45. Doubt
“… Count Dogeza?”
Seldas murmured, “I see,” And touched his chin.
“I don’t think there will be any problem using human resources.”
“Then, the request is to meet Count Togeza. How long will it take to complete?”
“One day is enough. When Count Dogeza comes, I will send you a copy.”
You are competent. Is one day enough? Isn’t that enough to just include the travel time? This is why they are the best dark guild in the empire. I wrote down the necessary ingredients on a piece of paper and handed them to Seldas.
“Then come tomorrow.”
Me and Frances stood up. And left the bar. Said Frances.
“Fortunately, it seems to have gone well.”
“I will. But, princess.”
France looked at me while saying “Huh?”
“I think I need training on negotiations.”
* * *
From noble mtl dot com
Negotiation.
A skill that must be mastered by those who run business and management.
Even if you don’t have to do those two things, negotiations are helpful everywhere. For example, when buying clothes or when buying side dishes at the market. Etc.
The current Francee has no negotiating skills at all.
“Princess, starting today, I will stop studying math and study negotiation.”
“Negotiation? Do I really need to learn?”
Of course not. You are the president of France Corporation. Originally, the company is classified as a department, but I can’t run all of them.
‘And above all.’
In preparation for when I disappear, France’s ability must continue to grow. What would you do if you raised your business and made it the most powerful person in the empire? If you don’t have the ability, you will disappear.
“Princess. The head of France Corporation is Princess. I can’t do everything. I will prepare for the same situation as before.”
I see, Frances shook her head.
“First, I will explain how to negotiate.”
With France listening in front of me, I asked a question first.
“Now, princess. Why do you think negotiations are necessary?”
“Hmm. An effective way to resolve a conflict or a specific problem?”
“That’s right. That is the most original purpose.”
You only need to know the original purpose. I explained all the iron rules of negotiations I know. What is the most important thing in negotiations, what posture to take, and what you need to know basically.
France nodded, indeed.
“In short, this is how it feels, right? Clearly set objective standards, and do not get caught up in my position and search for practical benefits.”
Oh, yes. That’s it.
“That’s right.”
France continued by saying and.
“There is no perfect negotiation, so you have to compromise to some extent, respond strongly to issues, but respond gently to human relations, right?”
I smiled and nodded.
“That’s right. And most importantly?”
“You must absolutely have an edge over your opponent.”
“And?”
“You shouldn’t look desperate for your purpose.”
Clap clap, I clapped my hands and applauded.
“All of them are correct. And do you remember the answer I gave to the Princess when I first met Seldas?”
“Of course I remember that. If you’re an information dealer who likes money, you should act accordingly. Are you trying to buy information for free? Is this it?”
“Yes. It contains many meanings. Do you know what it is?”
Frances caressed his chin and was lost in thought. After a while she opened her mouth.
“First of all, did you show that you are not an easy opponent and stimulate the other person’s curiosity?”
This is the manor level. It’s so quick to understand. Well, I used what I heard from the professor and used it based on my game knowledge. As for the information, I’ll tell you, so it doesn’t matter.
This is the reason why Seldas was captured. When I disappear, Seldas’ intelligence network will take over my role. This will put your mind at ease.
“That’s right. It’s a method that only works for Seldas, but you’ll have something to use later. That type of person is not one or two.”
I continued by saying and.
“Do you remember when I told you not to be bound by your position and to pursue practical gains?”
Francesse nodded.
“This is a story that is half true and half wrong.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“It is literally.”
What I told you is knowledge based on modern standards. There is no need to insist on this method even in this world where nobility exists.
“To put it properly, you are not bound by your position, but you are making the most of your position as a princess. This alone can give you an edge in negotiations with the other party.”
France continued to listen to me.
“Anyway. If you have the upper hand in negotiations like this, talk about the business. The important thing here is that even if it’s not you, there are other ways. I want to emphasize this.”
This is a story that is directly related to what I was talking about earlier. That you should never look sober. What if you showed me this? Negotiations can never be changed.
“As a result, you use the title of princess as much as possible to gain the upper hand of the other party, and when you enter into negotiations, you talk about various substitutes, and then you tell the reason why you chose the other person.”
France’s eyes flashed.
“The reason you chose is to respect the honor of the other person. Isn’t this a story about human relationships?”
“That’s right. That is the correct answer.”
“Surprisingly easy.”
Even if it’s easy because it’s still theoretical, most people don’t understand it properly. When I was a college student, I thought a lot about ‘what the hell is that professor talking about?’. Later, Ga-seon understood through group assignments.
“The real battle is tomorrow. Negotiating with Count Dogeza is the princess’s job.”
“It’s an important negotiation about the business, can I do it?”
“It is okay to make mistakes. Originally, the biggest thing to learn is from mistakes.”
There are still many battles left to go on. It’s okay to make mistakes. Originally, people learn through a series of mistakes.
I will intervene if necessary. Because I have to maintain my relationship with Count Togeza, and I have to take him as a business partner unconditionally.
“So you don’t have to worry too much. Everything will work out. In fact, right after I came, everything is getting better, right?”
France smiled lightly.
“That’s right. There was nothing wrong with always believing in you and moving. I’ll give it a try.”
Yes. Now, as you start to develop your abilities, you should prepare for independence. Before I get eaten by Jin, until I can continue my life as Kim Gong-ryak.
“Good idea. That’s all for the preparations for the deal with Count Togeza. Let’s continue studying, as we will have to lead the France Corporation by ourselves in the future.”
For a moment, Frances expression turned cold. A cold feeling ran down the back of her neck and soon spread throughout her body.
“You have to lead alone? Aren’t you there?”
“Yes?”
“Come to think of it, I haven’t heard from you,”
“What do you mean?”
“That you will be by my side for the rest of my life.”
What is it? Did you notice?
“You kept dodging the answer. Are you thinking of leaving me someday?”
“Uh… ….”
Why are you so quick to notice? How should I answer here? I have to dodge. If you blindly say no, you will only be deceived, and in the end you will betray your trust…….
The answer I decided on is this.
“Since I am a slave, I cannot easily leave.”
I didn’t say I would leave. I didn’t say that I would stay. It’s a rather vague answer, but I think it’s the best answer so far.
“Um…… You’re not saying you won’t leave until the end.”
Oops. I noticed. I thought it was the best answer.
“You said that? It’s on my side.”
“Right… ….”
“You said that too? The promise was not kept.”
Frances shook her head at me and continued her words. The light in her eyes was gone.
“If you keep your promise, will you leave? Does it disappear when its purpose is over?”
What is it? It’s a bit scary at this point. My heart beat is racing for no reason. Her spine went cold and she started to get goosebumps.
“Then you must never release the slave imprint. I’ll have to think of a way to further strengthen the imprint sooner or later.”
Uh, that’s kind of awkward. Well, it doesn’t matter though, since France has prepared a method considering the worst case of not freeing the slave imprint.
“No answer. I guess it was true?”
“If you feel uneasy, you can strengthen the slave imprint.”
“Really? If you strengthen it further in this state, you will never be able to unlock the slave imprint, right?”
There is a way. However, the conditions are extremely difficult. But if it’s Jin’s body and my knowledge, there’s no problem.
“Yes, as long as you have the slave mark, you will never leave my side. You will be my first and last ally.”
The last ally?
“Your last ally?”
“You know.”
Frances opened her eyes shallowly and continued her words.
“I don’t trust anyone unless they are completely mine. How do you know when to betray?”
“… Is that why you bought slaves?”
The corner of France’s left mouth went up slightly.
“Right. But if you go to a slave store, aren’t there only stupid slaves? So I headed to the Duchy’s information store to purchase a proper slave.”
France points at me with her index finger.
“That’s where I got information about a person named Jean Barenberg. The prince of a ruined country who lost the war will soon be put up for sale as a slave.”
Is that how Jean Warenberg became a slave?
Coming to think of it, the way to see the hidden ending with Gene Barenberg was to go to the Dark Auction House from the very beginning as Somire. Buying Jean Warenberg there opened a hidden route.
The life of Frances Descartes had a hidden ending from the beginning.
“I decided from the beginning that someone would be my only ally, and I brought that person. But if you betray… Can’t you?”
France continues to look at me.
Betrayal. I only moved for you who suffer in this story, and in the end I was going to move to live. But can this be called betrayal?
France, if I stay with you, one day I will disappear. If we accept all of Jean Barenberg’s personality intact, can we really call that me?
Did you say that the fear of the unknown is the greatest fear humans feel?
I am afraid of the unknown. What will happen if Jin’s personality is accepted, will it really disappear, or will Kim Gong-ryak remain intact and only his personality will change?
This information is unknown.
So, in order to get out of that fear, I just do my duty and quietly disappear.
“Princess.”
“Why?”
At my call, Frances looks at me with bright eyes.
“Actually, there is a reason for all this.”
“What is it?”
“I really tried to hide it.”
“Tell me, I will listen.”
Can I really say this? I had a lot of trouble. This body won’t disappear, but the person called me will disappear.
As I hesitated with a complicated face, Frances tilted his head and asked me.
“What is it?”
In a short moment, countless thoughts cross and pass. Worries about what will happen to Frances when I’m gone. And this act itself is not an act of deceiving her, her remorse.
But I can’t change my choice. So, I’m just speaking so that you can understand the situation I’m in as much as possible.
“I am terminally ill.”
