My dear witch, please turn evil according to the script!

Chapter 253 Unexpected Negotiators, The Neighboring Country's Dilemma

The dream was unexpectedly short-lived.

But Roland's sleep quality was surprisingly good.

I slept until the afternoon.

Because of his status as Grand Duke Roland, the leader of the negotiation team dared not wake Roland and could only stand silently at the door for three hours.

This was all thanks to Princess Iluvia giving the unfortunate team leader some reminders before she went to work early in the morning.

"Roland needs rest; wake him up later."

Following this suggestion, the tour leader postponed the originally agreed time by three hours.

But he clearly underestimated Roland's physical exhaustion.

However, the team leader expressed full understanding of this.

In just over a month, he thwarted the evil plots of the Chaos Cult in Rishkan, stopped Wellington's attempt to usurp the throne in the capital, made a trip to Blackthorn Territory to help defend against the invasion of the demon race and the prototype of the Demon King's Hand, and then went to the sea to stop the descent of the evil god.

It wasn't over yet. After dealing with all that, he came to Isfar after the New Year and did everything he could to prevent the situation from escalating.

He's just a teenager! He's even a first-year student at the Royal Capital Magic Academy!

After going through so much, I need to take a good rest.

I'll just have to wait a little longer.

Fortunately, Roland finally woke up, although the imperial duke was clearly startled by his own presence at the door... but that didn't matter.

Even if you understand, a little resentment still needs an outlet.

Roland realized what he had done the moment he saw the team leader.

It seems I stood him up.

And it took quite a while.

After checking the time with his pocket watch, Roland said apologetically, "Sorry, I slept in a bit late. Shall we begin now?"

"No rush. We've already taken so long, a few more minutes won't make a difference. Please freshen up and change your clothes. We'll meet in the conference room shortly."

……

Ten minutes later, after a quick wash, Roland, wearing a jacket over his sweater, arrived at the conference room.

Although his attire was out of place with everyone else present, and even seemed too casual, everyone present still stood up and bowed slightly the moment Roland entered.

Roland, somewhat unaccustomed to this kind of occasion, smiled awkwardly, then gestured for everyone to sit down before returning to his own seat.

The team leader then spoke up: "Although it took a lot of time, thanks to this, we also received new intelligence in a timely manner."

"Based on this intelligence, if we hold the talks as scheduled, it will be a waste of our time."

"To make a long story short, contrary to our expectations, according to information obtained by Ms. Amya herself during her visit to the border, the princess of the Kingdom of Platia, who now rules over half of Platia, will personally participate in these negotiations."

As soon as he finished speaking, the once quiet and orderly conference room was filled with a cacophony of discussion.

The team leader did not interrupt the discussion; he knew that everyone present needed some time to understand the current situation.

Roland, who was sitting with his arms crossed and legs crossed, looking very relaxed, was also a little surprised: "That person came in person? Really?"

The team leader gave a wry smile: "During your rest time, the hatter and the inspection bureau have done multiple checks and confirmed that there is no problem."

"This is quite an unexpected development... I have a feeling this negotiation is not simple at all." Roland shook his head and complained, "When the leader of the opposing camp comes in person, it's either to exert pressure or to show weakness. In any case, it will make this negotiation complicated."

The team leader smiled slightly: "You are indeed exceptionally intelligent, no wonder you were able to get into the Royal Capital Magic Academy."

"But you've overlooked two points."

"First, this princess is not hostile to the empire; in fact, they have had many friendly exchanges."

"Secondly, this negotiation has never been a simple matter; it has been fraught with trouble from the very beginning."

Roland gave a wry smile, then closed his eyes dismissively: "Forget it, that's your problem. I'm just a decoration to make a show of things."

The team leader smiled without saying a word, clearly indicating that the Grand Duke did not understand his importance.

However... that's not the key point.

After all, if it really comes to the point where Roland has to be put to use, it means that the negotiations themselves have broken down and he needs to exert pressure as the representative of the empire.

That was indeed the initial thought of the negotiating team.

But since it was the princess herself who came this time... that means their previous plan can be completely overturned.

Grand Duke Roland is indeed getting fewer and fewer opportunities to speak.

The team leader quickly tapped the table with his folder: "Quiet down, everyone, and share your thoughts on this person who came to negotiate in person."

As the words fell and order was restored, the empire's carefully selected professionals began to offer their opinions.

With the team leader's tacit approval, Roland, who didn't care whether he listened or not, began to close his eyes and rest.

Of course, I wasn't asleep.

He simply listened to everyone's remarks while meditating.

Hmm... these are all expected guesses.

That makes sense, though. Negotiation itself is a way of expressing a willingness to ease tensions—of course, we can't rule out those bastards who use negotiation as a pretext to launch sneak attacks.

Of course, the sneak attack itself was already in the plan, and the Empire was prepared, so Roland didn't need to worry about it.

The current discussions are mainly focused on two main areas: "cooperation" and "threat." The different ideas that arise from these two are simply derived from each other.

Roland was starting to feel drowsy.

That makes sense, though. Cooperation can only be achieved through compromise and concessions from both sides; this is the basis of negotiation.

Negotiations that completely accept one side's views and wishes are not negotiations, but surrenders.

As the topic gradually shifted to war between the two countries, the team leader tapped the table to signal the end of the session.

"Let's stop here for today. In short, let's proceed according to the current resolution. Don't rush to express your attitudes or opinions; let's see what the prince thinks."

"Before that, we should just keep repeating the same things and not take the initiative to start a new topic."

"This time, the delegation was sent by the other side on its own initiative. Although the significance is unclear, the initiative has now been put in our hands."

"The mission will enter Isfar tomorrow, and the negotiations are scheduled for 2 p.m. tomorrow."

"Everyone, go back and make preparations as soon as possible."

"Once the preparations are complete, take a good rest."

"The negotiation arena is our battlefield; we cannot afford to let our guard down!"

With the team leader's words, the meeting finally came to an end.

Roland yawned and looked at the team leader beside him, who was about to get up and leave: "You actually have something on your mind but haven't said it, have you?"

"...You have a good eye."

“It’s just because it’s close to you,” Roland continued. “You kept letting other people talk, were you trying to find someone who shared your views and have them express your thoughts?”

“That’s right.” The team leader nodded. “You are truly unexpected.”

Roland stretched in his seat, then asked, "Tell me about that thought you've been wanting to say but have hesitated to share."

“…Since it’s your request.” The team leader sat back down and opened the folder in his hand in front of Roland.

"I shall respectfully accept your offer."

The team leader pulled out a piece of intelligence, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it toward Roland beside him.

Roland picked up the intelligence report and glanced at it.

The events described above are quite simple: at the end of November, a small-scale war broke out within the Kingdom of Platia, with the kingdom's army advancing directly towards the city of Heria, where the princess resided.

However, this intelligence report was marked with a special symbol – Unconfirmed.

Roland laughed: "I understand. This is what you wanted to say but didn't dare to say, isn't it?"

"Do you think that princess might have come to ask for help?"

"And it's possible that it was planned in advance, just happened to coincide with the timing of Isfar's incident?"

The team leader nodded: "That's right... but as you know, not everyone dares to express opinions that go against the majority, and I'm no exception."

"Ultimately, my colleagues on the team are no different from me in terms of their positions."

"I was merely lucky to be chosen by His Majesty and appointed as the leader of this negotiation team."

"Ultimately, I don't have complete control over this team."

"just in case……"

Roland interrupted the team leader: "I'm not interested in your roundabout ways."

"However, your guess is quite interesting... Seeking help? It's not impossible."

"But in my opinion, your information is still quite credible."

"If you want to say why..."

Roland laughed as he spoke: "I don't think the Kingdom of Platia has that much intelligence capability."

"Although there are problems in Isfar, this is a situation that only a very small number of people know about."

"So far, only three people know exactly what went wrong."

“Me, Ms. Fram, and General Landros who died in battle.”

"Even the group in the Isfar Institute's branch, although they had some suspicions, did not have any corresponding evidence to support them."

"Not to mention a kingdom in a state of division. If it can obtain intelligence from the Empire so easily and quickly, then the Hatter and the Inspectorate are too useless and should be abolished."

"Even if the forbidden spell I used that day caused too much of a commotion, as the team leader, you should know that it's impossible to assemble a team so quickly."

"So I think your reasoning is not without merit."

"That is, whatever trouble the princess is in, she intends to ask us for help."

"The overlap in timing is just a coincidence."

After Roland finished speaking, he put the intelligence back into the leader's folder, then stood up and yawned: "Haa~~~yawn~~~ But your approach is correct. Whether we talk about it or not, we'll still act according to the method we just discussed."

"Observe the situation and wait for the other party to reveal their intentions."

"Alright, my curiosity has been satisfied. See you tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh, by the way, I personally suggest that you report your conjecture to His Majesty."

"If she really came seeking help, and the price she offered was reasonable, shouldn't the Empire make some preparations in advance?"

(End of this chapter)