"You expect me to just hand over 10,000 of my soldiers?" Christine''s voice was steely. "Do you take us for fools?"


    "Oh, not at all," the demoness replied, her tone casual yet persuasive. "Think of it as a trade. You give me what I need, and I give you back what you''ve lost. It''s a small price to pay for the remation of such a significant territory and the promise of a ceasefire."


    Christine''s eyes narrowed, suspicion evident in her gaze. "What do you intend to do with 10,000 human soldiers?"


    The demoness chuckled softly. "That''s for me to know and for you to trust. But rest assured, they won''t be harmed... not immediately, at least. Consider it a temporary exchange. Besides, with the eastern border back in your control, you''ll be able to strengthen your defenses and perhaps even turn the tide of this war."


    Christine took a deep breath, weighing her options. She knew the risks involved in making deals with demons, but the promise of reiming the eastern border and securing a ceasefire was tempting. Her people were weary from constant battles, and any opportunity to fortify their position could be crucial.


    "I''ll need guarantees," Christine said finally. "A binding contract that ensures the safety of my men and the return of our territory. And I want to know the specifics of this request."


    The demoness nodded. "Of course. We can draft a contract, overseen by both our magic and your divine powers, to ensure its authenticity and binding nature. As for the specifics, let''s just say I need them for a... special project. One that, if sessful, could change the course of this conflict in ways you cannot yet imagine."


    Christine clenched her fists, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. This decision could alter the fate of her kingdom and the war itself. She nced at her soldiers, their eyes filled with uncertainty yet trust in their leader''s judgment.


    Just looking at her soldiers, Christine knew they relied heavily on her decisions. They would ept whatever course of action she chose. This was her burden to carry alone, a weight heavier than one might expect. The responsibility of their lives was already at stake, so the idea of trading them for a piece ofnd wasn''t something she could take lightly. However, the prospect of a ceasefire was incredibly significant, especially with the ongoing reconstruction of major cities and the constant need for healing the injured and those in need.


    Her decision today could affect the very course of this ongoing war. Although they had the advantage right now, there was no guarantee how long that wouldst. The thought of the high-ranking demoness in front of them, who could clearly wipe them all out if she truly wanted to, weighed heavily on her mind. Even though they might put up a fight, they would ultimately lose in the long run. Unlike demons, humans couldn''t regenerate or survive fatal wounds as if they were mere scratches.


    Their situation was far from advantageous, even with their divine armors and weapons. The demoness only needed to tap into the dark miasma in the atmosphere to poison them all. Christine understood this all too well.


    "Princess, what are your orders?" one of her generals asked, his voice steady but his eyes betraying his concern.


    Christine took a deep breath, her mind racing. She knew she had to be strategic. "We need time to consider your proposal," she said to the demoness, her voice firm. "We cannot make such a significant decision on the spot."


    The demoness''s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Of course, take all the time you need. But remember, the clock is ticking. Every moment you dy, more lives are lost."


    Christine nodded, her expression resolute. "We will reconvene and give you our answer shortly. For now, we need to ensure the safety and morale of our troops."


    The demoness shrugged, unfazed. "Very well. I will await your decision. But remember, Princess, this offer is not one that willst forever."


    Christine signaled her generals, and they began to regroup their forces. She turned to her advisors, her voice low and urgent. "We need to discuss this immediately. Gather the council. We must weigh every option carefully."


    ...


    As they moved to a more secure location, the weight of the decision bore down on Christine. She knew the implications were immense. Trading soldiers fornd and a ceasefire could potentially save countless lives and provide much-needed relief. Yet, the ethical dilemma of sacrificing her men gnawed at her conscience.


    The council gathered quickly, their faces tense. Christine outlined the demoness''s proposal, the room falling silent as they absorbed the gravity of the situation.


    "We can''t just hand over our soldiers," one of the generals argued. "It''s a betrayal of their trust and sacrifice."


    "But if we don''t," another countered, "we risk losing even more lives in continuous battles. The ceasefire could buy us precious time to regroup and strengthen our defenses."


    Christine listened to both sides, her mind working furiously. "We need to think beyond the immediate impact," she said. "What are the long-term consequences of either choice? If we agree, can we trust the demoness to honor the ceasefire? And if we refuse, what''s our next move?"


    The council debated fiercely, each point considered with painstaking detail. Finally, Christine stood, her decision made. "We will propose a counteroffer," she dered. "We''ll offer a smaller number of soldiers initially, along with a formal meeting to discuss terms in detail. This will buy us time to gauge the demoness''s true intentions and prepare for any oue."


    The council nodded, some with reluctance but all with understanding. They knew the importance of strategy and caution in this delicate situation.


    Returning to the battlefield, Christine faced the demoness once more. "We have considered your offer," she announced. "We propose an initial exchange of 1,000 soldiers, followed by a formal meeting to discuss the full terms. This will ensure both parties act in good faith."


    "Hmm~?" The demoness, sitting on a well-built chair provided by the human army, tilted her head slightly. "You''re negotiating now?" She knew humans weren''t exactly pushovers, but to have the courage to demand something and even alter her initial demands was truly intriguing. Maybe this was the reason her kind sought the mortal world no matter what. She mused to herself, nodding satisfactorily at their answer. It was worth waiting for them to make a decision.


    "Very well, how about we have this meeting of yours three days from now?" she proposed.


    Princess Christine nodded her head and nced at Tristan in the distance. He was gripping the handle of his sword, ready to strike at any moment. She shook her head slightly, signaling him to stand down. Tristan nodded in return, understanding that the negotiations had gone well. He subtly transferred a mental confirmation to her. In the draconguage, Princess Christine told him something secretly before turning her attention back to the demoness.


    "Since the negotiations are done, will you leave now, demon?" Christine asked, her voice firm.


    "Sure~ but not without my 1,000 humans first," the demoness replied with a mischievous smile.


    Nodding her head, Christine proceeded to select a thousand of her soldiers. The chosen ones nodded their heads willingly, stepping forward to follow the demoness. Among them was Tristan, who nodded to the princess. Their eyes met, and in that moment, Christine''s heart tightened with unspoken words and mutual understanding. Tristan''s presence among the chosen was a silent promise to ensure the safety of their men and to act as a spy in the demoness''s ranks.


    As the demoness led the group away, Christine watched them go, her heart heavy with the weight of her decisions. The thousand soldiers walked with a quiet dignity, fully aware of the risks but trusting in their leader''s judgment.


    The demoness''s wings fluttered lightly as she took off into the air, the soldiers following her on foot. She nced back, her eyes locking onto Christine''s. "Three days, Princess. Don''t forget."


    Christine nodded, her resolve hardening. As the demoness and her entourage disappeared into the distance, she turned to her generals and advisors, her expression steely. "We have three days to prepare. Inform our allies and ready our defenses. This is just the beginning."


    The camp buzzed with renewed energy and urgency. Christine walked among her troops, offering words of encouragement and reassurance. Despite the uncertainty, she projected confidence and determination, rallying her people to face whatevery ahead.


    Later that night, in the privacy of her tent, Christine allowed herself a moment of vulnerability. She thought of Tristan and the soldiers who had gone with the demoness. She hoped they understood the significance of their sacrifice. "We will win this," she whispered to herself. "We have to."


    Her thoughts drifted to the uing meeting. It was a gamble, but one she had to take. The fate of her kingdom, and perhaps the entire world, hung in the bnce. Christine knew she had to be shrewd and cautious. The demoness was powerful and cunning, and any misstep could be catastrophic.


    As shey down to rest, Christine''s mind raced with strategies and contingencies. She knew sleep would be elusive, but she needed her strength. The next three days would be critical, and she had to be at her best.


    In the darkness of her tent, Christine silently vowed to protect her people and bring an end to the demon threat. No matter the cost, she would ensure their survival and victory.


    …..


    Walking out of the cell, I proceeded to take a small stroll down a certain hall. A group of demons passed by, quickly bowing their heads upon seeing me. Though it was only natural for them to show such respect, it still felt surreal at times, being looked up to by such fiendish beings. Shaking off the feeling, I turned my attention to the door in front of me.


    It was a wooden door with intricate designs and numerous protective barriersid upon it. "Is she inside?" I asked one of the maids standing guard outside.


    "Yes, my lord."


    "Is she awake?"


    "No, milord."


    "I see. You may go now. I want to be alone with her for the time being. Make sure no others approach the room under any circumstances whatsoever."


    "As you wish," she replied, nodding her head before quickly disappearing out of sight. I gently opened the door and walked inside.


    The room was grand yet minimalistic, a strange blend of modern and medieval aesthetics. It was filled with ornate essories but retained a simplistic design. Did my sister design this room, perhaps? I wondered, taking in the intricate details and the beautiful items within.


    My eyesnded on a sleepingdy with silvery white hair, so simr to my beloved Elena. She had a look of constant pain, struggling toprehend the dreams—no, the memories—I had sent her. Sis asked me to properly manage and use my powers, so... ''I''m sorry, dear elder sister Lilliana, but I''ll need you for a little experiment.''


    I walked closer to her, observing the rise and fall of her chest, the way her brows furrowed in distress even in sleep. The room was silent, save for her soft breaths and the distant hum of magical wards. The sight of her pained expression stirred a mix of emotions within me—pity, guilt, and a cold determination.


    I reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Lilliana," I murmured softly, more to myself than to her. She stirred slightly but did not wake. I needed her in this state for the experiment.