chapter_0190

189 – This Is Not What I Wanted

189 – This Is Not What I Wanted

After the execution of Duke Belvar, Woline and Leff boarded the ceremonial limousine once again and headed towards the Imperial Palace.

Having confirmed the execution of Belvar, the mastermind behind the rebellion, it was now time to discuss the research agreement.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Palace, Woline and Leff were guided by members of the Inner Court into the reception room, where Daniel entered shortly after, and they all took their seats at the round table.

The table was adorned with fresh flowers and exquisite refreshments that created a vibrant atmosphere, but Woline couldn’t pay attention to such things.

The words and actions of Daniel Steiner in front of Duke Belvar were etched in his mind and showed no signs of fading.

‘…Just watching was enough to send chills down my spine. Will all of Daniel Steiner’s enemies meet such a fate?’

The way he not only crushed the silence but also mocked it until the very end struck Woline as devilish.

To be honest, he didn’t want to engage in conversation, but as the diplomatic envoy from Bellanos, he couldn’t remain silent forever.

As Daniel watched with a smile, Woline cleared his throat and spoke.

“Colonel Daniel Steiner. Or should I call you Chief of Police?”

“Call me whatever you prefer. I don’t mind the title much,” Daniel replied.

“Understood. I will refer to you as Colonel. Also, your presence here indicates that you are involved with the Barghoff Project, correct?”

“Yes. It just turned out that way.”

“Well then…”

Woline picked up his briefcase and took out a few documents.

After reviewing the documents, Woline handed them to Daniel.

It was an implementation plan densely filled with dates for the research agreement.

As Daniel accepted the documents, Woline continued.

“As you can see, the Empire has broken its promises. Not a single deadline has been met. I trust you won’t deny this.”

“…It is due to the rebellion instigated by Belvar, but that is not a justifiable excuse for returning home. The failure to prevent the rebellion is clearly the Empire’s responsibility.”

“I’m glad we can communicate well. In that case, what kind of compensation can the Empire offer to Bellanos?”

The failure to adhere to the implementation plan was solely the Empire’s fault.

Bellanos was demanding compensation for the temporal and financial damages incurred as a result.

It was a reasonable demand, and Daniel had already considered this aspect, so he answered without difficulty.

“I will grant you special access to information regarding the research results.”

“Special access to information, you say?”

“It means we will conduct exclusive information sharing regarding experimental data. If the Empire completes the development of the atomic bomb, Bellanos will also gain access to that technology.”

Though he didn’t show it outwardly, Woline was secretly astonished.

The research agreement did not mean that both countries would transparently disclose all information.

The ‘Barghoff Project’ was clearly an asymmetric agreement, with the Empire holding the reins of research.

Thus, even if the Barghoff Project were completed, the Empire could legally share only partial information or merely announce the results without any issues.

Yet here was Daniel Steiner, offering to share technology by granting special access to Bellanos.

“However, there is one condition.”

As Woline struggled to contain his surprise, Daniel quietly continued.

“I would like you to officially sign a military protection agreement.”

Sweet compensation always comes with a trap.

After a moment of silence, Woline gathered his thoughts and spoke.

“Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Empire has already permitted the stationing of its military in Bellanos’ port city, Tentarbahen. Given the current situation, is there really a need to formalize a military protection agreement?”

“Allowing the stationing and officially signing an agreement are two different matters. The reason I mention this is that I want to ensure Bellanos is clearly recognized as an ally of the Empire.”

The moment a military agreement is officially signed, Bellanos becomes an unequivocal ally of the Empire.

While the Anti-Terrorism Act could be revoked at any time if the situation turned unfavorable, signing a military agreement would mean submitting to the Empire.

Woline frowned at Daniel’s official request.

‘…If I set my mind to it, I can refuse. The damage was done to Bellanos, so we hold the upper hand in negotiations.’

But watching Daniel Steiner’s confident demeanor made it hard to tell who truly held the advantage.

‘He knows. He knows that Bellanos cannot refuse this offer.’

Bellanos, while claiming to be a neutral country, had lived by appeasing numerous great powers as a small nation.

‘But if we obtain an atomic bomb…’

No country would dare to look down on Bellanos.

If the price for that was to bow to the Empire for a while, it was a deal worth enduring.

“Funny guy.”

Just as Woline was engulfed in thought, Leff chuckled softly.

“It’s an attractive proposal. But can you really complete the Barghoff Project? I heard it takes years to develop an atomic bomb.”

Leff’s sudden interjection caused a question mark to appear over Daniel’s head.

It was unprecedented for a mere attendant to interrupt like this and speak informally.

Moreover, he was still wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a mesh veil indoors.

“I didn’t think you were an ordinary attendant, but this rudeness is a bit surprising. Who are you that you can’t even maintain basic etiquette?”

At Daniel’s question, Leff removed his hat as if he had been waiting for this moment.

As his sharp eyes were revealed beneath his black hair, Daniel’s eyes widened in surprise.

His voice sounded somehow familiar, and it turned out he was someone Daniel knew.

“…Leff?”

As Daniel called his name, Leff wore a somewhat mischievous smile.

“Wow. You’re a bastard, but a conscientious one. You haven’t forgotten my name, huh? But isn’t it funny? You’re the one who threatened the old man, yet you’re talking about manners.”

Cold sweat began to bead on the back of Daniel’s neck.

With the unexpected arrival of a guest, Daniel fell silent, and Leff’s smile grew even wider.

“Looks like you’ve been living well here. Meanwhile, someone else is in chaos because of you. That old man was ranting and preaching to me, and looking back, it was a truly terrible experience.”

Daniel had no words.

It wasn’t intentional, but it was true that he had played with Leff.

“Of course, I don’t blame you now. After experiencing you, I realized that hiding me wasn’t the only solution for that old man. Thanks to you, I get to travel abroad like this. Isn’t it great?”

Leff was chatting away as if he were meeting an old friend, but Daniel couldn’t shake the feeling of sitting on pins and needles.

Just when he desperately wanted to leave, Woline intervened.

“Miss! How many times have I told you to maintain your decorum? Colonel Daniel? I apologize for the rudeness. I will think deeply about the proposal you provided and respond accordingly.”

Finally snapping back to reality, Daniel nodded dazedly.

“Understood. Once you gather opinions, please provide a response, and I will relay it to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Very well. It would be best to conclude this meeting for now.”

Leff made a face as if he found it boring, but the two hurriedly began to tidy up.

As Leff watched them gather their documents, he stood up.

“Hey, you. You seem to be avoiding me? You were all friendly back then.”

As Daniel pushed his chair back into the round table, he replied.

“The situation is different now. If you want me to apologize for using the young lady as a bargaining chip, I can do that anytime.”

“I told you, I don’t really care about that. If there’s one thing I want…”

Though he claimed there were no hard feelings, they hadn’t completely disappeared.

Leff thought this was the only chance to get back at Daniel Steiner and approached him.

“You’re coming back to Libelard.”

“That’s a pseudonym. Moreover, when I used the name Libelard, I was merely an actor playing a role.”

“Really? Why does it look like you’re acting now?”

Leff’s seemingly innocuous remark struck a nerve.

Daniel, who had been silent, ignored Leff and began to walk away.

He thought it would be best to distance himself as much as possible.

Whether Leff knew Daniel’s feelings or not, he followed closely beside him.

“Why not join me for a bit like before? We used to have so much fun. Remember how we lost track of time chatting until nightfall at the tavern and my mansion?”

Thinking he should ignore him, Daniel sighed and opened the door to the reception room.

“…”

And then he froze.

On the other side of the door stood Selvia, the most noble being in the Empire.

Her face was somehow pale.

“…Your Majesty?”

As Daniel finally managed to speak, Selvia regained her composure.

“Oh. I finished my schedule early today and was passing by. I also have urgent matters to discuss with Colonel Daniel regarding the Chief of Staff who visited the Imperial Palace today…”

Her voice trailed off.

As she continued speaking with a tremor in her voice, Selvia looked up at Daniel as if she could no longer hold it in.

“But what was that you just said? So….”

Anxiety filled Selvia’s blue eyes.

“About joining together… and having fun like before.”

Upon hearing Selvia’s words, Daniel clenched his eyes shut and bit his lip.

‘This is maddening.’

Daniel just wanted to die.