As the forums erupted with chatter about this news, the meeting in the throne room wasn't over.
Astaroth smiled at the development, but it was only the beginning.
"Killi. I'm glad you so readily agreed to help out Prince Nalafein. But there is another part to this deal that I hadn't told you yet."
Killi got back up before sitting in his chair once more. He frowned slightly, wondering what Astaroth had been hiding from him.
"You see," Astaroth kept talking, "Prince Nalafein has agreed to a political alliance once he reintegrates his position. This means that since you are now part of his kingdom and forces, it will also tie you to us, Paragons. So, for the sake of cementing this, I wanted to ask you something."
Killi had an inkling of an idea of what Astaroth was about to ask.
"I want Paragons and Knights of the Sun to make a formal alliance. A complete one, legitimized by the system. Not just a verbal promise of non-aggression."
Phoenix had been the one to suggest this to Astaroth when they had discussed how they should completely bind their potential allies to them.
A formal alliance was much more than just a promise between two forces. The system had a whole tab for this, where the pros and cons were explained for getting into an alliance, but also for breaking one.
It went much further than just truces and basic help. The formal alliance function bound the two entities together on a core level, where they were almost considered the same in the eyes of the world.
When bad things were done by one part of the alliance, it would also reflect on the other. It could have positive and negative repercussions for both parties concerned.
If one half of the alliance considered the actions of the others to be detrimental to it, measures were in place to correct the situation. Sometimes being as drastic as severing the alliance and imposing penalties on the party at fault.
These penalties could range anywhere from monetary compensation to severe loss of reputation for the entire guild.
Killi had already read that tab when he founded the Knights of the Sun and knew what it entailed. He was not quite convinced this was a good idea just yet.
But one thing was certain. Paragons were much more at risk, were they to go against this alliance.
Which brought him to think, 'Why do they want to put themselves in that position?'
But Phoenix was the one to explain it to him.
"I know the offer sounds weird to you, since our side is the one risking to lose the most, should something happen that severs this alliance. But you need to look on a deeper level.
"Accepting this alliance will put your guild in a position where you are practically a subsidiary to ours, since we are the larger party. You would not be in an egalitarian alliance. I know it's a lot to ask since you want to become the largest guild, but it is what we want to ask of you.
"Of course, we would not dare take away your agency or freedom. You would still be free to grow as your own entity. Only, you would ultimately answer to us, should the need for your help arise."
Killi's face became incredibly serious. Had he known this beforehand, he would have taken time to think about it, before swearing loyalty to the prince.
He had basically sold himself to the Paragons guild unwittingly. His accompanying officers were grimacing in the back, realizing what they had stepped into.
Killi was usually good at politics, and he had still not seen this coming. This could quickly turn into their end if they didn't manoeuvre carefully.
But Killi's face went back to a smile, suddenly throwing off his officers.
"This was a nice honey trap you set up, Astaroth, Phoenix. I am impressed. But I would like to point out something you might have forgotten in this transaction."
Phoenix smiled back at him.
'He caught on. As expected of the son of a politician,' she thought.
"As the weaker party in this alliance, I would also be entitled to aid, be it economic, military, or political. Are you ready to give out such help?"
Killi thought he had served a good enough counterpoint to dissuade them from this. But Prince Nalafein intervened, breaking his legs under him, before he could even run, metaphorically.
"All of which they have already promised me, Sir Killi. All before you arrived. Which means you will have to ask me, for all these boons, when I get my throne back."
The smile on Killi's face wavered for a moment.
'Shit. They thought this through more than I thought.'
Looking at Phoenix as he thought that, he now understood why her smile never shifted. Tying himself to the prince meant all the help he could have asked for, that had already been promised to him, would go through him.
If Prince Nalafein wanted to choke his guild to death, he could do so without affecting the alliance position of Paragons, since they would still have fulfilled their part of the deal. The young prince didn't look the type to do this, but you never knew with royals.
Astaroth lifted his hand to get Killi's attention.
"Listen, man. We don't want to put you in a position where you can't grow. On the contrary. The more you grow, the better it is for both of us. A terrible enemy is starting to point its ugly face, and we need as many powerful allies as we can get. This deal isn't bad for anyone concerned. Take it."
Killi looked at Astaroth, wondering what the man knew, that he didn't. But his words still contained the truth.
Even as he mulled over it, the alliance was not inherently bad for him. As long as Paragons didn't insist they become their serf guild, he would benefit in the short and long term.
Glancing at his officers, who looked confused by all this, Killi mentally berated himself for acting too quickly.
'The bait was well positioned, and I walked right into it. I guess I should commit since I'm already this deep.'
Making up his mind, Killi stood up again. He did a small curtsy toward Astaroth, before standing back straight.
"I guess we will be in your care, then. Do right by my guild, and we will do right by yours, Paragons."
A world announcement echoed across the world, that changed the power dynamic for the future.
*The guild Knights of the Sun have entered a formal alliance under the guild Paragons. Who knows what their combination might usher in, going forward? Long live their alliance!*
As the announcement resounded, a change occurred in the guild leaderboards. Paragons, which had been fourth in the guild leaderboards, suddenly jumped to first, overtaking Knights of the Sun, as their name suddenly became tied under them in the first place.
Paragons, which had been fourth up to now, due to their powerful players but smaller player base, now stood at the apex of the guild leaderboards.
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