Perilous Negotiations (3)
Just one day remained until the negotiations with the Valua Kingdom. The time had finally drawn that close.
The elf delegation totaled thirty members. The Valua Kingdom's delegation would match them at thirty as well. The participant lists had already been exchanged.
Ardena Valencia, who commanded the delegation's escort forces, naturally received the list too. But upon spotting the name Allen Rocksfield among them, she sank into deep worry.
Allen Rocksfield. Second seat of the Kingdom's Seven Swords, nicknamed the Mad Dog. Just a fortnight ago, she massacred even the prisoners in the north...
After hearing about Allen from Yushin Gilliard, Ardena had investigated her background. Mad Dog. She could guess why such a ferocious moniker clung to a knight still in her twenties. To her face, everyone from the Rocksfield family lavished praise, calling her their lion. But the moment she left the room, they whispered "Mad Dog" in fear of her madness and cruelty.
That was Allen Rocksfield, second of the Kingdom's Seven Swords, bearer of the Mad Dog title.
Human, demon, or even monster... she slaughters anything blocking her path. A monster—and that monster is Yushin Gilliard's fiancée? This human woman named Allen Rocksfield must be a devil wearing the mask of a savage beast.
Allen Rocksfield was a knight ruled solely by madness, swinging her blade without restraint. She embodied the type Ardena despised most: killers who scorned life, lost to their own power, devoid of honor or pride. Mere weapons of slaughter. Ardena hadn't seen her face, but the records painted a clear enough picture.
"Sister."
The door opened, and Alone Valencia entered. Ardena snapped from her reverie at her little sister's voice.
"Tomorrow... you'll be okay, right?"
It was about Yushin. Seeing her sister's anxious tremble, Ardena forced a smile and nodded.
"Yushin Gilliard has no plans to appear at the negotiations. The site is Urhel, inside the Akiteon Mountains. But he'll wait in Laseu, a short distance away."
The negotiations would unfold in Urhel. Yet Yushin wouldn't enter it. He'd stay in Laseu under elf knight guard and surveillance. At his own request.
Yushin had fretted over Allen Rocksfield's name on the Valua list and insisted on remaining in the neighboring town. After consulting her superiors, Ardena had approved Laseu.
"Laseu...?"
Alone tilted her head; it was a name she'd never heard. No surprise there. Laseu was so obscure, most never encountered it in a lifetime. Without these talks, Ardena herself wouldn't have known it either.
"I'm scared Master might break his promise and leave. I know he's not that kind of person, but..."
Her sister leaned on Yushin far too much. Ardena voiced her concern. Betrayal from blind faith cut deep—she knew from experience. She didn't want Alone repeating her own mistakes.
I'll bring Yushin back to Valencia, no matter what. Ardena vowed silently, gazing at her sister.
"The delegation gathers in Laseu before ascending the Akiteon Mountains. We must hurry to reach Urhel on time."
"Okay."
"No need to worry. It's just like always. A brief parting, nothing more."
"Got it. I'll trust you."
"Thank you."
Ardena cherished her sister deeply. That's why she'd strained every resource in Pamplona to buy Yushin as a slave. Some elves even said they looked like mother and daughter. Of course, those elves met grim fates at Ardena's hands soon after.
"Your graduation exam too—and tomorrow. We need Yushin Gilliard's help for your growth."
That's why she absolutely couldn't hand him to Valua. Ardena framed it as all for Alone's sake, burying her own feelings deep.
The Liberia Elf Kingdom chose Urhel village, nestled in an Akiteon Mountains basin, as the negotiation site.
Urhel was a humble hunter settlement centered amid the peaks. Small and rough around the edges. Its human hunters mingled freely with elves—unusual for elfkind, who barred human entry.
In any crisis at Urhel, those hunters would side with the elves, no doubt.
"It's to their advantage. But with Sir Yushin as hostage, we must accept some disadvantage. Refuse their demands, and talks collapse."
Roverdik Anje spoke. Valua's finance minister nodded at the fifth of the Kingdom's Seven Swords.
"No choice. Elves are cunning foxes. Can't rule out an ambush."
Valua's finance minister, Jacques Turgo, led the delegation as a royal cabinet baron. Before heading to Urhel tomorrow, he consulted Roverdik on potential elf tricks.
But no real worry. Their delegation boasted a human weapon that shattered any obstacle or threat.
"I'll give the draw order. No objections, I assume, Lady Allen."
"Understood."
That was the precondition. Her pact with Heinkel: no blades unless elves drew first. But how long would that hold?
Everyone knew Allen's reckless streak. Even with Heinkel's word, her restraint was questionable.
"Troops deployed to Thermes, as rumored?"
Roverdik asked. Turgo nodded frankly.
"Can't predict elf schemes. If those sly folk try anything, signal for force. Hope it doesn't come to that, but preparation hurts none."
Then, all-out human-elf war.
Turgo trusted no elves—enemies by nature. He wasn't naive enough to take their word at face value. Cautious by nature, he planned meticulously. Negotiations up front; forces ready behind.
"Our goal is solely Yushin Gilliard's rescue. Fighting elves can wait. Secure him first."
"Of course."
Roverdik nodded. Allen too.
For the war-hungry Allen, Yushin outranked battle. Famous for defying orders, she'd heed Turgo's—Yushin first.
He was her world's most precious soul.
Ardena Valencia... I'll slaughter you myself, you thief of my love.
Beyond rescue, Allen had another aim: kill Ardena Valencia, presumed escort of Yushin to Libria Peninsula. Her vow to Heinkel—no blades first. But loopholes abounded.
Reckless yet sharp-minded, Allen had schemes ready to slay elves.
Urhel was peculiar. Most residents were human—elves tolerated only them.
Urhel's humans were ancient allies, blood-mingled and side-by-side. They paid taxes and tribute, sustaining symbiosis.
"Welcome. We've awaited you."
Hunters greeted the elf delegation. Ancestral archers whose skill rivaled elves, per legend. Urhel's folk were the kingdom's hidden force—pledged to join in full war with Valua.
Thus, elves picked Urhel deliberately.
"Odd, though. Valua accepted too readily."
Delegation head Manuel Navas scanned about, murmuring.
Something felt off. Suspicious humans agreeing to enemy turf? Fishy. Elves had insurances and traps; foes surely did too. No naive hope they'd trust blindly. They had aces.
"Then we'll deploy rangers to the perimeter."
"No worries. These mountains are our backyard. Every move watched."
The twin sisters—ninth and tenth of the twelve warrior captains—spoke. Low-ranked but elite. Ardena tasked them with shadow rangers.
Beware Allen Rocksfield. No pushover. I'm third seat; she's second for reason. Avoid fights. Flee if possible. That's wise.
Before Urhel, Yushin—waiting in Laseu—had warned Ardena en route. Don't fight Allen. He stressed it repeatedly.
His flee advice bruised her pride. But his rare gravity chilled her. No jokes this time.
"Lady Ardena."
A scouting ranger approached, unveiling her mask.
"Kingdom's coming."
"Good. Hold positions."
"Yes!"
Valua's delegation arrived, guided by elf scouts. Ardena checked her gear. Yushin's warning? Tension spiked.
It peaked beholding the blue-haired knightess with them.
Her. Instinct screamed. Her natural predator.
Chilling. That human woman's the Mad Dog...
Ardena and Allen locked eyes. A fleeting instant. That chill Ardena felt—unnameable dread.
Allen grinned ear-to-ear, glee uncontained. A smile masking blazing murder.