Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 510: Joining the Xaos Kingdom (I)

Chapter 510: Joining the Xaos Kingdom (I)

Alonz displayed a broad smile as he saw the gratitude and cordiality emanating from Rayland.

Inclining his head in acknowledgment, the Chief Councilor spoke in a calm, measured tone. "The Xaos King did what was right. All sons of Terra should unite to protect one another against the alien threat. There is a great deal to discuss, but before we dive into serious matters, I can see that your men are exhausted. The stress of seeing such a massive demon horde has clearly worn them down. They should eat."

As soon as he finished speaking, Alonz lifted his hand. From the space ring on his finger, he summoned a massive container—nearly the size of a small building—filled to the brim with gleaming cubes of meat.

Though some of Rayland’s soldiers showed surprise at the spectacle, it was not entirely shocking. They had witnessed powerful demons and other beings using similar space-manipulating artifacts before, retrieving items from thin air. Yet the astonishment on their faces soon shifted to wonder once they caught the aroma wafting from the meat-filled container.

Rayland, too, widened his eyes when he saw the cubes of monster meat.

Alonz chuckled at their reactions, his smile growing more pronounced. "These cubes are made of compacted Monster meat. Each one is brimming with nutrients and vitality. Consuming them can even help raise your bodies rise in Level."

The soldiers felt their bodies stir with urgent hunger. They could sense how beneficial the meat would be just from the scent alone. Yet, despite the powerful instinct to rush forward, they held themselves in check, all eyes turning to Rayland for guidance.

This discipline made Alonz smile even wider. It was clear to him that Rayland was a leader, not just in name, and that the men respected him utterly. Any agreement struck with Rayland would undoubtedly be honored by everyone in the city.

Rayland felt the same craving as his men. His heart pounded at the thought of tasting such potent nourishment, but he refused to let himself be swept away by it. He knew they were dealing with a force far beyond their own—hundreds, if not thousands, of times stronger. Still, the Xaos Kingdom seemed disinclined to use brute force. Instead, they extended gifts in a more diplomatic approach, which made Rayland all the more cautious.

Alonz gave a nod when he noted Rayland’s calm demeanor. He did not press the matter further but spoke in a reassuring voice. "Please, feel free to consume these cubes. This is merely a token of our goodwill. There are no hidden strings attached."

A collective gasp rose from the thousands of soldiers on the walls. They practically drooled with anticipation after receiving the reassurance that they could eat the meat freely. Rayland narrowed his eyes, studying Alonz for a moment. He sensed the skillful way Alonz had managed to manipulate the soldiers’ eagerness. Accepting that he could not fully match such psychological savvy, Rayland finally sighed and issued his command.

"Everyone, form orderly lines and move forward in discipline. I will not tolerate any chaos in front of our saviors!"

The soldiers instantly straightened, saluting Rayland before forming neat ranks to approach the container. Each man took one of the palm-sized cubes. Even that small portion seemed overwhelming since once they bit into it, a torrent of energy and life-force surged through their veins. Several soldiers doubted they could finish the entire cube in one sitting—its potency was beyond anything they had experienced.

Rayland, watching the almost miraculous effect of the meat on his people, felt a complicated swirl of emotions. He turned to Alonz, intending to voice a desire, but before he could, Alonz raised his hand.

"The Monster meat is too powerful for normal people, but don’t worry, we came prepared." The Chief Counsel knew exactly what the lawman wanted and conjured a second container. This one held rows of small, scarlet-red pills.

"These are Blood Pills," Alonz explained. "Give one to any women, children, or weak individuals within your city. The pill will remain in their stomachs and gradually nourish them back to health over the span of a few days. These, too, are given freely—no obligations attached."

Rayland glanced at the Blood Pills and, this time did not hesitate in the slightest. He gestured to a few of his men, who swiftly gathered as many of the pills as they could carry. Even as they continued consuming their cubes of monster meat, the soldiers hurried into the city to distribute the Blood Pills. Their eyes gleamed with excitement and relief, thrilled at the prospect of healing the countless weak and malnourished inhabitants inside the city walls.

For Rayland, it felt like a miracle to finally offer hope to the starving children and the ailing elders, something that had been haunting his dreams for years.

Though deeply moved by this generosity, Rayland did not allow himself to become complacent. He kept his mind sharp, recognizing that diplomacy with such a powerful kingdom required vigilance. With a brisk nod, he turned to Alonz, his voice thoughtful and respectful.

"Perhaps we should step aside to speak in private?"

Alonz offered a genial smile and motioned for the handful of soldiers who had accompanied him to remain behind. Together, he and Rayland walked to a small, grass-covered hill that overlooked the city and its walls. The wind carried faint echoes of the soldiers’ exclamations of delight as they devoured the cubes of meat.

Once the two men were sufficiently distant, Rayland turned to face Alonz, his eyes reflecting the question that had been burning inside him since the moment the Xaos King had descended from the sky and saved their city, the one that would determine how things would carry on between the two.

"What is it that you truly want from us?" Rayland asked, the weight of his question reverberating between them.

He stood straight and resolute, refusing to display any fear, even though he fully recognized that Alonz’s people could decimate his city if they so desired. His gaze didn’t waver; he was determined to protect his people from tyranny.

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