During the negotiations at Fangridge Mountain earlier in the day, Oliver''s stance was exceptionally resolute.


    Before the talks began, both Timothy and Louis had urged him not to mention the Hell Monarch in front of Victor. However, Oliver believed that since they had once served under the prince, they would undoubtedly favor him. So, he agreed to keep quiet while plotting his own strategy.


    In previous negotiations, Oliver had been bargaining persistently. He had offered gold, food, and textiles in exchange for Septimus. Each time, Victor had rejected the terms, leading to a deadlock in the negotiations.


    This time, Oliver had truly lost patience. He had already made significant concessions for Septimus'' sake. He had increased his offer from 5,000 gold coins to 10,000 gold coins, 400,000 pounds of grain, and 2,000 bolts of silk.


    If Sandoria still refused, it would be due to sheer greed.


    Giving them Simonton City, which had been recaptured by the Hell Monarch, was out of the question. If it were lost again, it would be a severe blow to Oliver.


    At the start of this round of negotiations, Oliver had again raised the grain offer, this time to 660,000 pounds.


    However, Victor still rejected it.


    Fuming, Oliver mmed his hand on the table. "I see that you''re not sincere about this at all. I''ve made the greatest concessions, yet you demand even more. This is utterly unreasonable. If this is how it''s going to be, then the negotiations are over."


    The statement was tranted, and Victor sneered after hearing it. "Are you certain you want to end the negotiations? Are you willing to sacrifice your spies?"


    "It is you whocks sincerity. If you are unwilling to negotiate in good faith, then we have nothing more to discuss. Do as you will. This is the Hell Monarch''s decision," Oliver replied.


    Timothy and Louis'' faces went pale.


    Hadn''t they already said not to mention Rafael?!N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    The name "Hell Monarch" needed no trantion-Victor understood immediately. His demeanor turned alert.


    "The Hell Monarch? Are you saying he''s here? Why isn''t he negotiating instead?"


    Victor''s trantor conveyed this message, and Oliver was about to respond when Louis interjected, "The Hell Monarch issued the order, but was unable toe in person. He recently got married and can''t leave the capital at this time." Louis spoke in Sandorian, so no trantion was needed. Not understanding thenguage, Oliver shot a suspicious nce at Louis.


    Victor looked at him with suspicion. "The Hell Monarch is here, isn''t he?"


    "If His Highness were here, he would certainly want to meet you, Marshal Crow. The war between our two kingdoms has ended, and we in Starhaven have a saying: ''You don''t know someone until you''ve fought them His Highness has great respect for you, Marshal Crow. If he were in Simonton City, he would certainly be eager to befriend you," Louis replied with a smile.


    "What nonsense is that? Even if the war is over, we''re still not friends. The Hell Monarch is as terrifying as General Sinir. We Sandorians do not wish to befriend such a fearsome person," Victor countered. Hector had once recaptured the Southern Frontier, but unfortunately, Sandoria sent reinforcements tounch a counterattack. He didn''t receive the support he needed in time because his request for help was dyed. This was due to the fact that the dying king had been gravely ill then, and Hector''s call for aid was buried under paperwork. As a result, his forces were defeated, and the enemy retook the Southern Frontier. Victor had never interacted with Hector personally, having taken the battlefield only after thetter''s death. Even so, Hector was a formidable and fearsome general to him. "What did Louis say?" Oliver asked the trantor.


    Louis shot a warning nce at the


    trantor, but he was just a local


    merchant who spoke bothnguages. Having been Oliver''s


    interpreter throughout the


    negotiations, he hadn''t had much contact with Louis. So, he ryed Louis'' words to Oliver exactly as they were.


    Oliver red sharply at Louis, then said to Victor "Yes, the Hell Monarch has been in Simonton City for a few days. However, he hasn''te to negotiate himself and sent me to convey his message. If you agree to these terms, the


    negotiations are over. Do whatever you need to do."


    "That is the Hell Monarch''s decision," Oliver reiterated.


    Victor immediately grasped the situation and ordered, "We''re leaving. Now."


    Timothy quickly nudged Louis, who hastened to say, "Marshal Crow, there''s no need to rush. We can continue discussing things. Is Simonton City really your only goal?"


    Timothy hurried over and intercepted Victor.


    Victor coldly red at him. "Get out of my way!"


    Louis ran over and performed a formal salute. "Marshal Crow, let''s continue our discussion calmly. What''s the rush? You want Simonton City, correct? We can talk it over. Let''s sit down and continue the negotiation."