Chapter 145: Day 329 (3) – Treaty of Heaven

Treaty of Heaven

Champion Michael of Purgatory and the Ritualist of Heaven recognize each other as leaders of their respective cities. No superiority between either is inferred by this treaty. Both represent their interests and respective claims as equals. No land or territory claims beyond the level 1 zone around each city are recognized by this treaty. No claims about past battles, fights, or deaths are recognized by this treaty. The level 1 zone around each city shall be the domain of said city. Neither leader or individual monster/hybrid/human shall enter another city’s level 1 zone except for the purpose of Diplomacy. Any individual attempting to engaging in Diplomacy shall carry a white cloth displayed prominently. No other restrictions or claims on other land are recognized. Champion Michael will not launch any attacks on Heaven or the Ritualist and will not send any assassins in an attempt to kill the Ritualist or forces under his command. The Ritualist will not launch any attacks on Purgatory or the people of Purgatory. This includes teams killing monsters outside of Purgatory. If there is an unprovoked attack on the Ritualist or his forces, the perpetrators will be handed over to the Ritualist or proper compensation to be given if they are from Purgatory or the command of Champion Michael. The Ritualist will make his forces distinct from the monsters roaming the Systemic Lands. If monsters and hybrids are not made distinct and killed, this is not counted as an unprovoked attack. Before engaging in combat with people the Ritualist will attempt to determine if the individuals are from Purgatory. Individuals from Purgatory will distinguish themselves 70 days after the signing of this treaty to prevent confusion. Until that time, the Ritualist will make an effort to determine the allegiance of people before any confrontation. Trade discussions will be opened after 70 days from the signing of this treaty. This discussion may be opened by either side once this time period had concluded. Before declaring war and the breaking of this treaty, the other side will be informed by at least one day.

This treaty is signed and acknowledged on Day 329 (Purgatory Calendar) by the following individuals,

The Ritualist

Champion Michael

I finished signing the fourth copy I had written. I handed it over to the werewolf who carefully signed it. We would each keep two copies. I wanted at least two and we were doing everything equally. So no slight or superiority was given to either side.

We had gone through a couple of drafts as details were narrowed down and hammered out. The first clause of the treaty was something I had included to clarify our respective stations. When the issue of civilian deaths came up, the Ritualist had brought up my attempt to kill him initially.

We agreed not to hold either of us accountable for actions taken. That didn’t mean either of us forgot. No, I would not be forgetting, and I knew the Ritualist was the same. The hatred we had for each other was immense. But neither of us could see a way to win without risking death.

The second clause was confirmation of our respective boarders. The level 1 grinding area was our claimed territory that we recognized. I didn’t want the Ritualist strolling around Purgatory doing who knows what. The Ritualist didn’t want that either. Also, if he left, there would be no one left in his city.

That would leave his store open to being destroyed. I wasn’t sure if it could be destroyed and if it would self-repair. Still, he wouldn’t want people hanging around Heaven.

The third clause was something I had to agree to in exchange for the later clauses. I had been considering all kinds of options. Specifically stealth skills and training up an assassin to kill him. He must have been reading my mind, since he wanted none of that.

The fourth, fifth, and sixth clauses were what I had received in exchange for the third clause. That was so people could grind without worry that the Ritualist would show up with a horde and add them to his horde. I needed those people to stay alive, since they were the core of any fighting force that would form up.

People outside the city could wear an armband or cloak with a city design on it. The time frame was so that I could implement something like that. The same for the Ritualist. But there was less value placed on his monsters and hybrids than on my people.

The seventh clause was what I had traded for information on Ruth or Nox. There were only so many places to hide and eventually you would be found. I might not be able to kill the Ritualist right now, but I sure as hell would be killing her for helping him.

The last clause was interesting and something the Ritualist had requested be added. I had no disagreements.

The issue of trust was probably the most depressing and sadly hilarious thing about the treaty. Neither of us trusted the other, but we trusted each other’s word. I trusted the Ritualist to abide by the treaty since he had asked for a treaty.

He probably trusted me, maybe. I had no idea what he was thinking. I would be preparing for him to betray me tomorrow and he would do the same. We had peace, however temporary it was. Two distinct city states now in a cold war, that could turn hot any second.

The werewolf finished signing the last copy on top of one of the pillars I had been using to write on. It was late evening. I carefully picked up my two copies and put them inside the book I had purchased and then into my pack of swords.

The werewolf handed them off to another weredeer who had come over. The werewolf and I stared at each other in silence. I swallowed and made the first move.

I bowed slightly, at a ten-degree angle. “Goodbye Ritualist, you are a dangerous opponent.” That was the nicest thing I could think of to say. No need to trade insults after signing a treaty, no matter how much I wanted to.

The werewolf returned the gesture. “Goodbye Champion Michael, I will say the same. I would never face you with my real body.” I turned and left the plaza at a light jog.

No attack came. I had been half expecting something to happen in the dark. I wasn’t worried. Anyone who was willing to deal with over an hour of back and forth on hammering out a treaty like that, wasn’t about to throw it all away.

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An hour of preparation time wasn’t enough to change our tactical positions. The Ritualist could already move around his minions and probably had while I had been melting his building. Attacking me now would just start that all over again.

Unless he had a breakthrough in the last hour, which I doubted, then there was no reason to worry. I noted that his focus when speaking through his monster. The other monsters in the distance stilled. It was a subtle tell, but clearly showed there were mental limits to processing and handling all his monsters.

I still had no idea how someone could process all the sensory input. System shenanigans most likely. I wanted to focus on that and not the disgusting peace I had just agreed to.

I let out a long sigh as I exited the city of Heaven. What a terrible outcome. I hated it and hoped the Ritualist hated it as much as I did. I paused and turned back to look at the city. Should I try to sneak back in and kill him?

No one would care. But if I did that, then peace or at least a truce would be impossible forever. Once the terms were broken, neither side would ever trust the other ever again. I could win. I felt it in my bones. I just knew it. The problem was that nothing would be left behind.

I noted a small wolf looking at me from the top of the wall. Ritualist, you are the worst person I have ever met. You crippled me. You humiliated me. I wasn’t going to forgive or forget anything. One day I would return and melt you.

You wouldn’t be able to escape. Perhaps it would be a deek from now after I learned energy sensing. Perhaps in 70 days when I had grinded myself up to 2,000 stats. Perhaps in 700 days when I could just shrug off anything below level 4.

Your worst mistake was motivating me. I was going to kill you. Your sentence was just suspended for now. You thought I was grinding before. Well you better watch out. Since I was going to grind up a veritable storm.

I was going to unleash a wave of acid on you that was ten times larger than your slime bombs. I was going to end you Ritualist.

“I was never one for oaths and pretentious promises,” I said calmly while staring at the wolf on the wall. “But I promise this. Ritualist you are going to die. That day is not today. But when I am sure I can kill you, I will.” I was too far away to be overheard, but I was never going to forgive that man and what he had done to me.

Even if I had to kill hundreds of people to get to him, he would die the moment I was one hundred percent sure I could make it stick. No escapes, no tricks, no last-minute threats would save him. You may have won this war, but I would win the next.

I was mentally and emotionally exhausted as I made my way back to my team defeated. “Identify yourself!” One of the men called out.

“Champion Michael,” I called back. I made my to where the camp was set up. Naran got up and turned on the lantern. Nifty thing which just a nob. I took a seat on the ground and took a long sip from my water flask.

“I take it, no good news?” Naran asked.

“Complicated,” I replied and looked up at the night sky. I missed the moon. There was silence as everyone digested that single word. I always liked the idea of space. An endless void. Traveling the sea of stars.

Now it was all fake. Just like I felt. A fraud and a fake. All those deaths felt wasted, pointless. I just couldn’t grasp victory no matter what I tried. I could hound the Ritualist to death, but I couldn’t put the nail in the coffin.

“Michael. What exactly happened inside Heaven?” Naran asked. What a stupid name, Heaven. Why would the Ritualist pick such an annoying name. That was probably why, just to annoy me. I let out another sigh. I didn’t want to admit my failure.

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