Chapter 178 Ceasefire Negotiations ①
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
When Crown Prince Gilliam and Crown Princess Ierse of the Coalmine Kingdom¹ entered the conference hall arm-in-arm, the upper echelons of the Canaria Kingdom² were already in their seats.
Amidst a palpable tension, the couple proceeded to their designated spots on the left side of the long table and sat down. Not a single greeting was exchanged, nor did any eyes meet.
Opposite them sat Lady Tina Badcage of the Duke Badcage House, Marquis Dan Samoro—the Prime Minister—and Queen Cecile Canaria. Standing behind them were Merluza, Captain of the Royal Guard, and the maid Muse.
Both sides were accompanied by several scribes and civil officials, but these individuals comprised the primary members. Once everyone had taken their places, the final person in attendance addressed the room.
”Well, well, hello everyone. Is everyone gathered? The weather is lovely today—a truly perfect day for ceasefire negotiations.”
It was the Archbishop of Canarias³ himself, Trantestar. Crown Prince Gilliam stared fixedly at the man who had offered such a lackadaisical greeting.
In establishing these ceasefire negotiations, the Coalmine Kingdom had made several concessions. First was their consent to hold the meeting in Canarias, the capital city of the Canaria Kingdom.
Naturally, negotiating in the heart of enemy territory placed them at a disadvantage. It created a disparity in the number of personnel they could mobilize, and there was a risk that the unfamiliar surroundings would dull their sharpest minds. Under normal circumstances, a third-party country would have been the preferred choice, yet this proposal had originated from the Coalmine side.
Secondly, the Crown Prince had personally graced the venue with his presence. This was equally significant; the heir to the throne participating in negotiations within enemy borders carried an inherent danger. Coupled with the choice of venue, this fact underscored that they had made multiple layers of concessions.
And the final concession was the invitation of Trantestar—the head of the Canarias Archdiocese within the Canaria Kingdom’s own territory—to act as the mediator.
Naturally, the Coalmine Kingdom possessed its own established district of the Church of Demon-Subjugation⁴, overseen by Archbishop Maynard. Ordinarily, in international negotiations, if one side yields on the venue, the mediator is selected by the nation that did not choose the location.
While appointing a third party for both the venue and the mediator would be the most balanced approach, the Coalmine Kingdom had yielded on both counts in this instance.
These concessions would undoubtedly leave neighboring countries with the impression of a Canaria Kingdom victory. However, the Coalmine Kingdom had not proposed these conditions out of a sense of defeat.
If one examined the actual substance of the conflict, it was evident that both nations had emerged from it with a painful draw. If anything, compared to the Canaria Kingdom—which had remained entirely on the defensive, holed up within Pikeaxe Fort⁵—the military prowess of the Coalmine Kingdom, which had maintained the initiative throughout the war, was beyond reproach.
Despite this, why had they made concession after concession? It was a marked change in attitude from a sworn enemy who had done nothing but proclaim their right of succession ever since the previous King and Queen had passed away. Queen Cecile glared at Crown Prince Gilliam with unwavering vigilance as she addressed the Archbishop.
”Spare us the platitudes. Can we begin the negotiations already, Archbishop Trantestar?”
”Dear me, such a confrontational attitude is hardly appropriate, Your Majesty. This is a forum for peace; without a heart of tolerance, even the most straightforward discussions will fail to reach a conclusion,” the Archbishop said with a sigh.
”Did I not tell you to spare us the platitudes?” the Queen asked.
In response to Queen Cecile’s perilous tone, the Archbishop let out a sigh he made no effort to conceal. Crown Prince Gilliam continued to observe the interaction. There was a sense of casualness, yet they did not seem to be on intimate terms. If that was the case, it appeared there was no need to be as guarded as he had initially feared…
”Well then, since some are clearly in a hurry, let us begin. As you are well aware, our God does not desire conflict between people. In the name of God, I, Archbishop Trantestar of Canarias, bless this moment as the nations of Canaria and Coalmine seek a path to peace. May both parties speak without falsehood, respect one another, and may this be a fruitful occasion…”
Following his prayer, the Archbishop gestured with both palms turned upward toward the two parties, as if to say, “Go ahead, do as you please now.”
It was a simplified version of a ritual performed since ancient times; perhaps in those days, priests really did mediate disputes in such a manner.
Crown Prince Gilliam found himself momentarily lost in such thoughts due to the Archbishop’s somewhat unconventional behavior. In that moment, Queen Cecile delivered her opening blow.
”So? Just how do you intend to make amends for all of this?”
It was a question devoid of ornament or pretense—the kind that might drive an opponent to storm out in a fit of rage. Truly a formidable woman, even more so than the rumors suggested, Gilliam thought as he met Cecile’s piercing gaze. Though masked by cosmetics, her eyes were sunken with dark circles deep enough to make a small child weep.
”Amends, you say…? Now, whatever could you mean? I have come all this way today with every intention of resolving the unfortunate misunderstanding that occurred between our two nations,” Gilliam said.
While subtly weaving in the jab that he had “gone out of his way to come here,” Gilliam played the fool with a composure that remained unshaken by Cecile’s intense glare.
It wasn’t that he was inherently malicious; these were simply the standard maneuvers for such a setting. Whether his nation was at fault or not, a ruler could not hope to endure by admitting to it.
If anything, in this venue, Cecile—who had expressed her anger so impulsively—was the outlier. Naturally, she had her own motives for doing so.
It was a move to establish, right from the outset, the narrative that the Canaria Kingdom was the victim of a war forced upon them, that they had suffered damages for which they sought restitution, and that they remained profoundly dissatisfied. She had achieved all of that with only a few brief words.
It was a masterfully placed preemptive strike. Their words were immediately recorded by the scribes of both nations and the Church. In every ledger, Cecile’s assertions would be documented with total clarity.
Beside Cecile, Marquis Samoro, the Prime Minister, nodded silently to himself. This particular tactic was a lesson he had personally instilled in her as her political mentor. He was satisfied with his pupil, who carried herself with such gravity in her mid-twenties, and continued to observe the exchange.
”‘An unfortunate misunderstanding,’ is it…? Very well then, let’s hear this drivel of yours. I’ll at least do you the courtesy of listening,” the Queen said.
”I suppose I should offer my gratitude for that. To begin with, the root of the matter lies in the passing of your royal father and mother. We can at least agree on that much, can we not?” Gilliam asked.
”I cannot. Why must the demise of my parents—the tragedy that struck my nation—be utilized as an excuse for your kingdom?” the Queen replied.
”It is not an excuse; it is a fact. With the King and Queen gone, only a princess who had only just reached her majority and a young prince too small to even comprehend the world were left behind. As kin who share the same blood, our nation could hardly remain silent without extending a helping hand,” Gilliam said.
”That was nothing but unwelcome interference,” Cecile said.
The two proceeded to confirm the claims they had traded many times before, as well as their mutual refusal to reconcile. Coalmine insisted upon their right of succession, while the Canaria Kingdom maintained that so long as a direct-line prince lived, there was no cause to turn to distant relatives.
”You call it interference, but our nation could hardly remain idle after what was done. Have you forgotten your own actions when you first ascended the throne?” Gilliam asked.
”Now then, I was desperate back then to safeguard my kingdom and my brother. I’m afraid I don’t know which matter you’re referring to…” the Queen said.
”I am referring to the cornering of the wheat market, the hike in tariffs, and the restrictions placed on passage,” Gilliam said.
Even as he cited Cecile’s actions, Gilliam shifted his gaze toward Marquis Samoro seated beside her. This was because the Coalmine side understood that the true architect of those policies was none other than him.
Following the internal upheaval of the country, the first act Queen Cecile performed upon her coronation was the stockpiling of food. The official reason was “to prepare for a poor harvest,” but anyone who wasn’t slow-witted could easily deduce that it was a strategic reserve in anticipation of war.
It was the same for the tariff increases and travel restrictions. To stabilize an uncertain regime and prevent the outflow of resources and citizens—as well as the infiltration of foreign agents—Marquis Samoro had implemented every possible plan, and Cecile had given them her seal of approval.
A war is an inevitability under a young Queen. Whether sparked by domestic insurgents or a foreign invasion, someone will inevitably strike at a perceived vulnerability. In truth, the surrounding nations, led by the Coalmine Kingdom, had indeed launched a war. Marquis Samoro’s proactive measures had proven justified. However…
”As you well know, our nation’s soil is not bountiful. Poor harvests are a frequent occurrence, and we have often relied upon your kingdom in such times. In exchange, we export our technology and resources. The one who abandoned this relationship first was none other than you,” Gilliam said.
”Those are your nation’s internal concerns. By what right do you presume to interfere in my kingdom’s sovereign policies?” the Queen asked.
In Gilliam’s argument, the cause and effect were reversed—at least, that was the perspective of the Canaria Kingdom. Which had come first: the war or the trade restrictions? It was a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma; the Canaria Kingdom had enacted trade restrictions out of a fear of war, while the Coalmine Kingdom had initiated war out of a fear of trade restrictions.
Above all, the policies of Cecile and Marquis Samoro were not the Coalmine Kingdom’s primary grievance. They detested the very status quo that left them with no choice but to rely on the Canaria Kingdom for sustenance while exporting their own technological and mineral wealth.
If they could secure ‘Beautiful Canaria’ for themselves, both issues would be resolved. The ‘long-cherished ambition’ described by General Van Valedda, the commander-in-chief of this campaign, was not merely a matter of sentiment, but one of cold, pragmatic necessity.
Yet, that did not mean the Canaria Kingdom would ever consider surrendering the throne. The positions of both parties were fundamentally irreconcilable. The ceasefire negotiations had reached an impasse from the very first exchange, and a shadow loomed over the proceedings…
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Summary:
Ceasefire negotiations begin between the Coalmine Kingdom and the Canaria Kingdom under the mediation of Archbishop Trantestar. Queen Cecile and Crown Prince Gilliam immediately clash over the causes of the war and the ‘amends’ to be made. Both sides present conflicting views on trade restrictions and the right of succession. The negotiations start with a heavy atmosphere as neither side is willing to yield on their core grievances.
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Character Insight:
This chapter highlights Queen Cecile’s growth into a sharp, decisive ruler under Marquis Samoro’s tutelage, shown through her aggressive ‘preemptive strike’ in the negotiations. Conversely, Gilliam is portrayed as a classic pragmatic politician, skillfully using diplomatic doublespeak to frame aggression as ‘family concern.’ The tension reveals that both leaders are burdened by the survival of their respective nations, making true compromise nearly impossible.
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Behind the Scene:
The tension between agricultural reliance and technological export is a recurring theme in the series, reflecting real-world geopolitical struggles. The ‘Beautiful Canaria’ moniker for the kingdom suggests its strategic and aesthetic value to its neighbors.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Gilliam – The Crown Prince of the Coalmine Kingdom. He is described as simple and naive, often overwhelmed by his lively wife’s energy. He is stressed by the ongoing war.
• Ierse – The Crown Princess and wife of Gilliam, originally from a foreign land. She is described as lively and healthy with a unique charm. She wants to cheer up her husband.
• Tina Badcage – Silver-haired, red-eyed woman with a very formal, old-fashioned way of speaking, often ending sentences with ‘no ja’. She is the only daughter of the Duke Badcage, tasked with guarding the North for the Canaria Royal Family. She is described as a beauty. Her inexperience suggests a slender build, and her dress is likely formal and aristocratic, though not explicitly stated.
• Merluza – The Captain of the Royal Guard, a veteran soldier and Lion Beast-person. She testifies to the military necessity and effectiveness of the ‘Tremble Ddo-Buddy’ (which she calls ‘Bob’) for female beast-person soldiers, ensuring job performance isn’t compromised by ‘heat’. Have dull yellow hair, large feline ears, wearing armor, and large scar over the right eye.
• Cecile – A high-ranking, powerful woman in the capital who possesses the authority to regulate business and commerce, particularly concerning moral or public order issues. She is currently investigating Kento’s shop, ‘Harvest.’ Have long golden hair, elegant, and wearing expensive white dress with gold accesories.
• Samoro – A middle-aged Marquis and Prime Minister with a lot of white hair, a magnificent mustache, and luxurious attire. He is a key figure in the court who has supported the Queen since her enthronement.
• Muse – Cecile’s trusted attendant and chief maid, Muse handles sensitive, discreet tasks like espionage and product acquisition. Have sharp, black eyes, wearing maid uniform, and have expressionless face.
• Trantestar – The middle-aged man Archbishop of Canarias and the initiator of the current trial. He is an alleged ally of Kento but remains suspiciously neutral.
• Van Valedda – The General and Marquis overseeing the operation. He is the father of the current Queen and grandfather to the First Prince. He has black hair mixed with white, a neatly trimmed beard, and carries an air of calm dignity. He is elderly and suffers from old wounds in his knees.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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