Chapter 30 : Three-Way Meeting (2)

Facing each other across a table, Letia and Ariel remained silent, glaring at one another.

The tension between the hero and the empress lingered, and behind them, a separate battle was unfolding.

Melinda, who had lightly drawn her sword, and Janice, who had hidden a dagger in her sleeve, were engaged in a nerve-wracking standoff.

Observing this entire situation, Siyoon had to keep a watchful eye, his heart racing with anxiety.

In the midst of a situation where anything could erupt at any moment, the meeting began.

“I’ve heard you have complaints about my terms. First, would you mind telling me exactly what you’re dissatisfied with?”

“I don’t have a problem with the release of prisoners. It’s just that including those who have chosen naturalization among the returnees is the issue.”

“What specifically do you think is the problem?”

“Naturalization is not an easy process. If done recklessly, it could allow spies to enter, and it involves complex procedures. Moreover, during this process, the kingdom first questions why someone would want to give up their homeland.”

The Empire’s naturalization process was more extreme than the kingdom’s.

It involved interrogations, and sometimes even torture.

However, since Ariel came to power, the violent methods had been abolished.

By now, the process wasn’t much different from the kingdom’s, and Ariel nodded in agreement with Letia’s words.

“In this question, more than 90% of the naturalized individuals have expressed disappointment and anger toward the Empire. I’m concerned that bringing in those who came to hate the Empire might be too harsh.”

“As I mentioned, the people have suffered countless hardships due to the mistakes of past emperors, and the pain must have been deep. That’s why I want to eliminate all the corrupt practices that have been eating away at the Empire and bring it back to normal. However, the problem is that there are still hidden corrupt practices everywhere that I don’t know about.”

Even if there were no issues with the king and nobility, laws could still be seen as unjust by commoners.

To achieve perfect harmony, it was necessary to hear the opinions of various people.

However, the Emperors of the Empire had a tendency to believe that they were always right and did not listen to the voices of the people.

This festering wound had not been healed and had continuously tormented the common people.

“That’s why I need the help of the naturalized people. They know the Empire’s corruption and the areas that need improvement clearly. I’ll listen to their voices and correct the wrongs.”

Ariel declared confidently.

She revealed her ambition to be a wise ruler who would actively reflect the wishes of the people, showing that she was different from other emperors.

By putting forward a clear justification, Letia’s momentum began to wane.

“Ha, but there are those whose minds are completely turned against us, aren’t there?”

“That’s why I’ll bow my head and ask for their understanding. I’ll beg them to give the Empire just one more chance.”

It was unimaginable for an empress to bow to the common people.

If she did, the Emperor’s authority would collapse, and she would be mocked by the nobility for the rest of her life.

It was a clear sign that she was desperate, willing to shoulder all the responsibility.

Naturally, the initiative in the conversation shifted to Ariel.

“Of course, I don’t plan to keep the naturalized people here forever. At least for a year. After that, those who still find it difficult to live in the Empire will be given the option to return.”

“Are you saying that after a year, if they want to go back to their country of naturalization, they will be freed?”

“Yes. My goal is to show the naturalized people how the Empire is changing and win them over.”

During her speech, Ariel glanced at Siyoon.

It was a subtle gesture, indicating her intention to turn his heart within a year and make him hers.

This prompted Letia to stand up abruptly and stride over to Siyoon.

She hugged his arm tightly, glaring at Ariel as if to say, “I won’t let him go.”

“Even if you’re saying that they can be released after a year, I don’t think it’s right to force them to come. For newlywed couples like us, a year is a precious and happy time. Are you going to take that away from us?”

“Wouldn’t you be able to help for just a year for the better future of both nations?”

“Isn’t it true that only the Empire would benefit from this?”

“That’s not true. While recovering the damaged relationship between the nations due to long wars, this will become an opportunity to help both nations grow and develop.”

Gradually, the emotions of the two began to intensify.

Both were feeling frustrated due to their inability to find common ground.

This was, however, inevitable, as Siyoon’s fate depended on the terms Ariel had laid out.

Finding a common point between the two, who both strongly wanted him, was impossible from the start.

“I expected this, but at this rate, we won’t come to any conclusion even if we talk all day.”

“Isn’t the issue solved as soon as you remove the clause that forces them to return to the Empire?”

“If exceptions are made, a lot of deserters will arise, which would cause my plan to eliminate corrupt practices to falter. There would be fewer examples to follow.”

Ariel sighed deeply and shook her head.

Though her main goal was Siyoon, Ariel’s ambition to reform the Empire was not a lie.

She was using her necessary actions as a pretext to try to take Siyoon for herself as well.

For this reason, Ariel didn’t back down.

“Even so, they are precious citizens of the Kingdom. Even though they were once part of the Empire, now they are our citizens whom we must protect.”

“So you’re saying you won’t back down no matter what? Then should we settle this with a wager?”

“A wager?”

“As the representative of the King, you represent the Kingdom’s will. Let’s have a decisive one-on-one match. If you win, you can leave quietly. But if you lose, you must accept my terms. How about that?”

“…Fine. So, what will we wager on?”

“Is there anything other than a duel? Of course, since I am not skilled in martial arts, I will choose a representative.”

Ariel did not hide her intention to have Melinda, who stood behind her, be her representative in the duel.

Siyoon, who knew his teacher’s martial abilities well, couldn’t hold back and immediately stood up from his seat.

“Teacher… no, appointing Commander Melinda as your duel representative seems unfair!”

Siyoon had fought against both Letia and Melinda before.

He knew exactly what the difference in power was.

Though he had never fought a life-or-death battle, the gap between them was clear.

Assuming both were to fight at full strength, Siyoon had never won a single time against Melinda and saw no way to win.

On the other hand, while Letia was stronger, there were times she could be caught off guard due to a lack of experience.

If the two fought, the outcome was obvious, so Siyoon had no choice but to raise an objection.

“Calm down, Siyoon. I know it’s unfair, which is why I’ve prepared a suitable handicap.”

“A handicap?”

“I will allow you to include one more person from the Kingdom, including its hero, as a duel representative.”

“Are you allowing a 2v1 duel?”

“Yes. Doesn’t this seem fair?”

Letia clenched her lips tightly.

A 1v2 duel was considered dishonorable.

However, seeing Siyoon’s troubled expression, she couldn’t bring herself to voice any complaints.

Because he trusted his objective judgment, Letia accepted the fact that Melinda was stronger.

‘It’s frustrating, but I can’t do it alone.’

She acknowledged the truth and felt regret.

However, she smiled faintly at the touch of Siyoon’s hand, which grasped hers under the table.

It was an unspoken appeal, conveying that while it may be impossible alone, it was possible together.

“Then, I will join the duel,” Letia said.

“Do as you please.”

Ariel shifted her gaze to the guards standing behind her.

Melinda nodded, so it seemed the two of them had already coordinated to set up this situation.

The match had been arranged so that Siyoon and Letia could face her together.

“Then, we’ll consider the duel accepted and proceed with scheduling it,” Ariel said.

“There’s no need to delay; let’s do it immediately,” Letia responded.

“Good. I’ve been wasting too much time going back and forth between the border areas anyway. Melinda, you’re okay with this, right?”

“Of course! I’m so excited to fight with these young, capable upstarts, I could cry!” Melinda said, flashing a smile full of joy at Siyoon and Letia.

Just meeting her gaze made the two of them flinch, their bodies trembling.

They were about to face a powerful opponent who overwhelmed them with nothing but spirit.

The pressure weighed heavily on them, but their tight grip on each other’s hands allowed them to shake off the fear.

“Letia, are you ready?” Siyoon asked.

“Yes!”

The final match was about to begin.