A little later, at the lodging where Rudell and his party were staying.
“What’s up with those people?! Isn’t that just plain rude?!”
“Calm down, Leje.”
Rudell said this to Leje, who seemed unable to contain her anger.
“Aren’t you mad?! How can you not even flinch after hearing such words?!”
Sure, the relationship between the Kingdom and the Empire wasn’t exactly peachy, but the reaction from the special envoys was downright disrespectful.
Rudell wasn’t unaware of this fact either.
But…
“It can’t be helped; negotiations are ultimately like that. From a broader perspective, it’s a skill too.”
The basics of negotiation is to impress your superiority on the other side.
In reality, it was this side that was at a disadvantage, not the Empire.
That’s why the special envoys were putting on a show to gain even a tiny edge.
“Ugh… I can’t take it! Of all people, they insult me…!!”
“Well, I didn’t expect it to go smoothly either. But for now, we have to stay positive.”
At least the other side hadn’t outright suggested canceling the talks, so for the moment, he could breathe a sigh of relief.
Isn’t it better to have a 10% chance than a 0% one?
“Now what’s left is how to persuade those guys…”
On that matter, even Rudell couldn’t come up with any brilliant ideas.
After all, most of his accomplishments so far had stemmed from knowing the original story in advance.
The complicated history between the Empire and the Nord tribe, or political negotiations, was all foreign terrain for him.
“Hmm…”
Naturally, it was a tough problem for Rudell, who wasn’t prepared.
“Anyone have a good idea?”
“…”
“Uh, I’m sorry…”
“Me too, these topics are a bit…”
After contemplating for a while, Rudell sought advice from his other companions.
But, predictably, the responses were as empty as his pantry.
Kurt, from the Nord tribe, Silphier, the dedicated maid, and Eleor, the fanatic’s saint.
None of them were well-versed in political matters.
“What do you think?”
Watching the scene, Rudell asked Leje.
Being the daughter of a high-ranking noble and excelling in all subjects at the Academy, he thought she might offer a decent response.
She was known for her outstanding grades in every subject, so perhaps a good answer might come out.
That was the expectation.
“Hmm… Well, I don’t really have any particular thoughts right now.”
However, contrary to his hopes, Leje showed a troubled expression accompanied by a low groaning sound.
It was to be expected, after all.
Politics wasn’t something that reached a conclusion in just a day, no matter the issue.
Countless strategies, plots, discussions, and maneuvers.
In the end, politics was all about those things coming together to create results.
“Sigh…”
“Well, won’t it work out somehow? They can’t expect to finish negotiations in just a day or two, right?”
“I think you’re right.”
The real negotiations would start tomorrow morning.
Thinking that, Rudell stood up with a short sigh.
“I hope everyone shares any good ideas they have. For now, let’s call it a night.”
“Have a good night.”
“May you have a peaceful night.”
“…”
As Rudell spoke, the other members stood up and exchanged greetings, each heading towards their own rooms.
The empty room.
As the logs in the fireplace crackled and burned, Rudell and Leje also headed to their own bedrooms.
Thus, the night deepened.
*
The next morning.
“Rudell. Rudell.”
“Mhm…”
Rudell barely lifted his heavy eyelids at the voice calling him.
And what he saw was none other than his adorable lover.
Leje El Lagrind was lying next to him, looking at him.
“Leje…?”
“Good morning.”
“What time is it…?”
“Nine o’clock. You must have been really tired.”
Rudell asked Leje as she greeted him, and she answered his question.
When Rudell turned to look at the clock, the short hand was slightly past the number 9.
Rudell usually woke up at 7 a.m.
This was definitely much later than usual.
“Ugh… Why didn’t you wake me up…”
“Of course, because I wanted to see your sleeping face.”
“…”
With a low groan, Rudell sat up…
In response to his follow-up question, Leje poked his cheek playfully with a teasing expression.
“I poked you.”
“But that was just for a moment.”
“I’m just kidding; I knocked, but since you didn’t wake up, I thought I’d let it go. Sorry for waking you.”
“Thanks… I feel like I slept well for the first time in ages.”
No matter how much of a hero you are, at the core, you’re still human.
Especially for Rudell, who, after becoming a hero, had his magical abilities enhanced over physical ones; the events of the past few days felt like a relentless marathon.
With a faint smile, Rudell buried his face in Leje’s embrace, and she gently stroked his hair.
“Good boy~ Pat pat.”
“Do I look like a kid to you…?”
Rudell said, pulling away from Leje’s arms as she teased him with laughter.
Then, with a refreshed look, Rudell slapped his cheeks hard.
“Alright, energy recharge completed.”
With a loud clap, Rudell got up and headed outside with Leje.
“Good morning, everyone.”
“Good morning.”
“Um, good morning!”
“Did you sleep well last night?”
As Rudell stepped outside, his companions greeted him warmly. After finishing the prepared breakfast, they headed straight to the meeting room.
Passing through the tense hallway, Rudell and the group arrived at the meeting room just as Dagruul and the Nord tribe warriors also showed up.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Dagruul. How are you feeling?”
“Not so great.”
Well, considering how yesterday’s meeting ended…
With that thought, Rudell nodded and cautiously approached Dagruul.
“Uh… I have a favor to ask, Dagruul.”
“What is it? If it’s your request, I will hear you out.”
“Could you allow me to represent the Nord tribe during this negotiation?”
The concept of negotiation was practically nonexistent for the Nord tribe.
Just looking at Dagruul’s reaction to the envoys’ words last night made that clear.
In a typical negotiation setting, it’s nearly basic technique for the other party to make unreasonable demands to maximize their own interests.
However, Dagruul and the Nord tribe took it as it was and didn’t seem to want to derail the talks.
If Rudell didn’t intervene today, it was all too obvious that the same situation as last night would repeat itself.
“You wish to represent us? The Nord tribe?”
“Yes. I promise on my honor and life that I will do my utmost to represent the Nord tribe’s interests.”
Ludell knew it was a ridiculous request.
From the Nord tribe’s perspective, he was just some random guy.
There was absolutely no qualification or reason for him to represent their interests.
But…
Now was not the time to nitpick.
With monstrous beasts from the Church potentially lurking anywhere, the talks needed to proceed swiftly and efficiently.
If Dagruul was put in charge of negotiations again, it would just be the same old chaos as yesterday.
In the end, the talks would collapse, and the Empire and the Nord tribe would be back to bloody war.
“Hmm…”
“I ask for your help.”
At Ludell’s words, Dagruul let out a low groan, and Ludell repeated firmly, “Please!”
Tension began to fill the air between Ludell and Dagruul, and everyone held their breath to watch the scene unfold…
“Sounds good. Since negotiations aren’t really my style, I’d welcome your cooperation. Personally, I think I can trust you.”
“Wise decision. Thank you.”
After pondering for a moment, Dagruul nodded, and Ludell smiled, bowing his head in acknowledgment.
Now they just had to wait for the Empire’s special envoys to arrive.
But…
Ten minutes…
Thirty minutes…
An hour…
“When on earth are they coming!?”
No matter how much time passed, there was no sign of the envoys.
“Count Gelt, is something going on?”
“Well… I just sent people to check,” Count Gelt replied, looking flustered.
As Ludell thought about waiting just a little longer and had just sat down…
-BOOM!!
The door burst open with great force, and pale soldiers rushed into the conference room.
“What’s going on? Why the rush?”
“It’s bad! It’s really bad!!”
One soldier shouted desperately in response to Count Gelt…
“The special envoys… they have all been murdered!!”
The soldier screamed this to everyone in the meeting room.
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