Reincarnated with a Military System in Another World

Chapter 196: Joined Hands



A week had passed since the Elven Council had agreed to take the first cautious steps toward collaboration. The mood on Akarios Island had been one of anticipation, but also apprehension. Vincent had made the necessary arrangements, and now the moment had finally come-the arrival of the dwarves.

The rumble of rotors filled the air as the Black Hawk helicopter descended, kicking up dust and debris. Soldiers stood at attention, their faces stoic but curious as they watched the approaching craft. Vincent and Princess Elara stood side by side on the landing pad, waiting. This meeting would be tense, Elara knew that, but it had to happen. The future of their war efforts depended on it.

As the helicopter's wheels touched the ground, its rotors began to slow, and the large side door slid open. From within, the imposing figure of Queen Velara emerged, her presence immediately commanding attention. She stepped out with practiced grace, her armored boots clicking against the metal floor of the helicopter. Her platinum silver hair was pulled back into a tight braid, and her sharp eyes scanned the area with the cold intensity that Vincent had come to expect from her.

Dwarven soldiers followed her, stepping out in perfect formation. Their armor gleamed under the sunlight. Their expressions were hard, battle-hardened, and focused. The sight of them would have been impressive to anyone unfamiliar with the dwarves, but Vincent and Elara had come to expect nothing less. The real test would be how the dwarves reacted to the elves present on the island.

As Queen Velara's gaze swept across the welcoming party, her eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the elves standing beside Vincent. Her lips tightened, betraying a flicker of disdain, but she said nothing. Instead, she moved forward, her posture rigid, and her eyes locked onto Vincent.

"Commander Vincent," she greeted him. She stopped a few feet away from him, sizing him up as if evaluating whether this alliance was worth the effort.

Vincent stepped forward, offering a respectful nod. "Queen Velara, welcome to Akarios Island. We're honored to have you here."

Velara's gaze shifted slightly toward Princess Elara, but she didn't speak to her. The tension between them was palpable, even without words.

"We have much to discuss," Vincent continued. "But first, let me introduce you to Princess Elara of the Elven Kingdom. She's leading the delegation from her people."

Elara stepped forward, her movements graceful and calm, though Vincent could see the strain beneath the surface. She extended her hand toward Velara, her voice steady as she spoke. "Queen Velara, it is an honor to meet you. I hope that together, we can forge a path forward that benefits both our people."

For a moment, Velara said nothing, her eyes flicking between Elara's outstretched hand and her face. The silence stretched, and Vincent held his breath, wondering if Velara would outright reject the gesture. Finally, with a short nod, Velara extended her own hand, her grip firm as she shook Elara's.

"The honor is mutual, Princess," Velara said, though her voice lacked warmth. "I hope your words reflect your council's willingness to set aside the past."

The handshake lingered for a moment longer than necessary before both women let go, their postures still stiff, but at least outwardly civil. It was a small victory, Vincent noted. At least the initial contact hadn't descended into hostility.

"Let's move inside," Vincent suggested, motioning toward the command center. "We've prepared a briefing room where we can discuss the details of this collaboration."

Queen Velara nodded, and the group began to walk toward the large command building nearby. Dwarven soldiers fell into formation behind their queen, their eyes scanning the surroundings with the vigilance of experienced warriors. The elves, who had been watching from a distance, exchanged wary glances but followed suit.

Inside the command center, the atmosphere was more controlled. The large briefing room had been prepared for the occasion, with a long table set up in the center.

As they all took their seats, the tension remained, but there was a sense of professionalism in the air. Both the elves and the dwarves knew that this meeting was not just about their long- held grudges; it was about survival.

Vincent stood at the head of the table, looking around at the assembled leaders. Elara sat to his right while Velara sat to his left, her expression unreadable but clearly evaluating every detail of the room and its occupants. Between them sat their respective advisors and officers, all of whom had a stake in the outcome of this meeting.

"I won't waste time. We all know what we're facing. The demons are unlike any enemy we've encountered before. Their forces are growing stronger, and if we continue to fight them separately, we will lose. It's as simple as that."

Velara folded her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And what exactly do you propose, Commander? Join hands with the elves?"

"That is my simple proposition," Vincent continued, his voice steady as he faced Queen Velara and Princess Elara. "The strength of our individual forces is no longer enough. The demons grow stronger with every passing day, and if we continue fighting our battles in isolation, we won't stand a chance."

Velara's sharp gaze flicked toward Elara once again, the distaste she held for the elves barely concealed. Her arms remained folded as she leaned back in her chair. "And you believe that simply combining forces will somehow erase centuries of bloodshed between our people?" Her voice carried a harsh, skeptical tone.

"No, Queen Velara," Vincent replied calmly, "I don't expect old wounds to heal overnight. But I do believe that this war is bigger than any of our past grievances. It's a war of survival, not conquest. The demons do not care for our histories, our pride, or our grudges. All they care for is destruction."

Princess Elara, who had remained composed despite the palpable tension between her and Velara, spoke next. "We're not here to forget the past, but to focus on the present. The survival of our people-of all people-depends on our ability to work together. We've each brought unique strengths to the table. Alone, they won't be enough, but together..." Velara's lips tightened, and she sat forward, her armored elbows resting on the table. "Words are fine, Princess. But how do you propose we work together when our methods are so different? Dwarven craftsmanship and elven magic have never mixed well. Do you think your magic can just... enhance our metals, our weapons, without consequences?"

Elara didn't flinch under Velara's challenge. "I believe that through cooperation and careful understanding, we can create something new. It won't be easy, but we have the chance to combine our abilities in ways that have never been done before. Your people are masters of metal and stone. Ours are masters of magic. And Sir Vincent and his team are their technologically advanced contraptions. Those three combined can create something far more powerful than we could on our own," Elara finished.

"That I get it as I'm fascinated by Sir Vincent's technology," Queen Velara paused for a moment, her gaze shifting toward Vincent, who stood silently observing the exchange.

"We can do small project," Elara finally said.

Queen Velara's eyes narrowed as she listened to Elara's proposal, her gaze flicking between the elven princess and Vincent. Her arms remained folded, but there was a sense that she was beginning to consider the proposition seriously.

"Small projects, you say," Velara repeated, her tone thoughtful but still cautious. She glanced at the gleaming table in the command center, as if contemplating the weight of the decision before her. "What exactly do you have in mind?"

Elara, sensing that the moment was crucial, leaned forward slightly. "We propose starting with weapon enhancements. Your dwarven craftsmanship is unparalleled in terms of strength and durability, but with elven magic, we can add further functionality-enhanced sharpness, durability under extreme conditions, and even self-repairing properties. Imagine a rifle that never jams or overheats in battle, a blade that cuts through even the hardest armor with ease, and shields that absorb the energy of magical attacks. Imagine all the possibilities!" Vincent, standing between the two leaders, nodded in agreement. "This would be a prototype project, starting small to build trust and demonstrate that our collaboration can yield results. If successful, we can expand to other areas such as fortifications, vehicles, or even shared military tactics. But we need to take the first step."

Velara leaned back in her chair, her expression still cautious, but the wheels were turning in her mind. The idea clearly intrigued her, despite her reservations about working with the elves. "A self-repairing weapon would certainly give us an advantage on the battlefield," she mused. "Dwarven steel alone is strong, but with magic woven into it... it could be something extraordinary." She turned her gaze back to Elara. "But how do we control the magic? Dwarves don't wield magic like your kind. Who ensures that the magic in these weapons doesn't cause more harm than good?"

Elara responded calmly, "Our enchanters will work closely with your blacksmiths. They will

understand the needs of your materials and your designs. It won't be a matter of imposing magic on your weapons, but rather blending it in a way that enhances their natural qualities. And we will make sure that your craftsmen have a full say in every step of the process."

"Okay...that's sounds reasonable."

"It is, so are we in agreement?" Elara asked.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Velara simply nodded.