Chapter 356: Conclusion
"On the matter of those suits, Your Majesty. I understand why you made that request." Ethan began.
"I’ve thought about it and I understand that allowing one city to govern itself while also possessing an independent military force places you in an uncomfortable position."
His gaze briefly drifted toward the television before returning to the king.
"From your perspective... that would essentially mean there are two rulers inside the same nation."
"What more is there to becoming another sovereign," Ethan continued, "than having your own functioning city and an army that answers to no one but yourself?"
He smiled a bit and said "So... I understand."
Placing his glass onto the table, he added, "On that note, I agree to your request. The assault suits will fall under the authority of Gritnia’s military."
"They’re being purchased by the kingdom anyway, so I have no intention of retaining command over equipment that no longer belongs to me."
King Carson nodded, a slow smile building over his face.
"But..." Ethan said, "There is one condition."
"Go on" Carson gestured.
"I want it written into the agreement." Ethan continued "If, for whatever reason, Stark City and the Kingdom of Gritnia ever find themselves at odds, none of the assault suits I create are to be deployed against Stark City."
"If such a conflict ever comes to pass, then you and I will resolve it directly. And if military force ever becomes unavoidable, it must be carried out by means other than the assault suits."
He held the king’s gaze.
"I won’t have something I built to protect people become the weapon used against my own city."
The room was quiet for a moment as King Carson considered every word. Then his smile returned. "You know one of the reasons I like you?"
Ethan looked amused but remained silent, allowing the king to continue.
"You have a talent for finding the balance in an agreement." Carson said. "No matter the negotiation, you always know how to secure your own interests without making the other party feel cheated."
"Always leaving the table with what you need... while making the other side willing to shake your hand."
Ethan laughed quietly at that observation.
King Carson raised his glass slightly. "I agree to your request. Besides, what disagreement is there that my son-in-law and I could not settle ourselves?"
Ethan smiled, lightly raising his own glass toward the king as well. "I’ll have the agreement drafted. We should have it signed as soon as possible."
"Splendid." Carson replied.
A notification screen popped up before Ethan
[Self-Imposed Objective Complete: Reach An Agreement with the King]
[Reward: +6000xp]
[Experience Points Balance: 381,750]
———
At the Clustervayne Guild...
It had changed considerably over the past few months. The guild was no longer staffed by only a handful of familiar faces.
Ethan’s marriage to the King’s daughter, coupled with the fact that he had been publicly acknowledged as one of those who helped bring Audrey down, had earned him a certain reputation.
In turn, that reputation brought more employees to the guild, forcing Ethan to recruit additional personnel.
The structure of the guild had evolved alongside it. Rather than relying on a single group, operations had now been divided into two separate teams.
The main team continued handling the majority of requests and high-priority commissions.
Several rooms within the building had also been repurposed.
Some had become offices for administrative workers, others served as meeting rooms, while additional workspaces had been opened to accommodate the steadily expanding staff.
The moment Ethan stepped through the entrance, a few employees passing by immediately greeted him.
"Morning, Guild Master."
"Good morning, Mr. Stark."
He returned each greeting with a smile and a nod as workers continued moving about with reports, files, and requests in hand.
Behind the reception desk, several clerks busied themselves.
Without stopping, Ethan made his way farther inside until he reached the guild lounge at the upper floor.
"Well, look who finally decided to show up today." Percival said, with a grin on his face.
Ethan laughed. "Hey, guys."
"Not cool Ethan." Aliyah immediately said, gesturing with a finger
Bettie nodded in agreement. "Even as a part-timer, It’s kinda hard not to agree with that one."
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah... fair."
Wilson said nothing in particular. He simply looked at Ethan with the a calm smile.
Ethan looked around before letting out a sigh. "I really do owe you guys an apology."
Percy waved a hand dismissively. "You’re forgiven."
That earned a few chuckles around the lounge.
The conversation naturally drifted from there as Ethan briefly caught up with everyone, asking about the Guild’s recent activities while filling them in on a few things he could safely talk about.
It didn’t take long before he rose from his seat. "Oh, Bettie."
She looked up at him.
"In the meantime, I’d like you to discuss an arrangement with you. It’s about Ishtar, and she needs your help with some spellwork."
"Oh?" Bettie tilted her head before giving a nod. "Sure."
Ethan nodded back before looking toward Percy. "Perc.. Come with me for a second."
-
As soon as they entered Ethan’s study, a brief conversation followed as he explained his intention to have his sister become formally engaged.
When he finished, Percy stared at him for a moment then laughed.
"I know my sister’s pretty, and you two have had that weird thing going on since forever..."
Percival shook his head dramatically. "But man, you’ve got zero taste. Of all second wives...Her?"
Ethan laughed. "Well, You’re helping me pick out a ring today."
Percy’s eyes widened. "Wait...You guys are getting married already?"
"No, no." Ethan waved both hands with a laugh. "I mean, shouldn’t there be something for the Elder to see tonight that proves the engagement is genuine?"
"Oh..." Percy nodded immediately. "Yeah, true."
His smile slowly returned. "For what it’s worth, Congratulations. I’m... actually really happy for the both of you."
He paused before adding, "Especially her, she’s wanted this for a very long time."
A genuine smile spread across Ethan’s face as the two clasped hands. "Thanks, man."
——
Later that evening in Gritnia...
There had been one establishment in the lower districts.
From the outside, it looked like an ordinary pub, but those familiar with that part of the city knew it served a second purpose beyond cheap drinks and a loud music band.
It was also a pleasure house.
There was a mix of laughter and the clinking of mugs as scantily dressed waitresses moved between tables carrying overflowing trays of ale and spirits.
The patrons reflected the diversity of the Western Continent itself. Humans drank alongside broad-shouldered orcs, goblins argued over card games in one corner, feline women entertained wealthy customers, while countless other races filled the establishment with noisy conversation.
In one corner of the room, was a particularly well-fed man. He smoked a thick backwoods cigar as he reclined comfortably on the seat, one woman rubbing his stomach while another held a glass to his lips each time it emptied.
This was Mr. Bert. A businessman whose wealth had never come from one industry alone.
If something generated profit, he invested in it.
Whether the business happened to be legal or illegal, mattered very little to him. Income was income.
Suddenly, the front doors exploded, bursting apart as Dark Nova stepped through the wreckage.
Conversations died instantly and the music stopped.
One look at the black-clad Hero was enough for panic to spread throughout the establishment.
In that moment, chairs overturned as patrons scrambled toward every available exit.
Dark Nova ignored all of them. Instead, his gaze swept calmly across the room before settling on a single figure; Mr. Bert.
