Chapter 110

A heavy silence hung between Daniel and Magreph.

The ticking of the wall clock was clearly audible.

In the artificially created stillness, the two men merely stared into each other’s eyes without a word.

Though Magreph appeared calm on the surface, his mind was racing with thoughts.

‘You want me to reveal the identity of the imperial agent I’ve been collaborating with? So you’re implying that the person who gave information to the Belmoore Kingdom isn’t a double spy?’

Thanks to Daniel’s words confirming their allegiance, it wasn’t something he could easily overlook. After all, as long as this man lived, he would continue to be a source of valuable information.

‘But…’

There was no telling what Daniel Steiner might do if the truth wasn’t told. Given the current negotiation dynamics, Daniel Steiner held the upper hand, having control over the life of the crown prince.

‘Even so, there’s no way Daniel Steiner would kill the crown prince…’

From the Empire’s perspective, Crown Prince Blef was an invaluable asset for negotiations with the Belmoore Kingdom. Though Magreph wanted to believe that Daniel Steiner wouldn’t harm the prince, the enigmatic darkness in his eyes sent shivers down his spine.

‘What should I do…’

As Magreph wrestled with his thoughts, Daniel suddenly smiled.

Leaning back against the sofa, Daniel spoke as if sharing a casual story with a friend.

“Colonel Magreph, are you aware that I conducted armistice negotiations with the Foreign Minister of the Eldreshia Kingdom?”

Magreph nodded; it was a well-known anecdote among military personnel.

“I know. You not only succeeded in the negotiations but also secured Nordia and Begenheim.”

“That simplifies things. Do you also recall what the Foreign Minister of the Eldreshia Kingdom called me during those negotiations?”

Magreph hesitated to respond, sensing it might not be appropriate to say in such a setting.

But Daniel waved it off as if dismissing any concern.

“It’s fine. The phrase has become so famous that everyone knows it by now.”

With Daniel pressing like this, Magreph couldn’t remain silent. Swallowing hard, he cautiously replied,

“They called you the ‘offspring of Satan in human guise.'”

Daniel nodded in satisfaction upon hearing the response.

“Yes, exactly. The offspring of Satan. To be honest, it’s not a pleasant title for someone like me who devoutly worships God. However, interpreting it differently, it’s not entirely bad. Why is that?”

The repeated questioning began to feel like subtle pressure.

Just as Magreph hesitated, unsure of Daniel’s intent, Daniel straightened his posture from leaning against the sofa.

“The Foreign Minister of the Eldreshia Kingdom judged my methods to be beyond the scope of ordinary humans.”

Leaning forward slightly, Daniel continued in a whisper-like tone.

“He thought I was someone incapable of being dealt with through conventional expectations. Isn’t that the ultimate compliment for a staff officer?”

Magreph broke out in cold sweat.

Though Daniel’s words seemed like self-praise at first glance, their underlying meaning was clear: “Don’t assume I won’t kill the crown prince.”

While Magreph’s rational mind warned him not to believe such a threat, his emotions were already unsettled.

Sensing Magreph’s increasing agitation, Daniel quietly posed his final question.

“Very well. Let me ask one last time: Who is the little rat within the Empire that you’ve been collaborating with?”

Despite Daniel’s insistence, Magreph remained silent, his walls of reason holding firm against the emotional turmoil.

Realizing he couldn’t afford to give Magreph more time to think, Daniel picked up the radio and pressed the transmit button.

“Troops, move to your firing positions. As previously stated, we’ll fire 100 rounds. Be ready to commence firing upon my signal—”

“Stop!”

Magreph’s shout reverberated through the reception room before fading away.

Unable to bear it any longer, Magreph finally exhaled deeply and opened his mouth after much deliberation.

“I’ll tell you. But you must stop this atrocious act.”

Watching Magreph silently, Daniel pressed the transmit button again.

“All units, stand by at your firing positions. Stand down unless further orders are given.”

After canceling the firing order, Daniel placed the radio back on the table.

Seeing this, Magreph took a deep breath and confessed the truth.

“The one collaborating with the Belmoore Kingdom is Kemball from the Empire.”

Upon hearing Magreph’s words, Daniel furrowed his brow.

‘Kemball…’

He was the leader of the Free Society Party and a politician from a noble family. Though not particularly skilled in politics, rumors suggested he had ascended to his position with the backing of several high-ranking nobles.

‘Why did Kemball side with the Belmoore Kingdom and attack me?’

Attempting to deduce the reasons, Daniel soon shook his head. It was better to focus on concluding the current negotiation before delving deeper.

“I thank you for your cooperation. Now, let’s proceed with the negotiation. Aide-de-camp?”

At Daniel’s call, Lucy standing nearby handed him the documents she had been carrying.

After receiving them and reviewing their contents, Daniel passed them to Magreph.

“This is the draft agreement. I believe it’s reasonable, but please point out any sections you’d like revised.”

Glaring briefly at Daniel, Magreph accepted the document.

It demanded the release of the Imperial engineer Hans Jernmechart and specified the provision of certain strategic resources in return. Finding it indeed reasonable, Magreph saw no reason to reject it.

Having read through the entire document, Magreph extended his hand toward his aide, who produced a fountain pen from his coat and handed it over.

After receiving the pen, Magreph signed both copies of the document and handed one back to Daniel.

After verifying the signature, Daniel passed the document to Lucy.

Upon receiving the draft agreement, Lucy carefully reviewed it once more before placing it into her briefcase.

Now considering the negotiation concluded, Daniel reached out and picked up his cap from the table.

“I thank you for your cooperation. We have prepared accommodations for your rest. Simply follow the guidance of our personnel when you leave the building.”

Placing the cap on his head and grabbing the radio, Daniel paused mid-rise and raised his index finger.

“Ah, by the way, you’ll be staying at Delopolo Hotel for the next two days. They’re famous for their breakfast, so even though you may be tired, please make sure to try it.”

His calm demeanor made it hard to believe he had just issued threats moments ago.

Unhappy with this attitude, Magreph clenched his fists and spoke.

“Daniel Steiner, I can’t comprehend your thinking. Why are you digging your own grave?”

“Hmm? In what way, sir?”

“How absurd! Not only did you threaten us with prisoners, but you also executed some of them right here at the negotiating table! Surely you don’t realize that’s a blatant violation of international law!”

Daniel blinked innocently as if puzzled.

“So… you’re accusing me of threatening with prisoners?”

“Don’t play dumb now! Both myself and my aide remember your actions perfectly!”

As Magreph glared at Daniel, a slow smile crept across his lips.

Then, unable to contain himself, Daniel burst out laughing.

Startled by his sudden laughter, Magreph and his aide were gripped with an eerie fear.

Just as they wondered what he was up to, Daniel wiped the corners of his eyes and retrieved the radio.

“Ah, my apologies. It seems there’s been a major misunderstanding.”

Pressing the transmit button on the radio, Daniel spoke openly, unmasking his amusement.

“Captain Burnard? Are you listening? Please describe the situation on your end. It seems Colonel Magreph has misunderstood something.”

— What misunderstanding are you referring to?

“Apparently, he believes we’re conducting shooting practice on people. Is there any truth to that?”

After a brief pause, a voice came through the radio, sounding incredulous.

— Absolutely not! We’re simply practicing target shooting!

Hearing Burnard’s reply, Daniel shrugged.

“That’s what he says.”

This revelation left Magreph frozen in shock.

‘Surely…’

He now understood why the negotiation team, who had already received clearance, was stopped for a secondary inspection in the square. At the time, it seemed unrelated, but given Daniel’s behavior now, it was clearly intended to imprint the image of executions onto Magreph’s mind.

To associate the term ‘shooting practice,’ mentioned in the negotiation room, with ‘executions.’

Daniel’s tardiness served as a calculated move to present himself as unpredictable and authoritative.

‘Reflecting back…’

Daniel Steiner never once mentioned ‘execution.’ By consistently referring to ‘shooting practice,’ it didn’t qualify as a direct threat.

Realizing he’d fallen prey to Daniel Steiner’s manipulation, Magreph was struck with shock.

“Colonel Magreph.”

Gazing steadily at the stunned Magreph, Daniel rose from his seat.

“In consideration of the status of our two nations, I will overlook the disrespect shown toward me.”

With a slight tip of his cap brim as a farewell gesture, Daniel turned to leave.

Staring blankly at Daniel’s retreating figure, Magreph raised a trembling hand to his forehead.

“Ah… Ah…”

Reprimanding himself for falling for Satan’s trick, Magreph felt dizzy just as Daniel exited the reception room.

Moments later, a desperate scream erupted from behind, but Daniel didn’t look back.

There was no need to pay further attention to the captured prey.