Chapter 127: This Is Peace Negotiation (4)
Assistant Henri, hearing my words, asked with a puzzled expression,
Major General, you are not a politician of the Francois Republic. How can you devise a way to expel the pro-war faction for our pro-peace faction?
Seeing Assistant Henris face, now bright with hope despite having been in crisis just moments before, he was asking me for a way to expel the pro-war faction.
It seemed he was blinded by the sweet offer from the representative of the victorious nation to purge the opposition and seize power, even though they had lost the war and both factions, including his own, were cornered.
He was acting to gain my favor, at least, in a desperate bid to soften the negotiation terms, as bargaining with me was no longer feasible.
The excommunication of the Republic will be immediately revoked following the peace treaty, in accordance with the order of His Holiness the Pope.
At this, Assistant Henri, as if this were a formal diplomatic setting, grasped and shook my hand, saying,
Thank you so much.
His Holiness the Pope, although the Republic violated the teachings and laws of Deus, will welcome them back with open arms if the government and people of the Republic repent. If an appropriate attitude of repentance and goodwill is shown in this peace treaty, it is natural that the excommunication should be lifted.
As a member of the pro-peace faction, I have always been distressed about going to hell after being excommunicated, but now I feel somewhat relieved.
Seeing a 21st-century politician practicing religion, one might not think they sincerely believe in that faith.
However, on the Europa continent, which was roughly between the Renaissance and the early modern period, kings, nobles, and commoners all sincerely believed in God, and Laura also mentioned that according to the churchs teachings, one should not have sex on the Sabbath.
Unless they were in the midst of war, they often spoke and acted this way whenever they had the leisure.
There are too many sneaky cats around the Major General, so it cant be helped. You know what I mean, right?
That must be Henris true feelings.
Anyway, I spoke with emphasis on However, as if I were a storyteller reading from a fairy tale book.
But you see, His Holiness the Pope and His Majesty the Emperor of the Reich believe that the pro-war faction among the Republics parliamentarians, who despised and hated God, blinded the good pro-peace faction and the people, leading to this dreadful situation.
Henri nodded his head in agreement with my words, indicating that the pro-war faction would bear all the moral responsibility and be purged for the war.
Yes, yes, yes. Thats right. We are innocent. All of this is the fault of those evil pro-war scoundrels.
If the politician present here was from the pro-war faction instead of the pro-peace faction, I would have said this,
The pro-war faction wanted war because the pro-peace scoundrels deceived you. Therefore, we do not doubt your sincerity.
This way, I would have given them the key to escaping moral responsibility and the stigma of being heretics.
Therefore, the evil politicians of the pro-war faction must be strictly judged, not only in secular courts but also in ecclesiastical courts, very thoroughly and definitely.
Yes, Major General.
Therefore, after establishing peace negotiations, we will hold the pro-war faction specifically responsible for starting the war. And His Holiness, the Pope, will order the elimination of heretics.
Even though I contemplated pushing further, I decided to settle for this much, as pushing more could risk overturning the peace treaty.
Instead, a thorough threat would probably motivate Assistant Henri to persuade even more vigorously.
Alright, we accept. This is a significant concession on our part.
Th-thank you.
But remember, besides negotiating with the pro-war faction, we have another option. We could continue the war.
With that, I left the room carrying a pile of already organized documents.
My steps were incredibly light.
In the reception room of Nancy Castle, adorned with porcelain and silk rugs made in the Far East, portraits that looked like photographs, and a sofa and desk that gave off a grand atmosphere, representatives of both countries, Member Pierre and Duke Benner, were having a friendly conversation, as if they were friends.
Haha, thats what Im saying. I only have one daughter, so I have to pass on the family name to my nephew.
Is your nephew alright? I also have only daughters, so I might have to pass on my family name to a nephew. It doesnt sound like someone elses story to me.
He made it to Major General in his late twenties. Not too shabby.
That should be enough for a successor. Im envious. My nephews are all empty-headed
I approached Duke Benner, who was engaged in conversation, and whispered in his ear that the negotiation had concluded.
He immediately took me to a secluded corner and asked,
So, how far did you get the other side to concede? I trust you didnt fumble and fail to obtain even the amount of land His Majesty the Emperor demanded.
At his words, I made a slightly disappointed expression, genuinely reflecting my feelings.
Seeing this, Duke Benners face showed regret, thinking that perhaps we hadnt struck it big.
I couldnt secure up to Sargminne as you initially requested, Duke Benner. We settled for all the territories east of Bisch, Chabert, and Strasbourg.
Upon hearing this, Duke Benners jaw dropped, and then he said,
Im always glad youre my son-in-law. Just remember that. If you were someone elses, theyd be suffering from chronic stomachaches. Now, if you could give me a cute grandchild with Laura, I couldnt ask for more.
Then, I explained the detailed terms of the agreement and the process to my father-in-law.
After hearing it all, Duke Benner looked at me with a gaze filled with amazement, as if seeing something beyond humans.
And of course, the treaty was concluded as I desired.
All the territories east of Bisch, Chabert, and Strasbourg were ceded to us.
A penance fee of 200,000 gold was paid to the Pope (money to receive forgiveness for sins), and 300,000 gold in reparations was paid to the Reich Empire.
