Ch10 First step into the unknown

The arrival of the Nagata delegation in Wallonia marked a turning point in the kingdom's desperate gamble for survival. The long and arduous journey across the sea had left them battered and weary, yet the moment they set foot on Wallonian soil, they were met with an unfamiliar yet calculated hospitality.

A fleet of sleek, black cars lined the grand entrance of the Imperial Chambers, their polished exteriors reflecting the golden glow of the setting sun. Wallonian officials, dressed in their crisp, formal uniforms, stood in an organized formation, awaiting their guests. The delegation was immediately led inside, where cool air and the scent of polished wood welcomed them.

Princess Asahi Nagata, standing tall despite her exhaustion, observed the towering hallways of the Chambers with silent awe. Never before had she seen such grandeur—white marble floors stretched endlessly, flanked by towering columns carved with intricate patterns that told stories of Wallonia's past. Oil paintings of past rulers adorned the walls, their stern gazes watching over the newcomers.

Behind her, Captain Aesuki Toranaga whispered, "I can hardly believe this is just an 'Imperial Chamber.' This alone could be a palace back home."

Princess Asahi nodded in agreement but remained silent. She had long learned that silence was a weapon sharper than any blade—one that kept others guessing, one that hid one's vulnerabilities.

As they moved further into the Chambers, they were each given assistants—trained personnel who would guide them through Wallonia's unfamiliar customs and assist with any needs they had. Despite their weariness, the delegation could not yet rest. Chancellor Erich, upon hearing of their arrival, had arranged a formal dinner in the gardens, a gesture of goodwill despite his absence.

And so, just as the stars began to dot the evening sky, the Nagata delegates found themselves seated beneath a pavilion, surrounded by carefully maintained gardens. White roses bloomed under the moonlight, their petals glowing faintly under the warm lights that illuminated the dining space.

The long dining table was adorned with silverware and crystal glasses, reflecting the soft glow of candlelight. The meal itself was an intricate display of Wallonia's culinary prowess—delicacies of seared meats, rich sauces, and fruits arranged in artistic fashion.

Asahi, seated at the center, studied each dish before her. The food was foreign, unlike the rice-based meals she was used to, yet the presentation was undeniable—a calculated statement of Wallonia's power and affluence.

As they dined, soft classical music played in the background, providing a strangely serene contrast to the tense undercurrent beneath their conversation.

"This level of hospitality… I must admit, it is unexpected," murmured Hiro Masanori, the delegation's chief diplomat, as he sipped a glass of golden-hued wine. "For a nation that crushed the Soroental Empire in mere days, one would assume a more aggressive approach."

Captain Toranaga, leaning back in his chair, crossed his arms. "Perhaps they see us as too insignificant to be a threat. Or perhaps this is a way to lower our guard."

Asahi remained silent, letting the conversation flow around her. Deep down, she knew both statements held some truth. Wallonia was a nation of overwhelming force, yet its true strength lay in the unseen—the political maneuvering, the mind games, the carefully crafted displays of power.

Just as the dinner neared its end, a servant approached with a letter in hand. It was from Chancellor Erich himself.

"Your audience with His Majesty shall take place tomorrow morning. Until then, rest well, for the fate of your nation shall be determined in the halls of the Imperial Court."

Princess Asahi folded the letter carefully. Tomorrow would decide everything.

As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the curtains, the quiet halls of the Imperial Chambers slowly came to life. The Nagata delegates awoke one by one, each preparing for the most important day of their lives.

For Princess Asahi, the morning was spent in silent contemplation. She sat before an ornate mirror as her attendants carefully arranged her hair, pinning her jet-black strands into an elegant updo. Her ceremonial robes, woven with intricate patterns of gold and crimson, were laid out before her—a reminder of the burden she carried.

A knock on the door broke the silence.

"Come in," she called.

Captain Toranaga stepped inside, already dressed in his formal uniform. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his posture betrayed his unease.

"It's time."

Princess Asahi nodded. With one final glance at her reflection, she rose to her feet.

The procession to the Imperial Court was a solemn affair. Guards clad in pristine white and gold flanked the halls, their rifles resting at their sides in perfect formation. Asahi and her delegation were led through several corridors, each more extravagant than the last, until they finally arrived at massive doors adorned with the sigil of Wallonia.

As the doors creaked open, Asahi's breath hitched.

The Imperial Court was unlike anything she had ever seen.

A vast chamber stretched before her, its ceiling so high it seemed to touch the heavens. Golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over the polished floors, reflecting off the silver-and-gold banners that lined the walls. At the far end of the room, upon a raised platform, sat two grand thrones.

And upon one of them sat Emperor Arthur Paulus Wallonia.

The moment she laid eyes on him, Asahi understood.

This was a man who ruled.

He sat with an effortless authority, clad in a regal military uniform that bore the weight of countless victories. His piercing gaze met hers, unreadable yet commanding. Beside him, seated with equal composure, was Chancellor Erich, his sharp eyes assessing them with quiet calculation.

The room fell into silence.

Then, in a voice that carried across the chamber, the Emperor spoke.

"Princess Asahi Nagata of the Nagata Regency. You have come a long way to stand before me. Speak, and let us see if your journey was worth the risk."

Asahi took a deep breath, steadying herself.

This was it.

The moment that would determine the future of her people.

She stepped forward, her voice unwavering.

"Your Majesty, we have come not as beggars, nor as conquerors, but as those who seek a future beyond the ruin of war. The world may see us as a dying kingdom, but I refuse to let my people fade into oblivion."

Her words hung in the air.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then, the Emperor leaned forward, eyes glinting with amusement.

"Interesting."

And so, the negotiation began.

Chapter: The Weight of a Nation's Gamble

A flicker of intrigue passed through Emperor Arthur's sharp gaze as he leaned back in his grand throne, the soft creak of the finely crafted seat the only sound in the vast chamber. His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest, a subtle rhythm of contemplation as he absorbed Princess Asahi's words.

She had spoken with unwavering conviction, her voice a firm declaration of her nation's determination to survive. It was a bold stance—one that did not reek of desperation, but rather of calculated risk.

Yet, before the Emperor could respond, a smooth yet commanding voice cut through the chamber.

"What gave you reason to risk not only your fleet but even your own princess to come here?"

All eyes turned to Chancellor Erich, who now leaned forward, his calculating eyes locked onto the Nagata delegation. Unlike the Emperor, whose presence exuded raw power, Erich was a man of precision. Every word he spoke was a thread in a vast web of diplomacy, every sentence a carefully placed move in the game of global politics.

Princess Asahi, maintaining her composed facade, turned her attention to the Chancellor. She had expected this question—it was inevitable.

She took a breath, choosing her words carefully.

"Wallonia is unlike any other nation in this world. You are not bound by the traditions of old kingdoms, nor are you shackled by the arrogance of long-standing empires. You arrived suddenly and crushed the mighty Soroental Empire as if they were nothing more than insects beneath your heel.

We, as a nation, have always fought to survive. But survival alone is not enough. We seek a future beyond mere existence. To ignore this opportunity—to let hesitation bind us—would be our downfall."

Her voice was calm, yet it carried the weight of unspoken struggles. She had chosen her words wisely, framing their approach as a logical decision rather than an act of desperation.

Chancellor Erich, unfazed by her eloquence, tilted his head slightly, studying her.

"And what do you believe you can offer us, Princess Asahi?"

The silence that followed was suffocating. The Wallonian ministers and high-ranking officials who stood in the chamber watched intently, waiting to see how the Nagata delegation would respond.

Then, Captain Aesuki Toranaga stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his ceremonial sword. His deep voice broke the silence.

"We offer what no other nation will—a people willing to adapt, to change. We know the world around us is shifting. Many still cling to the past, to outdated traditions and beliefs that have no place in this new era."

His words carried an edge, but they were not careless. He, too, understood the game they were playing.

"We are prepared to serve, to learn from you, and in return, we offer loyalty. Not as subjects, but as an ally who understands that to resist change is to die."

A bold statement. Perhaps even dangerous.

Emperor Arthur's fingers ceased their tapping. His piercing eyes moved between the Princess and her trusted captain. Then, a small, almost imperceptible smirk touched his lips.

"Loyalty, you say?"

He stood, his towering form casting a long shadow across the chamber.

"Words are wind, Captain Toranaga. Many have pledged loyalty before, only to betray it when the tides shifted in their favor."

His voice, though calm, carried an unspoken warning.

"I am not a man who puts faith in promises alone. If your people truly seek to stand beside Wallonia, then I must see proof of your resolve."

Chancellor Erich, catching on to the Emperor's unspoken intent, leaned forward.

"There are many ways to prove loyalty, Princess Asahi. The question is—how far are you willing to go?"

A test.

Not unexpected, but the weight of those words settled heavily in the air.

Princess Asahi did not waver.

"Whatever is required of us, we shall do."

Emperor Arthur's smirk deepened slightly.

"Very well. Then let us see if the Nagata Regency is truly worthy of standing beside Wallonia."

The chamber doors shut behind them, sealing their fates within the halls of power.

The grand chamber of the Imperial Council Court remained eerily silent as Princess Asahi and Captain Aesuki Toranaga held their ground before the Wallonian rulers. Their words had been measured, their offer carefully crafted. Yet, there was an undeniable weight to the air—a lingering tension that even the most seasoned diplomats would struggle to endure.

The Wallonian ministers and high-ranking officials standing along the polished marble floors remained statuesque, observing their Emperor's every movement. The moment was critical. A single misstep could shift the balance, sealing either an alliance or an irreversible dismissal.

Then—

A sudden burst of laughter echoed through the grand hall.

It was deep, rich, and entirely unexpected.

Emperor Arthur, his arms crossed, shook his head with an amused smirk as he let out another low chuckle.

"You actually said that with a straight face?"

Princess Asahi, who had been in countless courtly negotiations, found herself caught off guard. Was this mockery? Disbelief?

Before she could respond, Arthur continued, his golden eyes gleaming with sharp interest.

"You offer loyalty—not as subjects, but as allies willing to adapt. Willing to change."** He let the words hang in the air before stepping forward, closer to the delegation. "And yet, history has shown that those who claim to adapt are often the first to betray when they find an advantage."

The tension in the room thickened. Captain Toranaga instinctively tightened his grip on the hilt of his ceremonial sword, though he dared not act.

But before the weight of those words could settle, Arthur suddenly waved a hand dismissively.

"Still…" He exchanged a glance with Chancellor Erich, who had been watching quietly from his seat. "I must admit, I find this entire situation amusing. The great Nagata Regency—known for its stubborn pride—coming before us, seeking help."

Then, his smirk faded into something more serious.

"Very well. A decision must be made."

He turned slightly, whispering something to Erich. The Chancellor leaned in, listening carefully before responding in a similar hushed tone.

From an outsider's perspective, the two powerful men looked like conspirators, murmuring in their own secret world. But for those who knew them well, this was simply how they worked.

Their friendship was built on trust—a brotherhood forged long before their nation had even been transported to this strange new world.

The officials and delegates could only watch as the Emperor and his Chancellor exchanged hushed words, their expressions shifting between amusement and deep contemplation.

"We could use them," Arthur muttered under his breath, his eyes flicking toward Princess Asahi. "They're desperate, but they're also smart enough to know where to turn. That's a rare trait in this world."

Erich smirked. "Oh, you're interested now? You were just calling them stubborn. What changed?"

Arthur shrugged. "I like people who can swallow their pride when it truly matters. Besides, we could benefit from a foothold in their region. You always talk about expanding influence."

Erich leaned back slightly, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I knew you'd say that."

The two men continued whispering, their conversation teetering between playful scheming and serious diplomacy.

"If we help them, what do we even get in return?" Arthur mused.

"Naval access. Strategic positioning. A potential ally against Osteria." Erich listed them off casually. "Not to mention, they owe us their lives. That kind of debt can be leveraged in the future."

Arthur grinned. "I like the way you think, Chancellor."

With that, the Emperor turned back to the delegation, his smirk returning.

"A private meeting," he declared suddenly, cutting through the silence. "I will speak with Princess Asahi and Captain Aesuki—alone, with Chancellor Erich."

The room stirred slightly at the unexpected decision. Even the Nagata officials exchanged brief glances, uncertain of what this meant.

Arthur gave no further explanation. He merely turned, motioning for the guards to escort the remaining delegation out of the chamber.

The meeting was not yet over. It was only just beginning.

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