The Monster King's Legacy-Chapter 160: Taking a Stance

The human envoy cleared his throat as he spoke. "Lord Lance, it is clear that your kingdom has grown beyond what any of us could have imagined. However, such rapid growth often raises... concerns."

Lance met his gaze steadily. "Concerns are natural. I'm here to address them."

"Well, I won't be rude and prolong things. While it is clear that your kingdom has accomplished remarkable growth in a short time, it is equally important to ensure that this growth does not disrupt the stability of the region."

Lance leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes calm but piercing. "Stability. An interesting word. What exactly are you proposing?"

The noble shifted in his seat. "Our respective races and kingdoms have long maintained a balance of power. Any sudden, unchecked rise, especially one as... unconventional as yours, risks creating conflict. To prevent such outcomes, we believe it would be prudent to establish certain... parameters."

"Parameters," Lance repeated, his tone neutral. "And these parameters would involve what, exactly?"

The noble who was a seasoned warrior hesitated for a moment, his carefully thought out words suddenly feeling inadequate under Lance's steady gaze. For one who had come face to face with real danger countless times in the battlefield, both against his fellow man and other races, something about Lance gave him a bad feeling.

Regardless, he was not experienced for nothing, so he immediately regained his composure as he continued. "Limits on military expansion, restrictions on trade routes that overlap with our territories alongside major trades, and... oversight on any alliances formed with external powers."

"Oversight?" Lance muttered, his gaze and expression still neutral. "Is that a veiled way of saying you want control?"

The human noble stiffened, his composure cracking for a moment yet again. "Not control, cooperation. We merely seek to avoid unnecessary provocations." He explained.

"I see. What about you?" Lance said, looking at the elves and dwarves.

The elven diplomat spoke, her silver hair catching the light as she inclined her head. "We elves have no issue with what has been mentioned so far. We only find that the Monster kingdom's alignment with the dragons is... unprecedented. It shifts the balance in ways we cannot ignore." She said.

Lance nodded in understanding, before proceeding to clear up the misunderstanding. "You misunderstand. The dragons do not align themselves with any kingdom or people, they are a sovereign power. I have learned under them, and that is the only connection I have with them. Aside from that, anything you see is not as a result of allying with the dragons."

"I… see. Very well. I understand." She said, closing the matter.

The dwarven leader, less inclined toward flowery language, leaned forward and grunted. "Let's not dance around it. What they're saying is they don't trust you. Doesn't matter how fancy your city is or how nice your people look. You're a wildcard, and that makes them nervous."

Lance appreciated the dwarf's honesty, even if the words were blunt. "And what do you think?"

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The dwarf stroked his braided beard thoughtfully. "I think you're doing something no one's seen before. That's bound to ruffle feathers. But as long as you don't turn that dragon power of yours against us, I see no reason to meddle in your affairs. Now that you say the thing with the dragons is not as it looks, perhaps, there really isn't any issue, at least, with we dwarves."

The human delegate shot the dwarf a pointed looks, but he waved him off. "Don't give me that."

Lance then turned back to the human noble, "it would seem you're the only one who hold a different opinion, lord Hans." He said in a calm voice. "Let me see if I understand this correctly," Lance began, his tone calm but edged with steel. "You've traveled here, to my kingdom, to deliver laws that you believe we should follow. Laws that would restrict our growth, limit our strength, and ensure that we don't threaten your carefully crafted status quo."

Lord Hans almost felt the entire weight of his race's decisions crushing his shoulders as he heard the words, sighing deeply with a frown to booth, within his mind. "It's not about restriction, Lord Lance. It's about maintaining stability. The rapid expansion of your kingdom has raised concerns—"

"Concerns," Lance interrupted, his voice maintaining the same steadiness without an infux of emotions portrayed through them. "Concerns that come not from any action we've taken against your race and kingdoms, but simply from the fact that we exist in the manner we do now."

He continued. "You know, I've seen this before. Nations cloaking their greed and fear in the guise of stability, with the powerful being the ones who decide the rules, rules designed to keep themselves on top and everyone else in line. Tell me, how is this any different?"

The room fell silent, the delegates exchanging uneasy glances, mostly aimed at Lord Hans.

He fought through, managing a couple of words. "Our concerns are not baseless. Rapid growth without accountability often leads to conflict."

"Accountability? And who holds you accountable?"

Lord Hans remained silent, inwardly cursing his bad luck, having to be the one to deal with the matter.

Lance leaned forward now, his presence filling the room. "Let me save you some time. You're not here to propose cooperation. You're here to impose control, disguised as diplomacy."

While Hans remained silent in the situation, the one with him opened his mouth to protest, but Lance held up a hand, shutting him up. "Spare me the rebuttals. I see your intentions clearly. You're worried that a kingdom led by so-called monsters will disrupt the status quo, and most importantly, we are the closest in distance after all." He said.

He then continued, seeing a rather understanding look in the man's eyes. "I understand your concerns," Lance continued, his voice steady but firm. "But let me make one thing clear: this Nation will not be stifled by fear or prejudice. We've worked too hard and sacrificed too much to let anyone dictate how we grow."

Hans sighed physically. "You've made your position clear," he said. "We will convey your words."

Lance inclined his head. "Do that. And remember: peace is built on mutual respect, not control."

…

As the meeting concluded, the delegates rose from their seats, their expressions a mix of grudging respect, satisfaction, curiosity, and unease. Surprisingly, lord Hans didn't show any of this, he was more tired than not.

They stayed in the city for a few days, discussing business and he likes to foster future cooperation. Once that was done, the delegates departed, their entourages trailing behind them.