The Villainess Is My Cute Daughter

Adrian raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

Activating his dungeon link, he conjured a long, rectangular wooden table directly into the center of the camp. It wasn’t quite as massively long as the grand dining tables nobles typically used for their high-society meetings, but it was still large enough to comfortably seat at least six people.

Along with the table, Adrian conjured six sturdy wooden chairs.

He sat down at one of the short ends of the table, taking the position of authority.

Emperor Maximilian practically stomped over and took the chair at the complete opposite end, facing Adrian directly. Roderick casually pulled out the chair on the long side to Maximilian’s right. The Financial Minister quickly gestured for Leo to take the seat directly across from him.

As for the seats closest to Adrian, Draven took the spot on his left, and Claire took the spot on his right.

Adrian sat up straight in his chair. He casually rested his forearms on the wood and looked directly at Emperor Maximilian.

”So, Your Highness,” Adrian started, his tone calm but taunting. ”Though, I suppose I won’t be calling you that for much longer.”

Maximilian immediately clenched his fists on top of the table.

The one single thing he wanted to do at this exact moment was reach across the table and punch Adrian right in his face. He had never been disrespected like this in his entire life. This was a first and even back when he was just a prince, even when the succession was supposedly ’in question’, no one had ever dared to disrespect him to this extent.

He opened his mouth to yell, but he suddenly felt a heavy hand press down hard onto his thigh under the table.

Maximilian instantly shut his mouth. He didn’t exactly calm down, but he forcefully suppressed his rage. He knew that if he messed up this negotiation by acting like a child, Roderick would not forgive him. The Financial Minister was a patient hunter, and Maximilian was terrified of him.

The Emperor took a deep breath, forcing his face into a stiff scowl.

”What do you want?” Maximilian demanded through gritted teeth. ”Why didn’t you march your men to fight the war? And why did you illegally banish my loyal nobles from this camp?”

Adrian just shrugged.

”Are you delusional? Why are you even asking those dumb questions when you already know the answer... Well, whatever. I’ll entertain your pea sized brain. Let me ask you this; Why should I fight the war?” Adrian asked simply. ”What am I even getting from fighting your battles for you? You tax my territory fifty percent of everything we make. On top of that, I won a sanctioned duel with Vaneira following every single legal rule set by YOUR ancestors. I should legally be permitted to take over her territory, but you sent me a letter telling me I’m not allowed to. Oh, and I recently stopped an invasion on my own lands, captured the attackers, and you ordered me to send them back. Which I did, by the way.”

Adrian leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his knuckles.

”You do all of these things... so tell me, do you really expect me to be loyal to you? If you keep antagonizing me, do you honestly expect me to bow my head and lick your boots? Because that is never going to happen.”

He gestured vaguely around the camp.

”This camp is mine now,” Adrian stated. ”If you want it back, you can try and fight me for it. Though, I didn’t exactly want to fight your royal army at full strength because I’m not entirely sure if I can win without taking any casualties on my side. I value my men unlike you..”

Roderick didn’t say a word. He just stared at Adrian, his dark eyes slightly narrowed as his mind rapidly processed all of this information.

Maximilian, on the other hand, was red-faced and trembling with fury.

As for Leo, the guy just sat there looking completely clueless. He was awkwardly looking back and forth between the two angry guys like he was watching a tennis match.

”I will not be fighting this war for you,” Adrian continued clearly. ”In fact, I officially declare my independence from the Crestwall Empire. I will fight the Avarice Kingdom for this territory, but when I win, it will belong entirely to me. The lands are mine, and all of these nobles standing behind me? All of their territories will be officially integrated into the Oresfall Kingdom.”

Adrian turned his head and looked at Draven who was sitting to his left.

”As for Draven’s territory...”

Draven didn’t miss a beat. He looked directly at Maximilian with a lazy smirk.

”I declare independence on my own,” Draven rumbled. ”And I swear my alliance to Adrian.”

Maximilian slammed his fist down hard onto the table.

”Is this what you’re going to give me?” the Emperor yelled at Draven. ”After your ancestors served the Empire loyally for centuries? You’re going to throw it all away for this upstart?”

Draven just shrugged his massive shoulders.

”My ancestors served your ancestors because they were competent kings,” Draven replied flatly. ”They were competent Emperors. But you? You really aren’t.”

Roderick finally spoke up. He let out a soft, calculated sigh.

”This amount of humiliation is something that should not be withstood by someone of royal status,” Roderick said smoothly, his eyes locked onto Adrian. ”Do you really think we will just let you go for this?”

Adrian didn’t say a word. He just smiled and snapped his fingers.

Clack-clack.

The sound of thousands of metal bolts sliding into place echoed across the camp.

Immediately, every single Oresfall soldier standing within a hundred yards raised their weapons. They aimed their strange, long metal sticks directly at the Emperor’s party. Every single knight, every single mage, the Emperor, Roderick, and even Leo found themselves in the crosshairs of loaded magic rifles.