NOVEL WEB Chapter 49
Negotiation Day.
A flatland located at the midpoint between the Imperial Army Division Command and the Kingdom’s capital.
Inside the large military tent set up there, an elderly man wearing glasses enters.
His name is Ivan Alexei.
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom and the person in charge of this negotiation, he has come to this place.
Adjusting his attire, Ivan slowly surveyed his surroundings.
Aside from a negotiation table in the center of the tent, there wasn’t even a single soldier in sight.
This was thanks to the request from the opposing negotiation leader to have a heartfelt conversation, just the two of them.
As Ivan slowly walked toward the negotiation table, the entrance at the opposite end of the tent opened, and a young man entered, a briefcase in hand.
Ivan gave the man’s appearance a quick once-over.
Black hair and black eyes.
Though he had a thin build, his tall stature concealed his frailness.
Moreover, his sharp wolf-like eyes seemed to carry a power that intimidated others.
Ivan knew who that man was.
‘Captain Daniel Steiner.’
He was acclaimed as the hero of the Empire for the invasion of Nordia.
‘But to think that someone who is just a Captain would be put in charge of negotiations…’
Was the Kingdom already being regarded as a defeated nation, with coercive diplomacy underway?
Just as Ivan was furrowing his brow in displeasure, Daniel casually removed his winter coat.
Shaking off the snowflakes clinging to his coat, Daniel let out a slight chuckle.
“Hardly what you’d call a good place, Northern region, huh? Snow in the middle of summer…”
Clicking his tongue and shaking off the last remnants of snow, Daniel approached the negotiation table.
With a friendly smile, Daniel extended his hand toward Ivan.
“You might already know me, but I’m Captain Daniel Steiner. I’m in charge of this negotiation as a special envoy.”
“…I am Ivan Alexei, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom.”
After shaking hands, the two sat at the negotiation table.
Daniel placed his military cap and winter coat on the edge of the table and said,
“I’ve heard negotiations have collapsed twice already. While I can guess the reasons, could you enlighten me?”
His friendly demeanor made it feel as though he had come merely to chat rather than discuss an important state matter.
This was a stark contrast to the stiff attitudes of those who had come to negotiate before.
Ivan, who thought this was going to be a tough opponent, kept his guard up as he replied,
“Because the Empire’s demands are outrageous.”
The Empire not only requested the cession of Nordia, a strategic stronghold, but also called for a currency change to the Empire’s standard and military limitations.
If that was all, Ivan would have accepted it.
However, the Empire had heavily overpriced war reparations and even discussed punishing the war hawks and military leadership heavily.
If the ministerial and military leadership positions were vacated, it would allow pro-Empire individuals to take over.
This was practically a declaration that the Kingdom was to become a vassal state or a puppet of the Empire.
Thus, Ivan insisted on stubborn resistance instead of accepting the Empire’s proposal.
Daniel understood this as well, so he didn’t press further.
He simply opened the briefcase he had brought and searched for documents.
“I see. I understand the difficulties you must be facing as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. That’s exactly why I’m here—to ease that burden. To put it bluntly, I want to join forces with you.”
As Daniel took out the documents, he placed the briefcase down.
“You might think it’s ridiculous for someone considered a hero of the Empire to say such things. But that’s a misunderstanding. I’m not that dedicated to the Empire.”
“…”
“In fact, I worry more about the Kingdom and often find myself thinking from your side. If it’s alright with you, you may consider me an honorary citizen of the Kingdom.”
Ivan fell silent at the joking remark.
He couldn’t grasp what Daniel’s intentions were by saying such things.
As Ivan was lost in thought, Daniel handed over a document he had been holding.
“I believe it’s best if I show you my sincerity first. I would appreciate it if you could take a look at this. It was quite difficult to obtain.”
Curious about what it could be, Ivan took the document Daniel handed him.
As he read down the page with a significant expression, his eyebrows twitched.
“This is…”
“It’s a Level 2 Secret from the Empire’s 3rd Army Division.”
Daniel’s words were true.
The document was filled with details about the Empire’s troop movements and plans.
There was no way to doubt its authenticity.
Some operations detailed within had already been learned through the United Nations Intelligence Office, so Ivan, as the Foreign Minister, was aware of them.
‘But…’
Seeing this, Ivan realized that the information the United Nations had gathered was merely the tip of the iceberg.
In fact, the troop levels were double what the United Nations had reported.
This signified one grave conclusion.
‘Even if I know, I can’t stop it…!’
Once these operations were executed, the Kingdom would be doomed.
He felt foolish for thinking that if the Kingdom demonstrated stubborn resistance, the United Nations, which saw hope in the Kingdom, would step up with substantial support.
After a moment of daze, Ivan bit down on his teeth at the emerging realization.
‘Those damn United Nations…! So they were feeding us false information from the start!’
It was clear that they had underreported the Empire’s troop strengths and operations to keep the Kingdom from losing hope for war.
‘So all that about maintaining the frontline to receive support was…!’
A lie.
From the United Nations’ perspective, the Kingdom was simply a pawn to bleed the Empire and then fall.
Ivan’s hands trembled as he understood all of this.
Yet, Daniel interpreted Ivan’s state differently.
‘Is he feeling exhilarated?’
In the game, the Kingdom would reject all negotiations and insist on stubborn resistance.
From the Kingdom’s perspective, having the Empire’s Level 2 Secret in hand was undeniably a joyous moment.
Just as Daniel thought he might smoothly grasp an alliance, Ivan lifted his head and exhaled roughly.
‘Does Daniel Steiner know everything about the internal affairs of the Kingdom?’
Common sense would suggest that since the Kingdom had learned about the underreported numbers through the United Nations, Daniel must have brought this Level 2 Secret knowing it would be beneficial to bridge the gap of information for negotiations.
‘He must have assessed that closing the information gap would be advantageous for the negotiation…’
Daniel’s judgment was impeccable.
When he had only known half the Empire’s troop strength, he was still forced to advocate for stubborn resistance; now that he faced the truth, fighting seemed impossible.
‘This isn’t war. It’s unilateral slaughter…’
He could vividly picture the Royal Army soldiers being swept away by the Imperial Army’s attacks.
The screams they would make would close in on him like guilt.
Yet even if he were to join hands with the Empire now, the future of the Kingdom was still murky.
Was it right to force the Kingdom’s citizens to live under the Empire’s rule?
‘But it’s better than dying a foolish death…’
Engulfed in various thoughts, Ivan finally managed to part his lips.
“…Captain Daniel, I have just one question. If I do not take your hand here, what will happen to the Kingdom?”
Ivan was inquiring about what would come if he refused the Empire’s proposal.
On the other hand, Daniel interpreted that question literally.
As their thoughts ran parallel, Daniel chuckled softly.
For reasons unknown to him, Ivan felt that smirking laugh sounded devilish.
“What a funny question. Asking what will happen to the Kingdom if I don’t take your hand. Surely, the Foreign Minister knows well.”
At that moment, Daniel’s smile faded as he fixed his gaze on Ivan.
It was as if the wolf was revealing its true intentions.
“If you don’t take my hand, the Kingdom will…”
Daniel leaned in slightly, whispering low enough for Ivan to hear.
“…disappear from the map forever.”
As Ivan processed Daniel’s words, his pupils dilated.
Cold sweat trickled down his brow, and as his hands trembled, Daniel withdrew and stood up.
“Alright then. Do you have anything else to say?”
Even after Daniel had stood, Ivan slowly shook his head.
Seeing this, Daniel nodded once and gathered his military cap and coat before heading outside.
Just as Daniel was about to leave the military tent, he halted with a sudden “Ah.”
“Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
While Ivan remained in tense silence, Daniel spoke with a hint of a smile.
“Please be sure to convey my message to the United Nations as well.”
Having said that, Daniel exited the military tent.
Finally, Ivan exhaled the breath he had been holding and pressed his forehead.
He felt dizzy, as if he had just escaped a conversation with the spawn of Satan.
As Ivan, now free from the pressure, gasped for air, the secretary entered the tent from the entrance behind him.
Seeing that the special envoy of the enemy nation had come out but Ivan had not, the secretary entered curiously.
Spotting Ivan inside the tent, the secretary hurried over, panic in her eyes.
“Minister of Foreign Affairs!”
Ivan was not in good condition.
The secretary sank to one knee beside his chair and looked up at the minister.
“Are… are you alright?”
Ivan shook his head in response to the secretary’s question.
Tears streamed down his tightly closed eyes.
“It’s time His Majesty the King must realize it as well. We cannot win…”
Like a child consumed by fear, Ivan murmured with a dying voice.
“We will never defeat the Empire…”
This left the secretary bewildered.
The Foreign Minister, who had insisted on stubborn resistance based on firm beliefs, was steeped in a sense of defeat not even an hour into the negotiations.
The flustered secretary stared vacantly at the chair across the negotiation table.
‘What on earth did the person seated there say…?’
Not knowing the contents of the conversation, the secretary was simply confused.