Global Lords: Hundredfold Increments Starting With the Undead

As soon as the minister finished speaking, the whole room fell silent.

The Trade Alliance couldn't mediate, their last hope was gone.
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Rune, seated on the throne, turned pale.

Was Gray Iron City about to fall under his rule?

He'd only been in power for a few months.

"How can this be? They don't accept our compensation?" Rune hastily asked.

There was no response from below.

At this point, the situation was very clear.

The Trade Alliance must have figured out which side the Undead were on.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have said the opposing side was not accepting compensation.

The Undead clearly had the advantage, why would they easily end the war!

Seeing no one speaking below, Rune suppressed his anxiety and continued, "Is there any other solution? Every day countless soldiers die in this war, who can tell me how to end it?"

Still, there was silence.

The ministers, who used to be active and vied to show their wisdom in front of Rune, all fell silent in an instant.

Each was nervous, their eyes darting.

Who could think of any other solutions? Everyone was thinking about their own retreat.

They did not want to stay here and be buried with the city.

"Speak!" Rune roared.

Everyone was startled.

A minister stepped forward, shaky, and said, "Why not continue negotiations with the Undead's commander? We can let them propose conditions. We must maintain Gray Iron City first."

When these words came out, many people loudly agreed.

If they did not like the conditions proposed by us, then let them say what they want.

Whatever they want, as long as they have it, give it to them.

Hearing the discussion, another minister scoffed and said: "You go talk then, let's see how you contact the opposing commander during battle."

This left everyone silent.

Even if Gray Iron City had a secret tunnel for escape, nobody could approach the opposing commander.

If they had that ability, why not just assassinate him rather than negotiate with him.

"Is there any other way?" Rune continued to ask.

The minister who just rebutted stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, if the negotiation fails, have you considered using the services of the House of Faceless? They provide assassination tasks..."

He did not continue, but everyone understood his meaning.

The House of Faceless is a necessity yet anathema to every city.

They need them for gathering intelligence, but fear that their own intelligence will be leaked.

Many cities have already started to eliminate the Faceless, including Gray Iron City, although it seemed they hadn't been completely eradicated here yet.

Rune was somewhat hesitant, "The Faceless in the city have been taken care of."

"Your Highness, you don't need to worry about this. I know a friend who can contact the Faceless. It just depends on whether you want to consider it or not." The minister looked directly at Rune on the throne.

Everyone could sense something was off with this minister.

His demeanor, his tone...

He was the one who had contact with the Faceless.

Rune rushed to conclusions, a cold huff, "Hmph, the Faceless are common enemies of all races, as hateful as the Undead. This is off the table, we will not be asking them for assistance."

After being rebuked, the minister remained silent and drew back.

The others also said a few words here and there.

There were only a few options, none of them effective.

With the discussion leading nowhere, it didn't take long before the meeting was adjourned.

...

When everyone had left,

Inside the Royal Palace's study,

Rune didn't wait long before seeing his attendant bringing a minister from the back door.

"Your Highness," the minister greeted.

Rune nodded, speaking softly: "The matter of the Faceless, you have a way to contact them?"

The minister didn't hide it, "Yes."

Rune took a deep breath and continued, "How much is needed to assassinate the opposing commander? All our money has been spent on materials, there's not much left."

The minister revealed a small smile, "Your Highness, the Faceless do not want money."

Rune frowned, "If not money, then what?"

Now he could confirm that this minister was with the Faceless.

But he couldn't touch him now, furthermore, he needed him to save Gray Iron City.

However, asking for something other than money might be even more serious.

"The Faceless want you, Your Highness, to join them and become part of them. In return, the Faceless will help solve your problem, assassinate the opposing commander, and even investigate the real instigator behind the scenes and kill them," the minister spoke confidently.

Rune was instantly filled with anger.

It was an outright coercion, forcing him to join the Faceless.

With him joining the Faceless, the entire Gray Iron City and the Dwarfs would fall into the hands of the Faceless.

Such great ambition these despicable Faceless have.

Rune wanted to slap his desk in anger, but restrained himself.

What choice did he have now?

Would Gray Iron City falling into the hands of the Undead be better than him joining the Faceless?

At least the Faceless were negotiable, while the Undead relentlessly pursued war.

He was silent for a long while.

The sun set, and the Nightstone lit the room.

Rune didn't say anything, while the minister silently waited on one side.

Two or three hours passed like this.

Rune finally sighed, like a deflated ball, devoid of his previous spirit.

His voice was filled with fatigue, "I can agree, but our deal only takes effect after the opposing commander is killed."