While the party reached a crescendo outside, with cheers and dances, inside the Sun God's residence, an isolating barrier brought silence to the room as official matters and topics were discussed.
There was delicious sushi and sake on the table, but smiles fell, and a serious atmosphere permeated.
I sat in the middle of it all in silence. In fact, we deities were all in silence while the Emperors and rulers of this world discussed diplomacy, territories, merchant agreements, criminal handling, deportation, immigration... and many more topics. Although a deity herself, Anna also participated in the conversation, aided by Alana.
We were the moderators, and if anything got our attention or an agreement didn't go according to our desires, we could shut it down. As the only deity among us who was local, Galadriel took the time to explain to us further about the topics discussed.
Twenty minutes in, Ophis was already sleeping on the table. Nobody said a thing, though... Aqua looked like she wanted to follow, but my gaze of killing intent stopped her. Unlike Ophis, she had responsibilities, so she couldn't afford to sleep here.
One of the most heated conversations was the division of leftover territory on the continent that was not centred in this alliance.
The Argland Council State would remain a sovereign independent state ruled by Vaision, but they wouldn't be allowed to raise an army. According to them, the state was very rich in minerals that all their countries wished to exploit.
It was an easy agreement.
Jicniv's wife, Roxanne, also seemed to favour Anna and find her cute, so she helped the girl when she was lost. The territory of the Dark Elves, the Dark Dwarves and the Demi-human Tribes would all belong to the Elf Empire.
That was not even questionable. However, when the subject of the Sloane Theocracy was touched, tension was palpable.
'The Sloane Theocracy has the greatest natural resources of all nations. Let alone the human goverment has harnessed and plundered treasures from the continent for centuries. There is also the part in which they're all predominantly humans, so a fight of classes and races is unavoidable,' Galadriel explained, 'In short, they all want the Sloane Theocracy's territory for different intentions, most of which translates to 'enslaving' humans or at least exploiting them and their resources to recover quicker'.
"Our Baharut Empire has a long-lasting conflict with the Sloane Theocracy. It is only natural we direct the offensive to destroy what remains of black scripture after the operation has been completed and all slaves have been secured," Jicniv coughed, attracting glares.
"I understand that you have had a ceasefire agreement with Black Scripture in order to focus on your front with the Re-Estize Kingdom. It is an understanding agreement between us that you would be given the rights over the Re-Estize Kingdom's territory. What makes you think the Sloane Theocracy's territory and ores should belong to you as well?" Draudillon hissed.
"The Sloane Theocracy has also been infamous for experimenting with our kind. I wouldn't dare claim a part of the territory as it would be meaningless for us, but I believe compensation is due," Orloff added his piece.
I put my hand on the table and brought silence as all gazes focused on me.
This topic was bringing out unwarranted hostility. Thankfully, I already thought of this. Scratch that, Elysir already thought of this.
"Haku, where is the kid?" I turned to my favourite girl, who giggled and sent me a hideous glint.
"Fufu, oh master, is that how you refer to OUR daughter?~"
Whispering began immediately, a deathly glare from Elysir... just what Haku wanted. I rubbed my brows and asked again, "... where is Zesshi?".
Haku waved her hand, and another individual appeared in the room. Only, this girl with half white and half black hair was bound and blindfolded. Nobody actually recognised her... that's because Zesshi was Black Scripture's secret card under their sleeve.
They didn't even know who she was. They were only curious about this black and white haired elf.
I waved my hand too, and the bindings and blindfolds disappeared, leaving the girl very much shocked at suddenly seeing so many people out of nowhere when all she had seen before was just darkness.
"Here is my idea, guys. Although we have indeed managed to sway a big part of the population of the Sloane Theocracy to respect and worship the Sun Church, it will be difficult for them to subject themselves to the rule of foreign forces, especially non-human. None of you can claim to establish a goverment that will be accepted by humans without a civil war occurring, a civil war that would ultimately put humans at a disadvantage position in front of other races".
"..."
They all looked at me, none saying anything, not daring to... but Jicniv and his Empress felt isolated in this discussion as the only humans in the room.
'Who cares about humans? They have made all of us suffer' That seemed to be what they were all thinking.
"We didn't fight to free this world from Avarice, abolish slavery and try to make a world of equality, only for humans to be the next oppressed", I declared.
"But my lord, we can't guarantee this person's loyalty" Jicniv pointed at Zesshi, who clearly didn't look like someone who was in a position to take leadership over anything.
It might look like I'm crazy, but she's also the strongest person in the Theocracy... I could have Solution do it, but Solution is my pet... once I come back home in a few months at best, she will come back with me. Same with Kurumi who would return to her world soon.
"Oh, we can assure her lotalty~"
Haku pulled Zesshi, who was shivering upon seeing the Yokai, and she put both their cheeks together and rubbed them like the perfect mother caressing her daughter. Only, this daughter looked a bit traumatised.
"Mommy and Daddy will work hard to discipline Zesshi-chan~"
"..." Gazes shifted between Haku and Ray, asking the latter if the former was good in the head, which wasn't true. They also wondered if that was really my daughter.
"Adoptive daughter. Guys, don't ask for explanations... we will make it work somehow. The jurisdiction of the Sloane Theocracy's territory will fall into Anna's hands, effectively turning it into a colony. However, the Theocracy will have cultural independence with Zesshi being its main delegate until a human that is not wicked and corrupted with desires of vengeance can take over" I gave Leone a brief look, she tilted her head confused.
"Was this planned by Lady Tsunade?" She asked.
"No, this is my plan... *cough!* my and Elysir's plan".
"If that's what my lord wishes!" Leone made her decision straight away. It wasn't like they could decline, but I asked for their opinion... even if just an illusion of democracy, this is still democracy.
"Then hereby the new 'Slain' Theocracy will become a colony of the Elf Kingdom. Since you all don't seem to be able to come to terms with the topic of borders, I will personally decide" I declared.
"E-Eh?" They all stopped abruptly. They thought I was about to allow them to embarrass each other with their greed after everything we had fought for? If I am the one who decides who gets what, there won't be any complaints.
"What? Do you have an issue?" Haku's aura released when she saw that they didn't like it. Anyone who didn't agree could just die... this is when the ten-minute democracy stopped being a democracy.
"No, my lord... please do so" They shivered, no one wants to get on Haku's wrong side... especially when they can see the shivering Zesshi, a result of that psychopath in action. If that's how she treats her 'daughter', imagine what she will do to them.
Without asking for opinions, I spread the territories according to my whims.
Was it even? No.
Was it fair? No.
Was it absolute? Yes.