Continental Conference (7)
Before Zik entered the conference hall.
"D-Darkteria's Demon King, I greet you."
"Mm, yes, yes. You've given your greetings, so now answer my question."
"Th-that is..."
"Well, if it's difficult, there's nothing to be done..."
Zik paused for a moment before opening his mouth again.
"But I do want you to make this clear at least. Are you perhaps a king of some place?"
"Yes, that's right. I am Zahir, King of Carmen."
"Carmen, huh..."
Zik scratched his chin, lost in thought.
"I'm sure I've heard the name somewhere... but I can't recall."
From behind, Bael quietly spoke up.
"Demon King, the reason this Continental Conference was held early is because of the declaration of war against Carmen."
"Ah, that Carmen..."
A meaningful smile spread across Zik's lips.
"But why are you out here? The meeting doesn't seem to be over. Don't tell me! Are you late like me and scared to go in?"
"No, it's not that..."
"Ah, wait. Let me guess."
Zik raised his hand to cut off Zahir's words and continued.
"Did the meeting go in an unfavorable direction, so you ran away?"
"Demon King, even so, would he run?"
"Haha, think about it, son. Then why is he here? Or..."
In that instant, the air froze.
Zik's demeanor completely changed. From jovial Demon King to predator.
"Carmen dares to make others wait, when it's neither Darkteria, Haven, nor the Lunaria Empire?"
Zik's voice was low and dangerous, like the tremors right before a volcano erupts.
Zahir's face turned deathly pale.
"Th-that's not it! I just..."
"Just what?"
Zik took a step forward. His massive shadow completely engulfed Zahir.
"Something troublesome happened in the conference hall, so you stepped out? And now you're making everyone wait?"
"I-I..."
"Interesting."
Zik grinned. The smile held no mirth whatsoever.
"You seem ignorant, so let me teach you. The reason I can be late to the Continental Conference is..."
He stopped speaking.
The brief silence created an even heavier pressure.
"Because I am Darkteria's Demon King."
Rumble!
Zik wasn't releasing his aura. He was simply in a bad mood.
But that alone made the surrounding space tremble faintly in response to his emotions.
The paintings on the walls shook, and the dust on the floor danced.
"And the reason you must never make others wait, no matter the excuse..."
Zik's red eyes gleamed coldly.
"Is because you are from Carmen."
Zahir's legs trembled.
"Whatever it is, give it up."
Zik's voice was calm.
"You've come this far, so you're clearly in dire straits. Don't waste any more time."
He looked down at Zahir and issued his final warning.
"If you're still not there when I go in..."
Zik cut off his words.
There was no need to voice the threat fully.
Silence was often more terrifying.
The imagination could paint horrors crueler than reality.
The last color drained from Zahir's face.
Dozens of gruesome possibilities must have been swirling in his mind already.
The things Darkteria's Demon King could do, his power and authority...
Zik nodded in satisfaction at the sight of such a Zahir.
"Uhahaha, don't be so tense."
Zahir flinched at the sudden laughter.
"A smart man would understand my meaning. Right?"
Zik turned and headed toward the conference hall.
But after a few steps, he stopped. He slowly turned his head, looking back at Zahir over his shoulder.
"Not coming?"
* * *
The conference hall fell into stunned silence at Zahir's shocking confession.
Once the shock wore off, the hall gradually grew noisy.
"Ha, such impudence. Mocking the Lunaria Empire over a single mine."
"Exactly. How foolish do you have to be to do such a thing?"
"And to even try to deceive the Continental Conference—truly shameless."
Those unaware of the circumstances glanced at Cassius and continued condemning Zahir.
Amid the barrage of criticism from the other kings, Cassius finally spoke.
"King of Carmen."
"...Yes."
Zahir's voice held no strength whatsoever.
He knew it too. His fate now lay in others' hands.
"After consultation with Haven, I will decide Carmen's punishment."
"What about Darkteria's opinion?"
Zik interjected.
"You're late, so just listen."
"Tch, fine, then hurry up. This place is already boring."
Cassius ignored Zik's words and coldly gazed at Zahir as he began his verdict.
"First, immediately cease occupation of Beltria's mine and withdraw. And for the material and mental damages incurred thus far..."
He paused briefly.
Everyone in the hall held their breath, waiting for his next words.
"Compensate Beltria with 10 million gold."
The hall erupted in murmurs.
10 million gold.
It might not be much for the Lunaria Empire, but for a small kingdom like Carmen, it was an astronomical sum that could uproot the national treasury.
Zahir's face grew even paler.
Even Beltria's King Leonid, upon hearing the amount, looked at Cassius in surprise.
"Second. While occupying Beltria's mine, you knew the dagger had vanished, yet out of fear of discovery, you fabricated false evidence. Furthermore, you deceived the Lunaria Empire with false reports, deceiving us as well."
The air in the hall grew heavy.
"Therefore, from this day forward, the Lunaria Empire ceases all support to Carmen. Additionally, all Carmen students currently enrolled in the Lunaria Academy will be immediately expelled."
The hall murmured once more at Cassius's declaration.
"This applies to royalty, nobles, and commoners of Carmen alike."
Edwin trembled in shock.
The Lunaria Academy was the continent's premier educational institution. Expulsion from there meant Carmen's future talents would all lose their path.
"Third."
Cassius did not stop.
"For the next five years, all trade between the Lunaria Empire and Carmen Kingdom is prohibited. I also advise other nations trading with Lunaria to refrain from dealings with Carmen."
Zahir's legs gave way.
He nearly collapsed to the floor but barely held on.
No one present was ignorant of the true meaning behind Cassius's "advice."
The Lunaria Empire's advice was tantamount to a command. Who would dare defy it?
"Your Majesty..."
Leonid cautiously spoke up.
"We are grateful for doing so much for our Beltria, but isn't this too harsh...?"
"King Leonid."
Cassius looked at him.
"This is not merely for Beltria. Ignoring the Continental Conference's authority and nearly inciting war with lies is no light sin."
"But even the 10 million gold compensation alone..."
"It's not over yet."
Everyone held their breath at Cassius's words.
The punishments so far were enough to discuss a kingdom's downfall, yet there was more?
"From this day, without my permission, Carmen is banned from participating in the Continental Conference."
Silence.
A heavy stillness descended on the hall.
And it was broken by the dull thud of Zahir's knees hitting the floor.
Thud.
He could no longer hold out.
He collapsed onto the conference hall's cold marble floor.
'It's over...'
Even if Carmen emptied all its vaults, they could barely scrape together 10 million gold. But that wasn't all.
Lunaria's support would end. All trade routes would close. Future talents would lose their education.
And now...
Even participation in the Continental Conference was revoked.
This was effectively Cassius declaring he would erase Carmen's name from the continent.
The kingdom's very existence was being denied.
"Father!"
Edwin's cry echoed through the hall.
"Father may have given up, but I cannot end like this!"
Edwin rushed to the center of the hall.
"Everyone, listen well. This is a Lunaria Empire conspiracy! We merely followed orders!"
The hall stirred again.
A king from a neighboring kingdom shot to his feet and shouted.
"What nonsense! After the verdict, you dare insult the Lunaria Empire and His Majesty Cassius again?!"
"It's true!"
Desperation filled Edwin's eyes.
"Tch, no need to listen. Guards! Drag these insolent fools—"
"Wait."
At that moment, Astra, who had been silently watching, spoke.
The king shut his mouth at his single word.
Astra slowly approached Edwin.
"Heir of Carmen."
His voice was low and dangerous.
"Do you know that if your words are lies, it won't end with Cassius's punishment?"
Edwin flinched but did not back down.
"I know."
"And yet you'll continue? Even after your father admitted all guilt?"
"Yes."
Cassius furrowed his brow.
"Astra, you don't actually believe him, do you? We had no reason to."
"I don't believe it."
Astra replied coldly.
"But it bothers me. If he didn't want to die, he wouldn't dare spout such lies here."
"Puhahaha!"
Sudden laughter shattered the tension. It was Zik.
"Your statement just now wasted the time of Haven's lord and captains, the Lunaria Empire's emperor, and Darkteria's Demon King."
Zik's laughter stopped.
His expression turned icy in an instant.
"How can you be so stupid? Didn't I just tell you? Because you're Carmen, you can't."
"Wasting more time is pointless. Let's end it."
Balderic's firm words.
Her patience seemed to have reached its limit as well.
Cassius rose from his seat. His dignified voice resounded through the hall.
"With this, the Continental Conference is adjourned!"
All attendees rose at the emperor's declaration.
"King of Carmen."
Cassius's cold gaze turned to Zahir, still collapsed on the floor.
"Take your son and leave this place immediately. I'll overlook that rude outburst as a special mercy. Be grateful for my benevolence."
Edwin tried to help his father up, but Zahir weakly shook his head.
"Thank you... for Your Majesty's grace."
It was a voice squeezed out with effort.
Amid the departing attendees, the pathetic figures of Carmen's father and son were visible.
"Carmen ends like this..."
Someone's quiet whisper was heard.
"Self-inflicted. Daring to deceive the Lunaria Empire."
"Still, isn't it too harsh? Revoking Continental Conference participation..."
"Carmen's future is worrying. With sanctions like that..."
"It'll perish."
A cold conclusion. The attendees felt once more the terrifying power of the great powers.
Meanwhile, Cassius approached Astra from one side of the hall.
"Astra, that almost hurt my feelings just now."
Cassius said with a smile.
"But it was good to see you. Let's meet again when you have time."
As Cassius extended his hand, Astra grasped it as well.
"Sure."
It seemed the simple greeting would end there, but Astra didn't release the hand and added,
"Cassius."
"Hm?"
"I know everything the son of Carmen said is true."
Cassius's expression stiffened for a moment.
Mindful of the surrounding gazes, he forced a smile.
"What do you mean..."
"I'll let it pass this time."
Astra's voice was like ice.
"But next time, I'll intervene personally. Remember that."
Tension crackled between the two. Cassius's smile slowly faded.
"...Do you have proof?"
"I can present it if needed."
Cassius fell silent at Astra's firm reply.
Then, slowly releasing the hand, he said,
"Seems there was a misunderstanding. But I heard your warning well."
"I hope it's a misunderstanding. Cassius."
As Astra turned to leave, Cassius said lowly,
"Haven should be careful too. The continent's balance can shatter anytime."
"That's not for you to judge."
Leaving those cold words, Astra walked toward where Balderic waited.