NOVPUBThe lighting in the Upper House meeting room was focused yet dim, illuminating the documents and maps on the table.
Duke Moriarty took a deep breath.
"Wilford, you’ve made a mistake. Whether our enemy is the Honing Empire or the Blood Clan, what we need to consider right now is the possibility of combat. Continuing the resistance will only lead to certain defeat, and will bring about the annihilation of our forces. Please analyze the situation rationally."
Compared to Wilford, Duke Moriarty was calmer and more prudent, reminding those present to be rational and realistic.
The other members of the Upper House present at the meeting seemed somewhat hesitant and uneasy during this argument.
They exchanged worried glances, sometimes looking towards the Prime Minister at the head of the table, and sometimes towards the Duke.
The tense atmosphere was almost palpable.
"The northern maritime strait is our natural trench and battlement, the broadest waters those southern Honing Empire fools have never seen. We have the advantage in experience and geography. The Blood Clan dares not confront us at sea. If it were not on land, these creatures who cannot stand the sunlight wouldn’t have absolute safety during the day."
Lanci slowly stated.
"Then, at that time, men and women, young and old will despise our wrong decisions and dereliction of duty—for we failed to protect them completely, forcing them to face the Blood Clan unarmed."
Duke Moriarty pressed on,
"Once the Fulock Kingdom and Idiss Kingdom on our east and west sides fall, we will be surrounded and devoured on land, even the northern Snowfield behind us will be blockaded. Your talk of sea battles will be moot. What will we use to confront the Honing Empire? Do you think they won’t wage a war of attrition against us? The Honing Empire has all the patience in the world; they are backed by the entire southern continent, while we are backed by what? Teetering neighboring countries that could become enemies at any moment? That Snowfield perpetually shrouded in darkness? Or the Demon Race on the other side of the Snowfield, equally eager and equally impossible to communicate with?"
"I will work hard to try diplomacy, to seek support from neutral countries."
Lanci immediately said.
In contrast to Duke Moriarty’s sharp questions, his reply seemed especially brief.
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, you should not have bypassed me in attempting diplomacy with other countries; that undermines my trust."
Minister of Foreign Affairs Duke Moriarty shook his head as he spoke.
"But have you considered swallowing your pride and seeking help from neutral countries, aside from looking for an opportunity to negotiate peace with the Honing Empire?"
Lanci challenged.
"Heh, I don’t know whether to call you optimistic or naïve. Neutral countries—just grab any young person from the parliament who knows a bit of history, ask them why there are still countries remaining neutral at this juncture, and they can tell you the answer. If we could be a neutral country reaping the final benefits, then why wouldn’t the Palante Empire wish for such an outcome?"
This question was met with nothing but Duke Moriarty’s icy sarcasm,
"Don’t aim for a behemoth far stronger than us. If you can persuade a neutral country, even one equal to us, to help the Briss Kingdom, give the people more confidence. Instead of having us take calculated risks with no hope of victory, engaging in empty talk on paper, making grand statements without substance."
His tone still showed the restraint of a diplomat, but the argument between the two men had clearly grown more intense, showing signs that it might escalate into a full-blown quarrel.
After Duke Moriarty finished speaking, many lawmakers lowered their heads and sighed helplessly.
It wasn’t that the Prime Minister’s debating skills were inferior to Duke Moriarty’s.
It was that at this moment in time and given the actual situation, everyone in Hershalraym was in a state of panic; they couldn’t help but lean more towards Duke Moriarty and contemplate the possibility of negotiation that he had mentioned.
No one could see hope for victory; even though the Prime Minister’s courage was like a flame, no one was willing to be a moth to the flame.
If the Prime Minister gave in now, they could go along with Duke Moriarty’s suggestion, shift the current political winds in Hershalraym, and proactively prepare for negotiations.
"No more words are necessary. I will not change my mind. The Palante Empire must show the Blood Clan our mettle—that they cannot conquer all of humanity. I will take full responsibility for this,"
Lanci stood up, pushed his chair into the table, and looked around the meeting room as he spoke.
"Are you certain?"
Duke Moriarty’s voice was finally sharp.
"Yes, that’s why I am sitting in this seat,"
Lanci gently let go of the chair he had been pushing, and with the heavy clunking sound of the chair’s feet hitting the floor, the surrounding lawmakers were startled back to reality.
Duke Moriarty was in no way intimidated by Lanci’s assertiveness.
"Can we interpret this as the Prime Minister completely dismissing any possibility of negotiating with the Honing Empire?"
After Duke Moriarty spoke, he quietly looked at the conservative members present.
"..."
Lanci remained silent.
This time he didn’t rebut Duke Moriarty or show his assertive attitude; he just walked out of the meeting room alone, his departure signaling the end of the meeting with his back.
...
In the Congressional Building.
As Lanci walked around an empty corridor corner in the building, Cat Boss jumped out from the shadows and burrowed into Lanci’s coat.
"Meow meow meow, why aren’t you resisting anymore? Are you really considering surrendering?"
Cat Boss asked Lanci in a barely audible voice.
It was anxious and afraid that Lanci had truly been persuaded.
