On the day of the negotiation.
The negotiation team of the Belmoore Kingdom had entered Baharheim, crossing the border of the Empire.
As black vehicles trailed one another, Magreph, seated in the sedan at the center of the convoy, spoke without hiding his discomfort.
“I didn’t expect a warm welcome, but this atmosphere is excessively cold. No one has come to greet our negotiation team…”
From the entrance of Baharheim to the current location near the city center, no responsible official had shown their face.
It was a cynical reception, as if they were saying, “Come for negotiations and just leave after you’re done.”
‘But we can’t exactly complain about it.’
After all, it was the Belmoore Kingdom that had launched the surprise attack.
Moreover, during that process, the Crown Prince had been captured as a prisoner.
In such a situation, even if the Empire accused them of diplomatic rudeness, the Belmoore Kingdom could only approach from a position of humility.
Magreph regained his composure, accepting the reality.
“Halt! Everyone, stop your vehicles!”
Those who appeared to be guards of Baharheim stopped the negotiation convoy.
Just as Magreph wondered what was happening, an officer approached his sedan.
“There will be a brief inspection. Before moving to the negotiation site, we would like to confirm your identities one last time. Please present your passport, diplomatic credentials, orders, or appointment letter.”
At this, the aide-de-camp sitting beside him flared up and retorted.
“What nonsense is this?! We already verified our identities at the city’s entrance and received permission from your superiors! Now you want to conduct another inspection—are you mocking us!?”
As the aide grew angry, the imperial officer broke into a cold sweat but did not step back.
Watching this, Magreph sighed softly and pulled out his passport and identity papers.
“Stop it. The two nations are at war. They’re merely being cautious against unforeseen incidents; there’s no need to lose your temper.”
Magreph then took out his orders from his coat and handed them over to the imperial officer.
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
With a slight bow, the officer accepted the documents and began the verification process.
Thinking it might take some time, Magreph leaned back in his seat. At that moment—
Bang—
The sound of gunfire made his shoulders shiver.
Turning toward the direction of the gunshots, he saw people lying on the ground with bullets in their heads.
Soldiers of the Empire were carrying out public executions against prisoners along one side of the square.
‘They must be executing convicts…’
War meant conserving resources—even food that should have gone to prisoners. It wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.
Still, Magreph didn’t want to witness such deaths. He clicked his tongue and turned away.
While adjusting his attire in preparation for the upcoming negotiation, Magreph noticed the officer returning the documents.
“The verification is complete. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
Magreph nodded and accepted the documents.
Seeing this, the imperial officer walked to the front of the convoy and shouted to permit passage.
The soldiers stepped aside, allowing the negotiation convoy to proceed once more.
A few minutes later, the convoy slowed down in front of the brigade building, where the negotiation was scheduled to take place.
Once the vehicle came to a complete stop, the driver got out and opened the door for Magreph.
Taking a deep breath of Baharheim’s air, Magreph stepped out of the sedan and looked up at the building.
‘Here it is. Where Daniel Steiner is…’
What kind of man was he, infamous as he was?
Curiosity mixed with tension welled up within him when the sound of clicking heels approached.
“Are you Colonel Magreph, the head of the negotiation team?”
Turning his head, Magreph saw a beautiful woman with short silvery-white hair and red eyes.
“And who might you be?”
“I am Lucy Emilia, the aide-de-camp to Colonel Daniel Steiner. If you don’t mind, I’ll guide you to Colonel Daniel Steiner.”
“Daniel Steiner’s aide…”
Magreph nodded after observing Lucy.
“I’d appreciate your guidance.”
“Understood. Please follow me.”
Lucy turned and walked with proper decorum.
Magreph and his aide followed her into the building.
Walking through the corridors of the headquarters for a while, they arrived at a reception room set up inside the building.
However, the problem was that Daniel Steiner was nowhere to be seen in the reception room.
Looking around the room, Magreph turned to Lucy.
“Colonel Daniel Steiner isn’t here yet?”
“He’ll be here shortly. Would you please take a seat and wait?”
Lucy’s calm attitude made Magreph furrow his brows.
‘They’re clearly looking down on us.’
Though annoyed, Magreph couldn’t protest given their position. With a sigh, he sat down on the sofa provided in the reception room.
Five more minutes passed, yet Daniel Steiner still hadn’t shown up.
Unable to understand this delay, the aide leaned closer to Magreph.
“Sir… Do you intend to overlook Colonel Daniel Steiner’s rudeness?”
Magreph let out another low sigh upon hearing the aide’s whisper.
“Aide-de-camp, don’t fall into his trap.”
“A trap, sir?”
“Yes. He’s deliberately delaying things to remind us—and himself—that the Empire holds the upper hand. Getting upset won’t help us; it will only harm our side during the negotiation.”
Impressed by Magreph’s cool-headedness, the aide retreated.
About five more minutes passed when the door to the reception room opened.
There stood Daniel Steiner, immaculately dressed in the uniform of an imperial officer.
He was tall, with noticeable dark circles under his eyes, yet his natural smile exuded ease.
Despite arriving late, Daniel showed no signs of tension, making Magreph realize that he was dealing with a formidable opponent.
“You’ve finally arrived.”
As Magreph stood up, Daniel approached.
“I apologize for being late—I had some business-related instructions to give.”
Extending his hand, Daniel introduced himself.
“I’m Colonel Daniel Steiner of the Imperial General Staff Headquarters’ Operations Staff. Currently, I’m serving as the battalion commander of the headquarters’ direct command unit.”
Magreph shook Daniel’s hand.
“I’m Magreph Terophonmaran, Division Commander of the Second Armored Division of the Belmoore Kingdom and also a baron. Since you were busy, I’ll overlook your tardiness.”
“Ah, you truly are an aristocrat, as I’ve heard. Your polite tone and deep consideration are impressive.”
Daniel chuckled lightly before pointing to the sofa.
“Shall we sit down and have a conversation?”
Nodding, Magreph took a seat on the sofa, followed by Daniel.
Magreph started speaking first.
“Let’s first address the key points of the negotiation…”
Magreph stopped mid-sentence as Daniel raised a hand to interrupt him.
“I suggested having a conversation. Let’s postpone the negotiation for now.”
One of Magreph’s eyebrows twitched.
“A conversation? What are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I mean, Baron.”
“…Colonel Daniel Steiner, do you consider this place appropriate for games?”
Maintaining his smile, Daniel quietly stared at Magreph.
After a long silence, Daniel chuckled softly and pulled out a portable radio.
“Is everything ready for firing?”
Confused by the term “firing,” Magreph listened as a response came through the radio.
—Yes. As instructed, we’ve prepared 267 bullets.
267 bullets? Magreph knew that number matched the count of prisoners Daniel Steiner had captured.
Given the execution scene he had witnessed earlier in the square, Magreph couldn’t believe this was just a shooting exercise.
“Let’s start with twenty rounds. Inform the prepared marksmen to begin firing.”
Both the aide and Magreph were taken aback, losing their words.
Just as they tried to make sense of the situation—
Bang—
The synchronized gunfire nearby made their hands tremble.
Magreph’s pupils quivered after a brief moment of shock.
Taking a deep breath, Magreph shouted loudly.
“What in the world are you doing!? I came here for negotiations! Are you threatening me!?”
Upon Magreph’s roar, Daniel shrugged innocently.
“Threatening? I merely ordered my battalion members to improve their skills through shooting practice.”
Magreph gasped for air at Daniel’s words.
‘Shooting practice? Is he really calling killing people a shooting exercise?’
His hands began shaking more violently.
‘Does this man even have a heart?’
Noticing Magreph’s growing fear, Daniel continued calmly.
“So, let’s return to our discussion. How exactly did the Crown Prince of the Belmoore Kingdom accurately locate my position?”
Swallowing hard, Magreph replied.
“…I don’t understand why you’re asking me this.”
Acknowledging Magreph’s answer with a nod, Daniel spoke into the radio.
“Fire.”
Soon after, another round of gunfire echoed.
The horrifying sound made Magreph want to cover his ears.
Gazing steadily at Magreph, Daniel pressed the transmit button on the radio.
“Report the results of the shooting.”
—All shots hit their marks.
“Good. Prepare for another round of 100 shots.”
At the mention of 100 shots, Magreph’s mouth slightly opened in shock as he broke into a cold sweat.
He was utterly horrified by Daniel’s behavior, beyond maintaining any composure.
Meanwhile, Daniel remained composed, smiling faintly as he removed his cap.
“Well, let me ask again.”
Placing his cap on the table in front of the sofa, Daniel lightly dusted off his hands.
Then, looking straight at Magreph, Daniel wiped the smile from his lips.
“Who are you?”
Staring sharply, Daniel quietly added.
“The little rat within the Empire who collaborated with you.”
