Half a day after the battle, a post-war conference ensued.
On one side were the leaders of the factions of Tulens, led by Varkas and joined by the high clergy, powerful nobles, and powerhouses of the City State of Tulens. Incidentally, Madam Riveria couldn't be bothered with politics, so she left.
Representing Osnines were the Hero of Qhiion Rilden Greybde, his fiancée Erose Greybde, Prophetess of Qhiion Astrid, Grand Jarl Wolfgang, Wolfgang's adjutant, and the surviving Jarls. And, in their head, was the Hero of Qhiion himself.
"This is stressing... Luckily, I don't need to do anything." Rilden helplessly thought, having to be the leader representing an entire nation.
As the Hero of Qhiion and the de facto new ruler of Osnines, Rilden was forced to represent Osnines in the discussions. He couldn't use the
But luckily, he didn't need to speak. Astrid, Erose, and Wolfgang took over that role. He just had to stand there and look handsome. His presence gave Osnines a significant advantage in the negotiations.
To begin with, he helped most of the 5th-tier fighters and even Varkas to promote and had a key role in defeating Osnines and Steorus and thwarting the assassinations of the Ludiron Cult.
Second, Osnines became powerful after sughtering Steorus's soldiers, with Wolfgang and two peak tier 4 Jarls promoted to the next tier. This significantly improved their standing during the discussions.
But the most important reason was Rilden's identity. He was a native of Tulens, future son-in-w of Varkas through Erose, and now the Hero of Qhiion himself, a Human Hero by any right. Top fighters also owed him a personal favor for helping them promote, including Lady Brilda Thunderkill, who became a tier-5 epic padin after sying Kurc in single combat.
Now that he was the new leader of Osnines, making things hard for him was almost impossible. Furthermore, Osnines was now in a shaky position due to sying the soldiers of Steorus. While, as the Hero of Qhiion, no one would doubt him if he swore under Qhiion's name that Steorus angered Qhiion, they still slew their allies, even if they were would-be backstabbers. The Kadin Barbarian Coalition would not pursue the issue to avoid angering the old god, but would view Osnines with suspicion of betrayal.
Hence, during the first minutes of the discussion, everyone agreed not to demand compensation from Osnines, and a permanent peace agreement was made between the two forces.
Normally, it would be impossible to form such a long-term agreement. However, the Erebium Empire and Kadin Barbarian Coalition would begrudgingly make an exception and tolerate it due to Rilden's dual identity and importance to the Human Race.
Rilden also learned the perspective of both sides.
The Erebium Empire repeatedly provoked the Kadin Barbarian Coalition by occupying mines and resources on contested grounds, sent mercenaries to ensve vilges and destroy isoted tribes, and dispatched missionaries who repeatedly denounced the old gods in favor of the new ones. The barbarians also found the Erebium Empire's rejection of the old ways and gods repulsive and hypocritical.
On the other hand, the Erebium Empire also suffered pilging and retaliation from the Kadin Barbarian Coalition, renounced the other's gods, and looked down on the barbarian's culture.
And both sides had a history of conflict, making reconciliation overnight impossible.
After Rilden learned of the ins and outs of the issue, Rilden understood there was no good or bad in this. It was in a grey area that could take many efforts to de-escate.
Their peace agreement was already stretching the limits of what both sides could tolerate. If they allied, both backers would see it as open rebellion!
"Politics suck..." Rilden thought, experiencing the woes of a leader and the weight of his position. "Somehow, I envy the time when I was stupid and poor... At least I didn't need to worry about such a hassle."
After reaching the peace agreement, the two forces began discussing casualties.
Tulens suffered some casualties, but it was mostly on the west side. Although three tier 5 powerhouses were positioned there, and the battle was over within 15 minutes, Tulens still sustained 187 wounded and 42 deaths. Luckily, there were no deaths or crippling blows on those of tier 3 or above. Moreover, they all gained a minor blessing, thus, those wounded were moderately healed, and while the deaths of the soldiers were saddening, many broke through a minor realm, so there was even a gain in combat potential.
On the other hand, out of 5,000 soldiers, Osnines had 1,371 wounded and 682 fatalities, of which 3 were tier 4, and 6 were tier 3, which was a heavy blow. If they hadn't surrendered, they would have sustained even more casualties. However, all of the injured participated in the execution, and many of them healed. Of course, limb loss, such as severed fingers, arms, legs, ears, or eyes, was not healed. But at the same time, many broke through, so they more than made up for the losses.
Of course, normally, the execution wouldn't have healed them or improved their strength that much, but Qhiion multiplied the blessing they received as a one-time gift for his new Hero.
Afterwards, Tulens and Osnines began loot distribution. The weapon and armor standards of the Erebium Empire and the Kadin Barbarian Coalition significantly differed. They would have to smelt everything down and reforge it. Hence, Tulens was willing to let Osnines have the weapons and armor of the fallen Steorus soldiers in exchange for taking more practical valuables, such as rare metals, gems, and more horses.
And finally, there was a discussion about a counter-attack on Steorus and dividing the nd.
"Tulens has no intention of counter-invading Steorus. While we can defeat them, we would suffer greater retaliation from the Kadin Barbarian Coalition. We don't want to risk that." Varkas solemnly said.
"However, we of Osnines have justifiable grounds to attack and pilge them. While the Coalition wouldn't be happy, especially during times of war, they wouldn't have a choice but to allow it. It is how we solve conflicts. They also colluded with an evil god and angered Qhiion. Our god has already decreed his orders for us to annex it, and the coalition wouldn't want to anger our war god. Especially now that my father is a legendary warrior." Astrid, the prophetess of Qhiion, coldly said. Her ruby eyes shone with a murderous glint that reflected her god's dissatisfaction.
The people of Tulens flinched at her bloodthirsty eyes, but still remembered that her sword was no longer pointed at Tulens.
"Then so be it." Varkas said and turned to Rilden, "Lad... Hero, you need to go with them tomorrow. Erose will guard you from now on."
"Yes, father. I will protect him." Erose saluted with a resolute expression.
"Hah... I never left the city before. I am honestly nervous about it." Rilden warily said.
"Says the guy who cold-bloodedly ordered the mass executions of thousands the night before." Varkas smirked and looked to Wolfgang, "How long would it take for your troops to recover?"
Astrid transted it, and Wolfgang responded by raising his index finger.
"Tomorrow, hah? Good. We also need to prepare to bring back the people home and handle post-war reparations for the fallen's families." Varkas said.
"And we shall march on Steorus," Astrid said.
And so, the meeting ended.
Rilden spent the rest of the day preparing for his march on Steorus, including a small crash course on the barbarian culture and how to mount a damn horse.
The next morning-
A 4,000-odd strong army marched east. While technically a defeated army, they didn't feel like it. Instead, they looked like they achieved a great victory, carrying loot and horses.
At their lead, the Hero of Qhiion rode a mighty tier 3 barbarian horse that once belonged to the enemy commander while fnked by his prophetess, his mighty commander, and his fiancée, trying to keep a straight back and not look overly nervous while riding.
"I am a Hero of an ancient barbarian god, leading an army of barbarians to conquer another nation. I wouldn't have dreamed of this a few days ago. I also never imagined riding to be so easy, almost second-nature. It must be Perfect Warrior helping me." Rilden warily thought.
Perfect Warrior made his body reach perfection, including his dexterity and instincts. He also felt an instant affinity with the mount, and it accepted him immediately. Mounts were instruments of war, weapons, thus activating his affinity. Erose also noted she felt closer to her steed, and her control improved.
"Still... I have to fight to the death, hah? So much for wanting to be a covert opportunity seeker." Rilden helplessly thought as he looked at his first daily prophecy of the day.
[Qhiion is observing your actions! What will you do to the people of Steorus? And how will you do it? Will you march with your army, relying on them to systematically conquer and assimite every vilge, town, and city? Will you pilge them, taking their wealth and ensving their people? Or will you put everyone to the sword, weak or strong, creating a river of blood? These options are acceptable in Qhiion's eyes, and there is no wrong choice. But if you wish to earn Qhiion's favor and the admiration of the people of Steorus, you must prove your strength and willingness to fight, or they would think you are a coward! Outside their gates, challenge those of one tier above you to prove yourself and defeat your opponents in honorable combat(Whether you kill or spare them is up to you). You will not only obtain the recognition of the people, but Qhiion will also grant you a divine relic,
"Well, you don't give me much choice if you put it that way. But am I that strong? I never tried fighting anyone." Rilden warily thought.
It was common sense that warriors of a lesser tier would lose to warriors of a higher tier, and only in extreme cases did this fact change.
"Well... But having a powerful force under me has its perks." Rilden thought as he checked his prophecies.
[Eight miles north of your next camping site, between two small hills, a hidden 3,000-year-old walnut tree that is about to die will undergo a spontaneous mutation due to the blessing of the Ancient Human God of Nature, Beasts, Mountains, and Forests, Jurgan. This tree will become a tier 3 natural treasure, the Golden Wisdom Walnut Tree, and the walnuts it bears will turn golden, shining for an entire 5 mile radius, attracting covetous animals, including several dozen tier 2 and 3 monters, and 3 tier 4 monsters, and they will eat everything within an hour. Go with high-level soldiers to sy the beasts and obtain the walnuts before they are eaten! Eating the brain-like golden walnut flesh would increase Comprehension by 0.01 per walnut, up to 4. The effect doubles for those under 3 points and 5 times for those below 2. There are 2,500 golden walnuts, but once the sun arises, the tree and every uneaten walnut will wither and become dust. The defeated monsters can also become rations for your soldiers and provide high-level hides and bones.]
[At a small ke 13 miles southeast of your next camping site, a peak tier 4 dragon-blooded snapping turtle rests, guarding a tier 4 mutated Water Dragon Lily about to mature at midnight. The Water Dragon Lily is suitable for awakening and purifying water-type dragon bloodlines. If the turtle eats it, its bloodline would be further purified, pushing it to the initial tier 5 Dragon Turtle, and it will migrate at dawn! Normally, you want to intervene, obtain the natural treasure, and kill the turtle. Still, an initial tier-5 Dragon Turtle with a higher dragon bloodline concentration and strength is more precious to you. Its shell could be made into tier 5 armor and shields, and its flesh is highly nourishing, significantly improving warrior realm and talent, and increasing the chance of awakening water-type, turtle-type, and dragon-type bloodlines.
Having Wolfgang and several other men kill and bring it back after it finishes its breakthrough would give you and your men approximately 1,500 pounds of tier 5 meat to eat and a tier 5 shell. The most potent parts of its meat are its testicles, penise, heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, eyes, liver, tongue, and innards in that order. Its meat is difficult to preserve without damaging its efficacy, so distribute it among your men(And women) and eat it within 12 hours. Also, its testis will raise your warrior realm and talent to 3 and significantly improve your performance down there(Not that you are using it or anything). Its penise should be given to Erose, as it has skin beautification effects and permanently improves sexual health, curing her frigid state.]
Reviewing the two prophecies, Rilden understood the importance of having a force. Without them, these two opportunities would be wasted.
However-
"You want me to eat testicles?! GROSS! And even feed Erose a penise?! Ugh..." Rilden shivered at the thought. "But still... although it wouldn't cure Erose's infertility, it would cure her frigid sex drive. But would she eat it if I told her?"
"My husband? Is something the matter?" Erose asked beside him.
"Eh... We will talk about it once we camp." Rilden dodged the question and continued riding.