After leaving the Broken House outside the village, Shade did not hurry north to return to the city. Instead, he crossed the border and went to Glass City again. While passing through, he noticed that new defensive fortifications seemed to be under construction near the border, but he did not encounter Captain Rades and therefore did not inquire further. As for why he had gone to Glass City, it was to tell Her Royal Highness the Princess about Gray Gloves' undercover agent in the circus, whom Margaret had asked him to investigate.
Of course, Margaret was still overwhelmingly busy and was absent again that morning. Thus, it was Miss Sylvia who received Shade and had lunch with him.
During lunch, the shouts of the marchers outside the manor could still be heard even with the windows shut. Shade set down the knife he was using to cut his steak and looked up at the young Great Witch.
"Miss Sylvia, from your perspective, how do you hope these negotiations will end?"
The Black-haired Witch seated at the head seat of the long dining table elegantly dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, then frowned in thought.
"Personally, a peaceful outcome would make it easier for me to expand my business. But from the Council's perspective, wartime makes it easier for Witches to conceal their identities and grow their influence. So I do not particularly care."
She knew what Shade was thinking.
"The negotiations are at a critical stage right now, so do not overthink it. However, the issue currently under discussion—the border of Black Sun Forest in eastern Pantanal—has already caused considerable dispute within Kasonlik. According to the 1205 agreement, that area actually belongs to the Kasonlik kingdom, but Delarion does not recognize that agreement."
When the 1205 agreement