Sir Golosh felt a flicker of surprise as he looked at Emperor Cecil, who stood before him calm and composed, wearing a faint smile.
He realized that the empire's ruler was far calmer than he had expected, as if he had long anticipated the dragonkin's answer today—or rather, as though he had prepared contingencies no matter what answer they gave.
"Sir, although Cecil and the Holy Dragon Duchy are neighbors, our two nations have not had much contact over the past several centuries. It is inevitable that we do not understand each other well enough, and may even develop misunderstandings," Gawain said with a slight smile, noticing Golosh's brief astonishment. "With that in mind, it is perfectly normal for us to encounter problems during our contact and overturn certain plans. We should be fully prepared for that, and always trust in both sides' desire for peace—isn't that so?"
Golosh lowered his head. "...I agree."
The dragonkin then laid out their views on exchanges between the two countries and offered specific responses to many of Gawain's earlier proposals. Proposals concerning open trade routes, study-abroad programs, technological exchanges, and resident ambassadors were raised one after another, then either agreed upon, temporarily shelved, or revised in concrete ways... Time passed without anyone noticing.
Gawain ultimately withdrew all proposals involving resource development, control of infrastructure projects, and educational outreach, while the Holy Dragon Duchy agreed to most conventional commercial and diplomatic initiatives, as well as the most important matter—they were willing to accept Cecil's new currency as a settlement currency for commercial activities between the two nations within a certain scope.
At first, this settlement arrangement would only be a trial under observation, but as long as this first step was taken, Gawain was satisfied.
He could now declare that the Holy Dragon Duchy