Chapter 157 - 157. Banquet and the King of Heilong (Part 2)
The man said he wanted to speak with me privately and led me to a smaller room. It was like a conference room. A luxurious wooden table and chairs were set up, but it seemed we would be standing.
"I am Jolt, King of Heilong."
The man stated his name.
"That is Chancellor Horty behind him," the priestess added in a soft voice. I wondered who Horty was. If he was a priest from the church in Heilong, I should have met him. But Maira said she made the head priest write the letter. Was it possible to teleport?
"He holds the position of Chancellor. You would not have seen him at the church in Heilong," the priestess explained, noticing my confusion.
"You are Mash, correct? And who is this?"
We still hadn't broken our equilateral triangle formation centered around Aira. Aira, dressed as a Holy Knight, must appear to them as the leader.
"This is Aira-sama," I said.
Aira nodded slightly. She was trembling slightly, perhaps from nervousness. Before meeting me, she was engaged to Reed and dreamed of becoming a noble. I hoped she could handle her nerves. But pushing her too far would only breed resentment. Should I relieve her?
"...I see," the King of Heilong said, nodding, but I wondered what the female knight thought. Did she also believe Aira was another summoned hero?
"Thank you for accepting our invitation to this banquet. We could have held it at Heilong Castle, but our positions... Besides, Horty insisted that this castle was the most fitting place for our meeting."
The King of Heilong glanced at his Chancellor, who bowed slightly. Meeting at the castle in Heilong would carry official implications. We could not retract anything we said. So, they wanted to communicate without binding oaths, but why a banquet with twenty nobles?
"Could you tell me the purpose of your journey? I hear you are heading to Migul," the Chancellor asked.
"One of my companions is cursed. I seek the Great Cathedral for her treatment."
"...I see," the Chancellor nodded. He wanted to know if I had any intention of taking military action against the Demon Kingdom. He was interested in whether I would declare a holy war. That would significantly change the fate of Heilong. But we had no intention of leading an army into the Demon Kingdom. Aira had never considered that, so my honest answer inadvertently dodged his question.
"From what I heard, Lady Racshell descended during your battle with the pirates. Have you seen her descend at other times?"
"Possible, but once before, someone requested Lady Racshell's descent to hear her words. Their wish was granted, but they collapsed unconscious, and we could not even glimpse her."
"It seems the gods dislike testing people," the Chancellor said. The man who collapsed was probably happily jiggling breasts somewhere in Heilong, but of course, Aira would never say that. It was better to believe that those who sought her would receive due consequences. If only that was true. Aira had been trembling at first, but now she conversed confidently. Maira was also confident, but perhaps because she was seen as a divine agent, she tended to speak authoritatively, especially to those of high status. Aira had none of that burden and was gentle in demeanor. She possessed a talent for diplomacy. But upon closer inspection, she was reaching behind her, and Cecily was holding her hand. I had done something terrible. It was cruel to keep Aira in this position. I stepped forward so that Aira was behind me.
"We have no intention of openly declaring war and marching into the Demon Kingdom."
"Then do you intend to march into the Demon Kingdom without declaration?"
"I don't know if that's what the Empire wants. Must it be here in Heilong, at the Demon Kingdom's frontier?"
The King and the Chancellor chuckled. The King seemed moderate; the Chancellor, hardline. However, neither was purely one side. They were trying to navigate difficult choices. It felt like the Chancellor wasn't completely hardline. In this current situation, they were looking for ways to act appropriately. I chuckled. Still, I doubt they had bad intentions toward us. It felt easier talking with them compared to other nobles.
"We heard you are heading to Migul, but what is the purpose of your journey?"
"One of my companions is cursed. For her treatment at the Great Cathedral."
"......I see," the Chancellor nodded. He wanted to know if I would lead a military force against the Demon Kingdom. Specifically, whether there was a possibility of a holy war. That could greatly change Heilong's fate. But we had no intention of leading an army into the Demon Kingdom. Aira hadn't considered that, and my honest answer unintentionally deflected the Chancellor's question.
"If you ever require a holy war, please let us know."
"I understand. When the time comes, swear in this castle?"
The King spoke, raising his wine. I couldn't tell if he was serious or joking, but I nodded. I doubted that time would come. I couldn't imagine leading a military force and taking responsibility for their lives. Did the King have it? It worried me. Aira was the only one looking valiant. Her eyes darted frantically as if I was seeking her opinion.
"Y-Yes, then, please."
Her expression was strained. I doubt she knew what she was agreeing to.
Afterward, we received a set of equipment as gratitude for subjugating the pirates from the King of Heilong. The material was the same as the chainmail Aira was wearing. They explained that magicinces had been used to increase its strength and lightness by channeling magic through the silver. They had investigated our party beforehand, as equipment for everyone was prepared. A breastplate and two-handed sword for me. I would keep the breastplate, but the two-handed sword wasn't to my liking, so it would stay in storage for a while. There were chestplates for Fam and Mizuki. Also, one-handed swords and shields for them. Chainmail for Maira, Cecily, and Aira, and maces for them. And a staff. They had learned of this from Marmie, given the short time frame they prepared well. We had to test the usability of each item later. But why did they consider Aira the central figure despite gathering information? In any case, her attire was said to be what Ut had been wearing, so she wouldn't accept. The clothes and accessories that I and Cecily were wearing, they said could take. I refused them. They were too much, and selling or giving them to someone else would be difficult. Perhaps there would be another occasion like this, but that decision could wait. Thus, I returned to the banquet in the courtyard with the King of Heilong. Our formation returned to the isosceles aira triangle. The nobles began approaching and greeting us more actively, so it was somewhat hectic, but being in the back was still easier. I was picking at food while watching Aira struggle.
"Aira-sama, since you'll be riding a horse back, maybe you should cut back on the wine..."
I couldn't tell if it was nervousness or her usual behavior, but I grew concerned watching her gulp down glass after glass of wine.
"I'm staying here tonight."
"...I'm going back."
I couldn't get Fam out of my head. And I had forgotten the purpose, but I needed to successfully date Cecily today and somehow convince her to stay in the party. I needed to ensure the continuation of what happened the other night. I had trouble convincing her of not go to magic school. Perhaps it was for my sake. But I didn't want this to be the end. I wanted to keep her tied to me.
"I'm going back too."
Cecily followed my lead. Actually, she only touched the wine to her lips.
"..."
Hearing our replies, she fell silent. Then she drank wine. Her eyes were starting to droop. Was she really okay?
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