in London, England,"
"Thus, control over the Axel-Road will go over to Sir Jesus and Sir Isaiah Clark. In exchange, Sir Isaiah Clark will personally sign an agreement wherein he agrees to stop hostilities with the parties present, while according to law, Sir Jesus, as god-father and acting proxy of Antoinette Lynd and Gerald Williams, must hand over ownership of the property in question,"
He yelled, making it clear to everyone present what was agreed upon, so no scuffles could be made by those intentionally making a fuss.
Of course, everyone began chatting with each other, whether it be about the future of the world or the contents of the colloquy. And this brief amount of reprieve allowed Gerald and Ann to converse about the trial in earnest:
"Hoo, that was tough! By the way, who was that Isaiah Clark guy?"
"Mn, I'm not so sure myself... But we should count ourselves lucky he voluntarily gave it to us,"
Just like everyone else, they discussed the happenings of the negotiation and confided with one another...
After all, they were confused with many things, one for example, was the surprising inactivity of the Ouroboros, as they had been the first to show up.
But after thinking things through, they realized something: assuming they want it, and both Gerald and Ann were the owners. It wouldn't be hard to stage an "accident" for the couple.
Another thing was Jesus's apparent neutrality, he didn't seem to want the Axel-Road, but he didn't unwelcome it either.
***
As the discussion finally died down, the people related to this affair, apart from 2 or 3, started leaving.
Now, these 2 or 3 weren't just any Tom Dick and Harry. They were the leaders of their factions in the flesh.
They were Jesus, Isaiah and Cleopatra respectively.
Looking at the 3 people, Gerald felt an odd sense of unfamiliarity with all of them. Cleopatra and Isaiah certainly, since they've never met. But even Jesus, the grandfather in their life, seed like a different person.
Walking up to the trio, both Gerald and Ann sent an inquiring look their way.
Smiling, Cleopatra walked forward. Gerald almost tripped over.
She had tanned skin in the colour of bronze while she wore an undoubtedly expensive gold bow, further accentuating her beautiful face.
As she arrived before them, her alluring gaze almost entranced the living daylights out of Gerald... Until his foot was stomped on by Ann.
She started speaking, but not before winking seductively at Gerald.
"Greetings, my name is Cleopatra of Syrus, the current leader of the Deathland tribes... I'm thinking of... An alliance between the two of us,"