Val's glowing eyes flickered with sothing close to amusent at Principal Farnes' boldness.
The overseer's towering presence seed to grow even more imposing, casting long shadows across the room.
But while he was amused at Principal Farnes' boldness, he also respected it.
He wasn't just a man who thought about personal gain, but he put his race first.
Even soone like Val could respect that, as it was sothing even higher races seed to lack nowadays.
"You think in terms of petty exchanges, Farnes. We do not negotiate as your kind do. But… you are correct in assuming that there is more to this offer. After all, it wouldn't be good if our newest recruit's entire civilization dies out while they are away."
Farnes felt a flicker of anger at the Overseer's tone, but he remained silent.
What else was he to do against soone so much more powerful than himself?
Val continued.
"If Alex accepts our invitation, the Collective will see to it that this little skirmish between the Human race and the Red Demon race cos to an end."
"..."
A murmur of disbelief spread across the room.
Even Farnes struggled to contain his shock.
Was Val saying that they could just end the war?
A war that had drained the entire human race, that had cost tens of billions of lives already?
Val's next words confird it.
"With but a flick of our fingers, the Red Demons will be forced to scatter. We could grant your entire race peace, should Alex agree to join us."
The tension in the room spiked.
Farnes could hear the sharp intake of breath from Major General Lyndal beside him.
It was almost too good to be true, but everyone in the room believed the Overseers weren't just creating empty promises.
It wasn't egotistical boasting if they could back it up, after all.
But miracles always ca with a price.
Farnes t Val's, and the other five Overseer's gazes.
The oppressing aura he faced was overwhelming, but still, he pressed forward, keeping his voice steady despite the promise he had just been given.
"And what guarantee do we have that you won't just eliminate us next?"
Farnes asked.
"If you can stop a war, or wipe out an entire race as easily as you claim, then what's stopping you from doing the sa to us when we no longer serve your purpose?"
Val's glowing eyes dimd slightly, turning unreadable for a mont.
"You must not have been listening to a word I have spoken from the beginning of this conversation."
Val continued.
"You are mistaken, you already serve no purpose to us. The only thing stopping us from wiping you out is that we simply do not have the desire to do so. That, and the fact that the only one who could ever pose a future threat to us is exactly the person we are recruiting."
Farnes hesitated, the offer was clear now.
Give Alex over, and the war would end leaving the Federation to recoup their losses and begin a period of peace and rebuilding.
Or, don't hand Alex over, and the war continues without any outside intervention like these Overseers are offering.
The human race's chances against the Red Demons looked bleaker and bleaker as the days passed by, and this offer was extrely tempting for Principal Farnes to take.
Farnes clenched his fist beneath the table, mind racing in deliberation.
If he agreed, then the war would be over.
But everyone in the room could see how much Farnes was struggling to make a decision on this, and the other S tiers, alongside Major General Lyndal, all looked at him like he was a fool.
Usually they would never do sothing as disrespectful as that, but in this situation he was literally deciding on the entire fate of the Human race, this wasn't sothing he alone should make a decision on.
But while it pained them to admit it, the Overseer's clearly thought otherwise, as they didn't even give any of them a second glance.
"Okay. We'll accept."
Farnes finally spoke, feeling so relief wash over him when he did so.
He had made his decision.
He didn't like that Alex had to be the 'sacrifice' for this offer, but he knew it was the right decision to make.
But contrary to how he expected them to react, Val actually looked amused when Farnes answered.
"Once again you are mistaken, Farnes. I said if Alex accepts the offer. Nowhere in this offer did I say he would be handed over against his own will. He will either co of his own volition, or not at all."
'What!?'
Principal Farnes suddenly felt a great pressure befall his shoulders.
Not from the Overseers suddenly dumping their aura on him or anything like that, but simply because he had misjudged the situation!
However, his mind was also reeling with questions of doubt and confusion.
Why would the Overseers co to him then, instead of just going directly to Alex?
Were they really so benevolent to give soone so much weaker than them a choice in this matter?
He knew that if he were in their position, he would not.
"I am surprised that soone of your stature wouldn't know better, Farnes."
Out of nowhere, the shortest of the bunch of Overseers spoke up for the first ti.
"You should know that in order to succeed as an awakened, you have to choose your own path. Forcing soone down a path they are unwilling to take will only stunt their potential."
Farnes felt embarrassed, like a school child being scolded by their teacher in front of this small Overseer.
Especially since he was the Principal of the largest and most dominant university in the Federation.
He was supposed to be the most senior educator in the entire Federation, yet he had failed to see this obvious flaw.
However, he was still a Human first, teacher second!
Regardless of future potential, talent or ability, it was for the good of the human race!
"Now, let's ask Alex himself, shall we."
Val broke Farnes out of his thoughts when his alluring voice spoke out once again.
Reviews
All reviews (0)