Chapter 169: Khun Family (5)
"...She left?"
When I repeated the same question in disbelief, the butler bowed his head a bit deeper and answered.
"Yes. Princess Mascheny said she had business to attend to and departed on a warship as soon as she returned."
"No, even so, this suddenly..."
I'd mustered my courage to come talk to her, only to find she'd suddenly gone out. Had she left right after we parted in the garden? By the timeline, it really seemed so. If the business she needed to handle was... a Royal Palace mission, or part of a power struggle? I'd told her to let me help and we could do it together, but she'd insisted on doing it alone... and why hasn't she been answering my messages since earlier—
Ding.
"Ah."
A message alert chimed from my Pocket, and I immediately checked the messages.
— 11:02 Hoaqin: Mascheny
— 11:02 Hoaqin: Maschenyyy
— 11:02 Hoaqin: Heyyyy
— 11:03 Hoaqin: mschn
— 11:03 Hoaquin: ㅠ
— 12:01 Princess Pachirisu: What
I was about to reply immediately but paused, staring at the message window. I couldn't discuss something this heavy over text, but I couldn't exactly tell her to come here because I needed to talk either, and saying "let's talk later" felt somehow... cringeworthy. Despite Mascheny finally replying, there seemed to be no way I could make use of this message window.
Letting out a sigh at the helplessness creeping up, I filled the message input with a casual check-in.
— 12:02 Hoaqin: Why'd you leave without saying anything
— 12:02 Princess Pachirisu: Busy. You're staying here a month anyway
— 12:03 Hoaqin: About that... anyway, safe travels.
— 12:03 Princess Pachirisu: kk
Haha, looking at just this, everything seemed perfectly fine. The bitter smile came naturally at her cool demeanor, unchanged from when we first met until now.
I closed the message window and, trying to lift my heavy heart, took a stroll through the Khun Family capital for a change of pace before returning to the VIP quarters to wait for the next day. The schedule had been moved up, and it was time to focus on the negotiations that comprised one percent of my reason for being here.
"The Ha Family... the Ha Family was already here..."
It seemed everyone had been having an interesting conversation without me. Popping the finest grapes—which had somehow been placed in my room—into my mouth, I kept tapping my forehead with my finger.
The Ha Family might have visited after me without my knowing, or they might have already been here. They might have received the same one-sided notice about the moved-up schedule, or they might have already finished talks with the Khun Family without me.
What should I do...
Two days later, the VIP quarters manager came to find me as I'd risen early and prepared myself.
"Apologies for the wait. As previously informed, the negotiations will take place at our Family's main house, the Typhoon Palace. Please follow me."
Following the manager's guidance, I arrived at the Khun Family's main house—the Typhoon Palace. The distance between the VIP quarters and the Typhoon Palace wasn't great, so I'd had ample opportunity to take in its appearance during my stay, but this was the first time I'd faced the Typhoon Palace's gates—its front view—head on.
If the Arie Family's main house, Baekhwa Sword Palace, inspired awe through an atmosphere of supreme dignity and elegance, the Khun Family's main house, the Typhoon Palace, radiated an overwhelming presence as if trying to crush the viewer's spirit. Its scale was so majestic that its first impression evoked an impregnable fortress, and the dark blue tones composing the Typhoon Palace seemed to further emphasize this overwhelming atmosphere.
Somewhere in there, Khun Eduan would be too. The Khun Eduan I'd met on the Hidden Floor, and the Khun Eduan I'd heard about from Lady Khun Mascheny. Contrasting the two, the dissonance drew a bitter smile from me.
"This way."
"Thanks for the escort."
"Not at all."
Following the manager inside the Typhoon Palace and walking through the corridors for some time, he pointed to an enormous door and bowed his head. After the manager withdrew, I took one deep breath and pushed the door open with force.
Rumble—
The door swung wide open, and the Khun Family member occupying one of the seats at a large round table rose and greeted me.
"A pleasure, White Whale. Seeing the subject of so many rumors in person is quite the experience."
"Haha, you flatter me."
We exchanged light greetings and both took our seats. Immediately, the numerous attendants on standby brought out a lavish spread of grapes and wine. The Khun Family man picked up a bottle of wine and popped the cork.
With a refreshing sound, wine began flowing generously, and he promptly filled two wine glasses to the brim.
"I am Khun Aigis Yuno, entrusted with full authority over this negotiation. Please call me Aigis or Yuno. First, please have a glass."
"My, someone far more distinguished than I expected has graced this table."
"Haha, that's how important the exchange between the Khun and Arie Families is."
I slightly raised the corner of my mouth and accepted the wine glass he offered. Having roughly reviewed information on the Khun Family's top High Rankers on my way here, I could identify him the moment I heard his name.
The Khun Family's second-in-command. The equivalent of the Sword of Arie, Yuryeo, in the Arie Family—and he was sitting before me savoring wine.
I'd expected someone at best a branch leader or ruler level, but the Khun Family's second-in-command? Was the importance the Khun Family placed on this negotiation that high?
"Mm, this wine's bouquet is better than I expected. Please, White Whale, do try it."
"Ah, yes."
As I held the wine to my lips, he observed me closely and smiled.
"That crown suits you remarkably well. What striking looks. I hear you still have no wife—how about it, shall I give you one of my concubines?"
"...I'll pass."
The Khun Family was the Khun Family indeed. At least Aigis had the grace not to push further after expressing his regret.
Savoring his wine with a smack of his lips, he soon began pouring wine into yet another glass.
"....?"
When I looked puzzled at him filling a third wine glass, he answered with a smile.
"Actually, there's one more guest at this negotiation. Ah, there he comes."
A presence from behind. When I turned, as expected, a black-haired, red-eyed young man was walking toward us. He passed through the door and entered, shot me a glance, then turned his gaze back to Aigis.
"...What is the meaning of this? I was told this was a negotiation between the Ha Family and the Khun Family."
Had he, like me, received little notice? The Ha Family youth wasn't showing it outwardly, but I had a feeling he was considerably agitated internally.
So this was a three-way summit then. To the Ha Family youth's demanding question, Aigis smiled and offered the wine-filled glass.
"I said it was a negotiation venue—I never said it was exclusively between the Ha and Khun Families. Please, have a seat. I am Khun Aigis Yuno, entrusted with full authority over this negotiation."
"...Negotiating alongside the Arie Family is unexpected. Regardless, a pleasure to meet you both. I am Ha Sancheon, Ha Family branch leader."
He greeted us while looking over both me and Aigis. I was about to respond as well, but Sancheon recognized me first, rendering it unnecessary.
"Meeting the famed White Whale in person—what an honor. If relations between Arie and Ha were a bit better, my expression would be somewhat brighter."
"Haha... a pleasure."
The three of us sat at the round table at roughly equal distances from each other. Sancheon was first to address Aigis.
"Given this arrangement, how will the negotiations proceed?"
"Yes, I was just about to explain that. Each of you presumably has something you want from our Family, and something you've brought in exchange?"
We both nodded lightly at his question. Aigis's smile deepened further, and after swallowing a grape, he continued.
"Please present the cards you've brought. Our Khun Family will hear both proposals and then decide whom to throw our weight behind."
"...Haha."
"What is the meaning of this!!"
I scoffed, and Ha Family branch leader Sancheon roared as though he were about to leap from his seat.
Clever move. By pitting the Arie Family and Ha Family against each other like this, the benefits the Khun Family would gain would double what either Family had originally planned to offer. Depending on whose side the Khun Family took when war broke out, the outcome could change entirely. In this negotiation room at least, the Arie and Ha Families were the weaker parties, and the Khun Family held all the power.
Sancheon shot me a glance, then urgently addressed Aigis.
"Didn't you hear from that Khun Aslan fellow? The conditions we proposed. I'd say those were more than sufficient?"
"They were absolutely splendid, but we haven't heard the Arie Family's offer yet."
Aigis looked at me as he spoke. In saying the Ha Family's conditions were "absolutely splendid," his intent was indirectly communicated. I felt the subtle pressure that since the Ha Family's card had been superb, the Arie Family needed to present something comparable.
Things had gone smoothly with Lo Po Bia... was the Administrator punishing me for having it too easy? This kind of mind game wasn't my specialty.
I scratched my cheek in bewilderment and asked Aigis.
"What kind of grand proposal did the Ha Family make?"
"I'm sorry, but that's confidential. If you wish, we can also keep the conditions you propose confidential from the Ha Family representative."
"...Hmm."
If I said I needed to step out and consult with Yuryeo, there was a very high chance the negotiation would end right there. Judging by the reactions of both the Khun and Ha Families, mere mining rights wouldn't even come close.
I needed to think of something the Arie Family could offer. Something the Ha Family couldn't—something unique to the Arie Family. What did the Arie Family have? What did our Family possess? Something that neither the Khun nor Ha Family could deny—I had to think of that something.
"...Could you give me a moment to think?"
Aigis sighed as if troubled. Naturally, it was an act.
"Well... the Ha Family has already presented their conditions. Giving the Arie Family this much extra time seems a bit like preferential treatment..."
"Surely you won't refuse to hear our Family's conditions?"
"Hmm... the Ha Family's conditions were absolutely splendid. Honestly, it wouldn't be bad to join hands with the Ha Family right now, without an Arie negotiation at all. White Whale—this is an auction. The direction our Khun Family's spear points is the prize, and you're the bidders competing by raising your bids. And as you know, auctions have time limits. At this rate... the Khun Family's blue spear may end up pointing at the Arie Family's sword."
Aigis smiled that sharp smile of his, swirling his wine before taking a sip. I furrowed my brow slightly, reproaching myself. I'd shown far too much inexperience. I didn't know what the Ha Family had proposed, but it was undoubtedly something significant—hence why he was maintaining the posture that the negotiation could end as-is.
It was transparently obvious that he was angling for me to overextend myself and offer even more than what the Ha Family had proposed.
What on earth had the Ha Family offered? I needed to know that to figure out what to offer from our side.
Aigis's expression had shifted to a completely emotionless mask. He gazed at me with cold eyes, deliberately let out a light sigh, then turned his body toward Ha Sancheon.
Aigis must have been ecstatic. The Ha Family's offered interests were beyond imagination, so joining hands with them immediately was fine; and if I overextended myself and offered something exceeding the Ha Family's proposal, then joining hands with the Arie Family was equally fine.
"I heard you received full authority over this negotiation from Yuryeo, the Sword of Arie—but this... you're not quite showing the decisiveness I'd expected."
Aigis began needling me with subtle provocations. I had zero intention of taking the bait, but the unpleasantness was unavoidable.
In this moment, the Khun Family—believing they held the upper hand and acting accordingly—was both absurd and infuriating. Watching these 10 Great Families try to creep upward like this, there was an urgent need to restore the Arie Family's power—greatly diminished from losing the Elders and several direct lineage members—to what it once was. Only then would they never dare look down on us like this again.
Whether or not he knew my thoughts, Ha Family branch leader Ha Sancheon added a jab, as if certain of victory.
"The supposedly strongest Arie Family really has declined. Can't even decide what to offer the Khun Family and just sits there deliberating. Not much left to give, I take it?"
"How dare you..."
When I flashed my eyes at him, he too flashed his crimson eyes back at me. Even having lost four Elders and several direct lineage members, the Arie Family was not one these sorts could disrespect so brazenly. Our Arie Family was still definitively the strong—
"...!"
Ah, yes. What the Arie Family could put forward—what only our Family possessed.
It was the authority and military might itself that the strongest Family among the 10 Great Families commanded. This was the ultimate card we could play.
"Aigis?"
"Yes, White Whale. Please, go ahead."
I adjusted my posture, sitting as comfortably as possible in the chair, and spoke with a leisurely air.
"I'd like to present the conditions we can offer the Khun Family."
"Very well. Lord Ha Sancheon? I'm sorry, but could you please step outside for a moment—"
"That won't be necessary. The Ha Family should hear this too."
When I shook my head, both of them looked slightly surprised. Sancheon, who had been obediently about to rise from his seat, sat back down and sneered.
"Heh, recklessness?"
"Haha, no. What I'm about to show your Ha Family is generosity."
"...What?"
Ignoring the slightly contorted Sancheon, I focused my gaze on Aigis. Putting force into my voice, I infused it with shinsu so it would resonate throughout this enormous room.
"As the ruler of the 78th Floor and branch leader, representing the will of the Arie Family, I, Arie Hoaqin, shall now convey the Arie Family's position."
"The Arie Family will request that the Khun Family 'simply observe.' Do not intervene in the coming war between our Ha Family and Arie Family."
"Hahaha... leading with demands—I do hope the card you're offering is worth that much, White Whale."
"If the Khun Family enters a non-aggression pact with our Arie Family, we will grant you territorial rights over the 77th Floor."
At my words, Aigis tilted his head.
"...Territorial rights, not sovereignty? Is there a difference?"
"It means the owner and ruler of the floor will still be the Arie Family, but all other authority over the 77th Floor will be given to the Khun Family. Whether you develop cities, raise or lower taxes, mine resources—literally all authority."
"Ohhh..."
Aigis's eyes lit up. It was essentially the same as the 77th Floor becoming Khun Family property. From what I knew, the 77th Floor held resources rivaling the 78th—particularly large deposits of high-purity floating stone—so it would certainly be tempting for Aigis.
However, his reaction was less enthusiastic than I'd expected.
"Hmm... is that all? To give you a slight hint, it's still a lesser offer than the Ha Family's."
"...."
What on earth had they proposed that even something tantamount to floor sovereignty wasn't enough? Was it a bluff? To extract something even greater?
The conflicting questions eventually made me glance at Ha Sancheon. His expression was still calm.
Aigis continued.
"Is there nothing more to offer?"
"Rather than something to offer, there are several benefits you'll gain by accepting my proposal."
When Aigis showed an intrigued reaction, I smiled and resolved his curiosity.
"If you sit quietly and watch, the Arie Family's sword will never be turned toward the Khun Family. But if you insist on staying in the same boat as the Ha Family..."
I wore a genuinely regretful expression as I spoke.
"Along with the 94th Floor that's about to burn, the Khun Family too will be mercilessly cut down by the Arie Family's sword."
"How dare you! Aigis! What kind of madness is this?! What? The 94th Floor about to burn?"
Naturally, Ha Sancheon erupted in fury. I glanced at him and said with casual indifference.
"Would you please be quiet?"
"You insolent—!"
Keeeeen—
"...!"
Ah, it worked. I'd been a bit nervous since he was a branch leader, but it succeeded more easily than expected. It had been a while since I'd used Reverse Flow Control, but the effect was certain. Sancheon could only tremble with frozen movement.
I turned my head back to Aigis, who wore an uneasy expression, and smiled.
"Now then, let's continue our conversation. Choose, Aigis. Will you join hands with the Ha Family, whose branch leader was so easily shut down by someone who hasn't even lived two hundred years?"
"...Mmph! Mmph!"
"How unsightly. Anyway, let me say this one last thing. If you choose to stay in the Ha Family's boat, the moment I walk out of this negotiation room, the Khun Family becomes an enemy of Arie."
"...Haha, White Whale. You're more arrogant than I expected. Surely even the Arie Family doesn't have the capacity to take on both the Khun and Ha Families simultaneously?"
No. Absolutely impossible. Even when the Elders were intact, fighting both the Ha and Khun Families simultaneously was impossible. Though the Arie Family was called the strongest of the 10 Great Families, the actual power gap between the Khun, Ha, and Arie Families was never that large.
But there was no need to reveal that in front of Aigis.
"Who knows. But at the very least, the moment the war between all three of us ends, everyone will have suffered near-annihilation-level damage. And I doubt the other seven Families would just sit by and watch."
To the contemplating Aigis, to the still-frozen Ha Sancheon, I surveyed them both and continued eloquently.
"The Ha Family's defeat is predetermined. I stake my honor on it. They cannot defeat us. They know that fact well themselves, which is why they've come begging for your help, putting up enormous compensation. Fight together, they said. Then we can win, they said. But Aigis, excessive greed always brings ruin. I hope you won't be blinded by compensation and turn your spear toward the Arie Family."
"In contrast, what our Arie Family asks of you is truly modest. Simply spectate. Just grab some popcorn and watch the house burn. Just by doing that, the 77th Floor will fall into your hands."
I extended my hand to Aigis.
"Let me hear your answer."
The dazed look in Aigis's eyes—as though struck by a hammer—sharpened again, and he turned to look at Ha Sancheon. The fierce crimson eyes were now stained with desperation, urgency, and weakness.
"...Hahahaha, I had no idea the White Whale was such a splendid orator."
.....
Aigis thought. Hoaqin's words were truly right.
This war would very likely take place only on the 94th Floor. But what if the Khun Family intervened, joining hands with the Ha Family to strike the Arie Family from behind? Then it would no longer be a simple floor dispute—it would be all-out war between Families.
Aigis had no intention of taking such a risk. That was precisely why, even when the Ha Family had proposed the extraordinary condition of sovereignty over two floors, he'd decided to carefully consider and hear the Arie Family's side as well.
The claim that the Khun and Ha Families together could easily defeat the Arie Family was also somewhat flawed. The Arie Family wasn't alone either. The Ari Family. As the Arie Family's brother Family, though they supposedly disliked war, if their brother Family became embroiled in one, there was a possibility they'd join the battlefield under the pretext of protection.
In a 1-versus-2 scenario, perhaps—but in a 2-versus-2 configuration, the outcome became even more uncertain. No, regardless of who won or lost, catastrophic damage was a certainty.
Participating in a war of uncertain outcome to gain two floors, or simply spectating to gain one floor. Aigis had already made up his mind. The choice was all too obvious.
....
Clasp.
"Hahaha, our Khun Family will remain friends of the Arie Family, as we always have."
Aigis completely reversed his attitude, firmly grasping my hand with a beaming smile. I too responded with a smile.
"The 'territorial rights' to the 77th Floor will be guaranteed the moment the war with the Ha Family ends. It shouldn't take long."
"Hahaha! What remarkable confidence. Then I wish you the best of luck in battle."
Aigis no longer spared Sancheon even a glance. Only then did I release the Reverse Flow Control I'd placed on Sancheon. He staggered for a moment, then exploded with fury, radiating killing intent.
"How dare you! Aigis! Where do you get off changing your tune like this!"
"Changing my tune? I never once decided to side with you in the first place. The negotiations are concluded, so I'd appreciate it if you took your leave. As a minimal courtesy, I'll keep quiet about the 'conditions' you proposed."
"Grrrr...!"
Sancheon twisted his reddened face in fury, then belatedly recalled what kind of being the Aigis before him was, and hastily turned to walk out of the negotiation room.
As he passed, his eyes met mine.
Tap—he patted my shoulder as he walked by, then left the negotiation room.
"You staked your honor on being able to beat us. That honor won't be long for this world, Arie Family brat."
"Haha, and what does that make you, getting completely shut down by that brat?"
"....."
Sancheon left the Typhoon Palace in silence. He'd probably return to the Ha Family main house as-is and report what happened today. Though he'd certainly leave out the part about being frozen helpless by my Reverse Flow Control.
Thinking about it was almost funny.
Aigis, who had approached my side at some point, offered me more wine.
"Care for another glass? To commemorate today?"
"Why not."
The wine glasses clinked together with a clear sound, and we both drank our wine simultaneously.
"I trust you'll keep the promise of guaranteed territorial rights to the 77th Floor."
"The Arie Family does not break its promises. As I mentioned earlier, sovereignty remains with the Arie Family, but all other authority will be transferred to the Khun Family."
"Excellent."
Aigis, having obtained effective control over the 77th Floor, let slip a smile. I too smiled alongside him.
Aigis knew nothing. That the 77th Floor would eventually break away from the Arie Family and fall into Urek Mazino's hands. This was precisely why I wanted to keep at least the sovereignty with our Arie Family.
I was essentially treating it as lending the 77th Floor to the Khun Family—when Urek eventually came along, Father would handle giving up the 77th Floor himself. So in the long run, we'd lost nothing at all.
Whether the Khun Family could hold their ground on the 77th Floor when Urek came rampaging—well, let's see about that later.