Charlen Lionmane, the Blue Star Commonwealth’s special negotiation representative, glanced at the bright and radiant smile across the long table, returned a typical diplomatic smile as a matter of routine, and then, with a slight flicker, averted his eyes.
He cleared his throat and, following the documents in front of him, began to read in a very routine diplomatic tone.
“In short, these are our demands. The Kaitaian Kingdom must compensate us for all war losses, including 50 billion letter stars in war reparations, to be paid off over 10 years. In addition, due to your consistent rude attitude towards us, for national defense and security, we demand that the Kaitaian Kingdom dismantle its fleet. We also believe that the Kaitaian Kingdom has become the source of conflict and war in the Milky Way Galaxy. We urge all nations in the Milky Way Galaxy to impose economic sanctions on them for twenty years. At the same time, no military supplies should be sold to Kaitaian merchants or any enterprises with Kaitaian Kingdom backgrounds!”
He raised his head, no longer looking at Brunhild’s sun-like smile, but at the Kaitaian across from him, emphasizing his tone and saying in a deep voice, “Our demands are very reasonable, and they are also necessary conditions to prevent similar tragedies from happening again!”
“Hmm, indeed very reasonable…” Suliuka King tapped the table and smiled, “But that’s only under normal circumstances!”
Among the Commonwealth’s negotiation representatives, a lady in her early forties, very charming and graceful, suddenly raised her hand and said, “Excuse me, may I interrupt? I’ve been wanting to ask since just now, His Highness Prince Suliuka, in what capacity are you attending this meeting? An arbitrator? An observer? Shouldn’t this be a negotiation between our country and the Kaitaian Kingdom?”
“Our side has entrusted all matters of this negotiation to Suliuka King,” said the Kaitaian negotiation representative.
“There is no such precedent internationally,” the lady said in a deep voice.
“That’s because you have limited knowledge. Our Kaitaian Kingdom is a loyal follower of the Galactic Empire. Entrusting difficult matters to our liege is our full trust in our liege, and it is also the protection our liege should provide us.”
“Is that so? The Kaitaian Kingdom has actually become a vassal state of the Empire!” The lady suddenly realized, “Then why not quickly withdraw from the Galactic Civilization Council?”
“You egalitarians… Ugh, you republicans, of course, find it difficult to understand our pride. Our Kaitaian Kingdom has its own national conditions! Although theoretically a sovereign state, our hearts have long been with the great Father, the sacred Ruler. Therefore, to allow His Highness Prince Su Wang to represent us, we have already given the picturesque Neptune’s Domain to His Highness! This is a sacred contractual transaction, which you do not understand! But this absolutely conforms to the sacred traditions of Milky Way Civilization!”
The lady wanted to argue and mock a few more words, but she heard Representative Marvin say loudly, “Your Highness, as an arbitrating nation of the Galactic Civilization Council, you are indeed qualified to attend the meeting and express opinions as a third-party supervisory nation. However, it should, and only should, be expressing opinions, is that acceptable?”
“Thank you for your understanding,” Brunhild said with a smile.
The female representative looked at Suliuka King, then at the serious-faced Charlen Lionmane, and cursed inwardly, “These Imperial faction good-for-nothings are really good at acting!”
“Then, may I speak now, Councilor Lina Weilbate Shiller?” Brunhild said with a smile.
Councilor Lina’s heart tightened, and she felt even more that this negotiation was ill-fated. One must know that the other party was the lofty Great Elector King, yet she even knew her, a “small” senator, clearly indicating she came prepared.
“Let’s talk about your country’s conditions. As I said just now, since your side claims to be the victim, you are indeed qualified to make such demands. However, you should also know that in recent years, the Kaitaian Kingdom’s economic situation has not been optimistic, with over twenty percent of its population living below the extreme poverty line set by the Galactic Civilization Council. If another fifty billion is to be paid as war reparations, it will inevitably lead to the complete collapse of the people’s livelihood! Therefore, even if only to avoid a humanitarian disaster, such a demand is open to discussion.”
“But isn’t this precisely because of the Kaitaian Kingdom’s insane militaristic politics that all of this has happened? If they just dismantle their fleet, allow most soldiers to return to society, and let society return to the right track of people’s livelihood, wouldn’t that be enough?” Lina Weilbate raised her voice.
“Is that so? But who will guarantee their safety? What about the safety of the Milky Way Galaxy?” Brunhild said with a matter-of-fact tone.
Marvin frowned and was about to speak when Suliuka King interjected, “The Kaitaian Kingdom’s homeland, with over twenty star systems, borders the Silver Heart starfield, you know that, right?”
Seeing the other party pause, she added, “The Kaitaian Kingdom is a loyal and reliable ally (cannon fodder) of the Empire, sending a large number of troops every year to accompany the Imperial expeditions against those Raiders tribes. You know that, right? If they really start to dismantle their fleet, what will happen when those cruel and greedy cosmic barbarians rush into the country, burning, killing, and plundering? Representative, do you wish for a civilized race belonging to the Civilization Council to become miserable slaves, or do you wish for the forces bordering you to become Raiders barbarians?”
I’d rather have Raiders bordering us! After all, it would be simpler then, just fight them directly! Lina thought.
Marvin seemed to show a sympathetic expression, as if he understood, but said, “Hmm, the plight of the Kaitaian people is indeed very sympathetic, but this has nothing to do with what we are discussing today! Aren’t we discussing the Kaitaian Kingdom’s aggression today?”
“The Empire, and its allies, maintain the stability of the Milky Way Galaxy! Almost every year, we fight Raiders that emerge from the Silver Heart. Mr. Marvin, and Ms. Weilbate, I don’t expect you to empathize, but I at least hope you can have a little compassion for the Kaitaian people who are fully maintaining peace in the Milky Way Galaxy. Yes, Kaitaian Kingdom’s Major General Blackfin may be guilty, but the Kaitaian people are innocent.”
Charlen Lionmane gently tapped the table, almost speaking in a flat diplomatic tone: “The Blue Star people are very grateful for the Kaitaian Kingdom’s contribution to the entire Milky Way Civilization. However, our side has also provided volunteer personnel and material support for the Raiders expedition, and besides, this is still irrelevant to today’s topic. Your Highness, our side still demands that the Kaitaian Kingdom bear its due war responsibilities and be a responsible nation. As for the specific compensation terms, based on humanitarian principles, they can certainly still be negotiated…”
Ms. Lina Weilbate wanted to pound the table, but Marvin held her back, and she heard him whisper, “…The instructions from Earth are to know when to quit! Anyway, the war is over, and we’ve captured a lot, that’s enough.”
Ms. Weilbate sat back in her chair expressionlessly, deciding not to say another word during the rest of the negotiations.
However, just as she made up her mind, she heard the Kaitaian representative across the table furiously slap the table: “Compensation? Have you misunderstood something? Isn’t this meeting supposed to be discussing your responsibilities? No matter what, wasn’t it your side that made the first move? We are the victims, and yet you want us to compensate? I have never seen such a shameless person!”
Marvin was probably dumbfounded by the other party’s counter-accusation, his steady diplomatic expression frozen on his face for nearly half a minute before he retorted:
“Wasn’t it you who planned the surprise attack on Gibraltar Starport? Your spy Major Horn, and all the attackers, have been captured, red-handed! Major General Blackfin has also admitted everything! Wasn’t he the head of your Navy Command’s Operations Department? Representative, you are the most shameless person I have ever seen!”
“Major General Blackfin is a madman! We always thought he had a problem with his brain and were about to send him for treatment. But who knew he would cause such a big incident. As for that Horn, and those so-called attackers, they are all just your side’s claims! Don’t forget, the Commander of the United Fleet is Marshal Crimson Eye, and His Highness Prince Crimson Mane is in charge of the Imperial Guard Fleet. How could they sit idly by while a mere Major General acts recklessly?” The Kaitaian representative waved his hand, his face showing clear anger: “But your side launched a surprise attack based on a little unfounded speculation, completely disregarding the ‘Interstellar Peace Convention,’ which is a vile and shameless act of war!”
Marvin frowned and looked at Brunhild, but found that the young Suliuka King seemed to be lost in thought.
The Kaitaians, probably feeling they had the support of their liege, immediately let themselves go.
“The Commander of your Outer Rim Fleet, General Paris, is a war criminal! The staff officers who formulated the tactical plans are war criminals! Oh, and the assault troops who caused extensive damage on our royal flagship are also war criminals! Especially one… what was his name, ah, anyway, one of your spiritual energy users, who, under the pretext of an honor duel, shamelessly killed our female hero, Shalun Baiwan, is an utterly despicable villain! We strongly demand that he be handed over to us for punishment! We want…”
“Representative.” Unexpectedly, it was Brunhild who interrupted the Kaitaian representative.
“Your… Your Highness?”
“That’s enough,” Suliuka King said in a low, frowning voice.
The Kaitaian representative trembled, bowed, and said, “Your will is my mission.” Then he continued to loudly declare:
“In short, it was the Commonwealth that started the war! We demand that your side take responsibility!”
“It was because of your side that we preempted! This was a legitimate self-defense counterattack!” Representative Marvin said coldly.
“But it was your side that first launched a sneak attack and opened fire!”
“It was your side that made the first move inside Gibraltar Starport!”
“I already said I don’t even know that Horn, and those Kaitaians you captured are all fugitives from our country! So, it was your side that made the first move!”
“Major General Blackfin has already admitted everything! These are now court evidence, and our side has already submitted them to the Galactic Civilization Council.”
“I already said he’s a lunatic! A mere Major General, can he dictate to His Highness Prince Crimson Mane and Marshal Crimson Eye? Can he dictate to the millions of soldiers of the United Fleet?”
“A lunatic as head of the Operations Department? I also heard that His Highness Prince Charlen Lionmane, to avenge him, even disregarded your sacred honor duel and contract. Doesn’t this indicate that all of this was sanctioned by your country’s high command?”
“Isn’t it quite reasonable for His Highness Prince to have a bit of a traumatic stress response due to the sudden attack? Besides, do you have evidence? If you don’t have evidence, I’ll accuse you of slander! Your Highness, do you see? He is slandering our country, you must uphold justice for us!”
Charlen Lionmane pressed his temples, thinking, if I weren’t a graceful pacifist, I would have thrown a white glove in your face long ago. He looked at the Kaitaian, who was at least twice his size, feeling a bit apprehensive, and then pressed his temples again with a headache.
Seeing this repetitive scene devolving into a farce, Representative Weilbate suddenly stood up, gathered her documents, and prepared to leave.
“Oh dear, Representative, are you…”
“Clear the place so you can keep fighting! Mr. Marvin, let’s go too.”
Representative Marvin looked at his strong-willed subordinate, then at his repetitive opponent, and felt that it was too difficult. As soon as he thought of this, he gnashed his teeth with hatred at everyone who had stirred up this matter.
So angry, but still had to smile. He tried his best to maintain his composure, smiling at Suliuka King and saying, “I think, Your Highness, the Kaitaian negotiation representative seems to be completely unclear about even the most basic situation. There’s probably no point in continuing the discussion now. Our side hopes to change the negotiation representative and continue tomorrow, how about it?”
“Certainly, please make sure to get a good rest!” Brunhild’s smile was still dazzlingly bright.
However, when Suliuka King turned her face towards the Kaitaian representative, her smile suddenly vanished, and her golden eyes were filled with undisguised disgust. She said in a deep, stern voice, “Sir, you are truly an unreasonable person! Is the term ‘war criminal’ to be used so casually? A sacred honor duel, the victor should be praised and respected, is that something you can judge? I do not wish to see you in front of me, not for a single second!”
Several burly Imperial soldiers rushed in and dragged the Kaitaian representative out. The representative was naturally completely bewildered. Just as he was about to be dragged out the door, he managed to shout, “I shed blood for you…” before a gag was stuffed in his mouth, and he was dragged directly out.
He remained bewildered, never understanding how he had offended the lofty Great Elector King His Highness Prince. However, the Commonwealth representatives in the same room were also bewildered.
Suliuka King regained her smile: “You see, Mr. Marvin, this battle was truly a tragedy caused by misunderstanding. However, even if only to reassure the people of the two bordering nations and to calm down the warriors eager to achieve merits, some handling is probably necessary. You see, I have already shown my sincerity; on the Kaitaian Kingdom’s side, Major General Blackfin has also expressed his homeland’s sincerity with his life. And I sincerely hope that Earth can also show your sincerity.”
Lina Weilbate felt that standing under the radiance of such a smile, she could hardly maintain her courage, and could only grit her teeth, saying with an overly strict, even undignified, cold and hard attitude: “What exactly does this ‘sincerity’ refer to?”
“The tragedy has already occurred, and someone must come forward to take responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of dead, right?” Suliuka King said with a smile.
Mr. Marvin stood in place for a long time, and after a while, he slowly nodded, saying in a difficult but unusually calm tone, “Our side still requests a suspension of negotiations! However, Your Highness, your subordinate also needs you to understand, no matter what, we are the victors. In this universe, there is no reason for the victors to suffer humiliation.”
“That is indeed an established fact. Congratulations, Mr. Marvin. The victors should be rewarded! And you have already been rewarded, haven’t you? The crippled United Fleet, Miss Shalun Baiwan’s head, the Steel Crown Prince almost torn into a convertible by your brave soldiers, and the millions of tons of captured military supplies are enough to account for to your people and government.”
She paused, then added, “But who exactly is the victor? The Outer Rim Fleet, General Paris, or the Commonwealth? Is such a victory truly what you hoped for? And how many more such victories can there be?”
Marvin seemed to understand something, still nodding and smiling gracefully, bowing respectfully, then turned and strode away with a deliberate, firm pace.