Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Won't Yield Even a Single Drop (7)
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In diplomacy, politely refusing without offending the other party is considered an essential virtue.
The words sounded grand, but the principle was simple. Even a wyvern knew not to treat the strong with rudeness.
That was why Cain's outright rejection of Scarlet's proposal came as more than a shock to Ryuku and Ras—it left them stunned.
'To think he'd refuse without even hearing her out to the end...!!'
'The lord of the Lost Empire won't stand for this!'
The air grew frigid, as if space itself had frozen solid. It felt like sharp ice shards pricking at their skin.
Ras wasn't the only one on edge—even Ryuku raised his guard to the maximum. Their opponent was the lord of the Lost Empire.
The King of the Present avoided the Lost Empire whenever possible, deeming it too dangerous. And the Water King? He simply found it boring... which, put another way, meant they were equals at minimum.
From Ryuku and Ras's perspective, this was tantamount to openly defying the Water King and the King of the Present.
And their former master wasn't the type to let outright disrespect slide without retaliation.
'A proposal? What nonsense. I never intended to accept such a pathetic offer from the start.'
Scarlet's proposal was undeniably tempting. It would forge a proper alliance with the Lost Empire.
Cooperating with her would drastically reduce the alliance's forces. Rationally speaking, it was the right call.
It was a harsh truth, but common folk could always be replaced. Yet Cain rejected her outright.
'I'd rather die fighting than sacrifice the few for the many. Especially not to a monster like her.'
"Lord Blackguard, is that really the best course of action?"
Morgana, who had been watching silently from behind, stepped forward herself. She trusted the man named Cain Blackguard, it was true.
But even in her eyes, Cain's behavior right now was excessive. To put it bluntly... it crossed the line.
It was practically throwing their original objective out the window. Still, rather than stop him, Morgana pressed him firmly.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Very well. I leave it to you, then."
"Are you sure that's wise?"
Scardi, who had been observing from the side, chimed in as well. She wasn't well-versed in politics,
but she could clearly recognize that the current situation had veered far from their initial plan.
Yet Morgana nodded calmly at Scardi's question and even explained her reasoning.
"Lord Blackguard is an undefeated genius general who has never once tasted defeat. There must be a reason for his actions."
"If Your Highness says so."
Of course, Cain wasn't a fool. If anything, he was a hero of reversal, forged through countless experiences.
The reason he was pushing so hard now was simple: he'd realized negotiation was impossible.
She was a monster. One twisted from birth, incompatible with coexistence. They would clash eventually.
'In that case, better to kill her now. At least here, her minions aren't around...'
"...Indeed, your people have a fine lord."
"Is that all you came up with after all that deliberation?"
"I'm serious. How about this? Hand over the beastkin and the wyverns."
Cain was dumbfounded by Scarlet's tone, as if she were bestowing a great favor. She was calling this a proposal?
But contrary to Cain's firm resolve, Ryuku and Ras immediately began glancing at him nervously the moment she spoke.
Her skill at seizing control with mere words was extraordinary. One misstep, and they might drag him down.
"No. I won't allow even a single drop."
"Why not? They were your enemies once, weren't they? The number of your people they've devoured must be a mountain high."
"Th-that's...!!"
"......"
Ras, and even Ryuku, couldn't refute Scarlet's words. Because they were undeniable facts.
If Cain Blackguard hadn't arrived, they would have kept raiding Lenheim territory and plundering supplies.
The wyverns had even devoured the territory's people outright, and while the beastkin hadn't gone that far, it was small comfort.
She wielded irrefutable truths to silence them, then slipped in to stir their hearts as she pleased.
But Cain was far more resolute than she imagined. Dealing with her kind was surprisingly straightforward.
Just deny whatever they said. Even if she claimed to have made bean paste from beans, he'd never believe it.
"Don't try your pathetic divide-and-conquer tricks."
"But it's the truth. Or what? Are you just going to overlook all the people who've died by their hands so far?"
"Their crimes are certainly too grave to brush aside lightly."
A struggle for survival? Nonsense. They were nothing but bandits who slaughtered healthy folk and looted at will.
Cain had wrestled with that issue himself. Was it right to treat them well just because they'd surrendered?
Could he truly let their past crimes go unpunished? That dilemma lingered even now. But even so.
"It's a problem for no third party to meddle in. And it seems you've forgotten... you're no saint yourself."
"Right, exactly. So you're planning to kill me first, then them?"
"At least Ryuku and Ras surrendered and pledged loyalty to me. As long as that holds, I have no intention of killing them."
A definitive answer laced with the will to brook no further debate. Ryuku and Ras could finally breathe easy.
And at the same moment, an ominous black aura began to rise from Cain's greatsword. An aura infused with the power of death.
Cain closed the distance in an instant. Until now, she'd taken all his attacks without dodging,
but this time, for some reason, she effortlessly evaded. Watching her, Cain clicked his tongue.
'As expected, her true movements are no joke. Well, of course they'd be...!!'
The reason she'd never dodged before was simple: his attacks couldn't kill her anyway.
But Death Force was different. The true power to deliver death, honed through endless brushes with mortality.
Even against Scarlet, Death Force was lethal. Not enough for an instant kill yet, but someday, surely.
That realization filled Cain with hope. With Death Force, he could slay this so-called immortal monster.
Of course, killing her here would leave the alliance to claim the Lost Empire unchallenged.
Cain knew that full well. And yet, he raised his sword. He'd judged it the better option.
"Fine, then. I surrender."
"Too late... What did you just say?"
"I surrender. Then I'll get the same treatment as them, right?"
If Scarlet hadn't raised her hands in surrender, Cain would have surely swung at her.
Her sudden capitulation left Cain—and most of the onlookers—in near shock.
The lord of the Lost Empire, one of the four great powers of the Demonic Realm, surrendering this easily? What the hell?
"Don't play your obvious tricks."
"Why do you think it's a trick?"
"As if anyone wouldn't see through you pretending to surrender, sneaking into the territory, and using your Charm."
"Then just keep your eyes only on me."
It was such a brilliant move that, if he Defeat Regressed now, Cain might die of rage-induced frustration.
Even Scardi had to reevaluate her. What kind of lunatic was this?
But amid his rising fury, Cain didn't lose sight of his goal. A mission was a mission, after all.
"Prove your sincerity first. Then I'll accept your surrender."
"How exactly?"
"Buy time against the alliance army. At least two months."
"You only know half the story. What if I side with the alliance instead?"
"Doesn't matter. I'll just kill you all."
"Such intense words... You're embarrassing me..."
Perhaps scarred by countless mind controls, Cain found it impossible to speak politely to Scarlet.
Yet hearing that, Scarlet blushed and averted her gaze like a shy girl?
In the end, unable to contain his anger, Cain stepped back, letting Morgana and Anna finalize the negotiations with Scarlet.
'I've finally found an entertaining toy for the first time in my life. Looks like I won't be bored for a while.'
But they couldn't have imagined it. She hadn't stirred yet—that was why she'd been dismissed as merely one of the four great powers.