108 - Worries
Having concluded the meeting with Ray, the King of Laurel began his journey back to the royal capital. Inside the carriage, he stared at the paper in his hand with a face as if he had chewed on a bitter bug. It was the paper Ray had handed him.
It listed several conditions from the demon side for establishing a non-aggression pact. It was not a demand to accept every single request. Rather, it asked him to select which ones he could promise and then consider the outcome based on that.
Because there was no time for prolonged negotiations. This was the reason Ray had prepared the paper, but the King wondered if that was truly the only reason. The King knew all too well that Ray was an opponent who could not be underestimated.
"What was the content of the document?"
The one who asked about the contents of the document was the Head of Intelligence. However, he did not truly want to hear it.
"...Did he really become the Demon King?"
Even while looking at the paper, the King was thinking of something else. The Head of Intelligence knew this.
"It is likely true. The man accompanying him was said to be the King of the Vampio Race. Since that King said so, it should be true."
"There is a possibility it is a lie to make us trust them."
"If someone claims to be the Demon King, would Your Majesty trust such a person?"
It would not happen. It would only heighten his vigilance. Even if he called him a King, as long as he did not view demons as equals, the treatment would differ from that of a king of a human nation.
"...How did it come to this? Was he truly a demon?"
If Ray were a demon, then Princess Ekaterina's child would carry demon blood. There was absolutely no need to worry about such a thing, but the King, who did not know the truth of the birth of humanity, could not understand.
"Shall I call Lord Geel?"
Geel was the most knowledgeable about Ray's circumstances. There was a high possibility he had obtained new information from Ray when he went to meet him.
"...What do you think?"
The King could not reach a conclusion on whether to call Geel. There was a reason for this.
"He told me. He asked why I am still the Captain of the Royal Guard."
The existence of the Captain of the Royal Guard was the reason.
"I see..."
"If Your Majesty cannot make the decision to remove him immediately, I suggest you refrain from calling Lord Geel at this time."
He was not saying to stop him from calling. The Head of Intelligence wanted to say that the presence of the Captain of the Royal Guard would be a hindrance.
"...Neil, you see."
"Is the Crown Prince opposing it? Has that not been made public?"
Crown Prince Neil was opposing the dismissal of the Captain of the Royal Guard. Such a fact would only add credibility to the rumors.
"No, he says nothing about it openly. What Neil is talking about is something else."
"...Is it about the Princess?"
"Yes. He complains that he was brought low by Ekaterina's slanders. Even though he is practically in retirement, Neil still will not stop his attacks. He does not understand that his own remarks keep the rumors smoldering."
"The rumors do not disappear because they are facts."
The problem lay in the actions of Crown Prince Neil and the Captain of the Royal Guard. Unless something was done about that, the rumors would not vanish. That was how the Head of Intelligence had come to view the situation.
"...Is it still continuing?"
"Recently, it seems he has taken an interest in women as well."
"That... is not necessarily a bad thing. Though the partner is a bit problematic."
The King was also aware of the relationship with Akemi. It happened within the castle. Information of that sort reached his ears quickly. However, that was not what the Head of Intelligence was referring to.
"She is currently on the battlefield."
"...With other women? Who are they?"
"I cannot specify who. I mean many. Eventually, I believe the rumors regarding the Captain of the Royal Guard will be drowned out. By rumors that the Crown Prince is lecherous, regardless of gender."
"What on earth is Neil thinking!?"
For better or worse, the interest of those around them, which had been directed toward Princess Ekaterina, had now all shifted toward Crown Prince Neil after losing its target. It was a time when Crown Prince Neil should have strictly disciplined his words and actions.
"...Honestly, I cannot understand what he is thinking. I know I should not put this into words, but I suspect there are aspects of him that are slightly different from normal."
It was a very reserved way of putting it. However, as an evaluation of his own country's Crown Prince, it was something he hesitated to even voice. Even so, the King fully understood the Head of Intelligence's thoughts.
"There is no replacement. I cannot give the throne to Ekaterina's son."
"I did not say such a thing. Before that, the disinheritance of the Crown Prince must never happen."
"Then what should I do?"
"Would a proper tutor not be necessary for the Crown Prince?"
"I see... that is certainly true."
If there was a problem with Crown Prince Neil, it was the responsibility of those around him, led by the Captain of the Royal Guard. This was a reason that was easy for the King to accept.
"Shall we begin by selecting a sword instructor first?"
"Why start with a sword instructor?"
"It takes time to choose a suitable person. It will also be necessary to meet with many candidates."
"...I see, so that's it. He has problems with his personality, but when it comes to the sword, it's Geel. Let's try talking to Geel first. Can you call Geel to the next campsite?"
"Of course."
◇◇◇
The King wanted to speak with Geel at the next campsite. This was also conveyed to the Captain of the Royal Guard, along with the content that the King was thinking of raising the level of Crown Prince Neil's instructors by one step. Upon receiving this, the Captain of the Royal Guard had people search for Geel's whereabouts, who was acting separately. Without realizing that such a search was unnecessary. The fact that the King wanted to talk was conveyed to Geel through the Head of Intelligence's organization.
As the King desired, Geel appeared at the campsite that evening. The reason he was acting separately was that it was a hassle to be questioned about this and that by the Captain of the Royal Guard. Geel had also been heading toward the royal capital from a position not far away.
"I heard I was summoned, so I have come."
Geel appeared humble before the King. Geel was deeply loyal. He could not maintain his usual attitude in front of the King.
"If you were always like this, I would seriously want to ask you for instruction."
"Huh?"
"No, it's just a pretext to call you. To look for a sword instructor for Neil."
"That... is impossible for me."
"Your skill with the sword is first-rate. If it is impossible for you, who else is there?"
Seeing Geel's formal attitude, the King began to seriously consider making him the instructor.
"I believe Myriad General Sieg is the most suitable for that role."
"I understand that, but that Sieg is currently on an expedition leading the army. He cannot deal with Neil."
"Then someone else."
"...Why do you dislike it so much?"
Geel was not pleased in the slightest at the prospect of becoming Crown Prince Neil's instructor. Being rejected to this extent made the King curious about the reason.
"I do not dislike it. I simply believe my sword is not suitable for the Crown Prince."
"...You taught that sword to that man. Is Neil inferior to that man?"
The King tied the conversation back to Ray. Even when asked in such a way, Geel had no way to answer. If he were to put an answer into words, there was only one.
"No, that is not the case."
The King should have known this even before asking.
"...Enough about Neil. Why did you feel like teaching the sword to that man?"
Ray was the only man Geel had acknowledged as a disciple. Now there was also Kai, but the King did not know that.
"...A strong will seeking power. He had that. However, Your Majesty is mistaken."
"What am I mistaken about?"
"Even if I had not taught him the sword, he would have become strong. In fact, the period during which I provided instruction was short."
"...That is true."
Ray had not put in effort because someone was there. He had imposed severe training upon himself that others could not achieve. The King knew this.
"If I dare say there is a similarity between myself and him, it is that both our swords are unique. They are not things that can be passed on to others."
"I see... sorry. I've drifted off topic. No, perhaps I haven't. The fact that what I want to ask is about that man remains unchanged."
The talk about the sword was over. He had not necessarily believed that the instructor had to be Geel.
"What is the content?"
"First, did he really become the Demon King?"
"I have only heard the story from those two, but I believe the possibility is quite high. Originally, the King of the Vampio Race was seeking a joint struggle with Ray. He must have refused for a long time, but I believe there was something that made him accept."
"Do you not know what that was?"
"Protecting women and children who have no power to fight. If he intends to spread that throughout all of Nordende, would that not take the form of a Demon King?"
"...I see."
The inviolability of Nordende. It matched the conditions Ray had sought. However, even so, that alone was not enough to be convincing. The existence of a Demon King exists for the sake of battle. This was the perception of the King and many humans.
"Do you know how many demons are following him?"
The Head of Intelligence also questioned Geel.
"I have no inkling at all. To begin with, I do not know how many demons there are in Nordende. I suspect the demons themselves do not know either."
"The demons themselves, as well?"
"The one accompanying Ray was the King of the Vampio Race. A King. In other words, there are many independent nations in Nordende."
"...So the ties are weak."
They did not understand other races well. The Head of Intelligence understood from Geel's story that such was the relationship.
"You should have known that from before. Demons have poor unity. I thought that was their weakness, and because the demons knew that, they established the existence of a Demon King."
"Is that not the case?"
"I've come to think that a Demon King is not something created by force. If there is no existence suitable to be the Demon King, the demons will not follow."
"Is that not usually how it is?"
No one follows a fool. The Head of Intelligence said "usually," but that was not correct. There are plenty of kings who have been called fools. And subordinates who followed those fools and ruined their countries.
"You might think it's natural, but it's not. Even though the kingdom's invasion is about to begin, the demons have fallen apart. Didn't they think the previous Demon King was not worth following?"
"However, a new Demon King has risen."
That was Ray. Facing the invasion of the Laurel Kingdom, the demons needed a new Demon King. The Head of Intelligence believed that in response to that demand, Ray became the Demon King.
"Not for the sake of fighting. But for the sake of not fighting."
"...Why was it him?"
"Do you think it's to make negotiations easier to proceed?"
"Well."
Ray was not a demon. He had a connection to the Laurel Kingdom, and while it was not a good connection for the parties involved, it existed. The Head of Intelligence considered the possibility that Ray was chosen as the window for negotiations.
"I think that is a mistake. He might indeed be suitable as a window for negotiations. But that is because his abilities are such."
"You mean the demons did not seek those abilities?"
"They might have. But that shouldn't be all they sought."
"There is something else. What do you think it is?"
"That is..."
At this point, Geel realized he had spoken too much. Ray was seeking a ceasefire. For that, it would be better if the Laurel Kingdom thought it was no problem to leave the demons alone for a while.
"What is it?"
It was impossible to remain silent. The King would not allow it. To begin with, having come to this place, there was no way Geel could keep secrets.
"...Ray is strong. Strong enough for the demons to recognize him as the Demon King."
"Surely, that is..."
"Yes. I am speaking not of the power to lead an army, but of his own personal power."
"............"
The King realized he had underestimated Ray. The same went for the Head of Intelligence. Their evaluation had hardly changed since before Ray left the royal capital, before he joined the Demon King's army.
"I was only present as a witness and did not see him fighting in earnest. Therefore, this is something of an intuition of mine."
"...Even so, there is something that allows you to state definitively that he is strong?"
Geel was strong. These were the words of that Geel. The King could not lightly dismiss it as mere intuition.
"...For example, the King of the Vampio Race who accompanied Ray. He is also considerably strong. However, I feel more fear toward Ray. A fear I never felt before."
"...What about you?"
The King asked for the Head of Intelligence's opinion. The King did not feel the fear Geel spoke of. He wanted to hear the opinion of the only other person present.
"Unfortunately, I did not notice the presence of the King of the Vampio Race. From that alone, I know that person is no ordinary individual. However, he... I could not tell."
"I see..."
The King felt a sense of relief that it was the same as himself. However, that did not give him confidence in his evaluation of Ray.
"That is Ray's fear. He apparently does not let the King of the Vampio Race grasp his presence."
Unable to measure power. Geel found such an opponent more frightening. This was a thought he had also taught Ray.
"...Assuming it is a fact that that man is the Demon King, how do you think he will move from here on?"
"It is as Ray himself said. The kingdom will not attack, or once he is convinced that he can solidify Nordende's defenses and that it will be no problem even if attacked, he will likely stop being the Demon King."
"And then he will try to kill the Hero?"
"Would it not be fine if it ended with that?"
"What did you say?"
"Rather than having the kingdom as an enemy. That was the case before. However, during these negotiations, I saw the possibility that the kingdom would be removed from the target of revenge. I believe that is fortunate for the kingdom."
Ray, as the Demon King, was trying to establish a mutual non-aggression pact with the Laurel Kingdom. Among the negotiation conditions, he explained that killing the Hero was a personal action. Of course, to establish the pact, he would not say that he still viewed the Laurel Kingdom as an enemy. Even so, Geel felt the possibility.
"In the unlikely event that the Hero is slain, it will affect the struggle for hegemony."
"In that case, why not hire another new Hero?"
"...Making a Demon King into a Hero is not even a laughing matter."
The King immediately understood what Geel wanted to say.
"Only the demons and the three of us here know that Ray is the Demon King. In the future, if there is no fighting, this fact will not spread."
"Even so."
"There is no need to welcome him as a Hero. He is bound to hate it. There is no need to put him in the public eye. He possesses the ability to perform such functions."
"............"
The King could not put into words a denial of Geel's thought. Even if he tried to speak, personal emotions would be the reason. It was useless to ask for the Head of Intelligence's opinion. He knew the Head would gladly show agreement with Geel's opinion. The King's choice was silence.
"...This is an opinion as a soldier. At the very least, restarting the war with the demons now cannot be called a wise move. The Undead Legion is more powerful than before, and the demons should move based on strategy and tactics. To win against that army, a decision to suspend the expedition will be necessary."
The King's grudge against Ray was not likely to disappear easily. Thinking this, Geel decided to change the direction of the conversation. While it remained true that Ray was a threat, he explained the reasons why the pact with Ray should be established as a military opinion.
"...I understand. I will take that opinion into reference."
Still, the King's response ended there. The King also understood. The reason he had a negotiation with Ray was not due to personal emotions. Because he strongly felt the necessity of a ceasefire with the demons, he tried to establish as an individual what was impossible for the state. Despite that, actually meeting Ray had given birth to a strong sense of repulsion. While thinking it was immature and that as the king of a nation he should handle things more calmly, the King could not forgive Ray, who had become an even more incompatible existence.
◇◇◇
The debauchery of Crown Prince Neil, which the King had come to know, was taking place tonight as well. However, the Crown Prince's version of it was slightly different from what the King and others thought. Even if they knew that, rather than feeling relieved, they would likely only become more anxious.
"...Um, I do not understand the meaning of your question."
A maid was asking Crown Prince Neil back with a bewildered look.
"Did you not hear me? I asked if you know what it means to 'come'."
"...T-that, what would that mean?"
In reality, she knew the meaning. However, because Crown Prince Neil's question was so abrupt, she thought—or rather, wanted to think—that she had misunderstood.
"You don't know... I see. You didn't say 'I'm coming'."
"............"
Even when told such a thing, she had no words to return. She could not put it into words out of embarrassment. However, Crown Prince Neil would not be satisfied with this reaction.
"Why?"
"Pardon?"
"Why do you think you didn't say 'I'm coming'?"
"Even if you ask why..."
The maid's entire body was dyed bright red with shame. She doubted the nerves of Crown Prince Neil, who could ask such a question with a straight face.
"I don't say 'I'm coming' either. But according to another person, the sensation I feel is apparently the same. Do you know?"
"...S-somewhat."
She could not say she didn't know with a straight face. She had just accepted it a moment ago.
"Is it really the same? I experienced it from the start. But you have not experienced it. Others say so too. What do you think?"
"...Because it is different for men and women."
Thinking "what an obvious thing to say," the maid replied. She realized that with Crown Prince Neil in this state, the conversation would not end just by playing dumb.
"How is it different?"
"That is... because the structure of the body is different."
The maid had no idea what Crown Prince Neil wanted to know. She began to feel anxious about how long this situation would continue.
"I know that. But I... no, is it just that the structure of the body is different? Is the sensation different too?"
"I think it is."
"Then, is it impossible for me to experience that sensation of a woman?"
"Eh...?"
The maid's eyes widened in surprise. She took the meaning of Crown Prince Neil's question as something relating to it between men. She thought the rumors were true.
"Just kidding. In the act, only the woman seems to be pleased. I've thought for a while that it was unfair."
"That is... because Your Highness is wonderful."
"Finally a compliment. With this, I am satisfied. You may go now."
"...Yes. Please excuse me."
The maid hurriedly put on her clothes and left the room. Because she was in a rush, her clothes were quite disheveled, but she didn't care. Her desire to leave this place as quickly as possible was transparent. And Crown Prince Neil was not one to overlook that.
"Keep an eye on her. If she speaks of unnecessary things..."
"Understood."
A page, who appeared in place of the maid, replied and followed after her. Crown Prince Neil watched them go.
"...Is sensation something that depends only on the body? I wonder if the heart is not involved? I'll try asking that next."
The Head of Intelligence had told the King that Crown Prince Neil had aspects that were different from normal. Then, what was different? There would surely be no way to know. Even his father, the King, would not be able to understand.