Note: Text in『』means it's being spoken in Flamer.
Spring is coming to an end, and winged insects are swarming around the battlefield.
The Flamer-Aerys Alliance had finally completed the occupation of southern Austin and were now watching the capital, Winn.
Isolated civilians across the region had mounted resistance, but most had been either annihilated or forced to surrender.
It was now only a matter of time before they reached the Winn front lines.
"Have you learned the Flamer language?"
"…Somewhat. I can't speak it fluently."
"Hmm, that's fine."
For the time being, Winn's defenses remain quite solid.
There are three fortresses around Winn, with strongholds and trenches filling the gaps between them.
Since the First Battle of Winn erupted two years ago, the trenches have been continuously reinforced.
Winn is no longer the idyllic city of flowers it once was, but had instead become more like a military fortress.
However, with the shortage of soldiers leaving gaps in the defenses, we are waiting for reinforcements from Sabbath.
"Have you written your will, Iris Valou?"
"Yes, that's already taken care of."
Fortunately, the Allied forces are likely unaware that the Sabbatian reinforcements are unlikely to arrive in time for the decisive battle.
If they were aware of this, they would have invaded immediately without consolidating their position in southern Austin territory.
Additionally, now that the Allied forces are on the verge of attacking Winn, it wouldn't be unnatural for us to propose peace or a ceasefire.
At this moment, they have no reason to suspect the delay of the Sabbatian reinforcements, and we can buy time through diplomatic negotiations.
"You're rather determined for someone so young. Are you prepared to be captured and tortured by the enemy?"
"…It was brief, but I did undergo anti-interrogation training."
"Are you prepared to be shot and have your corpse desecrated?"
"They can do as they like."
"That's excellent. Iris-sama, you have the makings of a fine diplomat."
I was dressed in formal attire, riding in a carriage with an Austin diplomat towards the southern city where Allied troops were stationed.
Gavel Company also accompanied us, although they were unarmed.
"Iris-sama, do you know what makes a truly outstanding diplomat?"
"No, I do not. I'd appreciate it if you could teach me."
"I'll tell you a secret. The best diplomats resign before they get killed."
The diplomat riding with me was a portly man with a beard.
He had a comical way of speaking and a friendly appearance.
"Honestly, it's disgusting. What do they think human life is worth?"
"It's wartime, after all. …Human life is cheap in every country."
"And yet, we're here to negotiate and try to end the war. I just hope they understand the meaning of the 'black flag.'"
"Indeed."
By the way, we were heading towards the enemy camp while raising a black flag.
In this world, it is common to raise a black flag rather than a white flag when asking for surrender or negotiations.
Unlike in my previous life, the emissaries who sought peace would raise a black flag.
A subtle cultural difference like this exists here.
"I thought I'd scare you a bit with that story. Iris-sama, you look like you're enjoying yourself."
"Well, more or less."
And so, I found myself riding in a carriage with a black flag raised, heading toward the enemy camp.
…To negotiate peace with the Allied forces.
"────Because it's been a long time since I last spoke with my old friend."
I said this while gazing at the smoke from the Allied forces' campfires far to the south.
***
Persuading Prime Minister Fogman Jr. went surprisingly smoothly.
When I explained the details of my plan, he burst into laughter and eased the conditions.
In a sense, since it was like going to pick a fight, it probably suited Fogman Jr.'s tastes.
Renvel and the others were vehemently opposed to my going as a diplomatic envoy to the enemy camp.
Verdi came at me with a fierce expression, saying it was as good as heading to my death.
As the one who proposed the idea, I also agree with that assessment.
"This is necessary for Bern Valou's final strategy."
"…What did you say?"
"It's a battle where we have little chance of winning. I must take on some of the risk as well."
That's why I used my brother's name.
When in trouble, it's best to blame Bern Valou.
"Major Curley is aware of the full details of Bern's final plan."
"Touri, aren't you supposed to be the key to the plan?"
"Yes. I'm sure they'll make good use of me even if I'm killed."
The dead cannot speak, so I'll just leave everything to him.
To begin with, I'm the one who's had everything pushed onto me by Bern.
It's only fair that I should be allowed to do the same in return.
"There's also the possibility of being killed without accomplishing anything."
"That's already accounted for."
And so, I fully utilized my position as Chief of Staff to force this operation to be approved.
─────If it goes well, the chances of victory will increase significantly with this plan.
***
『Stop! Who goes there?』
『I am with Austin's Department of Foreign Affairs.』
When we arrived, Allied forces were stationed in rural areas in southern Austin.
As we raised the black flag and advanced with the carriage, a patrol of Flamel soldiers appeared and surrounded us.
『What's your proof that you're a diplomatic envoy?』
『The letter bears the official seal of the Austin Government and the signature of His Majesty the Emperor."
『Hand it over.』
『Of course.』
After informing the soldiers that we were here to seek diplomatic negotiations, we were detained in the carriage for about half a day.
Luckily, we weren't attacked because we were unarmed.
『Command says they are open to negotiations. We'll escort you, follow us.』
『Understood..』
Thankfully, we would be granted a meeting without being shot.
To be honest, I was relieved.
『Your name and position?』
『I'm Chief of Staff Iris Valou. I have been entrusted with military discretion in these negotiations.』
『...You?』
Since I was still learning Flamer, I left most of the conversation to the diplomat.
To avoid any blunders, I limited myself to answering simple questions.
『Has Austin really made a girl like this their Chief of Staff?』
『No, she's probably just a figurehead noble. They sent her here because they don't mind if she gets killed.』
『I see.』
The lower-ranked soldiers looked at me with pity.
Since it was mostly true, I couldn't argue.
『Sorry, but we'll have to conduct a thorough body search.』
『Feel free.』
『If you make any sudden moves, you'll be shot on the spot.』
Then, with many guns pointed at us, the diplomat and I were blindfolded.
We were led by hand to what seemed to be a private house, where we were made to wait.
…Now, will a demon or a snake appear?
I hoped that by using the name Iris Valou, I might attract Sylph.
***
『I am Mansam. I've come to hear your business, envoy.』
『Thank you for your courtesy. We've come to deliver a letter from Austin's Department of Foreign Affairs.』
The following day, after spending the night in the house, we were finally visited by someone who appeared to be the commander.
He was an older man wearing a Flamer military uniform, and from the look of his insignia, probably of the rank of major.
Looks like someone fairly important has come to meet us.
『Hmm, do you really mean these terms?』
『The official letter is inside. We wish for an end to this war.』
『…I see, very well.』
The diplomat began explaining the new peace terms prepared by the government.
Of course, these political negotiations weren't being conducted with the enemy's higher-ups.
『Austin is offering territorial concessions in the south, reparations, and technology transfers.』
『We would be glad if our sincerity is conveyed.』
However, the Allied forces were currently advancing within Austin.
Even if we sent a diplomatic mission, there was still a chance that the final battle would begin while negotiations dragged on.
Therefore,
『Even to the untrained eye, these terms… are quite significant.』
『We would appreciate your understanding. For that reason, we are requesting a temporary ceasefire of about one month to conduct the negotiations."
We had first sought an audience with the Allied forces' front-line command and proposed a ceasefire during the negotiation period.
***
At that time, the peace terms presented by the Austin government were roughly as follows:
The cession of the southern territories, the most fertile lands in Austin.
The provision of heavy weaponry technology to Flamel and Aerys, along with a reparation agreement spanning ten years.
They were favorable conditions clearly tantamount to surrender.
『I'd like to consult the government first. I'll need a few days.』
After seeing these terms, the Flamer commander deemed the matter beyond his ability to handle.
Although the invasion would continue, he promised to relay the letter to the Flamer government.
『If you agree to a ceasefire, we are also prepared to offer water supplies from the military.』
『Hmm, is that possible?』
『That is why the military has asked Iris Valou to accompany me.』
『I see. I'll pass that on as well.』
Currently, one of the biggest challenges facing the Allied forces was securing water sources.
The Austin Army had poisoned wells and springs, making it unsafe for them to use any water source in Austin without caution.
Of course, there were small rivers scattered around, but they weren't sufficient to provide water for a massive army of over 100,000 soldiers.
They were barely managing their advance by squeezing out drinking water from their homeland and other locations.
Thus, we proposed water supply as part of the negotiation terms.
『Envoy, please wait in this house for the time being. We will provide you with meals while you wait.』
『Thank you very much.』
At the time, the Alliance was scrambling to establish a water transportation route alongside their invasion route.
That's why the Flamer commander's eyes lit up when he heard of our offer to supply water.
…Not bad, this looks promising.
『Well then, see you later.』
And with that, the first day of negotiations came to a close.
Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to meet Sylph Nova, but since the negotiations themselves went well, I'm content for the time being.
First of all, nothing can happen unless we can convince them that it is worth negotiating with us.
***
『I've brought your meal.』
"Iris-sama, let's eat. To show that we trust them, there's no need for poison testing.』
"R-Right."
"If we die, so be it."
Incidentally, we were given the Flamer military rations for our meal.
At that time, these rations were famously criticized by Flamel soldiers as "tasteless, smelly, and sour."
"Whoa, it's greasy! I can actually taste the oil, I could cry."
"…It's been a while since I've had something that resembles real food."
For us who had been living in extreme poverty, the rations, which included some broken-down pieces of meat, were a delightful feast.
Though the taste wasn't great, it was the most nutritious meal we had eaten in days.
『Please thank the Flamel commander. This meal was truly wonderful.』
『I will pass that along.』
『Austin is so impoverished that these rations nearly brought us to tears. Please, we beg you to accept peace."
『…I will pass that along as well.』
Both the diplomat and I were so overjoyed by the rations that the soldiers standing guard were somewhat perplexed.
Apparently, wine usually accompanied these meals, but they refrained from offering it to us this time.
It's a bit of a shame.
***
We were left in the house for the next two days.
I suppose that commander from yesterday was in the middle of negotiations with the Flamer government.
"Iris-sama, do you know how to play chess?"
"Yes, somewhat."
"Then, how about a game?"
Long waits like this are apparently common.
The diplomat nonchalantly pulled out a chessboard he had brought with him in full view of the soldiers on guard.
I heard playing games with subordinates or colleagues during long waits is standard practice.
『Hey, you over there, guard. Want to join?』
『I'm on duty.』
『Serious fellow. Well, just let me know if you change your mind.』
The nerve to invite an enemy to play chess right in the heart of enemy territory where you could be killed at any moment.
This diplomat might be quite an extraordinary person himself.
"Umm, is it like this?"
"…Iris-sama, are you really an amateur?"
By the way, although I lost more games than I won, I managed to put up a good fight.
Although I was pushed back in the early stages, I was able to turn the game around and win using some strategies Sylph taught me.
"Sometimes, your offensive becomes incredibly sharp. Hmm, is this why you're a miracle strategist?"
"No, I once had a friend who's an expert at chess teach me."
With that, I made my next move.
I recalled a time when Sylph had given me a lesson in chess while wearing a provocative smile.
"────It's just that my friend is a genius."
Recalling the lines Sylph had played against me, I made a decisive move, hitting the diplomat's weak spot.
His face turned blue and he immediately realized he had lost.
"Hmph."
Ice cold.
A voice clear and sharp like the sound of a bell, yet devoid of emotion.
"Your moves have improved. It seems you've continued honing your skills since then."
"I still have a long way to go. I'm nowhere near your level."
A voice I hadn't heard in years. A familiar, commanding voice spoken in Sabbatian.
However, I knew who the voice belonged to without even seeing her face.
────Because she's the one I have been longing to see for so long.
"So?"
My heart raced and pounded uncontrollably.
Every emotion surged within me, causing my cheeks to flush.
My lips twisted into a crooked smile as dark hatred welled up from the depths of my stomach.
"What brings you here, Touri?"
"I came to see you, Sylph."
Glaring at me with open hostility, Sylph's eyes bore into me.
In response, I smiled at her as if I were staring at my mortal enemy.