Chapter 440: Pretentious Negotiations, Miraz is in a Dilemma"She won't go alone." Susan stepped forward, "I'll go with her. We'll definitely find Aslan.""We've lost enough people already." Trumpkin looked at Lucy dejectedly, "You don't need to take risks.""Nikabrik used to be my friend, but he lost hope," Trufflehunter said. "But Queen Lucy hasn't, and neither have I. We've always believed in Aslan's existence."Reepicheep drew his sword and performed a perfect knight's salute, "For Aslan."Trumpkin was silent for a moment. "Then I'll go with you.""No, we need you to stay here," Lucy said. "You must hold on until we find Aslan.""Prepare for negotiations first!" Aaron looked at Caspian, "You know Miraz best. You write the challenge letter, try to make it so he can't refuse.""Alright, no problem," Caspian said confidently. The more high-class, grand, and sophisticated the challenge letter was, the less Miraz, as king, could refuse in front of everyone."Lucy, leave your bottle."Lucy subconsciously covered her potion bottle, asking somewhat confused, "What is it for this time?""Peter's duel to the death. It's never too much to prepare some healing items in advance, right!"Hearing this, Lucy looked at Peterworriedly and directly took off the red potion bottle from her waist."I hope you don't need it."Peter gave her a comforting smile and didn't say much.Not needing it was impossible; his and Miraz's swordsmanship should be on par, and injuries were inevitable.However, with this potion bottle, the chances of winning could at least increase to seventy percent.Two hours later, Edmund, clad in new armor, carried the challenge letter and went to the Telmarine camp, accompanied by Aaron."Why do I have to come with you?" Aaron asked, annoyed."If the negotiations break down, you can at least help me fight my way out," Edmund said with certainty.Aaron's mouth twitched. "Believe me, taking a Centaur would be more effective.""Centaurs are good, but they can't stop their archers.But you're different. Your combat power is obvious to all. With you accompanying me, even if Miraz refuses the challenge, he won't do anything to us."Aaron:... "It's a bit like a fox borrowing a tiger's prestige, but I have to admit you have good judgment.I'll try my best to cooperate with you later. I also have some experience in negotiations."The two arrived at the Telmarine camp and immediately announced their status as envoys.The vigilant soldiers did not dare to neglect and immediately sent someone to report to the king.Soon, two soldiers returned and led them to the hastily erected royal tent.Miraz sat proudly in the main seat. To his left and right were General Sopespian and Council Elder Glozelle, respectively. The other seats were also occupied by generals.He looked at Edmund, who was standing below, with amusement, as if watching a monkey.But when he shifted his gaze to the cynical Aaron, that amusement was instantly replaced by wariness."Are you… here to surrender?" Miraz asked with a smile.He had some understanding of the Narnians; their nobility would not allow them to surrender to the enemy. He only asked this to dampen their spirits.It's negotiations, after all! Control is still very important."Pfft!" Aaron couldn't help but laugh, "I'm sorry, Your Excellency Miraz…""King." Miraz emphasized, "I am King now.""Alright, King Miraz." Aaron said nonchalantly, "I've also had professional training. No matter how funny it is, I won't laugh, unless I can't help it.""What do you mean by that?"Aaron pointed to Edmund, "Read it to them, otherwise, a certain Majesty might think we're easy to bully!"Edmund feigned composure, then unrolled a scroll and read clearly: "I, Peter, by the grace of Aslan, by election and by right, King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands.To avoid bloodshed and slaughter, I hereby challenge the usurper Miraz to a trial by combat, a duel with life as the stake, and the reward being the complete surrender of the losing party.""Tell me, Prince Edmund." Miraz said faintly."King." Edmund reminded him."What did you say?""Actually, it's King Edmund, although Peter is the true King.I know, it's a bit confusing.""Old Narnia was ruled by the four monarchs: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, but Peter was the eldest of the four," Aaron explained."Yes, that's what I wanted to say.""Alright! King Edmund…" Miraz reluctantly accepted the explanation, saying indifferently, "Our army can wipe you out in one fell swoop. Why should I risk accepting such a proposal?""I also said let's just fight to the death," Aaron said with some dissatisfaction. "We might not lose.""Bluster." Miraz looked at Aaron suspiciously, a hint of disdain on his lips. "If you really had that confidence, you wouldn't be waiting for us to attack.""Are you underestimating our numbers?" Edmund laughed. "A week ago, Narnians were extinct!""Now you all can just wait to become extinct!" Miraz said coldly."If you don't dare, then you don't dare. Who are you trying to scare with such bluster?" Aaron mocked unceremoniously, "But I understand. King Miraz is over thirty after all. Compared to a young warrior, it's a bit like picking on the weak—no, bullying the strong—that's not right either. It should be said that youth triumphs over strength."Hearing this, several black lines appeared on Miraz's forehead, and he gritted his teeth, "This isn't a question of daring or not.""Didn't you refuse?""I didn't say I refused." Miraz said word by word, but before he could finish, a general beside him spoke up, cutting off what he was about to say."We support you, Your Majesty, whatever your decision.""Your Majesty, our military advantage is the most sufficient reason," Glozelle chimed in, "We can completely avoid unnecessary…"Hearing this, Miraz's eyes widened in astonishment.What do you mean by saying this? Are you putting pressure on him? If he doesn't accept the challenge, he'll truly be seen as a coward.Miraz immediately drew his longsword and glared at Glozelle, "I didn't want to avoid anything.""I merely wished to point out that Your Majesty has the right to refuse the duel," Glozelle said righteously but also sarcastically."His Majesty will never refuse," General Sopespian suddenly said. "He likes to seize opportunities to show the people the courage of the new king."Miraz was instantly dumbfounded. He was clearly the King, yet he was put in an impossible situation by a few words from his subjects.He felt that there might be traitors in his ranks, but everything they said seemed to be for his benefit, and he couldn't find any fault.After a few seconds of silence, he pointed his sword at Edmund, "You'd better hope your brother's sword is sharper than his pen."To prevent Miraz from seeing through their facade, Edmund had maintained an unchanging smile since he entered.Now, hearing Miraz agree to the duel, the stone in his heart finally fell, and his stiff expression almost broke."What a pity," Aaron clicked his tongue with a look of regret, "How could you accept?""You must be secretly happy right now!" Miraz was almost exasperated into laughter."Not really." Aaron shook his head seriously, "If Peter wasn't worried about mutual destruction and wanted a gentler way to solve the problem, I wouldn't be here at all.I was just thinking it would be great if you refused. Fighting a straightforward battle would also be honorable.""You're taking advantage and still acting innocent!I've already agreed to the duel. Is there anything else you're not satisfied with?""Nonsense, in my opinion, this duel is meaningless.If Peter loses, he will certainly die, but the remaining Narnians may not surrender. And if you lose, you might miraculously keep your life, but after you're safe, you'll probably immediately sound the horn of attack.In short, neither side will abide by the terms of the agreement." Aaron said righteously, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the tent. They all subconsciously looked away."Then you still dared to come?" Miraz asked in surprise."Hope is slim, but we have to try, right!" Aaron said helplessly, "This is Peter's idea, and it has nothing to do with me.My idea is simpler: if a duel is unavoidable, it doesn't matter. It's also good to liven up the atmosphere before the official war begins.If the king can be beheaded, the morale of our side will greatly increase, adding twenty percent to our chances of winning.Of course, this is the same for you."Miraz's mouth twitched slightly, and he felt like crying without tears.Peter indeed needed a duel to boost morale, but he didn't! With the army pressing on, victory was assured.But now that he had agreed to the duel in front of so many people, it would be difficult for him, a newly enthroned king, to go back on his word.If he won, it made no difference to him, but if he lost, it would be a huge joke. His throne wasn't even stable yet, and his life would be over."Let's set a time!" Aaron suggested, "The Telmarine army set up camp this morning, and the entire army hasn't rested well yet.I won't take advantage of you. How about we set the time for this time tomorrow?""Good." Miraz didn't doubt him and immediately agreed.As the two left the tent, Edmund's legs went weak, and he almost stumbled to the ground."You scared me to death.What you said was a bit too aggressive. Aren't you afraid Miraz will flip the table?""He won't." Aaron said calmly, "When the negotiations began, I was less than ten meters away from him. My combat power still poses a certain threat to ordinary people, so as long as I don't make him too embarrassed, he won't act rashly.Although I used a bit of provocation in the middle, the people who truly forced him to make a choice were the Telmarine general and council elder. This betrayal will definitely make him doubt life.As for the end, sometimes the plain truth is more intimidating than lies.I've laid out the meaning and value of a duel to the death, and he will absolutely not realize that we are trying to buy time."Hearing this, Edmund was also speechless.But soon, a relaxed smile spread across his face, "I originally only wanted to delay until the afternoon, but you pushed it to tomorrow, which is an over-fulfillment of the task.""That's not important. What's important is that Miraz's throne is unstable now." Aaron frowned slightly, "Anyone with eyes can see that refusing the challenge is the best option, but there were actually three people in his tent fanning the flames, forcing him to agree. This is a bit abnormal.""This… shouldn't be a big deal, right?" Edmund said somewhat unconfidently."Perhaps!But the struggle for power is often endless.Currently, Caspian lost to Miraz, but who can guarantee that others don't covet the throne!The fact that you four siblings could rule Narnia for so many years and live in harmony is, in a way, a small miracle."Edmund paused, then scratched his head in confusion, "That's really complicated.But it doesn't have much to do with us, and the decisive battle between the Telmarines and Narnia is about to begin. Even if they were to have internal strife, they should wait until after the war.""That's true."After walking a long way, the two returned to the bunker.Caspian immediately came over, "How was it? He agreed, right?""Of course, what can King Edmund not handle when he personally steps in?" Edmund said proudly, "Not only did he agree, but we also postponed the duel until tomorrow noon.""That's great." Peter clapped his hands, saying with a hint of excitement, "Digging tunnels is fine, but getting all those flammables over is a bit difficult. With the cover of night, it won't be easy to detect.""We'll leave this afternoon," Susan said seriously. Although Lucy had some confidence in finding Aslan, leaving earlier would also increase their hope.Caspian nodded gently and led Lucy and Susan to a black horse."Destrier, this horse is skilled in battle and has always taken good care of me. It will work well with you.""Work well?" Lucy laughed, "Horses should say hoof, right!"Caspian smiled helplessly and helped the two onto the horse's back.He looked at Susan, silent for a few seconds, "Good luck.""Thanks.""This." Caspian took out the magicHorn, "Perhaps it should be returned to its rightful owner.""Why don't you keep it?" Susan said, "You might need to find me again."Caspian froze for a moment, a blush rising on his face, and he didn't know whether to put down the hand holding the horn."Um… I might be coming at the wrong time." Aaron walked out from the shadows sheepishly, saying with a teasing look, "I interrupted your mutual confessions.""No." x 2.Caspian and Susan said in unison, but as their voices fell, both of them shyly turned their faces away."Tsk tsk tsk! Nothing to be ashamed of.This kind of mutual attraction is quite rare, you should cherish it.""Why do you sound like you have a lot of experience?" Lucy asked curiously."If you have one—no, a group of elders at home urging you to get married soon, even preparing to arrange blind dates before you've even graduated, you'd know how hard it is to find someone you like.""You're only fifteen, right!" Lucy said in surprise."Age is never an issue." Aaron spread his hands, "At least that's what they think.""What are you doing here?" Caspian asked."Don't worry, I'm not interested in your girlfriend." Aaron patted his shoulder, reached into the red magic circle, and took out a silver pistol. "Two girls going deep into the forest without weapons for self-defense won't do. Susan is an excellent archer, but Lucy… I think her dagger can only be used to sharpen pencils.Twelve bullets, use them sparingly."
