-Kashion-
Kashion thought the faster everything could be discussed, the sooner the negotiation would be over.
He looked at his tablet with the data, even though he already knew everything by heart.
"Saturn wants to supply 1 m³ per 200 liters. The annual cap is set at 3 billion m³. Are you sticking to that?" he asked Evlina directly.
She nodded and smiled. "Nothing has changed about that."
"Additionally, Tingdao would provide technology and machinery so that we can establish a chain of technology, crude oil, and Aethereleum on Earth," Kashion continued. "As mentioned last time, our research looks promising. We expect we could save 10–12 percent of Aethereleum. That would benefit everyone, including Saturn. Therefore, the proposal is that in return, we would deliver 5 percent less crude oil from Earth."
A murmur went through the room. It was a somewhat bold idea—Kashion knew that.
He looked at Evlina, who first looked surprised and then quietly consulted with Talina.
Finally, she looked at him and said, "If that truly turns out to be the case, I could consider this option. I will need to discuss it with King Tioff. However, I would only agree under the condition that the results are truly groundbreaking. If Tingdao does not achieve significant progress after one year, Saturn will raise its demand again and additionally require a penalty delivery the following year."
Kashion nodded. It wasn't unexpected. But he trusted his scientists.
-Prior-
Prior listened to the discussion, but it was hard for her to concentrate. Trade wasn't her strength. It was all so dry, and there was so much debate.
She took a cookie from a bowl in front of her. They were small and had a nice orange-and-chocolate flavor. Just a bit dry. She started pouring herself a glass of water.
Kashion began speaking again, and she looked at him.
"That sounds reasonable," he said.
"The proposal has my support as well," said King Mandach. "I am prepared to contribute 40% of the required crude oil volume."
She saw Kashion smile and felt happy for him that he had an ally.
Then Count Kashk Rutz spoke up.
"Well, that all sounds very nice. But as the princess already mentioned, we expect groundbreaking results. Are you truly certain that Tingdao can meet those expectations?"
Prior picked up her glass of water and started drinking.
Kashion replied, "Oh yes, I am certain. And some may have quite a high bar of expectations," and as he said that, he looked directly at her and began to grin, "but I will meet those expectations—and if not, we will strive and learn to meet them."
Prior realized he had quoted her message, and when he looked at her, it almost felt as if his answer wasn't meant for the negotiation, but for her. She was so startled that she choked on her water and started coughing. Suddenly, she felt everyone looking at her.
-Kashion-
Kashion couldn't resist the opportunity to give a double answer—one for Kashk Rutz and one for Prior. He had clearly caught her off guard, since she had choked on her water. He felt a bit sorry, but at the same time found the situation so amusing that he almost burst out laughing. To suppress it, he pretended to cough as well.
"Everything alright?" Oren asked. Kashion waved it off.
-Prior-
Prior was still coughing when she felt Professor Selen from Ostrand, who was sitting next to her, lightly pat her back. It slowly got better. Evlina looked at her sharply and shook her head.
Prior briefly considered leaving the room as the coughing fit subsided. She noticed that Kashion was coughing too—or at least pretending to. She looked at him questioningly, and there was something mischievous in his eyes.
-Kashion-
"My apologies," Kashion said, clearing his throat and taking a sip of water.
"Fine words achieve nothing," Count Kashk Rutz said. "If 60% of the crude oil supply ends up going to Terland, then I expect either the largest share of Aethereleum or a special offer. After all, Terland can deliver immediately, while we have to wait for Tingdao's research."
Kashion could understand his point. He just didn't like the condescending tone and how he kept downplaying Tingdao's science.
He thought for a moment.
He absolutely didn't want Terland to get the largest share. That could make them dependent again. He liked Princess Evlina's proposal, and even though he hadn't discussed it with the council beforehand, he said:
"Our technology will also benefit Terland. I am willing for Tingdao to provide a guarantee here as well. If the planned goals are not achieved, we are prepared to supply more Aethereleum to Terland in the future."
He looked at his advisors. The scientists nodded. Tendol, however, looked anything but pleased. He grimaced and even shook his head slightly. Kashion already knew he would hear about it later.
He looked at Evlina. She sat across from him, composed, as if she had everything under control. She met his gaze steadily without changing her expression. He briefly thought of her offer—not because he was even slightly tempted, but because she radiated such confidence in that moment.
Then he looked at Prior. She looked at him so uncertainly—worried, yet encouraging at the same time. With her, he felt truly seen and understood. That was still worth it to him—to follow his path, even if it wasn't the easiest one.
-Prior-
Prior was still amazed at how calmly Kashion conducted the negotiation. He had such a strong sense of composure. Once again, she felt how impressed she was by him. But she also felt sorry that he had to make so many decisions and stand between so many conflicting interests.
When he looked at her now, she wished she could somehow show him that she was on his side and understood him. Of course, she wasn't part of his political camp—but she realized that she had begun to root more for him and his cause than for Saturn's interests.
-Kashion-
He briefly closed his eyes, considered several options he had discussed with the council, and then continued:
"Therefore, we propose distributing the annual Aethereleum supply as follows: 25% should go to Ostrand—"
Suddenly, Rein cleared his throat loudly. It sounded deliberate.
Kashion looked at him.
Rein grinned. "Wait! Before you continue, I would like to say that Firefields also has an interest in Aethereleum and would like to be considered in the distribution."
Kashion narrowed his eyes and looked at him questioningly. What was Rein up to now?
Count Kashk Rutz let out a dry laugh. "And what exactly could Firefields contribute? Everyone knows your country is an old volcanic region and doesn't really have natural resources."
"That was a misconception for a long time," Rein said—and suddenly, you could have heard a pin drop in the room. Everyone looked at him. Kashion was surprised. It had always been common knowledge that the small southern country was insignificant in terms of resources.
Rein paused, clearly enjoying the moment. Kashion had known him for a long time and knew he loved putting on a show.
"We kept it more or less secret for a long time. But a few years ago, we discovered that we're practically sitting on a gold mine. Not actual gold—something even more valuable. We found rich deposits of rare earth elements. And even better: we invested time and energy into developing techniques to extract them on a larger scale. Let me tell you—that paid off."
"Rare earth elements?" Professor Nara asked, surprised.
Rein nodded proudly.
"Could you elaborate?" she asked.
"We have various metals, but I think the most interesting are our large deposits of cerium and dysprosium."
"Dysprosium!" Professor Nara let out a soft laugh. "What a coincidence."
"What do you mean?" Kashion asked.
Professor Nara nodded toward the opposite side. "Prior recently drew my attention to dysprosium. I read more about it afterward, and I think Crown Prince Rein is right. For our current research, it's extremely interesting."
Kashion looked at Prior and thought to himself: She's simply on the wrong side. He would have much preferred her to be on his team—especially if she had already discussed this topic with his scientists.
He noticed others had heard Nara's comment too and were now looking at Prior. She was visibly uncomfortable.
"And why?" he asked, redirecting the attention.
-Prior-
Prior was grateful that Kashion had asked a question and that she was no longer the center of attention. It had been so uncomfortable with everyone looking at her. She had already feared someone might ask her something.
Professor Nara explained, "Dysprosium could improve magnetic conductivity and thus increase the thrust of Aethereleum engines by several percent. We would still need to test whether we could save even more Aethereleum."
Prior saw Kashion nod, apparently satisfied with the information.
"Interesting," Evlina whispered beside her.
"And the other one Crown Prince Rein mentioned?" Kashion asked.
"Cerium," Rein said, grinning again.
Now Professor Wan spoke up. "That could be of great interest for crude oil processing."
Kashion nodded again.
"I brought a few samples that you're welcome to test in the lab," Rein added.
-Kashion-
Kashion felt slightly overwhelmed. Now he had to rethink everything all over again.
"I think it would be best if we end today's session and take some time to consider this new situation," he suggested, and the others agreed.
He then declared the meeting adjourned.
Before Prior could leave the room with Evlina and the others from Saturn, he said, "Prior!"
She looked at him, and he added, "Please come here for a moment."
He absolutely needed to speak with her.