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Negotiations Are Difficult but Not Impossible

Summoned by Emperor Kagurai, Pope Luvain quickly made his way to the imperial castle just past noon. They met at the same audience chamber, but this time, there was only one person beside Kagurai—the Prime Minister who managed the empire’s administration.

“I wish to negotiate a ceasefire between your nation and our empire without delay.”

“What…?”

Emperor Kagurai’s words took Luvain by surprise.

“I appreciate your efforts, providing free medical care to the capital’s citizens and holding meetings with our nobles to clear up misunderstandings. So, I invited you here today to formalize the ceasefire you have been working towards.”

“…Thank you very much.”

Although it was unexpected news for Luvain, he considered it best to conclude the agreement before the Emperor changed his mind.

“Are you surprised?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I thought it would take more time. You thought the same, didn’t you?”

Luvain hinted at the Emperor’s revenge for what the former Pope did, but he did not give any particular reaction.

“No. I merely reward proper efforts with proper rewards.”

“Do you mean the volunteer work and persuasion you mentioned earlier?”

“Those included, yes.”

“Silver Face—”

Luvain didn’t miss the slight twitch of Kagurai’s eyebrow.

“Is it related to the incident at Count Dred’s residence this morning?”

“Do you know about Count Dred?”

“Yes. Count Dred was the first to accept an audience with me when I was making my rounds.”

“I see.” Kagurai left it at that, revealing nothing more.

Luvain had independently gathered information about the capital and was aware that imperial soldiers had surrounded Count Dred’s mansion early this morning. However, he didn’t have further details.

“Now, let’s discuss the ceasefire terms. Prime Minister.”

“Sir.”

At this point, the Prime Minister was to take over the negotiations, and they spent a long time discussing the terms.

1. The Quinbrand Empire will withdraw its army from the borders of the Theocracy of Bios starting today.

2. The Theocracy of Bios will provide compensation for the Accursed Toxin calamity using its gold coins. The true cause of the disaster will be kept secret, describing it as an epidemic, but the Church will actively respond to requests for medical treatment within the Quinbrand Empire in the future.

3. The Quinbrand Empire can continue developing and producing soul cards but will not sell them to other nations. The Theocracy of Bios will reduce the selling price of soul cards by 10%. The Church will publicly disclose the names and races of the developers and extol their praises.

These were the three main points of the agreement.

The compensation amount was substantial, but it fell within Luvain’s expected range. He believed he could manage it by selling the Tower’s assets. The concern was whether the Kingdom of Ponsonia might also demand compensation. However, the Kingdom’s damages were relatively minor, so they could likely handle it.

“That should do it, Your Majesty.”

“Indeed.”

“Thank you for your time today, Your Holiness.”

Each of them received a copy of the documents and signed them personally. Using magic items, these signed documents became binding contracts, making forgery impossible.

“You have excellent subordinates, Pope Luvain,” Kagurai said finally. He was referring to Silver Face.

“Yes, but he is…” Luvain paused. “…quite a challenging man to manage.”

“I think so, too.”

Kagurai smiled brightly for the first time.

Luvain and three Knights Templar left the audience chamber, with the setting sun casting a warm glow around them. The knight carrying the signed treaty looked stiff.

Kagurai and the Prime Minister watched them go.

“Your Majesty, we’ll be quite busy from now on.”

“Indeed.”

Their conversation was brief, but they understood each other well.

Late last night, the agent Kutsuwa brought back the unthinkable—the letter Count Dred had received, his ledgers, and instructions all linked to the Phantom Butterfly.

Despite suspicions surrounding Count Dred, his substantial wealth in the capital weakened by the Accursed Toxin made him powerful, preventing the authorities from launching any full-scale investigation.

Even with the full force of the intelligence department, Count Dred did not give himself away. Meanwhile the Phantom Butterfly silently thrived in the capital.

What Kutsuwa had brought back was conclusive evidence that could finally alleviate their frustration and chagrin.

Kutsuwa had suffered injuries, including some on his back, showing how challenging it had been to secure this evidence. He had mentioned, more bitterly than gratefully, “Silver Face assisted us. Without him, I wouldn’t have seen this, let alone brought it back.”

A team of elite from the Thieves Guild had also tried to break into Count Dred’s mansion, but the results of their attempt remained unknown.

Throughout the night, adventurers had voiced their anger against Count Dred, leading Kagurai to deploy the Imperial Guard under the pretext of public safety. With the evidence in hand, their objective was to prevent Count Dred or anyone aware of his misdeeds from escaping.

Count Dred’s forces had already been weakened through clashes with Kutsuwa and Silver Face, and he had been arrested without resistance.

The capital was expected to experience turmoil in the coming days, given Count Dred’s significant influence over the city’s economy. His fall from power would bring forth contenders and fierce competition.

“Do you think Silver Face works for Pope Luvain?” Kagurai asked.

The Prime Minister shook his head. “No. Judging by Pope Luvain’s behavior, he doesn’t seem to be under his command.”

“I agree. You know what we have to do, yes?”

“Of course. We will make every effort to bring Silver Face into our empire’s service.”

“Do not skimp on coins. It’s a mystery that such a remarkable talent stayed hidden for so long.”

Thus, Silver Face garnered the attention of the Quinbrand Empire’s highest ranks. The intelligence department would once again mobilize all its resources to recruit him into the empire’s service.

---

Luvain returned to the mansion in the late afternoon, having spent most of the day at the imperial castle.

The knights and guards who had accompanied him to the capital gathered around.

“We’ve reached a ceasefire agreement. Let us return to the holy city,” Luvain said with a weary expression, and the entrance hall filled with cheers.

They decided to leave the capital as early as the following day. For now, they’d have a celebratory feast, with the five Knights Templar and five temple guards eagerly preparing dinner.

Luvain returned to his chamber alone.

The room, bathed in the rays of the setting sun, was dyed in a crimson hue. It reminded Luvain of the day he had arrived in the capital, an evening painted in shades of red.

“Silver Face, are you here?”

There was only silence, a silence that seemed to say, “I told you I was leaving as soon as you reached an agreement.”

Luvain had planned to reward him generously, a sum most could only dream of. However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Silver Face might never appear before him again.

“You make me feel sad, Silver Face.” Watching the capital bathed in the evening glow from the window, Luvain whispered, “But I won’t give up on you.”

---

In the evening, a horsebus arrived at a town in the southeastern part of the Quinbrand Empire.

“We’re here. Oh? He’s been asleep the whole trip, and he’s still sleeping.”

The driver peered into the passenger seat and saw a boy who had been using a girl’s lap as a pillow.

“Yeah, he’s tired.”

“I see. But wake him up; we’ve arrived.”

“Okay. Hikaru, wake up.”

Hikaru awoke with a yawn, then disembarked from the carriage with Lavia and Paula.

“Ah… Slept like a log.”

“You were sleeping the whole time, Lord Hikaru,” Paula said.

“I was feeling queasy, while you were snoring peacefully,” Lavia said. “I was a little jealous.”

Hikaru, who had gone without sleep for two nights, boarded the early morning horsebus to leave the capital. He had slept throughout the entire journey, leaving his body feeling stiff.

“Lavia, you should get some sleep, too. Sleeping is the best remedy for motion sickness.”

Hikaru’s party searched for an inn.

Hikaru understood the situation well. If he had stayed in the capital, he would have become the next target. Luvain would undoubtedly find a reason to take him back to Agiapole, and Kagurai had also shown a keen interest in him.

“I’m sure you can find success anywhere you want,” Lavia said.

“Do you want me to go on countless missions and be gone for days?”

“No way,” Lavia denied emphatically.

“We left in a hurry, but what’s the plan now, Lord Hikaru?”

“We’re heading back to Ponsonia. I need to settle matters related to the spell for crossing worlds. Once that’s done, I want a break. I just want to rest for days and days without doing anything!”

“I want to read books.”

“I might… go to the church.”

“You’re such a workaholic,” Hikaru said.

“It’s not healthy,” Lavia added.

“How mean!”

The three continued their casual conversation as they walked through the twilit town.

Taverns and restaurants had their lights on, and the sound of lively conversations filled the air. Innkeepers at every inn were enthusiastically calling out to attract customers.

Unfamiliar scenes in an unfamiliar town. The fact that no one here knew anything about them made Hikaru feel strangely comfortable.