When Tobias says this, King Semson grows anxious.
"Your Excellency promised before that we would not lose territory!"
Tobias answers as if the matter is obvious. "Your Majesty, Henwell said that he will not declare legal ownership of that leased zone.
"So in reality, you have not lost territory. You have rely leased it out.
"We helped as well.
"Without losing a single soldier, we helped you demand back half the territory occupied by Peace Haven.
"Henwell has given us face, and he has given you generous enough terms. What objection do you still have?
"As I said, if you do not agree, you can keep fighting.
"Then you can find out for yourself how much in resources and troops you will have to spend before you can take that territory back from Henwell."
Semson falls silent. After a long while, he says, "I cannot accept these terms. This is selling out the country."
Henwell says indifferently, "Then keep fighting. Even if the Western Federation cos to next ti and starts a new diation, I will still give them face.
"My terms will always be the sa. I will only return half the occupied land.
"According to Peace Haven's calculations, the territory I currently occupy covers more than forty thousand square kiloters.
"After I take so more land, perhaps I will end up leasing even more territory.
"Also, there is sothing I should remind your country about.
"If the war ends now, because our losses have not been that heavy, I can release the captured nobles for free.
"If we wait until next ti, those valuable noble captives will require a ransom."
After hearing this, King Semson does not fly into a rage. Instead, he falls into thought.
As king, he naturally knows that Lumir has reached an extrely dangerous point.
Henwell's intervention has triggered a chain of reactions, leaving Lumir on the verge of being carved up.
Now, after Henwell withdraws, Lumir will be able to pull out a considerable number of troops and focus on dealing with Ogiro Kingdom.
At the sa ti, Ika Kingdom can no longer continue swallowing Lumir's territory under the pretext of assisting in its defense. It may even have to give so of it back.
Part of what Henwell just said is a threat. The other part is a reminder to Semson, giving him a step he can accept.
Why would Semson refuse Henwell's terms?
Partly because Henwell's price is too high, and partly because the whole thing looks far too ugly.
The most important reason is that it will be difficult to face the pressure from the dostic powerholders afterward.
Just now, Henwell said that as long as he accepts the terms now, the captured nobles can be released for free.
One has to know that from the mont Peace Haven entered the border until now, it has swept everything before it. No one has been able to withstand a single exchange.
A large number of powerful people have been captured, and quite a few of them are connected to the powerful families in Holy Lake City.
Now they can be released for free. This is the step Henwell is offering him.
It is not a step for Semson to use here. It is a step he can use in front of his court ministers.
After this, Semson will make Henwell's terms public and let the ministers argue among themselves.
Anyone who wants their relatives and friends released must support the peace terms.
Anyone who wants to fight to the end will have to offend the captured families to death.
The relatives and friends of those noble captives will certainly say that whoever opposes the peace should go attack Peace Haven's army themselves.
Inside Lumir, not many people truly have the courage to challenge Henwell.
Ultimately, this humiliating peace that gives up land will be sothing the ministers forced King Semson to accept.
Afterward, no matter which side it is, they will not be able to use this matter to slander King Semson, much less attack the royal family.
After a while, King Semson stares at Henwell.
"What do you plan to do with the property of those nobles?"
Henwell says, "The immovable property is mine. Consider it compensation for my warti losses. As for the gold, silver, and valuables, the captured nobles can take half of them away.
"If nobles on your side who were not captured have gold or silver in the leased zone, I can let them take all of it away, as long as they can prove the property is theirs.
"I cannot have several people claiming the sa item. I am not running their warehouse.
"Also, you had better move fast. You had better make your decision as soon as possible. This is warti, and many things are beyond control. Accidents are hard to prevent.
"If you are late and so wealth goes missing, I will not be responsible."
King Semson nods. "Soone will continue discussing this matter with you next."
Then Semson nods to Tobias, indicating that they can move past the Peace Haven matter.
Tobias taps the table and says to Prince Kullen, "Peace Haven is about to withdraw, and its war with Lumir is coming to an end.
"What does Ika Kingdom plan to do next? When does it intend to withdraw from Lumir's territory?"
Prince Kullen shakes his head. "We do not intend to withdraw. We will continue ruling those regions. They will belong to Ika Kingdom."
Everyone is startled. Even the two envoys from the Western Regions cannot help frowning.
This ans Ika Kingdom is formally tearing up the covenant and preparing to stand in defiance of the Western Federation.
In the foreseeable future, the continent is about to enter even greater change, perhaps even chaos.
Prince Kullen then realizes that his words may have caused a misunderstanding.
He explains, "Everyone, we have ample reason to control that region."
At first, everyone present thinks Ika Kingdom is going to act shalessly and stay in the occupied zone under the excuse of continuing to assist Lumir's defense so Lumir can free its hands to fight Ogiro.
However, Prince Kullen signals to the attendant beside him to open the box he brought and take out a stack of docunts.
Prince Kullen personally rises and hands those docunts to each side.
Henwell receives a copy too. Although he already knows what is inside, he still pretends to read through it.
He even puts on the sa strange expression as everyone else present.
Beirus soon finishes reading the docunts. He frowns and looks toward King Semson beside him.
"Is what is written here true?"
Sweat is already covering Semson's forehead. He opens his mouth but cannot say a single word.
Prince Kullen takes over. "I swear on the na of the royal family that this matter is absolutely true.
"We have both witnesses and material evidence. All of it has now been preserved by us.
"If the two Excellencies of the Western Federation wish to verify it, I will make the arrangents."
Now, Knight Tobias also asks solemnly, "Your Majesty Semson, we are asking whether what is written here is true."
Semson stamrs, "I do not know the specifics. There should be such a matter, but I believe there must be so misunderstanding."
Henwell clicks his tongue. "Oh my. If this is true, then I think Ika Kingdom has more than enough reason to send troops.
"If it were , grass would already be growing on your whole family's graves.
"It seems Ika Kingdom has still honored the covenant enough and has not made things too ugly."
Prince Sundike of Ogiro says, "This is truly appalling.
"Although our positions differ, from the perspective of morality and reason, I also believe Ika Kingdom has already shown great restraint."
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