In the Royal Capital of the Parambria Kingdom, King Damian Bria leaned back on his throne, closed his eyes, and kept replaying everything he knew about the heretics in his mind.
He had received the signal for negotiations a month ago.
But apart from that signal, there had been no direction for the negotiations, no negotiators, and he did not even know when the negotiations would take place.
Everything was being led by the other side. All he could do was cooperate.
If they had not lost that war so miserably, he could still have held a measure of initiative. Unfortunately, reality had no ifs.
"What do they want?"
Putting himself in the heretics' shoes, Damian kept guessing what the other side wanted to gain from the Parambria Kingdom—land, population, money, Blood Crystals, or other Transcendent resources.
"Your Majesty, Minister Berichi has arrived."
Damian slowly opened his eyes, looked at the black-armored knight kneeling below, and said in a low voice, "Let me in."
"Yes."
A moment later, a thin middle-aged man arrived in the Administrative Hall. He placed his right hand over his chest and saluted Damian, who sat upon the throne. "Your Majesty."
"Berichi, have all the Holy Blood Church's assets been counted?"
"They have all been counted." Berichi straightened and answered, "The materials obtained have all been delivered to the treasury. Your Majesty may send someone to check them at any time."
"There's no need to check. I trust you to handle matters."
Damian stood, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked down from the dais. Looking at Berichi, he slowly said, "Now, I need you to help me with something."
"Please give your orders." Berichi bent forward slightly and said respectfully.
"Negotiate on my behalf!"
"Negotiate?" Berichi's expression jolted. He looked up at Damian, his