"However, he agreed to form a new legion if The Elven King did not abdicate from his throne. He wants King Revalor to lead the new legion instead of me." Crown Prince Virion told everyone what The Emperor told him.
Everyone looked at The Elven King, but the upset Elder just slammed the table harder. "What does that even mean? Is he looking down on The Elven!? I think we should re-negotiate this. At least, he should appoint you as a Marshal!"
"That's not how it works, Elder. Just like how we don't trust him, he also does not trust us. I think the Vice-Legion Commander is pretty good for us." Virion did not agree with The Elder. For someone who had met Tang Shaoyang, he knew that the negotiation would not work with that man.
"But we are The Elven! We should be above others even if we have to lower to that human—" Before the upset Elder could finish his words, Virion cut him off. "You have to address Lord Tang respectfully from now onwards, Elder. We don't want The Emperor to cancel the offer and declare war against us."
"You—" The Elder pointed his finger at Virion, but The Elven King stopped before it escalated further. "I do agree with Virion. We have to commit since we have surrendered unless you guys want to change your mind and fight The Tang Empire? As for The Vice-Legion Commander, we should accept that arrangement since Virion is lacking compared to Chief Moon and Sir Alton."
The nine Elders went silent when the Elven King sided with Virion. "Haven't you guys realized that we are in a situation where we have to compromise?" The Elven King scanned the nine Elders. "I will still abdicate my position as your King since I have failed you guys, but you guys have to change your train of thoughts to assist Virion later."
The nine Elders lowered their heads. Their status change was too fast, and not everyone could adapt to their new situation now. Revalor understood that, but this was not a waiting game for the nine Elder tried to adapt. Elven's future was on the line; if they did not change their attitude, Elven would be under annihilation threat.
Elven King Revalor had failed his people, and he did not want it to become worse, like the fall of Elven. This was the best situation they could get off, but the Elders were not in the same mindset as him. 'Should I shuffle the Elder too before I abdicate the throne? I think we need new Elders if this continues.'
The Elders wanted to say something more, but they ended up lowering their heads. All the Elders had challenged Sir Alton once the old knight tried to establish a faction. However, none of the Elders won the fight. It was the biggest secret of The Elven where a man humiliated the nine Elders.
Yes, The Elven had confronted Alton once, and only The Elven King and the Elven Elders knew about it. Even Crown Prince Virion did not know about that. It remained a secret because The Elven King also ended up with a draw against Sir Alton.
When everyone fell silent, Crown Prince Virion continued with his report. "The Emperor agrees to marry Elder Aleesa and Moonlight Maiden, but he does not like the custom of our marriage. So there will not be a wedding for Elder Aleesa and The Emperor, and Elder Aleesa has married Lord Tang through the Marriage Oath."
"The Marriage Oath is maybe the Empire's custom; I am not sure. But there's a Holy Priest that performed the Marriage Oath. I am not clear too about this Holy Priest. However, the oath is working similarly to a system contract that is bound to the married couple." Virion explained how the marriage oath worked. Of course, that information was limited from what Lord Tang told him.
The Emperor ignored the Tradition that Elven regarded highly. The Elven King furrowed his brows at this. Marriage was a sacred thing between The Elven, and the married couple had to take a vow in front of the Sacred Tree. That was how it worked for Elven. However, The Elven King could not say anything because he was not in the position to interfere.
"Also, Lord Tang wants us to make a Loyalty Oath, all of us. After this, we will officially become The Tang Empire's Vassal." Virion added.
The Elven King and the nine Elders raised their heads, looking at the Crown Prince. They were asking for more explanation about the Loyalty Oath. "Can you explain to us about the Loyalty Oath?" Revalor asked.
"Just like I said, the oath works like the system contract. Lord Tang wants us to be bound by the oath, so we can't betray him. I have asked Sir Alton about this, and he said all Lord Tang's subordinates made the same oath. Sir Alton is not an exception." Virion explained.
"What if we betray him after the oath?" One of the Elders raised a question. "Death!" That was an instant answer from Virion.
"Lord Tang will know if one of us betrays him, and you will know what will follow after that, right? The Elven's destruction." He added calmly as if his kingdom's destruction was nothing. "Before I take the throne, I will say this to the Elders. If that really happens, I am sorry, but I have to give your family in return for Elven's safety.
I will not hesitate to hand over your family, including the newborn."
"I see," The Elven King nodded his head. "What about me? I have to take the oath too?"
"Yes." Virion nodded his head. "Lord Tang is wary of your influence on The Elven. Even if you abdicate the throne, you still have to take the Loyalty Oath." That was not in Tang Shaoyang's words. It was Virion's words. He regarded himself as one of The Tang Empire already and thought of the best for the Empire. 'I have to change and adapt.
I have to think for the Empire instead of The Elven from now on.'