Chapter 456
“Representative Vania, you may speak.”
The Prime Minister removed his glasses and granted her the floor.
The officials looked down on the Vargas delegation with an air of authority, as if they already knew what arguments would come from Vargas.
They would likely say it was excessive—an unreasonable demand given the scale of war damages. They would object to transferring the right of recourse to Clifford. Though their appearances varied, all bore Bariel’s bloodline, and their thoughts seemed to align, creating a unified atmosphere.
Vania quietly met their gaze and simply stated,
“That is impossible.”
“Impossible? How arrogant.”
“Indeed. Do they even understand their own situation? Hmph.”
The content was expected, but the tone was not. The officials stiffened for a moment, then fired off remarks one by one.
“Is that the attitude of a delegation? To speak so insolently when sweet words might sway the royal court?”
“If you say it’s impossible, then what do you intend to do?”
“Listen carefully. It’s easier to add words than to erase them. The more you try to amend, the more complications will follow. You must sincerely reflect and accept the victim nation’s proposal without complaint!”
It was a warning: resist the terms, and harsher sanctions would follow. Yet Vania showed no sign of backing down.
Seeing this, Ian seemed to realize something and tapped the edge of a document.
“Excuse me, Ian.”
Whispering, Romandro called out, and Ian turned his head. The mages behind him glared with dissatisfaction, and even Beric seemed influenced by their mood.
Romandro lowered his voice further, gauging the room’s tension.
“The Vargas side is more defiant than expected. Why didn’t you link this with Luswena earlier? If they’re uncooperative, we could use that to pressure them right now. What do you think?”
The entire magical department knew—and could prove—that Queen Luswena had tried to assassinate Ian. They also knew about the attempt to pin the blame on Vargas.
But Eriponi had died without chance for justice, and no one had yet taken responsibility for Ian’s collapse. If Vargas stood firm, refusing to yield, that could be the pretext to push harder.
“I don’t think that’s a good move.”
“Why not?”
Romandro glanced between Ian and Vania. He wanted to glare alongside the mages but reminded himself this was an official meeting. As an aide, he had to keep composure.
“These delegates came from Vargas, but they are not truly loyal to Vargas. Didn’t they say themselves they serve Rutherford?”
“Ian.”
“We’ll discuss that later. The fact remains: they prioritize someone above Vargas. Vargas itself is in turmoil, torn by noble power struggles. Rutherford seems to have seized the center of power, but to unify the fractured public opinion, a strong event is needed.”
Ian covered his mouth with his hand, signaling Romandro not to ask unnecessary questions. Romandro, listening quietly, muttered under his breath.
“War?”
“When there’s chaos inside, it’s natural to divert attention outward. Besides, Vargas is the defeated nation—not because their army was destroyed, but because their king was captured and forced to surrender. They know they must pay reparations to Bariel and Clifford. So they might provoke war to rally the nation and avoid the crisis.”
“W-War with Bariel? Could they win?”
“Bariel will always be the victor in history.”
Ian spoke calmly, without a trace of doubt, as if he had seen the distant future with his own eyes.
“But not everyone thinks that way.”
“Rutherford.”
“Little is known about him, but I suspect he’s not truly Vargas. He won’t hesitate to exploit Vargas’s internal chaos for his own gain.”
Not all Vargas natives are loyal to their homeland, after all.
Rutherford is the source of Idgal, the head of a merchant guild that deals with the empire’s great nobles and royalty. He possesses something unknown to us—a being who, according to Damon, balances gods and the world.
“The guild wields not only mages but also military power on a national scale. Holding Idgal, they consider Bariel’s mages worthy opponents.”
And above all, if he truly is Bandor, whose soul has endured for a thousand years, his intentions are impossible to read.
Countless ages have passed. What has he prepared? What feelings has he harbored? What conversations has he shared with the illegitimate Ian? How much has he influenced the events centered on Bariel? No one knows.
“I see… but still…”
Romandro trailed off, as if beginning to understand.
Isn’t this a problem? If Vargas wants war, and it benefits them regardless of how it unfolds, Bariel has no choice. If the delegation refuses to negotiate and remains insolent, war is inevitable. The Crown Prince has already moved troops near the Vargas border.
“What do we do if they act like that? There’s no way to ease the burden in negotiations, nor can we tolerate such arrogance. It tarnishes the empire’s dignity. Not just the royal family, but all officials will refuse to stand for it.”
“……”
It’s a strategy that leaves no room for defense. Those who seek destruction fear nothing, making them difficult to confront.
Ian rested his chin on his hand and looked at the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, sensing Vargas’s strategy, covered his mouth with his hand and whispered something.
‘This is consistent. Denying all issues to buy time fits the pattern. If it drags on, no war breaks out—that’s good. If not, that’s fine too. The problem is the safety of the delegates if talks collapse. From Vania’s demeanor, it seems her life is pledged to Rutherford.’
Are the others also willing to risk death? That would mean their loyalty to Rutherford runs deep.
But Ian remembered someone who exchanged glances with Timothy when he entered the meeting. That person seemed close to Timothy and would never abandon the dynasty to pledge their life to a mere guildmaster like Rutherford. They must have some guarantee of safety.
Vania flipped through the documents and began her prepared statement.
“First, regarding the cession of five Vargas border towns. Except for the capital, Frodhona, the towns damaged in Clifford are all small villages. Though the damage is severe, the scale is incomparable. More importantly, not a single Vargas soldier crossed the capital’s defenses. They never set foot on our inner lands—”
“Preposterous!”
Bang!
Mei, who had been listening, raised her voice and slammed the table.
“Why is Clifford speaking? Didn’t you transfer the right of recourse?”
“Our king is still reviewing the contract! And Vargas’s claims are clearly flawed, so I must stand!”
Transferring the right of recourse meant Clifford had no authority in negotiations between Bariel and Vargas, but Mei lifted a report and shouted.
“Vargas troops crossed the border and released white hornets wherever they passed. These creatures destroy farmland. As insects, they reproduce rapidly, killing the land along their path. Their explosive nature makes them hard for civilians to combat. And that’s not all—the ultimate damage from the war is the fissures in our capital! Without your invasion, we would have enjoyed peaceful days harvesting ripe grapes. Vargas is responsible for all damage caused by these fissures! Frankly, five towns are far from enough!”
“Exactly! Our entire country is on the brink!”
“There’s barely any arable land left. How can you put a number on this? And what about the curse on the royal family? Impossible!”
Several Clifford delegates strongly agreed with Mei’s claims. The Prime Minister gestured for calm, but Mei glared at Vania as if ready to tear her apart.
Vania, however, remained detached, simply doing her duty.
“Bariel agrees with Clifford’s position. Calm yourselves, Vargas. As someone said, I will reiterate: this is also the Crown Prince’s will. Do not dismiss it lightly.”
The Prime Minister, having grasped Vargas’s intent, issued a low warning.
“Though this is called a negotiation, it is a privilege granted only to Bariel and Clifford. The defeated nation has no authority. The values presented were calculated by Bariel’s representatives, and negotiations cannot proceed below that.”
Bang!
The Prime Minister struck his staff down, swearing on his name, rank, and the sanctity of the chamber that this would not change.
“Vargas delegation, if negotiations fail, your presence here is meaningless. Bariel will not release those connected to Rutherford who participated in the civil war.”
“……”
“The soldiers of Bariel will take up their weapons at sunrise and return home before sunset.”
Do they want war? But the message was clear: Bariel won’t give them enough time to exploit the chaos. Now that their intentions are understood, they won’t let things unfold as they wish.
Bania let the documents fall from his hands, sighing as he brushed his hair back.
“…If that’s the case, why not just send a notice? Why summon us all the way here?”
“Wasn’t it you who wanted to come? To see the king.”
“There was an invitation before.”
“Invitation? It was hardly clear who it was meant for. Is there anyone in Burgos authorized to receive a message in the name of His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince?”
The officials began exchanging whispered comments, gradually catching on to Burgos’s strategy. But nothing would change. If the delegation shed blood here, it would mark the opening act of war between Bariel and Burgos.
Jin, who had been quietly observing, rose and looked down ahead. Romandro sensed that a firm decision was about to come from Jin’s lips.
“Ian, aside from war or submission, is there no other option?”
Romandro, sensing Ian might know something, placed a hand on his shoulder without caring about the eyes around them.
Ian’s body trembled slightly. After a moment’s thought, he gave a subtle nod.
“There is one, but…”