Catalyst System

Regret, 'Kan?

    In front of the fortress that had become rubble, there was a vast field. There has just been set up a tent for short negotiations between the leadership of the troops. Previously, after the fortress had finally collapsed, the sorcerers stopped the attack as per the instructions of Veroa. Thus, with this there was an opportunity for King Arthur to deliver his message to Veroa for a brief negotiation.

    There was no drinking water or anything like that, the atmosphere was like in a desert. The two looked at each other, but King Arthur was only a few seconds able to maintain his firmness before turning his eyes away.

    “Please begin, King Arthur” Veroa gives him the opportunity to convey the purpose of this short negotiation without wanting to mince words first.

    “Um... in advance, I apologize for not responding to the letter you have sent. However, may I ask first?” His attitude is very different from two months ago after he had just been appointed as king.

    “Oke, I allow. After all, this conversation can be continued directly” said Veroa indifferently.

    “You mean?” King Arthut seemed hesitant with his own thoughts.

    “You asked permission to ask, while the permit was used with you asking like that. So, please continue this conversation” in his heart, Veroa laughed at the expression of King Arthur who was dumbfounded by what he just heard, while what was said by Veroa just now was indeed a wit.

    The atmosphere was awkward, let alone General Willford standing behind his left side. He tried not to laugh at the beginning of this conversation. Moreover, just as he was about to warn against Veroa's disrespectful attitude before King Arthur, seeing Yuyue Wulan escorting Veroa currently holding the handle of the katana, he immediately abandoned his intentions.

    “Ah.. yes, I think you are right. Well then, I changed the licensing method. Please allow me to ask you first, Mr. Veroa..” King Arthur was soon able to overcome his slashed heart and ignore it by focusing on himself who wanted to ask.

    “Please” both his hands are propping up his chin, preparing to hear the question being thrown at him.

    King Arthur asked about the status of this war, whether it was a personal war or a war between countries. Looking at the number of soldiers that Veroa had brought along and its unruly strength, he was sure that this person had help from the royal side. It's just that, after asking long enough, the few lines of sentences he had stacked were even destroyed just like that.

    “Good. You have asked, and you have not asked me to answer. So, let's move on to the main topic..”.

    “Mr Veroa!! Please do not mess around” his emotions have been held with difficulty some time ago, but now it has been difficult to accommodate and even spill over just like that. After realizing with what he had just said and done, he immediately gulped his saliva violently.

    “Sorry-sorry. I will answer. Everything fits the letter I sent. My side receives no help from anywhere and no one knows about this personal war.” Veroa said it also related to its military power brought today as much as three-quarters of its entire military power. However, he did not mention that the adventurers who had now costumed like the soldiers of Tungsten City were adventurers who volunteered to contribute to this war.

    Hearing this, King Arthur's mind went blank. He was both shocked and depressed by what he had just heard. How not, the military strength of Tungsten City turned out to be almost equivalent to the military strength of the Kingdom of Rome as a whole. While Barium City was currently facing that army at the moment.

    Finally King Arthur realized from his daydream after hearing the word ‘warfare’ from the mouth of Veroa. He soon rose to stop Veroa's intentions and asked her to return to her brief talks. This time, he immediately conveyed the meaning of this negotiation without further rambling, fearing that Veroa would get bored and would continue this war from the side.

    He said honestly with nothing to cover up, including his attitude that ignored the war declaration, so that he did not have the preparation as it is today.

    General Willford also heard him in the back feeling furious with the attitude of King Arthur as well as disappointed. In any case, he thought this King Arthur was grossly underestimating the other party without taking into account the consequences. Moreover, when he heard the reason this war happened was because King Arthur was protecting a criminal, namely his own brother, he felt increasingly angry, but he managed to hold it. On the other hand, he was also aware that King Arthur had recently succeeded his father, so his experience in politics and leadership was still low or practically zero.

    “I am really sorry, Mr...” his tone is promising, but his facial expression is quite annoying.

    “I will stop this war. However, that is when my compensation determines it..” Veroa showed its fullness, hoping that King Arthur without a second thought immediately accepted it. However, seeing the pitiful expression displayed by King Arthur, Veroa said something in order to strengthen his statement. “You prefer destruction or loss?” He spoke softly like lightning in the desert.

    “Ah... alright. Sa-me... se-“ before his words were resolved, someone cut his words by haste.

    “Your Majesty! We are ready to fight!” General Willford bowed respectfully, but his posture was ready to make an attack or fend off an attack. He thought, what is the difference between destruction and loss? It is better to fight to the end than to simply surrender.

    His head now felt quite cold, like it had just been washed away by the morning dew after seeing the attitude of his proud War General so loyal. He finally established himself to answer it, “I agree”. At the very least, losing something there is still hope to bring it back, he thought.

    “Ya-Your Majesty! Why you..”

    “I appreciate your opinion, General Willford. But, it is the obligation of subordinates to follow the decision of their superiors, is not it?” His eyes closed quietly, it was clear that his decision had been unanimous.

    “Good. After I said ‘Your decision is irrevocable’, then legally the war is dismissed with the compensation fee determined by I” Veroa smiled to get the results as expected, he said, and he did not need to continue this war which he only used to achieve the results he expected.

    Then, the two shook hands, a sign that the outcome of this negotiation had reached its climax. A piece of paper containing ‘Presidential Letter’ to reinforce the results of this negotiation appeared suddenly on the table. Veroa immediately signed it, because he made the letter, so he did not need to re-read the contents.

    The frown on King Arthur's forehead was created after realizing that the outcome of this negotiation had been within the grasp of Veroa.

    “It seems, indeed this is the best..”