chapter_0110

109 – Let’s Have a Brief Talk Before the Negotiation

109 – Let’s Have a Brief Talk Before the Negotiation

Negotiation Day.

The delegation from the Kingdom of Belmore was crossing the border into Barheim.

As black vehicles lined up in a row, Magreff, who was seated in the car at the center of the convoy, could not hide his discomfort as he spoke.

“I didn’t expect hospitality, but the atmosphere is excessively cold. No one is here to welcome the delegation…”

From the entrance of Barheim to the city center where they currently were, the city officials had not shown themselves.

It felt almost cynical, as if they were saying that if they had come to negotiate, they should just negotiate and leave.

‘But I can’t express my dissatisfaction.’

After all, it was the Kingdom of Belmore that had initiated the surprise.

Moreover, during that process, the Crown Prince had been captured.

Even if they were committing a diplomatic faux pas in the Empire, the Kingdom of Belmore had no choice but to take a submissive stance.

Just as Magreff was regaining his composure, he heard a shout.

“Stop! Everyone, halt!”

Guards, presumably from Barheim, halted the delegation.

As Magreff wondered what was happening, a man who appeared to be an officer approached his vehicle.

“There will be a brief inspection. Before you proceed to the negotiation site, we need to verify your identities one last time, so please cooperate. Please submit your passports, diplomatic identification, orders, or appointment letters.”

At those words, the aide sitting next to him flared up.

“What is the meaning of this!? We already completed identity verification at the city entrance, and we received permission from your superior! Are you trying to humiliate us by conducting another inspection!?”

As the aide shouted in anger, the Empire’s officer broke out in a cold sweat but did not step back.

Watching this, Magreff sighed softly and pulled out his passport and identification.

“Enough. The two countries are at war. They are likely being cautious with identity verification to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, so there’s no need to get heated.”

After retrieving the order from his pocket, Magreff handed it to the Empire’s officer.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

The officer, receiving the identification documents, bowed his head and began the verification process.

Just as Magreff thought it would take a little time, he leaned back in his seat.

Bang—

The sound of gunfire echoed, causing his shoulders to flinch.

Turning his gaze toward the direction of the gunfire, he saw people collapsed with bullets lodged in their heads.

On one wall of the square, Empire soldiers were conducting public executions.

‘Are they executing prisoners…?’

It was understandable, as even the food that should be given to prisoners had to be conserved during a war.

Not wanting to witness the sight of death, Magreff clicked his tongue and turned his gaze away.

As he adjusted his attire, concerned about the upcoming negotiations, the officer who had completed the verification returned the documents.

“The verification is complete. I apologize for any unintended inconvenience.”

Magreff nodded and accepted the documents.

Seeing this, the Empire’s officer walked to the front of the convoy and shouted for them to allow passage.

Upon hearing the officer’s command, the soldiers parted to the sides, and the delegation could move forward once again.

After a few minutes of travel, the delegation slowed down in front of the brigade headquarters.

Negotiations were scheduled to take place in the building of the brigade headquarters.

Once the vehicles came to a complete stop, the driver exited and opened the door to Magreff’s seat.

Taking a breath of Barheim’s air, Magreff stepped out of the car and looked up at the headquarters.

‘Is this where Daniel Steiner is…?’

What kind of person could be so notorious?

As he felt a strange curiosity and tension, a young woman approached, her heels clicking on the ground.

“Are you Magreff, the chief negotiator?”

Turning his head, Magreff saw a beautiful woman with short silver hair and red eyes.

“Who are you?”

“I am Lucy Emilia, the aide to Colonel Daniel Steiner. If you don’t mind, I can guide you to Colonel Daniel Steiner.”

“An aide to Daniel Steiner…”

Magreff stared at Lucy for a moment before nodding.

“Please guide me.”

“Understood. Then please follow me from now on.”

With courtesy, Lucy turned on her heel.

Magreff and his aide followed her as she led the way.

After walking through the corridor of the headquarters for a while, they arrived at the reception room prepared in the building.

The problem was that Daniel Steiner was not present in the reception room.

As Magreff entered and looked around, he turned to Lucy.

“Has Colonel Daniel Steiner not arrived?”

“He will be here shortly. Would you please sit and wait?”

Magreff frowned at Lucy’s indifferent demeanor.

‘She is openly looking down on us.’

Though he was angry, he could not protest, so Magreff sighed and sat down on the sofa in the reception room.

However, even after five more minutes passed, Daniel Steiner did not appear.

The aide, unable to understand this delay, leaned closer to Magreff and bowed his head.

“…Your Excellency. Will you continue to tolerate Daniel Steiner’s rudeness?”

At the aide’s whisper, Magreff sighed softly.

“Aide, do not fall into his strategy.”

“Strategy?”

“Yes. He is deliberately stalling to make himself… and the Empire feel superior to us. Getting agitated over this will only disadvantage us in the negotiations, not him.”

Nodding at Magreff’s cold reasoning, the aide stepped back.

Just then, after another five minutes had passed, the door to the reception room opened.

On the other side of the open door stood Daniel Steiner, impeccably dressed in the Empire’s officer uniform.

He was tall.

Though he had dark circles under his eyes, his natural smile exuded calmness.

Despite being late, he showed no signs of tension, and Magreff could tell.

He was not an easy opponent.

“You’ve finally arrived.”

As Magreff stood up, Daniel Steiner approached.

“I apologize for being late. I had some matters to attend to.”

Daniel Steiner extended his hand.

“I am Colonel Daniel Steiner, an operations officer from the Empire’s General Staff. Currently, I am serving as the battalion commander of a unit directly under the headquarters.”

Magreff took Daniel Steiner’s hand.

“I am Magreff Terophonmarin, the commander of the 2nd Armored Division of the Kingdom of Belmore and also a count. Since you mentioned being busy, I will overlook your tardiness.”

“Oh, as expected, a noble is indeed a noble. I cannot help but be impressed by your dignified speech and deep consideration.”

Daniel chuckled playfully and gestured toward the sofa.

“Then shall we sit and have a conversation?”

Nodding, Magreff took a seat on the sofa, and Daniel settled down as well.

The first to speak was Magreff.

“First, let’s address the main issues of the negotiation…”

Magreff stopped mid-sentence as Daniel raised his hand to interrupt him.

“I suggested we have a conversation. Let’s postpone the negotiations for later.”

One of Magreff’s eyebrows twitched.

“A conversation? What are you talking about?”

“You should know very well what I’m talking about, Count.”

“…Colonel Daniel Steiner. Does this place seem like a place for jokes?”

Daniel maintained his smile and quietly stared at Magreff.

After a long silence, Daniel chuckled softly and pulled out a portable radio.

“Is the shooting ready?”

Shooting? While Magreff was puzzled, a response came from the radio.

─ Yes. As you instructed, we have prepared 267 bullets.

267 bullets? Magreff realized that the number 267 matched the number of prisoners Daniel Steiner had captured.

Given that he had just witnessed the execution scene in the square, he could not think of it as a mere shooting practice.

“Let’s start with twenty shots. Inform the prepared marksmen to fire.”

Both the aide and Magreff were left speechless, bewildered by the situation.

Just as they were trying to understand what was happening, another gunshot rang out.

Bang—

The combined gunfire from nearby made Magreff’s hands tremble.

For a moment, he stood there in shock, his eyes fluttering.

“What the hell…?”

After taking a deep breath, Magreff shouted loudly.

“What are you doing!? I came here to negotiate! Are you trying to threaten me right now!?”

Magreff yelled, but Daniel shrugged as if he did not understand.

“Threaten? I merely ordered the battalion members to practice their shooting skills.”

At Daniel’s words, Magreff inhaled sharply.

‘Shooting practice? Did he just say that while killing people?’

His hands were trembling more intensely now.

‘Does this man truly have no heart?’

Seeing Magreff succumbing to fear, Daniel continued calmly.

“Now, let’s return to the conversation. How did the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Belmore manage to accurately assess my position?”

Swallowing hard, Magreff replied.

“…I don’t understand why you’re asking me that.”

Nodding at Magreff’s response, Daniel spoke into the radio.

“Fire.”

Before long, another gunshot echoed.

The horrific sound made Magreff want to cover his ears.

As he stared at Magreff, Daniel pressed the transmission button on the radio.

“Report the shooting results.”

─ All shots were on target.

“Good. This time, prepare to fire 100 shots.”

At the mention of 100 shots, Magreff opened his mouth slightly, breaking into a cold sweat.

He could no longer maintain his composure; Daniel’s behavior was shocking.

Yet Daniel, still smiling, calmly removed his officer’s cap.

“Now, I will ask again.”

Placing the cap on the table in front of the sofa, Daniel lightly dusted off his hands.

Immediately after, he looked at Magreff, wiping the smile from his face.

“Who is it?”

With eyes narrowed like a predator cornering its prey, Daniel quietly continued.

“The rat from the Empire who collaborated with you.”