Chapter 136 – Negotiation (2)
At the edge of the forest, small huts were scattered throughout. They served as a kind of shelter.
To guard against intrusions, the elves took turns patrolling the area. These patrollers were also known as Rangers. It was an idea more likely to come from humans.
One of the huts had been chosen as the negotiation table.
“Are you sure you don’t want to follow them in?”
“We’ve agreed the representatives would talk, and we were told to wait here...... So, let’s wait and hope for good news.”
Duke Serin posed the question, and Marquis Foltaine replied. There was also a fairly spacious clearing at the forest’s edge.
The two of them, along with their party, were in a tense but non-violent standoff with the elves in that area.
“You put a surprising amount of trust in the prince, Marquis.”
“Of course. If a parent doesn’t trust their child, who will?”
Duke Serin made a face of disbelief.
“Anyone overhearing this might think he’s your biological child.”
“If he were, I wouldn’t have gone to such lengths. Am I not the same cold-hearted father who once beheaded his eldest son?”
“......”
Duke Serin fell silent.
Though time had passed, it was still a shocking incident at the time. How could he not know the story behind it?
“......Come to think of it, Marquis, you’ve left Verdant Vale untouched. When I learned who they were, I was quite surprised. Surely, you must hold considerable resentment toward them?”
“There’s nothing more pitiful than blaming others for your own shortcomings, is there?”
“......”
Duke Serin frowned slightly.
‘He’s changed so much.’
Marquis Foltaine had once been of a similar mindset to him.
If someone was bothersome, he would simply eliminate them, leaving no potential for future threats.
So, it was highly unexpected when he recently revealed the strength he had always kept concealed.
‘Marquis Foltaine has definitely changed. He’s not the man I knew.’
And the reason was obvious.
‘That prince truly is a fascinating figure to observe.’
At that moment, Marquis Foltaine shifted the topic.
“In any case, let’s focus on what we need to do.”
“......And what would that be?”
“The Swordsman of Slaughter. We need to report to His Majesty first, don’t you think?”
Duke Serin tilted his head, puzzled.
“It’s bound to come to light eventually, but...... Must we?”
“If it’s going to be revealed anyway, wouldn’t it be better for us to take charge and control the narrative? Besides, there’s no reward to be received without reason.”
“Capturing the Swordsman of Slaughter is certainly an achievement...... But doing so will inevitably lead to her death. Are you planning to overturn the negotiation table your beloved child worked so hard to set up?”
Marquis Foltaine shook his head.
“That depends on how we proceed. I’m not particularly fond of the idea of shifting all the blame onto him.”
“And what’s your plan?”
“Well, we could try to make excuses. Perhaps argue that we spared her to maintain relations with the elves......”
Duke Serin shook his head before the Marquis Foltaine could finish.
“Such excuses won’t work.”
The elf in question was no ordinary criminal, but the worst mass murderer in human history, responsible for hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths.
Yet, Marquis Foltaine simply smiled faintly.
“Making such implausible excuses palatable to the public—that’s the essence of being a politician, isn’t it? After all, that’s why we work so hard to wield this power.”
“......”
“Of course, that’s just my personal opinion. I’d like to hear your thoughts, Your Grace.”
After a moment of silence, Duke Serin finally spoke.
“......Frankly, I think it’s better not to reveal her existence at all. Keep it hidden as long as possible, and if it comes to it, feign ignorance.”
“If it comes down to it, silence anyone with a loose tongue.”
“Because that’s how it was always done.”
Marquis Foltaine nodded.
“I thought you’d think that way, Your Grace.”
“Just so there’s no misunderstanding, I’ll say this upfront; this is also for the prince’s sake. Envy is a primal human instinct, after all.”
Despite what others said, Ancelot was now a noble of their country. He had already received a title, overcoming significant opposition.
But if he gained something more here......
“When someone excels, envy and resistance naturally follow. Although, the prince might already be past the point of no return......”
“Heheheh. If that’s the case, why not let him go all the way? After all, jealousy only follows when someone is ambiguously extraordinary.”
Of course, this was purely Marquis Foltaine’s personal opinion. He knew the Duke Serin’s thoughts wouldn’t change so easily.
‘He’s lived his whole life this way. Why would his mindset change now?’
Marquis Foltaine was confident of this.
But then.
“......To show them he’s truly different...... Indeed. That prince might be capable of such a move.”
“......!”
“You claim not to trust us, yet you’ve entrusted the fate of your entire clan to a half-elf? That crazy murderer, whose soul is essentially that of a human.”
At this, the elder bit her lip tightly.
“......Half of Erina’s blood is the same as ours, the elves.”
“But she’s clearly an unprecedented exception. I’m merely suggesting we add one more exception to the list.”
Prune’s pupils trembled.
She was starting to take the bait.
“Do you really intend to continue this endless cycle of mutual slaughter? With Erina defeated, this is clearly a losing battle for you. Especially since we also have dwarves, whose hatred for elves has reached its peak.”
This point would further contribute to the conflict in her mind. The dwarves, another race, had already allied with us.
Why couldn’t the elves do the same?
That was the underlying question I was asking.
“If you accept my proposal, I’ll actively mediate to resolve the conflicts between our two races.”
“......Hah......”
Prune sighed deeply and stared straight into my eyes.
“Human child. The more we talk, the more absurd you seem. It feels like this isn’t a matter to be discussed with you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Unlike us, I’ve heard humans have clear hierarchies and structures. Bring someone with more authority than you. For example, someone like that strong old man from earlier......”
I stood up without listening any further.
“Come to think of it, I forgot to introduce myself.”
“......?”
“I am Ancelot, the new lord who rules over the entirety of Black Swan.”
“......!”
Prune’s pupils widened in shock.
***
Meanwhile, in the forest clearing.
“......”
Winley stared at the Swordsman of Slaughter, who was gagged and bound. The air was filled with suffocating silence.
Countless elves were still glaring at the humans with hostility. In turn, the humans were tense, ready to draw their swords at any moment.
Then.
Step, step, step.
Unable to hold back, Winley stepped forward.
“Y-Your Highness?”
A startled Kirian muttered. At the same time, the hostility from the elves watching from the trees intensified.
“If you’re thinking of doing something stupid......”
A warning mixed with killing intent came from somewhere.
Even the Marquis Foltaine, who was monitoring the Swordsman of Slaughter, seemed caught off guard by this unexpected situation.
“Your Highness, this is dangerous.”
“I have something to say.”
But Winley showed no sign of backing down.
She couldn’t help herself. After hearing ‘that kind’ of past, how could she just stand by and watch?
“......I’ve heard about you.”
Winley’s gaze fixed on the Swordsman of Slaughter. At the same time, Erina’s crimson eyes were filled with questions.
She must have been wondering what this human girl was about to say.
“Would it be alright to remove the gag for a moment?”
“......”
Marquis Foltaine, who had been watching silently, eventually nodded.
“Do as you wish.”
“Thank you, Marquis.”
Winley carefully removed the gag from Erina’s mouth.
But the surprises didn’t end there.
Winley suddenly pulled something out from her chest pocket.
“This is a highest-grade potion, issued only to royalty.”
“......!”
The luminous potion sparkled in Winley’s hand. Her gaze was fixed on Erina’s bloodied wrists.
“I’d like to treat you, but...... Unfortunately, it’s beyond my authority.”
“......”
Marquis Foltaine, who had been ready to intervene, sighed in quiet relief. On the other hand, Erina’s lips twisted upward.
“Human girl, are you here to mock me?”
“No. It’s just that you don’t feel like a stranger to me.”
“What?”
“My mother was just like you.”
Everyone was stunned as Winley’s voice echoed around them.
“She was sexually assaulted against her will too.”
“......!”
* * *