CHAPTER 217: REPORTS

The formal meeting room in the east wing had been prepared with meticulous care, though the atmosphere remained tense despite Chen Xing’s diplomatic efforts.

Ambassador Lín arrived precisely on time, and his usual composed demeanor was nowhere to be seen.

"Lord Ambrose," he said with a bow. "Thank you for agreeing to this meeting."

"Ambassador," Grim replied, settling into his chair at the head of the polished table.

Chen Xing positioned himself near the door, his role as mediator already seeming inadequate for the tension filling the room. Two of Ambassador Lín’s aids flanked their superior, their expressions suggesting they expected this conversation to go poorly.

"I will speak plainly," Lín began, his diplomatic training warring with his personal anger. "The events of last evening have created significant complications in the relationship between the The Great Nation of Colere and the Empire."

"Have they?" Grim asked with apparent indifference. "I wasn’t aware that a simple demonstration of martial skill could cause such diplomatic difficulties."

The Ambassador’s jaw tightened. "A simple demonstration? Lord Ambrose, you broke the arm of a man who had already yielded. Jin Wei was participating in what was supposed to be a friendly exhibition, and you treated him like an enemy on a battlefield."

"Perhaps," Grim said, his voice carrying those unnatural harmonics, "the distinction between friend and enemy isn’t as clear as you believe."

[Careful,] Caius warned urgently. [You’re about to make a dangerous enemy out of a potential ally.]

But the dark mana whispered that enemies who revealed themselves were preferable to false friends who waited for opportunities to betray.

"What exactly are you implying?" Lín asked, his diplomatic composure beginning to crack.

"I’m implying that he has a history of challenging Imperial authority," Grim replied coldly. "The Jin family’s loyalty has been questionable for generations."

"Jin Wei is a member of the Royal Guard!" one of Lín’s aids protested. "His loyalty is beyond question!"

"Is it?" Grim asked, leaning forward with predatory interest. "Because from where I stand, it looks like your nation sent someone to test my abilities under the guise of friendly competition. A reconnaissance mission disguised as diplomacy."

The silence that followed was electric with tension. Ambassador Lín’s face had gone pale, though whether from anger or shock was difficult to determine.

"That," Lín said slowly, "is an extraordinarily serious accusation."

"It’s an observation," Grim corrected. "One that suggests your outrage over Jin Wei’s injury is somewhat misplaced."

Chen Xing stepped forward carefully. "Perhaps we should focus on finding a path forward rather than examining past motivations—"

"No," Lín interrupted, his anger finally breaking through his diplomatic training. "I want to understand exactly what Lord Ambrose is suggesting about the Colere’s intentions."

"I’m suggesting that your federation has been watching the Empire’s internal politics with considerable interest," Grim said, the corruption lending his words a cutting edge. "Looking for weaknesses to exploit, opportunities to advance your own position."

"And I’m suggesting," Lín replied with dangerous quiet, "that you may not be as suitable for high Imperial office as some believe."

The threat was unmistakable, and the dark mana surged in response. For a moment, Grim’s vision tinted purple, and he felt an almost overwhelming urge to demonstrate exactly how unsuitable he could be.

"Careful, Ambassador," he said softly. "Threats against Imperial nobility can be interpreted as acts of war."

"As can unprovoked attacks on foreign dignitaries," Lín countered.

The standoff stretched for several heartbeats before Chen Xing intervened with desperate diplomacy.

"Gentlemen, please. Both the Empire and the Federation have too much to lose from allowing this situation to escalate. Surely we can find a reasonable resolution."

"What kind of resolution did you have in mind?" Grim asked, though his tone suggested he found the concept unlikely.

"A formal apology for the injury to Jin Wei," Lín said immediately. "Acknowledgment that the demonstration exceeded appropriate bounds. And perhaps some gesture of goodwill to demonstrate that this was an aberration rather than representative of Imperial policy."

"And if I decline?"

"Then we will be forced to reconsider our relationship with the Empire," Lín replied. "And to share our concerns about Imperial leadership with other interested parties."

The threat was clear—political isolation in exchange for diplomatic submission. Under normal circumstances, such a choice would have required careful consideration of long-term consequences.

But the dark mana whispered that submission to threats only invited more threats, that strength respected was strength that wouldn’t be challenged again.

"I see," Grim said finally. "So you’re demanding that I humiliate myself and House Ambrose to soothe your wounded pride."

"I’m asking for accountability," Lín corrected.

"And I’m declining to provide it," Grim replied with finality. "Jin Wei challenged me and paid the price for his presumption. If he finds that unacceptable, perhaps it should reconsider the wisdom of sending its people to test Imperial strength."

Ambassador Lín stood slowly, his diplomatic composure completely abandoned. "This conversation is over, Lord Ambrose. You’ve made your position clear."

"Indeed I have," Grim agreed. "As have you. Next time you send someone to fight me, don’t send someone with a blood grudge to me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, you didn’t know? Jin Wei is the brother of Jin Tao. In the tournament that took place in the Emoire not too long ago, we had a duel. He tried to kill me so I ended his life. It was a fair bout. But, as for his brother, I don’t know what he had planned for that duel."

"I will need some time," Lin said.

"You know where to find me when you’re done."

The delegation left the room and Chen Xing spoke up.

"My lord," he said carefully, "I fear we may have just created a significant enemy."

"We’ve clarified that Jin Wei had ulterior motives and that my punishment was just."

"And now?"

"Now they know that House Ambrose isn’t weak," Grim said with satisfaction. "And they’ll have to decide whether they want to test that strength further."

[You might have just turned a potential ally against his own men.] Caius went on. [For what?]

"For strength," Grim replied silently. "Something our family forgot, to our cost."

An hour later, Empress Alexia arrived for her scheduled meeting, her imperial guards taking positions outside the meeting room while she entered with only a single aide. Her presence filled the space with an authority unlike any other noble.

"Lord Ambrose," she said with the kind of formal courtesy that concealed significant displeasure. "I trust you’re well after last evening’s... festivities."

"Your Imperial Majesty," Grim replied, rising to bow with the respect due to his sovereign. "I am quite well, thank you."

"Excellent," Alexia said, settling into her chair. "Because we have much to discuss."

The Empress studied him for a long moment, her experienced eyes taking in details that others might miss. When she spoke again, her voice carried the weight of absolute authority.

"I’ve received concerning reports about your conduct last night," she began without preamble. "Reports that suggest you may not be ready for the responsibilities I’ve been considering offering you."

"What kind of reports, Your Majesty?"

"Reports that you broke the arm of a surrendering opponent during what was supposed to be a friendly demonstration," Alexia replied coldly. "Reports that you showed unnecessary brutality to a guest under your own roof."