Chapter 29: TBSL

“I entrust you with full authority over everything that happens on the negotiation table.”

The Clausen Border Marquis, who was responsible for protecting the borders of Hispania, held immense authority. Because of the heavy duty of defending the nation, he did not need to seek approval from the royal capital for matters of war or truce—he could decide them at his own discretion.

And now, that Marquis—Richten Clausen, the head of the Clausen House—had delegated all authority to Sion.

That meant anything Sion decided would be treated as the Marquis’s own will. There would be no reversal, no objection afterward.

“Then let’s go to war. If you don’t want negotiations, that’s all that’s left.”

That was why Sion could speak so boldly—and openly—about “war.”

Even for him, acting this recklessly should have been burdensome.

But now that he held the Marquis’s full authority, he could say it without hesitation.

“W-what did you just say…?”

“Are you actually a damn dog? Why can’t you understand simple words?”

“P-prepare for war during a ceasefire negotiation? Are you threatening Nudia?!”

“Yeah. I am.”

Rishikida nearly fainted at Sion’s words.

She knew what kind of man he was—but this was too much.

Even though Nudia was in a disadvantageous position, if this hostile tone continued, they might simply snap and respond with, “Fine. Let’s go to war!”

And then it would become an all-out war where one side would be annihilated completely.

Should I stop him?

As a retainer, it was sometimes necessary to advise one’s master.

Just as she was about to speak—

…No.

Sion’s eyes, though no longer warm like when he looked at soldiers, still held sharp intelligence.

He was clearly calculating everything.

I should trust him.

Deciding that this was the right choice, Rishikida silently stood by his side with a firm expression.

“Sir Sion Clausen! Is this truly the will of Clausen? Rejecting negotiations and choosing war?”

“Speak properly. I didn’t reject the negotiation. You did.”

“That absurd proposal left us no choice!”

“Your territory’s one-year tax revenue, right? Did I ask for ten or a hundred years? One year’s worth is something your house could cover if you liquidated assets. I don’t think the Vasura House is that poor.”

“What—!”

“Be honest. You’ve been siphoning money through back channels, haven’t you? If you liquidate that, you can pay it immediately. Am I wrong?”

The novel had contained far too many detailed settings.

Among them was the Vasura County, which bordered the Clausen Marquisate.

It looked like an ordinary county on the surface, but the new Count Dishe had been quietly accumulating wealth through heavy taxation and embezzlement.

He may have even abandoned Rishikida so quickly because he feared the royal family discovering his corruption.

“4 million. It’s a large sum, yes. But it’s not impossible. I proposed a realistic compensation range. You’re the one refusing it.”

As Sion said, 4 million Dir was large—but not unpayable.

This was not a minor noble house; it was a county-level domain.

Even though it equaled a full year’s tax revenue, it could be paid if the house assets were liquidated.

“Let’s summarize. First, you started the war. Second, your forces were crushed in our surprise attack. Your knight order is practically destroyed. Third, reinforcements came from the capital—but retreated after failing to break through. You’ve lost momentum completely. And fourth—the most important point.”

Sion smiled faintly, almost like a devil whispering.

“The Nudian royal family doesn’t care whether Vasura lives or dies.”

“…!”

The moment emotions enter a negotiation table, the game is already over.

In that sense, Count Dishe had already lost.

“That’s slander! Absolute nonsense!”

“You sent reinforcements. They attacked once, failed, and just set up camp to watch from afar. If they really tried, they might’ve turned the tide—but they didn’t. And Rishikida? She’s from Vasura, not the central army.”

“Th-that is…”

“Flip the table then. And we’ll go to war. We’ll strip your territory bare.”

“You think the Nudian royal family will just sit still?!”

“They won’t. But they also won’t move quickly. You’re already a stain in their eyes. If you’re about to collapse, they might even thank us for cleaning you up.”

Vasura County was not favored by the royal family.

It was neither trusted nor politically important. In fact, due to Rishikida’s incident, it had already drawn royal displeasure.

“Also, we don’t need to take your territory. We just strip it clean and leave. Then we report it like this: ‘Clausen accepted peace but Vasura refused, so we collected compensation through plunder and returned.’ We have zero intention of occupation.”

“Do you think that will hold?! That’s an invasion of sovereignty!”

“What do you think will happen? A broken county, a greedy royal family, and Clausen walking away cleanly. The outcome is obvious.”

Count Dishe had nothing to say.

Sion understood Nudia’s situation better than anyone—as if he were a noble of their own court.

At some point, Dishe had discarded Rishikida out of fear of royal scrutiny.

But that decision had backfired completely.

“Rishikida Armshell!”

The Count made a fatal mistake.

He dragged a non-negotiation topic into the table.

“Return to me at once! I will forgive your betrayal this once!”

“…What?”

“Return to your territory! I was mistaken. That place is not where you belong! Your place is always by my side!”

Sion pressed his temples in irritation.

This idiot was beyond help.

“W-wha…!”

Rishikida clenched her fists, trembling violently.

Then, she looked at Sion.

He gave a slight nod.

A silent permission—do as you wish.

“R-return at once! That madman will only bring ruin to you!”

“….”

She bit her lip and took a step forward.

The Count’s expression brightened.

If she returned, negotiations could continue in his favor.

But—

Thud!

The Count’s body spun violently and collapsed.

It looked exactly like a comic scene.

Sion even clapped.

“Bravo.”

Rishikida stood over him.

The Count slowly realized—

She had just punched him in the face.

“You… you dare strike your master?!”

“…I will kill you.”

A chilling voice.

Even the escort knight froze.

“You say one more word, and I will kill you.”

“Y-you…!”

“Do not insult my master in front of me, and do not insult me in front of my master. If you do, I will tear out your heart and chew it.”

Her killing intent filled the tent.

Even Sion couldn’t help but think:

Yeah, this is basically a jackpot unit.

A top-tier knight with loyalty maxed out.

Even if slightly unstable, she was worth it.

“Ugh…!”

The Count collapsed again, unable to rise.

Sion sighed and spoke again.

“4 million or we’re done. I don’t want to sit at a table with someone who doesn’t understand negotiation. This is my first time seeing a negotiation where the side asking for peace is acting like the host.”

That was a lie.

He had seen worse—this was just entertaining.

Then—

“Rishikida! Rishikida Armshell!”

The Count, desperate, shouted again.

“You betrayed me?! I raised you! You swore loyalty!”

“You were the one who abandoned me first!”

“I had no choice! I was forced!”

“That’s a wonderful excuse.”

Sion smiled coldly.

“People like you always exist. The kind who say their finger hurts more than the nail they hammered into someone else’s chest.”

He pulled Rishikida slightly closer.

Almost unconsciously, she leaned into him.

Sion gently pushed her back upright, then continued.

“4 million. That’s my first condition. Refuse it, and we’ll fight.”

“Grrr…”

“Take it as refusal, then—”

“FINE! 4 MILLION DIR! WE ACCEPT!”

Ah.

Finally.

Now we were talking.

Sion smiled.

“Good. 4 million. Thank you.”

And for the record—

That 4 million was only his first negotiation condition.