DYBAR - Chapter 110 < Strange Negotiations With Herefti (2) >
Do Your Best And Regret
"Your Highness the Grand Duke."
"When I visited Heferti, almost all the infrastructure was destroyed."
Grand Duke Vikander cut off Duke Elkin's urgent call. The Grand Duke continued speaking dryly and looked at the Duke of Kiwal.
In a split second, the atmosphere shifted to Heferti, and the Grand Duke asked indifferently.
"Considering that it was a wartime time, to what extent has it been restored now?"
"It's still the same. Even basic medical facilities have not yet been established, and the people are barely getting by on rotten turnips."
"Recovery is taking longer than expected, Duke."
"Yeah... As you have heard, the level of compensation requested by the empire is large, isn't it?"
The two were overly honest with each other. At the same time, it was strangely friendly. So much so that no one can believe that this is the table where the victorious and defeated countries negotiate compensation.
Some of the nobles cleared their throats as if they couldn't stand this atmosphere. The Duke of Elkin hurriedly looked at the Emperor.
The Emperor, who was looking at the Grand Duke with displeasure, nodded his head. The Duke of Elkin's eyes were filled with anger as if he wanted to end this situation quickly, and he hurriedly continued his words.
"So, if it is as you just said,"
The Duke of Elkin had a great advantage in politics, despite being a war hero and all. It was his specialty to get what he wanted by using the right words.
"You're lucky, Duke."
However, at the sudden intervention of the Grand Duke, the Duke of Elkin took a moment to consider the context.
You're lucky.
Ha..
It was a strange word to say in the current situation. Duke Elkin said, deftly moving out of the Grand Duke's sight.
"Haha. You're probably not saying I'm lucky."
There were three Dukes currently in the conference room.
The Duke of Kiwal of Heferti, and the Dukes of Elkin and Madeleine of the Franz Empire. The Grand Duke smiled loosely and slowly looked at the three Dukes, the Prince who was watching him, and the Emperor who was glaring at him. And he smiled with his handsome lips raised.
"The Duke is lucky too. I have no intention of holding Heferti largely responsible for compensation in these negotiations. Thanks to you, today's negotiations will conclude smoothly."
"Your Highness the Grand Duke!"
The nobles on the negotiating table were agitated.
"Your Highness, there is no situation right now for you to say something like that...!"
The Duke of Elkin once again raised his voice.
"These are the words of His Highness Grand Duke Vikander, a war hero. How dare the Empire treat the words of a war hero in such a way?"
However, when told that the size of the compensation could be reduced, the Heferti delegation protested with blood on their necks.
The nobles of the empire whose interests depended on the outcome of the compensation negotiations went dry.
They looked at the Duke of Madeleine with longing eyes. Until the Emperor stepped forward, the most powerful person diplomatically was the Duke of Madeleine.
But, despite the pouring gaze, his aide said something sweet to the Duke of Madeleine, but the Duke did not open his mouth.
Instead, it was the Duke of Kiwal of Heferti who spoke.
"Your Highness, are you serious?"
Behind the monocle, the Duke of Kiwal's eyes wavered greatly.
He couldn't believe it. Was it really true that the Grand Duke had said that he would take the side he had hinted at at the last banquet? Even to this extent?
Despite the bewildered voice, the Archduke just smiled.
"Are you serious, Duke?"
A voice that resonated widely immediately set the tone of the conference hall. The Emperor stood up, pretending to smile lightly.
He could no longer tolerate the atmosphere the Grand Duke had disrupted by his unruly behavior.
Sharp eyes scanned the audience.
The Crown Prince and Duke Madeleine do not say a word. And even nobles who forget their dignity and raise their voices to each other.
Even the Grand Duke, who held the weapon of reparations looked at him as if provoking him.
"Haha. Since the Archduke only visits the battlefield, he is not good at negotiating. He doesn't mean it."
"There's no way it couldn't be sincere, Your Majesty."
“Grand Duke...!”
Life flashed across the Emperor's eyes. The Emperor shook his head at the Grand Duke. The clear indication of intention not to speak anymore was funny.
"I, who will receive a huge amount of compensation through this agreement, actually do not need much compensation."
Until now, no Grand Duke has ever claimed his share of post-war reparations. Is it really true that what the Grand Duke said at the last noble meeting will come true?
The moment when the nobles, dazed by shock, looked at each other's faces. The Grand Duke looked at the Emperor and smiled. That was an obvious mockery.
In no time, the hall became quiet again.
"Your Majesty the Emperor will be satisfied with just what I have given so far, including the spoils and compensation. What about the nobles here..."
A slow voice scanned the nobles.
Every time a sharp gaze fell on them, the nobles of the empire avoided their gaze, trying to remember the compensation they had received.
A cold sound of ridicule passed by. The Grand Duke shrugged his shoulders.
"I no longer have any need or reason to pay enormous tribute to His Majesty."
At those words, all the nobles looked at the Emperor.
Those glaring eyes, wondering what was going on, were the nobles, who always led a splendid life using their nobility as a weapon, were looking at the Emperor as if asking him to give an answer to the situation that had come to this.
The imperial power was collapsing.
The Emperor glared at the nobles with harsh eyes. Only then did the nobles bow their heads. However, the glances of the nobles he had once seen would never disappear from the Emperor's memory.
The Emperor gritted his teeth. And he held onto the armrests of the throne tightly. The memory of that day when something disappeared like a grain of sand was being relived again.
The Grand Duke, whose red eyes were shining brightly, smiled.
"But is there any need for me to continue these negotiations by squeezing Heferti?"
***
"What does the Grand Duke think the current negotiations are about? What were you thinking when you attended the negotiations?"
The conference hall was where the delegations and nobles lived.
Edwin glanced to the side. The Prince, who would normally have gone out, stood by the Emperor's side today.
It was a face that bore an extreme resemblance to the Emperor who steadfastly protected the throne.
Edwin smiled and looked at the Emperor. The laughter seemed to have inflamed the Emperor's anger further, and the Emperor raised his voice.
"Are you trying to show the division of the empire in front of a defeated country?"
"That was intentional, too."
"What?"
"Isn't this something everyone should know? That I no longer have to bow my head in front of His Majesty. That Vikander has recovered Lowell's treasure that His Majesty took from him."
The Emperor's tense momentum was broken. A bewildered light passed over his pale face.
"Then..."
The Emperor pursed his lips. His mind went blank. Is it really true that his glory will never return?
"Your Majesty."
Breaking the heavy atmosphere, Leopold opened his mouth. At this moment, the Emperor, who seemed as if ten years had passed, slowly looked at the Crown Prince.
"May I speak with the Grand Duke for a moment?"
"It just worked out well. I also have something to tell the Crown Prince."
"Let's do that."
The Emperor stood up as soon as he gave permission. Step by step, the Emperor walked towards the door slowly.
The Emperor's always proud shoulders looked shabby today.
"What do you want, Grand Duke?"
"There are two things. To put it in detail, starting from adjusting the tax rate of minerals paid by Vikander..."
"Forget superficial things. Let me get to the point, Grand Duke. What do you want, take the White Crystal Mine, Oliv, Did you take her from me?"
Olivia.
He had no idea that those four-letter names would squeeze his heart so much. Just pronouncing it made Leopold's lips dry.
Suppressing his nervousness, Leopold recalled a brief story he had heard from his father, the Emperor.
It was revealed that the abandoned mine that belonged to the Princess had been taken over by Olivia, and there was even an order to somehow bring Olivia back to his side.
That was something Leopold also desperately wanted.
If the Grand Duke wanted something, he had the generosity to grant it to some extent.
If he just wanted to take the abandoned mine, it would have been easier for Leopoldd. However, unlike Leopold, who anxiously waited for an answer, the Grand Duke's expression was subtle.
Leopold spoke again in a conciliatory manner.
"Grand Duke, please speak. Even though you don't know anything and are weak at negotiation, I plan to grant you anything as long as you promise to return my Olivia to me."
"By the way, His Royal Highness..."
Leopold took a deep breath as the words slowly opened. He had the confidence to gladly say whatever came out of that mouth.
"As I heard, you are not polite."
"... What?"
Leopold felt like he had been stabbed in the back. At the same time, a strong voice emerged.
"It's the same as Your Highness, who brought a Lady Ethel into Olivia's palace without her permission and didn't show courtesy to her "
To say that he is not polite. Those words mixed with a subtle laugh reminded him of what Olivia had said.
In an instant, Leopold hardened his expression. How dare the Grand Duke flaunt his relationship with Olivia in front of him?
The Grand Duke, who was quietly looking at Leopold, said expressionlessly.
"The most despicable, ugly Leopold Franz."
"What!"
"That's the first thing I've ever said, Your Highness. Without the morals of a knight or the dignity of a member of the royal family, he doesn't know to whom he should dare to direct his murderous intent."
"How dare...!"
A spark flew out of his eyes as he continued his dry words. Leopold immediately grabbed the Grand Duke by the collar.
It worked out well because he already wanted to punch that slim face. Leopold could feel his solid body beyond the clothes he was holding in his hand, but Leopold was also a skilled knight.
But this noble and arrogant Prince did not know.
That the Grand Duke, who suppressed his murderous intentions, was captured on purpose.
He clearly stretched out his arms, and at some point, he could see the air. Later, he felt pain in his back. Leopold opened his eyes wide.
"My lady has a bruise on her wrist."
There was no emotion whatsoever in the red eyes looking down. Leopold combed through his fading memories. And oh, he made a stupid noise.
Come to think of it, Grand Duke told him at the end...
"Please keep in mind that the reason I leave the Prince intact now is because it is not my responsibility to pay for the bruises on your wrists."
The Grand Duke's words were scattered in his ears. Leopold closed his eyes for a moment. With both his killing intent and spirit gone, he suddenly heard the sound of the door closing.
In front of the conference room.
Edwin, who was shaking his hands vigorously as if he had touched something dirty, sighed lightly. From the Emperor and the Crown Prince to the Duke of Madeleine. He wondered what day today was.
"I heard that he went to Vikander Territory."
Duke Madeleine's voice was low as he had not said anything today. But Edwin clicked his tongue without paying any attention.
"I don't know who you are talking about. Isn't It impossible for us to have anything in common?"
Edwin walked away before he could say any more. The Duke of Madeleine, looking out of the corner of his eye, was watching him until the end.
That's the way to go. Edwin thought he knew why Olivia seemed unstable.
Winster, who followed along, also noticed this.
"The squishiness is top-notch. To shake up a weak-hearted girl."
On the night of the banquet, Olivia's troubled face came to mind. Was she really shaken by this?
Edwin shook his head, unable to guess what was inside. Instead, he smiled and said to Winster:
"Has my letter arrived?"
"Yes. I think it should have arrived by now."
It would not have been difficult for the knight, who had been riding diligently since morning, to catch up with the Lady's slow-moving carriage.
***
At the same time.
"Devil's Valley? You went to such a dangerous place?"
Under the shade of a tree with brilliant sunlight shining through.
I said mischievously as if I was shocked.
Oops. Dean complained and made excuses.
"Well, the official name was originally Senua's Valley. I also found the way by very, very, very accidental!"
No matter how many times he emphasized this, Dean could not stop the cold sweat flowing down his back.
Curiosity was already starting to shine in the Young Lady's green eyes. Dean held his breath and lamented inwardly.
'Why on earth did she bring this up?'
It was fun to read the eyes clearly. I looked into the distance for a moment.
The beginning was none other than the wheat fields that were starting to turn golden.
Edwin SLAYED!!!!!
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