Chapter 82

“Anyone who might hinder Elder Sister from pursuing the life she desires… will all die, you know?”

In fact, Livra surely did not know the inside story about Sheffy.

Nor did she know about the 【Ice Blade】 that was condensing at Belith’s fingertips at that moment.

She only needed to say everything within her ability, everything she could say, as completely as possible.

“After experiencing this recent period of peace, I came to understand something. I don’t know if Princess Belith shares the same thought, but I believe Princess Sheffy could very likely become a bridge and link to promote peaceful friendship between our two countries.”

“Sorry, I don’t think so~ But it’s your turn to speak now, you may continue.”

“During the time when Princess Sheffy was imprisoned in our Royal Capital, our two countries entered a brief period of peace. Whether it was the Kingdom of Aurus or the Demon Domain, both obtained a rare opportunity for recuperation, with residents living and working in peace. The reason this situation could come about was precisely due to the delicate balance brought by Princess Sheffy’s current circumstances.”

“And then? Hehe… You mean to say that by continuing to imprison my elder sister, peace can be maintained?”

“No, what I want to say is, this isn’t true peace at all.”

As Livra continued, her voice became increasingly firm, no longer as soft and powerless as before.

Instead, it was full of vigor, powerful and sonorous.

She released her fingers from the hem of her skirt, stood upright, raised her head proudly, and clasped her hands gracefully in front of her, continuing to speak.

“As I said earlier, such peace is temporary, fragile, and not real enough. The hatred of humans toward the Demon Clan will not diminish because of this, and the resentment of the Demon Clan toward humans will only grow day by day as the princess’s imprisonment drags on. If some unforeseen change were to happen, the brutality of the war would only reach an unprecedented level. At that time, countless lives would be lost, the people would be plunged into misery, and even the annihilation of nations and races could be foreseen…”

The more Livra spoke, the heavier her tone became.

In her emerald-clear eyes, there seemed to be scenes of blood and war, broken walls and ruins, the cries and grievances of centuries, all swaying in the cold wind laced with the scent of blood.

Hanks could no longer quite understand what exactly Princess Livra wanted to express; he even thought she was merely stalling for time.

But unlike him.

Belith actually sneered and sat back down in her previous seat, pushing aside the now cooled teacup.

Hanks hurriedly had the attendants refill hot tea for the princess.

The hot tea was ready, but Belith had no intention of drinking it.

With a face somewhat resembling Sheffy’s, yet unlike Sheffy’s gentleness, Belith was naturally cold.

Just making eye contact with her would make one shiver uncontrollably.

Not to mention when she sneered… it felt as if life itself was constantly under threat.

“What you said is quite right, Princess Livra. You can foresee the kingdom’s future, which saves me the trouble of ‘intimidating’ you further, because what you’ve said… could turn into reality at any moment.”

Belith paused, then continued.

“To be honest, the Demon Clan doesn’t have much personal grievance with you humans, but our race is born to be belligerent. I won’t say anything pretentious. If you must blame someone… blame your ancestors, who schemed to profit off the Demon Clan, which angered us.”

“And now you imprison my elder sister… you are committing another crime a hundred, a thousand, even ten thousand times worse than what your ancestors did. You are wise to leave yourself a way out, that’s very smart, because when we rescue my elder sister, what awaits you will be a total catastrophe.”

Livra nodded to express her thanks for Belith’s “praise.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Princess Belith. In that case… it may be even more necessary for me to express my thoughts.”

This time, Livra also returned to sit at the center of the human negotiation seat.

Thus, the Demon Clan negotiation seat and the human negotiation seat once again sat facing each other.

Only now, the negotiators were no longer the same as before.

It had become a direct dialogue between the two princesses of the two nations.

Hanks and the knights who came to assist on the kingdom’s side could only step aside and wait.

Livra finally began the very first negotiation speech of her life as a princess of the kingdom.

And this first speech flowed smoothly and gracefully like a roaming dragon.

“Since imprisoning Princess Sheffy brings only false peace, which will only deepen the resentment between our two nations, and releasing her outright would plunge our kingdom into an irreparable disaster. Then I wonder… what if we consider the problem from a different perspective?”

Livra continued.

“If we release the princess directly, by the time Her Highness Sheffy returns to the Demon Domain, she will have lost all face. After all, a princess who once became a prisoner of war… even if she returns to her homeland, she will no longer enjoy the glory she once had. She will face exclusion from her people, and the pressure she would bear is self-evident.”

“But what if… Her Highness Sheffy’s status is not that of a prisoner of war?”

“What if, before returning to her homeland, our kingdom overturns her status as a war prisoner, allowing her to live freely, to roam and experience the customs and scenery of this land, to see the emotional side of humans beyond greed… Even if there’s only a one-in-a-trillion chance… could Her Highness Sheffy let go of hatred, let go of war…?”

“If this could truly be achieved, then Princess Sheffy, who has witnessed the prosperity of both nations, would no longer be a war prisoner. She would become the bond that tightly connects peace between our two nations, spreading the idea of ‘peace’ to the Kingdom of Aurus where she lived during this period, and back to the Demon Domain where she was born. At that time, no one would mock her for once being a prisoner of war. They would only admire the princess for her grand vision of desiring peace for the world… and her mercy.”

“If, if… if there really is such a possibility, Princess Belith, wouldn’t you want to see such a scene… the two nations befriending each other, prosperous trade, singing and dancing, black wings meeting fists, a flourishing era… I long to see that day truly arrive… truly.”

The speech was long, and the tea had cooled.

Belith kept blinking her deep purple eyes.

Thinking about Livra’s words, she wanted to laugh but couldn’t, wanted to mock her naivety but couldn’t open her mouth.

Because once there was a voice.

A voice Belith cherished deeply once said this to her.

“Belith, I don’t like war. If I could become the wedge that ends war, I would gladly do so. If I can’t, I might choose to fly far away. I don’t want to be bound by bloodshed all my life. You see… I just want to fly into this endless blue sky… You probably look down on me, don’t you… but even if one day I truly do this, I won’t regret it. You don’t have to scold me either. Even if you scold me, I won’t listen.”

Elder Sister, you’re really so naive.

At that time, this was how Belith evaluated her.

So heartless, so cold, so disheartening.

She did not know what her elder sister was thinking when she choked up, turned her head, waved her hand and walked away back then.

Only now, hearing these words again… she could no longer bring herself to say that word “naive”.

Belith instinctively cast an apologetic sidelong glance toward the small figure in the observation seat.

That figure seemed to anticipate her, sticking out a tongue and turning her head away with a soft hum.

Hmm… at least Elder Sister was still willing to respond to her and make a face at her, that was good enough.

When she returned from her memories.

Hanks seemed to be vigorously refuting Livra’s earlier words.

“Naive…! Simply naive! To think you’re a princess of a kingdom, how could you believe that our Demon Clan Princess would have compassion for you mere humans? This so-called one-in-a-billion chance you speak of doesn’t exist at all!”

“Mr. Hanks, this probability is extremely low precisely because of your irrational attitude. You are looking at my proposal with negative resistance, but if you aren’t even willing to try, why say ‘it’s absolutely impossible’?”

“This has nothing to do with rationality at all…!”

“Pfft… haha… hahahaha!”

“Princess?”

Belith could no longer suppress her laughter, finally letting out a cheerful chuckle.

She wiped the tears of laughter from the corner of her eyes.

Speechless yet helpless, she shrugged with a bitter smile and said.

“Haah… I truly didn’t expect this… that the kingdom still has such talent like you? The Demon Domain often says humans are as dumb as flame monkeys, but it seems that statement isn’t entirely accurate?”

“Princess Belith, are you mocking me?”

“Yes, and not entirely. I’m just curious, you just said you want my elder sister to be released as a non-prisoner of war. Do you think that can actually be done?”

Livra rose solemnly from her chair.

She stood up very slowly.

Because this was the first time in her life she felt the weight of a national crisis pressing down on her shoulders.

Father… just what kind of pressure do you usually bear…

“Whether it can be done or not… I still want to try. We will attempt to communicate with Princess Sheffy and see if she’s willing to live in the kingdom for a period as an ordinary person.”

“Who will persuade her?”

“I will go myself.”

“Is that so? But the moment the seal is lifted, my elder sister might kill you on the spot, you know? You’re fine with that?”

“If I die because of my own decision, then that is my fate. I will not regret it.”

“Then how can I be sure you’ll keep your promise and set my elder sister free?”

“This weekend, at the Cormier Arena. If I succeed… I will invite Princess Sheffy to participate in the competition as a free person, and let her roam as she wishes. Of course, only if she is willing. At that time, Princess Belith, you may also be present to verify.”

Oh…

The disdainful look Belith had earlier, as if she was looking at ants, now eased somewhat.

In this vast kingdom…

It seemed there were indeed some capable people after all.

Without saying another word, Belith stood up.

The tea remained untouched. She waved her hand to signal her negotiation team to leave with her.

Livra didn’t know what this meant…

What she had just proposed was not acknowledged after all… was war still going to break out?

“Princess Belith, please wait…!”

“If you think you can do it, then try. If you die, blame only your own recklessness.”

“!”

All Livra could see was the back of Belith’s head, but she felt grateful that Belith had given the kingdom — and herself — a chance to try!

Little did she know that as Belith walked ahead toward the observation seats and passed by Sheffy’s side…

Belith licked her lips with a meaningful look, as if she was about to “devour” her elder sister.

It was precisely that look that made Sheffy shiver like a soaked kitten!

“Eek… Xiarette, did you bring a scarf? I feel a bit cold.”

“Cold…? It’s not cold. Sheffy, are you catching a cold?”

“Ah, you don’t understand… no, let me hold your arm. I’m shivering right now!”

The Demon Clan’s negotiation team came and went in haste, disappearing from the council hall entrance after a short while, heading back toward the Demon Domain.

This negotiation outcome may not have satisfied Hanks, but for Belith, this was already the most satisfying result. This unexpected development had saved quite a lot of trouble.

Because before she came here, her royal father and mother had instructed her like this.

“Don’t make a big scene. Hanks and the others will definitely try to push for the flames of war to reignite. You need to find an opportunity to win some freedom for Sheffy. There’s no need to rush her return. That child needs some space to be free… but you must make sure she won’t be wronged while she’s among the humans. Belith, can you do that?”

Heh… this had nothing to do with whether it could be done or not.

Whether Elder Sister would be wronged among the humans — this was something Belith paid extra attention to and would never slack off.

Princess of the humans, today you’ve done me a favor.

She looked rather silly when she first appeared, but she turned out not to be so foolish after all?

Well, that wasn’t important.

What mattered was…

Elder Sister, Belith also wanted to see.

To see whether your so-called “peace” truly had any possibility of being realized.

………………………….

Inside the council hall, Livra stood facing the negotiation seats, in front of the now completely empty table.

She stood there in a daze, motionless for a long, long time.

The knights behind her assumed that Her Highness the Princess must be thinking about the next arrangements.

After all, just now, Her Highness the Princess had prevented the outbreak of a war… this matter must be reported to His Majesty the King.

Today, Princess Livra performed exceptionally, this definitely counted as a great achievement!

Little did they know…

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