kscans

Chapter 239 - The Meeting with the Republic

After that, we passed through the forest without any further incidents and arrived in the territory of the Letil Republic.

…Along the way, the grasslands bore the scars of incredible destruction. The earth was slightly cracked, and there were even scorched patches. It was clear that a brutal battle had taken place here as well.

…In front of the gate, there was a brand-new trench. It looked as if a heavy outer wall had been moved.

But there was nothing like that when I came before. Was it set up temporarily for the battle?

As the carriage arrived at the gate, a gatekeeper said, "Excuse me, but we will need to confirm your identities."

Here too, the inspection was strict.

"I am Magnes, Captain of the Knights of the Deom Empire," the Captain announced. "I have come on this visit to request an audience with King Rukarl regarding our future policy and relations following the recent war with the monsters. Here is my letter of credence."

He presented it just as he had at the Church.

The gatekeeper who checked it exclaimed, "Inform them at once! My apologies. We are confirming now, so please wait at an inn."

He saluted in the same manner.

The carriage entered the royal capital without any trouble.

Once we arrived at the inn, the Captain ordered, "My apologies, but please go and check on the ships. See if they are departing as usual."

"As you wish, sir. We’ll be on our way."

I saluted and left the inn with Tina.

Seeing my gesture, Tina said, holding back a laugh, "What was that way of speaking?"

"Well, he is my employer, so I tried to use appropriate language. I’m still not used to it. It feels a bit stiff."

I reflected on my actions.

…If you suddenly do something you’re not used to, you can only move awkwardly. To do it as naturally as breathing, daily practice is important.

With that thought, we arrived at the port.

Several ships were docked at the port, and one had just departed.

Seeing this, I asked a nearby sailor, "Excuse me. I just saw a ship leave. Are there any problems with departures?"

"No, sir. As you may know, we had a war with monsters here, but the ships suffered no damage. The safety of the seas can also be guaranteed," he answered with a smile.

"What?" Tina asked, puzzled. "There was a war with monsters, right? So how can the sea be safe?"

…Indeed, there are countless types of monsters. After a battle, it was strange for only the sea to be safe.

"Actually," the sailor explained, "when the Republic was in crisis, a giant tsunami appeared from the sea. But it didn’t strike the royal capital; it went towards the gate like a rainbow bridge. A wall of water formed, so we couldn’t see what was happening on the monster side. After it disappeared, the monsters fled towards the forest. Everyone gave thanks and prayers, believing that the guardian god of the sea had descended. Look, that old woman over there is doing it too."

He pointed to an old woman praying towards the sea.

"Since then," the sailor continued, "reverence for the sea has become even more sacred than before. Shrines to worship it have been built on the beach. Before a ship departs, the captain and crew offer a prayer before leaving. Thanks to that, nothing has happened to this day."

The sailor prayed towards the sea.

…Well, if a miracle like that happens during a national crisis, it’s only natural for people to be grateful.

Even in Japan, many people express their gratitude to Buddhism, praying for their daily health and safety. Whether good or bad things happen is up to the individual, though.

"I see," Tina said. "Well then, has anything else changed? For example, what happened to the monsters in the forest? It’s unsettling that we didn’t see any on our way here."

"No, I’ve heard the monsters are quite docile," the sailor replied. "Some adventurers went out to investigate on a quest before, and they said the monsters were as meek as if they had been defanged. Oh, come to think of it, an adventurer at the tavern was drunk and talking about encountering a ‘monster he didn’t want to mess with.’ I wasn’t very interested, so I left in the middle of the story. Well, I must be going."

After finishing his story, the sailor returned to his work.

Hearing this, I said, "A monster you don’t want to mess with. That’s intriguing. Shall we go to the tavern and ask around?"

"I agree," Tina replied. "It’s strange that the atmosphere isn’t more frantic with a monster like that around."

With that, we headed to the tavern together.

Meanwhile, at the royal castle.

The throne room.

The Captain, who had been at the inn, was summoned by the castle knights.

There, nobles lined the left and right, and before him, King Rukarl and Queen Melisa sat side by side.

"Welcome to our country, Captain Magnes," King Rukarl said with an air of dignity. "Please explain the purpose of your visit."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the Captain replied. "I have come for no other reason than this. As you may know, a large-scale war with monsters broke out in the Empire. I have heard that the same occurred in the Republic. Therefore, we would like to cooperate in our future relations, support, and reconstruction, offering mutual assistance."

At this, the nobles erupted.

"What an arrogant proposal! Do you know how much damage our country has suffered?!"

"Indeed. We are short on personnel, as well as food and medical supplies, yet you speak of mutual support."

"I have heard that the damage to the Empire, though great, was concentrated on the border. The royal capital suffered little damage."

"In that case, there is no need for us to provide support. Rather, the Empire should be the one to support us!"

They said whatever they pleased.

…The Captain acted as if he felt nothing, but inside he was seething with indignation. While the damage to the royal capital was small, there were still many injured.

All medical supplies had been sent to the border, so the Empire was also facing a shortage.

"Silence!" King Rukarl boomed. "You are in the presence of an envoy! My apologies, Captain Magnes. It is clear that your country is also facing a severe shortage of supplies. I am truly sorry that they have hurled insults at you without a thought. However, we will not make progress like this. All nobles, withdraw from this place."

At this command, the disgruntled nobles vehemently protested.

"Hoh? How dare you speak such words?" King Rukarl said with a cold gaze, tinged with killing intent. "You, if I recall, are the one who sent out his vaunted personal guard in the last war, are you not? After that, they hindered our allies in the battle with the monsters, suffered heavy injuries, and withdrew from the front lines. The same goes for the rest of you, does it not? Now then, you who have achieved nothing but that, what makes you think you can say such disrespectful things to the Empire?"

A chill ran down the nobles’ spines. They withdrew in silence.

With only the three of them left in the throne room, Queen Melisa said cheerfully, "Well now that the pests are gone, shall we get down to business?"

"Haaaah… Indeed," King Rukarl said. "I have already come to an agreement with Emperor Yorune regarding future matters. This visit was to keep the existence of the wireless transceiver from being revealed to the nobles. I’m sorry you had to go along with this charade."

The Captain’s expression relaxed. "Not at all. I was aware of the situation. I came prepared to remain calm no matter what was said. However, for the nobles’ personal guard to be so useless… could it be that you foresaw this?"

"I didn’t know if we would win or not," King Rukarl said with a wicked smile. "But it was necessary for dealing with the nobles in the future. Knowing them, it was highly likely they would use the damage from this war to demand money. I needed a reason to shut them up, didn’t I? By any means necessary."

…Looking at him now, he seemed like a king who ruled with an iron fist. But given the flow of events so far, it was clear who the truly evil authority figures were.

"I am in awe of your spirit," the Captain said, bowing deeply.

"Well then," King Rukarl said. "Shall we continue our theatrical discussion? Let’s see… perhaps I’ll tell you about something recent that I haven’t told Emperor Yorune."

And so he began to speak.