28 The Ghimderi

Trade Prince Bixle Goldentooth had a toothy grin on his face as he mediated the discussion between the Admirals of the Alfheim Dominion and the Svartalfheim Federation. Though neither side had overtly attacked yet, the two factions were currently engaging with one another in open conflict via their proxies at the borders.

Since the Alfheim Dominion was not able to call upon the Germanic Star-Empire to ravage the enemies fleets, due to the threat which they were currently facing from the Naraku Hive Fleet Terminus. Nor could she call upon the Rylonian Imperium, who were destroyed by Terminus. Lunaria had been using several of her other vassals to wage war against her rival's proxies.

However, these vassals were not societies born and bred for the purpose of war, unlike the Germanic Star-Empire, and thus, they were far more evenly matched with their opponents. While the border wars continued to wage on, the Ghimderi Trade Prince Bixel Goldentooth had been chosen to mediate the dispute. Who began to speak of the terms he felt were most agreeable between the two factions.

"I think we all know what must be done here, so long as the two of you swear on behalf of your respective civilizations not to start a war. Then I believe the contested regions, which you are both fighting for control over, can be settled via your proxies, who are already engaging in combat with each other as we speak.

Though I must say, I fear the Alfheim Dominion is at a disadvantage since the tragedy with the Rylonian Imperium has occurred. Perhaps if you could order those violent curs of yours to enter the fray, then you might be able to even the odds, but I hear they are currently entrenched in a war with a minor power. And it will be several months before they are able to enter this conflict."

The Dark Elf Admiral smirked with satisfaction as he heard that the Germanic Star-Empire would not be able to interfere in this dispute, after all, their proxies had lost the last one hundred wars with those vicious beasts, and it would appear that the Ghimderi Trade Prince had the same opinion as the Dark Elves when it came to the Germanic people. Thus, he took advantage of the situation to gain some favor from Bixle, who had vast control over the Galaxy's economy.

"I might be able to broker an end to these hostilities all together, after all, if certain conditions are met by the Ghimderi Trade Union, then I am sure the President will be more than happy to give up on reclaiming our lost territory, I have an offer that Mr. Goldentooth might find appealing….

If the Alfheim Dominion agrees to force those savages, you refer to as Germans to accept the Ghimderi Banking Clans into their Empire, and the Ghimderi Trade Union agrees to pay us a broker's fee for arranging this agreement, then I see no reason to continue squabbling over a few border systems for the next one hundred years."

While this deal might seem to be beneficial to the Alfheim Dominion on the surface, the reality was that if Celestia accepted this offer, it would have long reaching consequences. She knew that neither the Germanic Star-Empire nor her mother would ever accept this offer. After all, her mother had a policy of not interfering with her vassal's sovereignty unless they did not meet their dues.

If Lunaria forced the Germanic Star-Empire to accept the Ghimderi Banking Clans into their Empire, then she would not only be losing the loyalty of her most favored war hound, but she would also be inviting rebellion from a hundred other interstellar civilizations, all of which maintained their sovereignty when it came to internal matters. Such a deal would tear the western quadrant apart, and the Dark Elf Admiral knew this, hence why he had posed such a tantalizing deal to the avaricious Trade Prince.

Yet, despite the consequences this would have on galactic stability, the Trade Prince did not even seem to care in the slightest. He was practically salivating at the idea of forcing his way into the Germanic Star Empire, whose self-sufficient economy was a threat to the Trade Union's wealth and power.

If the rest of the Interstellar States across the Milky Way began to pursue a position of economic autarky, the Ghimderi Trade Union would lose everything. This is why they had spent so much effort trying to force their way into the Germanic markets, and had wasted a considerable sum turning the rest of the Galaxy against the Germanic race with galactic wide propaganda.

Yet despite all their efforts, even going so far as to influence other civilizations to wage war against the Empire, the Germanic race stood untied and defiant against the Ghimderi Trade Union, growing ever stronger as the years went by. Thus Bixle immediately rubbed his hands in an avaricious gesture as he sided with the Svartalfheim Dominion, and in doing so violated his position as a mediator.

"I must say, this is indeed an excellent proposal. I see no other alternative which can avoid an all out war and ensure peace across the Galaxy. Would you not agree, your highness?"

Celestia was practically scowling at the two faced hook-nosed twat from the Ghimderi Trade Union. Of course, he would immediately disregard his role as mediator when the first bribe came his way. As a result, Celestia immediately put her foot down in these negotiations and called out Bixle for his bullshit.

"It's funny, my mother once told me of a quote, which originates from the first Supreme Leader of the Germanic Star-Empire when he first encountered your race. It believed it was something along the lines of:

The Ghimderi is immunized against all dangers: One may call him a scoundrel, parasite, swindler, profiteer. It all runs off him like water off a raincoat. But call him a Ghimderi and you will be astonished at how he recoils, how injured he is, how he suddenly shrinks back. I have been found out…"

The origin of this quote was a direct copy of Joseph Goebbels' remarks regarding the Jewish people of Earth. To which the first Supreme Leader of the Germanic Star-Empire simply substituted the word Jew with Ghimderi. If one thought about every negative stereotype associated with the Jewish people, whether or not they were true, and applied it to the Ghimderi race, then it would indeed be a realistic depiction of the alien species.

Naturally, Bixle had heard this quote before, and was quite perturbed that the Alfheim Princess would dare to utter it aloud in front of him. His beady eyes narrowed as his sharp teeth twisted into a hideous snarl. He knew exactly what the relatively young woman was accusing him of, and was insulted not because it was a false allegation, but because it was completely true.

The Dark Elf Admiral was horrified that the young Light Elf princess had the guts to call Bixle out on his schemes. He was beginning to think that the girl was either incredibly brave or an absolute moron. After all, the Ghimderi trade union had enough power to collapse the economy of the Alfheim Dominion. By insulting one of their Trade Princes, with a particularly disparaging remark about their entire species, it was inviting an economic disaster.

Yet, Celestia did not appear the slightest bit concerned about such a thing, and simply stared down the tiny and fat goblin before speaking aloud in an authoritative tone.

"The Alfheim Dominion has the military power to destroy your so called "homeworld", and don't you forget it! Now, I suggest you rethink your priorities, because from what I see, you, our supposed mediator, is seriously considering a bribe, and if that gets out to the rest of the galaxy, I wonder how many civilizations will continue to employ your species as mediators in their conflicts."

Despite having every urge to employ economic sanctions against the Alfheim Dominion, Bixle did not dare do so. They had spent a considerable amount of time and effort manipulating the galaxy's perspective of their species, and if word of this little incident were to get out, then it would be disastrous for the entirety of the Ghimderi Trade Union.

Thus, with a deep breath to calm his nerves, Bixle forced a toothy smile, as he nodded his head in agreement with Celestia's assessment, before going back to the initial plan of de-escalation.

"Very well, you have made your point… I believe I have no choice but to decline your offer, Admiral. Instead, I will stick to my initial proposal of continuing this conflict via proxies. Are there any objections to this from either side?"

Celestia silently shook her head, showing that she had no objections. While the Dark Elf Admiral was visibly scowling over the fact that his bribe had been denied, and was forced to revert this conflict back to a proxy war. While gritting his teeth, he agreed to the original deal, and begrudgingly so.

"Fine… I have no qualms about this resolution. Whoever wins this proxy war gets control of the contested star systems!"

After saying this, the Dark Elf Admiral hung up, leaving the Ghimderi Trade Prince and Light Elf princess alone, to which Bixle chuckled sinisterly as he made a foreboding remark.

"You better watch your back princess, the remarks that you just made have made you an enemy of the Ghimderi, and you know as well as I what happens to those who oppose us…."

After saying this, Bixle hung up as well, leaving Celestia by herself as she sighed heavily. Realizing that although she had avoided plunging the western quadrant into chaos, she had just painted a target on her back by a race that was known for covertly assassinating those who posed a threat to their narrative.

With this in mind, the Crown Princess of the Alfheim Dominion suddenly found herself having more respect for the Germanic Star-Empire, who so boldly told the truth about the Ghimderi, despite the danger it presented to their entire civilization.