Chapter 49

On the day of the negotiation.

The plain located midway between the Imperial Army Division Command and the capital of the Kingdom.

Inside a 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 responsible for these negotiations, he has come here.

Ivan tidied his clothes and slowly looked around.

Except for the negotiation table at the center of the tent, not a single soldier was in sight.

This was due to the request from the opposing side’s negotiator, who wanted an honest conversation just between the two of them.

As Ivan slowly moved toward the negotiation table, a young man entered from the opposite entrance of the tent, carrying a briefcase.

Ivan quickly scanned the man’s appearance.

Black hair, black eyes.

Though slim, his tall stature hid any frailty, and his sharp, wolf-like gaze carried an intimidating force that could make anyone shrink back.

Ivan knew this man.

‘Daniel Steiner.’

The key figure behind the Nordia invasion and hailed as a hero of the Empire.

‘But even so… appointing someone who’s only a captain as the chief negotiator…’

Was this already a move to pressure us, seeing the Kingdom as a defeated nation?

While Ivan frowned in discomfort, Daniel casually removed his winter coat.

Shaking off the snowflakes clinging to his coat, Daniel let out a hollow laugh.

“The north isn’t exactly a pleasant place to live, is it? Snow falling in midsummer…”

With a sigh, Daniel shook off the remaining snow and approached the negotiation table.

Wearing a friendly smile, Daniel extended his hand toward Ivan.

“You probably know me—Captain Daniel Steiner. I’ve been appointed as the special envoy responsible for these negotiations.”

“…Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Alexsei.”

After shaking hands, both took their seats at the negotiation table.

Daniel placed his uniform cap and winter coat on the edge of the table and spoke.

“I’ve heard the negotiations collapsed twice already. I have a rough idea, but could you explain the reasons?”

His attitude was surprisingly casual, more like they were having a simple chat rather than discussing matters of national importance.

Completely different from the stiff postures of previous negotiators.

Realizing he was dealing with a tough opponent, Ivan kept his guard up while answering.

“Because the Empire’s demands are absurd.”

The Empire had demanded the cession of Nordia—a strategic stronghold—along with switching the currency unit to the Imperial Yuan, restricting military capabilities, and imposing excessive war reparations. Furthermore, they sought harsh punishments for pro-war ministers and high-ranking military officials.

If the ministers and military leaders were dismissed en masse, those sympathetic to the Empire would inevitably take over their positions.

This was essentially declaring the Kingdom’s transformation into a vassal or puppet state under the Empire.

That’s why Ivan insisted on stubborn resistance and refused the Empire’s proposals.

Daniel, well aware of this, didn’t press further.

Instead, he opened his briefcase and began searching for documents.

“So, you understand the difficulties the Minister has been facing. That’s why I’m here to alleviate them. To cut to the chase—I want to work together with you.”

After retrieving the document, Daniel placed the briefcase down.

“You might find it strange coming from someone hailed as a hero of the Empire, but that’s a misunderstanding. I’m not overly devoted to the Empire.”

“…”

“In fact, I worry about the Kingdom more often than you’d think. If it helps, feel free to consider me an honorary citizen of the Kingdom.”

At this silly joke, Ivan remained silent.

He couldn’t grasp Daniel’s intentions behind such statements.

After observing Ivan’s reaction for a moment, Daniel handed him the document.

“I should show my sincerity first. Please take a look. It wasn’t easy to get.”

Intrigued, Ivan accepted the document.

As he read through it with a meaningful gaze, his eyebrows twitched.

“This is…”

“A Level 2 Secret from the Empire’s Third Army Division.”

What Daniel said was true.

The document detailed the Empire’s troop status and operation plans, leaving no room for doubt.

It was impossible to suspect forgery since Ivan, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, recognized some operations mentioned in the document, which he had previously learned through the Allied Nations’ intelligence department.

“But…”

This revealed that the information gathered by the Allied Nations was merely the tip of the iceberg.

Even the troop numbers were nearly double what the Allies had reported.

This implied one thing.

“We can’t stop it even if we know!”

The moment these operations were executed, the Kingdom would face certain ruin.

Thinking back now, it made him feel foolish for believing the Allies would actively support the Kingdom, inspired by its determination to fight against all odds.

For a moment, Ivan sat stunned before grinding his teeth in quiet realization.

“Damn bastards at the Allied Nations… Did they feed us false information from the start?”

They must have deliberately misrepresented the Empire’s strength and strategies to keep the Kingdom fighting, giving them hope.

“Then their promise to send reinforcements if we held our ground was also…!”

A lie.

From the perspective of the Allied Nations, the Kingdom was nothing more than a long-term pawn meant to weaken the Empire before collapsing.

Trembling hands betrayed Ivan’s newfound understanding.

Daniel misinterpreted this reaction.

“He’s feeling elated.”

In the game, the Kingdom rejects three rounds of negotiations and insists on stubborn resistance.

From the Kingdom’s point of view, possessing the Empire’s Level 2 Secret would naturally be cause for celebration.

Believing he had secured an easy alliance, Daniel smiled—but then Ivan suddenly raised his head, breathing heavily.

“Captain Daniel Steiner… Could it be that you know everything about the Kingdom’s internal situation?”

Logically speaking, it seemed clear that Daniel had provided the Level 2 Secret precisely because he knew the Kingdom had received downsized reports through the Allied Nations.

“To bridge the gap of information, judging it advantageous for negotiations…”

Daniel’s judgment was impeccable.

Even when the Kingdom believed the Empire’s forces were halved, stubborn resistance was still necessary. Now, faced with the truth, continuing the fight seemed impossible.

“This isn’t war. It’s one-sided slaughter…”

He could vividly picture the Kingdom’s soldiers being swept away by the Empire’s assault.

Their screams became guilt-ridden voices in his ears.

But even if he reached out to the Empire now, the Kingdom’s future remained uncertain.

Was it right to subject the Kingdom’s citizens to life under Imperial rule?

“But compared to dying meaninglessly…”

Amidst deep contemplation, Ivan finally managed to speak.

“…Captain Daniel. Let me ask you one thing. If I don’t shake your hand here, what will become of the Kingdom?”

Ivan was asking what would happen if the Kingdom rejected the Empire’s proposal.

On the other hand, Daniel interpreted the question literally.

Their thoughts ran parallel as Daniel chuckled softly.

For some reason, Ivan felt this eerie laughter resembled a demon’s.

“What a funny question. Asking how the Kingdom will fare if I don’t shake your hand. Minister, don’t you already know?”

Suddenly composing himself, Daniel stared intently at Ivan.

It was like a wolf revealing its true nature.

“If I don’t shake your hand, the Kingdom will…”

Leaning forward slightly, Daniel whispered quietly enough for only Ivan to hear.

“Disappear forever from the map.”

Upon hearing Daniel’s words, Ivan’s pupils dilated.

As he trembled with cold sweat, Daniel stood up after collecting his uniform cap and coat.

“Alright. Is there anything else you’d like to say?”

Despite Daniel standing up, Ivan slowly shook his head without moving.

Noticing this, Daniel nodded once before heading toward the exit.

Just as he was about to leave, he paused with an “Ah” and turned back.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

Under the tense silence, Daniel spoke with a faint smile.

“Please convey my message well to the Allied Nations too.”

With that, Daniel exited the tent.

Only then did Ivan exhale deeply, pressing his forehead.

His vision blurred as hyperventilation set in.

It felt like he’d barely escaped a conversation with Satan’s offspring.

As Ivan struggled to breathe freely again, the secretary-general entered from behind, concerned about why the foreign minister hadn’t emerged yet after the enemy envoy left.

Spotting Ivan inside the tent, the secretary-general rushed over in alarm.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs!”

Ivan didn’t look well.

Kneeling beside the chair, the secretary-general looked up worriedly.

“Are, are you alright?”

In response to the question, Ivan simply shook his head.

A tear trickled down from his tightly shut eyes.

“We must acknowledge it now, Your Majesty… We cannot win…”

Like a child consumed by fear, Ivan murmured weakly.

“There is absolutely no way we can defeat the Empire…”

The secretary-general could only be bewildered.

The resolute foreign minister, who had advocated for stubborn resistance based on firm beliefs, was already drenched in feelings of defeat less than an hour into the negotiations.

Confused, the secretary-general glanced at the chair on the opposite side of the negotiation table.

‘What did the person sitting there say to bring this about…?’

Without knowing the content of their conversation, the secretary-general could only feel utterly perplexed.