Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

During the initial truce negotiation meeting, both sides engaged in discussions about the proposed clauses. The first few clauses, like stopping hostilities and defining borders, gained easy approval. These seemed like a good starting point for a potential truce.

However, as the discussions continued, things got more complicated. Some clauses started to emerge that posed significant challenges for the human delegation. These included claims to exclusive access to magical resources, cultural preservation measures that would affect human practices, and restrictions on human access to certain magical items.

There were also demands to protect magical creatures and ecosystems within the magic people's territory.

These demands were met with resistance and skepticism from the human representatives. Branden and Esmeralda felt increasingly fatigued as the negotiations went on. The difficult discussions and the stark differences in priorities between the two sides took a toll on their energy and patience.

They returned to the inn, visibly exhausted, realizing that achieving a truce with the magic people was going to be a far more challenging task than they had initially thought.

"Good work, as expected. I am not fit to be a diplomat," Rain said. "I felt that you guys wasted too much time and energy being nice and using bubbly words."

"Hahaha, well, at least the majority of the council members weren't that demanding," Branden said. "There is a group among them that was quite harsh and greedy, though."

"Do you think that they are part of a more difficult faction, or were they playing a role predetermined by the whole council?" Esmeralda asked.

"I don't think that they can be that unified, not after losing the war," Branden replied. "What do you think, Rain?"

"Those guys seem genuinely greedy and harsh. I am surprised that they didn't demand my neck on the spot," Rain replied.

"I see… anyway, the negotiations might take some time," Branden said while massaging his shoulders. "We need to find a way to send a message to home. They won't trust us if we ask the people here to do that."

Rain had been pondering the need for better communication options. The ongoing negotiations with the magic people had highlighted the importance of swift and versatile information exchange. He couldn't do a single thing about that, unfortunately. Rain felt that he needed to improve his magic further and control instead of just using the elements every day.

His magical tunnel, though handy, had limitations. It was essentially a one-way connection, linking only his home to his grandparents' place. For the current situation, they required a more versatile method to enable quick, two-way communication between various locations. This was particularly crucial as they navigated the intricate negotiations for the truce since they had to give reports back home.

Rain couldn't help but think about the convenience of cell phones in their world, but he realized that such an invention was still a distant dream. There were numerous other technological advancements that were needed to occur before cell phones could even be considered.

Cell phones require a stable and portable power source. In their world, they were still working on harnessing magic effectively for such purposes. To enable wireless communication, they needed to set up a network of signal towers. This would require advanced infrastructure and significant resources.

Creating small and efficient components like microprocessors, antennas, and screens was beyond their current technological capabilities.

"I guess I will have to think of something with magic, but that is easier said than done," Rain thought. "I am experiencing a few things with raw mana, but it is still in the beginning stages. We also can't say that we might have to use spies here to deliver the message… it will take too long even if we could."

"Do you think that they will give in on those difficult clauses after a while?" Branden asked. "Only if we somehow prove to them that we have the upper hand, but considering their newest force…"

"Rain, those ten guys that guarded us, do you think that they were the dracos?" Branden asked.

"No," Rain replied. "I can't explain why, but I am certain of it."

Rain acted cautiously. He understood that revealing too much about his unique skills and abilities could pose a potential risk to himself and the group. After all, one could never be too sure who might be listening in on their conversations.

However, Rain also acknowledged the necessity of openly discussing these matters with Branden and Esmeralda. It was crucial to maintain an appearance of cooperation and transparency in the eyes of the magic people. They anticipated a certain level of discourse and information exchange.

Striking the right balance between revealing enough to appear forthcoming while safeguarding strategic secrets was paramount to successfully navigating the intricate negotiations and preserving trust with their hosts.

Rain couldn't help but think back about the crazy woman known as the "Bitch of the Night." Rumor had it that she held a seat on the council. Still, given the ongoing conflict with the dragons, it was likely she was engaged in the front lines, battling these formidable foes.

Adding to the intrigue, Rain couldn't sense any unusual auras within the council's vicinity. Notably absent was the distinct aura he associated with Leo, the former traitor who had achieved prominence among the magic people. This curious absence raised questions about why Leo was not present in this crucial gathering, leaving Rain to wonder about the underlying reasons.

"I wonder if Branden will ask eventually if our countries become allies for Leo's head… that will make him indebted to the people there, but it seemed a small price," Rain thought. "It also seems that he would go that far to deal with the person that started the Downfall of the Lonard family."

Rain couldn't help but notice moments when Branden's expression turned pensive, his face etched with a blend of seriousness and a hint of fierceness. It became evident that beneath his outwardly gentle demeanor, Branden possessed a steely resolve and a determination that ran deep.