The true earth sage was gone but it didn't mean that the four representatives of the Mountain Alliance spoke up or stopped staring the party down. They were skeptical but also held back. They knew very well that if they lost the chance to take advantage of this situation they would not be able to get ahead of the other races here.
The reason that the true earth sage had been pushing them for this was simply because Genesis had what this alliance did not.
Clearly, the bad relationship between these four races was blinding to them. They allowed their hatred of one another to completely cut themselves apart instead of finding ways for them to unify their peoples. They did not mix themselves, instead, they kept their lines separated and allowed for their emotions to bottle up. This naturally made everything worse and worse over time.
Part of Walker thought that he should show a little force, but he knew that it would not be the best way for him to make a good impression. However, he did take notice that Onyx had moved back a little and taken his full sized form while curling up and watching over what Walker would do. It was a little intimidating while also making himself comfortable. Onyx wasn't the one that would do the main negotiating so he felt it was best for him to take this further back resting position.
As if copying him, Midnight also went to sit and lean against Onyx while she had retaken her dragonkin form so that she could rest a little more comfortably. She didn't like to chat much either and since there were no fights to be had, she would rather take the time to eat snacks and watch what Walker planned too.
This just left Alice who was watching the newly met races, Gil who was considering what he could ask of them since it seemed they were ready to make deals right away, Remey who wanted to somehow make the conversation about alchemy, and Su who was acting like any proper guard with her shield at the ready.
Overall, the silence was deafening while everyone was waiting for Walker to take the lead.
"I am Walker, one of the founders of the Genesis Alliance and these around me are my party members and equal to me in every way." he made it clear that they were equal, especially since the Mountain Alliance was a group that did not see themselves as equal to one another form the things she had already learned about them.
"I can't say that I am excited to be speaking with you right now, the true earth sage had us come here to work with you and meet you. However, as we traveled here we saw evidence of past skirmishes and there were also pieces of broken armor and weapons on the ground. They were not faded or damaged by nature. So that means you are all not as unified as the Genesis alliance."
"What he is saying is that you four are all dangerous to the alliance we have. You aren't supporting peace and unity. You aren't learning about one another to share your knowledge. And you are a detriment to our alliance unless you can make changes." The blunt was that Remey butted in while she flexed her wrists and fists made the bronze dwarf begin to dig his fingers in to the larger stone table. It seemed she had hit a nerve.
"We only fight those that think they can just walk-"
"Just walk in to your terri-"
"Ha! We should just harvest your lands the same way that-"
"Pathetic. They can't even help one another to speak like proper leaders. Walker, should we just leave this alliance to suffer?" Remey snorted while she let a few sparks of flame break out over her hands. She wasn't letting Walker speak out because she knew that he would have kept them more peaceful. She knew that stressing these leaders would allow for her to see what they were really like when they forgot that the true earth sage was watching.
It also seemed that the true earth sage was not going to interrupt them. Which was a good sign since this meant that the genesis side of the alliance would be able to see what was going on through and through to make a proper decision whether or not they would be bothering with the Mountain Alliance in the future.
"I think Remey is right. I can't even tell if these bronze dwarfs are like the dwarfs in the world. I don't see much carefully crafted armor or evidence that they are geniuses making golems from metal and the help of elemental spirits or the spirit race. The gnomes' just sitting there looking for a chance to hit another with that hammer. Then the descendants of arachne and the steel lamia have just been glaring at one another like they will start a war right now. No point in it, if I wanted arrow materials for trade I can just harvest them elsewhere. There are earth dragons here, we can make ties with them."
Now this caught all of their attention. Gil mentioning earth dragons made all four of the races look at him with slight shock and also a glimmer of disdain. It was like they believed him to be foolish rather than have an actual brain in his head. Like he insulted them and said he would run to his death right after.
"I think you two should stop pushing them for a little bit. Let's make it clear from our point of view." Walker smiled and Su pulled the chair out for him to sit properly at the table. She was making it clear that even if they tried anything she would be the one to step in front, that they would not be able to attack anyone even if their emotions were fueling them or not. Her presence as an absolute guardian was something that Su had cultivated in every single drop f blood, sweat, and tears during her training.
"Genesis is a place where we have brought multiple races, even cities, from tehe elemental planes, to live in peace and unity. We have rescued slaves, defeated evil, and even been the reason that the word it uniting with the elemental happens yet again. So, we are looking to grow bonds, trade, and more unity to grow further."
"We share all our knowledge and culture. We grow because we are coming together more and more every day. Relationships between different races are allowed in all senses of the matter. There are even races that have atoned for crimes when they were against one another. That is a step that you four would need to take specifically. Especially since I know for a fact you are all prepared to use us to further your fights against one another."
Walker's smile faded slightly as he looked at each of them in the eye. His suddenly growing mana made them all watch him without even being able to pay attention to one another. "We will not be sued. If you wish to join the Genesis alliance you will fall under our laws and will not be allowed to visit, grow, or fight if you cannot be peaceful. If you can not unite when times are hard and celebrate when times are good with those here, then we would not even invite you to our homes."
The force of Walker's mana was nothing he used to be violent. He simply made a statement that if any of them acted out he was the strongest here. Just as the true earth sage could make sure they all were held accountable, so could he.
"Oh, and if you have not caught on, everyone with me and myself included are all different races now. Some of us even changed races as we grew because of the trials we have been through. So to us, race is just something interesting to learn about one another. What do you think? Can we all start learning about one another now? Or would you prefer to argue and fight to the point that we ask the true earth sage and earth king to tell our emissaries they would be meeting other races?"
"You are sharp and you have the strength to be so. The descendant of Arachne would like to speak with you about trade deals. Our silk is extremely valuable and can be enhanced." The descendant of Arachne spoke with a slightly raspy and sharp voice, but, she was holding out a small bundle of silk as a start. A gift and also a chance. It seemed she had been prepared to take a step back so that she could step forward ten times over.
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