The Price of Beauty and Blood
Before long, the envoy from the Walker Kingdom entered the hall.
The great doors opened with a low, echoing groan, and a chill seemed to slip in with the man who crossed the threshold.
He walked with measured confidence—neither too fast nor too slow. Every step carried intent. His robes were rich but not ostentatious, dark blue trimmed with silver patterns that shimmered faintly under the palace light. His eyes were sharp, calculating… the kind of man who weighed every word before speaking it.
Victor watched him from the dragon throne, expression calm, unreadable.
Inside, though—
So this is the snake they sent.
Bowing to Victor Salvatore, the envoy from Walker Kingdom, Quinton, said,
"Envoy Quinton from Walker Kingdom pays his respects to Your Majesty of Salvatore Kingdom. Wishing you health, longevity, and everlasting stability for your realm!"
His voice was smooth.
Polished.
Too polished.
Victor didn't smile.
Didn't nod.
He leaned slightly forward instead, resting one arm casually on the throne.
"Thank you!" he said plainly. "Ambassador from Walker Kingdom, what brings you here on this visit?"
No wasted words.
No unnecessary courtesy.
The message was clear—
Say what you came to say.
Quinton's eyes flickered for a fraction of a second.
Then he straightened.
"Your Majesty of Salvatore Kingdom," he spoke loudly, projecting his voice across the hall, "I am here on the orders of my Emperor, bringing goodwill! Firstly, to celebrate your ascension to the throne; secondly, to forge a friendship treaty between our two nations; and thirdly, to propose a business transaction with Your Majesty!"
A faint ripple moved through the court.
Victor noticed.
There it is… the real reason.
"The goodwill of the Emperor of Walker Kingdom has been received," Victor replied calmly. "Now, let's discuss the third matter. What kind of business does the Emperor of Walker Kingdom wish to conduct with me?"
The hall fell silent.
Even the faint rustle of robes seemed to disappear.
Everyone was listening.
Everyone knew—
This was the blade hidden beneath the greeting.
Quinton lifted his chin slightly.
"Your Majesty of Salvatore Kingdom, our Walker Kingdom has always been in short supply of iron. Thus, we have had to import weapons! This has been a great concern for our Emperor! Therefore, His Majesty hopes that the Salvatore Kingdom would be willing to cede the Silver Iron Cave and the surrounding three hundred miles of land to the Walker Kingdom. In return, Walker Kingdom will offer a gesture of sincerity that will surely satisfy you!"
Silence—
Then it shattered.
"How dare you! To actually suggest that our nation cede territory!?"
"Is this your so-called sincerity?"
"Go back where you came from! Our Salvatore Kingdom will never agree!"
The court erupted.
Voices collided.
Anger flared.
But Quinton—
Didn't move.
Didn't react.
He simply stood there… and looked at Victor.
Calm.
Patient.
Waiting.
Victor narrowed his eyes slightly.
The Silver Iron Cave.
A border resource.
A point of conflict.
A scar between two nations that had already bled over it more than once.
So that's your move…
You're testing me.
Victor—spoke with a cold tone.
"Envoy of the Walker Kingdom, your demand is quite impolite," he said, voice steady, carrying authority without force. "What if I refuse?"
Quinton didn't hesitate.
"Your Majesty of Salvatore Kingdom," he said, a faint edge creeping into his voice, "I advise you to agree. It would be beneficial for both sides! Otherwise, we will have no choice but to meet on the battlefield. Please reconsider, Your Majesty of Salvatore Kingdom!"
There it was.
Not a request.
A threat.
"How dare you!"
"To actually threaten His Majesty?"
The officials erupted again.
But Victor simply raised his hand.
The hall quieted instantly.
"My dear ministers," he said calmly, "keep calm."
His gaze returned to Quinton.
"Let us first hear what kind of sincerity the Walker Kingdom is prepared to offer in exchange for our country's iron mine."
Quinton smiled faintly.
Hook taken.
"His Majesty of Salvatore Kingdom is reasonable," he said. "Then I shall speak frankly!"
He raised three fingers.
"Firstly, our Walker Kingdom is willing to pay 300,000 Coin!"
Victor didn't even blink.
He leaned back slightly.
Then—
He sneered.
"Although our Silver Iron Cave is not large," he said coldly, "it produces iron ore worth 100,000 Coin annually! The weapons produced each year can equip tens of thousands of men, greatly enhancing our nation's military strength!"
His gaze sharpened.
"You from the Walker Kingdom only want to spend a mere 300,000 Coin to acquire the Silver Iron Cave; it is simply a pipe dream… the delusions of a madman!"
"His Majesty is absolutely right!"
"Utterly preposterous!"
"They want to take advantage of us during a crisis!"
The court roared again.
Quinton's smile thinned slightly.
But he continued.
"Your Majesty of Salvatore Kingdom, please don't be hasty," he said quickly. "We have more to offer!"
He raised another hand.
"300,000 silver Coin! In addition to 500,000 White Coin, our Walker Kingdom is also willing to provide 2 million kilograms of grain!"
Victor's expression didn't change.
Not even a flicker.
"Although our country's land is barren and lacks grain," he replied calmly, "the idea of using 2 million kilograms of grain to exchange for our country's iron mine is absolutely impossible!"
"That's right!"
"We must not trade!"
"This is the foundation of our nation!"
The court stood firm.
Unyielding.
Quinton's jaw tightened slightly.
But he wasn't done.
"In addition," he said, forcing composure back into his tone, "our Walker Kingdom is willing to present a pair of exquisite jade ruyi—carved from rare white jade, smooth as flowing water, symbolizing power and prosperity…"
His hand gestured subtly.
"…twenty top-quality agates, each polished to perfection, glowing faintly like captured starlight…"
"…one hundred dragon-eye pearls, round and luminous, said to be harvested from deep ocean beasts…"
"…and a count of thousand Varieties of rare gems."
He paused.
"…with a total value reaching 2,000,000 Coin worth of gold, pure and refined."
Victor looked at him.
Then—
He laughed once.
Sharp.
Cold.
"Do you think I am a man who covets luxury?" he said, voice cutting through the hall. "What use are these things you bring other than to corrupt my soul and tarnish my noble character?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"Therefore, I will never agree!"
"His Majesty is right!"
"We will never agree!"
"Our territory cannot be ceded!"
The court shook with unity.
Even Alina and Vidona stood firm, their eyes steady—proud.
For a moment—
It felt like a kingdom united.
But then—
Quinton spoke again.
And this time—
There was no politeness left.
"Your Majesty of Salvatore Kingdom," he said, voice lower now, carrying weight, "we have already demonstrated our sincerity by making such great concessions!"
His gaze hardened.
"If you still refuse to agree… are you not afraid of the prospect of war?"
A pause.
Then—
"Our nation's army of 200,000 is already stationed at the border… ready to invade Salvatore Kingdom at any moment!"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Victor… laughed.
Softly.
Coldly.
"Are you actually resorting to threats?"
He stood slowly.
The movement alone carried pressure.
"Go tell the Emperor of Walker Kingdom…" his voice deepened, steady as steel, "if it comes to war, then so be it."
His eyes locked onto Quinton.
"Does he really think I would be afraid of them?"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
The court erupted again—
But this time, it wasn't forced.
It was real.
Respect.
Something had changed.
They looked at him differently now.
This young emperor—
Wasn't weak.
Wasn't naive.
He didn't bend.
Alina's lips curved faintly.
Vidona's eyes gleamed with approval.
The kingdom… might actually stand.
Victor slammed his hand on the table and rose fully.
"Whatever tricks you have left, Walker Kingdom, bring them on!" he declared. "If I frown even slightly, then I am not a true man!"
"His Majesty is wise!"
The hall echoed with admiration.
Quinton's expression finally cracked.
Just a little.
"…Originally," he said slowly, voice tight, "we had planned to present the most beautiful woman of Walker Kingdom to you…"
He turned slightly.
"…But now it seems unnecessary. Quinton will take his leave—"
"Wait!"
Victor's voice cut through the air.
Sharp.
Immediate.
Quinton froze.
Turned back.
"Your Majesty of the Salvatore Kingdom… is there anything else?"
Victor tilted his head slightly.
Calm again.
Almost curious.
"The first beauty of the Walker Kingdom you mentioned… is it Evelyn?"
"The one said to possess a beauty that can shut out the moon and put the flowers to shame?"
A ripple passed through the court.
Quinton blinked.
"…Indeed," he said slowly. "What about her?"
Victor sat back down.
A faint smile appeared.
"I never expected that your Walker Kingdom would truly show sincerity… and be willing to part with such a treasure."
His fingers tapped lightly against the throne.
"I am very fond of this gift."
A pause.
Then—
"It's just an iron mine…"
He waved his hand casually.
"…let's make the exchange!"
Silence.
Dead.
Still.
Then—
"F*ck!"
"F*ck!"
Both the officials—
And Quinton—
Spoke at the same time.
The entire court froze in disbelief.
Moments ago—
He was unyielding.
Now—
He flipped.
Just like that.
After all that talk… after all that pride…
He folded for beauty?
Quinton stared at him, stunned.
"Your Majesty… are you serious?" he stammered. "Are you willing to trade the Silver Iron Cave for our Walker Kingdom's number one beauty… Evelyn?"
Victor frowned slightly.
"An emperor does not speak lightly," he said. "Do you think I would jest?"
"No, no, no—!" Quinton waved his hands quickly. "Then we have an agreement!"
"Wait," Victor said sharply.
Quinton froze again.
Victor leaned forward, eyes gleaming faintly.
"You can't leave out the things we agreed on before."
His voice turned firm.
"I want the silver. I want the grain. The gold. The jewels you've offered as well."
A pause.
Then, with quiet authority—
"I want it all."
"Not a thing less."
Quinton swallowed.
"…Yes… yes, yes, Your Majesty of the Salvatore Kingdom!"
The court finally snapped out of it.
"Your Majesty, this must not be done!"