Price of Management

The day after the banquet ended, negotiations began.

King Erik, King of the Orients, King Kars, and Earl Ranzhel. Representatives of your forces have negotiated at one table.

Early aspects began with a frontal conflict between Emperor Kars and Earl Ranzhel.

“Before we enter into negotiations, we demand the return of Castel Castle, which the Horn Empire has freely occupied. ”

“ ……. ”

While Emperor Kars is doing nothing else, Earl Ranzhel continues.

“By attacking Castel Castle, we can assume that the war has actually begun. Negotiating with the enemy is absurd and we are planning to restrain a merchant ship headed for the Horn Empire from crossing the Baden River. So first, you must choose whether Emperor Karshhorn will return to war or Castel Castle. ”

Emperor Kars opened his mouth calmly.

“I don't want a war. ”

“Then do you wish to return Castel Castle?" ”

“No returns. ”

Earl Ranzhel smiles.

“That doesn't make sense. Are you talking to me as a child? ”

“Depends on how old you think a child is. ”

“That's odd. He's not a child at his age, but he's definitely a child who's pushing my boundaries. ”

Earl Ranzhel provoked Emperor Kars with bold words, unlike a calm tone.

King Erik and King of Orion also looked at the reaction of Emperor Kars with an interesting look.

However, Emperor Kars had no emotional distress at all. I just spoke in a grave voice.

“Then I'm not a child. I'm not pushing it. ”

“Then why haven't you returned Castel Castle? You don't want to send 100,000 troops in advance, take Castel Castle, and then return it to us or start a war?" ”

“Yes.”

The fierce actions of Emperor Kars annoy the opponent.

Earl Ranzhel, however, calmly said with a calming face.

“Isn't that what you're forced to do? ”

“No.”

“If you're serious about negotiating, I think you need to explain. ”

“For a long time, the Horn Empire has been devastated by a group called the Jehovah Empire. Occupied the Baden River Basin, you raised tolls every year to satisfy your own greed without considering international relations. Thanks to this, the country of import-dependence was forced to live a life deprived by its people due to lack of supplies, and I don't want to think about the damage caused during the last great famine and black blood disease. As a punishment, he raised an army to take Castel Castle. ”

Emperor Kars added:

“The occupation of Castel Castle is a piece of advice and a lesson to me, and by the way, I don't want war, but I have no reason to be afraid. If you want to take it back, try it. ”

Earl Ranzhel glances at Emperor Kars.

“The point is that due to the high toll on the Baden River, the economy of the Horn Empire has been ravaged, but the Emperor has not yet understood the situation of his country. And let me tell you a story for him. ”

“Tell me.”

“Ten merchants made it through the Baden River to the Horn Empire. And only one of them made it back from the market safely. What about the other nine? ”

“I don't know.”

“Five were killed by the nomads of the Horn Empire. Three people stopped by the village of the Horn Empire and lost their lives after being attacked by villagers. The other one was captured by the Lord of the Horn Empire and driven out alive with all his belongings stolen. ”

“You're all out of luck. ”

“This is your situation. Did any of the ten merchants fail to do business because the toll on the Baden River was so high? This means that you can't blame us for the internal issues that you have to solve on your own. And if you want to regain your strength, did God tell you to try? We are already preparing to reclaim it with force. And when it's really tried, the relationship between the two countries will get out of control. It means no more compromise. So you might want to reconsider returning Castel Castle. ”

Earl Ranzhel's fierce aggression cooled down the negotiation table.

Even Emperor Kars' expressionless appearance did not show the slightest hint of retreat.

“It is clear that there is a problem with the mark, but it is not right to over-pack it with a story that has no objective indicator and cover your problem. This is the meeting to discuss the toll tax on the Baden River. And one more thing. ”

Emperor Kars smiled strangely as he twisted his lips.

“There are about 3,000 prisoners held during the occupation of Castel Castle, bringing together the sons of Earl Lindell. It's not the war that's keeping them alive. You should be thankful for that. If you want war, I will follow the example that Grand Duke Crocente Bezalius gave me. ”

Earl Ranzhel's stiff face twitches.

King Erik couldn't help but notice the uncomfortable look on his face.

Grand Duke Crocente Bezalius.

A figure who made the realm of the Horn the strongest nation in history, collapsing with near-minded mercenary magic. It is said to be the nearest conquest of the continent in human history. At that time, Orwen, who was a great empire, suffered a rapid decline, surrender, and eventually succumb to her inner kingdom over and over.

In addition to his many accomplishments, there was another anecdote that made his name famous.

Duke Bezalius has never spared a prisoner.

I burned them all.

Not a single one left.

Such atrocities led to a demonic reputation and fear, which always terrified the enemies who fought him.

In return, he had to live with his guilt for the rest of his life.

Even now, hundreds of years later, the ruthless hordes of the Horn Empire, fascinated by the work of Duke Bezalius, often used to burn and kill prisoners.

How much less did Emperor Kars believe he was the rebirth of Duke Bezalius.

At that moment, King Orient met Baron Kurt and recalled what he had heard.

$“I don't know what he's capable of. But I can assure you that Emperor Kars is not a child, and that he considers himself the rebirth of Duke Bezalius. ”

‘That wasn't a lie. I'm starting to feel skinny seeing how dangerous that little emperor is in person. ’

Seeing a doll's expressionless expression, it seemed even more dangerous.

‘It was the right choice to refuse an alliance offer from the Horn Empire. He is not a reliable monarch. ’

The Orient King felt the need to shift that heated atmosphere in order to continue negotiations.

So the Orient King opened his mouth to King Erik.

“I don't think it's Earl Ranzhel who decides whether it's war or not, King Eric Ledon. What do you think of yourself? ”

Everyone's gaze is on King Erik.

King Erik ponders for a moment.

The reason he brought the Horn Empire into the first place was to pressure the landscape like now.

But he was also the king of the Kingdom of Leaden. The landscape had to be on their side as an abnormal monarch, who was indeed a nobleman of the Kingdom of Leaden. It was the right thing to do.

King Erik opens his mouth after much thought.

“As king of the Kingdom of Leaden, I must not neglect the military actions of this Horn Empire. Castel Castle is also the territory of King Bourne, who has been entrusted to Earl Lindell and has already suffered casualties in that battle, so it can never be ignored. ”

A nervous atmosphere began to flow to the negotiating table.

King Erik speaks.

“Therefore, Vaughn will face the 100,000 hordes of the Horn Empire who are stationed at Castel Castle with the Ledon royal army united and placed on the Baden River Basin until the Horn Empire returns Castel Castle." ”

Earl Ranzhel's complexion is hard.

The Royal Army is stationed on the Baden River Basin?

The one who hated it the most was not Emperor Kars, but Jehovah.

Which lords would be reluctant to let a politically confronted Royal Army invade their territory?

Nominally, he was on the side of the aftershore, but in reality, he exerted even more pressure.

Earl Ranzhel is cornered.

King Eric expects him to surrender and concede. Then the negotiations will go smoothly.

But it was then.

It was a very sophisticated time.

Knock-knock.

Someone knocks on the door of the negotiation.

“Emperor Karshhorn. ”

It was the voice of Earl Halstein. Emperor Kars asked everyone for their patience.

“Excuse me. Come in. ”

Earl Halstein soon entered the room. He bows lightly to the other three for understanding, then approaches Emperor Kars and whispers in his ear.

“Without His Majesty's presence, some nomadic tribes within the country began their activities. Three villages were attacked and ravaged. ”

“I see.”

“The nomads appeared to the 100,000 troop supply lines in Castel Castle and two white troops were wiped out. This will disrupt supply. ”

“Rapidly dispatch the lions. Squad 3, 4 hold off the nomads' plunder, and Squad 5 hold off the supply lines." ”

“Old.”

Earl Halstein disappears every time he receives an order.

“…… What an elaborate timing. ”

Emperor Kars gazed upon Earl Ranzhel.

Earl Ranzhel smiles coldly.