Volume 6 Chapter 2 Part 15
「How do you intend to draw Pederico out? 」
「If we force him to open up the gates of the castle, we won’t need to spill any more blood. 」
Siluca is also at a loss as to what they should to force Pederico Rossini out of hiding. Her initial assumption was that he’s not going to hand the control over the city to the rebel army, so unless he miraculously changes his mind and will decide to negotiate with them, their only option is going to be to attack his castle and drag him out of it.
And so, Theo’s army advanced into the slums. Those who continued to riot were arrested without mercy, and those who resisted were suppressed by force. However, many residents of the slums stayed cooped up in their homes. They weren’t doing it because they were obedient, but because they knew that there’s no point in going against Theo’s rebel army right now. On the other hand, if they were provoked in any way, they’d bare their fangs at anyone without a second thought. That’s just the kind of people that live in the slums, and simply thinking about how they could try to control them was giving Siluca a headache.
However, while they were going through the slums they didn’t encounter any resistance from the residents’ side and seized control of the slums relatively peacefully.
When they arrived at the gate to the city center, they saw a large rainbow flag waving on top of the city wall. The rainbow flag is the symbol of the Mages Association, which is raised when calling for a ceasefire and negotiations.
「Lord Theo… 」
Siluca felt relieved and asked Theo under what conditions he would agree to a cease-fire with the Rossinis.
「I’ll decide on it after I listen to the other party’s arguments. 」
Theo answered her with an unusually stern expression.
「Understood. 」
Siluca bowed while also feeling nervous.
Theo was still angry and resentful towards the Rossini family. The same goes for the people of Sistina who joined his rebel army, so there’s even a possibility that a thorough discussion between the rebels and the Rossini family is not going to be possible because of that.
There is even a possibility that a thorough discussion will not be possible.
Thankfully, after thinking things through Theo decided that he was willing to negotiate after all, and sent his entire army back from the castle gates.
After a while, the door to the castle opened, and an elderly man wearing a robe, an old man wearing a chamberlain’s attire, and a young man who seems to be the Lord of the castle appeared.
「It’s not Pederico Rossini. 」
Siluca muttered quietly. A thought that this might be a trap suddenly crosses my mind.
「Emma, Luna, come with me. 」
Since Irvin was not here with them, Siluca asked the Werewolf twins to protect her. Before she knew it, the two of them had already changed back into their maid clothing. Such attentiveness and foresight are one of the few things Irvin taught them.
「Understood! 」
The two bowed in unison. Unlike usual, they didn’t seem to be playing around. After all, Irvin was still in critical condition, so Siluca was sure that they were still worried about what was going to ultimately become of him.
「Lord Theo…」
Siluca urged Theo, whose face stiffened.
「Ah, yes… 」
Theo nodded hastily and stepped forward.
Siluca followed closely behind him, keeping an eye on their surroundings.
「I’m Juzel Rossini… 」
A man who looked like a young Lord announces his name with a dignified attitude.
「Where is Pederico Rossini? 」
Theo said in a calm voice. On the contrary, his voice didn’t contain any emotion at all.
「A while ago, my father handed over his title to me. Therefore, I have full authority over this negotiation. 」
「What are you even trying to negotiate? 」
Theo’s voice was slightly husky.
「This is a negotiation to avoid spliining unnecessary blood any further than it has already been spilled. 」
Juzel replied calmly.
「If that’s really the case, then let’s talk. 」
Theo nodded.
「So, what are the terms of your surrender that you wish to propose? 」
「I want you to guarantee that no harm will come to the lives of the citizens of Laxia’s downtown district, and that their property and fortunes will remain intact. I also want the same conditions to apply to the Rossini family’s estate and the people who’re employed there. 」
Juzel says with an expression that seemed to imply that what he’d want should really be obvious.
That was the request of the representative of the Rossini family, so next it was the rebel army’s turn to present their own terms of the Rossini family’s surrender.
Siluca looked at Theo and waited for him to start speaking. Without changing the grim expression on his face, he turned his gaze to Juzel Rossini. Siluca had her own ideas about the capitulation of the Rossini family that she had in mind, but she felt like it was not yet the time for her to share them with everyone.
“The sacred seal of the Viscount Rossini family, the lives of Pederico and your noble family, the property of the citizens of the city center, and the food stockpiled in the farms of the territory…
「Our terms for accepting your surrender are as follows: The Crests of the Rossini family and all their subordinate Lords are to be handed over to us, Pederico Rossini and his entire family are to be executed, and the property of the citizens of Laxia’s downtown along with the food and crops stockpiled in the farms locate on the territories under Rossini family’s direct control will be claimed and distributed equally among all the people of Sistina. 」
Siluca instinctively lowered her face. Even if they were justified, these conditions were simply too strict. This is not a negotiation at all.
「Is there any room for you to compromise on those demands? 」
Juzel asked with a quiet voice after a long while of silence.
「Of course there is. If there wasn’t, then I wouldn’t bother coming hear to hear you out in the first place. Think of all that you’ve heard just now as me voicing the demands of the citizens of Sistina who’ve joined me in my rebellion against your family out loud. 」
Siluca raised her head up and sighed with relief.
「I’ll be sure to keep those words in mind. 」
Juzel said while taxing the soldiers of Theo’s army with his eyes.
「I’ll leave the rest to you then. 」
Theo looked back at Siluca and nodded his head at her.
「I-I understand. 」
Siluca answered hastily and took a step forward, and then she looked at Juzel again. Unlike his brothers, Salvador and Doni, his demeanor was that of a calm and intelligent man. From her past conversations with Theo regarding the members of the Rossini family, she knew that he’s someone whom she could talk to and he’ll actually listen to her.
「My name is Siluca Meletes. I am a contracted Mage of Lord Theo Cornero. 」
Siluca came forward and proceeded to conduct the negotiations with Juzel after introducing herself.
One thing about which both sides of the negotiations could say that they unilaterally agree on is that they wanted to avoid any further conflict. She also promised to follow through on the condition of providing safety to the citizens of the downtown of Laxia and the Rossini family.
「However, the confiscation of the material wealth of the rich citizens of downtown Laxia and the food and crops from the farms located on the Rossini family’s direct territory is one demand that we cannot give up on. The common folk of Sistina have been exploited by the members of the rich minority from Laxia for too many years for us to ignore that issue. However, we don’t intent to make you give up literally everything that you and the rich citizens own. We’re going to allow you to keep just enough food and resources to make sure that you won’t have difficulties living your lives, and we will allow you to keep the tenth of your fortunes. 」
Siluca’s intention here was to distribute the food and wealth of the Rossini family and the rich folks from downtown Laxia between the members of the rebel army after it was going to be disbanded, so that they could all bring something back to their villages with them that would allow them to go back to living their normal daily lives.
「This is a much better outcome than having them all be held hostage for the purpose of exchanging them for ransom. It’s harsh, but at this point it’s unavoidable. 」
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
Record of Grancrest War
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 80 hours
Why are there no color illustrations for the volumes in the gallery? I have them, I would upload them if I could.
Thank for your work, by the way.