As the sun climbed to its zenith, the wind on the imperial road stirred waves of heat, drawing out the "rumble" of the carriage wheels over the dirt path into an unusual length. Posses rode at the forefront, the reins loosely coiled in her palm, her golden hair damp with sweat and clinging to her neck. The high spirits from their departure seemed to have melted under the sun; her gaze was vacant, and she didn't even notice the approaching figures ahead.
It was only when a Yellow Rose Knight called out a reminder that her soul was pulled back. "Miss, there seems to be someone ahead!"
Posses looked up and found the hazy figure somewhat familiar—a cloud of dust rose on the imperial road in the distance, and dozens of riders were galloping towards the caravan. The armor of the one leading shimmered silver in the sunlight.
"Is that older brother?" she stammered, then suddenly straightened her back, the previous listlessness scattering like mist in the wind. "older brother!"
The other party had clearly seen her too, and from a hundred paces away, he shouted, "Sister! It's so good to see you."
The sound of hooves grew closer. As Casper reined in his horse, his gaze immediately swept over the carriages—they were all filled with Imperial Soldiers. Although disarmed and covered in wounds, it was too careless for only ten Yellow Roses to escort several times their number of wounded soldiers.
"What's going on?" Posses glanced back upon hearing this before answering. "They are wounded soldiers from the Imperial Vanguard. There were fifteen thousand when they attacked, but only a few hundred when they retreated. These are the ones who couldn't escape. I made a deal with Lord Chen Yan; if we take in the prisoners, he will ally with us."
Casper's pupils contracted. He had heard the Yellow Rose Knight's report, but he hadn't expected the battle to be so tragic—five carriages, each crammed full. The groans of the wounded soldiers were like the buzzing of bees trapped in a jar, audible from a distance.
"Lord Chen Yan… is that the man who built the fortress?" he turned to look at Posses. Seeing his sister nod, he ordered his personal guards behind him, "Take over the prisoners, escort them back to Italica, and hand them over to Father for disposition."
"Yes!" Over twenty personal guards immediately stepped forward, exchanging reins with the Yellow Rose Knights and mounting fresh horses.
Posses continued, "There are also dozens of warhorses. Bring more men to receive them."
"There's more? Why would he give you so much? It's clearly his spoils of war." Posses chuckled lightly, "Spoils of war? He even took the money from the dead. But he doesn't want anything alive."
"Why is that?" Casper grew more confused the more he listened, and Lord Chen Yan's image in his mind became increasingly blurred.
"He said this money was all plundered from Karelia. If it were buried with the Imperial Army, our economy and the kingdom's economy would collapse. So, he'd rather bear the infamy and take all the money back." Posses's voice was devoid of any emotion, neither critical nor approving, simply stating the facts.
Casper turned to the Civil official, expecting his explanation. "This person does indeed have foresight. Gold coins are fine; they aren't used in many places. But a large amount of silver coins disappearing from the market would cause grain prices to plummet. What used to cost 10 silver coins for a bag of flour would become 8, or even 5. This is the consequence."
"Then, silver coins would become scarce, and various commodities would be worth less than their original value. Merchants, fearing bankruptcy, would refuse to trade. Coupled with the ongoing war, the kingdom's economy would collapse." Casper had received some education in estate management and understood the dangers of currency shortages.
"But why doesn't he want anything alive?" Posses shrugged. "His fortress has almost no people. Who will watch over so many wounded soldiers and horses? Don't even mention it, my Yellow Roses were busy all night yesterday guarding the wounded soldiers and collecting the horses."
Casper finally understood, but he also greatly admired Lord Chen Yan. To be able to command his sister's personal guards to do this and that, even he himself didn't have such authority. He was even more curious about how Lord Chen Yan managed it.
"Alright, let me go meet him." Casper was filled with energy. He said to Posses, "You went through the city defense battle and then guarded the prisoners. You must be exhausted. Go back to the city and rest first. I can handle things here."
Posses, however, turned her horse around and headed back the way they came. "Where are you going?" Casper frowned. "The city isn't in that direction."
"To the fortress." Posses pointed behind her brother. "Lord Chen Yan said the contract is only valid if Father himself or the heir is present, and the Civil official must also be brought—see, we brought him."
"You…" Casper stared at his sister's shining eyes and suddenly understood something. The Yellow Rose Knight's report only mentioned 'Lord Chen Yan led Miss on a tour of the city, no other details were mentioned,' while the urgency in her eyes now clearly wasn't just about forming an alliance; it was a longing to see someone. So much had changed in just these two days.
"I know the way and can introduce you. Moreover, you haven't seen Lord Chen Yan's fortress. That technology… is too important for Italica." Her tone was firm and unyielding, her golden hair flashing in the sunlight.
Casper fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "My sister has grown up and can make her own decisions now."
"What are you talking about, brother? I've been able to make my own decisions for a long time." Posses didn't understand what her brother meant. "No, nothing. You just lead the way ahead."
"Of course. But brother, be careful not to be left behind," Posses's demeanor had completely changed. From lacking the drive to 'go home' to being full of energy to 'go to the fortress' took only a few sentences. She ordered her personal guards, "Yellow Rose squad, heed my command! Follow me to the fortress!"
Over thirty Yellow Rose Knights responded in unison, the clanging of their armor sending up clouds of dust. Casper shook his head helplessly. Before departing, he whispered to the personal guards returning to the city, "Tell Father that the Imperial Vanguard has been completely annihilated. My sister and I are going to the fortress to sign a contract. He should not worry."
"Yes!"
The two groups parted ways on the imperial road. One team headed in the direction of Italica, the dust raised mixed with the low moans of the wounded soldiers; the other turned their horses and galloped towards Mount Olympus.
The wind lifted Posses's golden hair, revealing the slight blush on her ear tips. She seemed to be humming a tune, so cheerful it was incongruous with the vast, open land filled with wounded soldiers. Casper tightened his reins, his doubts growing denser like grass stirred by the wind.
The sun slanted westward, and the fortress on the hill gleamed with chalk-white light. As Posses reined in her horse, a familiar electronic voice came from the city wall: "Miss Posses, you've returned so quickly, and with many unfamiliar faces. Can you tell me what happened?"
"We were supposed to escort the wounded soldiers back to Italica. On the way, we met my brother leading his personal guards, and we handed them over."
"Understood. Then the gentleman beside you must be the brother you mentioned?"
"That's right. Let me introduce him. This is my brother, the heir of Italica, Casper." Posses dismounted, her tone betraying a hint of pride. "As agreed, we are here to sign the alliance with Lord Chen Yan."
"Hello, I am Posses's brother, Casper." Casper also dismounted. Since they were on someone else's territory, he couldn't act condescendingly.
Posses turned to Casper. "The one speaking is the 'Iron Giant' the refugees mentioned. Chen Yan calls him Argo."
"Welcome, everyone." Argo opened the gate, a floating sub-unit's lens flashing a blue light. "Chen Yan is at the construction site. Please follow me."
The group walked through the bastion gate. Casper's gaze never left the sentry towers on the city wall. He still harbored doubts about whether those dark cannons could truly spew fire. The Civil official, however, stared intently at the various buildings within the base, as if trying to imprint them into his mind.
The dormitory construction site was still some distance from headquarters. Here, besides Chen Yan and Argo himself, a 3D printing gantry was moving back and forth rhythmically, and laser beams were meticulously sintering and solidifying liquefied material extruded by the nozzles.
"Lord Chen Yan!" Posses's voice broke the din of the construction site.
Chen Yan turned upon hearing her, and seeing Posses and Casper beside her, his eyes widened suddenly, as if to say, 'They're here so soon.' He put on a professional smile and welcomed the guests.
"Let me introduce my brother, who is also the heir of Italica you requested, Casper." Posses emphasized her brother's status as heir, as if implying, 'I've brought the person you asked for, what else do you have to say now?'
Chen Yan, even if he understood, showed no additional reaction. "Welcome, welcome, Lord Casper. You and your sister look quite alike." Casper also responded, "I've heard of Lord Chen Yan's great name from the refugees and the Yellow Roses. They say he is kind and chivalrous, and meeting you today, it is indeed as rumored."
"Not at all, those were just necessary actions." Chen Yan framed his actions as being forced by circumstances. In just a few exchanges, Casper concluded that this man was difficult to deal with. "You have traveled a long way, please come inside and rest."
"No rush. Could you introduce me to what you're doing here?" Casper pointed at the construction site, "I've never seen such a scene before, so I'm very curious."
"I haven't seen it either. I was too busy fighting yesterday to ask how these iron houses were built." Posses chimed in, and Chen Yan couldn't refuse. He then explained to them, "These are new housing units being built for the refugees. Argo reminded me that you would bring escorts, so the accommodation at headquarters would be insufficient. Therefore, we need to increase construction."
Posses had stayed in the dormitories yesterday and knew how tight the beds were. Even refugees had to squeeze into rooms, and the Yellow Roses needed shifts to get enough sleep. Her expression was rather awkward. Casper, unaware of this situation, assumed Chen Yan was specifically adjusting the accommodation environment to entertain guests and thus thanked Chen Yan, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Chen Yan. We will certainly offer a reward afterward."
"You're welcome, you're welcome." These were just pleasantries. Chen Yan didn't expect Italica to offer any particular reward, but he still had to host them. Even if it was just making a few more friends and hosting them for a few days, it wasn't a big deal. However, he never expected that from then on, these people would overstay their welcome.
Amidst their conversation, a two-story temporary prefab building was completed. The Yellow Rose Knights, the Civil official, and even Casper had never witnessed such efficient construction speed, marveling at it. Posses, having witnessed the efficiency of drone swarms in killing, accepted it more readily. She even boasted to her brother about this miraculous efficiency, making Chen Yan unsure of where to start with his retorts. He ultimately decided against it, as being too familiar might lead to misunderstandings, especially in front of her own brother.
After the prefab building was completed, they toured the interior, satisfying their curiosity before being led upstairs to rest. They happened to encounter refugees going to receive their new homes at the same time as they were ascending and descending the stairs. Upon seeing the nobles visit, the refugees immediately knelt and bowed, their expressions tense, their heads bowed low. It wasn't until Casper raised his hand and signaled to "rise," that they dared to tiptoe away, quickly disappearing beyond the rolling shutter door.
Chen Yan realized that without Argo and this technology, he would probably be like those refugees now, bowing their heads to the hooves of nobles. Argo's early expansion of dormitories and segregation of nobles and refugees was also quite farsighted.
Upon reaching the second floor, Posses turned and ordered her personal guards, "Everyone wait here. Do not wander off without my command." She specifically glanced at the guards brought by Casper and added, "Only I and the Civil official will accompany him. You wait here."
"Yes!" Over thirty knights responded in unison, the clatter of armor echoing in the corridor. Casper's personal guards could only obey.
"Argo, serve tea to our distinguished guests." The sub-unit floating beside him responded immediately. "Instruction received. Service robots are in operation."
"These metal contraptions can even carry plates?" one of the personal guards couldn't help but exclaim, reaching out to touch a service robot, only to be restrained by a Yellow Rose Knight beside him. "Don't touch anything!"
Posses held her forehead, looking as if she couldn't bear to watch, and had to apologize to Chen Yan, "These young ones are too curious. Please don't mind them."
Chen Yan smiled, "It's alright, as long as they aren't too rough."
Casper watched this scene, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. The efficiency of this fortress, even using robots for serving tea, was truly beyond imagination.
The holographic projection in the command center quietly shifted. The sand table light faded, replaced by a circular conference table three meters in diameter. Silver-gray metal chairs unfolded along the edge of the table, and even a built-in tea area appeared in the corner. Argo had clearly adjusted the layout in advance, and even the Civil official's scrolls had a dedicated placement stand.
Chen Yan gestured for the siblings to take their seats, while he sat at the head. After the robots finished serving tea, Chen Yan cut to the chase: "I won't waste time with pleasantries. Let's discuss the terms. What do you want?"
"The Imperial Army is a threat to us. To avoid repeating the fate of Karelia, we need you and the Iron Giant's strength." Casper was direct. Mentioning Argo meant they understood the hierarchical relationship between them.
"Indeed. Then I'll be direct as well. I want the resources in this land." Casper's heart tightened at the word 'resources.' It encompassed a vast range, including not only minerals but also forests, grasslands, water, livestock, and fish. "I don't understand what you mean by resources, could you explain in detail?"
Chen Yan feigned a look of sudden realization. "My apologies, my fault for not being clear. What I mean by resources are some rare minerals, the kind you haven't discovered yet."
Chen Yan snapped his fingers, and a holographic projection appeared above the conference table, clearly visible from any angle. Even though only Posses and the Civil official were present, it elicited gasps of amazement.
"This is what rare minerals look like after refinement." The projection displayed titanium, iridium, cobalt, and some rare earth elements.
"We indeed have not seen these metals. What do you need them for, sir?" Casper didn't want to be led by the nose, nor could he simply agree. He needed to understand what these rare metals could do.
"To be honest, these metals are the primary materials for building a certain facility. I need them to contact my home planet and to return."
Casper narrowed his eyes, hitting the core of the issue. "Lord Chen Yan, who exactly are you? And where do you come from?"
Chen Yan shrugged. "I promised Miss Posses I would tell her long ago. Telling you now isn't a breach of contract, is it?" Seeing Posses shake her head, he became open about his identity.
"I come from beyond the heavens, from a distant planet. Argo and I were sent here on a colonization mission."
"Colonization?" Posses asked in surprise. "Is that the colonization I understand?"
Chen Yan nodded. "Yes, but a slight error occurred midway. We didn't reach our intended destination and were thrown into a place we didn't recognize, which is here."
Casper was more concerned about whether the colonization mission was still ongoing. "Are you still carrying out the mission?"
"No, the mission has been suspended. We have a principle for colonization: we do not colonize inhabited star… places." Argo immediately added, "Chapter 3, Article 1 of the Interstellar Peace Law stipulates that if suspected intelligent beings and their created civilization are discovered on the target planet, the colonization plan must be immediately terminated, and contact shall be made through diplomatic means with the intelligent civilization."
"Our purpose in seeking rare metals is to construct communication devices to report to our home planet that this place is already inhabited, then to build a rift opening facility and return to our home planet."
Casper then raised a doubt: "Who can guarantee that the rift you open is not for returning, but to welcome an army from your home planet?"
"I knew you would say that." Chen Yan lowered his head as if discouraged and smiled, then looked up again, as if transformed. What could be said about his expression? It became very cold and cunning.
"With the strength of Argo and myself, we don't need to negotiate with you. The reason we are telling you frankly is out of respect for you and our self-discipline, do you understand?" Chen Yan exuded an indescribable pressure and deterrence. Recalling the highly efficient slaughter of yesterday, Posses felt a chill run down her spine and instinctively hugged herself.
Casper glanced at Posses from the corner of his eye. He had never seen his sister afraid of death, and precisely because of this, he realized that what Chen Yan said was true. However, as a leader, his position allowed no compromise. "Thank you for your trust and understanding. How much of these ores or metals do you need?"
"The specific amount is inconvenient to disclose. Just grant me prospecting and mining rights, and I guarantee I will only take the required amount."
"That won't do. Even if these are mineral resources we cannot understand now, they belong to this land, to our Fomalhaut family. If you cannot state the specific quantity, I cannot agree." Casper stated firmly, rejecting Chen Yan's request outright.
"Oh, even when facing a great enemy and the family's survival is on the line?" Chen Yan was not angry; his face showed no expression, as if he were a puppet, his thoughts unreadable.
"What do you mean, sir?"
"I can send someone to tell the Imperial Army that the previous encounter was entirely a misunderstanding, and I annihilated the vanguard in self-defense. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, I can do nothing and watch them pass by without interference, as long as you give me a little of the resources. Do you think their general will believe that?"
Casper angrily stood up from his chair, "You…" but dared not say anything else. After all, he was the one who rejected the alliance's terms, so Chen Yan turning to ally with the Imperial Army wasn't something to be condemned.
Chen Yan pushed the projected text of the terms in front of Casper and emphasized and bolded the line "Rare metal mining rights": "I'll say it only once—prospecting, mining, and quantity, all determined by me. Italica will either nod, or watch me and Argo go to the Imperial Army camp."
Posses wanted to interject but was silenced by Chen Yan's gaze. The command center fell completely silent. The Civil official's quill fell to the ground with a faint sound.
"Oh, right, I have a question. Who does the hill where the fortress is located belong to?" Casper's tensed nerves relaxed slightly, and he answered, "Count Aldridge, why?"
"It's regrettable. Their entire family has perished, and they left no heirs. Otherwise, I could have supported them in reclaiming their territory and asked for a little extra benefit. They surely wouldn't have refused." Chen Yan's words were like a thorn in Casper's heart. The implication was clear: he could not only cooperate with the Imperial Army but also with other forces within the kingdom, and he wasn't pinning all his hopes on Italica. This was his final warning.
Casper closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the struggle in his eyes had completely faded into weariness. After thinking for a long time, he gave up resisting and finally said in a hoarse voice, "Mining rights… to you."
Chen Yan smiled, his tone softening. "If you had said so earlier, there would have been no trouble." He brought up a 3D model of the base, pointing at the flashing towers and factories. "When I find a way home, everything in this fortress will be yours. Do you still feel like you're at a disadvantage now?"
"But what if you can't go back?"
Chen Yan paused. "Then you will gain a powerful ally, and I will return any rare metals I don't need. You won't have to pay for refinement fees either. That's a good deal, isn't it?"
Casper looked at the fortress in the model and suddenly felt a tightness in his throat. He knew this was Chen Yan's placation, a step down for the loser, but he had to take it. Compared to the infamy of 'selling mining rights,' the complete disappearance of Italica would be eternal damnation.
"Alright." He instructed the Civil official to write the terms in official language. Argo, however, said, "No need to trouble yourself, I'll do it."
Argo shot a thin laser beam from the optical lens on his sub-unit, rapidly engraving beautiful script onto the parchment, even the Civil official admitted his inferiority.
"Argo, when did you learn to write?" Even Chen Yan didn't know. Argo casually replied, "Remember Posses's tadpole script? It's somewhat similar to certain lost civilizations on Earth. I recorded them all for comparison and translation. The Civil official just now provided the final proofreading."
Of course, it wasn't real proofreading, but the standardized format provided Argo with anchor points for correction. He truly lived up to being the most advanced artificial intelligence, Chen Yan nodded in admiration. Soon, two identical documents appeared on the table.
"What neat handwriting." "Is this ink? It dried so quickly?" "They are exactly the same, I can't even tell the original from the copy." The siblings and the Civil official examined the treaty text closely, marveling at this future technology.
"Oh, here's a clause that wasn't mentioned earlier." Posses pointed sharply at one of them. Chen Yan asked, "Where? What does it say?" After all, Argo was using their language, so Chen Yan couldn't understand it. As long as Argo said it was fine, he naturally wouldn't object.
"It's about the refugees, stating that any business conducted within our territory will be exempt from all taxes." Chen Yan exclaimed, "Hey, I thought it was something big. It's just a dozen or so refugees. It's not too much for them to make a small living, right? Are you refusing me this small favor? Then this alliance is not worth signing."
Chen Yan played the rogue, and Casper had no choice but to agree. After all, he couldn't lose the opportunity for an alliance for the sake of a few refugees.
"Alright, I agree. This small matter doesn't amount to much for us."
Chen Yan secretly rejoiced, 'Small matter? Then I'll show you what a small matter is later.'
However, Casper wasn't just being taken advantage of. He also said, "Since you've added a refugee clause, I'll add a clause to station an observer. Isn't that reasonable?"
Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, "Observer? Observe what?"
"Observe the implementation of the covenant and how these factories operate, so you can better understand and utilize them. If you just leave after taking them, they'll be scrap metal even if we obtain them without knowing how to use them."
Though his words sounded righteous, Chén Yàn instantly saw through his intentions. The so-called "supervision" was merely an attempt to plant an informant under his nose. Even if this person couldn't do anything, at least it would make Kasper feel he hadn't "completely conceded." This was retaliation for being forced to compromise earlier, and a response to his own withholding of information.
"Alright," Chén Yàn smiled, his tone carrying a hint of amusement at seeing through without revealing. "But I must remind you, most of the machines in the fortress require authorization to operate. Your people probably won't even be able to find the door."
"You don't need to worry about that," Kasper's lips tightened. "I've already decided on the person. Who it is… you'll find out when they arrive." He deliberately kept it a secret, wanting Chén Yàn to also taste the discomfort of "being kept in the dark."
Posys finally couldn't help but interject, "Brother, the civil officials we brought…"
"Not civil officials," Kasper interrupted her, a barely perceptible calculation flashing in his eyes. "More suitable people."
Chén Yàn didn't press further. He could probably guess that the person Kasper chose would either be a trusted confidant, or… someone who would make him "uncomfortable." But what did it matter? In the face of an absolute technological disparity, a supervisor could do very little.
"As you wish." Chén Yàn shrugged and tapped the virtual screen to confirm. "Argo, add this to the document."
"Are you sure you really want to add it?" Argo saw through Kasper's true intentions and tried to make him reconsider. "We have riders in our own agreements, so it wouldn't be right not to let them add one."
"Fine, I hope you won't regret it."
Kasper's anxious heart finally relaxed. He knew his position was precarious and considered Chén Yàn's carelessness to be the greatest stroke of luck in this negotiation.
"Then, the covenant is hereby established." Kasper picked up the printed document, reviewed it carefully, and then signed and sealed it, as if grasping at the last straw.
Chén Yàn didn't suspect anything. He simply signed his name in neat block letters and pressed his thumbprint on it.
The sub-unit's electronic voice was toneless: "Please exchange and sign again."
After mutually signing and sealing, the signing ceremony concluded. As Kasper stood up, his steps were steadier than when he arrived. He knew this move was made under duress, but there was no other way. Faced with an irresistible force, preserving a shred of dignity was all he could do.
"Now, with both parties holding the covenant, shake hands for a photograph." Chén Yàn shook hands with Kasper, displaying the contents of their respective documents. Posys was asked to stand in the center, forever enshrined in the signing ceremony's group photo as a witness. With this photo, no matter who it was, they would have to acknowledge the covenant's legitimacy.
Below are the terms of the treaty.
Article 1: Chén Yàn holds the rights to explore and mine rare metals within Count Fomarth's territory. Metals not listed in the appendix shall be handed over to Count Fomarth after exploration, and the count will decide whether to mine them.
Article 2: When Count Fomarth's territory is invaded by external forces, Chén Yàn is obligated to intervene and provide support to ensure the territory does not suffer major losses. During the war, Chén Yàn and his unmanned weapons shall have the right of free passage within Fomarth's territory, and Count Fomarth shall fully cooperate with Chén Yàn's military actions.
Article 3: During non-war periods, both parties shall retain administrative authority within their respective jurisdictions and respect each other's rights.
Article 4: Distribution of spoils of war shall be as follows: captives, wounded, horses, and logistical supplies shall be received by the Fomarth family. Weapons, armor, and other metal materials shall be received by Chén Yàn's side. Military pay and looted gold and silver shall be subject to negotiation between both parties.
Article 5: Chén Yàn shall provide necessary support upon Count Fomarth's request, such as treatment for the wounded, transportation of supplies, and the production and provision of equipment.
Article 6: Refugees under Chén Yàn's protection shall have the right to conduct business freely within Count Fomarth's territory and be exempt from all tax burdens.
Article 7: Count Fomarth has the right to station observers in Chén Yàn's fortress to confirm whether the terms of the covenant are being fulfilled.
Article 8: The validity period of this agreement cannot be stipulated due to special circumstances. It shall be considered permanently valid as long as Chén Yàn exists. If Chén Yàn needs to return to Earth, this agreement shall be null and void immediately, and all facilities within the base shall belong to Count Fomarth.
Signed by Kasper Fomalhaut (Heir) of Count Fomarth, Kingdom of Valentia, Representative of the Earth Joint Government Chén Yàn
Witnessed by Posys Fomalhaut (Third Daughter) of Count Fomarth, Kingdom of Valentia
By this name, we swear and establish this covenant.