Chapter 427 The Peace Accord
The Upper Realm had already learned that something catastrophic had happened in Wyrmrest Wilds.
It simply did not know how badly Valerius had lost.
When Zara and Lucian returned, every member of the Imperial Council was waiting inside the main hall.
The High Priest stood near the throne, his face pale beneath his mask.
Valerius appeared through a projection from Earth.
His expression remained composed until Zara walked into the room with the Snow Dragon behind her.
Then the color left his face.
Lucian took his place before the throne but did not sit. "I remember everything."
Valerius remained silent.
"You altered my memories," Lucian continued. "You used an arcane spell to make me believe you were my father and that Earth was my enemy."
"I gave you power and a throne."
"The power belonged to Zara."
"And you would have died without it."
"That does not make you my father."
Valerius's gaze shifted toward Zara.
She smiled. "Uncle, you made a very expensive mistake."
"You were never supposed to awaken this soon."
"I wasn't planning to. Then you stole Lucian, rewrote his memories, tried to seize the Wyrmheart Pearl, and nearly started three wars." Zara shook her head. "You worked incredibly hard to ruin your own life."
Valerius's jaw tightened. "The Upper Realm has spent thousands of years living under the threat of mystic beasts. I wanted to create a world humans controlled."
"By invading Earth?"
"Earth is weak."
"So you decided weakness gave you the right to take it?"
Valerius looked at Lucian. "The strong rule. The weak submit. You understood that before she restored your memories."
Lucian's expression turned cold. "I repeated what you placed in my mind."
The Snow Dragon stepped forward.
Ice spread across the floor.
"The forbidden zones remained silent because Zara once demanded peace between humans and mystic beasts. Do not mistake restraint for weakness."
Other ancient presences awakened beyond the hall.
Cyranth's darkness moved across the sky. The sea rulers stirred beneath distant waters, and the mountains answered with low, ancient roars.
Valerius finally understood.
The Upper Realm had never possessed the power to conquer the mystic beast territories.
It had survived because Zara had allowed it to survive.
Lucian turned to the High Priest. "Prepare a formal peace accord."
The High Priest lowered his head. "Between the Upper Realm and Earth?"
"Between Earth, the Upper Realm, and the mystic beast territories."
The agreement required more than an end to the planned invasion.
All unauthorized passages to Earth would be closed. No human or mystic beast could cross between worlds without registration. The Upper Realm would return every person taken from Earth and disclose all experiments, infiltrations, and covert operations.
In return, Earth would establish controlled technological and cultural exchange with the Divine World.
The mystic beast territories would retain complete independence.
No clan, government, or ruler would be permitted to use the Wyrmheart Pearl or any similar sacred object to control another race.
Valerius listened without interruption.
When the High Priest finished reading, Zara asked, "Any objections?"
Valerius gave a quiet laugh. "Would they matter?"
"No."
"Then why ask?"
"Courtesy."
A formal delegation from Earth arrived two days later.
The signing took place at a secure international research base near the stabilized passage. Allen represented Earth's joint defense and research authority, while civilian diplomats represented the participating governments.
Valerius was required to appear in person.
The moment he stepped through the passage, he looked at Zara standing beside Allen.
"You arranged all of this quickly."
"I was motivated."
"By peace?"
"By the amount of money peaceful trade can make."
Allen closed his eyes.
Lucian almost smiled.
The peace accord was placed on the table.
Valerius read every page before signing.
His signature ended the planned invasion of Earth and stripped the remaining pro-war factions of legal authority.
Lucian signed as the acting Holy Sovereign.
Representatives of the mystic beast territories added their marks.
Finally, Earth signed.
The passage behind them glowed softly, no longer a route for invasion, but a controlled bridge between worlds.
Valerius set down the pen.
"You won."
Zara leaned against the table.
"That would imply we were ever evenly matched."
His expression darkened.
"You really haven't changed."
"I remembered who I was. That's different."
Lucian faced Valerius.
"You will surrender command of every Earth operation. Anyone responsible for abductions, sacrifices, or attacks on civilians will be investigated under the laws of the world where the crime occurred."
"And what happens to me?"
"For now, you live."
Valerius looked almost amused. "Mercy?"
"No," Zara said. "Practicality. You know the Upper Realm's political structure, and dismantling it overnight would create chaos."
She leaned closer.
"But if you interfere with Earth again, I'll personally drop you into the deepest forbidden zone and let the rulers decide who gets you first."
The Snow Dragon lifted his head eagerly.
Valerius looked away.
The accord was announced gradually rather than all at once. Earth first revealed breakthroughs in energy, medicine, and spatial science. Later, officials acknowledged contact with another inhabited world.
There was fear, confusion, and endless debate.
But there was no invasion.
For the first time, Earth and the Divine World faced each other as negotiating partners rather than conqueror and target.
Lucian remained Holy Sovereign only long enough to stabilize the transition and form a representative council.
Then he returned to Earth with Zara.
As they stepped through the passage, Zara looked at him.
"You gave up a throne."
"I already have a company."
"That's not the same."
"It produces more reliable income."
Zara nodded thoughtfully.
"Good point."
Lucian heard the satisfaction in her thoughts and shook his head.
The fate of two worlds had changed.
Zara was still primarily interested in the financial possibilities.
Some things were reassuringly permanent.