Episode 15: The Blade of Negotiation

“You said you lured me out, didn’t you?”

The beastwoman questions me, my blade still pressed against her throat as always.

“So, you deliberately played bait to make me attack you, just to talk?”

“Exactly. I figured if I showed an opening, you’d definitely make contact.”

“But one wrong move, and you could’ve ended up dead.”

“True, that possibility was certainly there.”

Well, I had prepared countermeasures for whatever actions the opponent might take… but it’s true the danger wasn’t zero.

“Knowing that, you still took such a risky move? Are you insane? Aren’t you… afraid of dying?”

“Hmm, let’s see…”

I ponder for just a moment before speaking my true thoughts.

“I’ve always thought I’d be fine dying if it meant going out as a magnificent villain.”

Whether the beastwoman took my words as genuine or dismissed them as nonsense, she spoke in a strained voice.

“I… I can’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

I tilt my head slightly.

“Don’t you have something? Something you’d want to accomplish, even if it meant ending up as a mangled corpse, blood gushing from your neck?”

“…Of course I do!”

Her gray eyes glare at me, piercing.

“That bastard noble, Patrick, and his lackeys who attacked us to make us slaves… I’ll kill them all. If I can do that, I don’t care if my head gets lopped off right here.”

“Well, now…”

Patrick, trying to enslave the beastfolk, huh? That’s new information. Though, it’s about what I expected.

“Siegfried von Kreving.”

“Huh…?”

“My name. What’s yours?”

“…Fen. Fen Val Gren, beastfolk of the Gray Wolf Clan.”

Fen reluctantly gives her name, as if begrudgingly. And by giving her name, she’s signaling there’s room for negotiation.

“Then let me share some information. I’m the lord governing the territory adjacent to the Arving family. I came here at Patrick’s request to subjugate you.”

“Hmph… I don’t need you to tell me you’re Patrick’s ally. We’ve been watching you since before you entered the valley.”

“Ally, huh…”

I can’t help but let out a wry smile.

“True, I came at Patrick’s request. But… do you really think that makes us allies?”

“…What do you mean?”

“It means I’m a villain. Far more than you might think.”

I peer into Fen’s face. Her eyes, reflecting my expression, flicker with fear for a moment. I slowly lower my sword. At the same time, I grab her arm.

“Wha…!”

Fen’s right hand still grips her dagger. I guide its tip to lightly touch my throat.

“Fen. Take me hostage again.”

“W-what!?”

“And move your troops. You’ve got them waiting up ahead, don’t you?”

“You… you noticed…!”

“The cliffs around here are riddled with crevices. Perfect spots to hide soldiers.”

I glance toward the path we were supposed to advance through. The cliffs there are littered with countless crevices, just like the one Fen had been hiding in. And—if I focus carefully—I can sense the presence of others watching us from those cracks.

“Move your troops as I say. Do that, and I’ll make sure your wish to kill Patrick comes true.”

“…There’s no guarantee your words are true.”

“You’re right. That’s why I’m offering my life as collateral. If you find out I’m lying, you can slit my throat with that dagger. That’s why I told you to take me hostage.”

I am evil. As such, I don’t believe in things like sincerity or a sense of justice. Interests and desires… or hatred. Those are what I use to move others.

“So, what’ll it be? Follow me and take down Patrick, or slice my throat right here and now? But if you do that, it’ll mean a battle between my army and your people.”

Beatrice, standing behind me, hasn’t just been idly watching my conversation with Fen. She’s given orders to the soldiers, preparing them to shift into combat at a moment’s notice.

“If it comes to a fight… whether my army or your people win, the losses will be immense. Even if you come out on top, you likely won’t get Patrick’s head.”

“…”

Suspicion, confusion, unease. And… anger toward Patrick. I can see a whirlwind of emotions swirling within Fen.

Then, in a trembling voice filled with hesitation, she asks me.

“Why… why do you so easily gamble with your own life like that…?”

“I already gave you that answer earlier. I’m fine dying anytime if it means going out as a magnificent villain. More importantly, give me your answer.”

“I…”

Fen makes her choice.

And then—