<h4>Chapter 374 Friend or Foe?</h4>


    Daelia looked at Erich with an expression of horror on her otherwise pretty face as she misunderstood the man''s question. But just before she could manage to get her body to follow its order, and revile in disgust. Erich scoffed before ordering his men to continue with their arrest of the Dark Elf Shadow Queen.


    "Well, what are you waiting for? Arrest this woman!"


    The soldiers immediately snapped out of their daze, foolishly believing that Erich''s attempts to mess with Daelia were actually a serious negotiation, and instead immediately continued with their apprehension of the woman, who as far as they knew was a member of their own species.


    Daelia continued to scream at Erich and his soldiers, but was ultimately dragged out of sight, leaving Erich alone with Tia, who was calcting some things on her end. With a heavy sigh, Tia voiced her confusion.


    "It would appear that there is something embedded in the woman''s subconscious that began to counter effect the truth serum once you asked about the Elven Empire... It is an ancient piece of technology that is well beyond my means to bypass. But with enough examination, I might be able to learn a thing or two... Sorry Master, but you must give me some time."


    Erich nodded his head in agreement with Tia''s assessment before expressing his thoughts on the matter.


    "Take as much time as you need. As far as the Svartalfheim Federation knows, Daelia is currently engaging in a deep infiltration and isn''t expected to report back to them anytime soon. As for Lunaria, I won''t be telling her about her sister unless it is absolutely necessary. I know as well as anyone just how cruel that woman can be when she gets her hands on someone she despises.


    And it is clear to me that there is no love lost between these two sisters. In the mean time, I have a war to look after, so I will trust Daelia with your capable hands. Oh, and Tia... Make sure your experiments don''t break the woman.... Alright?"


    Tia looked at her master with an innocent expression on her face, before denying that she would ever go too far with an interrogation of a prisoner.


    "Tia has no idea what Master means by that...."


    It was obvious to Erich that whenever Tia reverted to her base personality, that she was simply lying through her teeth. But frankly, he didn''t care, as long as she obeyed his orders, which he knew she would. And thus Erich was quick to leave this matter to Tia''s capable hands.


    ---


    The war ended as quickly as it had begun. The Germanic Star-Empire disyed a level of ferocity and capability that few civilizations could boast. And in the end, that hadpletely and totally annihted the Yokai Ascendency, and in doing so, sent a message to Alfheim Space, all while waving the Germanic g over the ruins that they left behind.


    "Betrayal of the Empress will not be tolerated."


    With this war concluded, both the Great Oni Empire and the Dvrakian Consortium were liberated from their Suzerains. But in doing so, they were left without the protection such an alliance afforded. And while there were many of such civilizations within Alfheim space, they were typically devoured by the wolves at the first given opportunity.


    But there was something distinctive about these two civilizations that the others in their precarious position did not have. The Great Oni Empire and the Dvrakian Consortium had a military alliance with the Germanic Star-Empire, who, after obliterating the Yokai Ascendency, had been raised from a Tier I Regional Power to a Tier I Sub-Gctic Power. on the Gctic Power Index Which afforded its allies a level of protection, as well as the "fuck around and find" out status that came with it.


    Daelia continued to be sedated and interrogated by Tia. Who learned a great deal of the Svartalfheim secrets from the woman, but failed to learn anything about the long-forgotten past which was hidden deep within the woman''s brain by an ancient piece of technology from a bygone era.


    And as the years passed, the Germanic Star-Empire continued to expand its power. All the while, Erich''s family expanded. First with the birth of a son between himself and Erika, who was appropriately named Kurt, as he was in the previous timeline, and second, a daughter by his Oni lover Ayumi, who was also given her previous name of Aiko.


    Eventually, however, something unexpected happened. The Sages of both the Alfheim Dominion as well as the Svartalfheim Federation finally made their move in this timeline. The sages sent a representative to the Germanic Star-Empire, believing that Erich was the fabled "Dark Sage" who was prophesied to set the gxy aze.


    Erich, of course, was quick to ept this request for entry. In his past life, he had waged a shadow war against the sages, one which he ultimately emerged victorious in. But in this life, Erich did not wish to repeat such a pointless conflict, and instead, wanted to establish ties with the Sages in an attempt to learn more about his powers, which they seemed to share in some form or another.


    And thus, the Sages'' representative was surprised when he was given a proper weing by Erich, who sat on his "throne" and weed the man into his home.


    "I have been waiting for you... So tell me, have you and your kind finally decided upon how they wish to deal with me? Will it be war? Or peace?"


    The Sage was surprised that Erich had been aware of his intentions, as well as those of hisrades. And was quick to express his disbelief.


    "How? How did you know?"


    Erich scoffed at this remark, before speaking to the man as if he and his kind were fools, men who had only seen a glimpse of the real power that they possessed. And he was quick toment on this.


    "You sages all believe that you know everything, and that it is the will of fate that we all walk in ordance with.... But our powers are so much more than simply gaining a slight glimpse into the future. My powers have advanced smoothly....


    But I do not yet know the extent to which they can achieve. It was my hopes that your ancient order might be able to enlighten me, despite your apparent unwillingness to do more than just simply observe what the future has in store for us...


    So I will ask again... Have youe to me as a friend.... Or foe?"