System's POV

412  Milking Both Humans and Majins All the Wanderers and soldiers at the temporary camp were in a good mood as they celebrated their victory. Countless campfires burned, lighting up the night as they ate their meal and bragged about the number of monsters they had killed during the battle.

Contrary to the festive mood in the camp, the people in the command center had solemn looks on their faces as they seriously discussed how they'd deal with the aftermath of the battle.

"Before anything else, I would like to thank everyone for playing their role properly during this mission," Thirteen said. "I just looked at the report an hour ago, and aside from having hundreds of people suffering light and moderate injuries, no one was seriously hurt or died in battle."

The teenage boy glanced at everyone with a smile. "But the battle is not over yet," Thirteen stated before tapping his communicator.

A projection of the resources that were used during the earlier battle appeared in front of everyone.

"We have exhausted ninety percent of our missile stockpiles, and over sixty percent of our cannon shells," Thirteen said in a serious tone. "Currently, we are in no position to pursue our opponents because we lack ammunition."

The faces of everyone inside the room instantly became solemn after seeing the report that their Supreme Commander had presented to them.

"However, all is not lost," Thirteen glanced at his Grandfather, who was swirling the wine in his cup. "Although it would take time for us to resupply and create more ammunition, there is a faster way to resume our combat readiness.

"As for the details, I would like to ask my Grandfather, Arthur Leventis, to say his proposal to all of you."

When all the eyes inside the room shifted to Arthur, the old man placed down his cup on the table and smirked.

"The Leventis Family have developed a technology that allows us to detect mineral deposits over a wide area," Arthur explained, surprising everyone in the room. "This means that by tomorrow, all of us could immediately start mining operations, allowing us to mine Empyriums, which we can use to charge Empyrium Power Cells.

"Aside from that, precious metals, like Palladium, can be mined hand in hand, further boosting the speed of our ammunition production. However, in order to make this happen, I propose that we split any, and all resources by twenty-five percent.

"This means that the Dvalinn Federation, the Central Government, the Aldebaran Alliance, and the Leventis Family will have an equal share of resources. Of course, if you don't like this proposal, then we will just mine on our own and let you guys mine your own resources as well."

Wendell frowned after hearing this. In his point of view, this division of resources was unfair.

But before he could say anything, Arthur raised a finger.

"If the Dvalinn Federation doesn't agree with this proposal, then the Leventis Family will immediately leave the Rigel Continent," Arthur stated. "I will also be dragging this no-good grandson with me and leave you all to defend this Northern Regions by yourselves."

Lawrence chuckled after hearing Arthur's statement.

"Well, if Zion and the Leventis Family are leaving, the Central Government will leave as well," Lawrence commented. "We still have to go to Cygni anyway to help with their defense against the Jinn Invasion."

08:45

"If the Leventis Family and the Central Government plan to leave, then I will be going as well," Trevor Remington said. "I only participated because I have a feeling that Zion has what it takes to become the Supreme Commander."

"You bastards…" Wendell couldn't help but crush the glass of champagne in his hand, shattering it completely. "All of you are in this together, right? Have you all teamed up to pressure the Dvalinn Federation into agreeing to your demands?"

"Nonsense," Arthur replied. "We don't have the time to scheme with each other right after the war ended. I'm just stating facts. If the Dvalinn Federation wants everything, then we're out of here. "Fortunately, none of our people died, so we won't ask the Dvalinn Federation to compensate us. The only takeaway that we will bring home with us is the fact that we have given the world hope. Aren't you glad? We allowed you to reclaim the Northern Lands without asking for anything in return.

"Now, if you're unwilling to share anything then we will leave. We're not volunteers, and the Leventis Family is not a charity organization."

The room, which had been lively a while ago, immediately became tense as the Central Government, the Aldebaran Alliance, and the Leventis Family waited for Wendell to agree to the twenty-five percent split to all forces.

Wendell, who was fuming out of anger, glanced at the teenage boy, who was seated beside his grandfather.

Thirteen was casually sipping on his fruit juice while swiping through the different news articles recently published, in his Communicator.

News of the Alliance's victory was now known to everyone, and yet, the world still wanted to consume more information regarding it from the media.

Thirteen didn't even need to think if Wendell would accept his Grandfather's proposal or not.

Right now, if the Alliance left the Dvalinn Federation to fend for themselves, all the fame and glory they received after winning the war would disappear without a trace.

Not only that, but they would no longer have the ability to defend the lands that they had reclaimed from the Jinns and Majins.

"Fine!" Wendell sighed before leaning on his chair. "You bastards win this time."

"Good." Arthur nodded before tapping his communicator.

The Map of the North appeared in front of everyone, and the locations of the mineral deposits blinked on the map.

It showed what kind of mineral could be found where, as well as the volume of the resources that were present under the ground.

Naturally, everyone's gazes locked on the Empyrium Mines, which contained the most sought-after ore in the world.

"Don't worry. Since I have everyone's interest in mind, I already ordered my people to start mining the three Empyrium Mines closest to us," Arthur said with a smile, making Wendell almost cough up blood then and there.

"The sooner we restock our ammunition, the sooner we're ready to protect ourselves from the Jinn Counterattack," Thirteen commented. "Although we didn't see the Corpse of the Broodmother because it was taken by the Centipede King, I believe that it is already dead.

"As for the Wyvern King, it had received serious injuries and might have perished when it escaped. But we cannot confirm this, so we can just assume that it will be out of commission for a month or two before it recovers from its injuries. "We need to use that precious time to stockpile our ammunition so that we can still clash with them a second time."

Wendell frowned after hearing Thirteen's words. He thought that they would just hold their line and defend the north, preventing the Majins from retaking it.

However, the teenage boy was saying that they would launch another attack. This time, they would be heading deeper into enemy territory, which would become very dangerous even for them.

"Can't we just defend the North?" Wendell asked. "Must we challenge them again?"

"We need to attack so that the North will be defended," Thirteen replied. "Don't forget—they still have the Earth Dragons. They just can't move from the center because they are protecting something very precious to them."

"Something very precious?" Lawrence asked. "Are you talking about the Dimensional Gate where the Earth Dragons came from?"

Thirteen nodded. "Yes. We need to make them understand that fighting against us is not in their best interest. Only by doing this can we reach a compromise with them."

"Wait! Are you saying that we are going to negotiate with the Jinns?!" Wendell looked at the teenage boy in disbelief. "Are you serious?!"

"Why can't we negotiate with them?" Thirteen arched an eyebrow. "Have you not seen Jinns and Majins forming a mutual partnership with each other?"

"Of course, I know about that," Wendell stated. "But can we really reach an agreement with them? What if they backstab us?"

Thirteen emptied his fruit juice and placed the glass back on the table.

"Negotiations can only be achieved if both parties are willing to negotiate," Thirteen said. "Right now, the Jinns and Majins have no reason to negotiate with us. However, if we pose a real threat to them, they will be willing to compromise. "And the way to do that is to attack the Dimensional Gate that the Earth Dragons are protecting. So, in two months, we need to be ready for a massive onslaught that will hit them at the heart of their territory. "As long as you follow my plans, you will no longer have to worry about defending the North because the Jinns and Majins will not dare to attack it.

"Besides, we can't stay here in the Rigel Continent forever to help you defend the North. Cygni also needs our help, so we need to finish this war as soon as possible." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Everyone in the room, with the exception of Wendell and the representatives of the Dvalinn Federation, nodded their heads in agreement.

Knowing that they were right, Wendell sighed for the second time before nodding his head.

"Fine," Wendell nodded before shifting his gaze in the teenage boy's direction. "Hey brat, can you assure us that the Earth Dragons will negotiate if we follow your plan?"

Thirteen crossed his arms over his chest and smiled evilly.

"If you follow my plan, I will assure you that they will be begging us to negotiate with them," Thirteen stated. "In fact, they may even take the initiative to negotiate with us if you guys do everything as I say."

Arthur and Hans glanced at the teenage boy, and for a brief moment, they felt pity for the Jinns and Majins.

Why?

Because if their hunch was right, Zion would not only milk the Alliance for what they were worth, but he would also blackmail the Earth Dragons to do him some favors, which would benefit him in more ways than one.