Chapter 543
During negotiations at Fangridge Mountain earlier that day, Oliver remained exceptionally resolute. Before the talks began, Timothy and Louis urged him not to mention the Hell Monarch to Victor. However, Oliver believed their shared past service under the prince would bias them in his favor, so he agreed to remain silent while formulating his strategy.
In previous negotiations, Oliver had persistently bargained, offering gold, food, and textiles in exchange for Septimus. Victor consistently rejected his offers, resulting in a deadlock.
This time, Oliver had truly lost patience. He had already made significant concessions for Septimus, increasing his offer from 5,000 gold coins to 10,000, along with 400,000 pounds of grain and 2,000 bolts of silk. If Sandoria still refused, it would be purely out of greed.
Ceding Simonton City, recaptured by the Hell Monarch, was unacceptable. Its loss would be a severe blow to Oliver. At the start of this round, he raised the grain offer to 660,000 pounds, but Victor still refused.
Fuming, Oliver slammed his hand on the table. "I see you're insincere. I've made substantial concessions, yet you demand more. This is unreasonable. If this is how it will be, the negotiations are over."
The statement was translated. Victor sneered after hearing it. "Are you certain you want to end negotiations? Are you willing to sacrifice your spies?"
"You lack sincerity. If you're unwilling to negotiate in good faith, we have nothing further to discuss. Do as you will. This is the Hell Monarch's decision," Oliver replied.
Timothy and Louis paled. Hadn't they warned him against mentioning Rafael? The name "Hell Monarch" required no translation; Victor understood immediately, his demeanor sharpening.
"The Hell Monarch? Are you saying he's here? Why isn't he negotiating instead?"
Victor's translator conveyed this. Oliver was about to respond when Louis interjected (in Sandorian): "The Hell Monarch issued the order but couldn't attend personally. He recently married and cannot leave the capital."
Oliver, not understanding Sandorian, shot Louis a suspicious glance. Victor also looked at him skeptically. "The Hell Monarch is here, isn't he?"
Louis smiled. "If His Highness were here, he'd want to meet you, Marshal Crow. The war between our kingdoms is over, and we in Starhaven say, 'You don't know someone until you've fought them.' His Highness respects you greatly. If he were in Simonton City, he'd be eager to befriend you."
"Nonsense! Even if the war is over, we're not friends. The Hell Monarch is as terrifying as General Sinclair. We Sandorians do not wish to befriend such a fearsome person," Victor countered.
Hector had once recaptured the Southern Frontier, but Sandoria counterattacked with reinforcements. He lacked timely support because his request for aid was delayed due to the dying king's grave illness. His forces were defeated, and the enemy retook the frontier. Victor, having taken the battlefield only after Hector's death, still considered him formidable.
"What did Louis say?" Oliver asked the translator.
Louis shot the translator a warning glance, but the man, a local merchant fluent in both languages and Oliver's interpreter throughout the negotiations, relayed Louis' words verbatim.
Oliver glared sharply at Louis, then said to Victor, "Yes, the Hell Monarch has been in Simonton City for a few days. He hasn't come to negotiate personally, but sent me. If you can't agree to these terms, the negotiations are over. Do as you see fit."
"That is the Hell Monarch's decision," Oliver reiterated.
Victor immediately grasped the situation. "We're leaving. Now."
Timothy quickly nudged Louis, who hastily said, "Marshal Crow, there's no need to rush. We can continue discussing. Is Simonton City your only goal?"
Timothy intercepted Victor. Victor glared coldly. "Get out of my way!"
Louis performed a formal salute. "Marshal Crow, let's continue calmly. What's the rush? You want Simonton City, correct? We can discuss this. Let's sit down and continue the negotiation."