This Isn't What I Wanted
This Isn't What I Wanted
After Duke Belvar's execution ceremony ended, Worain and Ref boarded the ceremonial limousine once more and headed toward the Imperial Palace.
Now that Belvar, the ringleader of the military rebellion, had been executed, it was time to discuss the research agreement.
Worain and Ref arrived at the Imperial Palace and were guided by Inner Court Office personnel into the reception room; then Daniel entered and they all took their seats around the command table.
The command table had been set with fresh flowers to create a cheerful atmosphere and the finest refreshments, but Worain could spare no attention for any of it.
The words and actions Daniel Steiner had displayed before Duke Belvar were seared into his mind, showing no sign of fading.
'...Just watching had been enough to make my skin crawl. Do all of Daniel Steiner's enemies meet this kind of end?'
In Worain's eyes, the sight of him not only crushing the silence with certainty but mocking his enemy to the very last was like that of a demon.
In all honesty, he had no desire to exchange words at all, but as Bellanos's diplomatic envoy, he could not simply remain silent forever.
As Daniel watched with a smile, Worain let out a dry cough and spoke.
"Colonel Daniel Steiner. Or should I call you Chief of Public Security?"
"Please address me however you're comfortable. I don't pay much attention to titles."
"Understood. I'll respect your preference and call you Colonel. Also, your presence here means you are involved in the Vargov Project, yes?"
"Yes. It turned out that way, somehow."
"Then first of all...."
Worain lifted his briefcase and pulled out several documents.
After checking the documents, Worain held them out to Daniel.
It was an implementation plan densely filled with the details of the research agreement.
As Daniel received the documents, Worain continued.
"As you can see, the Empire broke its promise. It failed to meet a single implementation date. I trust you will not deny this."
"...It was because of the military rebellion that Belvar instigated, but I imagine that is not an excuse your country can accept. Failing to prevent the rebellion is indisputably the Empire's responsibility."
"I am glad we understand each other. In that case, what form of compensation can the Empire offer Bellanos?"
The agreement had failed to proceed as scheduled, and the fault lay entirely with the Empire.
Bellanos was demanding compensation for the temporal and financial losses incurred as a result.
It was an entirely reasonable demand, and since Daniel had already given thought to this matter, he answered without difficulty.
"We shall grant you special information access rights, limited to the research results."
"What do you mean by special information access rights?"
"I mean that we will implement exclusive information sharing regarding the experimental data. Should the Empire complete the development of the atomic bomb, Bellanos will also be able to possess the technology."
Though he did not show it outwardly, Worain was inwardly astonished.
A research agreement did not mean that both nations disclosed all information openly.
This 'Vargov Project' was, by any measure, an asymmetrical agreement, and the initiative for the research lay with the Empire.
Therefore, even if the Vargov Project were completed, the Empire could legally get away with sharing only partial information or simply notifying them of the results without any issue.
Yet now, Daniel Steiner was proactively offering to share the technology by granting Bellanos special information access rights.
"However, there is one condition."
While Worain could not hide his astonishment, Daniel quietly continued.
"We would like to formally conclude a Military Protection Agreement."
Sweet rewards always came with a trap lying in wait.
After a moment of silence, Worain gathered his thoughts and spoke.
"The Imperial Army has already been permitted to station troops in Bellanos's port city of Tentarbahém under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Given the current situation, is there really a need to conclude a Military Protection Agreement?"
"Granting permission for stationing and concluding a formal agreement are separate matters. I raise this because I wish to make it certain that Bellanos is an ally of the Empire."
The moment a military agreement was formally concluded, Bellanos would become the Empire's ally in clear and unmistakable terms.
The Anti-Terrorism Act could be discarded at any time and used to scheme for one's own survival should the situation turn unfavorable, but concluding a military agreement was, literally, akin to placing oneself beneath the Empire.
Worain frowned at Daniel as he made this formal demand.
'...If I put my mind to it, I can refuse. It is Bellanos that suffered the damage, so we hold the upper hand in negotiations.'
But looking at Daniel Steiner's confident attitude, it was impossible to tell who actually held the upper hand.
'That man knows. He knows that Bellanos cannot refuse this offer.'
Bellanos was called a neutral state, but in truth it was a weak nation that had survived by pandering to the whims of numerous great powers.
'But if we get our hands on the atomic bomb....'
No nation would dare to look down on Bellanos.
If the price for obtaining that was to bow its head to the Empire for a time, it was a deal well worth enduring.
"You're a funny bastard."
Just as Worain was sinking into deliberation, Ref let out a low laugh.
"It's a tempting offer. But can you actually complete the Vargov Project? From what I've heard, developing the atomic bomb is supposed to take several years."
Because of Ref suddenly interjecting, a question mark floated above Daniel's head.
For a mere attendant to interrupt like this, and to use casual speech on top of it, was unprecedented.
Moreover, even though they were indoors, she continued to wear a brimmed hat with a mesh veil.
"I thought you were no ordinary attendant, but this kind of rudeness is somewhat baffling. Who exactly are you, that you do not even observe basic courtesy?"
At Daniel's question, Ref took off her hat as if she had been waiting for it.
As the sharp eyes beneath the black hair were revealed, Daniel's eyes went round.
Her voice had sounded vaguely familiar, and sure enough, it was someone he knew.
"......Ref?"
As Daniel called her name, Ref wore a somewhat mischievous smile.
"Heh. Son of a bitch you may be, but you're a son of a bitch with a conscience. You remembered my name? But isn't this funny? The guy who used me to blackmail the old man is now lecturing me about courtesy."
Cold sweat seemed to bead along the nape of his neck.
As Daniel fell silent at the appearance of this unexpected guest, the smile lurking at the corners of Ref's lips deepened.
"From the looks of it, you've been eating well and living well here. Meanwhile, all hell broke loose on my end because of you. That old man was foaming at the mouth, preaching at me, and honestly, looking back, it was a dreadful experience."
Daniel had nothing to say.
Though he had not intended it, it was true that he had toyed with Ref.
"Of course, I don't resent you now. Because after what happened with you, the old man realized that just hiding me away isn't the answer. Thanks to that, I even get to go on overseas trips like this—how great is that?"
Ref was chattering away as if she had met an old friend, but Daniel could not shake the feeling that he was sitting on a bed of thorns.
Just as he was desperately wishing to leave the room, Worain stepped in to mediate.
"Young lady! How many times have I told you to maintain your dignity! Colonel Daniel? I apologize for the rudeness. Furthermore, I will give the proposal due consideration and provide you with an answer."
Only then did Daniel come to his senses and nod in a daze.
"Understood. Once you have gathered your thoughts and provide an answer, I shall convey it to His Majesty the Emperor."
"Yes. I think it best we adjourn for now."
Ref wore an expression that said it was no fun, but the two men hastily wrapped things up.
Watching them gather their respective documents, Ref rose from her seat.
"You, hey. I get the feeling you're avoiding me? Back then, you were happy to hang out with me."
Daniel spoke as he pushed his chair into the command table.
"Things are different now from back then. If you wish for me to beg forgiveness for having used the young lady as a bargaining chip, I can do so as much as you like."
"Didn't I tell you? I don't really care about that. If there's one thing I want...."
Though she outwardly claimed to bear no ill feelings, they had not completely vanished.
Thinking this was the only chance she would have to torment Daniel Steiner, Ref approached him.
"It's for you to come back to Rivelard."
"That was an alias. Furthermore, when I used the alias Rivelard, I was nothing more than an actor playing a role."
"Really? Then why does it seem to me like you're acting right now?"
Ref's single remark, though without any particular intent, stabbed right at his inner thoughts.
Letting out a silent sigh, Daniel ignored Ref and started to walk away.
He thought it best to get as far away as possible.
Whether she knew his feelings or not, Ref tagged along beside him.
"Come on, don't be like that. How about we team up like old times? We had a lot of fun together, you know. It was fun. At the bar, and at my mansion, don't you remember how we lost track of time and talked until nightfall?"
Daniel, having resolved to ignore her, let out a sigh and opened the door to the reception room.
"......."
And then he froze solid.
Because beyond the door stood the most exalted presence in the Empire—Selvia.
Her face had gone somewhat pale.
"......Your Majesty?"
As Daniel managed to open his mouth with difficulty, Selvia collected herself.
"Ah. My schedule ended early today, so I happened to be passing by. It so happens I also have urgent matters to discuss regarding the war situation with the Chief of the General Staff, who visited the palace today, and with Colonel Daniel...."
Her voice grew smaller and smaller.
Selvia, who had been speaking with a tremor in her voice, looked up at Daniel as if she could no longer hold back.
"But what was that just now? I mean...."
Unease filled Selvia's blue eyes.
"Something about teaming up...... and having had a lot of fun."
Hearing Selvia's words, Daniel shut his eyes tight and clenched his teeth.
'I'm losing my mind.'
Daniel simply wanted to die.