Akagi expected the negotiations with the Dwarves to be... difficult to say the least. Not only were they a stoic and generally stubborn people, but she was also not exactly the most welcome guest by any stretch of the imagination. The only reason they'd even entertained the idea of meeting with Dumetor, and thus the Demon Lord, was because she'd bribed a ton of bureaucrats and military brass, which made the cacophony of voices so loud that even the Council couldn't ignore it. The poorly timed monsters banging at their gates didn't hurt either.

The party's travel through the Dwarven Capital City was relatively relaxed as the Demon and Hezmal chatted about various topics ranging from the Demon's thoughts on the City to questions about her own Nation. The Diplomat knew better than to launch into any serious discussions just yet deciding that breaking the ice was more important than any substantive discussion, which Akagi was grateful for.

After a swift thirty minutes drive 'car' arrived at the front entrance of the Palace that served as the government office. It was huge, large enough to be seen from just about anywhere in the City and was immaculately decorated in such a way to rival the Imperial Palace. The Dwarven nation was technically a Kingdom, though one that had not had an actual Monarch in over a thousand years. When asked about this Halifax mentioned that the Dwarves were awaiting the return of their Hero King, a man whose life was so large and filled with greatness that it bordered on fantastical; though he did indeed exist. According to the Divine Blade's tale, he'd vanished deep into the Under over a millennia and vowed to return when his people needed him most, and ever since the Dwarves had let the throne sit vacant, firm in the belief that he would return to take his rightful place.

*POP*

"Please follow me if you would. The rest of the Assembly is waiting for us in the main chambers.” Hezmal said as he stepped out of the car, politely offering Akagi his hand to help her out, which she took. "And I ask for your forgiveness if anyone acts rudely toward you, Lady Akagi. We Dwarves are not always the best at diplomacy and our manners can be rather... lacking in delicate matters such as this." He sighed, the Demon figuring that his fellow Dwarves had caused the diplomat no shortage of headaches.

"Don't worry, I'm quite familiar with your kind, Minister." Akagi chuckled as the two walked up the large marble staircase to the massive doorway that marked the entrance to the Palace. "One of my best friends was actually a Dwarf. He was a gruff man whose tongue was so sharp it could cut even the strongest steel, but he was a good man under it all. So I doubt anything you or the others say will cause me any displeasure."

“That's good to hear, and I would be most interested in hearing of this man. That you remember him so fondly must mean he was truly something special.” Hezmal smiled as the three of them continued up the staircase.

“He was indeed. He was indeed.” Akagi said with a bitter smile.

{I really wish that idiot had taken my offer to come with me. If nothing else having his council would be appreciated when handling this situation... Antenobrech I hope you found peace, even if that should technically be impossible given the circumstances...} (Akagi)

As the three entered Yumi let out an audible gasp as her eyes scanned the inside of the Palace. It was somehow even more opulent than the outside let on and gave off a vibe of being older, likely even older than most Dwarves knew, its finely crafted architecture truly a sight to behold. The walls were covered in engravings cut into the finest gold and silver and the sheer amount of precious metals and jewels made even Akagi give pause for a moment. Dwarves were known for a love of gold, something that held true no matter the world, but the sheer amount of the stuff packed into the building left even the Demon surprised.

{I suppose it makes sense based on what Halifax told me. The Dwarf King these guy's are waiting for is nothing short of a Legendary Hero... Ney, he might as well be on the level of a God with how much faith these guys have in him. This place might be called a Palace but its really a massive Cathedral based on the contents of those engravings. Each tells a story of his heroics and deeds, and I'd bet that the rest of this place is no different.} (Akagi)

After heading up another grand staircase Akagi and Yumi were led to a massive conference room that was no less ornate than anything else they'd seen up to this point. Within were nine other Dwarves seated around an oval-shaped table, the three most important from Akagi's intel gathering being Umisgreth Sapphirebringer, the Minister of Finance, Barilgoli Earthbraids the Minister of Infrastructure and Development, and the newly appointed Minister of War Galmen Bogram.

{It would seem Nima's intel was right, there's been a shake-up in the Dwarven government. Looks like the prior War Minister was ousted over our little invasion.} (Akagi)

{This new Minister of War is apparently quite competent too. Alice reported that he was quite a touch opponent and was the primary reason her advance slowed before those Dawn Order people intervened and brought it to a screeching halt.} (Yumi)

{I suppose we'll need to keep an eye on him. If we're not careful he might start doing things that actively undermine my goals, so make sure you keep people on him at all times.} (Akagi)

"Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce Lady Akagi Dumetor. Ruler of the Kingdom of Dumetor and... the Demon Lord." Hezmal hesitated for a moment as he introduced Akagi, his words causing a murmur among the members of the Dwarven Council. Naturally, they all knew about the Demon Lord causing a ruckus on the surface world, and while they expected to meet with a representative of said Demon Lord having the actual being herself show up caused a stirr.

Taking a moment the Council spoke in a hushed manner amongst themselves for a few moments before standing, turning to face Akagi, and saluting her by putting their balled fist across their hearts. It was the Dwarven equivalent of bowing and it was done as a sign of respect, though what surprised Akagi the most was the fact that they'd seemingly done it with little hesitation.

"Lady Akagi, we were unaware that you would be coming in person, please forgive our rudeness." Bogram said, his words quickly joined by the other members of the Council.

"Indeed, had we been aware we would've prepared a more appropriate welcome for you." Minister Earthbraids said apologetically.

"It's fine." Akagi waived off their concerns as she offered Yumi a seat before taking one herself. "As I told Minister Hezmal it's my fault for making a last-minute change, so the blame lies with me." She smiled.

{I'm surprised that they instantly believed that I'm the Demon Lord. I actually expected some skepticism and perhaps a bit of hostility, but so far it seems they're taking this whole thing seriously.} (Akagi)

{Dwarves aren't stupid, and they're good at reading people. Plus our intel showed that Hezmal is quite well respected by others for his diplomatic skills and keen insight. If he's telling them you're really the Demon Lord they've heard of then it seems they're inclined to believe it.} (Yumi)

"So how about we start things off and get past all the stuffy formalities?" Akagi decided to take control the flow of the conversation. "I've come to speak with you because I've some matters of utmost importance. Matters that impact the entire Dwarven race" Her words instantly got the Dwarven Council's attention and their faces all turned serious. "First off let's tackle the biggest elephant in the room, I am not here to conquer you, nor am I intending to quarrel with the Dwarven people. I am here on a purely diplomatic mission and I seek the friendship and cooperation of your people, so you need not worry."

{Oh, they're going to worry, and they honestly should.} (Yumi)

{I know, but I still wanted to say it.}

(Akagi)

"Pardon my rudeness, but do you not quarrel with the Gods? From what we've heard you intend to destroy this world." Hezmal asked, trying not to sound hostile. "We may not worship the Pantheon but we do heed the words of the Gods. Your actions have shown a desire for conflict with them..." He paused for a second. "A conflict that has seen the downfall of two nations if my information is correct."

{Looks like he can be quite the feisty one when things actually get started.} (Akagi)

"You speak of my battles with the Demons and the Alliance?" Akagi nodded, not denying anything. "Both were unfortunate but necessary parts in my wider war against Enoris' Gods. I will not sit here and try to act as if what I did was anything more than part of a greater plan."

"Pardon my interruption, but why are you fighting the Gods?" Bogram asked a question that the others wanted to ask but were hesitant to due to the can of worms it could open. "We've heard different stories and rumors, but I'd like to hear the reason straight from you if you don't mind."

Akagi paused for a moment as she decided exactly how to answer him. She figured that trying to make the case that the Gods were actually betraying the world wasn't the best idea in this situation as it was such an outlandishly crazy claim that opening discussions with it would only serve to make them even more wary of her motives than they already were. Thus she decided to be honest while also mixing in both lies and truth to obfuscate things just enough to give the Dwarves pause, a favorite strategy of hers.

"Simply put the Gods invaded my home, and they seek to kill my people." Akagi replied succinctly. Her answer caught the Dwarves off guard, though they held their poker faces well enough to not show it. "That's really all there is to it, and what other reason do I need to go to war with them? Is it not the duty of a monarch to protect those who they rule over?"

"Do you speak of the Heroes?" Hezmal asked, furrowing his brow. He knew of their mission and presumed they were the root cause of this whole thing if Akagi was telling the truth.

"So you are aware that the Gods were sending them on their little mission." Akagi replied with a nod. "I was under the impression that it was quite hush hush."

"Not to those who need to know." Hezmal said with a brief smirk that vanished as soon as it appeared. "But I was under the impression that the Gods were sending the Heroes after the remnants of the Spirits to prevent them from destroying our world. So how did that result in a conflict with the Gods?"

"You're correct, that's exactly what they sent the Heroes to do..." Akagi paused for a moment as she thought about how to word things. "However, the Heroes found themselves smack in the middle of my realm and declared their intent to massacre the people I'd brought under my suzerainty... Naturally, I didn't take kind to that."

"So you're sheltering the Spirits?" Hezmal guessed.

"I am." Akagi nodded. “They came to me seeking protection and in exchange for becoming my subjects I've incorporated them into my realm.”

"The same Spirits that seek to destroy our world?" Minister Earthbraids asked as he stroked his beard. "If that's true, then it seems unlikely for us to get along in any meaningful way."

"Ah, and you would be correct if the Spirits were actually trying to destroy your world." Akagi replied with a grin. "Gentlemen, allow me to enlighten you..." She said as she slowly got to her feet and placed her palms onto the table before leaning in. "Your world is on the brink of destruction... A destruction that the Gods are entirely incapable of saving you from."

Spoiler

Commander Bogram!

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