Having come to understand the true meaning of empire, Giovanni approached the negotiations with a rather carefree expression.
“The empire already knows that war is inevitable! If our Florence falls, the empire will suffer losses in managing and sharing profits from the Suez!”
Shedding his psychological burdens, Giovanni instead engaged more actively in the talks.
As Giovanni pressed forward, it was Shin Suk-joo who began to falter.
“I cannot decide this part alone. I must report it to His Majesty,” Shin Suk-joo said every time he was cornered by Giovanni’s counterattacks, bringing discussions to a halt.
“Very well,” was the reply each time, and Giovanni nodded with a relaxed smile.
“Then I shall await a good answer. Please be sure to consider the shared interests of Florence and the empire.”
“Understood.”
Glancing briefly at Shin Suk-joo’s defeated face as he left, Giovanni stood and exited the negotiation hall.
Confident that he held the upper hand, he turned to his advisor and half-jokingly said, “This Foreign Minister is truly a worthy opponent. Would you agree? Compared to dealing with former foreign ministers or finance ministers... phew! Blessed be the Virgin Mary. Yes, indeed!”
Giovanni lightly made the sign of the cross as he spoke, and his advisor nodded silently.