NOVEL NEXT Chapter 162.2
Chapter 162.2. Renegotiation
As expected.
Seeing the Count’s face contorted with the sweat of panic, Hermes was sure of it.
From the beginning, the negotiations had been strange.
It was true that without the Count’s military force, they couldn’t oppose the Northern Alliance. But—surely the Count’s side also understood that without their individual power, they wouldn’t stand a chance against the Northern Alliance, especially Lucius.
In other words, the Count should have been just as desperate to avoid a breakdown in negotiations.
And yet, his overwhelming confidence—almost as if he was daring a breakdown—had been inexplicable.
This was why.
The reason for his confidence was the insurance of a fallback: if they refused to comply, he would simply abduct the princess and seek asylum with the church.
So the first step was to eliminate that.
By announcing that they had ‘declared war on the church jointly with the Count’, they removed his fallback plan of church asylum and brought him back to the negotiation table.
Now, meaningful discussions could finally begin, as originally intended.
“—Nonsense!”
On the other side, the Count burst out, spittle flying, as he yelled at Hermes.
“That—such reckless behavior! This is unforgivable! Retrieve that letter immediately!”
“Even if you say so, the messenger has already departed. Albert-sama—his wind magic makes him untouchable. No one will catch him now.”
Only then did the Count realize that one of Liliana’s subordinates was missing.
He turned pale, trembled briefly, and then converted his panic into rage.
“In that case, even more so! I cannot possibly agree to your demands! Acting without my permission—how do you intend to take responsibility for this? From here on out, everything will proceed on my—”
“More importantly.”
But Hermes interrupted calmly, with quiet authority.
The Count, cowed by his pressure, fell silent as Liliana stepped forward from behind Hermes.
Her expression betrayed mild shock, though she seemed to have expected the situation. She spoke with a tone of confirmation.
“Count, is it true? Were you truly planning to sell me to the church?”
“Y-you misunderstand, Your Highness!”
But the revelation of this matter shattered Liliana’s trust.
As long as that mistrust lingered, the Count’s plans would fail, leaving him no choice but to make desperate excuses.
“It’s utterly untrue! My distress—yes, it was solely due to the reckless actions of that servant, who failed to understand the gravity of noble obligations! I, a loyal vassal of the royal family, would never sell Your Highness! Indeed—where is the proof? This is all a trap laid by that man to frame me!”
As expected, the Count resorted to his lack of evidence as a shield.
And because Hermes anticipated this, he had prepared accordingly.
A knock sounded at the door.
Knowing who it was, Hermes turned and called out.
“Come in, Albert-sama.”
“Wha—”
Ignoring the Count’s astonished outcry, Albert entered the room.
Everyone’s gaze fixed on him—and the documents in his hand.
“…To think I’d stoop to something like thievery.”
Albert’s conflicted expression matched his words. The documents he held bore a seal unmistakably belonging to the church.
“But it was worth it. I found this letter in the document archives. As for its contents…well, there’s no need to elaborate, is there?”
Albert threw the Count a contemptuous look.
“I imagine it says exactly what Hermes described moments ago.”
“Y-you! Weren’t you supposed to have taken a declaration of war?”
“Oh, that? A lie, of course. Even a simple declaration wouldn’t have been sent without your approval, Count.”
This was precisely why Hermes had been chosen as the negotiator.
His subdued emotions and inscrutable demeanor made it difficult to detect his lies or bluffs—ideal for provoking the Count into a slip of the tongue.
Initially, Katia had planned to handle negotiations herself.
However, when Hermes pointed out, “Lady Katia can’t lie,” everyone had agreed, and she reluctantly ceded the role, blushing both from embarrassment and the truth of the statement.
But now that matters had progressed this far,
Katia’s status as the heir of a ducal house carried significant weight. Her unwavering integrity and commanding presence were about to come into play.
“Well, Count. With conclusive evidence and your reaction to Hermes’s words…do you still think you can worm your way out of this?”
“…!”
The Count opened his mouth but found no words. Overwhelmed by Katia’s piercing gaze, he couldn’t muster a response.
Satisfied with this, Liliana stepped forward to take the final word.
“Liliana-sama.”
“I’ll be fine, Master. This much, I must do myself.”
She reassured Hermes and stood before the Count.
“Count Harvest. For disregarding my retainers and targeting me personally, your crimes cannot be forgiven. —In the name of Liliana, Third Princess, I hereby strip you of your title as Count. Management of your holdings will temporarily be entrusted to House Thracia, and proper actions will be taken once this upheaval is settled.”
“Your Highness!”
Perhaps seeing her as easier to manipulate than Katia,
the Count tried once more, his face plastered with feigned sincerity and concern.
“Please, listen to me! These people are deceivers! They’re manipulating Your Highness to seize control of the kingdom for themselves! You are being fooled!”
“…”
“Your Highness is still young, with little experience beyond the palace walls! Do you truly have the confidence and responsibility to trust your own judgment?”
Using her inexperience as a weapon, the Count’s argument reeked of cowardice.
Yet Liliana remained unfazed.
“…These people stood by me when I had nothing to offer. They protected and guided me as we fled the capital. That truth will never change. Therefore…”
After a pause, she took a step closer to Hermes, lightly grasping his cloak as if to show her trust.
“Even if I were being deceived…I wouldn’t mind.”
Her heartfelt declaration of trust silenced the room.
The Count was no exception, realizing his failure and impending doom.
“Damn it—”
In a final, desperate act, he attempted to summon his guards.
“It’s useless. This room is already surrounded by Sara’s barrier. Neither sound nor reinforcements will get through.”
Hermes had foreseen this and instructed Sara accordingly.
Realizing he was cornered, the Count turned his fury toward Liliana.
“You—you worthless excuse for royalty, nothing but a puppet for those around you—!”
Forgetting his own plans to use her as a pawn, he activated his Bloodline Magic to attack Liliana.
But naturally,
“Do you think you can—!”
“—I’ll at least commend your reckless bravery.”
Before he could even finish chanting his spell, Hermes unleashed a wind blade faster than anyone could react.
A single strike nicked the Count’s cheek.
“Argh…! P-painful—so painful—!”
The wound was shallow, but the Count exaggerated his agony. His clumsy reaction made it clear he wasn’t accustomed to using his Bloodline Magic in combat. Likely, his complacency had led him to neglect his training.
“Let me offer you one last reality check.”
Hermes cut the other cheek just as shallowly.
As the Count trembled in pain and fear, Hermes leaned in close and delivered his final words.
“A man like you has no place in the kingdom’s future. —You’re obsolete.”
The Count, seeing his beliefs shattered, slumped in defeat, utterly broken.
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