Chapter 83

"Alus, it seems the negotiations with the Fontana family are coming together."

"Already? It hasn't even been a few days since we last met!"

"In matters like these, speed is essential. So, let's proceed to the arranged location as planned."

"Understood."

A few days had passed since I entrusted Bishop Paulo with resolving the current issue. I had requested his help, and while I trusted him, I couldn't be sure when the Fontana family might launch an attack. Therefore, I had returned to the Kita-Kawagoe Castle to enhance its defenses and organize the troops. However, the Fontana family showed no signs of movement during this time. It wasn't until a few days later that Bishop Paulo arrived.

Bishop Paulo was to use the gold I provided and his position within the church to negotiate with the Fontana family. However, there was a possibility that I would need to handle the final negotiations myself. It was impossible to resolve the matter without the involvement of the parties directly affected, especially since the situation had escalated to armed conflict. Once Bishop Paulo determined that the negotiations had progressed to a point where a reconciliation with the noble seemed possible, he asked me to attend the meeting.

The meeting was to take place in one of the towers I had built alongside the road I constructed to connect Kita-Kawagoe Castle to Balca Village. The towers served as landmarks and could also be used as lookout points and rest areas. One of these towers was cleared of people, and it was there that I and the Fontana family's negotiator gathered to finalize the terms of the reconciliation.

***

"Hmm, so you're Alus Balca. You're still just a child, aren't you?"

"...I'm Alus. And who are you?"

"Don't you recognize my face? I'm Carlos. If I say my last name is Fontana, you should know who I am. I'm the head of the Fontana family."

Him?

Carlos, the man who introduced himself, was more like a boy. He looked to be around 15 years old. While he was of legal age in this region, I was surprised to learn that the head of the Fontana family was such a young person.

"Well, I've already heard from the bishop. He told me that you have no connections with other nobles and that you are willing to make peace. Let's skip the tedious negotiations and put our swords away, shall we?"

"...I can't answer so easily. It depends on the conditions."

"Hehehe. You're willing to bring up conditions without kneeling before a noble. You truly are the central figure in this conflict. Interesting."

No, it's not interesting at all.

Moreover, why is this head of the family so calm? He only brought a few attendants into our territory.

I never imagined that the top noble would come to negotiate with me personally. Bishop Paulo should have mentioned this beforehand.

"Alright. How about these conditions? If we both agree to put down our swords, I'm willing to entrust the land of Balca to you."

"Balca? ...Excuse me, I'll take a look."

Carlos handed me a piece of parchment. I took it and read the contents. It listed the following:

1. Cessation of hostilities.

2. Disbandment of the combat groups.

3. Return of the captured knights.

4. Return of the Ice Spirit Sword.

5. Treatment of the land of Balca.

6. My personal status.

In summary, if we agreed to disband and cease hostilities, we would not be held accountable for our actions. Moreover, my position would be elevated, and the land of Balca, including the village, would be recognized as mine. However, this wasn't a free offer. In return, I would have to join Carlos's ranks, effectively becoming part of the Fontana family.

"There are several points that concern me, but I'll ask this first. These conditions seem very favorable to us. Will they really be honored?"

"Yes, while the details will be worked out later, I intend to settle the matter in this form. Once it's officially decided, I won't go back on it. If I did, my other subordinates would abandon me."

"...Still, isn't this strange? We killed the steward of the Fontana family. It seems unusual for me to join Carlos-sama's ranks."

"Hahaha. That's precisely what I'm most grateful for, Alus. Thank you for killing Raymond. I'm deeply grateful."

What?

Isn't the steward one of the most important positions in a noble family? Why is he happy about it being killed?

I was completely confused by Carlos's unexpected words.

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