Ch.257This Is the Peace of Our Time (1)

# Chapter 257: This Is the Peace of Our Time (1)

While I was deeply contemplating how to artistically deliver a single fatal strike to erase the Ancient Emperor from existence…

A sudden short message appeared on my terminal.

[Confirmed: Fuxviet Federation willing to establish long-term peace treaty of up to 10 years.]

The moment I confirmed that message.

-Dingalingalingaling♪

[PAUSE]

[Event: Peace Treaty Negotiation]

[The Fuxviet Federation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, unable to tolerate the military’s continued incompetence…]

[The Foreign Minister, who had been openly exchanging insults and sharp criticisms with the Supreme Military Committee, has personally taken charge of negotiations.]

[Therefore, this peace treaty seems sufficiently reliable, even considering the Fuxviet Federation’s characteristically abysmal diplomatic credibility.]

[Fuxviet Federation granted ‘Final Negotiation’ trait (terms of current agreement will be strictly enforced during the current Foreign Minister’s lifetime)]

[Option 1: Can I trust them this time…? (Continue linked event)]

[Option 2: Why should I trust those who have betrayed us multiple times? (End event chain, immediately enter state of war)]

With that incredibly tacky sound effect, such an event message appeared before my eyes.

And again, they call these “options.”

From my perspective, this is just a typical event message where the answer is predetermined.

‘If I press option 2, it’s immediate war.’

Though the parties involved might not see it that way, from my perspective looking at this event message…

It feels like they’re presenting a deadly binary choice: ‘Either die together with us, or quickly sign a peace treaty and be done with it.’

I couldn’t help but feel considerably displeased.

———————————–

But not long after (subjectively about 3 days).

‘…But looking at it this way, this actually seems much more reasonable than continuing with my current shenanigans?’

Taking advantage of the abundant time in this paused state, I calmly organized my thoughts.

As I just considered, simply proceeding with the peace treaty might be better than my original plan.

It seemed far better than unleashing cosmic monsters on the Fuxviet to trigger eternal war.

Honestly, even if I tried to draw out the Ancient Emperor, it was still uncertain “when” he would appear.

So a peace treaty that would allow ample preparation time for the Emperor raid didn’t seem like a bad idea at all.

Therefore, I wanted to fly straight to the East and directly negotiate with the Fuxviet Foreign Minister who had voluntarily taken on this burden…

‘Ah damn, but since I only received this through the Commander’s secret communication, it’s awkward for me to move directly.’

It seemed I lacked proper justification to act directly, and it would reveal that I had been using the Commander as my pawn.

After much deliberation on this matter…

‘I’ll figure something out.’

Since I could simply ask Riel and other experts about the details once I unpause…

‘Alright, I’ll choose option 1 first, then leave the rest to the others.’

[Option 1: Can I trust them this time…? (Continue linked event)] <Selected>

[PAUSE RELEASED]

After quickly selecting option 1 and releasing the pause, I decided to pick up my terminal and summon Riel and the diplomatic executives.

———————————————

Meanwhile, at the same time Arto was making his own positive assessment of the negotiation proposal…

The Fuxviet Foreign Minister, who had declared this would be his final diplomatic mission before retirement, was trying to make his last diplomatic effort shine brilliantly…

“Who gave you permission to arbitrarily proceed with peace negotiations?”

“Exactly!”

“Since Prosnak has seized control of the North and thus galactic hegemony, we too must dominate the Eastern territories to raise the banner of our great motherland!”

He was being fiercely attacked by admirals stationed at the ISTO front, who accused him of undermining “the great Fuxviet spirit.”

“Are you harboring thoughts that Mother Fuxviet might be defeated, to commit such acts?!”

“The Foreign Minister is full of defeatism!”

Of course, the Foreign Minister didn’t need to respond to each of these admirals personally.

-“You damn fools.”

-“If you’re so great, come here and fight yourselves.”

Those who understood that the Foreign Minister’s actions were intended to help the fleets suffering on the front lines against the cosmic monsters…

That he was trying to secure additional forces by establishing peace between the Federation and ISTO…

Namely, the admirals on the monster front, were hurling all manner of profanities at the ISTO-front admirals through real-time hyperspace communications.

Of course, such vulgar exchanges didn’t continue for long.

“Everyone quiet, that’s enough.”

As Secretary-General Czesar, seated at the head of the conference room, spoke up…

The admirals who had been at each other’s throats just moments before fell silent all at once, creating a remarkable scene.

And only after confirming that everyone had quieted down did the Secretary-General open his firmly closed mouth again to begin mediating.

“The Foreign Minister’s actions in this matter are entirely correct, and as of this moment, I will not entertain any further objections on this matter.”

“””…Yes! Mr. Secretary-General!”””

-“””We understand!”””

However, the Secretary-General wasn’t simply backing the Foreign Minister unconditionally.

“Foreign Minister, remember that the basic premise is that you must handle this matter properly.”

“…Just trust me and leave it to me.”

Seemingly satisfied that he had mediated sufficiently, the Secretary-General proceeded to conduct the meeting as usual.

But contrary to his composed appearance…

‘Please succeed, please.’

The Secretary-General was sincerely praying that since the Foreign Minister had staked his retirement on this declaration…

Please, please let the peace negotiations succeed and allow them to utilize forces from the ISTO front.

And he wasn’t the only one…

‘I believe in you, Foreign Minister.’

‘Truth be told, I’ve been waiting for a man like you for a long time.’

Those being torn apart in real time by the monsters felt the same way.

Due to their own and their colleagues’ blunders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been rendered practically vegetative.

They couldn’t hide their bitter smiles at the irony that this same Foreign Affairs Ministry was now their only lifeline.

——————————————–

The next day.

“This is the diplomatic note sent to us by the Fuxviet Federation.”

“What’s this about?”

“Would you like to examine it?”

The leaders of the three Eastern nations were puzzled by the sudden news that the Fuxviet Federation had sent a diplomatic note to the ISTO Treaty Forces.

They were equally puzzled by the Commander proudly presenting it, and decided to check the contents of the copied note.

And immediately after…

“What is this?”

“…The Fuxviet, requesting armistice negotiations?”

“Wait a moment, this is the first we’re hearing of this?”

After examining the note, the leaders displayed looks of utter disbelief.

‘Those belligerent bastards are requesting armistice negotiations first?’

Of course, it wasn’t completely unprecedented.

But those times were when their operation plans had completely fallen apart from the start.

And when reinforcements led by Seveli had arrived, making their situation worse.

They hadn’t expected the Fuxviet to approach like this during a simple standoff.

“Isn’t this just… an attempt to buy time?”

“Come to think of it, that makes more sense. They’re clearly trying to recover from the damage caused by the recent cosmic monster war!”

“Besides, this note came from the Fuxviet’s Foreign Ministry, didn’t it? The past years have proven those guys are completely meaningless!”

They were denying reality, assuming the Fuxviet must be up to some trick again…

“That’s not the case. For this matter, the Fuxviet has decided to accept direct ceasefire monitoring by the Galactic Alliance.”

“They’ll accept Alliance monitoring?”

“Hmm…”

“Additionally, they’ve promised to do their utmost to allow our ISTO joint monitoring team to be deployed as well.”

The Commander, waving the paper containing the diplomatic note, added:

“This bears not only the signature of the Fuxviet Foreign Minister, but also that of Minister Arto of the Holy Seveli Empire as mediator and verifier.”

“…!”

“This is the peace of our time.”

It was truly a statement that could make one’s heart swell with emotion, but…

“Wait a minute, isn’t that phrase a bit ominous?”

“You might want to omit that last part. It sounds like war will break out before a year has passed.”

“…”

Faced with the leaders’ cutting remarks, the Commander couldn’t help but shrink back.