It’s also a good excuse to take her out of the mountains if the Heir really wants it.
For some reason, I shook my head.
“Of course, it would be difficult to expect that the conditions for the succession of the Holy Sword could be satisfied there. Still, there is no other way to come to mind.”
“Yeah, thinking about it, it doesn’t seem to make any sense.”
Of course, there was the most crucial problem.
Will there be a big event that just meets the conditions for a holy sword in a place like the academy?
And before that, can the heir make friends who have built such a deep bond there?
But that uncertainty was a problem that the Academy had no way to solve.
Even the warrior knows that, so he says it like that.
“Then, how about convincing the successor to use the Academy as an excuse?”
After organizing my thoughts, I said.
“Once we can take the heir out of the mountain range, that’s enough. Let’s take some time and think about it a bit more.”
The warrior nodded as if in agreement.
“Not only the heir, but also her father must convince him. I will talk to him as well.”
Yeah, that’s a problem too.
He has raised his heir alone in this mountain, which has been almost cut off from the outside world.
To convince him, you probably need to know the reason first. It didn’t seem like such a person would be willing to let her daughter go out into the world.
***
As the day dawned, I went straight to the heir with the hero.
“Aren’t you thinking of going to the academy?”
She, who was sweeping the yard, looked at her with a puzzled face.
“What is admission?”
“You’re going to become a student at the academy. You’re asking if you don’t want to learn various things while living with other students there.”
The warrior explained in a calm voice.
“Why are you suddenly making such an offer to me?”
“It is because I thought that your talents were not worth living in the mountains like this. As I said yesterday, your talents are very good. If you go out into the world and learn more things, you will be able to fully realize your abilities.”
So, me and the hero told various stories to convince the successor.
But for some reason, she only showed a plain reaction with a strange expression.
“Well, I’m interested, but I’m still going to leave the house.”
I asked, feeling a bit weak in response to the less-than-expected response.
“Do you still want to stay in this mountain range?”
“It’s not that, I don’t know.”
The heir scratched his head.
“I’ve never thought deeply about going outside.”
“············”.
“Still, I don’t think I’m very happy right now. I have a father, too. So I’ll turn it down.”
After unsuccessful persuasion, he returned.
Me and the hero stood silently side by side, deep in thought.
‘Should I convince my father first?’
According to one word, her father’s presence seemed to play a role in her refusal to go out of the mountain range.
Originally, I tried to convince the heir first and then convince him, but would it be better to change the order?
“Why don’t we go talk to her father first?”
He said that as the warrior had similar thoughts.
“Yeah, then…”
That was then.
I lowered my head at the twinkling light from the bracelet I wore on my wrist.
“···········?”
This bracelet was ordered by the butler before leaving for the mountain range this time.
I don’t know how many times I’ll be absent this time, so in the meantime, if there’s an urgent matter to the monarchy, I’ll get a signal.
‘what?’
This signal was that something had happened.
There was nothing I could guess. Is it something to do with overlords? Or is it related to demons?
‘At a time like this…’
I frowned. At this point, I was unwilling to leave the heir behind and return to the monarchy.
However, there was no way that I could have sent a signal to something that was not very important, so I had to check it.
“Why?”
I looked at the warrior.
As for the successor’s life, she is there, so there is nothing to worry about.
And I believe in her. You won’t try to hit the back of my head while I’m away. Because I could have done that in the past.
“I think I’ll have to go back to the monarchy for a while.”
“······ As Enrok? Did something urgent happen?”
“okay.”
At my words, the warrior nodded.
“Okay. The heir has nothing to worry about, so go. I will not betray your trust.”
Trust me.
When the hero said that in person, I could definitely feel that she thought of me as a friend to some extent.
So, Ashel and I got on the belt to return to the monarchy.
“Let’s go home.”
***
I returned to the monarchy as quickly as possible.
The atmosphere of the monarchy was no different from usual. It didn’t seem like there had been a raid, or that the overlord or other lords had come to visit.
As soon as we got off the castle, the butler came out and greeted us right away.
“Are you here, my lord?”
“What’s going on?”
When I asked what the hell was going on, the butler answered with a firm face.
The words that came out of his mouth were unexpected, not related to the overlord or demons.
“This is a problem related to the Kingdom of Earth Hill.”
“···········?”
“A fortnight ago, Kashol declared war on Earthhill. And the 8th lords gave Kashol their all-power.”
······what?
Siege of Gadfalk (1)
Gadfalk Fortress on the Lowalp Plains, on the northwestern border of Earthhill.
An iron-walled fortress where numerous troops are stationed as it is a key conflict area with Kashol.
“············”.
The soldiers on the wall looked pale and tired and looked out over the plains beyond the fortress.
The warriors of the Guard Falk, who were said to be the most courageous in the kingdom, were nowhere in the gloomy atmosphere.
Masto, the commander of the fortress, who had never broken his fighting spirit in any grueling and terrible battle, also had only despair in his eyes.
I had no choice but to do so.
A black army covered the vast plains.
It was almost impossible to maintain morale even in the face of such a massive force, which was nothing short of a disaster.
‘Why the hell is the Empress of the Black Sea….’
Commander Masto could not comprehend the situation. It was the same for anyone present.
It was not long ago that the 7th Prince declared his support for Earth Hill at the summit.
But why did the Black Sea Empress, the lord of the same Calderic, support the forces in Kashol?
Although I know that the monarchs are not in a relationship that only cooperates with each other even if they are the same faction… But isn’t this the same as the 8th lord’s face to face with the 7th lord?
If not, was it possible that the 7th lord changed his mind?
So it makes sense that the Eighth Lord did not care about him and supported Kashol. No, that was more likely.
…whatever it is, it is a disaster.
Either way, the former or the latter, her will was clear from the fact that the eighth monarch directly mobilized her forces.
Even if all the powers of the kingdom were gathered, there was no way that the forces of this fortress could stand up against that force at a time when it was not enough. Now, this Gadfalk Fortress was in a more precarious position than a candle in the wind.
They are still encamped on the plains, but on the day that army advances, the fortress will collapse like a sand castle.
“··········································································· their their their Majesty has arrived!”
Upon hearing the news from the noncommissioned officer, Commander Masto looked away from the plain and nodded heavily.
The reason the enemy forces have not yet invaded is waiting for the final negotiations with Earth Hill.
The king of Earth Hill, Longford, who entered the fortress, had only a few knights and wizards by his side.
In order to hurry as much as possible, they had arrived at the fortress ahead of the troops coming from the capital.
“How’s the situation?”
In response to Longford’s question, Masto reported all the details in a grim voice.
“Two times, envoys from enemy camps have come. One requirement is that there will be no invasion if we completely renounce the rights of Rawalp Plains and retreat the northwestern border to Kaabaon.”
“············”.
Longford’s eyelids trembled.
It was because Kashol’s request was so absurd.
Complete renunciation of Rowalf, plus border retreat to Kabaon. It was far worse than what was claimed at the last meeting.
If all demands are accepted, even if this invasion is over, Earth Hill can no longer balance his power with Kashol.
That was then.
“Sir! It’s an emergency!”
“What’s going on?”
“That’s a huge monster from the enemy camp…!”
Longford and Masto quickly climbed up the wall. and could see
The sight of a giant monster spider almost the height of the fortress slowly approaching the fortress alone.
“This is the power of the 8 Lords. But why…?”
“Someone is riding on the spider.”
The forces were concentrated on the wall where the spider was approaching quickly. But it did not appear that the enemy was about to launch an attack.
The spider, who came to the front of the fortress, stopped advancing at a small distance from the fortress wall.
Someone was riding on the spider, and he was also from the 8th lord’s side.
It had a human appearance, but its body was covered with the skeleton of a black worm, and several antennae were wriggling on its forehead.
“Hello, King of Earth Hill. You have arrived at the fortress sooner than expected.”
At those words, Masto had no choice but to bite his lip.
Naturally, the 8th lord was fully aware of the fortress’s movements. I don’t know what the intention was, but knowing that the king had arrived at the fortress, he must have moved immediately.
He immediately pulled out the towel.
“I have come as an envoy to deliver the message of the great monarch.”
“A message…?”
“If you want to negotiate further on Kashol’s request, the lord has said that he will allow you to meet in person. If you agree, I will guide you right now.”
Longford’s eyes widened at him.
Masto, who was next to him, was also shocked when he understood the words a beat later.
“Wait, does that mean… the 8th lord is directly here right now?”
The emissary, who had a grin on his face, looked at Longford, wondering what to do.
Longford narrowed his brow and pondered, then answered.
“Okay. I want to face the 8th lord right now.”
“your majesty!”
Masto and other entourage immediately opposed him, but Longford shook his head.
“Don’t you know? If the Eight Lords have other intentions, there is no reason to do such troublesome work.”
If the 8th monarch is directly here, there is no glimmer of hope. Power was literally the difference between heaven and earth.
Taking the king himself hostage? What did she mean to do that?
It would be possible to destroy the entire fortress and massacre all of its forces in the blink of an eye if you wish.
Nevertheless, sending an envoy like this really meant giving them a chance to talk.
It is ridiculous to call it an opportunity, but now I had no choice but to grab the straw.
“Then we will accompany you, Your Majesty.”
Neighbors came forward and said firmly. Longford looked at the envoy, and he shrugged.
“It doesn’t really matter.”
So Longford and some of his entourage climbed onto the monster spider the envoy was riding on.
Koo woong, thump.
When the spider reached the place where the army of the 8th lords were, the worms split open and made a way forward.
Across the army, the spider stopped at a huge tower of worms that stood tall in the middle of the army.
“Come this way.”
Longford, who got off the spider, followed the emissary into the tower.
Inside the tower, cobwebs and membranes were entangled with insects to form a wall.
Among them, there were also luminous insects that lit up occasionally, but they were the only lamps that lit up the dark space.
Kiyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy…
Seeing them wriggling in all directions, Longford swallowed the disgust and continued walking. The bizarre cry of the bugs seemed to gnaw at his mental powers.
After walking for such a long time, he was there.
“Lord, as you have said, I have brought the King of Earthhill.”
Nodding his head in the dark air, the envoy moved to the corner and stood there.
Lying on a huge, mysterious cocoon hanging in the air, she slowly got up.
Longford and his entourage watched the scene nervously.
“Welcome, King of Longford.”
When she opened her mouth, the crying of the insects that had been ringing inside from before stopped for a moment.
The sticky and disgusting air added a chill to it, as if it were choking.
Eighth lord of Calderic, Empress of the Black Sea.