Chapter 94 - Choose the Lesser Evil
『 TL – Divinity 』
『 PR – Vein 』
An icy silence fell over the room.
As Lowell faltered, unable to retort, Daniel took a step back.
"Oh my, I simply wanted to have a light conversation before the official meeting, but it seems things have gotten a bit heated. How about we sit down and proceed with the meeting?"
Lowell nodded nervously.
He hadn't come here to fight Daniel Steiner.
After adjusting his clothes, he sat down on the sofa.
Seeing this, Daniel also sat down and placed his briefcase on his lap.
He unzipped the briefcase with a casual gesture and rummaged through it.
"Then I shall present the Empire's proposal. Let's see... Ah, here it is."
Daniel took out a few documents and handed them to Lowell.
"Please read them carefully and make your decision. And if you have any objections, let me know."
Daniel's smile as he handed over the documents seemed insincere.
Lowell glared at him and snatched the documents.
But Daniel simply waited with his hands clasped together, showing no signs of displeasure.
'...I can't figure out what he's thinking.'
Although his attitude was polite, Lowell couldn't shake the feeling that he was being looked down upon.
Wary of Daniel, Lowell read through the documents.
The contents seemed simple at first glance.
They demanded that he take responsibility for failing to prevent the terrorist attack and issue a formal statement, and they discussed compensation along with a request for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth.
So far, it was a proposal that Lowell could accept.
However, the problem lay in the following clauses.
'Abolition of tariffs on trade with the Empire, permission for the Imperial Army to be stationed in the port city of Tentarbachem, cooperation in the construction of military bases, and permanent opening of the borders?'
This alone was absurd, but the biggest problem was the last clause.
『We request that you enact an anti-terrorism law and provide the Empire with detailed information when appointing high-ranking government officials and military generals. The Empire must be able to conduct inspections and supervision as necessary to prevent future terrorist attacks.』
Although it was framed as an anti-terrorism law, it essentially meant interference in their internal affairs.
This was clearly a demand made to a defeated nation, not a neutral one.
Lowell, dumbfounded, threw the documents on the table.
"What is the meaning of this?! You brought this here as a proposal?!"
"...Is there something wrong?"
"What's wrong, you ask? Are you out of your mind?! Bellanos is a neutral country! We pledged not to participate in any international disputes or wars! If Bellanos accepts the Empire's troops and allows them to interfere in our internal affairs, do you think we can maintain our neutrality!?"
Lowell raised his hand and pointed at Daniel accusingly.
"Daniel Steiner! This is a blatant violation of our sovereignty! The international community will never tolerate this! And it was incredibly rude of you to bring this proposal! I will officially protest to the Empire's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the name of the Prime Minister!"
Daniel, who had been listening quietly, suddenly sighed.
"Protest to the Empire's Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Did you not hear what I just said? I clearly stated that in this meeting, I am the Empire."
Lowell's eyes narrowed.
Just as he was wondering what Daniel was talking about, Daniel shrugged.
"Alright. Since you're taking a hard line, Prime Minister, I'll also be truthful. Did you just say that the international community wouldn't tolerate Bellanos' violation of sovereignty? Well, I think they will."
"What are you..."
"As everyone knows, it was the Bellanos Navy that opened the way for the terrorists who attacked the Empire's diplomatic vessel. You won't deny that, will you? Then who is behind this? Do you know who the culprit is, Prime Minister?"
Lowell swallowed nervously.
"According to Colonel Edvol, he received a bribe from the Allied Nations..."
"Yes, we're aware of that. The Bellanos government sent a telegram to the Empire informing us of this. But is there any evidence? Any evidence that he received a bribe from the Allied Nations?"
Lowell opened his mouth to answer, then closed it again.
Because there was no evidence.
"Then the Empire could interpret this as follows: Ah, Bellanos attacked the Empire's diplomatic vessel and is trying to shift the blame to the Allied Nations. The culprit is Bellanos'..."
Daniel leaned forward and stared intently at Lowell.
"...Prime Minister."
Lowell, breaking out in a cold sweat, hurriedly shouted,
"That's a ridiculous leap in logic! Why would Bellanos attack the Empire's diplomatic vessel!? What would we gain from that!?"
Daniel smiled faintly.
"Then present the evidence. It's a simple matter, isn't it?"
Lowell, feeling frustrated, remained silent.
The more he answered Daniel's questions, the more he felt like he was sinking into quicksand.
"Without evidence, the Empire has no choice but to suspect Bellanos. Of course, I believe that Bellanos wouldn't attack the Empire's diplomatic vessel. However, if you refuse this proposal, Prime Minister, the Empire will be forced to take action."
Daniel leaned back and relaxed against the sofa.
"Bellanos' navy killed the Empire's civilians. Isn't that justification enough? The Empire will declare war, and the international community will remain silent. Because the reason for the declaration of war is clear."
Daniel's low chuckle echoed in the silence like a creeping fog.
"The Allied Nations won't help Bellanos either. They expressed their deep regret to the Empire for the civilian casualties, but they won't be able to stop the Empire from seeking revenge. If they defend Bellanos now, it would be the same as admitting they were accomplices. And..."
Daniel snapped his fingers and pointed at the glass of whiskey.
"If you're not going to drink that, could you give it to me? I'm thirsty."
Lowell glanced at the glass.
Unable to refuse, he handed it to Daniel.
Daniel, noticing Lowell's slightly trembling hand, gently took the glass.
"Thank you for your consideration."
He smiled, took a sip of the whiskey, and exclaimed in admiration,
"As expected of a high-quality product. They say that high-quality whiskey is different from the distillation process, and the flavor is truly excellent. It would be a shame if I couldn't drink this anymore."
It was obvious who he was referring to.
Daniel swirled the glass, appreciating the color of the whiskey, then put it down.
"It seems we've digressed a bit. To continue, the Empire, having declared war, will be able to land its troops in Bellanos without any resistance."
Currently, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that the port city of Tentarbachem in Bellanos was already occupied by the Imperial Army.
As long as they were there, Bellanos couldn't prevent the Empire's landing.
It was the same as losing the most important strategic stronghold at the start of the war.
"The troops that land in Bellanos will advance to the capital in no time. As you're well aware, Prime Minister, the Empire captured the Kingdom of Eldresia in less than a season after declaring all-out war. Then how long would it take for Bellanos, which is smaller than Eldresia?"
Daniel playfully raised his hand and held up two fingers.
"Two weeks. Two weeks would be enough."
Lowell's breathing became shaky.
But Daniel was still smiling.
"In less than half a month, the Imperial Army would reach the capital of Bellanos. Then, the citizens of Bellanos would not only be enraged by the ruthlessness of the Empire but also resent the incompetence of their government."
Daniel tapped the armrest of the sofa and said,
"Hatred towards the government's incompetence will ultimately be directed at you, Prime Minister. Perhaps it might even lead to a popular uprising. Then, the Empire will halt its advance and advise the Bellanos government to surrender. And we'll subtly leak some information."
The smile disappeared from Daniel's face.
"That the Prime Minister of Bellanos has an illegitimate child."
Lowell's eyes widened in shock.
The horrifying implications of those words replayed in his mind.
Unable to bear it, Lowell started to sob.
Daniel, seeing this, lowered his voice with pity.
"I understand. The thought of losing everything isn't pleasant. Therefore, it would be in your best interest to act in a way that prevents that imagination from becoming reality."
Daniel took out a fountain pen from his pocket and offered it to Lowell.
Lowell looked up, his eyes filled with hatred as he glared at Daniel through his tears.
But the situation wouldn't change.
Lowell knew better than anyone who held the power here.
Having lived his entire life as a lion in a cage, he couldn't defeat the wolf in front of him.
Seeing the fighting spirit disappear from Lowell's eyes, Daniel lightly shook the fountain pen.
"Sign the proposal. That's the only way..."
His low, chilling voice continued like a whisper,
"...to make this all go away."