The atmosphere froze coldly.
Just as Lowell hesitated, unable to retort, Daniel took a step back.
“Oops. I just wanted to have a light conversation before the official negotiations began, but it seems things got a little too heated. Why don’t we sit down and proceed with the discussion?”
Lowell nodded tensely.
After all, he hadn’t come here to fight Daniel Steiner.
Straightening his clothes, Lowell sat on the sofa.
Seeing this, Daniel also sat down, placing his briefcase on his knees.
With an exaggerated gesture, Daniel opened the briefcase and rummaged through it.
“Alright, let me now explain the Empire’s proposal. So… Ah, here it is.”
Daniel pulled out a few documents and handed them to Lowell.
“I hope you’ll take your time reading and making your decision. If there are any objections, please let me know.”
As Daniel smiled and handed over the documents, Lowell felt an overwhelming sense of irritation.
Glaring at Daniel with unease, Lowell snatched the papers.
Yet Daniel waited calmly, hands folded, showing no sign of discomfort.
‘…I can’t figure out what he’s thinking.’
Though polite, Daniel’s attitude somehow gave off a vibe of looking down on him.
Keeping his guard up, Lowell began reading through the documents.
At first glance, the contents seemed simple enough.
They demanded responsibility for failing to stop the terrorists, requested an official statement, called for detailed investigations, and discussed compensation.
Up to this point, Lowell could understand and accept the proposal.
However, the problem lay in the following items.
“Abolishment of tariffs on Imperial trade, allowing the Imperial Army to be stationed in the port city of Tentarvahem, cooperation in building military bases, and constant border opening?”
Even this was ridiculous, but the biggest issue was the last item.
“The Anti-Terrorist Act shall require that detailed information about some high-ranking officials and military generals be provided to the Empire. The Empire will then carefully evaluate and implement supervision when necessary to prevent future terrorist incidents.”
Though couched in terms of anti-terrorism, this was essentially interference in internal affairs.
This demand didn’t seem like something directed at a neutral nation but rather at a defeated one.
Overwhelmed with disbelief, Lowell threw the document onto the table.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing!? Is this supposed to be a proposal?”
“Is something wrong?”
“What’s wrong? Are you in your right mind?! Belanos is a neutral country! We’ve made agreements not to participate in international disputes or wars! How can Belanos accept the Empire’s army and endure such interference while maintaining its neutrality!”
Raising his hand, Lowell pointed accusingly at Daniel.
“Daniel Steiner! This is blatant sovereignty infringement! The international community will never tolerate this! And handing me this proposal is extremely disrespectful! In the name of the Prime Minister, I will officially protest to the Empire’s Foreign Ministry!”
Listening silently, Daniel suddenly sighed lowly.
“To the Empire’s Foreign Ministry? Didn’t you hear what I just said? Didn’t I clearly state that as long as I’m here, I am the Empire?”
Lowell’s eyes narrowed.
Just as he wondered what Daniel meant, the latter shrugged.
“Fine. Since the Prime Minister insists on being so tough, I’ll tell you the truth. You said the international community won’t tolerate Belanos’ sovereignty being infringed upon, right? Well, from where I stand, they might very well tolerate it.”
“That’s…!”
“As everyone knows, it was none other than the Belanos Navy that let the terrorists who sank our diplomatic vessel escape. You wouldn’t deny that, would you? Then who’s behind it? Does the Prime Minister know who the culprit is?”
Lowell swallowed dryly.
“According to Colonel Edvol, they received bribes from the Allied Nations…”
“Yes, we know that too. Since your government sent us a telegram directly. But do you have proof? Proof that they received bribes from the Allied Nations?”
Unable to answer, Lowell closed his mouth.
Because there was no evidence.
“In that case, the Empire could interpret it differently. Hmm… So, Belanos attacked our diplomatic vessel and framed the Allied Nations. Who’s the culprit?”
Leaning forward, Daniel stared straight into Lowell’s eyes.
“The Prime Minister.”
Sweating coldly, Lowell shouted quickly.
“That’s absurd! Why would Belanos attack the Empire’s diplomatic vessel?! What possible gain could there be?”
Daniel smiled subtly.
“Then present the evidence. Shouldn’t that be easy?”
Feeling aggrieved but unable to respond, Lowell shut his mouth.
The more he answered Daniel’s questions, the deeper he felt himself sinking into quicksand.
“Without evidence, the Empire has no choice but to suspect Belanos. Of course, I believe Belanos wouldn’t attack our diplomatic vessel. However, if the Prime Minister rejects this proposal, the Empire will have no choice but to act.”
Reclining comfortably against the sofa, Daniel continued.
“The Belanos Navy killed Imperial civilians. Isn’t that reason enough? The Empire will declare war, and the international community will remain silent. After all, the justification for war is crystal clear.”
Daniel’s low laughter echoed eerily in the silence.
“The Allied Nations won’t help Belanos either. They expressed deep regret over the loss of civilians and wouldn’t dare stop the Empire from seeking revenge. Supporting Belanos would make them complicit. And…”
Daniel snapped his fingers and pointed at the glass of whiskey.
“If you’re not going to drink it, could you pass it to me? My throat’s dry.”
Glancing sideways, Lowell looked at the glass of whiskey.
Unable to refuse, he picked it up and handed it to Daniel.
Noticing the slight tremor in Lowell’s hand, Daniel lightly accepted the glass.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Smiling, Daniel took a sip of whiskey.
He then exclaimed in admiration.
“High-quality stuff really is different. They say the distillation process makes all the difference, and the flavor is truly excellent. It’d be quite unfortunate if I couldn’t enjoy such drinks anymore in the future.”
Anyone but a fool would know who he was referring to.
While swirling the whiskey in the glass, Daniel set it down.
“My apologies, I digressed. To continue, once the Empire declares war, we’ll be able to land troops in Belanos without suffering any losses.”
Currently, the port city of Tentarvahem in Belanos might as well already be occupied by the Imperial Army.
As long as they were there, Belanos couldn’t stop the Empire’s landing.
It would be like losing the most important strategic location at the start of the war.
“The army landing in Belanos will advance to the capital in no time. As the Prime Minister surely knows, the Empire conquered the Eldreshia Kingdom within a season after declaring full-scale war. So how long do you think it would take to conquer Belanos, which is smaller than Eldreshia?”
Daniel raised his hand playfully and extended two fingers.
“Two weeks. Two weeks will be sufficient.”
Moisture started mixing with Lowell’s breathing.
But Daniel’s smile remained unchanged.
“The Imperial Army will reach the capital of Belanos within less than half a month. At that point, the citizens of Belanos will both rage against the Empire’s cruelty and hate their own government’s incompetence.”
Tapping the armrest of the sofa, Daniel spoke.
“That hatred towards the government’s incompetence will naturally be directed at the Prime Minister. Perhaps a popular uprising could occur. That’s when the Empire will halt its advance and advise Belanos’ government to surrender. Subtly, information will leak.”
Daniel’s smile disappeared.
“Apparently, the Prime Minister of Belanos has an illegitimate child.”
Lowell’s pupils dilated sharply.
The horrifying implications of that statement replayed vividly in his mind.
Unable to hold it in, Lowell burst into tears.
Seeing this, Daniel lowered his voice sympathetically.
“I understand. Imagining the loss of everything isn’t pleasant. Therefore, it would be best for the Prime Minister to act now to ensure these imaginings don’t become reality.”
Daniel pulled out a fountain pen from his pocket and offered it to Lowell.
Lifting his head, Lowell glared at Daniel through his sobs with pure hatred.
But nothing changed.
Lowell knew better than anyone who was the boss and who was the subordinate in this situation.
Having lived his entire life as a lion in a cage, Lowell had no confidence in defeating the wolf before him.
Witnessing the disappearance of the fighting spirit in Lowell’s eyes, Daniel gently shook the fountain pen.
“Sign the proposal. Only then can everything…”
His voice dropped low and chilling.
“…be swept under the rug.”
