A Conference with the Prime Minister
A Conference with the Prime Minister
After revealing his identity, Daniel headed to the embassy under the strict escort of the Magitek Mobile Unit.
It was an unspoken pressure to return to his original duties, now that his personal safety was secured.
Entering the embassy as if walking into a prison, Daniel reluctantly prepared for a summit with the Bellanos Prime Minister.
Thus, for three days, with the help of the Deputy Ambassador inside the embassy and the Foreign Ministry, he worked on drafting a proposal to present to the Bellanos side.
Tok-tok─
The sound of papers flipping stopped as a knock echoed through the silent office.
Raising his head, Daniel glanced around.
"......Deputy Ambassador. My memory fails me, but were we expecting a guest at the embassy at this hour?"
The Deputy Ambassador, who had removed his glasses, shook his head in bewilderment.
"I've heard nothing of the sort."
"Then who in the world......."
Just as he was about to guess the visitor's identity, another knock sounded.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel? It's me!"
The voice belonged to Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann, Chief Bodyguard of the Imperial Guard.
Only then did Daniel relax and speak toward the door.
"Come in."
Granted permission, Hartmann opened the door and entered the office.
He carried a red scroll in his hand.
Seeing it, Daniel broke into a cold sweat and rose from his seat.
'An Imperial Edict......!'
That was a scroll inscribed with the emperor's command.
He was certain, having seen one before when he received a medal through Hartmann previously.
As Daniel stood, the diplomats inside the embassy and the Deputy Ambassador also rose to their feet.
"This is......."
Seeing this, Hartmann raised a hand and scratched his cheek.
"I hadn't intended to cause a commotion, sorry. I should've contacted you in advance."
"Not at all. If it's an order from His Majesty the Emperor, there's no need to consider the convenience of a mere staff officer like myself."
Outwardly, he was a model soldier without equal.
Hartmann, who had been staring at Daniel, nodded.
"Then let's get straight to the point. I shall convey the command of His Majesty the Emperor."
Nodding, Daniel walked up to Hartmann and knelt on one knee.
As the Deputy Ambassador and diplomats also knelt in respect, Hartmann unraveled the golden thread wrapped around the Imperial Edict.
Clearing his throat with a dry cough, Hartmann unfurled the edict and spoke.
"Hearken, Daniel Steiner! As I understand it, after your ship was sunk, you miraculously survived and came to your senses on one of the coastlines of Bellanos. If so, why did you fail to report this fact to the august Imperial Household in a timely manner?"
Something felt strange.
While Daniel grew anxious, Hartmann continued.
"You say you hid your identity for fear of enemies in Bellanos, but to my ears, it's a preposterous excuse. How could a man who feared the enemy manage to operate secretly within Bellanos and steal information classified as top secret? You yourself know well that your actions are rife with contradictions."
He had suspected as much; the Empire was indeed wary of him.
Thinking that the unfolding situation was unusual, Daniel let out a low sigh.
"Thus, I initially resolved to hold you accountable and have you repatriated immediately, but my daughter, who is performing the regency, desperately dissuaded me, so I changed my mind."
Selvia did? That was unexpected.
"Daniel Steiner. If the secrets you secured are truly useful, I believe you will achieve good results in this diplomatic summit. Should you do so, in accordance with the Empire's founding principle of Strict Reward and Punishment, I shall bestow upon you a reward, not a punishment."
In short, it was a veiled threat, telling him not to make personal deals with the Bellanos Prime Minister using the secured secrets, but to contribute to the Empire.
For Daniel, who had no intention of making any personal deals, it wasn't a particularly disadvantageous condition.
'The problem is.......'
The case where he failed to produce results.
Looking back on the emperor's disposition, Daniel saw a political attitude of tenaciously keeping in check anyone who could become a political rival to himself or his daughter in the future.
'Clearly, I'll be a thorn in his side.'
Even if unintended, he had accumulated achievements far above his station as a mere officer.
The emperor would think he threatened the imperial authority.
So the moment he failed to produce results, it was obvious he would use that as a pretext to harass him.
'Does he think I'll just take it lying down?'
There were limits even to suspecting and testing people.
'Before, he suspected I was running a private organization that didn't even exist.......'
Thinking it was excessive, Daniel made up his mind.
He had to successfully conclude this diplomatic summit so as not to give them any grounds to hold him accountable.
"......I understand what you mean."
With many eyes watching, Daniel bowed his head deeply.
"I shall ensure nothing tarnishes the honor of His Majesty the Emperor."
Satisfied with his reply, Hartmann closed the edict.
"I shall report to His Majesty thus. I hope you will focus on your mission."
"Yes. I shall dedicate myself to it."
Hearing Daniel's answer, Hartmann turned and walked out.
Watching him go, Daniel slowly rose from his seat.
The Deputy Ambassador also got up and dusted off his knees.
"It seems His Majesty is angered. Still, it's fortunate he is taking extenuating circumstances into account......."
The Deputy Ambassador, who had been making small talk as he approached Daniel, stopped short.
It was because the look in Daniel's eyes as he watched Hartmann's retreating figure was anything but ordinary.
As the Deputy Ambassador fell silent because of this, Daniel shifted his gaze.
"Deputy Ambassador. We must significantly revise the proposal."
"Pardon? I believe this is the most appropriate proposal as it stands...... shall we lower our demands?"
"No. Raise them."
At the order to raise the demands, the Deputy Ambassador flinched.
It was because he didn't think the Bellanos side would accept that.
After hesitating for a moment, the Deputy Ambassador opened his mouth.
"Are you really sure about this?"
"We must. Everything......."
Letting out a low breath, Daniel narrowed his eyes sharply.
"I will take full responsibility."
*
The day of the summit, reception room of the Prime Minister's Residence.
'The Prime Minister is right in front of me.'
Standing before the door to the reception room, Daniel nervously adjusted his tie.
The hand holding his briefcase tensed up involuntarily.
'I've already figured out what kind of person the Prime Minister is.'
According to information from the Foreign Ministry, he lacked political acumen but was gentle and warm-hearted by nature.
Especially known for his caring side when it came to children, his public approval rating was high; seeing this, he certainly wanted to remain a good father to his daughter.
From that perspective, Daniel held a good card.
'Because I know about the illegitimate child the Prime Minister is hiding.'
Even so, he didn't want to use this as leverage to blackmail the Prime Minister.
'However.......'
Right now, the one Daniel had to mind wasn't the Prime Minister, but the emperor of the Empire.
The moment he failed to produce results in this summit, Daniel's position would become awkward.
If he ruined the summit, the emperor would find all sorts of reasons to put a leash on Daniel.
Therefore, from Daniel's standpoint, he had to lead this summit to success by any means.
To do so, he needed to become a somewhat vicious person.
'I'm sorry. But this is the only way for me to survive.'
After silently asking the Prime Minister's forgiveness, Daniel took a deep breath and opened the door.
There, Bellanos Prime Minister Lowell was sitting on a sofa, sipping whiskey.
Next to Lowell, attendants in suits stood at ease, wearing holstered pistols.
'Coming to the meeting place first and drinking whiskey.......'
He seemed desperate to project an air of relaxation.
It was likely an action taken to gain the upper hand in negotiation, but to Daniel, it merely looked like a frightened man puffing out his chest.
Still, without letting it show, Daniel approached, and Lowell set down his whiskey glass and rose from his seat.
"Oh. Pleased to meet you. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. I heard you've been through quite a lot."
"It was chaos, because of the terrorists."
The two naturally shook hands and smiled.
However, neither of them was truly smiling.
"It's clearly our mistake for failing to properly guard our territorial waters. I apologize in advance. Regarding that, I intend to make a few proposals favorable to the Empire......."
"That's fine, but we'd like to make a proposal first. As that seems like it will be easier for narrowing down each other's opinions."
"Well, suit yourself."
Finishing the handshake, Daniel withdrew his hand and added.
"Ah. But before we officially begin the summit, may I recount some of the things I experienced, Prime Minister, just to ease the tension?"
"What kind of story?"
"While I was shipwrecked, I happened to meet a truly lovely young lady."
At the word 'young lady,' a crack appeared in Lowell's composure.
However, as if he had expected it, he quickly regained his calm.
"It seems this will be a private matter. For both of us. So it would be best to dismiss the others, wouldn't it?"
"Of course."
Nodding, Lowell signaled his attendants with a look.
At that, the attendants bowed their heads toward Lowell and filed out of the reception room in an orderly fashion.
Confirming there were no listeners, Lowell let out a ragged breath and glared at Daniel.
"Look here. I know well what you're thinking. But this is strictly a matter between the Empire and Bellanos. I'm telling you, don't drag personal stories into the summit chamber. Is that understood?"
Daniel only smiled without answering.
That hollow silence made Lowell anxious.
Daniel was skillfully using the fact that silence could be stronger than any words.
As the silence continued, Lowell grew increasingly impatient and was eventually forced to back down.
"Fine. Let's do this. It would be best to discuss the story about my daughter separately after the summit concludes. That way, we can find mutual agreement, wouldn't you say?"
Daniel was still smiling.
His initial composure had been a smokescreen.
Knowing that the other side was desperate, there was no need to hesitate.
"It seems the Prime Minister is under a certain misconception. This is a story about the child of a person responsible for a nation. I cannot help but consider international relations."
"Daniel Steiner!"
Lowell, who had shouted without thinking, spoke without hiding his agitation.
"Do you think you're something just because you're a war hero?! You're nothing but a staff officer and a mere diplomatic envoy! Furthermore, standing before you now is the Cabinet Minister of Bellanos! Do you think this is a place where you can swagger around?!"
Lowell had shouted to intimidate Daniel, but he had chosen the wrong opponent.
Because Daniel simply kept his mouth shut, then let out a laugh as if he'd just heard an amusing joke.
Following that, he waved his hand dismissively.
"You seem to have misunderstood something. A diplomatic envoy is not a position that can be dismissed with a word like 'mere.' A diplomatic envoy is, fundamentally, a person who represents the Empire and meets with the heads of other nations."
His laughter subsiding, Daniel stared fixedly at Lowell.
A terrible silence flowed between them.
Overwhelmed by his force, Lowell's eyes trembled for a moment.
"So in this place, at least......."
Having stared at Lowell for a long while, Daniel spoke with a straight face.
"I am the Empire."