kscans

Chapter 126 - Interlude: The Delegations of the Three Nations

Royalty and leaders from every nation had arrived.

I had assumed the delegations would consist of nobles, but why had they come in person?

The story goes back some time.

In the Republic of Retil, King Rukarl and Prince Lustolfo were in the throne room discussing the delegation to the Deom Empire. According to the prince's report, Grine had been crowned the new emperor but had gone missing on the same day, with rumors circulating that she might be dead. Of course, none of this had been made public. The Republic's royal family knew only because they had their own intelligence network.

"The Empire must be in turmoil," the king mused. "A fierce battle on the border, a mysterious monster appearing in the capital… I have not seen so much happen in my lifetime."

"Father, what you say is true, but let's talk practically," the prince replied. "If Grine is indeed dead, it's only a matter of time before Princess Yorune becomes the new emperor. This is the perfect opportunity to send a delegation and negotiate."

The prince was deep in thought. The Empire was in chaos and likely short on supplies. They could offer food and reconstruction materials in exchange for access to the Empire's tools and technology. To do that, they would need to select a noble skilled in negotiation.

Just then, the doors opened and Bradamante, the captain of the knights, entered. "Pardon the interruption. A delegation from the Kingdom, on its way to the Empire, has just arrived."

The prince sensed something unusual in Bradamante's demeanor. "Did someone important arrive?"

Bradamante knelt. "It seems Princess Olivia has come as the representative."

Both the king and the prince were stunned. They knew the Kingdom also had an intelligence network, so they expected them to be aware of the situation in the Empire. Sending a delegation was within their expectations. But for royalty to come themselves was not.

It was common practice for a noble appointed by the king to lead a delegation. Sending someone close to the throne was something to be avoided, given the unknown dangers. For that reason, nobles skilled in both martial arts and negotiation were usually chosen. For royalty to come in person was baffling.

The king regained his composure. "Immediately send word to the lodging where the delegation is staying. Instruct them to receive them with the utmost courtesy."

If the guest was royalty, then appropriate hospitality was required. The captain saluted and left.

Alone in the throne room, the king remarked, "To think the princess herself would come. I had assumed it would be a noble. The Kingdom has made a bold move."

If royalty were to be sent, it would make more sense for Prince Alphonse to come. The prince was known for his wisdom and martial prowess and could handle any danger. For Princess Olivia to come was unexpected. The princess was wise, but not skilled in combat. She was a worrisome choice for the head of a delegation.

As he was thinking, the prince spoke up. "Father, since the Kingdom's delegation is led by someone of high standing, I believe we must send someone of equal rank, or we will lose face."

Indeed, with royalty in the delegation, they would be subject to all sorts of gossip if they didn't send royalty as well. In that case, there was only one suitable person.

The king took a breath. "Can I count on you?"

"Leave it to me," the prince replied, bowing his head. "I will strive to meet your expectations."

To protect the Republic's honor, they had to play on the same field. The king trusted his son and was not worried. This was because Prince Lustolfo often left the castle for excursions abroad. He claimed it was to broaden his horizons, but it was half learning, half playing. Sometimes he even left the country and went as far as the Church. Naturally, he was attacked by monsters, but he was skilled in combat, possessing the strength of a B-rank adventurer.

While this was a source of concern for the king, it also meant that his son was more than capable of handling this important task. It was an ironic turn of events.

The prince was inwardly overjoyed at King Rukarl's command. In his heart, he had wanted to be the one to go in the delegation, but he had kept quiet, thinking his father would oppose it. After all, sending him to the Empire with its unstable domestic situation would be seen as too dangerous. The faction loyal to Princess Yorune would likely do nothing, but there was a chance that remnants of Princess Grine's faction could cause trouble. If royalty were to be injured within the Empire, it would become an international incident. And amidst that chaos, a civil war could easily break out.

He wanted to avoid needless conflict. The best course of action was to handle things peacefully. And then, Princess Olivia had arrived as the head of the Kingdom's delegation. This was his chance. Since the Kingdom had sent royalty, they had to send royalty as well, or they would lose face. His father was still the reigning king, so he couldn't easily leave the country. That left only one royal from the Republic. As expected, his father had nominated him. He had to hide his joy and play the part of a man dedicated to his duty.

After leaving the throne room, the prince ordered a nearby soldier, "As soon as Captain Bradamante returns, tell her to come to the conference room. And issue a summons to the other knights as well."

The soldier saluted and ran off. Now, it was time to discuss the details of the escort and the precautions for the journey.

At the headquarters of the Saint's Church, on the top floor, five men sat at a large, round marble table under a chandelier in a room decorated predominantly in white. The table was large enough to comfortably seat thirty people. Three of the men wore robes of high-quality silk; all were old men in their late fifties. They were archbishops, some of the highest-ranking members of the Church.

One of them, a white-haired old man, reported from a book in his hand, "…and that is the full extent of the situation in the Empire."

After a brief silence, a blond-haired old man sneered, "The Empire is in a state of turmoil, isn't it? For two emperors to die in such a short period of time."

"Watch your tongue," a brown-haired old woman interjected sharply. "We are followers of the god Hermes. It is unforgivable to mock the dead."

The blond old man bowed his head slightly and fell silent.

Just then, another voice cut in. "Gentlemen, that is enough idle chatter. Let us get to the main topic."

The one who forcefully steered the conversation was an old man with silver hair, wearing robes even more luxurious than the archbishops' and holding a holy book close to his body. He was Cardinal Romel, the second-in-command of the Saint's Church.

At his words, the three fell silent.

"Regarding our response to the Empire," the cardinal announced, "His Holiness the Pope has proposed that we slightly increase our trade as we have been doing. Are there any objections?"

The cardinal looked around. The three remained silent in their seats. This was expected. In the Church, the Pope's word was absolute and unchangeable. To voice an opinion or objection was a grave sin.

After a moment, the cardinal declared, "No objections. The matter is decided. Do you have any words, Your Holiness?"

The cardinal looked to his side. There sat an old man in his late seventies, bald, wearing the most luxurious robes, a gold and silver necklace, and rings with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and other colorful gems on every finger. On his head was a 0.8-meter-tall hat with a cross embroidered on it. This was Pope Aleister, the head of the Saint's Church.

"Regarding the delegation to hear the Empire's requests," the Pope announced, "I shall go myself."

The four others were stunned. For the Pope himself to go would be a great honor for the Empire, but for the archbishops, it was a dangerous prospect. The journey was fraught with the possibility of being attacked.

"With all due respect, Your Holiness," the cardinal said anxiously, "the journey to the Empire is dangerous. Even with an escort, we cannot guarantee your safety."

"Nonsense," the Pope replied with a dry laugh. "I will have Captain Altorine as my guard. That holy knight is more than capable of fulfilling her duty. Besides, the Empire may be politically unstable, but they are not so foolish as to do something to me."

The Pope was a greedy man who thought only of money and his own safety. He was a coward who would never take even a one percent risk. When he heard the reports of the Empire's instability, he must have concluded that there would be no organized attack. A disorganized rabble was nothing to fear. Altorine alone would be more than enough, the cardinal thought.

"Furthermore," the Pope continued with a wicked smile, "the other nations will surely send delegations as well. Naturally, they will send nobles. But the Church will send me. It will be proof of how much we trust the Empire. And it will also be a way to look down on the delegations from the other two nations. Fufufu."

It felt a bit forceful, but he had a point. While the Kingdom and the Republic sent nobles, the Church would send the Pope himself. In terms of status, he was superior. It was reason enough to look down on them.

The four looked as if they wanted to say something, but the Pope's decision was absolute.

"As you wish," the cardinal said, bowing his head slightly in agreement. "We will have Captain Altorine lead a handpicked group of knights as your escort."

The Pope nodded in satisfaction, imagining the scene when he arrived in the Empire, looking down on the nobles and laughing at them. He could hardly wait.

However, his scheme would be shattered the moment he arrived.