Military Nation Inner Circle Command, Joint Headquarters.
The building stood tall in the center of the headquarters, though, contrary to its grand title, it was rather unassuming. The only distinctive feature was its outer walls lined with reinforced metal, which kept it intact even as a wooden snake wreaked havoc outside.

Before I even entered, a sharp argument was already underway inside.

“This is unprecedented! Having a meeting with the enemy who ravaged the command just moments ago! It seems we’ve tucked our tails and fled without even trying to fight!”

An older general jabbed his finger angrily as he shouted. His deep, Qi-powered voice rang through the building’s steel structure, yet the one he addressed dismissed it lightly.

“It’s unprecedented for me, too. I thought they’d be setting up another trap for this ‘meeting,’ yet here we are, just sitting and shouting at each other.”

“You little…! Just look at the nerve! If it weren’t for orders, I’d fix that attitude of yours right now!”

“Oh, go ahead. It’d be more convenient for me, too.”

Several generals’ eyes flared up. The regressor was, as usual, stirring up conflict. I sighed and opened the door, saying, “Now, now, Generals. Let’s not glare so menacingly at a kid. You all look like grumpy old men trying to intimidate a child, and it’s not a good look.”

“And who are you?”

In that instant, fierce gazes shifted toward me. This was suffocating. Hmm, generals, especially at this level, have an intensity that’s not good for my health. I gently took cover behind Historia to avoid the silent pressure.

“…Historia was just saying that.”

“Historia! The traitor of the military nation!”
“What could possibly have made her betray us?”

Suddenly, all hostility redirected toward Historia. She usually didn’t fall for such petty tactics, but since it was Historia, the generals were glaring at her as if they were seeing a sworn enemy. She glanced at me, muttering, “…Yeah, it does feel like I’m being outcast.”

Historia saluted the generals out of duty, then moved toward the regressor with me in tow. Seeing us, the regressor, who sat alone, gave a nod of recognition.

“What took you so long? I’ve been dealing with these old guys by myself. Tch, fighting would’ve been easier. Talking is a chore.”

“Maybe try solving things with words, not strength. A lot of issues can be smoothed out with good communication.”

I pulled up a chair to sit, and the regressor gave me a sidelong glance, mouthing words.

‘Heavenly Sword Technique, Sound Transmission.’

The regressor’s voice whispered directly into my ear as though speaking right next to me.

[...Like that strange creature who called itself 영궤 (Yeonggwe)?]
“Strange creature? It’s human, just like us. It’s even going out of its way to help us resolve our conflicts.”

[Hmph. So you helped Tircanzhka recover its heart and then helped that creature find itself? What are you, some kind of lost-and-found courier?]
“Something like that. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a magician. I’m especially skilled at reading and shaking people’s psyches.”

[You talk a good game. If you’re so confident, why not put those skills to use again?]

“Alright, noted. But, Shea, whispering into another man’s ear feels a little awkward, don’t you think? I get the importance of whispers, but it feels like your lips are right by my ear, and it’s a bit ticklish.”

“What?”
“I don’t usually think this way about men, but for some reason, you leave a strange impression, and it’s making my face turn red.”

“Not a chance! Don’t spout nonsense with such a straight face!”

At that moment, Azi, who was standing by outside, poked his head in.

“Woof?”

“Not you!”

Azi tilted his head, confused, then disappeared from sight again. I bowed slightly to the flustered regressor.

“See? With just a few words, I can stir up this much reaction.”

Only then did the regressor realize he’d been played and began fuming, face red.

“Don’t do that to me! Do it to them!”
“But they’re older generals. There’s nothing to tease there.”
“And there is with me?!”

Just as the regressor reached for my collar, someone entered the room. A man with an unremarkable face that would be easily forgotten, wearing a jet-black uniform devoid of even a single medal, with buttons painted black. He spoke expressionlessly.

“It’s quite noisy in here. If you’re so intent on private talks, take it outside…. Oh, dear.”

What’s with this guy? He suddenly went off track. When did he finish changing his appearance? Now disguised as ‘Zikhrund,’ Hilde muttered while looking at the regressor.

“If it’s men, I suppose you can’t do it outside.”

“Hey!”
“Oh, correction. It would be a sin to do it inside or outside.”

“I’m telling you, it’s not like that!”

The regressor’s protests were met with smiles from the generals.

“Commander Zikhrund. We’ve been waiting!”
“I apologize for the delay. It took some time to gather information and get feedback from General Headquarters. I’ve brought enough to satisfy, so I’ll take charge of this meeting.”

‘Zikhrund’ moved toward the main seat. Meanwhile, the regressor, still bristling, pointed accusingly at him.

“Look who’s talking! Why are you in that form? You were a short woman just moments ago!”

It was the regressor’s attempt at a comeback, but Zikhrund, fiddling with papers, brushed it off calmly.

“No matter how fond you are of men, don’t project your ideal onto me. Or was it more a matter of identity than ideal?”

“But… You were in disguise….”

No one listened to the regressor’s words. The generals were even gossiping amongst themselves.

“Yeonggwe’s a girl?”
“What nonsense is this?”
“Qi Gong that messes with your mind, perhaps? Seems like he’s achieved what few can at that age.”

The more he told the truth, the more people treated him like he was crazy. The regressor looked at me, hoping for some kind of support.

‘Show your skills! It’s your chance to shine!’

I obliged.

“Shea, when making accusations, what matters is not the truth but entertainment. Even if there’s truth, they’ll find it absurd and boring. Try to be like me.”

“So you know you’re slandering me!”

Meanwhile, Historia, who sat beside me, murmured with a sour expression.

“…I can’t help but relate to that darling of yours now.”
“I told you not to call him that! You don’t understand anything!”
“I know who he really is. I understand your situation, so no need to explain.”

“Oh… really?”

‘So, an ally…?’

Calm down; you’re too easily moved.

In the middle of this, ‘Zikhrund,’ now at the center of controversy, cleared his throat and began arranging documents.

“General Headquarters never intended to provoke any unnecessary conflict with them. War would be costly, with little gain to justify it. We tried intimidation, and even minimum espionage tactics—all failed.”

A general slammed his fist on the table, shaking the massive three-meter-round table, but the regressor discreetly steadied it with Jijan, and the table stopped trembling.

“What nonsense! They’ve caused all this havoc, and we’re supposed to forgive them?”

“Not at all. It’s the authority of the Druid, the Guardian of the Tree of Blasphemy.”

‘Zikhrund’ cut off the general’s protest sharply.

“Corporation Jubongrim in charge of crop enhancement. They risked their lives to access the Tree of Blasphemy and returned with the grand harvest of Chimera Beans. Thanks to them, the military nation overcame a food crisis. However, as you know, the Tree of Blasphemy has a guardian from the burned World Tree’s ashes.”

In the lush forest to the south of the military nation, a single towering tree stands. Rumor has it that every fruit in the world grows on that one tree, drawing military nation investigators, who returned with the discovery—or rather invention—of the Chimera Beans.

Of course, this was all with Nebida’s tacit approval, though they likely don’t realize it.

“A Druid, Nebida…?”
“But Nebida claimed not to care about what’s planted outside the Forest of Blasphemy! Why would they appear now because of the Chimera Beans?”
“I wouldn’t know. I don’t know everything. They might have been summoned. Still, we must consider the threat and observe the situation. This is why this meeting was established.”

The generals were frustrated with the unstable situation threatening the military nation. However, as soldiers, they knew that while facing an enemy nation on two fronts was doable, a dual front with food shortages was impossible. With his back to them, ‘Zikhrund’ declared to the regressor.

“General Headquarters has decided on a temporary ceasefire.”

It was practically a declaration of surrender. The generals let out dissatisfied coughs, while the regressor blurted out in shock.

“What? Really? The military nation? A ceasefire?”

“You’ve been demanding it constantly, haven’t you? Is there a problem? Or perhaps you have a hidden agenda?”

‘Zikhrund’ asked sharply, and the regressor, who had half-risen, sat back down, feigning composure.

“No, I was just surprised you finally came to your senses.”

‘What? They’re really doing this? Up until now, even if they had to wipe out nations by any means, they refused to stop!’

Regressor, maybe the reason they wouldn’t stop was because you kept trying to beat them into submission? Destroying a country to stop a war is like killing people to prevent a fight.

“However, there is a condition.”
“Of course, there is. What is it?”

‘Don’t trust it. This is the military nation. They might pull something strange! Maybe they’ll try to separate us to address an immediate crisis!’

Surprisingly, there was nothing underhanded about it. ‘Zikhrund’ looked at the on-guard regressor with a slight smile as he outlined a reasonable condition.

“This meeting is happening by your request. Go directly to Yulguk and achieve the peace you desire. If you truly want peace, you won’t refuse this offer.”

In a way, it granted authority to do as they wished. Yet, the listening generals admired the strategy.

‘That’s clever!’
‘There’s no way Yulguk would easily accept such a reckless proposal. But by sending them, any friction arising during negotiations would fall entirely on them!’

Ah, the generals’ political insight was impressive. And the regressor…

‘Yulguk… negotiations… I’d end up dealing with all those crazies… They’re such a hassle. Is this what they’re aiming for?’

Oh, it wasn’t insight but rather pure experience guiding his realization. Repeated experience brings wisdom, after all.

“…I see. You’re passing off this troublesome task to us? Maybe with a side of provocation?”

“Glad to see you’re not as foolish as I thought.”
“Right. For someone cowering, you sure seem confident.”

‘Well, there are gains to be had in Yulguk, so I don’t mind. They’ll likely accept the ceasefire deal; last time, they were devastated within seven days. However, even if a deal is reached, I doubt the military nation would abide by it…’

The regressor asked with a skeptical look.

“Fine, I’ll handle it. But if you turn around and deny the deal didn’t go as planned?”

‘Zikhrund’ nodded.

“Of course. This is a matter between nations. As individuals labeled closer to terrorists, none of you should know anything about its actual execution. I understand your concern.”

“It’s not that I doubt my ability! I’m worried it’ll cause more trouble if you disregard the outcome!”
“You’re worried in the wrong order. Shouldn’t your own ineptitude come first?”

“You’re the only one here with priorities that messed up!”

Sorry, I worried you’d mess it up too. Add me to that list.

“To oversee this, we’ll assign a high-ranking official from our nation to accompany you. They’ll serve as both a capable envoy and a hostage.”

“A high-ranking official in the military nation? First I’ve heard of it. You don’t even seem to value generals.”

“We do. And your ignorance shows our information control is working well.”

‘Zikhrund’ turned his head sharply. The regressor frowned, sensing a strange defeat despite his success.

‘That bastard never loses an argument…! If only I could destroy the military nation in this round, I’d finally have the chance to punch him!’

Hey, don’t aim to destroy a country for that reason.

Having made his statement, ‘Zikhrund’ addressed the remaining generals.

“Do you have further questions?”

“Is the meeting over?”
“Almost. However, you will need to excuse yourselves for the rest.”

“Why is that?”
“We will be discussing the ‘hostage’ as a guarantee of this negotiation. If you know the hostage’s identity, their value diminishes.”

“Hmm… Understood.”

The generals, accepting the reasoning, nodded and exited the headquarters. Each one cast sharp glances at Historia and me on their way out.

‘That wretch!’
‘This is why you can’t entrust important tasks to the young! They’re bound to mess things up with their hot-bloodedness!’

Seems like I’ve made plenty of enemies. It’s probably going to be tough staying around the military nation.

As the outsiders left and only the relevant parties remained, a momentary silence passed.

“Ah, exhausting.”

Hilde, who had quietly returned, let out a long sigh, slumping over the round table.