episode_0064

It was a given, but the word “negotiator” was not something that fell from the sky.

The resolution of negotiations is a fusion of wills.

And people didn’t pay much attention to the means they used in the process. As long as the results were good, it was all that mattered.

In that sense, the negotiations of this era were completely incomprehensible with a mindset that did not stray from modern rationality and logic.

Looking at the light of the beam sword from a half-abandoned state of mind was a sign of some adaptation, but it was still lacking to reach the same level as the locals.

Dialogue stemmed from mutual respect. And the beam sword, boasting modest performance, was suitable for its role as a humble injector.

Just silently turning on the light of the beam sword in the darkness was enough to bring out proper etiquette.

Here, even the accumulated and self-proclaimed martial arts stories shone.

After all, smoke couldn’t rise from a chimney for no reason.

“Have you heard of the negotiator, Raven?”

“If it’s the beam sword, I know, but this is new information.”

“Huh, to be so slow with the news. Well then, I guess I have to explain. You must have heard about the Emperor kneeling before the Pope not long ago-”

The listener usually thought this way.

They understood that the two had been diligently moving between the Pope and the Emperor. They even knew that they had helped in the negotiations between the Pope and the Emperor.

But was that one incident enough to earn the title of negotiator?

When expressing such a very natural question, the storyteller would answer with a chuckle.

“Think about the negotiation history Raven has had so far.”

“Negotiation? I don’t remember any. All I remember is smashing things around. Hmm…”

“Why don’t you remember. He negotiated well with the bandits near Alpen, and also showed remarkable negotiation skills in Filah.”

“…Ah!”

Tactics exist to win.

And the best way to win is to win before the fight even begins.

The greatest tactician brings victory before using tactics.

Therefore, any outstanding negotiator would not negotiate.

It may have been a somewhat thuggish mindset… but wasn’t that like a knight?

They gathered these things and simply called it knightly negotiation, and people quickly understood. They hadn’t harmed civilians, so what’s the harm.

And so, Raven became a knightly negotiator.

The nickname was gladly accepted, as it had been a long time since the party involved had reached the level of enjoying it.

*****

While Raven was transforming into a negotiator who wielded a beam sword.

Next door, Heine, who had been a guest for a while, was experiencing a carefree life for the first time.

As always, his eyes opened sharply.

By Heine’s side, Lycia was already there.

“Early bird!”

“It’s actually an early bug, Your Highness.”

The sun outside the window rose until just before noon.

Until now, his daily routine had started with waking up in the early morning.

15 days into his life in Alpen.

The princess realized that she was living the life of an early bug, waking up late like Lycia.

Is it okay for me to live like this, like a bug? Am I going to turn into a real bug?

The princess finally began to ponder childish concerns.

The children of farmers chased away birds that ate crops as soon as they could walk on two feet.

As they grew older, they learned about farming, and as time passed, when their parents were too old to wield a sickle, they took over the work.

The children of blacksmiths spent time with iron. And they watched their fathers’ work endlessly until the sound of hammering became familiar.

The merchant’s children roamed the market like it was their own home, scanning the prices of goods with just a glance to cultivate their eye for estimating value.

As occupations remained unchanged through generations, it was also a part of a family’s identity.

It was a companion that one had to be with from the moment they could stand on their own two feet until their last breath.

This rule applied to the nobles, even to those in the royal family.

And as a princess, this was what Heine had to learn.

“I… trusted you. Why on earth…”

“I believe you will understand. It’s because my father found you quite annoying.”

“Is that so…!”

“Still, I enjoyed it, playing friends.”

Wearing a mask on her face, speaking words devoid of sincerity, a play designed to strike at the most delicate moment artistically, inducing complacency and revealing the art of deception and the necessity of restraint in not showing emotions.

Fortunately, Heine was gifted with such talent. The fact that she had lived without much danger so far was proof enough.

Thanks to that, she had many friends, but if asked if there was anyone who could truly open up to her, the answer would be uncertain.

Of course, there were those who lived with a mind as bright as a flower garden.

She could be good friends with such children.

But even to her daughter’s eyes, her father… had dealt with quite a lot of people.

He had executed rebels, and had minimized the power of nobles opposing him. The position of an emperor was destined to be entwined with many complications.

“But now, that kind of life is over!”

Heine was delighted.

Of course, it was a new beginning in a strict sense, but it was better than living with the emperor and the crown prince on either side.

Moreover, she had finally found a true friend she had only imagined.

Initially, she had only planned to use Laven as an excuse to approach him, but she and Licia got along quite well.

The mention of going to university was not just a lie; she seemed quite intelligent, and the stories the girl told were interesting.

For some reason, she had taught her many ways to make everyday life more enjoyable.

Heine, who was inexperienced in revealing her true feelings to others, finally learned how to converse person to person.

Of course, just as a scholar can recite poetry after three years of study, the experience she had gained from the friendship games she had played so far was not in vain.

Dealing with high-ranking nobles or clergy required a lot of attention to words and actions due to various political issues.

But it had not been long since Laven had become a knight with land. Until recently, he had been a mere commoner, so there was no need to consider complex relationships.

Above all, it was not a relationship formed with the expectation of striking at the back of the head. It was to get closer.

This was the biggest advantage. And the connection that would continue at the university later was something to be cherished.

Seeing him extend his hand to charity at the church occasionally showed that he had no flaws in terms of humanity.

Such pure kindness was rare in these times. She just hoped he would continue to grow up so kindly.

However, she seemed to get a bit strange when the topic of Laven came up, hmm.

What should she say? She seemed to react a bit sensitively.

“So… Laven is your guardian, not your father, right?”

“Yes! There’s a big difference between the two.”

“There might not be that big of a difference. I still think of him as a father in my heart.”

“There’s a big difference in not being family. And if they’re not family… there’s a possibility of becoming family.”

Heine didn’t quite understand those words, but she nodded her head anyway.

As I set off from the Kanas Castle, winter had already passed its midpoint.

The returning Alpen Village had not yet awakened from its winter slumber, but spring, which required hard work for the year’s crops, was not far off.

Reports of pirates roaming the southern seas and inquiries for negotiation began to come in.

Although pilgrims occasionally passed through the village, diligent merchants began to show their faces one by one.

Life after returning from the castle was leisurely, as nothing out of the ordinary happened.

With no thieves around, and pirates not a concern since Alpen was far from the coast, there were no other worries. Of course, if they were to truly invade, I would have to lend a hand.

There were no other concerns.

The princess, Lycia, also spent time with Rishia. They seemed to have become closer, given the amount of time they spent together.

Furthermore, with the Pope reconciling with the Emperor on the surface, there would be no civil war in the Empire.

What would the rebels, who had lost their justification, do? They would probably compromise with the Emperor.

Before spring arrived, all I had to do to keep my skills sharp was to wield my sword.

Even if one had been skilled for over a decade, taking a few months off could lead to mistakes. And having rested on the battlefield, there was no excuse for asking for leniency.

“Sir, sir!”

“What’s going on now?”

As I finished my morning tasks and pondered over the lunch menu, the steward burst into the room and shouted.

The steward often caused such commotions, but most of the time, it was over trivial matters. Like wolves taking livestock, things like that.

But perhaps it showed his passion for his work. I replied without paying much attention.

And after catching his breath, the steward told me, “Civil war has broken out in the Empire!”