Tales's eyelid twitched.
He scrutinized King Kessel's face, discovering for the first time that this resolute, cold face could also show different emotions.
Is that so.
His... father.
"No, Your Majesty."
Thinking this, Tales said calmly:
"What I want to ask for is indeed still the same condition as before."
But then he changed tack.
"But it isn't for the sake of so-called 'gentleness,' so-called 'compromise,' or so-called 'gradual progress,'" Tales said, his expression darkening.
"At least this time, it isn't."
King Kessel's dinner knife cut into the next piece of food, striking the plate with a crisp clang.
"Then what is it for?"
The king sneered.
"Did this dinner really change you somehow?"
Tales silently watched him. In that instant, his heart was filled with a thousand emotions.
"You still don't understand, Your Majesty?"
The Prince lowered his head, picked up his spoon, and sighed.
"You can't defeat them."
"Not by yourself."
Tales stared fixedly at his spoon as it dug into a piece of food.
"You need me."
You need me.
King Kessel remained silent for quite some time.
"Isn't it too late to come asking for peace now?"
Hearing this, Tales couldn't help smiling, though the smile was somewhat bitter.
"Ask for peace?"
"Who said I was asking for peace?"
Tales raised his head, his expression gradually turning cold.
"I came to declare war on you, Your Majesty."
In that instant, the king's knife struck the plate with a solid clang.
Kessel slowly raised his head and looked toward his son.
"What?"
Tales's expression was gloomy, his tone grave.
"From today onward, Your Majesty, I will give you a weapon the likes of which has never existed before."
"I will truly help you succeed."
Across the table, King Kessel stared coldly at him, his expression hostile.
"Emorey's