Chapter 30
Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Full Authority at the Negotiation Table
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“―I’m entrusting you with full decision-making authority over everything that happens at the negotiation table.”
The Klauzen Margrave, responsible for guarding Hispania’s border.
Given the grave duty of protecting the nation, he wielded such immense power that decisions on war or truce didn’t require reporting to the royal capital for approval—they fell under the Margrave’s sole discretion.
And now, Lichten Klauzen, the head of the Klauzen family, had delegated all that authority to Sion.
No matter what outcome arose, it would be taken as his own will, with no questions asked.
“Let’s do it—war.
If you don’t want to negotiate, then war is all that’s left.”
That was why Sion could declare “war” so boldly and openly.
Even for him, pushing this hard carried risks.
But with the Margrave’s full authority in hand, he could stand firm.
“W-What did you just say…?”
“Are you actually a son of a bitch?
Why can’t you understand plain words?”
“A truce negotiation, and you’re talking war!
Are you threatening me—threatening Nudia right now?”
“Yeah, that’s right.
I’m threatening you.”
Risikida nearly fainted at Sion’s words.
She knew he was like this, but wasn’t this going too far?
Even if Nudia was at a disadvantage, if they kept escalating the hostility, the enemy might just go all-in with “Fine, let’s have war!”
That would turn it into an all-out war where neither side stopped until one was utterly destroyed.
‘Should I intervene?’
As a retainer, sometimes counsel was necessary.
Just as Risikida thought this was that moment and opened her mouth—
‘No.’
From the side, Sion’s eyes lacked the warmth he’d shown the soldiers earlier, but the sharp intelligence hadn’t faded.
Her current lord was calculating every word and action.
‘Trust him.’
Believing it was the path for him, Risikida stood resolute by Sion’s side, her expression firm.
“Sion Klauzen, Young Lord!
Is that truly the Klauzen’s will?
To reject negotiations and choose war?”
“Watch your words.
You’re the ones who rejected the negotiation proposal—not me.”
“You made an absurd demand that left us no choice but to refuse!”
“One year’s taxes from your territory.
When did I ever ask for 10 or 100 years’ worth?
One year’s taxes should be covered if you liquidate your family’s assets.
I didn’t think the Basura Count family was that broke.”
“What!”
“Be honest.
You’ve got plenty stashed away from backroom deals, right?
Spit that out, and you can pay the reparations right away.
Am I wrong?”
The novel was packed with extraneous details.
Among them were settings for the Klauzen Margrave Territory, the novel’s early backdrop, and the neighboring Basura County in Nudia.
An utterly ordinary county, but the new head, Count Dishe, had been quietly amassing wealth.
Not only by imposing excessive taxes but also by skimming off portions of the collected revenue.
Abandoning Risikida so quickly might have been out of fear that the royals would uncover his corruption.
“Four million.
A huge sum, sure.
But not ‘impossible.’
I offered a feasible amount, and you rejected it.
So who’s refusing peace—me or you?”
As Sion said, four million dir was a massive amount, but not unattainable for reparations.
Basura County wasn’t some barony or viscounty—it was held by a count, with substantial tax revenue.
One year’s haul was enormous, but liquidating family assets could cover it.
“Let’s sort this out properly.
First: You started the war.
Second: But your Basura County soldiers got smashed by Klauzen’s ambush.
Even your knight order is nearly wiped out, so you’re powerless for a while.
Third: Nudia’s central forces did arrive.
But they retreated without a proper siege, lost momentum, and can’t seize any advantages in future fights.
And finally, the most crucial fourth.”
A sinister smile spread across his lips as Sion continued, whispering like a devil.
“The Nudia royals don’t give a damn if the Basura family falls.”
“...!”
The moment emotions surfaced at the negotiation table, the game was over.
In that sense, Count Dishe had already lost to Sion.
“What nonsense—what baseless slander!”
“Central forces came.
But after one failed attack, they went ‘Nope, not happening!’ and pulled back to set up camp far away, just watching.
Sure, they lost momentum, but a real fight might’ve turned it around.
Because of Risikida being captured?
Risikida’s from Basura County, not a central knight.”
“T-That’s…”
“Skip the negotiations.
Then I’ll march straight into your territory and loot it clean.”
“You think the Nudia royals will just sit by!”
“They won’t sit by.
But they won’t react quickly either.
A family already fallen out of favor—if it’s on the brink of ruin, they might even thank us.”
Unlike Klauzen, Basura County was in a vastly different position, despite being near the border.
No close ties to the royals, no trust, no outstanding head.
If anything, Risikida’s mess had irked them—better off without the family.
“And you’re misunderstanding one thing: We just need to loot your territory clean and bounce.
Take only the valuable stuff and head home.
Then we’ll tell Nudia:
‘The Klauzen Margrave Territory sought peace per Hispania’s royals and Nudia’s wishes, but the arrogant Basura County refused, so we took spoils equivalent to reparations and withdrew.’
No intent to occupy Nudia territory at all.”
“You think that’ll fly?
It’s territorial invasion!
A matter of national pride!”
“What do you think?
Basura County rejected negotiations.
Klauzen Margrave Territory loots them clean and leaves.
Nudia royals left facing a county run by idiots like you.
What happens next is obvious to anyone.”
Count Dishe was speechless.
This young noble from Hispania’s Klauzen Margrave Territory spoke as if he were Nudia’s own influential noble scion or minister, with pinpoint knowledge of Nudia’s situation and Basura County’s woes.
Dishe had thought the king targeting Risikida was a warning.
He’d cut her loose quickly to avoid fallout, but the royals pressured him even harder.
Only then did he regret losing his sole military shield against them—but it was too late.
“Risikida Amstel!”
Desperation drove Dishe to a fatal mistake.
Shifting the negotiation to an unrelated topic.
“Come back to me now.
I’ll overlook this betrayal—just this once!”
“...Pardon?”
“Oh god.”
Even Satan would mutter, “Damn, I couldn’t say that with such balls.”
Or maybe she didn’t grasp “betrayal.”
“What did you just say?”
“I said return to the territory!
I know you’re being held against your will.
I was wrong.
So let’s go home.
That place isn’t for you!
Risikida, your place is always by my side!”
A sudden headache hit; Sion pressed his throbbing temples.
The bastard had resorted to utter bullshit now.
Its pettiness made his chest swell with disgust.
“T-That’s…”
Risikida clenched her fists, trembling.
She hesitated, glancing at Sion instinctively.
He nodded—do as you wish.
Whatever choice, he’d respect it.
“Hurry!
Stay with that wastrel, and you’ll be in deep trouble soon!”
“...”
Lips pressed tight, she turned from Sion and took slow steps forward.
Dishe’s face lit up as Risikida returned after brief hesitation.
With her back, war with Klauzen Margrave Territory was winnable.
The royals would reconsider dismantling the county too, so—
*Thwack—*
Dishe spun and crumpled sideways.
It was straight out of a comic; Sion couldn’t help but clap.
“Bravo.”
Dishe, dazed on the ground staring up, realized she’d smashed her fist into his face full force.
“You wench!
You dare strike your lord!”
“...I’ll kill you.”
“W-What?”
Dishe shut his mouth at Risikida’s chilling murmur.
Instinct warned any retort might mean death.
“One more word.
I’ll really kill you.”
“You’d kill me…?”
“Don’t insult me before my lord, or my lord before me.
Do, and I’ll rip out your heart and chew it to bits.”
The killing intent from a senior knight was overwhelming.
Even Dishe’s guards couldn’t move.
‘Of course.
She’s one of Nudia’s rare powerhouses who could match early Kim Yu-hyun, albeit temporarily—and a senior knight who masters Nudia swordsmanship that vanishes to dust a year later.
But most importantly!
Her loyalty stat pierces the atmosphere into the stratosphere.’
With loyalty that high, even lesser skills were fine.
An early-novel Kim Yu-hyun rival? Time to ‘grand slam her into subordination.’
And with future growth potential?
Jackpot—like second-prize lottery.
“Ugh…”
Realizing his last hope shattered, Dishe groaned like a beast, unable to rise.
Sion smirked at the fool before speaking.
“No four million? Fine, we’re done.
Wasting time with someone who doesn’t know ‘negotiation’ from a hole in the ground.
First time I’ve seen the desperate side set the venue and limit numbers.
Can’t even tell who’s top dog here.
Nudia’s mess is obvious without looking.”
A lie.
He already knew it crystal clear.
“Y-You bastard!
Risikida!
Risikida Amstel!
How could you betray me!
You swore loyalty till death, then betray again—how are you a knight?”
“Didn’t you abandon me first!”
“You idiot wench!
Think my heart didn’t ache?
It hurt me too.
I suffered!
Didn’t you consider how desperate your lord was to discard his own knight?”
“...My chest is swelling just hearing it.”
Sion struck that insufferably smug pose, sneering.
“There’s always guys like you.
The splinter in my finger hurts more than the spike in someone else’s chest.
Ah, not judging that.
My splinters hurt too.
But if you drove the spike into their chest, don’t whine over their splinter jab.”
Rising, Sion pulled Risikida lightly to his side.
Meant to be beside him, but whether she relaxed or startled, she ended up in his arms.
Not what he wanted; muttering, he pushed her back and spoke.
“Four million.
That’s my first negotiation term.
Can’t do it? Fight gleefully or bite your tongue and die.
Best way to serve your king.”
“Ugh…”
“I’ll take that as no, negotiations failed—”
“Grrrh!
Fine.
Agreed!
Four million dir!
Reparations raised to four million dir!”
Oh ho.
Finally, words were getting through.
Time to really gouge.
“Okay, four million.
Thanks for four million!”
For reference, four million was just Sion’s opening bid.
[Author's Note] Sunday 4-in-a-row > Switched to 4-in-a-row today―