Petrovna studied Azrael intently, her sapphire eyes searching for whatever difference separated him from her. Both were Diamond-level Lore Cardians, yet Master Tempest claimed this young man possessed Master-level combat capabilities. Try as she might, she couldn't discern any obvious distinction.
Since observation yielded nothing, perhaps directness would serve better.
Just as the girl opened her mouth to voice her curiosity, Catherine spoke without turning. "Petrovna."
The girl immediately straightened, though her posture couldn't fully suppress the fidgeting and stolen glances toward Azrael that betrayed her lingering fascination.
Catherine shook her head with faint exasperation before addressing the Empire delegation with an apologetic expression. "My disciple has always remained at my side. I fear it's left her personality somewhat... unrestrained."
"I beg your pardon."
Petrovna's cheeks puffed slightly in protest at her teacher's characterization, though she wisely remained silent.
After this brief interlude, Catherine turned to business with Master Tempest. She didn't question Azrael's supposed capabilities, the Empire vouched for him, and that was sufficient. If complications arose later, the responsibility wouldn't fall on her shoulders.
"Master Tempest, what are your thoughts on this joint operation?"
"Since Your Majesty has ascended to the Sovereign level, we should proceed with measured aggression."
Master Tempest answered without hesitation. When one held superior power, defensive strategy and fortified positions represented the safest approach.
However, that logic applied to ordinary warfare. Master Tempest didn't finish his initial thought.
"That said, we'll likely need Your Majesty to lead the assault against the Demon Army's command structure."
In a world with extraordinary power, numbers couldn't always overcome individual strength. When lower-tier forces proved incapable of threatening those above them through sheer volume, only the strongest combatants on each side could tip the scales of battle.
Catherine's expression suggested she'd anticipated this answer. Both sides held similar strategic assessments; this meeting served primarily to establish the balance of contributions and corresponding rewards.
She set aside her diplomatic mask, opened an ornately carved folding fan with a practiced flourish, and smiled. "Master Tempest speaks wisely. However, if I take action personally, the Empire will need to concede a larger share of post-war materials."
"Seventy-three percent for Tsarist Russia. Does that seem reasonable?"
Since the Empire of Aetherlight's interests hung in the balance, Master Tempest abandoned his refined demeanor. His brow furrowed. "Your Majesty, this violates our agreement."
"The Demon Army has had minimal friction with the Empire. If Your Majesty hadn't approached us, we would have had no immediate plans to engage them."
This was, naturally, a calculated falsehood. While the Demon Army posed no urgent threat to the Empire currently, eliminating them when opportunity presented itself aligned perfectly with strategic interests. However, negotiation demanded selective interpretation of facts.
Azrael couldn't help but glance at the elder beside him. Planning battles and negotiating terms lay far outside his expertise. When he did speak, he let his cards do the talking. Forget about some legendary diplomat, Azrael worried he'd accidentally bargain away the Empire's entire treasury.
Catherine closed her fan with a sharp snap, affecting dissatisfaction. "That's disingenuous, Master Tempest."
"We're both well aware of the Empire's situation. There's no need for such transparent fiction."
"Sixty-four percent is Russia's bottom line. Ultimately, we're contributing the greater force."
Master Tempest met the Empress's gaze without flinching, his voice stern. "Your Majesty, please stop playing games."
"As I understand it, Your Majesty hasn't yet created the matching card set for your Sovereign-level advancement, correct?"
Master Tempest felt no concern about angering Catherine by exposing this weakness. Besides, he wasn't finished.
"Furthermore, regarding contributions..."
"The Empire's involvement equals Russia's."
At this point, Master Tempest glanced meaningfully at Azrael, who appeared lost in thought beside him.
Catherine naturally caught the gesture, as did the male Master-level Lore Cardian at her side.
Just as the man opened his mouth to speak, Catherine subtly pressed his thigh beneath the table.
The Empress studied Azrael with calculating interest before raising an eyebrow at Master Tempest, her smile turning sly. "Master Tempest, there's no need for such passion."
"The Demon Army remains our mutual enemy. Perhaps it's wiser to postpone material distribution until after the war concludes."
"However, no matter the final ratio, Russia must have priority selection of materials."
"Additionally, I hope the Empire can trade premium-tier materials with Russia."
"Does that seem acceptable?"
Despite her words, Catherine sighed inwardly. Her preferred outcome would have been a seventy-thirty split favoring Russia. Unfortunately, the Empire's representatives proved less foolish than she'd hoped and refused to labor without fair compensation.
Of course, the premium material trade represented her actual bottom line. If the Empire showed excessive greed even on this point, negotiations could collapse entirely. At worst, her people would endure hardship a while longer until she successfully crafted her first complete Sovereign-level card set.
As Catherine finished speaking, silence filled the conference room. The weight of unspoken calculations pressed down on everyone present.
After a prolonged pause, Master Tempest nodded slightly, accepting half her proposal. "Then we'll proceed as Your Majesty suggests."
"However, regarding the conditions for Sovereign-level materials, I must discuss this with Lord Lioren first."
The middle-aged man recognized this as approximately the other party's limit. He might extract slightly more favorable terms through aggressive negotiation, but the marginal gains weren't worth the diplomatic cost. They would meet again in the future, and while the Empire and Russia weren't exactly brotherly nations, at least open hostility didn't mar their relationship. No need to create unnecessary friction.
Catherine released a breath she'd been holding at Master Tempest's words. Her proposal hadn't been rejected outright, which already exceeded her minimum expectations.
Relaxation softened her features as she nodded. "This involves matters of great significance. Naturally Master Tempest must consult with Lord Lioren."
"Afterward, I'll entrust you with finalizing the battle plan."
With that, Catherine departed the meeting room, her disciples and subordinates following in her wake.
On the journey back to their settlement, Petrovna finally released the question that had been burning inside her. She skipped forward to Catherine's side. "Teacher, do you think the Empire's claims are truthful?"
She referred to Master Tempest's assertion that the Empire's contribution matched Russia's.
After all, Russia was deploying a Sovereign-level Lore Cardian and a Master-level combatant. The Empire's two Master-level Lore Cardians couldn't match that combat power on paper. Unless, that is, the young Diamond-level Lore Cardian truly possessed Master-level combat capabilities as the Empire claimed.
Catherine didn't immediately answer her disciple's question. Instead, her tone sharpened. "Petrovna!"
After the girl settled down, Catherine continued with resigned patience. "Whether it's true or not doesn't matter."
"What matters is what Lord Lioren believes."
Lord Lioren's presence as a Sovereign-level Lore Cardian had forced Catherine's compromise. She couldn't determine how much of Master Tempest's statements reflected his lord's actual intentions.
Thinking of this made Catherine's expression turn severe. "Petrovna, you should truly learn from that young man."
"Watch more, listen more, learn more. Stop always acting like a child."
"What will you do when I'm no longer here?"
Petrovna's lips pressed together as she ducked her head, not daring to argue with her mother and teacher.
But soon, in a voice barely above a whisper, she added, "Mother, you're now a Sovereign-level Lore Cardian. How could anyone in the world threaten you?"
Catherine's hearing easily caught the murmured words, but she only released a heavy sigh and said nothing more.
Elsewhere, after watching the three Russians depart, Azrael spoke with evident curiosity. "That's it?"
"Her Majesty seemed quite reasonable."
Unlike the aggressive, expansionist image Azrael associated with historical Tsarist Russia, Catherine's behavior today struck him as almost... timid.
Master Tempest had guessed why Catherine yielded so readily. He muttered to himself, "It seems she's under considerable pressure."
"Everyone has their struggles."
Despite his sympathetic words, Master Tempest harbored no inclination to sympathize with Tsarist Russia. The Empire faced its own mounting challenges.
With that thought, he turned to Azrael. "Little Azrael, I won't belabor the point."
"Remember to protect yourself on the battlefield."
Although Master Tempest had learned from Master Fujimaru about the previous incident in Velkairos, he'd never personally witnessed Azrael in combat. Therefore, some concern remained unavoidable.
At this moment, Master Fujimaru, who'd maintained silence throughout the meeting, spoke with mild annoyance. "Master Tempest, don't worry excessively."
"Azrael soloed Chris before. Are you still worried about him getting injured?"
Master Tempest shrugged, a wry smile crossing his features. "People grow sentimental with age."
Then he looked at Azrael and sighed. "It will be young people like you who inherit our responsibilities."
Siberia, the City of a Thousand Peaks.
Heavy snow fell like goose down, and biting winds scoured this frozen wasteland as though intent on freezing the soul itself. However, the City of a Thousand Peaks had long fallen under Demon Army occupation, and such extreme weather meant nothing to demonic physiology.
Even so, oppressive silence permeated the city, devoid of its former vitality and bustle. The reason, naturally, stemmed from several Demon Army commanders currently convening within the city.
In the vast, brilliantly illuminated palace, five demons, each possessing distinctly inhuman features, sat around a circular conference table.
At this moment, a female demon clad in white armor spoke with cold indifference. "You've all heard the news by now. Master Tempest has met with that Tsarina."
"I presume their purpose requires no elaboration?"
The other four demons nodded acknowledgment.
After a moment's silence, a male demon shrouded in mist and dressed in white robes spoke. "Since they're preparing to attack us, should we strike first?"
"That Tsarina has only just reached the Sovereign level. If we coordinate our efforts, our chances of killing her are quite high."
Upon hearing this, a demon cloaked in shadow, features impossible to discern, scoffed. "That woman isn't as foolish as you."
"She's remained with Master Tempest and the others."
"What? Are you suggesting we directly confront four Master-level Lore Cardians?"
In the eyes of the Demon Army's leadership, without a matching card set, Catherine couldn't be considered a true Sovereign-level Lore Cardian. However, that didn't mean they could forcibly defeat the enemy while she enjoyed protection from three Master-level combatants.
Faced with the mocking tone, the white-robed demon remained unmoved, stating calmly, "Don't provoke me. I gathered you all today to discuss countermeasures."
"If you have superior strategies, present them."
The scornful Master-level demon clearly possessed no better alternatives, merely snorting before falling silent.
Just then, the white-armored female demon asked, "What does Jin say?"
"If we encounter trouble, he won't escape unscathed."
Due to previous successful collaborations, the Demon Army and Jin had essentially become allied forces. When Jin created chaos in Velkairos some time ago, the Demon Army provided considerable assistance. Jin couldn't afford to remain uninvolved in this situation.
Hearing this, the white-robed demon responded expressionlessly. "He said Lord Lioren injured his foundation some time ago, preventing him from taking action recently."
"Not only him, but also the Skinner and Marcus."
"Therefore, "
Before he could finish, the previously mocking demon interrupted with fury. "So that old dog won't help us now?!"
"Outsiders are truly untrustworthy!"
Though interrupted, the white-robed demon maintained his calm demeanor. "Therefore he said he would have his subordinates cooperate with us to create disturbances within the Empire of Aetherlight and Tsarist Russia."
The commanders present naturally knew Jin had already absorbed the Fallen Cult into his organization, so they didn't question whether the old man could actually cause problems in Europa.
Having delivered this information, the white-robed demon paused and surveyed the other beings at his level. "Jin also said Lord Lioren shouldn't have much time remaining, and his current strength represents barely one-tenth of his former power. We needn't worry about him taking action."
Hearing this, the two previously silent Demon Army commanders suddenly stood. "Truly?!"
Seeing the white-robed demon nod confirmation, one of them grinned savagely. "That's excellent news."
"By the way, I haven't told you about the previous experimental project."
"It succeeded."
Hearing this, even the white-robed demon's death-mask expression cracked into a faint smile. He spoke slowly. "In that case, this time we can tear a chunk of flesh from them."
"So they don't constantly contemplate counterattacks."
Seeing the intelligence compilation complete, the white-armored female demon slowly rose. With the metallic clanking of her armor, she swept her gaze across her colleagues and spoke coldly, "Then everyone, return as quickly as possible and make full preparations."
"After that..."
"Let us prepare for war."
...
Hellsing Ultimate Reference - The chapter title "I Long for War" references Alucard's famous speech ("Gentlemen, I love war") from Hellsing Ultimate, where he addresses a battalion before battle