A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

Whether you're obsequious or arrogant, you can achieve your goal, but if the other party doesn't even want to see the envoy, then there's no point in trying.

“No, there is hope,” Caspian suddenly said. “Miraz is undoubtedly a tyrant and a murderer, but as king, he must consider traditional values ​​and the will of the people.”

There is a way to buy us some time: a head-on, one-on-one challenge, a duel that only the two kings can participate in.

“I like this tradition,” Aaron laughed. “Your ancestors must have been out of their minds. They had a huge advantage, yet they still gambled with the king’s safety.”

Caspian's lips twitched. "The first thing I will do after I ascend the throne is to change this tradition."

“Wait, what do you mean only the King can participate?” Susan asked worriedly. “Does this mean we’re going to have Peter and Miraz duel?”

Caspian nodded noncommittally, "Only the king can represent both countries."

“We can have someone impersonate him,” Edmund suggested. “Aaron and Peter are about the same height anyway.”

Aaron: ......

"It's not my business?"

"Nonsense, Peter might not be able to beat Miraz, but you definitely can."

"I'm not going." Aaron refused without hesitation, saying righteously, "I have always been upright and honest since I was a child. It's impossible for me to impersonate someone else."

Besides, given my exceptionally distinguished presence, if I stood next to Peter, anyone could immediately tell... who the king was.

Peter staggered.

What do you mean? I admit I'm not as good as you, but am I not worthy to be king?

“Impersonation is not an option; both sides need to verify each other’s identities before the duel,” Caspian said.

“I’ll go,” Peter said, then looked at the other representatives. “I’ll try to buy you time. I’ll leave the tunnel and the flammable materials to you.”

“Understood, Your Majesty,” Trof said. “Many of us have stored up charcoal and firewood for the winter; if we bring them all, it will be enough to cover the entire bunker.”

“If the plan succeeds, our chances of winning will increase to fifty percent,” Peter nodded. “The remaining fifty percent depends on the outcome of the battle.”

“I can go to Aslan,” Lucy suddenly said. “I’ve seen him deep in the forest; he’s definitely waiting for me to come to him.”

Peter hesitated for a moment, then nodded heavily. "Perhaps this time we have to trust you."

“No,” Chuanbujin said. “It’s too dangerous for a young girl like you to go deep into the forest.”

"This is the best way to reduce casualties."

Aslan will help us; as long as he intervenes, everything can be resolved properly.

Chapter 440 A Pretentious Negotiation: Miraz in a Dilemma

“She won’t go alone,” Susan stepped forward. “I’ll go with her, and we’ll definitely find Aslan.”

“We’ve already lost enough people,” Chumbokin said dejectedly to Lucy. “You don’t need to take this risk.”

“Nikaburi was my friend, but he lost hope,” Trof said. “But Queen Lucy didn’t, and neither did I. We believed in Aslan’s existence from the very beginning.”

Repechip drew his sword and gave a standard knightly salute. "For Aslan."

Chuanbujin was silent for a moment, then said, "Then I'll go with you."

“No, we need you to stay here,” Lucy said. “You must hold on until we find Aslan.”

“Let’s prepare for the negotiations first!” Aaron looked at Caspian. “You know Miraz best. You write the challenge and make sure he can’t refuse.”

“Okay, no problem.” Caspian said confidently. The more sophisticated, grand, and classy the challenge letter was, the less likely King Miraz would be to refuse in front of everyone.

"Lucy, leave your bottle here."

Lucy instinctively clutched her medicine bottle, asking with some confusion, "What's wrong this time?"

"It wouldn't be unreasonable to prepare some healing items in advance for Peter's life-or-death battle!"

Upon hearing this, Lucy glanced at Peter with concern and immediately took off the red medicine bottle from her waist.

"I hope you won't need it."

Peter gave her a reassuring smile and didn't say anything more.

It's impossible for him not to need it; his swordsmanship level is probably about the same as Miraz's, so injury is inevitable.

However, with this medicine bottle, the odds of winning can be increased to at least 70%.

Two hours later, Edmund, now dressed in armor, arrived at the Tammo people's camp with a letter of challenge, accompanied by Aaron.

"Why should I come with you?" Aaron asked, frustrated.

“If the negotiations fall apart, at least you can lead me out,” Edmund said confidently.

Aaron's lips twitched. "Trust me, you'll be more effective with one Centaur."

"The centaurs are good, but they can't stop their archers."

But you're different. Your fighting prowess is undeniable. With you coming with me to Miraz, even if we refuse a challenge, they won't do anything to us.

Aaron: ......

"It's a bit like a fox borrowing the tiger's power, but I have to admit you have good taste."

I'll try my best to cooperate with you later; I have some experience in negotiation.

The two arrived at the Tanmo people's camp and immediately identified themselves as envoys.

The soldiers on guard did not dare to be negligent and immediately sent someone to report to the king.

A short while later, two soldiers returned and led them to the makeshift royal tent.

Miraz sat proudly in the main seat, flanked by General Sopi and Council Elder Pushupi, with other generals also seated in the other seats.

He looked at Edmund standing below with amusement, as if he were looking at a monkey.

But when he turned his gaze to the cynical Aaron, that playful look was instantly replaced by wariness.

"You...have come to surrender?" Miraz asked with a smile.

He knew a bit about the Narnias; their nobility would not allow them to surrender to the enemy. He asked the question only to deflate their arrogance.

In negotiations, maintaining control is still very important.

"Pfft!" Aaron couldn't help but chuckle. "Excuse me, Lord Miraz..."

“King,” Miraz emphasized, “I am now the king.”

“Very well, King Miraz,” Aaron said dismissively. “I’m also professionally trained; I won’t laugh no matter how funny it is, unless I can’t help it.”

"what do you mean?"

Aaron pointed at Edmund, "Read it to them, otherwise His Majesty the King might think we're easy to bully!"

Edmund feigned composure, then unfurled a scroll and read aloud in a clear and resonant voice: "I, Peter, by the decree of Aslan, and by election and designation, am the King of Narnia, Lord of Calpalavell, and Emperor of the Silent Isle."

To avoid bloodshed, I hereby challenge the usurper Miraz to a duel, a duel where lives are the stake and the loser's complete surrender is the prize.

“Tell me, Prince Edmund,” Miraz said calmly.

“Your Majesty,” Edmund reminded him.

"What did you say?"

"Actually, it was King Edmund, although Peter was the true king."

I know, it's actually a bit messy.

“Ancient Narnia was ruled by four kings: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, but Peter was the eldest of the four,” Aaron explained.

"Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to say."

“Alright! King Edmund…” Miraz reluctantly accepted the explanation, saying indifferently, “Our army can annihilate you in one fell swoop, why should I risk accepting such a proposal?”

"I also said let's just fight to the death," Aaron said somewhat dissatisfied. "We might not necessarily lose."

“Pretending to be tough.” Miraz looked at Aaron suspiciously, a sneer on his lips. “If you really had that kind of confidence, you wouldn’t have waited for us to launch an attack.”

"Aren't you underestimating our numbers?" Edmund laughed. "The Narnias were wiped out just a week ago!"

“Now you can just wait to be wiped out!” Miraz said coldly.

“If you don’t dare, then you don’t dare. Who are you trying to scare with all this bluster?” Aaron mocked without any politeness. “But I understand. After all, King Miraz is over thirty years old. Compared to a young warrior, it’s a bit like bullying the weak. No, it’s not right. It should be said that the strong are more afraid of the young.”

Upon hearing this, Miraz's forehead creased with a few more black lines, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "This isn't a question of whether I dare or not."

"Didn't you refuse?"

“I didn’t say I refused,” Miraz said, enunciating each word clearly, but before he could finish, a general beside him interrupted him.

"We support Your Majesty, whatever your decision may be."

“Your Majesty, our military superiority is the most compelling reason,” Pusuppi chimed in. “It completely avoids unnecessary…”

Upon hearing this, Miraz's eyes widened in astonishment.

What do you mean by putting yourselves in this position? Are you trying to put pressure on him? If he doesn't accept the challenge, then he really has no guts.

Miraz immediately drew his longsword and glared at Pusuppi, saying, "I didn't intend to avoid anything."

"I just wanted to point out that His Majesty has the right to refuse the duel," Pusuppi said confidently but sarcastically.

“His Majesty will never refuse,” General Sopi suddenly said. “He likes to seize opportunities to demonstrate the courage of the new king to the people.”

Miraz was completely dumbfounded. He was clearly the king, yet he had been put in a difficult position by a few words from his subject.

He suspected there might be a traitor in his team, but everyone he spoke to seemed to be looking out for him, and there was nothing wrong with them.

After a few seconds of silence, he pointed his sword at Edmund and said, "You'd better hope your brother's sword is sharper than his pen."

To prevent Miraz from noticing anything amiss, Edmund maintained a constant smile ever since he entered.

Now that he heard Miraz agree to the duel, he finally felt relieved, and the stiff expression on his face almost broke down.

"What a pity." Aaron clicked his tongue with a regretful look. "How could you accept that?"

"You must be secretly thrilled right now!" Miraz almost laughed out of anger.

“No, that’s not true at all.” Aaron shook his head seriously. “If Peter hadn’t been worried about a lose-lose situation and wanted to find a gentler way to resolve the issue, I wouldn’t have come here at all.”

I was just thinking that it would have been better if you had refused; fighting a war fairly and squarely would have been honorable.

"You're getting a good deal and then acting innocent!"