Chapter 101: He promises protection.

“That land was unclaimed territory filled with wild dungeons and monsters. No human settlement existed there. No roads. No infrastructure. No taxation. It was, by every definition, abandoned,” Carlotta replied, her tone sharpening.

“My Lord chose to build where no one else dared to. That does not make it yours.”

The prince could not hold himself any longer.

“You dare speak to my father in such a manner?” His voice cut through the room like a blade, loud and trembling with anger. He took a step forward, his hand moving toward his sword.

“You are a monster. A creature summoned from darkness. And you sit here, in our hall, and lecture us about what is and isn’t ours?”

Several of the knights stiffened, their eyes darting between the prince and Carlotta.

The King’s face went pale.

“Aldren,” Desmond said sharply. “Stand down.”

“Father, this is an insult! The Shadow of Victims sends his subordinate instead of coming himself, and now she sits there acting as though she owns this kingdom? We should have never invited these things into our capital!”

Carlotta’s red eyes locked onto the prince, that rotten, loud npc.

For a brief, terrifying moment, the temperature in the room dropped.

The blue flames along the walls flickered violently, and the shadows in the corners of the hall seemed to stretch and twist, reaching toward the prince like dark fingers.

Every knight in the room drew their weapon.

The princess placed a hand on the armrest of her chair, her calm expression cracking for the first time.

And then, just as quickly as it appeared, the pressure vanished.

Carlotta had not moved. She had not raised her hand or spoken a single incantation.

She had merely let a fraction of her aura leak for less than a second.

It was enough.

The prince was frozen. His hand was on his sword, but he could not draw it. His legs would not move either.

’I could kill him,’ Carlotta thought. ’I could kill everyone in this room before any of them blinked. That arrogant little brat just called me a creature. If Lord Kai were not watching through me right now, I would rip his tongue out and feed it to the imps.’

But then, a different thought surfaced.

’The reward. Lord Kai promised me a reward if I behaved.’

Her expression softened. The killing intent disappeared entirely, replaced by a calm, almost bored look.

“Your son is passionate,” Carlotta said, turning her gaze back to the King. “I respect that. However, I would advise him to choose his next words more carefully. My Lord instructed me to be civil. That instruction has limits. To insult me, is to insult him as well.”

Desmond’s face was a carefully controlled mask, but his hands were trembling beneath the table. He looked at his son with an expression that screamed silence louder than any word could.

“Aldren,” the King repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. “Sit. Down.”

The prince, still shaking, lowered his hand from his sword and took a step back.

The princess, who had been watching the entire exchange in silence, finally spoke.

“Please forgive my brother’s outburst. He speaks from concern for our people, not from malice.” Her voice was calm and measured, carrying a diplomatic warmth that neither the King nor the prince had managed.

“We are grateful that the Shadow of Victims agreed to this dialogue at all. That alone tells us he is not the mindless beast that rumors would have us believe.”

Carlotta looked at the princess for a moment, then nodded slightly.

’At least one of them has manners.’

“Your words are noted,” Carlotta said. “Now then, shall we return to the matter at hand?”

Desmond cleared his throat, visibly collecting himself.

“Yes. Let us continue.”

He straightened in his throne and folded his hands once more.

“The Kingdom of Traona wishes to formally acknowledge the Nameless Dungeon’s right to the Jaun Land. In exchange, we ask for a non-aggression agreement. Neither side shall initiate hostilities against the other, and any disputes will be resolved through dialogue.”

Carlotta listened without interrupting.

She already knew what Kai wanted her to say.

He had briefed her extensively before she left, covering every possible angle the King might take. She had memorized his instructions word for word, not because she needed to, but because anything that came from Kai’s mouth was worth remembering forever.

“My Lord has no interest in being an enemy of Traona,” Carlotta said. “He has stated clearly that he will not bring harm to this kingdom, so long as his sovereignty over the Jaun Land is recognized. The city he is building is not a military outpost but a nation.”

She paused, letting those words settle.

“However, recognition alone is not enough. My Lord requires that the Kingdom of Traona formally identify the city as sovereign territory. Independent and self-governing.”

Desmond’s eyes widened slightly.

He had expected demands. Military concessions, trade restrictions, reparations for the failed invasion. Those were things he could negotiate around, things he could spin to the Dukes as necessary sacrifices.

But sovereignty?

That was something else entirely.

“You are asking us to officially recognize a monster nation as a legitimate state?” Desmond asked, his voice carefully neutral.

“I am telling you what my Lord requires,” Carlotta corrected. “Whether you consider it a request or a demand depends entirely on how much you value this peace.”

The prince looked like he was about to explode again, but a single glance from the King kept him in place.

The princess leaned forward slightly.

“And what does the Shadow of Victims offer in return for this recognition?”

Carlotta allowed a small smile to form on her lips. This was the part Kai had told her to save for the right moment.

“Protection.”

The word hung in the air.

“My Lord is aware that the Nexus Empire has been mobilizing forces along your northern border. He knows their scouts have tripled in number over the past week. He also knows something that, judging by the look on your faces, none of you were aware of.”

She leaned forward, her red eyes gleaming.

“The Nexus Empire is preparing for war. And they possess over a hundred First-Grade Artifacts in their Imperial Vault, each one powerful enough to level a city.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Desmond’s composure cracked. His eyes widened, and for the first time since the meeting began, he looked genuinely shaken.

The princess’s calm facade faltered. Her fingers gripped the armrest of her chair.

Even the prince, who had been seething with anger moments ago, went still.

“How does he know this?” Desmond asked, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

Carlotta tilted her head.

“My Lord has eyes and ears in places you cannot imagine. The details of his intelligence network are not something I am authorized to share. What I can tell you is this: the Nameless Dungeon possesses the strength to stand against the Nexus Empire. Whether we stand alone or alongside Traona depends entirely on the outcome of this conversation.”

She let that sink in for a long moment before continuing.

“You do not stand a chance against the Empire on your own. Not with your current military. Not with the resources you lost in Rambosa. And certainly not without allies who can match the firepower of First-Grade Artifacts.”

Desmond sat in silence, his mind racing behind those cold, calculating eyes. Carlotta could practically see the gears turning.

And right now, the leverage was entirely on her side.

“Give us a moment,” Desmond said.

Carlotta nodded and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.

The King turned to his daughter, and the two began whispering rapidly. The prince leaned in as well, though his contributions seemed to consist mostly of clenched fists and sharp hisses that the princess kept shutting down with a raised hand.

The discussion lasted several minutes. Carlotta used the time to observe the room, noting the positions of the knights, the placement of the exits, and the magical wards embedded into the walls.

’Sanovere’s vampires are outside,’ she reminded herself. ’If anything goes wrong, they will extract me immediately. Though I doubt I would need their help. There is not a single person in this room above Level 200. I could end all of them before the prince finishes drawing that fancy sword of his.’

Finally, the King turned back to face her.

“The Kingdom of Traona will agree to recognize the Jaun Land as sovereign territory under the rule of the Nameless Dungeon.”

Carlotta’s expression did not change, but internally, she felt a rush of satisfaction.

’Lord Kai predicted this. He said the King would agree the moment the Nexus Empire was mentioned. He truly sees everything.’

Desmond continued.

“In exchange, we expect the Shadow of Victims to honor his word regarding the protection of this kingdom. Should the Nexus Empire invade, we will need more than promises. We will need proof of his commitment.”

“My Lord does not make promises he cannot keep,” Carlotta replied. “If you honor the agreement, so shall he. That is all I am authorized to say on the matter.”

The King studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly.

“Then we have an understanding. The formal documentation will be prepared and sent to the Jaun Land within the week.”

Carlotta rose from her seat. The meeting was over. She had done exactly what Kai asked of her. Nothing more, nothing less.

She gave the King a slight nod. Not a bow. A nod.

“I will relay everything to my Lord. He will be pleased to hear that Traona chose wisdom over pride.”

With that, she turned on her heel and walked toward the exit, her three escorts falling into step behind her.

As she passed the prince, she did not look at him. She did not need to. She could feel his hatred boring into the back of her skull like a hot iron.

’Enjoy your anger, little boy. It is the only weapon you have that I cannot take from you.’

The doors closed behind her.

…

The walk back through the palace corridors felt longer than the walk in.

She kept her pace steady. Her expression remained neutral. Her posture was perfect.

But inside, she was screaming.

’That arrogant, worthless, insignificant insect of a prince. He called me a creature. A thing. He stood there in his shiny armor and his little cape, and he looked at me like I was dirt beneath his boot. If Lord Kai had not specifically told me to remain calm, I would have torn his head from his shoulders and used it as a doorstop.’

Her fingers twitched.

’Calm. Stay calm. The reward. Think about the reward.’

She took a deep breath through her nose and exhaled slowly.

’Lord Kai will be proud of me. I did not kill anyone. I did not threaten anyone. Well, I did leak my aura a little, but that was necessary. It was practically self-defense. Yes. Self-defense. Lord Kai would understand.’

Her composure held until she reached the palace gates.

It held as she walked past the line of terrified knights.

It held as she climbed back into the skull carriage.

It held as the door closed behind her.

And then it shattered.

“AAAAAAAAHHHHH!”

The scream that erupted from Carlotta’s lungs was so loud that the witches sitting across from her flinched violently, pressing themselves against the walls of the cabin.

“THAT DISGUSTING, ARROGANT, WORTHLESS LITTLE WORM OF A PRINCE! HOW DARE HE! HOW DARE HE SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT! I AM CARLOTTA, THE WITCH OF JUDGMENT! I AM LEVEL 888! I HAVE BURNED CITIES! I HAVE ENDED BLOODLINES! AND THAT PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR ROYALTY HAD THE AUDACITY TO CALL ME A CREATURE!”

She grabbed the nearest cushion and sank her teeth into it, muffling her next scream.

The witches exchanged terrified glances but said nothing.

“AND THE KING! SITTING THERE WITH HIS FOLDED HANDS AND HIS CALM VOICE WHILE HIS BRAT OF A SON INSULTED ME TO MY FACE! IF IT WEREN’T FOR LORD KAI’S ORDERS, I WOULD HAVE TURNED THAT ENTIRE HALL INTO A CREMATORIUM!”

She released the cushion, which was now punctured with fang marks, and slumped back in her seat, panting.

’I did it. I completed Lord Kai’s mission without a single incident. No deaths. No destruction. No broken treaties.’

A smile crept across her face.

’He is going to be so proud of me.’

The smile widened.

’And then he is going to reward me.’

Her cheeks turned red, and she brought both hands to her face, squishing her own cheeks as a giddy laugh escaped her lips.

“Hehehe. Lord Kai is going to pat my head. Maybe he will hold me. Maybe he will say, ’You did well, Carlotta. I am proud of you.’ And then he will look into my eyes and realize he has been in love with me this entire time.”

The witches stared at her, horrified by the emotional whiplash.

One second their Lady was screaming about burning cities, and the next she was giggling like a schoolgirl daydreaming about her crush.

They wisely chose to remain silent for the rest of the journey.

…

The carriage rolled out of Throneguard’s gates, beginning the long ride back toward the Jaun Land.

Carlotta stared out through the skull’s eye socket, watching the capital shrink in the distance.

’The King agreed to sovereignty. The Nexus Empire threat has been established. And the foundation for an alliance has been laid.’

She closed her eyes and leaned back.

’Lord Kai saw all of this coming. Every move. Every reaction. He knew the King would hesitate. He knew the prince would lash out. He knew the mention of the Nexus Empire would tip the scales. And he trusted me to deliver it all without failure.’

A warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with magic.

’I will not let that trust go to waste. Not now. Not ever.’

She pressed her hand against her chest and whispered softly.

“I am coming home, my Lord.”

The skull carriage disappeared down the road, leaving nothing behind but the faint trails of purple mana and the lingering terror of everyone who had witnessed its passing.

…

[IA/N]

This Chapter was longer than i expected. please do not forget to support me if you like this book so far.

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