“… … 2 You want the prince to meet me and the family head of Solstad?”
“Yes, Mayor.”
Dyde’s eyes shimmered with life.
Even the member of the Yorgil family who reported it flinched.
He barely suppressed his simmering anger.
As if considering such a Dade, Schwein asked.
“Anything else besides that?”
“… … Yes, it was written that I would like to discuss the transfer of Allied bodies.”
“… … !”
At those words, Daid’s body trembled.
It was because the body of his brother was also included in it.
“If you wish to comply with this, it was written that you should only bring the agreed-upon force to the proposed location.”
“Okay, let’s meet.”
Dyde’s immediate answer made Schwein’s pupils widen.
“Isn’t that too hasty an answer? You have to think about what your real purpose is… … .”
“I understand being wary, but wouldn’t it be nice to meet? It’s not like they’re calling in enemies.”
“… … That’s right, I don’t think the option of meeting you will change if you think about it.”
The next day, the two families led only the promised level of troops and came out to the designated place.
“What is the price of surrendering the body? 2 princes.”
“Is it straight to the point without greeting? Not bad.”
I smiled slightly, then continued.
“In exchange for the transfer, I would like to delay the start of the war by a month.”
The eyes of the two heads of families sharpened.
From the point of view of the allied forces, there was no need to give the enemy that much time, and there was no benefit to be gained from this, so it was a natural reaction.
“This is an unacceptable offer. When I asked what he was saying… … .”
“Hmm, wouldn’t it be nice if you had a lot of time as well? Knowing what variables to face if you hurry.”
“Two princes.”
Daid’s voice was low.
There was considerable anger in his tone, and I waited in silence for the next word.
“Aren’t you shameless?”
“Sorry? What are you talking about?”
“You arbitrarily set a start date for a subject who betrayed us? Aren’t all the guys in the kingdom doing nothing like this?”
“You are mistaken about something, Daid Yorgil. I have never betrayed you.”
“… … what?”
A question appeared on Daid’s face, which was full of murder.
After taking a sneak peek at Schwein, I opened my mouth.
“I was planning on handing over half of the supplies as promised until you realize your true intentions.”
“Really?”
“You were thinking of putting a sword in the kingdom’s back after capturing Henrik, right?”
“… … .”
Schwein’s stare, staring down, was fixed on me.
Of course, it wasn’t information I found out through spying, it was just my guess.
But there’s a high probability you’ll be right.
Even if you didn’t plan it specifically, it must have been something you were always conscious of.
“I didn’t give half of the promised supplies, but I still paid for what I received. Am I wrong?”
“… … under! It sounds like you’re using a courtesy.”
“I am only proving my innocence. Were any of the goods exported by the kingdom inferior in quality?”
“… … .”
Dyde did not hide his bewilderment.
That’s also true, because Rien and I’s actions were very premeditated.
However, the two family lords did not say that.
It was because I knew that nothing would change if I put it in my mouth now.
“Me and you, in the end, just moved for each other’s benefit. So I think arguing about this is a waste of time.”
“It seems that setting the start of the war one month later is also for the benefit of the kingdom.”
“It is as you say.”
“Then I can’t listen any more. We no longer look down on the kingdom.”
Dyde’s attitude was firm.
Of the three families, he was the one who looked down on the kingdom the most, so there would be no need to mention other places.
“My brother, I cannot underestimate you guys who drove the army led by Brood to annihilation.”
“As I’ve heard, the friendship seems to be deep.”
“… … You better be careful with your remarks, 2nd Prince. If I had to, I could tear your limbs right here.”
“Know that you’re not the only one with feelings, Daid Yorgil.”
Those were the words of Shardan, who had been silent.
Both of them didn’t release magic power.
The pressure alone felt was considerable.
At this, I shrugged and said.
“I haven’t said anything yet, but threatening like this makes my hamstrings numb.”
“… … .”
“I still have to say something. Even if you don’t receive the body of your dearest brother, can you accept my offer?”
“Yes, it is impossible.”
“Schwein Solstad, how are you?”
“Me too, because one month is too much of a burden.”
Daid was in an atmosphere of firm determination, but Schwein was not.
He seemed to be calm, but he could feel that he was thinking a lot inside.
“The benefits of accepting it are small.”
“It’s an advantage… … Are you saying we don’t need the corpses of those who follow the family?”
“It’s good to appease the soul by honoring the dead, but all those who went to the battlefield were prepared for death.”
I knew something about Schwein Solstad.
He is calm and always uses respect, but he is a very ruthless and calculating man.
‘Inabet Henrik told me that Solstad had been most actively considering the methods of the Resurrection Church.’
That’s why I roughly expected what Schwein’s advantage was.
In order to use the power that the Regeneration Church used to raise the level by force, I needed materials.
One of the things used there was a human corpse.
But even that had to be a recent death, and the bodies of the allies were already several days old.
That’s why I’m just saying that it’s useless.
‘Maybe not, but…’ … Anyway, the target to attack is Yorgil, as expected.’
I let out a big sigh.
And then I acted like I was embarrassed.
The two family heads stared at me with suspicious eyes.
“I can’t help it, I’ll take a step back.”
“Are you backing down?”
“I’ll do it in three weeks, not a month. Wouldn’t this be appropriate?”
“I can’t accept it, it’s just… … .”
“This may have nothing to do with you, but I put a lot of effort into bringing this condition out.”
“… … What do you mean?”
“The Rien soldiers tried to humiliate the corpses of the allied soldiers, saying they had to repay their grudge.”
“… … !”
“I have to give back as much as I suffered or something… … I couldn’t understand it, but I managed to persuade the Rien family to stop it.”
“It was according to His Highness’ will that it was for negotiations. Otherwise, there is no reason to leave you haters alone.”
“You bastard, Shardan… … !”
“How many of my bloodlines have you killed, what’s the point of playing with a corpse?”
Quaang-!
Daid jumped out of his seat in a rage.
I felt a rage that seemed like it would come running at any moment.
Shardan confronted it head-on, but his appearance was terrifyingly calm.
Even I, who knew it was acting, doubted his true intentions… … .
“Do you really want a beastly slaughter battle? Shardan Rien… … !”
“I don’t want to hear such words from you guys who invaded others blinded by greed and even held hands with the Resurrection Church.”
“Could you both calm down a bit? I’m not done with my story yet.”
“… … Yes, Your Highness.”
“… … .”
At my words, Daid sat down again, but the lifeless look in his eyes was still the same.
“Anyway, just know that I had a hard time convincing the Gaju and Rien soldiers.”
“… … Are you going to blackmail me with that?”
“I’m just telling the truth. As a person of honor, I don’t think that kind of anger is good.”
“… … .”
“So, this is my last offer. If you set the start of the war in two weeks, I will hand over the body.”
“… … !”
Daed’s eyes widened.
Unlike a month, if it’s two weeks, you’ll think it’s okay.
There was also a place where I set unreasonable conditions from the beginning aiming for this.
‘Well, I can’t actually get a dramatic effect with this.’
To be honest, this negotiation would be good if accepted, but if not, it would be a bit disappointing.
It was just to increase the time to communicate by rolling my head… … .
Still, if accepted, it will help to increase the odds.
“Can’t you agree… … .”
“I accept the offer.”
Dyde’s answer made Schwein’s expression distorted.
Sensing that he would come out here, I tried to dissuade him, but it was too late.
“Be cool, Lord Yorgil. There is no reason to give them time.”
“It’s just a one-week grace period. And that kind of preparation period isn’t bad for us either.”
“… … .”
“Promise me, 2nd Prince. I will hand over the dead without touching a hair.”
“Of course. Schwein Solstad, what will you do?”
“… … There would be no point in rejecting it alone. I will accept it.”
“Okay, then we’ll end the meeting with this.”
“… … joy.”
The moment I got up like that, I turned around and said to Daid.
“Brood, who showed his will to die until the end, was truly honorable and worthy of imitation, Daid Yorgil.”
At my words, he paused for a moment and answered without showing his face.
“Of course it’s my proud little brother.”
A few days later, as promised, the body was safely handed over.
This bought me a little extra time, but I didn’t fully believe it.
Because this promise can be broken at any time in war.
“But it probably won’t.”
The SS listened to my guess.
Thanks to the grace period, I was going to meet the leader of the western warriors.
It was to discuss the future fight with Shardan.
“Do you think it’s because they have to save face too?”
It was Alan’s question after hearing my guess.
To this, I shook my head lightly and replied.
“Rather than that, I’d say it’s because they’re not sure they’ll finish us off with this attack.”
“… … Ah, I see what you mean.”
If I have the confidence to completely end this side with this war, I won’t bother to protect it.
They have no trust or respect to be shown to a being that will disappear, they have a strong-willed mindset.
But the current kingdom is not like that.
“Still, I will send all the vigilance and reconnaissance. There is one in ten thousand.”
It was also related to this point that I praised Brood to Yorgil’s family head.
I don’t know what will happen after that, but I thought there was no need to stimulate each other’s feelings too much.
It is not too late to vent such anger when victory is assured.
‘They’re not even the damn Ronberg elders, so I can do this level of congratulations.’
That’s how we arrived at the territory of the western warriors.
The place where they live is rather desolate.
It was a place where the sand and dust blowing violently rather than the thick bushes welcomed me.
‘There are so many things they need to find out… … .’
The result of research while staying on the Feyer continent for over half a year.
Most of the information about the Old Gods was held by Western warriors.
Even Mom told me to research the information they had… … .
‘I can also find out more things related to Heaven and the evil spirits.’
In addition, in order to gain an advantage in the future war, they had to obtain their full cooperation.
So I faced it with the thought of trying to please you as much as possible.
“You, the traces of the filthy evil spirit remain.”
… … The western warrior’s words pierced me with considerable hostility.