Chapter 0626 People of Diplomacy
-x-X-x-
The two were resting in the cafe of the Freedom Breeze Inn when they noticed something.
"Aren't there a lot of people who look like visiting guests?"
"Yeah—Ryo, you think so too? Those aren't staying here, are they?"
From the seat where they sat, they could see the Freedom Breeze Inn's lobby.
A fair-sized group kept coming and going there.
Yes—a group.
"No matter how you look at them, they're people involved in diplomacy, aren't they…"
"Yeah. They must be with Prince Ryun."
"Even if they arrived early, their schedules get pulled forward and they don't even have time to look around the city."
"Well, that's what being involved in politics is like."
Ryo offered a civilian's offhand observation, and Abel responded with a kingly interpretation.
If there's such a gap between them, then if someone with a civilian sensibility tries to take part in national politics… of course it will go badly.
People around them would be especially bewildered.
"I'll keep my distance from politics."
Ryo declared that clearly.
"You're the Premier Duke — you can't."
Abel replied just as clearly, not letting him off the hook.
"I only took it because it was supposed to be an honorary post…"
"Now that you mention it, that's right."
Abel seemed to remember that too.
"If the world had stayed peaceful, you probably could have done that."
"Curse you, world!"
Abel blamed the world and Ryo went along with it.
A king and the Premier Duke making the world their enemy.
Could this be the prologue to world conquest…?
Dosunaji was the Fifth Deputy Secretary at the Komakyuta Kingdom's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He was forty-three, the fastest-rising among his cohort; a Deputy Secretary in his early forties was the first in ten years.
Even within that vast foreign ministry, he ranked tenth in seniority — a high-ranking official and undoubtedly part of the executive.
This time, he had come to the autonomous city of Kwebasa as an aide to Foreign Minister Jodaar, who was attending the Eastern Countries Joint Conference.
And now he had just paid his respects, together with that foreign minister, to Prince Ryun, the Sixth Prince and head of the Darwei negotiating delegation.
Foreign Minister Jodaar was also forty-three.
He had been born into a prestigious family connected to the royal household of the principality, and people said he would someday stand at the top of the principality government as either Prime Minister or Regent.
Dosunaji had been working with him for only about four months, but had already felt he was far more capable than previous foreign ministers.
No — comparing him to previous foreign ministers might even be unfair.
Minister Jodaar had an obviously noble background, but he never flaunted it.
On the contrary, he even treated the foreign ministry bureaucrats with great kindness.
He had originally been Deputy Foreign Minister, but when the previous foreign minister was dismissed amid bribery allegations involving the neighboring Suje Kingdom, Jodaar rose to the post.
Even without that incident, Jodaar likely would have become foreign minister eventually… just a few years earlier than expected.
Ministers in the Komakyuta Principality tended to be older overall.
Jodaar was the only minister under forty.
There wasn't even anyone else in their fifties.
"Prince Ryun was quite young, but he seemed like a difficult negotiator."
Minister Jodaar said with a wry smile.
"Yes. He's nineteen… But this time he isn't an enemy."
Deputy Secretary Dosunaji answered.
"Yes. This is a conference to fight alongside one another. I think we'll find a good compromise for the Komakyuta Principality as well."
Jodaar had just said that when they arrived at the lobby.
"Minister Jodaar!"
Someone called out in the lobby.
"Ah — Foreign Minister Mishita."
The one who had spoken to Minister Jodaar was Foreign Minister Mishita of the Kwebasa Autonomous Government.
A person who looked like an aide stood beside him.
"I'd like to discuss that matter with you."
"Ah… not here, though."
"Yes — I have a room next door, let's go there."
Foreign Minister Mishita said this and led Minister Jodaar away.
The two who had eaten their fill watched the exchange.
"They said 'that matter', didn't they?"
"I wonder what it is. If it can't be discussed here, it must be important."
If they talked about it in the lobby or cafe, the contents would certainly leak out.
"Do you remember that Foreign Minister Mishita from earlier?"
"I wasn't sure when Ryo mentioned it, but yeah — he was the one who clashed with Duke Helb at the embassy garden party… the Deputy Minister of Ports, Mishita. The person beside him was there too back then."
"Yes — that's Aide Ronfan. Ronfan was one of the four who were attacked at the teahouse, you know."
"Was that so? I never noticed."
They had been resting after overeating at the teahouse too…
Perhaps that was just their fate.
"The 'matter' has to be about Kwebasa's war of independence."
"A war of independence?"
For some reason, Ryo said it with complete confidence, and Abel looked at him suspiciously.
"When a region seeks independence, the usual playbook is to get cooperation from the enemy of the suzerain state. But the Grand Duchy of Atinjo has already conquered the surrounding lands, so they'll have no choice but to ask the Komakyuta Principality for support."
Ryo explained.
What came to mind was Earth history: the American colonies seeking independence from Britain tried to secure help from France.
"Why try to become independent when you've only just won autonomy? Well, I can understand the feeling if they were an independent nation before… but isn't it a bit too soon? Shouldn't they build up strength a little more first…"
"That would be too late! The people of Kwebasa are surely living each day forced to drink muddy water under the Grand Duchy of Atinjo's oppression! Seeing that, the autonomous government and others must be plotting independence out of compassion!"
Ryo nodded repeatedly while looking at Abel with a strangely intense expression.
"I see…"
Abel gave up on arguing.
Whether what Ryo said was right or not, he felt it didn't matter to him either.
It was better not to meddle in other countries' affairs…
And Ryo himself, sitting there, surely would not intervene in any so-called war of independence.
Of course, if such a war would even occur.
To be honest, Abel thought such a thing wouldn't happen…
"If the independence army attacks first, they would try to take the head of the administration who came from the home country. If they can capture that person as a hostage, they might turn the situation in one swell swoop!"
Ryo was already spinning fantasies.
He was talking about targeting the administrative island, thinking about where to secure based on the troops that could be mustered and so on.
Again, all of it was fantasy.
But…
"When we left Kwebasa, the city's highest authority was Duke Helb, right?"
"That's right. Just before, former Prime Minister Noson had become the Supreme Administrator or whatever, but he died."
"That's right. Maybe even now…"
"Is Duke Helb still the administrative head of Kwebasa?"
Abel and Ryo looked at each other.
Of course, neither face gave an answer.
"Let's go and greet him a little…"
"Don't."
Abel stopped Ryo.
He didn't want to set a fire where there was no flame.
"They'll meet at the conference anyway."
"The conference will be a battlefield, then!"
Ryo nodded with odd, grim resolve.
As usual, Abel shook his head slightly.
Foreign Minister Mishita of the Kwebasa Autonomous Government and Foreign Minister Jodaar of the Komakyuta Principality entered the room.
Mishita spoke first as soon as they entered.
"Minister, what do you think?"
No one said what 'what' referred to.
It was as if no words were needed.
But Minister Jodaar frowned when he was asked.
If he were calm, that expression alone would have revealed what his answer would be…
"Foreign Minister, let's pretend I never heard this."
"Minister…"
"You don't want to do this either, do you? Isn't that right, Foreign Minister?"
"…"
"Even if it succeeds, I don't think it will truly benefit the people of Kwebasa. If it fails, of course, Atinjo's tightening of the screws will only get worse. Clearly, I think it should not be done."
"…"
"Please tell the person standing behind you. The Komakyuta Principality cannot cooperate in an assassination of the Atinjo Grand Duke."
"Yes…understood."
And so the short meeting ended.
The two from the Komakyuta Principality came back out.
"Minister Jodaar…"
"You, the deputy, were told about this matter back home, weren't you?"
"Yes."
"So a fair number of people know. There's no way such a thing can succeed."
"…"
Minister Jodaar frowned and gave a small shake of his head.
Deputy Dosunaji nodded in silence.
"At a time when we are trying to stand united against the northern threat… to plan an assassination simply because the Grand Duke of Atinjo is visiting Kwebasa… Foreign Minister Mishita has been put in a thankless position."
"Foreign Minister Mishita opposes this assassination plot, then?"
"Of course. He's a decent administrator. He understands that assassination is not a method to be used, for any reason."
"Then why did he come this time…"
"Either he was ordered from above, or his family is being threatened…"
"Such… such despicable, cowardly things must not be allowed!"
Deputy Dosunaji suppressed his voice as he raged.
Seeing that, Minister Jodaar smiled a little.
Perhaps he found Dosunaji's sense of justice pleasant.
"No matter the country, if someone becomes a minister, more or less such things happen."
"No way! Even in our principality?"
"Yes."
Minister Jodaar nodded, smiling.
"The common people don't know, and it's better that they don't."
With that, Minister Jodaar, taking the surprised Deputy Dosunaji with him, climbed into the carriage.
-x-X-x-
The morning after Prince Ryun and the Darwei negotiation delegation arrived at the autonomous city of Kwebasa.
A swordsman was swinging his sword in the courtyard of the Freedom Breeze Inn.
A little further off, a robed magician sat on an ice chair and at an ice desk, reading a book.
Two women approached them.
"Duke Rondo, may I have a moment?"
"Princess Shio Fen, of course — please."
Ryo said that and produced two chairs with ice cushions.
One for Princess Shio Fen, and one for her maid, Mifa.
"Please, call me Shio."
"And you can call me Ryo."
They had known each other for some time now… but changes in their positions had pushed them to use the most formal forms of address until now.
"Ryo-sama, you've stayed here in Kwebasa before, haven't you?"
"Yes. Before Bosuntar, this was where I stayed."
Princess Shio Fen was from the Bosuntar nation.
"If I remember right, at that time Kwebasa was annexed by the Grand Duchy of Atinjo?"
"That's right. Kwebasa's main fleet… was destroyed under various circumstances. The annexation went ahead with almost no resistance."
"Do you think that the destruction of that fleet was a scheme by the Grand Duchy of Atinjo?"
Princess Shio Fen asked lightly, as if asking whether pasta and spaghetti are the same thing.
Her tone and the content of the question were so disparate that even Ryo, for a moment, failed to grasp what she was getting at.
But in truth, Ryo had thought about that matter many times.
"Most likely it was the Grand Duchy's doing. I don't mean they knew exactly what was there. But they knew something was off, and they maneuvered the prime minister to send out the Kwebasa fleet…"
"So even if the fleet had returned intact, it would have contributed to intelligence gathering."
Ryo answered, and Princess Shio Fen nodded.
Either way, nothing could turn out badly for the Grand Duchy.
If the fleet had been wiped out, the Grand Duchy could acquire Kwebasa without paying a price.
The 'free city' of Kwebasa that they had tried to obtain for a century.
"Looking at it that way, the current situation is unfolding exactly as the Grand Duchy imagined."
"It would seem so. They pushed to host this conference and offered Kwebasa as the venue. At this point, it even seems possible they knew about the Choouchi Empire's southward advance from the start."
Both Princess Shio Fen and Ryo nodded at that.
They didn't go so far as to think the Grand Duke or Duke Helb were openly allied with the northern Choouchi Empire.
But they couldn't accept that the Choouchi Empire's move came like a bolt from the blue.
"What this conference will discuss is uniting to face the Choouchi Empire. No country is likely to oppose that in principle. Geographically, Darwei will stand at the forefront. That's acceptable. However…"
"I don't expect the conference to proceed straightforwardly."
After Princess Shio Fen and Mifa left, Abel came over to Ryo.
"Were you having some complicated talk?"
"A gathering of schemers."
Ryo answered Abel's casual question while pretending to push up his glasses.
Apparently, in Ryo's mind, those called 'schemers' wore glasses…
"Princess Shio Fen seems like she could handle that kind of thing, but Ryo — you couldn't, right?"
"I'm aware of that. But if you say that, Abel, you're the same."
"True. I'm not great at that sort of thing either."
Ryo and Abel were probably the types farthest removed from schemers.
At heart, they were decent, basically kind people…
"You do need people with scheming tendencies to govern a state, though."
"In our kingdom that's what Lord Heinlein is for."
"Exactly. Abel, you should always be grateful to the Prime Minister!"
"I am grateful. Ryo, don't cause trouble for Lord Heinlein."
"I'm the model premier duke of proper conduct and behavior, so I'll be fine."
Ryo declared with a face full of confidence.
Abel tilted his head and gave a dubious look.
Confidence is judged entirely by the one who has it; the opinions of others don't matter.
That afternoon, the two of them went out into town.
Went out is generous — they were just going to have lunch.
"Abel, we can't embarrass ourselves two days in a row. We're not nameless adventurers; some people know us as the premier duke and his guardian swordsman of the Kightley Kingdom."
"It would sully the name of the kingdom. If that happened, we'd owe our people back home an apology."
They said admirable things with their mouths…
But the way they sniffed and scanned for a good restaurant with their eyes and noses gave off a strong smell of impending failure.
Yesterday they had eaten at 'Happy Eats', a little shop down a side street.
Today, they were browsing places facing the square.
Nearby, a great deal of luggage was being brought in.
"An inn?"
"A large diplomatic delegation must have arrived, huh?"
Abel and Ryo watched from outside, where they wouldn't be in the carriers' way, looking around curiously.
"Is that sign the inn's name?"
"'Freedom Breeze Annex'? So this is the new annex of the Freedom Breeze Inn where we're staying."
When Ryo had asked the staff of the Freedom Breeze Inn, he had been told that the Suje Kingdom's delegation would be staying in that annex.
"I see. Then these must be the Suje delegation's luggage."
"They sent Lord Protector Kabui Somal to Prince Ryun's wedding ceremony. Now that the archipelago region has calmed down, perhaps they're extending diplomacy to the continent."
"A nation can only put energy into diplomacy once domestic stability is secured."
"Hearing that makes me realize Abel actually did his duty as king properly."
"I was never very good at it, but I did try at diplomacy."
Abel gave a wry smile.
Ryo could imagine how difficult it must have been when the neighboring powers' leaders included the Empire's Rupert VI and Union Governor Lord Aubrey.
"Excuse me, could you move a little?"
"I'm sorry, but a carriage is arriving — please don't come any closer."
Guards began securing space in front of the Freedom Breeze Annex entrance.
"Someone important is arriving."
"It must be the head of the Suje delegation."
"Who could it be? That Lord Protector Kabui Somal again?"
"He just returned from the Darwei capital not long ago, didn't he? He couldn't leave his country twice in a row like that."
"In that case, it might be some foreign affairs minister like Jodaar, who we saw at the café earlier."
"That would be plausible."
The two weren't in a hurry, so they watched from outside the area the guards had secured.
A carriage arrived and a woman stepped down.
"Oh…"
"So beautiful."
"Is she some princess?"
The citizens of Kwebasa around them commented as they watched the woman who had just gotten out.
The woman…Ryo and Abel both recognized her.
"No way…"
"Queen Iliaja came personally."
Indeed, it was someone they knew.
Iliaja, who had recently become queen of the Suje Kingdom.
Queen Iliaja stepped down from the carriage, briefly waved with a smile to the circle of Kwebasa citizens around her.
And then her eyes paused on a certain point.
With a look of considerable surprise.
There, two men were standing.
One in robes; the other a swordsman.
The robed man smiled and gave a small wave; the swordsman smiled and nodded.
As Queen Iliaja passed through the Freedom Breeze Annex doors, she said to the butler Ronk, who accompanied her.
"Out front are Abel-san and Ryo-san, who helped us. Please bring them to my room."
Ryo and Abel were led into the Freedom Breeze Annex.
-x-X-x-
"Queen Iliaja, it's been a while."
"Your Majesty, it's been some time."
Abel and Ryo bowed and greeted her after being invited into the room.
"King Abel and Duke Rondo, it's good to see you both."
Queen Iliaja answered with a delighted smile.
The ones who were flustered, however, were the two who had been greeted.
"Ah, well, that is…"
"Abel told me to keep quiet, so I had no choice…"
"Don't blame me for it."
When they had been staying in the Sujee Kingdom, they had not openly announced their ranks as king and duke.
It wasn't that they intended to hide it, but…
"No, it's fine. I noticed on my own. I've also received a report that the Lord Protector mentioned it when you met in Darwei."
"Yes…"
"I heard that."
At Queen Iliaja's words, Ryo and Abel scratched their cheeks and replied.
"If possible, like before, Ryo, Abel will suffice…"
"Understood. Ryo-san, Abel-san."
Queen Iliaja accepted Ryo's proposal with a smile.
"Oh, right. Before I forget, here—"
She picked up a book from the desk in the back and handed it to Ryo.
"This is… 'Abel, the Hungry Swordsman II'… oh, the latest volume!"
Ryo exclaimed happily, riffling through it and opening the cover.
"Yes. It was published in the kingdom based on the manuscript you entrusted to the Lord Protector. Consider this a complimentary copy to the original author."
Queen Iliaja smiled as she spoke.
Indeed, the copy given to Ryo was written in the Central Countries' language.
Had the Central Countries' edition been printed just to give to Ryo?
"In fact, we printed a few Central Countries' language copies of the first volume, and they sold surprisingly well."
"What?!"
"Many of our kingdom's people know the original author is Ryo from the Central Countries' Knightley Kingdom. Some of them wanted to read it in the original language… some even bought both the archipelago-region edition and the Central Countries' edition and compared them as they read."
"My goodness…"
That was a use even the original author hadn't expected.
"It's a very entertaining story. If this encourages people to learn the Central Countries' language, I don't think that's a bad thing. I read it myself."
"Oh…"
How wonderful books are.
After that, butler Ronk brought drinks.
"Coffee!"
"Come to think of it, it's been a while."
Ryo said in surprise, and Abel nodded repeatedly.
In Darwei, they had mostly drunk tea.
Neither disliked tea, but the scent of coffee after so long was special.
"Ah… the smell of coffee calms me."
"Indeed. It also brings a nostalgic feeling, strangely enough."
Queen Iliaja watched the two, smiling as they drank happily.
Then Ryo suddenly remembered something.
"Now that I think about it, when we stayed here before, the cafe at the Freedom Breeze Inn served coffee, didn't it?"
"Oh… I vaguely remember drinking some."
"Yes, I drank something called Mandheling coffee. But I didn't see it listed on the menu when I rested earlier."
Queen Iliaja answered Ryo's question.
"You two are staying at the Freedom Breeze Inn, right? I heard the Darwei negotiation delegation has rented the entire place…"
"Yes. Actually, we came on a ship with the Darwei delegation. Ah, of course, we're officially observers at the Eastern Countries' Joint Conference… advisors invited by the Grand Duchy of Atinjo."
"I see. Actually, coffee beans harvested in the archipelago region are beginning to flow to Darwei."
"What?!"
Ryo was astonished by the unexpected development.
Abel said nothing but opened his eyes wide.
Their surprise was understandable.
Both had been in the Darwei capital Hanlin, had the Emperor's favor, and sometimes even visited the Imperial Palace… they should have been fairly well known there.
Yet neither of them recalled ever getting coffee in Darwei.
They hadn't advertised that they liked coffee, of course, but…
"It seems merchants from Kwebasa are at the center of shipments to Darwei. When Kwebasa was a free city, coffee consumption was considerable… But now purchase prices have surged, and beans are being carried past Kwebasa straight to Darwei."
"But we've never had coffee in Darwei."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Queen Iliaja tilted her head at Ryo's words.
Then spoke as if remembering something.
"If I recall correctly, Prince Kouri, the Second Prince, became the center of coffee trade in Darwei. I heard merchants close to Prince Kouri are handling it."
"I see… so that's why it didn't come to us."
"Merchants gain an overwhelming advantage from handling rare goods. Prince Kouri seems to be popular not only with the Shitaifu class but with merchants as well."
"Financial backing from merchants is the strongest support for those competing for power. With money, you can bring Shitaifu members and soldiers—who sway with money—onto your side."
"So he is skilled in those kinds of political and financial maneuvers."
Ryo and Abel didn't regard that as dirty play.
Ryo saw such things in Earth's history, and Abel had observed them at the center of state affairs as king and prince; both recognized it as commonplace.
Of course, if it crossed the law, they might frown, but…
"Let's have Prince Ryun counter that!"
"Coffee with coffee? But where will we source it?"
At Abel's question, Ryo silently looked to Queen Iliaja.
"I heard from the Lord Protector that the Imperial Palace is divided over the next emperor… the rivalry around the next crown prince. You two are backing Sixth Prince Ryun, aren't you?"
Queen Iliaja asked with a smile.
"Yes, actually we are."
Ryo briefly recounted the events so far.
"So, if Prince Ryun can secure the coffee beans from the archipelago region, Darwei merchants will come to him. Naturally, some brokerage money will flow to Prince Ryun. To fight and prevail, you need money!"
Ryo argued strongly.
Queen Iliaja tilted her head slightly.
"We could divert the coffee beans produced in the Suje Kingdom to Prince Ryun's side… we have that kind of leeway."
"Oh!"
"However, there are no ships to transport them."
"Huh?"
Ryo couldn't understand Queen Iliaja's words at first.
"The kingdom's merchants already have all their ships operating. Of course we're building new ships now… but there are no merchant vessels available to carry coffee beans."
"Ah…"
Ryo understood.
Even if they could acquire the coffee beans, there were no merchant ships to bring them to the autonomous city of Kwebasa.
There might even be no ships to carry them from Kwebasa to Darwei…
But then came a glimmer of hope.
"I don't know beyond Kwebasa, but surely there are merchants who can at least bring them this far?"
"Are there such people?"
"There are those who are particular about handling coffee."
"Those kinds of people…"
Ryo thought hard.
He thought a lot.
Then he had an idea.
"Blue Jade Trading Company!"
Yes—the firm behind the Blue Jade Special Blend, a very tasty coffee bean blend.
But the Blue Jade Trading Company is…
"They're a trading house from the neighboring Komakyuta Principality, not the Suje Kingdom."
So, a company from the neighboring, rival Komakyuta Principality.
"That's true. But Queen Iliaja is familiar with that trading company."
"Yes. They were the ones who escorted and returned all the people who remained in the Principality to me. I remember them."
Indeed, the Blue Jade Trading Company had carried out that repatriation project properly.
"And Ryo's book…"
"Book? Oh, 'Abel, the Hungry Swordsman'. Try to remember the name at least!"
"I do remember it; I just didn't want to say…"
"I heard they're negotiating the rights to sell it within the Komakyuta Principality. Those publishing rights belong to the Suje government, don't they? So…"
"Yes, the relationship between the Blue Jade Trading Company and the Suje government is quite good."
Queen Iliaja nodded repeatedly.
True, they represented a rival nation's trading house, but the relationship was good.
Which meant…
"Cross-border cooperation…"
"Rival nations helping each other—what a stirring development!"
All for the sake of coffee.
No—everything, really, so that Ryo can drink coffee.
-x-X-x-
"So far, everything's going smoothly."
The next morning, Ryo announced with a smile before breakfast.
"Well, that's true."
Even Abel, usually critical, had to agree.
"Today I'll take a small gift to Queen Iliaja, then afterwards we'll head to the honmaru."
"Huh?"
Abel didn't seem to understand what Ryo meant.
"'Honmaru' means the main stronghold—your home base."
"Yeah, I didn't know that word, but I don't understand the meaning of any of this…"
Ryo had explained the term because 'honmaru' wasn't used in the Knightley Kingdom, but Abel's confusion ran deeper than just the vocabulary.
"We didn't bring any gifts yesterday."
"Well, I didn't expect to meet the queen out of the blue."
Today, Ryo and Abel had properly prepared gifts.
They hadn't expected Queen Iliaja herself to make the trip in person… so, Ryo thought they could give the gifts to the Suje delegation to take back to their homeland.
There were also presents intended for several other countries.
"Honestly, I wanted to present the Grand Piano 'Shen-Lon'… His Majesty the Emperor said it would be fine too."
"That's heavy. And no one can play it."
"I wish the Eastern countries would hurry up and send their students to study piano in Darwei."
Diplomacy by piano, it seemed, was a difficult business.
After breakfast, the two went to the Freedom Breeze Annex.
Of course, the Freedom Breeze Inn concierge—sort of… had contacted the Annex on their behalf.
They were part of the same chain, so it should be fine.
They were told that Queen Iliaja was not currently staying at the inn and was attending meetings with representatives from several countries.
"Diplomatic work is busy, isn't it?"
"It's rare for so many heads of state and ministers to gather in one place. They can't let the chance slip by."
Abel said.
Ryo had seen such news back in his Earth days.
When summits—like the G20 and such—gathered many leaders, bilateral talks apart from the main meeting were often reported.
That seemed to be true in any era or world.
Ryo and Abel arrived at the Freedom Breeze Annex.
The receptionist was surprised—no doubt because of the two
On each
Apparently, the Annex had already been informed, and the boxes were accepted without issue.
The two left the Annex.
"So it was…
Abel looked at the
"Yes, it seems that way. The structure—how it works—is actually very simple."
Ryo tilted his head as he said this.
There was no complex engine, no levitation or flight… four wheels firmly on the ground and a design so simple a child could build it.
From Ryo's perspective, it was a fairly simple magical construct.
"If a golem like 'Herald No. 1' had been with us, I'd understand people being surprised."
"Ah… Captain Lu Yao of Prince Ryun's Royal Guard always walks around with 'Friendship Token No. 2', doesn't she?"
Since the attack two months earlier, Captain Lu Yao—commander of Prince Ryun's guard—had been accompanied everywhere by Friendship Token No. 2.
The only exception was when entering the Imperial Palace.
Even then, she would stroke No. 2-kun's head many times before leaving the royal residence, seeming reluctant to part.
"No. 2-kun is loved—he's a lucky golem."
"Well, I won't deny that…"
"What's with that look, Abel? You look like you want to say golems don't have hearts."
"…They don't, right?"
"No one can prove they don't."
This kind of proof is called the 'devil's proof'.
"Human minds are, after all, just vast networks of synapses flipping on and off. Ultimately, ones and zeros, digital. It's just that the scale is so enormous that the phenomena we call a 'mind' appear analog. If that's the case, it's only a matter of time before golems or artificial intelligences gain 'minds'."
"I don't understand a word of that."
Abel understood even less than usual.
Perhaps when there are too many unfamiliar terms, a person's brain shuts down the circuits that try to make sense of them.
"It's fine. My thinking is probably considered heretical back home anyway."
"…Is that really fine?"
"In any case, time will tell… whether it's decades or centuries, it'll reach a conclusion without us. There's no point arguing now."
"That sounds rough."
Abel spoke as if it had nothing to do with him.
Ryo gave him a sidelong look.
"What? Did I say something weird?"
"You experienced it too, didn't you?"
"Me? A golem?"
"No—not a golem. Your sword."
Ryo pointed to the magic sword Abel carried on his back.
It was sheathed and not glowing now.
"This sword?"
"Have you ever felt it move as if it had a will?"
"…Now that you mention it, maybe."
"That's it. A thing shaped like a sword was made by people, right? If human-made things can house a heart, it's not strange that a sword would have one."
"Huh… Now that you say it, I was told this sword was made by King Richard."
"Oh… the founder of the Knightley Kingdom's renaissance."
King Richard—the founder of the Knightley renaissance—was said to have mastered all six attributes of magic and reached the pinnacle of alchemy.
Ryo was convinced King Richard was a reincarnator.
Apparently, the violin pieces Abel performed—Paganini's '24 Caprices'—were things King Richard had once played.
Of course, the original composer was Niccolo Paganini of Earth.
The chance that Richard independently composed the exact same works was vanishingly small.
The 24 Caprices is that unique.
"If it was produced by someone who mastered his craft rather than just a skilled artisan… then a heart dwelling in it wouldn't be surprising."
"…Well, there's no need to deny it. That idea encourages people to treat things carefully."
Treat things carefully.
Ryo nodded silently—treating things with care is admirable.
Next, they visited the trading house two doors down from Freedom Breeze.
A sign reading Eastern Trading Company hung above.
Because it was a merchant house, there were no heralds or advances sent.
It was their first time visiting.
But they knew the person they sought was the head of this house.
"Welcome."
A middle-aged man in well-cut clothes and polite manners greeted them with a smile as they entered.
Ryo returned the smile.
"Hello. I'm Ryo, and this is Abel. We came to deliver something to Chairman Sukwei. Could you announce us to him?"
"Eh…"
The man hesitated for a moment.
Then quickly composed himself.
"I'm sorry, but do you have an appointment…"
"Oh, we don't have an appointment."
"I'm sorry. The chairman does not meet with people without an appointment."
The man spoke firmly but politely, careful not to be overbearing.
Naturally.
Neither Ryo nor Abel knew this, but when the chairman Sukwei was the leader of the city during its free-city days, he did not grant meetings to even the prime minister without an appointment.
The middle-aged man — the house manager, knew that fact.
Of course, there was no way they would be admitted.
But…
"Oh, that's fine. If you tell the chairman our names, he'll let us through right away. My name is Ryo, this is Abel."
"No, but…"
"If by chance he doesn't remember, please add: that it was thanks to us that you gained autonomy."
Ryo kept smiling.
He did not mean those words as a threat.
He meant them as a reminder in case the chairman had genuinely forgotten.
He believed it from the bottom of his heart.
But the middle-aged man took the remark in a different light.
"I-I'll go and confirm. Please wait here."
Saying that, he led the two into a private room behind a curtain and seated them at a table.
When they sat down, tea was brought in from the back.
"Premium treatment like you get at high-end brands, huh?"
Ryo said happily.
"I don't really get it."
Abel replied. For him, the comment made no sense.
Despite being a king.
After a short wait, a man arrived.
He looked to be in his fifties, but the powerful green eyes he possessed suggested an intelligence and strength that had matured through many more years.
His hair was completely shaved off, making his green eyes and overall appearance striking.
"Ah—Chairman Sukwei, it's been a while."
"Hello, Ryo-dono, Abel-dono. It's good to see you."
Chairman Sukwei greeted them and immediately fixed his gaze on the wooden box.
"Well, we won't keep you long. I've come to present this souvenir."
"A souvenir?"
"We're currently in Darwei."
Chairman Sukwei tilted his head, and Abel moved to clarify.
"Oh-ho."
"Ah, yes. I should have started with that."
Ryo realized his omission and laughed.
"Two days ago, a negotiation delegation led by Prince Ryun of Darwei arrived. Did you perhaps come on the same ship?"
"Yes. There were various circumstances…"
"Hmm."
Chairman Sukwei seemed to be thinking something over, but he soon brought his attention back.
"Please, the souvenir."
"Thank you. I will open it, then."
With that, he opened the wooden box.
Inside were…
"Oh, my…"
Inside were dozens of textiles.
"These are Darwei's specialty silks."
"Yes. Silk fabrics."
Ryo said happily.
Chairman Sukwei examined the overflowing silks one after another.
He tried to appear composed, but Abel could see his hands trembling.
That alone told them these fabrics had considerable value in Kwebasa.
Ryo had chosen them as gifts because he knew their worth.
On Earth, such silks had been sought around the world.
Silk is immortalized in history as part of the Silk Road, and it was a specialty product remembered in world history.
Naturally, it was easy to imagine that in this world of 'Phi' it would also be a high-end specialty.
"And among them… these are the very finest."
"They were bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor."
Ryo answered with a smile.
At those words, Chairman Sukwei's expression clearly changed.
Yes—he was surprised.
Silk bestowed by the Emperor would not normally be obtainable.
To present that as a mere souvenir?
"If I receive such a gift as a 'souvenir'… I don't know what to do. I'm overwhelmed."
"Oh, no, no. We just wanted to ask something."
Sukwei steadied himself and asked. Ryo smiled as he replied.
"We were wondering if you had any special information about the Grand Duchy of Atinjo, which is hosting this joint conference of the Eastern countries. Like who will attend, for example…"
"I see. Where should I start… Since the annexation, Kwebasa has been governed by Duke Helb."
"I knew it…"
Ryo muttered.
And Abel nodded silently.
"Of course, the chief administrator is still someone from the old Free City government, but it's just for show."
That's how indirect rule works.
"The Grand Duke will be visiting Kwebasa for the first time for this Eastern countries' joint conference. Actually, there have been some troubling movements connected to that."
At Sukwei's words, Ryo and Abel exchanged a look.
What came to both their minds was the scene and conversation they'd seen the other day in the cafe.
Minister Jodaar of the Komakyuta Principality and Foreign Minister Mishita of the Kwebasa autonomous government had been talking.
About 'that matter'.
"Does that mean the Komakyuta Principality and the autonomous government are involved?"
"…Did even you two already hear about it?"
Ryo asked to confirm, and Chairman Sukwei answered with a wry smile.
"If even those who only just arrived in Kwebasa know, then Duke Helb's circle certainly knows."
"Probably. Are they letting it play out… or baiting them?"
"Why would they bait them…?"
"To snare them all at once."
Abel spoke with certainty.
It's a huge hassle to dismantle small groups one by one.
When word spreads that others have been wiped out, the remaining groups go underground.
It's far easier to let several factions move and then strike when they all gather.
Abel knew this from his adventuring days hunting thieves and from hunting spies as a king.
"But it seems the Komakyuta Principality has completely backed away from this matter."
"Yeah"
"They weren't keen in the first place."
Sukwei answered.
Abel glanced briefly at Sukwei and asked.
"So, Sukwei-dono, are you involved?"
"Of course not."
Sukwei answered without the slightest hesitation.
"When the annexation happened, we were able to secure autonomy. Thanks to your cooperation. That autonomy is very precious. A decade from now, maybe, but attacking the Grand Duke now does Kwebasa no good at all. Whether the attack succeeds or fails, the clampdown would get harsher. That would be terrible."
"I'm relieved you understand."
Abel nodded to Sukwei's explanation.
"However… plans are progressing in places beyond my reach."
"Is that possible? Beyond the reach of the former Supreme Council?"
"I'm not omnipotent, you know."
Sukwei smiled bitterly.
And continued.
"There were members of the Supreme Council besides me."
"I see. Other former Supreme Council members are involved."
"They are certainly trying to stop it."
Sukwei said this with a frown.
Then added.
"Related to that, information has leaked from those around the Grand Duke of Atinjo."
"Hmm?"
"In the past month, the Grand Duke has apparently collapsed at least three times."
"Collapsed?"
Abel said, then looked at Ryo.
Ryo looked back; neither wore an answer on their faces.
"If he's in that state, he's an easy target…"
"If he's unwell. Won't his personal security be stricter?"
"The Grand Duke is famed for his martial prowess. But if he's ill, he can't exert his full strength."
"I see. It might look like a once-in-a-lifetime chance to some."
Abel nodded, his expression grim.
It's extremely difficult to dissuade those who see it as an opportunity.
"By the way, the Grand Duke of Atinjo was supposed to arrive in Kwebasa today."
"All we can do is hope the security is so strict that the attackers will give up."
The former Prime Minister's residence on Administrative Island.
Now the Kwebasa Governor's Office.
Its master, the Governor of Kwebasa, was Duke Helb—one of the Ten Masters of the Southern Sorcerers' Church and the half-brother of the current Grand Duke of Atinjo.
Duke Helb knelt courteously with one knee before the carriage that had brought the Grand Duke and bowed his head even lower to greet the person who stepped down from the carriage.
"Brother, welcome."
"Plak, thank you for coming to greet me."
Plak was Duke Helb's given name.
Now, only his elder brother, the Grand Duke of Atinjo, called him Plak.
"Plak, there's something urgent I need to tell you."
"Yes. To the conference room."
Duke Helb led the way.
He had also heard that the Grand Duke had collapsed in his homeland.
For that reason, Helb had suggested canceling the visit to Kwebasa.
Still, he had come.
Duke Helb understood that the urgent matter to be discussed would be linked to that.
Once they entered the conference room and had the others leave, the Grand Duke began speaking at once.
"Plak, what I'm about to say is a direct imperial edict."
"Yes, sir."
Helb dropped to one knee.
An edict—an absolute command from the Grand Duke—was the highest priority order.
"If I lose my mind, or my body is taken over, or I go berserk and you judge it so, end my life."
"Eh…?"
"Cut off my head, shatter the vessel of my soul. Do you understand?"
"B-but that…"
"Plak, I can ask no one but you."
"…Understood."
Duke Helb—normally calm and composed to the point of being imperturbable or, some might say, arrogantly self-assured—turned pale and looked down.
Even as an imperial decree, it was understandably difficult to accept.
A minute later.
His complexion returned and he asked.
"Brother, could you tell me why?"
"It seems one of the northerners is a Phantom King."
"Impossible!"
Duke Helb cried out involuntarily.
Such an outburst was rare for him.
It showed how unbelievable the claim seemed.
"There should only be a few hundred phantomkins with 'souls'. Are you saying a Phantom King has been born among them?"
"Plak, you know I can read the future, do you not?"
"Yes."
"And I saw it."
"No way…"
Duke Helb fell silent.
"Of course, it's not certain. The future can be changed. In fact, I asked you to kill me in case something happened to me, so things should change."
The Grand Duke smiled.
"I know the Phantom King can control phantomkins. But one hasn't appeared in the last thousand years. Now one has appeared—and targeted brother…"
"I don't know why one has appeared now. But, fortunately, the target is me."
"Huh?"
"It would have been terrible if it had been you, Plak."
The Grand Duke smiled again.
"You are, unlike me, a powerful sorcerer. You could single-handedly reduce the southern continent to ashes."
"…"
"The Phantom King is not omnipotent. Plak, steel your heart."
"Brother."
"Even I resisted three times with a strong heart. You will absolutely not be taken over."
"Is it really… really the Phantom King?"
The Grand Duke opened his robe, exposing his chest.
Right over his heart…
"A star-shaped magic circle. And this is…"
"If you are one of the Ten Masters of the Southern Sorcerer's Church, Duke Helb, you should recognize it."
"
"Yes. It's the magic circle of a
Three-quarters of the circle was stained a vivid red; the remainder was still faint red lines.
"If I am struck again, I will probably fall."
"Brother…"
"Do not hesitate. Behead me, shatter the soul-vessel."
"…Yes."
The Grand Duke nodded with a gentle smile.
He seemed to feel free from lingering worries.
"If my life ends, my son Prince Bash, who is at home, is set to inherit the Grand Dukedom. He is truly my son, but human—not a Phantomkin. The Phantom King cannot take over him. Support him."
"I swear on my life."
Helb bowed his head.
But the Grand Duke noticed a trace of unease on Helb's face.
"What is it, Plak?"
"If… if you are taken over by the Phantom King, and then I am taken over as well…"
"Hold your heart strong. You'll be fine."
"Yes…"
"Still anxious?"
"To be honest, I am."
Helb was honest.
He had never lied to his elder brother.
"I asked you to stop me, Plak, because none other could. But to stop you… it would have to be no half-hearted person. Do you have anyone in mind?"
The Grand Duke asked. After thinking for a moment, Helb replied.
"One person… no, two people come to mind. I'll go see them tonight."
-x-X-x-
That night Ryo and Abel had dinner in the dining room of the Freedom Breeze Inn.
Their conversation turned to the matter of Grand Duke Atinjo they'd heard about earlier that day.
"Wasn't it said the Grand Duke of Atinjo collapsed back in his homeland?"
"The Grand Duke is a phantomkin, right? I pictured something like an Akuma or some djinn… but him collapsing makes him sound human."
"That's worrying."
Neither Ryo nor Abel had ever met the Grand Duke.
In fact, because he had been the one to occupy the autonomous city of Kwebasa, they didn't hold the Grand Duke or the Grand Duchy in any particular affection.
Even so, he was one of the important figures at this conference.
If a man of that stature had collapsed three times and yet still insisted on coming to Kwebasa…
"I hope nothing happens."
"Abel, that's a flag…"
They bantered like that and finished their dessert.
As they were leaving toward their rooms at the entrance… someone called to them.
"Ryo-dono, Lord Abel-dono"
They turned to the voice and tilted their heads at the same time.
The name wouldn't come to mind.
They exchanged a glance, but neither had the answer in their eyes.
Both shook their heads slightly.
Then something snapped into place in Ryo's mind.
He remembered meeting the person.
He remembered it, but the memory was of a rather bad situation…
(It was a name that felt wrong… cruel? evil? scary? sly? Slu—na… ha! )
"Zlurma!"
Ryo finally remembered the name.
"Yes."
Zlurma bowed his head.
"Zlurma?"
Abel still couldn't place him.
"You know, when we raided the embassy… no, when the embassy door opened and invited us in…"
"You can't hide it now. Oh, that's the one who was beside Duke Helb back then."
Abel cut off Ryo's evasive explanation; the memory returned to him, too.
At that time, Second Secretary Zlurma had had a magic circle carved onto his chest by Duke Helb and faced Abel.
Why was Zlurma standing here now?
"Duke Helb very much wishes to meet you two."
"Ah— well, we've already eaten and honestly we can't go far…"
"We've booked rooms at the inn next door."
"Oh… all right."
Ryo's resistance fell away at once.
Abel simply shook his head in silence.
In the end, they were led by Zlurma to the neighbouring inn.
"Thank you for coming."
Duke Helb greeted them with that impeccably formal bow of his.
Even when you know it's coming, it's impressive.
Even Ryo and Abel felt that.
"We did receive the invitation from the Grand Duchy of Atinjo for this conference, but the meeting doesn't start until the day after tomorrow, right?"
Ryo complained.
"Yes. Today I've come on a personal matter."
Duke Helb said as he gestured for them to sit.
He launched straight into the subject.
"If I go berserk, I want the two of you to stop me."
"Pardon?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Duke Helb spared them no preamble and cut to the heart of it; Ryo and Abel were at a loss.
"The method to stop me is to behead me— and pierce the vessel of my soul… stab the heart. That will do it."
"Sounds like vampires."
"Do you know any vampires?"
Abel asked without thinking; Duke Helb replied with an amused look.
"When you're an adventurer long enough, you see all sorts of things."
"I see."
Abel answered without much amusement, and Duke Helb nodded.
"We understand the method, but why us?"
"I don't know anyone else who could stop me."
"By berserk, do you mean something like what happened at the embassy, where Zlurma's ability surged?"
"Yes—very similar. My abilities spike… not only my physical power but my power as a sorcerer."
"No way…"
Duke Helb answered Ryo's question precisely, and Abel's shock showed on his face.
Duke Helb was already formidable now—could he really become stronger…?
"At the embassy, Duke Helb drew a magic circle on Zlurma's chest, right? So do you mean someone will draw one on you and manipulate you to run wild?"
"Yes… exactly. The Phantom King in the Choouchi Empire will draw it, and he will control me."
"Choouchi Empire?"
"Phantom King?"
Abel and Ryo both tilted their heads.
Those were words they hadn't expected to hear.
The Choouchi Empire, said to lie at the northernmost edge— was that tied to this?
And the term Phantom King was new to them.
"You two know that my brother—the Grand Duke of Atinjo—and I are phantomkins, yes?"
"Yes, we know."
"The Phantom King is a being that very rarely appears… once in several thousand years— able to control all phantomkins at will."
"You say such a thing… that there's one inside the Choouchi Empire?"
At Duke Helb's explanation, Abel's face tightened.
Ryo, beside him, was also silent and frowning.
With all the Eastern Nations trying to coordinate a response, this was extremely bad news.
"By the way… do you know about Demon Kings?"
"A Demon King… like, that Demon King?"
Abel glanced at Ryo.
Ryo gave a small nod.
Neither needed an explanation; they both knew of Demon Kings.
They even knew the current Demon King, Nadia.
Who had somehow married the hero Roman, and lived in the Kingdom of Knightley.
Indeed, in Rune town… next to Ryo's house.
"When a Demon King raises an army, it can force monsters to obey."
"The Demon King's factor…"
Ryo murmured, picking up on Duke Helb's words.
"You even know about the Demon King's factor…"
Duke Helb said, surprised to hear it.
"The Demon King's factor is something that exists within many monsters from birth. When a Demon King raises an army, those bearing the factor are compulsorily bound to the Demon King's forces—a kind of 'restriction' or 'curse'. Once the factor is activated, it remains active for some time. If the creature absorbs a certain amount of 'Fragments of God', it will gradually return to its ground state… which is why Demon King armies must clash with humans…"
"Ryo?"
"Merlin-san once explained it to me. That's why in the Central Countries and the Western Countries the conflict between humans and Demon Kings has dragged on for so long."
Duke Helb nodded inwardly as he listened.
He felt he had chosen correctly in asking these two.
They were unnervingly close to the essence of this world for mere humans… perhaps too close, given their knowledge of Akumas and even Ruri.
"Are you two really human?"
He blurted involuntarily.
"As you can see, I'm human; Ryo, I'm not sure about."
"What! If you sacrifice me and run away yourself, you're not fit to be called a human, Abel!"
Abel's sudden betrayal roused Ryo's ire.
But of course, they were only teasing each other.
"If you already understand the Demon King's factor, this will be quick. Simply put: the relation between phantomkins and the Phantom King is similar."
"So if the Phantom King wishes it, phantomkins have no choice but to submit?"
"That's what happens. However, phantomkins with strong will can resist that compulsion. Especially magicians and sorcerers."
"So… Duke Helb, you might be able to resist?"
"Yes, there's a possibility. But just in case…"
"You're asking us to be prepared."
Abel settled deeper into his chair after saying that.
To stop a berserk state— the method being beheading and piercing the heart.
A request to take another's life.
It wasn't a simple favor.
Still…
"All right. We'll accept."
Ryo agreed.
"Hey, Ryo—"
Abel was surprised.
"Abel, there's no other choice."
"I know that, but…"
Abel was taken aback by Ryo's unusually quick decision.
Of course, Abel knew too.
There was no other realistic option.
"I don't like the idea of feeling the sensation of chopping someone's head off."
"That's the same as you telling someone they're fired."
"Yeah, I don't get it."
In the end, Abel accepted as well.
"All right. We agree."
"Thank you."
Duke Helb rose and expressed his gratitude with that perfect bow.
-x-X-x-
Two days later. The day of the conference.
Ryo and Abel rode in a prepared carriage toward the venue.
Prior negotiations had been handled by foreign ministry officials from each country, and it was said a basic agreement would likely be reached.
"We just need to sit there looking important."
At Ryo's remark, Abel gave him a dubious look.
"What is it, Abel?"
"No—there's just this overflowing sense of you being casual… how to put it…"
"How rude! What I just said was because I trust the officials' work."
Ryo declared that outright with confidence.
"Well, after all, we're just advisors."
"The stars of the show are the Eastern Countries."
Abel shrugged, and Ryo nodded.
Yes, the two of them were advisors, consultants.
They would not sign anything.
Really, they were only to sit.
Still, they had been formally invited by the host nation, the Grand Duchy of Atinjo.
Ryo's title listed for the occasion was 'Premier Duke of the Knightley Kingdom'.
In other words, the Grand Duchy of Atinjo knew Ryo as Duke Rondo.
"They must have spies planted within the Darwei Imperial Palace as well."
"Well, since they're talking about the Choouchi Empire, they're surely gathering intelligence on each country."
Abel nodded as if this were obvious at Ryo's words.
"If the Choouchi Empire pushes south, the first — and ultimately the final line of resistance — will be Darwei. Frankly, if Darwei can't stop them, other countries will fall."
"That's an enormous responsibility."
The carriage carrying the two arrived at an imposing three-story white stone building on Administrative Isle* that looked almost like marble. Its presence was overwhelming. (TLN: Administrative Island)
The contrast with the darker three-story stone building of the Free Assembly next door was striking.
"I'd heard this used to be the Supreme Council, but it really has presence."
"The white Supreme Council building and the black Free Assembly… Neither are used anymore, are they?"
The Supreme Council building had been closed; the Free Assembly had been permanently dissolved.
Though an autonomous government remained, there were no traces left of the time this had been a 'free city'.
At least, not politically.
"Still, the citizens' lives aren't bad and commerce is active."
"If people can enjoy material prosperity, the populace will stay placid".
Abel said, and Ryo nodded in agreement.
At any time in history, revolutions or uprisings occur when the people's lives fall into hardship.
"Is our Kingdom of Knightley going to be all right?"
"We should be fine. We're an agricultural power."
Two keys decide whether people fall into hardship.
Energy and food.
That truth of history and politics never changes across eras or worlds.
Abel may not have formally studied such things, but he's an active politician.
And as an active ruler, he understood the essence of statecraft.
"If a bad king raises taxes too high, a rebellion will happen."
That ultimately causes price spikes for many goods, including food and energy.
"I'm not a bad king, so the kingdom will be fine."
"What confidence…"
"If I ever start to fail, Marquis Heinlein will stop me."
"You're counting on Prime Minister Marquis Heinlein? What if Marquis Heinlein goes astray?"
"In that case, Premier Duke Ryo will sort it out."
"Eh…"
Abel said that casually; Ryo shook his head, looking doubtful.
Alexis Heinlein, Marquis of Knightley and the kingdom's prime minister, was extremely capable.
As head of administration, he was superb; in intelligence, he was said to be the foremost on the Central Countries' side, and in martial matters, he had once been the kingdom's knight commander.
Even now, the Marquis's domain knights were known as elite, and his son—Phelps A. Heinlein—managed the marquisate as steward and was an active B-rank adventurer.
Frankly, that was a terrifyingly powerful subordinate.
Normally, a king would seek to weaken such concentrated power.
To prevent a potential coup.
But this king…
"If Marquis Heinlein asked me to hand over the throne, I'd give it to him."
"Are you being boldly foolish or just stupid…?"
"As long as the people are happy, that's enough."
Abel wasn't lying.
Ryo knew why.
Marquis Heinlein wouldn't betray him.
He was one of those among the nobility who most highly valued Abel as king.
Ryo himself felt the same.
"That may be a bit of a carefree attitude, but it's true that you're trying to govern for the people."
"…Are you mocking me?"
"No, I'm praising you."
Ahead of them, Prince Ryun and Princess Shio Fen had already arrived at the Supreme Council building, and they stood talking just inside the entrance.
Their companion was…
"Hm? Who's that?"
"That would be Sue Ku, the deputy of Mifasoshi in the Bosuntar Kingdom. So she's the Bosuntar delegation's representative."
"That's right. Princess Shio Fen and Mifa look so happy."
Both were talking with smiles.
And Prince Ryun watched them with a smile from beside them.
Sue Ku was the deputy of Mifasoshi, the second-largest jurisdiction in Bosuntar. Although she apparently has royal connections, in her youth she was also active as an adventurer; using the wealth she earned then, she's now in business and apparently owns a vast ranch.
On top of that, she is a powerful magician!
"We seem to know people who do well in so many different fields."
Ryo said as he looked at the three talking.
Abel seemed to understand Ryo was referring to the circle around Sue Ku.
But he said nothing.
"That's to be expected. Whoever applies themselves seriously to anything, thinks properly with their own head, and acts responsibly. No matter the field, that person will produce results. Of course, it's difficult to be top-class at everything… unlike someone like Marquis Heinlein, perhaps."
Abel said it with a laugh and caught Ryo looking at him with eyes wide in surprise.
"What?"
"No— Abel saying something so sensible surprised me."
"I always say sensible things, don't I?"
"…That one line ruins it."
"Why's that?!"
They were shown into a huge room.
A vast conference chamber with not a single window.
Why call it a conference room?
Because at the center of the room sat an enormous round table.
"That's one big round table…"
"They seem to seat two from each nation."
Abel exclaimed at the table's size, and Ryo guessed from the chair arrangement.
Of course, several chairs had been set behind them.
Bureaucrats and officials from each country would take those seats and advise their representatives.
"A round-table conference really has a certain romance to it."
Ryo murmured as he gazed at the table.
"Romance? About a round-table conference?"
Abel, standing beside him, looked puzzled.
"Not maron, romance."
"I never said maron. What's maron anyway?"
"Chestnuts. I love Mont Blanc cake with chestnuts on top, but what we need here is romance."
"So you're saying Mont Blanc cake has romance?"
"That's totally different! If you joke here, the guests will be confused!"
"Who are the guests…?"
Ryo huffed indignantly while Abel rolled his eyes.
In a way, it was the usual scene.
On the round table were triangular objects showing country names.
They were triangular nameplates.
"Atinjo, Bosuntar, Ghegish-Lu, Darwei… Komakyuta, Suje are all here. All the countries we know are included."
"They'd better be, right?"
"And Abel, right opposite the Grand Duchy of Atinjo, there's a country name shining brilliantly."
"Hm? Knightley… oh, that's us."
Ryo made a show of it, but the king lightly brushed it off.
Ryo hung his head.
But bounced back quickly.
"I won't be defeated by Abel's persecution."
"Right, do your best, His Majesty's proxy."
"Eh? Aren't you attending as Abel I, King of Knightley?"
"Hm? Ryo is attending as Premier Duke, right?"
There seemed to be a misunderstanding between the king and the premier duke about who would represent whom.
"In Darwei, Abel didn't wear his identification, so I used mine… until we reached Darwei, we'd been going by 'Abel' normally. Wouldn't it be better if Abel attended as king?"
"Neither Ryo nor I have publicly revealed our identities outside Darwei, right?"
"That's true… but Queen Iliaja knew, and the invitation from the Grand Duchy of Atinjo came addressed to 'Duke Rondo of the Kingdom of Knightley', so quite a few people know our true identities. Also, Prince Ryun and Princess Shio Fen of Darwei know Abel."
"No… if we're asked for ID here, I can't produce it."
"Ah…"
That problem remained unsolved.
Abel was repentant.
"When I get back to the kingdom I'll wear it constantly, whether I'm in office or not…"
"Please do."
Abel sighed, and Ryo shook his head with a wry smile.
Everyone makes mistakes.
Everyone commits failures.
What matters is reflecting and applying the lesson going forward.
"All right. For now, I'll represent as Abel I's proxy."
"Thanks."
"If someone says, 'But the King is sitting right next to you…' I might answer, 'I was coerced; he insisted that I assume full responsibility'."
"Huh?"
"Or I might claim Abel has lost all memory and the person here is a lookalike who lacks Abel I's memories… some ridiculous excuse."
"That's going too far."
"Yes, that would damage the Kingdom of Knightley's credibility."
Indeed…
"In any case, keep things calm and quiet…"
"I'll try."
On a point unrelated to negotiations, the two might find themselves at a crossroads.
While they talked, the delegation from the Ghegish-Lu Federation entered and took their seats.
An elderly man sat in the representative seat; the seat next to him was empty.
Four bureaucrats sat in chairs behind him.
"By the way, the people of Ghegish-Lu who sided with the Grand Duchy of Atinjo won the civil war, right?"
"It seems so."
"So the southern continent has fallen into the Grand Duchy's hands?"
Ryo spoke with theatrical emphasis.
Abel glanced at him but said nothing.
"It has fallen into the Grand Duchy's hands."
Ryo repeated.
"…You like how that sounds, don't you?"
"You noticed! Don't phrases like 'fallen into the hands of' sound cool?"
"If you repeat it enough, anyone can see that. Whether it's cool or not… the Grand Duchy has certainly gained power."
"One can only hope they don't become our enemy."
"They won't turn into our enemy, will they? After all, this conference is being held under the Grand Duchy's auspices."
Abel offered a practical observation.
"Now it's clear: Atinjo rushed to unify the southern continent, probably in preparation for the Choouchi Empire's southward advance…"
"Hm?"
"Look—Duke Helb came all the way here to ask for help. If the Grand Duke of Atinjo and Duke Helb are taken over by this so-called Phantom King…"
"The Choouchi Empire would gain the southern continent without lifting a finger. And that means…"
"It could trap Darwei between north and south."
Neither Abel nor Ryo wanted that to happen.
But hoping it won't and ensuring it doesn't are two different things.
Even while hoping for the best, they mentally prepared for the worst… people capable of doing that are rarer than you'd think.
"If the Grand Duchy of Atinjo is taken over, that nation could become critically important to Darwei."
Abel said, then looked toward the round table where Sue Ku, the Bosuntar representative, was approaching.
"That's true. Bosuntar could act as an intermediary."
Ryo nodded.
There was information that the two did not know.
The dense jungle between Bosuntar and the Grand Duchy of Atinjo is called the 'Forest of No-Wandering'*. (TLN: Previously Unwandering Forest; Ed: It's actually No Hesitation Forest, which doesn't make sense in the context.)
Not only Bosuntar but the Grand Duchy also calls it that.
In other words, it's said to be impossible to pass through that jungle.
Or rather, it had been said.
Conversely, there was information only the two of them knew.
The dragon king Nullus, who had built a golden city in the Forest of No-Wandering, was no longer there.
Whether the Forest of No-Wandering can still be entered now.
No one really knew… probably.
Next to take their seats at the round table was the representative from the Komakyuta Principality, one of the great powers in the Archipelago region.
"He's the one we saw in the Freedom Breeze Inn lobby."
"Was he called Minister Jodaar?"
"Chairman Sukhwe of the Eastern Trading Company said Komakyuta wouldn't help the attack on the Grand Duchy."
"I wonder what happened to that attack in the end…"
It was the moment Abel spoke.
That a person burst through the door, running in and shouting,
"Urgent news! This building is being attacked!"