Chapter 834, Agreement Reached
The train sped through the mountains, clattering and rattling as it roared past.
The jostling sensation and constant noise—
—completely different from the feeling of riding the Ghost Train.
A narrow carriage, lightstones swaying gently.
This was a standard diplomatic negotiation between two nations.
Typically, when it came to the leaders signing treaties, multiple rounds of negotiations and administrative discussions would precede it.
But the current situation on the Second Prince's side didn't leave much time to drag things out.
Wu Heng's decisive action had accelerated the process, bringing it directly to the leadership-signing stage.
"Will there be danger on the way?" The Princess sat back in her chair, eyes turning toward him.
"Afraid? With that level of courage, you still want to go outside? It's even more dangerous out there," Wu Heng said with a grin.
The Princess straightened up. "I'm not scared. Just asking. Hoping things go smoothly."
"The route's confidential. Not much chance of danger," Wu Heng replied.
"Oh! You be careful too," the Princess said softly, then glanced over and asked quietly, "That detective novel I read—was it really about you? That amazing?"
A few days ago, Wu Heng had given her the first two volumes of the detective series.
Wu Heng glanced at her fair cheeks and said, "Your palm and fingertips have evenly distributed calluses. That suggests you regularly train."
"The thickest calluses are at the base of your index and thumb—proof of long-term grip strength and friction. That means you've been wielding a sword for years with precise and stable strikes."
"The calluses near the wrist imply agile wrist-twisting movements during swordplay—used to dart quickly toward targets."
"All of this matches the characteristics of the Greyhawk Sword Style. Is that the one you're best at?"
Wu Heng smiled at her after finishing.
The Princess's eyes and mouth widened in shock.
She opened her mouth, trying to say something, but choked up.
After a while, she hid her hands in her sleeves. "You must've noticed back when I tried to hit you. You figured it out then."
"So, I was right? You use the Greyhawk Sword Style?"
"Yes!" the Princess confirmed. "Did you know that sword style beforehand, or did you deduce it?"
"What's the difference?" Wu Heng said.
The Princess's expression shifted. He had subdued her with just one exchange—how could he possibly identify a specific sword style in that short time?
Unless he knew it himself.
But he was a mage...
"Yes, I use the Greyhawk Sword Style," she admitted.
Wu Heng looked at her profile. "Who taught you?"
The Princess hesitated. "I learned it at home when I was young."
"Is your family the only one who knows it?" Wu Heng pressed.
The Princess raised an eyebrow. So, he really didn't know much about the sword style.
He didn't even know if it was a family technique.
"Mm. The Greyhawk Sword Style is a family tradition—passed down generation to generation," she explained. Then she turned to him, "You want to learn? I can teach you."
"Didn't you say it was a family inheritance?"
"You're a mage. No harm in practicing swordplay for fitness," the Princess said with a smile.
"I'll pass," Wu Heng shook his head.
He had already unlocked Greyhawk Sword Style back in Blackstone Town.
It didn't feel like anything particularly advanced, and its effectiveness in real combat was limited.
The Princess seemed to realize something. "With your status, getting a sword style must be easy."
"Once you're free, what do you want to do?" Wu Heng asked.
The Princess looked briefly lost. "Be a mercenary? Open a small shop? I haven't decided. Any suggestions?"
"Mercenary life is rough. Constant travel. A small shop might be better."
"Hearing that makes me want to be a mercenary even more."
Wu Heng shrugged and didn't say more.
As evening fell and dinner was eaten—
They rested in the bunks prepared on the train.
Wu Heng set down the soundproof jug and chatted with the phantoms.
In the next room, the Princess continued watching the night pass through the window.
......
The train traveled another day and a half.
Tap tap tap~!
Footsteps echoed, followed by the clink of armor and weapons.
A man in a commander's armor strode in. "Your Highness, we can see Nilari City's station now."
The escorting commander, named Vaughn, had been sent by the High Commander.
Thirty-seven years old. Level 15 Professional.
The highest level Professional they could assign aside from the High Commander.
"Got it. Get ready to disembark." Wu Heng wore plain clothes and a hood.
The other guards donned cloaks to conceal their armor.
The train began to slow down.
It gradually rolled to a stop.
Wu Heng and his group stepped off the train. The three phantoms flew ahead to scout the surroundings.
Under arrangements made, Wu Heng and the Princess boarded a carriage headed for the city center.
The carriage rolled slowly along the roads.
As they neared the center, the roads grew crowded.
Occasionally, shouts of "traitor" and "sinner" could be heard.
"What's going on?" Wu Heng pulled back the curtain.
Vaughn leaned in and said quietly, "It's the city residents protesting the peace talks. Someone must've leaked the news and stirred up a crowd."
"Head to the Guild, and have Edwin meet us there," Wu Heng instructed.
"Yes!" Vaughn gestured, and the convoy rerouted toward the Guild.
Along the way, the crowd grew louder.
Wu Heng cracked open the window to look outside.
An old man leaning on a cane muttered, "We can't just give away our land."
A woman clutched her child, eyes full of rage, crying out, "My husband died—why are we making peace now?"
Youths and children shouted in unison, "Resist to the end! No peace talks!"
The once-apathetic citizens—
—had now all gathered, chanting anti-peace slogans.
United together.
"People are easily swayed by rhetoric. Royalty has bards specialized in rallying support for policies—very passionate, but the effects don't last," the Princess explained.
"I know," Wu Heng nodded.
Last time, during the fake Prince's speech, they had used spells to boost the emotional impact.
The Princess was pointing out how people were being stirred up.
The skeleton army could crush them easily—
But that would cost more lives.
So Wu Heng spent a lot of effort on gentler methods of occupation.
"Your Highness, we're at the Guild. The local steward has approved our use of a meeting room," Vaughn reported.
Wu Heng helped the Princess out, walked through the hall, and entered a side meeting room.
......
After waiting a while—
Minister Edwin arrived with several officials. He looked at Wu Heng and the Princess and bowed. "Your Highness. Princess."
"Mm. What's going on outside?" Wu Heng asked.
The minister frowned. "Someone leaked that you surrendered land to save your life, and that necromancers would turn everyone into test subjects and slaves."
Ugh... not exactly original.
Back in Blackstone Town, similar rumors had spread.
When Rentam City occupied half a city, the old City Lord said the same—that residents would become experiments.
Still the same story.
Humanity's imagination really was lacking—it was always just these two accusations.
"It's fine. They'll learn the truth soon enough," Wu Heng said. "Are the Rentam City negotiators still here?"
"They're at the tavern. Brought their own guards."
"Tell them to come sign the agreement now," Wu Heng said.
The minister glanced around, then pulled Wu Heng aside and whispered, "Your Highness, should we stall a bit? Maybe send the Princess or someone else to Rentam City instead?"
"Rentam won't accept that. It'll just make them question our sincerity. Stick to the plan," Wu Heng replied.
Seeing that he had made up his mind, the minister didn't push further.
"I'll lead the team myself. Things are chaotic in the city—just in case someone tries to interfere."
"Alright. Vaughn, send men to go with them," Wu Heng ordered.
"Yes!" Vaughn nodded and left with a few men.
Once they were gone—
Wu Heng stepped into an inner room to change back into the Second Prince's attire.
It was finally time to properly play the role of the Second Prince.
Knock knock knock~!
The door was knocked, and the Princess walked in directly.
She wore a leather cuirass and a hood.
She looked more like a mercenary picking up a quest at the Guild.
She pushed up her hood and looked at him with a complicated expression.
"You're leaving?" Wu Heng asked.
He had promised her that once the Second Prince act was done, she'd be free to go.
Although the matter wasn't officially over, she wasn't needed for what came next.
"Mm. I came to say goodbye." She stood in place, a gentle smile on her face.
Wu Heng took out two heavy coin pouches. "Find a place you like and open a shop."
She froze for a moment, glanced at the pouches, then accepted them. "Thanks. I'll pay you back when I have money."
"A big operation like this isn't short on coin."
She smiled, waved her hand. "Then I'm off."
"Go on," Wu Heng nodded.
She gave him one last look before walking out.
She and the maid who came with her headed outside.
Wu Heng changed his clothes.
A soldier's voice came from outside. "Your Highness, the people from Rentam City are here, waiting in the meeting room."
Wu Heng opened the door and headed straight there.
......
Inside the meeting room, the atmosphere was tense.
On either side of the long oak table sat the two factions.
On the left, the Second Prince's officials; on the right, Hartel and the Rentam City delegates.
Among them was a steward from the local Guild.
As a third-party observer and witness.
Creak~!
The doors opened.
Wu Heng entered, wearing a deep blue brocade robe, eyes sweeping the room, briefly locking with Hartel's.
Hartel's lips twitched slightly before she returned to a cold expression.
"Your Highness," the officials greeted.
Wu Heng nodded, then gave a small nod to the Guild steward as well.
He sat at the lead seat on the left and went straight to the point. "I accept Rentam City's terms. Let's sign the agreement today."
"That's best," Hartel said, pulling out the document.
Before Wu Heng could speak, the minister said, "Your leader isn't coming?"
Hartel calmly replied, "There's no change to the agreement. I have full authority. Besides, the Lord would take at least half a month to arrive. Do you really want to waste time on this?"
The minister's side fell silent.
They didn't have time to stall.
Wu Heng waved for them to stop and looked at Hartel again. "I agree to your conditions. Let's sign."
"Good." Hartel produced the agreement.
Wu Heng handed it to the minister to review, then began discussing post-war recovery.
Soon, the minister and other officials finished reading. "No issues."
Wu Heng signed his name and stamped it with the seal.
Hartel took it and did the same.
The two sides stood and shook hands.
"Your Highness, when will you come with us to Rentam City?"
Wu Heng said, "Once I finish up here, I'll go with you."
"Alright. We'll wait outside." Hartel stood and left with her people.
The truce was only the first step. They still had to resist the First Prince and the cult.
Naturally, one step at a time.
Once Rentam's party was gone—
The minister's eyes were moist. "Your Highness."
"Come on, it's not like I'm going to die. I'll talk with the Rentam Lord. You all focus on staying safe," Wu Heng said.
"But if they..."
"They're not stupid. If I go in person, they won't kill me. Don't worry."
"Please take care of yourself, Your Highness."
Wu Heng nodded. "Have someone make a public announcement about the truce. Disband all conscripted soldiers and pay out military wages."
"Yes, Your Highness." The minister gave orders.
Then he asked, "How many people will go with you to Rentam?"
"Just Vaughn and a few others."
Vaughn was the commander who came along.
"Yes, Your Highness," Vaughn responded.
"Need anything else prepared?" the minister asked.
"No. Delaying will just cause trouble. We're leaving now."
"Write to me, alright?"
Wu Heng nodded. "Got it."
He left the room, met with Hartel's group, and exited through the rear.
......
Three carriages left under escort.
The plaza was still crowded, people shouting disorganized slogans.
An official climbed onto the platform, clutching the truce document, sweat pouring.
No time to wipe it. A bard beside him cast three enhancement spells.
The official shouted, "Quiet! I now read the Prince's decree!"
His voice echoed over the plaza thanks to the magic, instantly drowning the crowd's noise.
"We've signed a truce with Rentam City! The war is over!"
The crowd froze, confused. The noise died down.
"Also, all conscripted soldiers are released to reunite with their families!"
"And the land and cities are still ours—we didn't cede anything! None of us will become undead experiments! Don't believe the rumors!"
His words exploded in the crowd.
The plaza fell silent. Everyone looked up in disbelief.
No land was lost. A truce.
That meant no more deaths.
"So it was all rumors."
"Told you—the Prince wouldn't do that."
"My son can come home now? No more war?"
The crowd erupted again.
Notices were posted all over the streets.
......
In the carriage—
"The protests have stopped. People are praising the Prince," Beni said softly.
Glenda added, "Missed a chance to gain more renown."
"No rush. There'll be more chances," Wu Heng replied.
The carriage kept moving slowly.
As they neared the gate, Xiaoxiao poked her head in. "Uncle, that Princess is by the gate."
Wu Heng lifted the curtain and looked outside.
In the bustling crowd, two figures stood still.
Not leaving, not returning.
Natalia longed for freedom, for the outside world. But now that it was in front of her, she felt lost.
Maybe she wasn't ready to live alone.
Return to her family?
The Princes were still at war. If she returned, she'd likely be handed to the First Prince for interrogation.
So she stood there, lost among the crowds.
"Lost?" a familiar voice called out.
Natalia and her maid saw the soldiers, the carriages, and the familiar face behind the curtain.
Natalia stiffened. "N-No. Just deciding where to go. Too many options."
Wu Heng glanced at her, then at the maid's bitter expression.
He could guess what was going on. "Come back with me first. Decide where to go after."
Natalia's gaze shifted. She forced a smile. "As you say, Your Highness."
"Get in."