Ch.37Secret Agreement (2)

# Chapter 37: Secret Agreement (2)

“…The atmosphere here is quite desolate.”

“I have nothing to say about that.”

Perhaps it was because I hadn’t come down to the basement in so long.

I had forgotten that this building was repurposed from the former Execution Ministry’s facility.

And consequently, I had completely forgotten that various interrogation rooms from the Execution Ministry’s basement still remained intact.

The price for this oversight was that I ended up giving the Foreign Minister of Riksi what looked like a tour of a torture dungeon, when he had come for a confidential discussion.

“…Umm, uhhh.”

Poor Minister Colinto kept letting out anxious groans, forcing me to make bold assurances that there was nothing to worry about.

“Ahem, you… don’t need to worry too much, Foreign Minister Colinto.”

“R-really?”

“Yes, it’s just that the friends who use this place have… somewhat unusual aesthetic tastes.”

“Ah… I see…”

Of course, Colinto didn’t seem entirely convinced by my explanation…

‘Surely they wouldn’t play such pranks on me, a Foreign Minister?’

With an expression suggesting such thoughts, he cautiously nodded.

‘Good, this might actually give me the upper hand in negotiations with Riksi.’

I too tried to ignite some hopeful circuits in my mind, attempting to view the current situation in the best possible light, but…

That brief moment of peace was short-lived.

“AAAAARRRGGHHH-!!!!”

“?!”

“…”

With a blood-curdling scream from the adjacent room, I gave Colinto my most apologetic look, but—

[Event: Terror in the Basement]

[Impressive! You were told to apply pressure, but ended up making death threats instead.]

“W-what are you planning to do with me?! If this gets out, my country and the Galactic Federation won’t stand idle!”

“Listen…”

“And killing me would be a huge loss not only for my country but for Sebelli as well!!”

Minister Colinto’s sudden outburst seemed somehow significant.

‘Why is he screaming like that just because of a scream?’

But then I realized that Colinto’s gaze was directed not at me, but at something behind me. I turned around to look.

And there was…

‘What the hell is that?’

A bizarre torture device, apparently recently used, covered in green blood and messy chunks of internal organs. I froze at the sight.

‘These damn Purge Unit members?!’

Having a good idea who the culprits were, I rubbed my face and said:

“I apologize. It seems my subordinates have played a prank. Shall we go upstairs to continue our conversation?”

“Y-yes, please!”

I made a mental note to discipline whoever was in charge of basement management later.

————————

Quite some time later…

“…Must we really be in a place like this?”

“I thought a spacious area with many people would be more comfortable for you.”

With the feeling that I might have given the Foreign Minister PTSD, I recalled the events of the past few hours.

Various arguments and persuasions that we meant him no harm.

Aromatherapy massage to calm down Minister Collins, who had developed anxiety symptoms from the shock (I got one too, for good measure).

Scolding the Purge Unit members in front of Collins for their failure to properly maintain the interior.

And finally, a naked performance worthy of Churchill, showing myself in the nude to demonstrate that “The ministers of the Holy Sebelli Empire have nothing to hide from the Riksi Congressional Realm!”

After successfully managing this anomalous encounter through extreme measures…

We agreed, at Riksi’s request, to continue our conversation at an alien zoo teeming with people.

“Hahaha!”

“Hey, look at that! It’s catching food with its nose!”

“Amazing!”

“Here! Over here too!”

Though the sight of people casually crowding around and touching massive alien creatures that could eat elephants for breakfast…

“So this is the Shade Tiger, a native creature of Janus? Looks interesting.”

And people nonchalantly stroking the fur of something that resembled a tiger…

The scene gave me a strange sensation, as if I were watching people visiting a 1940s zoo in a past life.

And it seemed that Foreign Minister Colinto of Riksi felt the same way.

“…”

Seeing his expression that seemed to say “What madness is this?”, I gently shook my head from side to side.

“…Let’s take a detour.”

“I think that would be best.”

For normal people like us should not set foot in such scenes of madness.

As we strolled through the alien zoo, we finally found a spot where people were at a reasonable distance.

“Here, you shouldn’t have to worry about eavesdropping or other issues.”

“I see. In that case…”

Trusting my words, Minister Colinto took a deep breath, his entire body radiating tension.

To an uninformed observer, he would have appeared genuinely frightened, but…

‘He’s being so obvious that it actually makes me suspicious of his intentions.’

From my experienced perspective, it only raised more doubts.

But my suspicions didn’t last long.

“I’ve heard that Minister Arto dislikes beating around the bush, so I’ll speak directly.”

“Pardon?”

“This is a decision made by our leader, Prime Minister Arimati.”

After taking another deep breath, Minister Colinto finally revealed something quite shocking.

“Our Riksi Congressional Realm wishes to establish an unofficial subordinate relationship with the Holy Sebelli Empire.”

“Excuse me?”

“What?”

And my first reaction to hearing such words was precisely that dumbfounded response.

Damn it.

——————

Though I appeared dumbfounded, Minister Colinto seemed to interpret it as my own form of diplomatic maneuvering.

“…Did I mishear you?”

“You seem to want confirmation. To put it in Galactic Federation legal terms… we wish for you to accept us as your vassal state.”

When I tried to pretend I hadn’t heard correctly, he firmly rejected my attempt and pressed on, causing me to immediately hit pause.

[Pause]

As soon as I paused, an event window appeared.

[Event: Riksi’s Intentions]

[The Riksi Congressional Realm’s intention was none other than to propose a secret agreement with the Holy Sebelli Empire.]

[This is the moment to wonder about Riksi’s motives in asking to become Sebelli’s vassal state.]

Despite the fact that their sovereign nation, the Kerjin Federation, still exists, such words and events popped up.

Seeing this, a thought crossed my mind:

‘Has the leadership of the Kerjin Federation already begun to collapse?’

Of course, due to lack of information, it was difficult to make a proper assessment of the situation.

After dozens of deliberations, I concluded that this was not something I could answer right now.

[Resume]

“I’m sorry, but I believe this is a difficult matter for me to decide.”

“Of course, I’m not asking for a decision right here and now.”

Naturally, Minister Colinto didn’t expect me to make a decision on the spot.

“In that case, how about we discuss this matter again after sufficient consultation on our side?”

“That sounds good. My delegation is staying at a nice hotel nearby, so please call us as soon as the matter is resolved.”

————————-

After parting with Minister Colinto, I headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

Of course, I didn’t forget to call Riel, who was probably lounging around at the Diplomatic Execution Ministry.

“Minister, you clearly derive great pleasure and happiness from tormenting me.”

“Be quiet, Riel.”

Although the price for this was having to face Riel’s incessant chattering all the way until the moment we met Artralaya…

“Arto, I just received a message.”

“That’s good timing. Actually…”

“Yes, I know. I never imagined you’d have… that kind of relationship with a foreign minister.”

“From Riksi… what?”

Faced with Artralaya’s misunderstanding based on some unidentified intelligence(?), I almost wished I’d stuck with Riel’s complaints.

“Last time I thought you liked children, but this time it’s men, and middle-aged ones at that?”

“Who the hell is spreading such nonsense?”

At this point, I had a feeling—or rather, a premonition—that another absurd misunderstanding would soon befall me.

“Artralaya, I’m neither a pedophile nor gay.”

“…”

For now, I could only do my best to clear up these misunderstandings from who-knows-where.