Chapter 276

Chapter 276: Today’s Allies

After the initial shock, instinctive confrontation, and the rollercoaster of silence and awkwardness, the three top elites from Arad finally calmed down.

Wiseman never cared about "national interests," but both Midi and Reinhardt slipped into diplomatic negotiation mode, rapidly plotting potential breakthroughs in their minds.

Reinhardt secretly felt thrilled.

For once, he’d seized overwhelming advantage over Midi from the very start!

When entering the room earlier, he’d heard Emil angrily scolding Midi. Combined with other clues, the sharp-minded fourth prince now confirmed Midi came for the ancient battlefield.

But Midi arrived too late.

Reinhardt and Wiseman had settled in Windstream half a year ago, using the Empire’s resources and personal power to build connections. He’d befriended Windstream’s managers, Vanguard ship pilots, and local influencers.

Recognizing Emil’s value as both alchemist and Skyship designer, Reinhardt launched relentless assaults. Three months ago, she finally invited them to explore the ancient battlefield, retrieving wreckage and cementing their alliance.

Though caught off-guard by Midi’s sudden appearance ("losing timing"), Reinhardt held "terrain" and "human relations" advantages. With Midi’s terrifying personal power rendered useless here, this became the perfect chance to force compromises from his rival.

Better yet—he might exploit Midi’s strength for greater gains.

Reinhardt’s earlier defense of Emil served this purpose. He wasn’t some honor-bound knight sentimental about rivals—only strength mattered.

This was deliberate posturing: demonstrating his sway over Emil to dominate negotiations.

_Didn’t you come thousands of miles for Emil, Midi? Too bad—I’m her ally now. My approval comes first._

Reinhardt’s message couldn’t be clearer.

Midi understood perfectly.

Even seeing through Reinhardt’s scheme, Midi couldn’t reverse circumstances immediately. Being a reincarnator didn’t make him omniscient—past life memories couldn’t control everything, sometimes causing oversights.

This encounter should’ve been predictable. Last life, the white snake built heavy armored cruisers with Delos Empire’s support after seven years. Why wouldn’t Reinhardt approach Emil now?

Both lifetimes showed the Empire rising through Windstream—a Sea of Clouds powerhouse humans later absorbed into Arad. With more careful analysis, Midi might’ve prepared countermeasures beforehand.

But Stormy Region obsession blinded him. No undo button existed—he had to swallow this disadvantage.

After initial frustration, Midi relaxed. Nothing was perfect—he simply kept struggling through fate’s whirlpool.

Midi wasn’t arrogant enough to believe that dying once and reliving his past life meant he could control every situation flawlessly, crushing all obstacles without setbacks.

Since the Delos Empire had already seized the initiative, forcing their way into others’ opportunities wasn’t necessary. Going with the flow might even make things proceed more smoothly.

In the end, the most crucial card remained firmly in Midi’s grasp.

“Sir Midi…” Reinhardt paused to organize his thoughts before speaking slowly.

But Midi cut him off immediately.

“Just Midi is fine. You wouldn’t want me calling you ‘Your Highness,’ would you? In the Sea of Clouds, without backing from Arad’s factions, we’re merely ordinary adventurers. Let’s drop formalities.” Midi said lightly.

“Agreed.” Wiseman chimed in shamelessly, siding with Midi.

In truth, the moment Wiseman questioned whether Reinhardt was giving him an “order,” it became clear—no one in the Sea of Clouds could rein in this mad Necromancer, not even the feared imperial authority of the Delos Empire.

With two in agreement, the third had no say.

Reinhardt shot Wiseman a glare for his betrayal but nodded stiffly. “Fine. Midi, let’s speak plainly. You’re here for the ancient battlefield, aren’t you?”

“More than that.” Midi answered bluntly.

“Of course.” Reinhardt smirked, eyeing the lavish room. “This lovely dark elf—her alchemy knowledge, techniques, and creativity—their value likely surpasses even the ancient battlefield!”

For centuries, the Sea of Clouds had stagnated. Powerful factions hoarded resources, lacking ambition to explore the Stormy Region. Technological progress crawled—even the Rothschild Guild’s advanced Tiger Sharks and Unicorns struggled near the Ice Cloud Circle, let alone undertaking serious exploration.

In such a backward region, even Emil herself likely underestimated her worth.

But humans from the Lower Realm were different. Midi and Reinhardt, forged in ruthless power struggles, hungered for strength. To them, Emil—the “White Snake”—represented a shortcut to unparalleled power.

Naturally, she was the negotiation’s focal point.

“Emil has allied with us. The Empire will handle the ancient battlefield. Take your celestial companion and leave, Midi. There’s nothing here for you.” Reinhardt stated flatly.

“Spare me the act. What ‘Empire’? It’s just you and Wiseman playing adventurers.” Midi sneered. “If the Empire truly held sway here, why would Emil auction her techniques? You lack funding, resources—your only assets are a few Windstream pilots without even a proper large Skyship.”

“Resources will come.” Ambition burned in Reinhardt’s blue eyes. “What matters is that I hold the core advantages now.”

“True enough. Otherwise, I wouldn’t bother negotiating.” Midi leaned forward abruptly. “State your demands.”

“Don’t play dumb. I need every resource and technique to establish a human faction here. Without strength, we’re just mercenaries for local scum.” Reinhardt scoffed.

“And money—vast sums.” Wiseman added grimly. “Necromantic alchemy experiments devour gold and lives. Even I’ve struggled here.”

Midi fell silent. He had limitless resources at his command—Victoria’s wealth alone dwarfed the Rothschild Guild’s.

But he couldn’t fault Reinhardt’s shortsightedness. For over a year, the Empire had been rebuffed across the Sea of Clouds, only clinging to a few floating islands near Sky City’s shadowy corridors. The local factions barred all avenues to Lower Realm nations—Delos and Belmar alike found no foothold.

Only Midi’s status as an Awakened One of Extraordinary Awakening, combined with past-life memories of the Sea of Clouds and Stormy Region, had secured the Rothschild Guild’s support and Victoria’s alliance. Normally, Reinhardt’s path—rebuffed then building in obscurity—was standard.

No wonder they fixated on the ancient battlefield and alchemist—they needed wealth to grow. As for the Stormy Region? They’d likely never seen it. Few braved those routes, and Midi doubted they’d joyride whaling ships like him.

While understanding their position, Midi couldn’t waste seven years waiting as in his past life.

“I’ll provide funds, tech, resources, manpower. I’ll even help build a Delos Empire faction in Windstream.” Midi’s tone turned grand. “In exchange, relinquish Emil and the ancient battlefield.”

Both Reinhardt and Wiseman’s eyes twitched.

Did this guy think he ruled Belmar?