Chapter: 5. Negotiation Breakdown? (5K)
Belis’s direct yet not entirely straightforward gaze made Shaya’s smooth long hair bristle.
Hiss… This feeling is like being looked at by a cat that has spotted catnip, making one feel quite flustered!
Belis cooperated with the queen sister’s hope to conceal her identity~ She only occasionally glanced over with her peripheral vision, never staring directly to cause trouble for the queen sister.
Fortunately, this is the council chamber.
The sounds of negotiation would always break the uncanny atmosphere.
Marquis Hanks, the representative of the Demon Territory, had already begun to take the lead in the discussions according to the plans prepared in advance.
“Regarding the issue of the negotiation site, Mr. Rom, as you can see, we have ultimately settled on this place, which is on your Aulus Kingdom’s territory.”
“However, according to the proposal we submitted from the Demon Territory earlier, we prefer to arrange it in the neutral zone of the Holo Great Forest at the border between the Demon Race and the Human Race. Yet your side has repeatedly rejected this, and it was only after our side offered exceptional preferential conditions that we decided on this negotiation site.”
“Although our side made concessions for the sake of peace between both parties, may I ask you, Mr. Rom, can I interpret your side’s repeated refusals as still holding hostility toward the Demon Territory and not wishing to negotiate with an attitude of equality?”
With each of Hanks’s statements, the sound of Rom’s accompanying personnel quickly flipping through documents could be heard.
They needed to ensure that the objections raised were indeed factual and not just bluster for negotiating leverage.
This question actually did not require their confirmation.
As to why the negotiation site must be set here, Rom understood better than anyone.
After all… it was Rom himself who insisted on having the negotiation site within the Aulus Kingdom.
Rom elbowed the documents on the table, stroked his graying beard with one hand, and met Hanks’s ominous gaze head-on, choosing to respond straightforwardly.
“Mr. Hanks, regarding your question, it is indeed a fact that our attitude toward the Demon Territory is not clear. For the sake of caution, we had no choice but to set the negotiation site on our territory to ensure Her Highness the Princess’s safety; I hope you can understand.”
“Oh? Where did this come from? The Demon Territory’s attitude has always been clear; as long as your kingdom releases our princess, the Demon Territory is willing to create a period of stable peace with your kingdom. Mr. Rom, we are not a warlike race after all.”
“I would like to believe in your sincerity, but Mr. Hanks, you cannot represent the entire Demon Territory…”
As the core of a nation’s diplomacy, Rom’s sharp gaze was honed from years spent in the smoke-free battlefield.
After a pause, Rom continued.
“I would like to ask Mr. Hanks, since you are dissatisfied with our chosen negotiation site, could you explain the sudden appearance of the Six-Winged Demon Jeffrey at our kingdom’s hero Xialet’s birthday banquet a few days ago? Can you explain the mysterious demon who impersonated a contestant during the championship match at our gladiatorial arena yesterday with unclear motives? If you can clarify these issues, I would certainly consider relocating our negotiation site to the neutral Holo Great Forest right now.”
“This…”
Hmm?
At this moment, Belis’s hair did a little wiggle on top of her head.
Oh dear… It seems I have inadvertently caused some trouble for the negotiation team again?
Hanks had heard of these incidents, but even he did not fully understand the specifics of the situation.
He had no knowledge about the mysterious demon at the gladiatorial arena, and the prior attack by Lord Jeffrey on the capital and the subsequent lack of punishment upon returning to the Demon Territory indicated that it was implicitly allowed by the royal family. Yet as the foreign minister, he knew nothing about it.
Sigh… This job is not easy.
Not only do you have to contend with the opponent’s negotiators, but you also have to gauge the Demon King’s thoughts.
Shaking his head helplessly, Hanks could only gloss over the matter.
“Um… We will continue to investigate these incidents; there may be unnecessary misunderstandings involved. Let’s not dwell on this unpleasant topic today; the main issue we need to discuss is far more important, isn’t it?”
“Yes, you are quite right.”
Rom nodded and smiled, clearly satisfied that this topic would not be probed further.
Livra was recording negotiation techniques in a small notebook she carried with her; she had much to learn.
Of course, negotiation records do not require too much time to compile.
At this moment, Livra pondered as she wrote.
With elegant strokes, she penned an extra note.
“Miss Shaya seems to like eating fish, aside from donuts.”
“Fish, referring to big fish.”
Perfect.
Oh… In order to become stronger and to better punish evil and uphold justice, Her Highness the Princess really hopes to learn from Miss Shaya.
How does someone so young gain such courage and strength? It’s truly admirable.
Livra was becoming more curious about Shaya and increasingly envious of her bravery.
While Livra was busy recording, the negotiation had entered the main stage, leading to heated exchanges.
The issue regarding the fate of the first princess of the demon race was being contested just as expected.
“Excuse my directness; our attitude from the Demon Territory is clear: we must bring back our first princess.”
“I understand the demands from the demon side; however, Mr. Hanks, you must understand that your princess was captured by our hero during the war. Now, your side demands we release her unconditionally, which is unreasonable. Be aware that to reach the current result, our nation has also made significant sacrifices.”
“Your sacrifices will be rewarded. Once our Demon Territory welcomes back the princess, we will promise a lasting peace with the Aulus Kingdom.”
“Then may I ask how this peace will be fulfilled? How can it be guaranteed?”
“This is a formal diplomatic environment. Since I represent the demon race and have said this, it is a promise. Just like the agreements we have signed in history.”
In response, Rom could only shake his head and smile bitterly.
“Haha… If I recall correctly, at the time our current king assumed office, both of our parties were in a state of peace. However, the Demon Territory unilaterally tore up the agreement due to some minor friction, which led to the current war. Do you believe that a mere piece of paper can truly have any effect?”
At this point.
Hanks had already stood up, both hands on the table.
Along with him, the other demons excluding Belis also stood up.
Hanks adjusted his single-frame glasses and shifted his gaze from the far left of the human representatives to the far right.
His tone grew colder, mixed with disdain.
“I ask Mr. Rom to be clear that the person currently imprisoned in your kingdom’s capital is not an ordinary demon soldier, but the princess of our entire Demon Territory, the biological daughter of the Demon King Dizna Aulus. I reiterate our position: release our princess, and we will reconcile. Continue to imprison her, and war will reignite. Please weigh the pros and cons carefully, Mr. Rom.”
“Oh… So that’s how it is… Is what Mr. Hanks said also the intention of His Majesty the Demon King?”
“His Majesty did not directly express this intention, but the meaning does not need to be stated. The bond of blood cannot be said otherwise, and there is no need to speculate.”
“I see…”
A slight dullness emerged in Rom’s bright eyes, revealing a hint of an almost imperceptible sense of powerlessness.
Diplomacy requires the backing of national strength.
The overall strength of the Demon Territory is quite formidable and confident, showing no concern. They are convinced that the kingdom does not dare to touch Xue Fei Ahl beyond words, so they continue to push without agreeing to any conditions proposed by the kingdom, not even inquiring about the kingdom’s terms.
In contrast, the kingdom’s only substantial leverage is the life of the demon princess, threatening the greatest loss to the demon race, even to the point of mutual destruction.
Unless absolutely unavoidable… this option will not be used.
Not using it—does not mean it won’t be mentioned.
Right on cue.
Rom’s dim eyes suddenly flickered with a resilient light as the image of the second princess of the demon race, nonchalantly sitting there, reflected in his mind.
Heh…
Is this the breakthrough?
Rom lightly tapped the table with his fingers, producing a rhythmical sound reminiscent of a countdown.
This sound accompanied his seemingly calm speech.
It appeared that everything he did was bland and powerless.
But the content of his speech… was like thunder on a clear day!
“No problem. If the Demon Territory is unwilling to make any concessions and is resolute in this attitude, we will consider executing Princess Xue Fei or, without causing her death, punishing her as retribution against the demons. The Aulus Kingdom does what it says.”
As these words landed, Hanks’s eyes widened in shock as he stood there.
He could hardly believe his ears! How dare this old man say such things?!
His reaction didn’t matter.
What mattered was…
—Princess Belis also retracted her previously indifferent attitude, turning her gradually cold gaze toward the negotiating table.
Yes, exactly.
What you said is right, Hanks; the Demon King’s familial bond doesn’t need to be explicitly stated.
Perhaps you diplomatic representatives never even consider the life and death of Xue Fei Ahl in the same balance as national interests, after all, she and you are merely in a superior-subordinate relationship. Even if the princess were to perish, you might only express symbolic sorrow and mourning before continuing your advance—perhaps your morale would even surge due to anger.
But this weighs differently for Princess Belis.
They are sisters.
Even among nobility, it is impossible to turn a blind eye to the potential persecution of their loved ones.
Belis is still young, and even if the Demon King can bear to give up his daughter, it doesn’t mean that Belis can manage such a level of detachment.
The more crucial point is, the one who can make decisions here is not you, Hanks.
But rather, the second princess of the demon race right in front of them.
Belis’s gaze grew increasingly frosty.
At this moment, her expression resembled someone looking down from a height, as if she were observing ants, completely devoid of emotion.
As calm as a bottomless abyss.
Although this gaze made Rom and the others feel a primal sense of panic, they were those fighting for their nation’s interests and naturally could not give ground an inch.
So Rom stood up, wanting to give himself more backbone.
“Princess Belis, I urge you to think carefully. If you insist on going to war, your queen sister will likely experience a fate worse than death during this time, which is not what either of us wishes to see, is it?”
Worse than death? Who?
Xue Fei blinked, looking at Xiya, then glancing toward the negotiation table.
She had just zoned out, hearing that someone might face a fate worse than death, thinking someone was about to cut off her snack supply!
What in the world… Who has such cruel intentions?!
Rom saw Hanks gritting his teeth and knew he had securely played his card.
However…
What he did not expect was that the deep indifference on Princess Belis’s face suddenly vanished.
What replaced it was a nonchalant smirk.
As if mocking Rom’s ineptitude.
And her next words made even the elder Rom find them hard to believe.
“It seems Mr. Rom is ready to tear the face off… That’s fine. Our demons were not particularly inclined to war again at this time, but your words have truly angered me, you know? Just right, fellow demons, didn’t you all record Mr. Rom’s speech with the magic stones you brought? So, if the demon race were to go to war again soon, Mr. Rom’s words just now would be the reason for reigniting the flames of war!”
“Hah?!”
Rom could hardly believe his ears!
Do you mean to say that you don’t care at all about your sister’s life or death?!
Are you willing to sacrifice family ties to satisfy the so-called ethereal honor of nobility?!
This was worlds apart from everything Rom had previously understood!
Seeing that negotiations had already broken down and the demons were quickly packing up to leave, Princess Belis returned to her aloof attitude, calmly sipping her tea…
Rom was truly panicking this time!
Though this negotiation might not yield results, he absolutely could not become the eternal sinner that reignites war!
There was no choice; he had to pull out his last trump card to intimidate the other side.
“W-wait! Please, everyone, don’t be too extreme…! To be honest, our Aulus Kingdom has recently reestablished contact with high-level races, and they said they are willing to protect us when war reignites! Please… please don’t push us both into the abyss!”
“Ah, ah, ah… Mr. Rom seems to have misunderstood something.”
Belis delicately twisted the handle of her teacup, placing it down on the table.
It looked like she placed it down lightly, but the sound of the cup setting down felt particularly heavy.
Previously, she had shown respect for the human tea.
But now, the action of putting down the teacup felt like tossing it aside as if it were an unnecessary item.
Or perhaps from the beginning,
she never thought human tea was good to drink.
Afterward, she slowly stood up.
As she lazily stretched, five black wings appeared along with her dark magic, expanding gradually to the sides in rhythm with her relaxed posture.
It had an air of mythological epic oppression.
The less one could discern her emotional fluctuation, the more it awakened the human race’s intrinsic fear of the unknown.
“And you… First, you misunderstood the first thing: it is not I who is pushing each other into the abyss, but you who are imprisoning and restraining the queen sister. And the second thing… ‘high-level races’… do you know why the demon race is not considered a high-level race?”
“……”
“Aha, silence means you know, right?! That’s right! For hundreds of years, our demon race has been not only feared by your human race but even those high-level races… have done everything possible to unite and suppress our power, driving us into the corners of this continent. Tell me… if they were truly that ‘high-level,’ why would they need to unite? Isn’t that strange? Right? Right?”
“You… you must not be so arrogant… There are still many powerful existences in this world…”
“Mhm! I know, I know! You want to say that there are many powerful existences in this world! But unfortunately, they are powerful, yet~ they are not strong compared to your human race, right?”
“You… you…!! cough cough… cough cough cough!!”
“Lord Rom!!”
Rom, enraged, clutched his hurting chest as he slumped back into his chair, beginning to cough violently.
Clearly, as a diplomat, being insulted in such a manner at this occasion was overwhelming, and he was likely to be taken away for emergency treatment, making it hard to continue competing with the demon race.
This operation by Belis was certainly something that Xue Fei, as her older sister, had to nod and acknowledge!
“Well… Not bad, not bad. This child has always been eloquent since childhood; she even scolded me in the palace, and it was even harsher back then!”
“Xue Fei, what kind of life did you lead before… Wait, is Rom okay?!”
“He’s fine, fine. Healing magic can sense it; he was just provoked by Belis and overexerted himself. He’ll likely just need to lay down for a few weeks and will be fine. Nothing much to worry about.”
“Lay down for a few weeks…? Oh dear, poor Lord Rom, you should take care of yourself. Yet isn’t this a bad situation? Negotiations have collapsed, and the demon race indeed seems poised to launch another war. Won’t you have to step forward to the Demon Territory, Xue Fei?”
“It’s not that serious; Belis was just angry to hear Rom speaking ill of me, so she vented. Once she has calmed down, it wouldn’t really… uh, oh no, this girl can really do anything!”
“Unexpected that things would turn out this way. It’s fine, Xue Fei, I… I’ll stop your sister later, and you can come with me. In any case, we cannot let this escalate!”
“Damn it, you’ve just said something absolutely correct, I really…”
Xue Fei’s words hadn’t finished.
The negotiation table, which should have been completely quiet, unexpectedly rang with a soft, incongruous voice.
“P-please wait! Princess of the demon race, our meeting is not completely over, right…? May I… may I have a few final words? After listening, you can decide whether to restart the war!”
“Hmm?”
Belis, who had intended to turn and leave, looked back.
It seemed there was a slightly foolish guy eagerly calling out to her.
Oh ho… If she recalled correctly, this was the princess of the human race?
She had forgotten about her presence since she hadn’t spoken a word until now.
No worries, it wouldn’t take much time to see what she wanted to say.
After all, Belis also wished to sneak more glances at her queen sister~
The formerly empty human negotiation table was now a chaotic scene due to the recent developments.
Everyone was busy dragging Rom off for emergency treatment, and the originally dignified and orderly negotiation table was now completely empty.
Meanwhile, the previously intended observer, the third princess, stood alone here, her fists clenched tightly.
Her strikingly beautiful emerald eyes flickered with tension.
Within the tension…
Gleamed the subtle glow of the royal bloodline sword and shield.
