After Huaguer left, Ian was still in the meeting room with his mind racing. Florzinha had finished organizing the environment and was leaving when she was interrupted.
"Floret, is Mrs. Haller at the Embassy or at Headquarters?" The gnome looked at him strangely. How could she not know about the affairs of her masters? People, no matter where they are, always underestimate their servants. They are always there, quietly performing their duties, but at the same time, paying attention to everything. And one of their favorite pastimes is collecting spicy stories about their bosses. Cheating, fighting, committing blunders, embarrassing moments—the more shocking, the better.
"She has returned home, sir."
"Thank you, Floret."
"The madam was a little nervous. I think she would like you to meet her tonight." Floret added as she made a tactical withdrawal. Being female, she also had some empathy for Etri. Besides, the gnomes adopted monogamy as a marital practice.
At this moment, it was clear, that Etri was really very upset. He solved the diplomatic problem categorically. He got a grandmaster and won the undying loyalty of Gerto's family in the process. He advertised F11 products on a large scale, which, although the fruits did not appear, would not be long in coming. Aside from that the clan was awarded two Fantasy Realms, officially becoming a large organization. In terms of power, the Haller clan now held, perhaps, more than the Two Towers, a major clan of the Helis.
'I should be treated with smiles and applause, not anger!'
'Well, there's no point in racking my brains. Women can be irrational sometimes.' Ian thought, being a bit sexist.
'I will look into Zero's situation. Since the battle I haven't had time to solve this problem. I just hope that with two wives things don't get even more explosive... TWO!' In his musings, the realization finally hit him. Ian remembered the Heli culture and how he had taken Zero as his wife without even mentioning it to Etri first. The headache he was feeling only worsened as he realized why. Maybe because he had spent almost 1000 years trapped in his imagination, where he had many wives and lived in a perfect cultivated world in Limbo, he thought it would be normal to set up a harem. However, there was reality and not fantasy.
Not knowing how to correct or mitigate the situation he was in at the moment, Ian opted to rest at the embassy and buy himself some time. Either way, early in the morning, the fulfillment of the Contract would take place. His presence was required in any case.
At the start of the business hours, Ian was in front of the embassy with Tiquinho and Huaguer on either side, and behind him the rest of the delegation, such as the mercenaries, employees, and all the hostages, duly tied up and with their cultivation base sealed.
They were all a bit anxious, each with their own reasons. Moreover, their eyes were simultaneously focused on the north, where a military force was slowly advancing, as if parading, alarming the population and mobilizing a detachment of the Royal Guard monitoring them from a distance. What ruler would allow such a large military force into their territories without proper escort?
This was an elite group, and they emanated a natural killing intent that could intimidate even specialists from superior Realms. They totaled 100 warriors, between the Spiritual and Core Realms, who were heavily equipped. Leading the group was a slender, wrinkled elder with a withdrawn aura that stood out from those around him, the illustrious Sage of the Eternal Night, Minister Hai.
The Eternal Night was making a clear demonstration of power. They didn't have any other choice, in fact. After all, the nation had received a hard slap in the face, a humiliation that would have important geopolitical consequences. At the very least, Eternal Night had to show that they were not weak and that they still embodied a sharp dagger pointed at anyone who dared to take advantage of the situation.
Ian didn't blame Sage Hai for this. He might have done the same if the roles were reversed.
Ian made a hand gesture to the gnome at the back of the formation, particularly a fat one, and a wind instrument was played. The group, once careless, assumed a straight position, with their arms glued to their bodies, heads facing the horizon, feet together, all in organized rows. They were at attention, in formation. Ian hadn't had time to fully train and convey the idea of a professional Earth army, but it was enough. He came from a family of many military men and even went to a military college.
In Sombreal, there were no professional and collectively trained armed forces. Experts were proud of their individual skills and believed that power came from the individual. On Earth, power came from the collective.
The drastic change and unprecedented martial display drew attention. It impressed many, left others curious, and left the more knowledgeable ones in awe. Even a Fantasy Realm acted as a united force, like a spear to be wielded by another.
When the Dark Elves reached a distance of 15 meters from the Haller formation, Minister Hai ordered them to halt, and he himself walked exactly 7 and a half meters further. Ian followed suit, and both found themselves alone in the center. The surrounding crowd of civilians grew apprehensive. The two groups of warriors were nervous in their hearts, and as for the Royal Guard, they were already circulating their energy, ready to intervene as quickly as possible.
"I, Ian, Patriarch of the Haller clan, greet the illustrious Minister Hai." Ian spoke first, as he was from the younger generation and had a lower cultivation level.
"The Patriarch is very humble. I, Minister of the Eternal Night Kingdom, Envoy of Her Majesty, the Bloodthirsty Queen, also greet you."
Both nodded and summoned their respective "parts" of the agreement. A few dozen Elves were brought by two officials, but almost no one paid attention to them. After all, on the other side, there was only one Gnome with white hair and beard, who, according to rumors, had triggered the entire conflict that had taken on international proportions.
"Hey, what's so special about that elder?"
"Haven't you heard? He's a Grandmaster! Now he has his cultivation sealed, but don't underestimate him."
"Grandmaster? My God!!"
"I thought the world had gone insane, but even the Royalty would get involved for a Grandmaster."
"And not just any Grandmaster... It's the legendary Princess Snatcher!"
"Shh, you idiot, don't say such things out loud, do you want to lose your head?"
...
The members of the Royal forces could only sigh as they witnessed this development. Who would have guessed that the blow to the reputation of that event would rebound on the Gnome Monarchy in the end? However, they couldn't do anything against the Haller clan at that moment, let alone the sharp-tongued citizens. Their mission was to ensure that peace was maintained.
The old man, the great focus, had long listened to the developments and was surprised at how the events had unfolded. In fact, he was in good shape, since the Eternal Night wanted to use him. But if the experts could be called proud felines, scholars like him would be like unshakeable lions. He gazed at the tall figure who "rescued" him, trying to assess him.
"So, the contract is complete, Mr. Haller. I hope our disagreements are now in the past." Minister Hai spoke without emotion. If the night before he was friendly and chatty, now he wore his clothes and acted as one would expect of him.
"And they are buried to foster a future relationship of good shadow and fruitful outcomes," Ian replied. Sage Hai nodded.
After the exchange, each group moved in a different direction, with their leaders at the center, unmoving. When the Dark Elves reached the embassy, Sage Hai took a step forward, intending to accompany them. Everything went according to plan, and he needed to assist in the recovery. That's when a hand grabbed his arm, stopping the momentum.
The crowd, no, everyone present gasped. Ian had blocked Minister Hai, a breach of protocol that could have drastic consequences. Royal Gnomes sweated, weapons were drawn by the Elves, and the Haller clan did the same. Could another internationally disruptive incident erupt?
Sage Hai was taken aback, without a reaction. Where was Ian's head? He might sympathize with that junior, but he couldn't tolerate another disrespect towards his nation. So he turned to teach him a lesson. That was when he found a smiling and friendly-looking Ian.
"Minister Hai, with all this grandeur, I almost forgot to give you this gift." Ian's left hand emerged from his traditional black robe, holding a crystal bottle filled with golden liquid.
For a moment, that old fox let slip a smile, to the general astonishment.
"Ah, the spiritual whiskey. I thought it had run out." Hai sent an inquisitive look to Ian.
"I happened to come across a lost unique bottle. I apologize for yesterday, I apologize for yesterday, but I believe you can still find other friends to share the joy." If the actions of the two hadn't moved some people yet, now without exception, besides the pair and Huaguer, no one else knew what was going on.
"Damn, aren't they sworn enemies?"
"I don't know anything anymore."
"What do these big shots drink?"
"That drink, apparently. It must be some high-level drug!"
"Impossible!"
...
Despite the surrounding commotion, Ian and Hai exchanged a few more friendly words and gestures before parting ways. Ian led everyone to the clan headquarters, neither too fast nor too slow. During the journey, the Grandmaster didn't say a word but never took his eyes off the Patriarch.
'Who was that young man?'
After a while, they arrived at the Main Gate, which opened as the group approached, revealing a few people at the reception. Among them were a small number of gnomes, some even smaller than usual, clearly children running towards the delegation.
"Grandpa! Grandpa!" Shouted the little figures, followed not far behind by a very presentable female Gnome with tears streaming down her rosy cheeks.
"Dad!"
Seeing his daughter, the unshakable master finally fell and became an ordinary mortal. With teary eyes, he looked at his grandchildren in person for the first time. They had some of his traits and even those of his deceased beloved...
THUD.
As the hurried crowd arrived to embrace the elder, he fell to the ground. They had not yet released his cultivation base.
"Remove the cultivation seal from our esteemed Grandmaster." Ian ordered, enjoying the situation.
"Old devil, long time no see!"
Hearing the disrespectful term as he was helped up by his daughter, he frowned and turned to face Gerto, who was approaching slowly.
"The useless disciple still a humble Matrice Master?"
"Uh, I've been stuck at a bottleneck for a few years..." Gerto replied more humbly, clearly embarrassed.
"Father, husband, behave in front of the children!" After the scolding, both of them looked down and nodded.
"Ahaha, good! Now that the family is reunited, let's celebrate!" Ian laughed and entered the property. But deep down, he was sweating profusely. Etri was not present at the reception.