Joseph could not help frowning.
France truly had not sent troops to South America this time. If he allowed the English to "work their magic," it would inevitably gravely damage France's prestige in the eyes of the European nations—Spain was, after all, a member of the Mediterranean Security Organization.
Naturally, they could not reveal the truth of the matter.
But if they did not strike back, it would seem as though they were confirming what the English had said.
The diplomatic gains France had reaped from the grand celebration could not be so easily muddied.
Joseph's thoughts raced. He gestured for Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, seated not far away, to come closer and gave him a few quiet instructions.
Urquijo immediately rose to his feet and glared fiercely at O'Reilly. "Were you speaking on behalf of His Majesty George III just now?" The Englishman hesitated for half a second, then nodded. "Without a doubt. I am His Majesty's envoy."
Urquijo's voice was icy. "Is this how the King of England humiliates my country?"
Joseph gave the Spanish minister, who had only recently taken office, an approving nod. His presence was truly formidable.
Sir O'Reilly was somewhat bewildered. "I... did not mean that..."
Urquijo turned to the representatives of the other nations and declared proudly, "The Spanish Army's performance on the Iberian Peninsula has proven everything: our country fears no challenge!
"His Majesty has long since begun war mobilization in New Granada and Mexico. There are more than six million colonial residents there, as well as fiscal revenues amounting to tens of millions of Escudos. We can resolve any trouble in the colonies on our own!"
He looked back at O'Reilly. "And yet you have publicly slandered my country, claiming that we are already powerless to deal with affairs in