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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Do Your Utmost to Deceive
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Though he didn't show it, Belbar's breathing began to grow erratic.
Furthermore, in their locked gaze, his two pupils could be seen trembling faintly.
This allowed Daniel to be certain.
'He's rattled.'
The expression Belbar wore was that of someone trying to hide their fear.
'Good.'
If Belbar had scoffed and dismissed him here, it would have been Daniel, not anyone else, who found himself in a difficult spot.
'If Belbar had seen me as nothing more than a run-of-the-mill aide, that's certainly what would have happened.'
But Belbar was genuinely wary of Daniel.
Daniel's conjecture that Belbar held him in high regard had proven correct.
'In that case…'
Continuing to play the role of the 'worst Daniel Steiner' that Belbar imagined, and thus securing this negotiation, was Daniel's best move.
'If the negotiation fails, I'll be the one who dies.'
Steeling himself, Daniel feigned composure and pulled a document from his pocket.
Seeing it, Belbar swallowed hard.
"That's…"
Daniel nodded and spoke.
"It's a copy of the documents collected after apprehending His Imperial Highness's private organization, the Dawn of Aurora. As a Duke, you'll surely know what these documents signify."
Daniel handed over the document, indicating he should examine it.
Taking the document, Belbar checked its contents.
Given that the operation's date and outline were meticulously detailed, it was clearly not fabricated evidence.
As a result, Belbar's hands began to tremble faintly.
"Duke."
Towards Belbar, Daniel slowly let his words drift.
"What do you suppose will happen if these documents are revealed to the world? His Imperial Highness's path to becoming Crown Prince will become distant, and the Empire's populace will raise their voices, demanding the death of the insurrectionists."
Belbar clenched his teeth.
He knew what Daniel's next words would be.
"At that point, we will inform the citizens of the capital. We'll say that before punishing the insurrectionists, an investigation revealed a family connected to them. That family is…"
Daniel grasped the top portion of the document Belbar was holding.
Gently pressing it down, Daniel whispered just loud enough for Belbar to hear.
"It is, in fact, the Bahatrante family, led by you, Duke."
Belbar's eyes shot up, glaring at Daniel across the document.
He disliked that a mere orphan vagrant dared to threaten a high-ranking noble family of the Empire.
Belbar, whose face was contorted with fury, slammed the document he was holding onto the table.
"You piece of trash…! Not a single rumor about you was false. It's incomprehensible how someone as vulgar and treacherous as you stands by Her Imperial Highness's side!"
Belbar raised his voice, but Daniel merely wore a troubled expression.
"However you choose to evaluate me, Duke, I will humbly accept it. But I ask that you understand this place is for making a choice, not for criticizing me."
"A choice? What choice are you telling me to make right now?!"
"I believe a wise Duke Belbar would already know, but…"
Belbar was about to shout something but clamped his mouth shut.
From Daniel's preceding words, he could guess what the terms of the negotiation would be.
"Surely…"
"Yes. That 'surely.' If you, Duke, withdraw from the succession struggle, we will guarantee absolute secrecy. Then the Bahatrante family will have no connection whatsoever to this matter."
Belbar groaned softly.
Though it was said indirectly, it was no different from telling him to betray the Prince.
Yet, it was an incredibly sweet offer, too tempting to easily refuse.
"Duke. It's not difficult. If you simply nod your head once here, you and the Bahatrante family can continue to reign honorably in the capital, just as you do now. Why on earth would you refuse?"
From Belbar's disadvantaged position, the words 'Even if we seize power, we will not hold your sins against you' were enough to shake his resolve.
Just as Daniel said, a single nod would allow his family to endure without any trouble.
'However, having sworn complete loyalty to His Imperial Highness…'
He could not be swayed by that treacherous silver tongue.
"Do not test my loyalty. I will never join hands with you."
Belbar spoke with determination, but Daniel merely blinked indifferently.
Then he let out a small chuckle and rose from his seat.
"You won't join hands? I respect that, but I don't understand. Have you forgotten what I said earlier?"
Daniel walked casually past Belbar.
"I distinctly remember telling you that if you refused, it wouldn't end with just one life. Oh. You've set up a whiskey display cabinet in the reception room."
Amidst the heavy atmosphere, Daniel exclaimed in admiration and opened the whiskey display cabinet.
Taking out a bottle of Johnnie Walker, Daniel looked down at it and continued speaking.
"Perhaps my explanation was insufficient, so I shall speak once more. This time… about the future you, Duke, will experience."
Belbar couldn't grasp what he was trying to say.
As Belbar broke out in a cold sweat, Daniel casually called over a nearby attendant.
When the attendant approached, Daniel asked for ice to be prepared.
The attendant, stiff with tension, bowed his head and quickly exited the reception room.
Confirming the attendant had left, Daniel took a glass from a nearby shelf.
"Let's see. I heard your eldest son, Duke, operates the Rydeshap Company. A robust enterprise leading our Empire's automobile industry. It's also famous for being the first to introduce automated assembly lines."
Having retrieved the glass, Daniel pulled a handkerchief from his pocket.
"Thanks to him, mass production became possible, allowing countless imperial citizens to purchase cars at affordable prices. Truly a respectable individual."
Holding the handkerchief comfortably, Daniel lightly wiped the glass.
"I'd say he's like a thumb among fingers. People always use their thumb to express the best, don't you agree?"
Belbar did not reply, staring straight ahead.
He didn't have the courage to turn around.
"I, too, have no objection to your eldest son being the best in the automotive industry. But I wonder if Her Imperial Highness will think the same."
Having finished wiping the glass, Daniel spoke in a concerned tone.
"If Her Imperial Highness were to become Empress, I would unfortunately have no choice but to advise her to conduct a full investigation of the Rydeshap Company. After all, he is a member of the insurrectionist Belbar's family, isn't he?"
Belbar's breathing grew ragged.
Aware of this, Daniel continued speaking softly.
"If, during the full investigation, circumstances arise suggesting your eldest son provided funds to the insurrectionists, things would become complicated. It's truly dreadful to even imagine."
Just as Daniel tutted, the attendant who had gone to the kitchen for ice returned.
Daniel gestured, and the attendant approached, putting ice into the glass.
Thanking him, Daniel opened the Johnnie Walker bottle and poured liquor into the glass.
Just as Daniel lifted the glass he had filled with liquor, Belbar spoke with difficulty.
"…My eldest son has no connection to this matter whatsoever. Truly."
Daniel took a sip from the glass, then shrugged.
"Well, I don't know. From my perspective, it seems he might be connected."
"Don't you dare frame him! Daniel Steiner…!"
"Ah, my apologies. I misspoke. It's not that he 'might be connected'…"
Daniel approached Belbar from behind and lightly grasped his shoulder.
"I will *make* him connected."
At those chilling words, Belbar's eyes widened.
Looking down at Belbar's paling face, Daniel walked back towards the seat he had originally occupied.
"Just in case, do not expect help from the Security Bureau. By that time, the Security Bureau will also be loyal to the new Imperial Majesty's commands."
Daniel sat on the sofa and placed his glass on the table.
"Furthermore, it won't end with just your eldest son. Your second son, involved in the electrical industry, and your third son, who runs an oil company, will all be implicated."
"Th-that's…"
As if hyperventilating, Belbar's breathing grew increasingly ragged.
Gazing at the old fox trembling in fear, Daniel offered a benevolent smile.
"Oh dear. It seems three of your fingers will be severed in an instant, Duke. With three fingers gone, how will you be able to shake hands with others? From my perspective, everyone will shun you."
Belbar, who had been gasping for breath, suddenly squeezed his eyes shut and let out a near-scream.
"D-Duke!"
Seeing this, the attendant rushed over and provided medicine and water.
The Duke hastily swallowed the medicine with a drink of water.
Only then did Belbar's hyperventilation slowly subside.
But his eyes remained closed.
Daniel, who had been quietly observing Belbar, leaned forward and snapped his fingers.
*Click—*
Startled by the dull sound, Belbar opened his eyes and saw Daniel extending a hand for a handshake.
To Belbar, there wasn't a shred of humanity in Daniel's smile.
"What are you doing?"
Daniel lightly shook the hand he had offered for a shake.
"Since you've returned from the past, you must make the right choice this time."
'Take my hand before it's too late.'
That was clearly what Daniel was saying.