Chapter 61: Resuming Negotiations
When I was called back to the negotiation site and returned, a new individual had appeared on the side of the Ambitosu Kingdom.
He appeared to be around thirty years old with a tan complexion, a well-groomed beard on his face, and brown eyes. His attire resembled that of Central Asian origin, with a turban-like hat and loose clothing.
As Princess Parvera, Famiris, and I exchanged questioning glances, the newcomer introduced himself from their side.
"I am Spellviard Ambitosu, the eldest son of the Ambitosu Kingdom's king! I shall now participate in these negotiations!"
I had expected someone from the royal family, but I never thought the eldest son would show up. The person who had been representing them until now seemed to have taken a back seat, indicating that Spellviard would be the new negotiating partner.
At this point, Famiris signaled to us, likely to confirm whether we would accept the change in representatives. Since our goals remained the same regardless of the negotiating partner, I nodded in agreement.
"Now, let the negotiations between Prince Milimos Nonette of the Nonette Kingdom and Prince Spellviard Ambitosu of the Ambitosu Kingdom resume," Famiris declared.
Without delay, Spellviard made his move.
"In the previous negotiation, you mentioned that you would drink water from the river. Well then, let's have you drink it right here."
Spellviard placed a wooden pitcher on the table, the same one I had seen earlier with the river water in it.
I accepted it and took a look inside. I was checking for any signs of poison on the bottom or inner walls of the unglazed pitcher. If poison were to be used, it would have to be applied in advance to the bottom or inner walls. If it had been applied, there would be a visible difference from the natural texture of the unglazed pitcher.
In the end, I couldn't see any signs of tampering.
Seeing me checking, Spellviard wore a smug expression.
"What's wrong? Are you afraid? If you can't drink what you promised to drink, I'm curious how you'll take responsibility."
He jumped to conclusions and taunted me before I had a chance to respond. Quite an overreaction.
I smiled at Spellviard.
"It seems there was a misunderstanding. I said I would drink the river water after boiling and disinfecting it. Does the water here look heated to you?"
My response surprised Spellviard, and he turned to the person who had been their previous negotiation representative for confirmation. When he learned that I was correct, he slapped that person on the back of the head.
With a satisfying thud, Spellviard extended his hand toward me.
"I'll boil it right away. Bring the pitcher here."
I hesitated to hand it over because I didn't want poison to be added while the water was being heated. So, I extended my hand in a gesture of refusal.
"No need. We can boil it here."
"There's not enough heat here to boil water."
"Exactly. That's why I'll do the heating."
I raised my right index finger and began chanting a spell.
"Sparks to fire, fire to flame. Warmth, appear. Paru Nis."
A lighting spell manifested, and a short, red ribbon-like flame, similar to an incomplete burner, appeared at the tip of my index finger.
The Ambitosu Kingdom side seemed surprised by my use of magic, but I ignored them and touched the flame to the surface of the water in the pitcher.
Though the fire from my fingertip disappeared beneath the water's surface, the magical flame remained. It heated the water, and soon, steam rose from the surface, followed by a rolling boil.
That should do it. I withdrew my hand and stopped supplying magical energy, extinguishing the fire.
"Ouch. Splashed hot water on my hand," I pretended, as I smelled the boiling water.
The smell of steam served as an indicator of the water's safety. By smelling the rising scents of mud, algae, decay, and more, one could discern whether the water was safe. I had learned this during military training in the Nonette Kingdom. But there were no issues with the smell.
The boiling subsided, and there was no strange shimmer on the water's surface caused by oil.
Now, all that remained was to take a sip of the water. Even though I had thoroughly examined it for safety, I couldn't help feeling a slight nervousness as I prepared to drink.
I waited until the water in the pitcher was cool enough to touch, then scooped some with my hand and brought it to my mouth. The slight tingling sensation from the hot water and the absence of any strange taste reassured me.
As I swallowed the water, a faint gulp echoed in the negotiation room.
Despite feeling embarrassed, once I took a sip, it became easier. I plunged my hand into the pot once more, scooping up lukewarm water and drinking it.
"As our investigation confirms, there is no poison in the river's water. Although there's a possibility that the poison may manifest over time, would you like me to undergo observation after drinking the water?"
Choosing to be observed would make it impossible for me to start a war until I collapsed from poison. Now, with this, I had proven that the river's water was harmless and had taken steps to avoid war.
While waiting for the opponent's next argument, Spelviard made an unrelated statement. "I assume you have Princess Sorerina in your country. Should we ask for her return?"
The conversation shifted abruptly from the water quality of the river to Sorerina, leaving Familis and Princess Palvera, who had been listening, perplexed.
I, too, had my doubts. "I don't understand the meaning of your words, and there is no obligation or reason to do so. Furthermore, Princess Sorerina has married a certain second son of Spozart country, so she has no connection with Ambitos country."
When I said this curtly, Spelviard became furious and slammed his fist down on the table. "There is no way there is no connection! Princess Sorerina was supposed to be my bride!"
I tried to recall my old memories, but I couldn't remember hearing that Sorerina was betrothed to anyone. "Could you be mistaken about something?"
"You! Are you telling me you don't know, even though you're Princess Sorerina's brother?! Bring Sorerina here, and it will become clear!"
The flow of the conversation had changed, or rather, it had completely shifted. No, could it be... Was the talk of the river's water quality a lie from the beginning? Were they trying to bring Sorerina here one way or another?
No, that couldn't be it. I didn't understand Spelviard's intentions, but even if Sorerina was an unparalleled beauty, I couldn't believe they would risk their own country for the sake of one woman...
Looking at Spelviard's desperate expression as he sought Sorerina, it didn't seem like the country's representative was capable of negotiating for the sake of the nation.
I had a bad feeling about this. I had suspected Ambitos' involvement in the rebellion in the Kampala region. However, I had wondered why they incited a rebellion in the "region leading to the Nonette country." If they were planning to capture Sorerina, who was heading to the Nonette homeland during the rebellion, it all made sense. The tunnel connecting the Nonette homeland and the Roccha region had just opened. It would be difficult to believe that Ambitos country had obtained that information.
Despite having these thoughts up to this point, I had to prepare myself to respond and decided to respond with the mindset of pressing the button that would ruin the negotiation.
"Sorerina has gone to the Nonette homeland for childbirth. She can't be moved anywhere until she gives birth, recovers postpartum, and the baby is old enough to travel and support its head."
"I thought she was just returning to her homeland, but for childbirth?!"
"Yes. She's giving birth to the child of her beloved, you know, Princess Sorerina."
Immediately after my words, Spelviard's expression went from astonishment to bewilderment, and then to anger.
"I'm going to retrieve Princess Sorerina! Anyone who stands in my way is an enemy!"
As Spelviard declared suddenly, the Ambitos country personnel gave up on the negotiation, and their faces changed to ones prepared to sacrifice themselves.
"The pre-war negotiation has collapsed here! The declaration of war is in effect!"
"Now, proceed! Bring Princess Sorerina into our hands!"
As the Ambitos country personnel raised their voices, the noise outside the negotiation venue echoed in response. The sound of weapons being brandished could be heard as well.
In the rapidly deteriorating situation of a war, I decided that I needed to start preparing to escape.
"Familis! Take Princess Palvera and leave first!"
"No need to tell me, I will make sure to escape. Princess Palvera's safety comes first."
"Milimos-kun, make sure you escape safely..."
In the middle of her words, Princess Palvera was taken away by Familis.
I quickly gathered the personnel I had brought from the Roccha region and decided to escape to our own camp, where guards were waiting.
Just as we were about to flee, Ambitos country personnel rushed at us, brandishing weapons as if they were chasing after us.
"Darn it. To start an interstate war just to get one woman!"
While complaining unbelievably, I had to figure out how to handle this situation. In the end, all we could do was run.