novelraw Chapter 100 : Centre Agreement (5)
Chapter 100 : Centre Agreement (5)
Chapter 100: Centre Agreement (5)
Now that the destination was set, there was no time to hesitate.
I first turned to the Special Task Force Commander and gave him my utmost respect.
“Thank you very much for sharing such valuable information, sir.”
“There’s no need to be overly thankful. I merely told the person involved about what happened back then.”
“Well. If I had shown poor conduct after returning… would you still have made the same choice then?”
“……”
“You brought me here because you were certain that no matter what truth was placed before me, Eugene Carter would no longer collapse—weren’t you?”
At that, Lieutenant General Alvin scratched his chin and averted his gaze.
“…You sure know how to say embarrassing things, Carter.”
But don’t get too comfortable.
“I only thought you were ready to return to the army. My personal trust in you is a different matter.”
“That part will be up to me from now on.”
“Mm. Then let’s quietly watch and see for now. I’m curious myself about what decision the high-ranking figures of the Empire will make.”
That ended the conversation in the archive.
On the way up from the underground to the surface, Alvin glanced at my hurried steps and asked casually,
“You seem to have somewhere to go, Carter.”
“Ah, yes. I plan to stop by the capital for a bit.”
“And your means of transportation?”
“…Since you’re already being generous, could I borrow a carriage as well?”
Borrowing a carriage on my way out was a bonus.
In front of the Special Task Force headquarters, I ignored the stares focused on me and told the coachman the destination.
“Then I’ll see you again, Carter.”
“Yes, sir.”
After giving a crisp salute to the Commander, who had even come out to see me off, I boarded the carriage immediately.
The carriage made a smooth turn and gradually picked up speed.
The sun that hung in the middle of the sky was slowly leaning toward the opposite horizon.
The central city, also known as the second capital—
that was the common epithet given to the Centre region.
Another of its symbolic landmarks was the Centre Train Station, which saw nearly fifty thousand people daily, ranging from commoners to nobles.
Normally a bustling place, today the hum of the crowd was especially lively.
And for good reason.
The Empire’s only Crown Prince, the Archbishop—the highest authority of the Orthodox Faith—and even the head of the Bernhardt Family were all present at the station square.
With such figures, who essentially governed the Empire, it was only natural that crowds would gather.
Watching the citizens bow their heads and scurry away, Abel Ribenia gave a short laugh.
“This place is still as chaotic as ever.”
Beside him, his chamberlain, Dellowell, lowered his gaze apologetically.
“The citizens gathered here are so numerous for the relocation, they’re unable to properly show their respects as subjects. Please forgive them, Your Highness.”
“Hey, do I look that uptight to you? It’s fine, tell them to go about their business. We should get moving too.”
“Yes, Your Highness. At once.”
Not long after, another large group arrived at the station—
it was Mikhail Bernhardt and his entourage, acting as their guides.
“It’s truly been a long time, Your Highness, Your Excellency the Archbishop.”
“It’s been a while, Mikhail.”
“Haha, you look even more radiant than before.”
“Come, this way please.”
As the key figures all headed toward their destination, the once-crowded station gradually began to settle down.
And then—
From a distance, Gustav, the Master of the Magic Tower of Mallet, who had been watching the scene, finally rose from his seat with a heavy sigh.
“…I wonder if this is really a good idea.”
Well, it’s a bomb that would’ve gone off eventually anyway.
Might as well make sure it explodes properly.
Centre Armonte Hotel.
This was the meeting place for the agreement, and for that day only, the entire top floor had been reserved.
Luxurious decorations lined every corner, chandeliers hung thick across the ceiling, masterpieces adorned the walls, and a deep reddish-brown carpet stretched across the floor.
Those who had arrived earlier didn’t bat an eye and strode straight inside.
But for Gustav, who was ten minutes late, it was a different story.
“Damn, they sure nailed the hotel’s interior.”
While he lingered near the entrance, glancing around, a nervous guard rushed over.
“Sir, you need to leave! There’s an important event today—only those with prior authorization—”
“Ah, I’m one of the attendees.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Tell them Gustav of Duel Mallet, Master of the Magic Tower, is here. They’ll know.”
After answering nonchalantly, Gustav began examining the lobby’s ornaments while waiting for an escort to arrive.
“Apologies for being late, Sir Gustav. I’m Kirk, the assistant manager of this hotel.”
“You could’ve come even later.”
“Well then, I’ll escort you personally. This way, please.”
At the entrance of the largest eight-person suite on the hotel’s top floor, the assistant manager stopped walking.
“Then, I wish you good luck.”
And with that, he darted away from the scene like an arrow.
“…Maybe I should’ve brought Meriel with me.”
Feeling his hair stand on end, Gustav hurriedly took a deep breath.
‘Now’s not the time to stall. That’ll only make me more nervous.’
Crown prince or archbishop, they were all just people in the end.
He’d make sure everyone here understood that there was only one person in the world who could truly make Gustav submit.
After psyching himself up with that thought, Gustav forcefully swung open the grand door.
Just as Eugene Carter had said, around ten figures were waiting for him inside.
Crown Prince Abel Ribenia and his attendants, Archbishop Dominico, the two Bernhardt patriarchs—Edgar and Mikhail—and six journalists who were there to report the agreement to the Empire.
And lastly, Karen Rosefield, the Blood Executor of Dellowell.
Seeing the expressionless woman silently holding a halberd stained with blood, Gustav covered his mouth and muttered under his breath.
“…I’m screwed, aren’t I?”
‘Damn Dellowell bastards… I’d rather they threatened me outright!’
What the hell were they thinking, trying to make a deal with that lunatic sitting right there?
But there was no turning back now. Once he was in, he couldn’t just walk out.
So Gustav boldly took a seat at the one remaining spot at the table.
“Well, everyone’s gathered quickly, I see? Was my train just too slow or something? Ha ha…”
“……”
He tried cracking a light joke, but not a single chuckle came from the crowd.
As he sighed and averted his eyes, it was surprisingly Mikhail who offered a word of comfort.
“Come on, let’s all smile a bit. The atmosphere’s too stiff—looks like the Master of the Tower tried to lighten things up.”
Ha, ha, ha.
Even the journalists seated near the entrance joined in awkwardly.
Watching them with a faint smile, Mikhail slowly opened the discussion.
“Well… I understand. It’s a serious matter, after all. Let’s get the main issue settled quickly, and then we can enjoy ourselves afterward.”
“Mm.”
“Agreed.”
When the four seated at the round table all nodded in agreement, Mikhail returned with four copies of the agreement.
“You’ve all likely gone over the details already, but allow me to explain once more.”
The documents were practically identical—only the order of names and factions differed.
“Once you sign this, Duel–Mallet will withdraw from Duel and join the Orthodox Faith. Mallet will operate as an independent diocese under the Ribenian Orthodox Faith, with Master Gustav serving as its Bishop.”
Ah, I suppose we should start calling you ‘Bishop’ from now on.
“Although it will function as an independent diocese, Mallet will still fall under the Orthodox Faith after the agreement. Therefore, any prior technological exchanges with Karbenna must be renegotiated with the relevant parties. The explanation of that clause can be found under the first section.”
“……”
“And as for the second section, Bernhardt will provide 100,000 Riben in support for the operation of the independent diocese. The amount can be adjusted upward, so please share your opinion if needed.”
“All of this will be guaranteed by Crown Prince Abel Ribenia, representative of Emperor Ludwig Ribenia… Is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Gustav silently examined the agreement, a smirk tugging at his lips.
‘So they’ve managed to tie both the Tower and the Faith together, and even drag two more factions into it.’
Bernhardt through monetary support, the Imperial Court through endorsement of the agreement.
It was practically a knife to his throat.
‘And as if that weren’t enough, they even brought Karen Rosefield here in person…’
It was just as he’d discussed with Meriel earlier.
A not-so-subtle warning—“bow down before the Inquisitors crush you.”
“Anything else you’d like to go over? Let’s proceed with the signing.”
The first to sign, unsurprisingly, was Archbishop Dominico.
Next came Crown Prince Abel Ribenia, followed by Edgar Bernhardt.
And then, all eyes in the room turned toward Gustav.
‘…Am I going to die here today?’
Well, even if that were the case… he couldn’t just stay silent.
Picking up the pen before him, Gustav smiled at the three figures seated across the table.
“To be honest, I’d like to sign this right away… but there’s just one thing that bothers me.”
His gaze settled on the Archbishop.
“The Bishop of an independent diocese holds the same standing as the Director of the Dellowell Inquisition, yes? For a branch like Mallet, which already has a poor reputation in Duel, this arrangement is quite the generous offer… I’m truly grateful.”
“If you understand that, then please just sign—”
“For me, yes.”
“…What?”
Gustav glanced back toward the journalists before continuing.
“Let’s say I survive through this. What happens to the rest of the Tower’s members? I don’t see any mention of them in this agreement.”
He waved the paper with his free hand as he spoke, prompting Mikhail to hurriedly interject.
“If you wish, we can add that as a special clause—that the Orthodox Faith will not interfere in the operations of the Tower—”
“Oh, and I’m supposed to believe that? You’ll say that now, then go back on your word once public opinion dies down, won’t you?”
The half-respectful tone was grating, and Mikhail’s polite smile began to crack.
This time, Edgar, who had been quietly observing, sent a dull, unamused look his way.
“…Would you prefer we bind it with a Geas, then? Hm?”
“Heh. There’s no oath as fragile as a Geas. You people would never leave that loophole unexploited. Am I wrong?”
“Then what exactly do you want? You reject our added conditions and won’t trust a Geas either.”
“If you’re asking what I want… well, that’s obvious.”
Judging that it was the right time, Gustav began writing something long in the signature field.
After finishing his ‘signature,’ he stood up abruptly.
“Never thought I’d live to say something like this to you people, but…”
“……”
Mikhail, who had been scanning Gustav’s version of the agreement, dropped the paper to the floor with a hardened expression.
On the sheet scattered across the ground, the following line was clearly written:
Unfortunately, I cannot, in good conscience, sign this worthless agreement.
Master Gustav, on behalf of Eugene Carter.
“We’ll handle our own affairs, so how about you mind your own business, yeah?”