I Reincarnated But Will Try To Live Without Using My Cheat Ability - CH 317

Until now, the negotiations have been for the maximum benefit of the demon tribe.

This time, the kind changes.

It is too early to show the mark.

It’s too dumb, even from a dramatic point of view.

The mark is supposed to be shown at the end of the game.

If it works…

The stage and negotiations are, after all, nothing more than a performance between people.

The stage is meant to be enjoyed.

If the performance is not good, the audience will boo.

However, there is basically no audience who denies the stage itself.

In this negotiation, the stage performance is the end of the war.

Neither side denies that part.

However, if the performance is not good, the stage itself will be rejected.

If the stage does not end successfully, blood will be spilled.

The stage is too heavy for entertainment.

Suddenly I thought so because I felt that Oliver’s mood was different.

Normally, the tribe’s survival is at stake, and it should be more serious and tragic than last time.

This time was different.

I can’t express it well, but…

I felt like he’s an actor risking his life in the performance.

“Yes, you are right. So the reason for the dragon to shelter you all is gone.”

First, I bluffed with a jab.

Oliver looked at me and laughed quietly.

“I doubt that. I don’t think she has given up on all demons.”

He’s probably bluffing, though he’s got it right at the heart of it.

The demons that used to be with dragons are no more.

“You once told me, Mr. Oliver. That any kind of misuse of the pact would be met with retribution.”

(T/N: Changed Sir to Mr.)

“That is true. That would be the breaking of the seal. At that time, the dragon would have entrusted it with our treatment.”

This is also a guess, but …… I have no basis to assume it.

“Why do you think so?”

“If you had spoken to him directly, Lord Alfred would have told her about our treatment.”

So you’re building a story based on me.

I can see Oliver’s logic to a certain extent.

“I may not have met the dragon in person.”

Oliver laughed a small laugh, as if convinced.

“Unless you were sure, you would have marched more carefully, Lord Alfred. The speed of the march in the canyon and the speed of the march once inside the territory are different. Given the cautious Lord Alfred, it’s a speed that can only be achieved with certainty.”

I see, so it’s easy to understand if you look at me.

He’s sure he won’t risk many lives with just a bluff.

So far, it hasn’t been a comedy of errors.

“I see. Then where did you get your certainty about the treatment?”

Oliver gave a small shrug.

I guess I’ve rambled on a bit.

“It’s because I don’t think Lord Alfred will tolerate the sacrifice he will have to make in wiping us all out, even if it means saving us from future disasters.”

It’s obvious, isn’t it?

I guess It’s too redundant.

We separate those who accept and those who eliminate in order to divide the demon tribe.

It’s more efficient that way.

“Those who led this surprise attack will naturally be held accountable. The rest will be accepted under certain conditions. If you refuse to do so, I will allow you to leave this land.”

Oliver closed his eyes.

I’m sure it’s something he predicted, but I wonder how he would respond.

“Those who led the charge are almost all dead. The rest will be exiled, is that acceptable to you?”

That’s not good enough.

I shook my head.

“If you have them in custody, you can execute them yourselves. Our law does not provide for that penalty.”

You may execute them vaguely, but…

Frankly, that law has not yet been enacted.

As long as I forbid ex post facto laws, I’ll let those beyond the reach of my laws handle it.

Oliver narrowed his eyes.

I guess because my demands seemed to deviate from the norm.

“I thought Ravenna was all about leniency until now. Do you ask for punishment after the battle is over? It seems to me that the truce is still in force and not an act of treachery.”

There is also a reason why I ventured to do this.

And there are several people present at this negotiation.

I also need to let my allies know my attitude.

“At first glance, yes. But they attacked a non-combatant. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for a fitting retribution.”

Oliver let out a small, gasping breath.

“It seems to me that Ravenna’s appeal is its tolerance… and its unparalleled adherence to the law in this world. Are you going to abandon those strengths? If you, Lord Alfred, bend that law and force us to submit merely as slaves, we will die with pride.”

So you’re coming that way.

He attacked the ideals that I had been promoting.

Oliver’s aim and the odds were becoming somewhat clear.

This is a battle for the rank of the soul.

The rank of the soul means the same thing as pride.

To put it ironically…a battle of mounts for pride.

It’s not a realistic diplomat atmosphere like last time.

They don’t seem to be willing to play for practical gain or loss from the get-go.

I guess that’s the reason why I felt like he was an actor.

So he is going to perform in the last stage of his life.

Because it’s the last performance, you intend to perform with no regrets, huh.

Worst case scenario, Oliver is willing to accept my terms in their entirety.

He says they will all die, but he will round them out with his own life.

If I push too hard, he won’t be able to refuse.

He may even be willing to die as a result.

But in that case, I lose.

Because these words, “bend the law and force us to submit,” will be a thorn in my mind.

Since they couldn’t win in the first place, they had to use their strength to push their way in.

He knows very well that I hate such methods.

Even if they kill me, they will think they got their shot.

And he knows I will realize it.

You derive this from the fact that I value long-term results over short-term results.

The winners and losers in the material world have already been decided.

So I set the game on a different stage.

Rather than begrudgingly defend the position of the demon tribe to the victor, he’s willing to throw it all away.

I’m sure that he will choose that without hesitation if he’s asked to make a concession that even his life cannot contain.

In that case, he is asking me to bear that decision.

But… there is another factor.

I am not going to put my sentiments and pride first and ignore the will of my men.

There is no choice but to allow the ringleaders to get away with it.

I let out a small breath.

“Even if it is not against our laws, isn’t it against the rules of your tribe? At the very least, you can’t just fail to stage a coup and get away scot-free.”

This was not a realistic fight.

It’s like I and Oliver are fighting a slash-and-burn battle using theory and pride as weapons.

Even the loser doesn’t give up his pride.

Oliver’s eyes narrow.

“You are telling us that you are going to leave this to us?”

“If your treatment is to our credit… Think about it if you were in the winner’s position. How can you trust people who are so lenient in their treatment of their own people?”

Oliver closed his eyes.

“I understand. But even if I take the lead, there are shades of guilt. I ask you to understand that.”

Is that the limit…?

It’s hard to deal with someone who is willing to go so far as to say that the worst that could happen is that the demon tribe would be annihilated.

It is often said that a “must live” is a “prisoner of war”.

“I’ll recognize that. Then there is one more thing: the grudge with Ms. Kriemhild’s family. Whether or not you can throw that away… Ravenna’s law does not recognize such things.”

Oliver gave a small laugh.

Your reaction is quite light.

Is this not as heavy a subject as we think?

“We are a very special family with a pact with the dragon. That was our identity. Our grudge was justified by that.”

In other words, the grudge of an unknown ancestor was a bonus?

Or is it because there is something greater than that on which we can depend…?

“In other words, it doesn’t matter even if you throw it away…”

“The newfound allies are the ones who deny the grudge. At this point, the grudge has lost its power as well.”

Is the pact with the dragon bigger than I thought?

It’s a little odd to abuse something that big.

“If the pact is so valuable, why would you want to abuse it?”

“There were factions that valued the pact and factions that didn’t… That’s all there is to it. And with this battle, the factions that did not were extinguished. As for grudges, I will say that there is no problem.”

That’s a bit shaky…

“Let me ask you something then. What do you want from Ravenna?”

I wouldn’t say it’s a blank slate.

Even if Oliver himself was prepared for the worst.

He would have to consider the case if things went well.