Simultaneously, Raiden grappled with the sense that working together with the Lunaria Kingdom seemed like the most logical course of action despite the current friction. The reality was that the Lunaria Kingdom would be left in a weakened state for some time after the recent conflict. This vulnerability made it necessary for them to cover their bases and ensure that they were not left exposed or unprepared for future challenges.

Raiden’s inner conflict was thus marked by a mixture of irritation and practicality. On the one hand, he resented the imposition of orders from a distant king, especially one who had demonstrated a lack of commitment to interacting directly. On the other hand, he recognized the necessity of forging an alliance and working together, given the strategic importance of maintaining stability and security in the face of potential threats.

"... There is also the possibility that this so-called king is busy doing something else or can’t just show up for some reasons that they want to keep hidden," Raiden thought.

Lenore didn’t respond immediately... sharing their knowledge and techniques with the world outside wasn’t something that they had done in hundreds of years. However, could they keep doing the same thing forever? They didn’t have many allies, and they were making enemies with those kinds of interventions, after all.

After losing more than one hundred warriors, Lenore couldn’t help but think that they had to change their modus operandi as well... all to ensure that they wouldn’t keep losing so many people in these conflicts.

It wasn’t like the village was in a desperate need of new technologies or products, but it would benefit them a lot by making allies and expanding their area of influence. After crossing her arms and closing her eyes for a few moments, Lenore opened her eyes and then studied those twelve people.

"Before anything, I need to hear each one of your opinions regarding this matter," Lenore said.

The twelve council members exchanged glances, silently acknowledging that they were familiar with Lenore’s sharp instincts and perceptiveness. They knew from experience that her expertise wasn’t limited to combat alone; her ability to read people and situations was equally well above most.

Lenore had a keen sense for understanding others’ thoughts and intentions, which made any attempt to conceal their true feelings or opinions futile. This realization meant that their responses would be scrutinized closely, and there was no advantage in trying to hide their true perspectives. The council members understood that being forthright and honest was the most prudent course of action if they hoped to address the current situation effectively.

In the end, they tried to be as honest as possible... By forming a strong alliance, they could ensure mutual protection against external threats, which would be crucial given the recent conflict and the vulnerability of the Lunaria Kingdom.

An alliance could facilitate the exchange of resources, technology, and strategic knowledge, strengthening both parties and enhancing their capabilities. Building relationships with other kingdoms could help them extend their influence and establish a more significant presence in the region, which could be beneficial for their long-term goals.

They tried to weaken the potential demerits a bit, but they still mentioned them. Committing to the alliance might require them to share their resources and personnel, which could result in additional risks and potential losses if conflicts arise.

Relying on an external ally could create a dependency that might be detrimental if the alliance falters or if the Lunaria Kingdom fails to fulfill its commitments. Deepening the alliance might involve making compromises or concessions that could affect their independence and decision-making freedom.

"... We will need some time to think things over," Lenore finally said. "I will talk with my people during the next month and then send a response."

"Very well, we will be waiting for it. We have prepared a vehicle for you to use with your rewards. It is outside."

It looked like they were planning to give them some gifts to affect their opinions about that. They didn’t ask the vehicle back, after all. The vehicle seemed like a carriage, but it didn’t have any horses... it was golden, like the material the dwarves liked so much, and the interior was pretty comfortable, filled with boxes filled with coins.

Raiden furrowed his eyebrows when he recognized that the vehicle had an engine, and it used a crystal as a source of fuel to move as well. There was a wheel at the front that the driver could use to maneuver the vehicle around.

"They are being quite generous," Harth said when they left the building.

"They are probably expecting to promote their lifestyle and society by making us use this vehicle; that way, more people in the village will be prone to accept this idea," Raiden said.

No one said anything, but it was clear that this was the truth of the matter. The four left the bustling capital in the early hours, their minds still busy with the weighty decisions they had to make, or Lenore had to. The journey back to their companions was quite silent for the most part.

The vehicle itself was a marvel of engineering. It glided smoothly over the terrain with minimal noise, thanks to its advanced suspension system and precision engineering. Its speed was impressive, allowing them to traverse the distance quickly and efficiently. This rapid travel was not only a practical advantage but also a source of silent admiration for the dwarven ingenuity that had gone into creating such a sophisticated piece of technology.

Inside the vehicle, the atmosphere was silent and subdued. The quiet interior of the vehicle was a stark contrast to the lively debates they would have to participate in soon enough, emphasizing the gravity of their decisions.

Despite the tranquility within, the speed of the journey meant that they were soon back with their companions. As one would expect, everyone became curious about the vehicles they had just received.

"So, what happened?" Ruth asked when Raiden joined them.

Raiden wondered what he should say... he decided to wait until night. Rumors would spread as Lenore called her officials to talk with them after all. Instead of worrying about that, he decided to focus on his training. He was about to complete the next part of it, after all.

"Come on, why the sudden silence?" Ruth insisted.

"That isn’t something we have to worry about; just focus on your training and let things happen," Raiden explained. We are still too young and weak, so knowing what happened won’t change a thing since our opinions don’t hold that much weight yet."

"I guess it is something pretty big, huh?" Ruth asked.

"In that case, he has a point," Javier said. "Worrying over it won’t change a thing since we are just random students. Although Raiden has been getting famous as of late."

"I just did what I could. I stood out because my family is pretty famous, that is all," Raiden said. I guess my hair is another reason."

That couldn’t be further from the truth, but it was the best answer for the situation... They had a lot of time before they returned home, but it was clear that the situation there would also change forever in one way or another.

Over the next few weeks, the entire camp came to learn about the proposal from the king of the Lunaria. Despite the thorough dissemination of information, skepticism remained prevalent among the camp’s members.

Most harbored doubts about the legitimacy of the king’s existence, a sentiment shared by Raiden. Notably, Lenore, despite her experience and knowledge of the Lunaria Kingdom, had never met the king in all her years. This lack of direct interaction added to the uncertainty surrounding the proposal.

The absence of personal encounters with the king increased speculation and skepticism, leaving many in the camp questioning whether the figure in question was as influential or genuine as the proposal suggested. This doubt highlighted the broader concerns about the alliance and the authenticity of the king’s intentions, complicating the decision-making process and fostering an atmosphere of cautious deliberation.

On the other hand, Raiden focused on his training, and while he didn’t have that many hours every day for it, he completed the training, and that made the skill evolve from Lightning Spear to Lightning Stance...

Raiden - Lv 29 (0/2900)

HP: 500/500

MP: 500/500

STA: 450/450

Strength: 105

Vitality: 50

Endurance: 45

Magic: 45

Spirit: 50

Wisdom: 50

Dexterity: 96

Quickness: 56

Perception: 50

Fortune: 3.200

Skills: Money is Power (MAX), Lightning Stance Lv 23,

Magic:

Passive: Pickpocketing Lv 01, Sword Mastery Lv 01, Spear Mastery Lv 28, Alchemy Lv 15, Martial Arts Lv 01, Aura Force Lv 44

Lightning Stance: Increases Dexterity, Quickness, and Strength by two points per level at the cost of five MP per second.

The good thing was the fact that he didn’t have to focus all that much once the technique was activated; all his joints gained the boost, and the level of the technique remained.