"…If you are the one seeking this alliance, then you will have to pay the price."
Arro's smile widened slightly, his tone calm but cutting. "You mean to tell me you'll give nothing in return, and the pact won't even be eternal—merely bound by time? I must say, there's a striking lack of appreciation for the Grave Centennial Empire here. Still, I'll assume it's just a negotiation tactic."
He arched an eyebrow, feigning amusement. "But no, I won't give you ten fleets. Five will be my limit, especially since you're setting a time constraint."
"Only five?" Ezekiel frowned deeply, his eyes narrowing before he looked off into the distance. "Fine then—one thousand years."
"Just that?" Arro's brows twitched as he folded his arms. "That's barely a cultivation retreat! Why not make it ten thousand years instead? This alliance will benefit you too—it'll strengthen your flank. You know we don't have any major enemies at the moment."