A dubious operation (6)
The place the crown prince moved to was the king’s study.
The king of Arendelle, whom I met there, greeted me with a devastated face, as if the fatigue he had suffered from the savages was revealed.
“Prince 1, I’m sorry I called you before I even enjoyed the party.”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness the King.”
“… … hahahaha, thank you for your consideration.”
The King seemed to think that the words were considerate, and tried to brush off his embarrassment with a light smile.
But it was the truth without a single lie.
‘There must be something to enjoy at a party in a country other than your own.’
Even more so, the atmosphere at the party was unfamiliar to me even more than that of the battlefield. Also, it was as if he couldn’t even attract the slightest interest.
Rather, I would say that the atmosphere of the study, where constructive conversation can take place, is a hundred times better.
“It is truly an honor to lead the delegation and respond to the invitation in earnest.”
“How could I accept the invitation from His Highness the King of Arendelle alone?”
“Cheer, coo hum… … !”
A long cough flowed from the king’s mouth.
Soon, he bowed his head in the awkward atmosphere, probably thinking that the introduction was enough.
“First, thank you for saving Arendelle.”
However, his expression showed sincere hope.
“If it hadn’t been for you, who stepped out and stepped forward even though it was a distant country, Arendelle would have been drinking blood instead of toasting by now.”
“It is overrated. How can I say that is my full credit?”
When the ball was turned so humbly, the king willingly waved his hand and dissuaded it.
“Don’t say that it would have been impossible without Arendelle’s blood and sweat. That’s what troubles Jim and the millions of people in Arendelle who were saved by you.”
“I am grateful that you think so.”
Salvation.
Immediately, the words the king spat out were words that could not come out of ordinary diplomacy.
… … no. It was a word that should never come out of the king’s mouth in the first place. It was no different from the meaning that the existence of that opponent determined the existence of the nation.
However, if it was in a relationship to plan the future together, the words were different.
‘It’s quite the way.’
My gaze moved from the king to the crown prince standing behind him. As if intersecting with this, the king’s gaze slowly turned to the owner of the mage tower.
“If Jim’s common sense isn’t wrong, I know that the archmage’s unique power, teleport, in the gymnasium… … if… … .”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“… … heh, heh It’s something to be astonished about.”
Having said that, it was a fact that everyone already knew.
So, even as the king of Arendelle, he must have been half-heartedly trying to confirm the facts.
Of course, I wouldn’t have known that I would agree so clearly.
“If you do, the author who came together… … .”
“I am Lord Elade, the owner of the magic tower in Esteban’s palace. Please call me at your convenience.”
“Ro, Rodani… … also.”
It was a simple answer, but it was shocking.
Isn’t this the first time you’ve encountered someone calling themselves Lord? However, he did not lack dignity and circumstance enough to show his astonishment even at such an occasion.
Even so, I couldn’t stand the curiosity at all, so I opened my mouth carefully while watching my eyes.
“To think that there is an archmage in the kingdom’s mage tower… … So Esteban has been hiding the existence of the Archmage all this time?”
“It is not hidden. It just didn’t show it.”
In fact, it was unnecessary to cause confusion by revealing the existence of the Archmage at an important time to continue basic magic research. Of course, he himself wanted to check his state through meditation.
But it wasn’t now that I had any free time.
“Maybe it will be known to the world for the first time through this exchange.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
The king wiped away the cold sweat.
‘A great wizard… … An existence that is difficult to find even in the history of Arendelle… … .’
It was because the fact that the straw Esteban, which he had reluctantly caught on to, was an unexpectedly strong and valuable lifeline came to mind again.
I opened my mouth after watching the king’s actions.
“Not revealing means not feeling the need to do so, and conversely, hiding something is the same as saying there is a reason for it.”
“Hiding. Does that mean that you nailed it for personal help?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm… … .”
This, too, was an act full of doubts to Arendelle.
Aside from the fact that there was no reason to do so, how was he able to see through the internal circumstances and act as if predicting the future?
Also, what was my intention?
“… … You must have a lot of questions, but I will tell you briefly.”
I moved the arrangement of the objects on the desks facing each other here and there.
At first glance, it could be seen that it was mixed so randomly that one could not guess its purpose.
However, the crown prince, who was watching from behind the king, noticed it right away and tipped it off to the king.
“father. It is the evangelism of the northern continent.”
“… … indeed.”
A small object sandwiched between two great forces. And the neighboring countries listed as their periphery.
Finally, the completed evangelism took on a recognizable shape in its own way.
I picked out a few of them and threw them into a corner. Then, all that was left was a few neighboring countries, including the Commonwealth Empire and the Holy Empire.
“What remains are countries with hostile diplomacy to the Commonwealth.”
“Hostile diplomacy?”
“yes.”
“… … Hmm.”
The king stroked his beard and salivated.
It wasn’t for any other reason. However, what remained was a questionable fact that Arendelle was no exception.
“Certainly, Arendelle is in contact with the Commonwealth Empire, but it cannot be said to be hostile… … .”
“Isn’t that clever?”
“… … hmm? What do you mean?”
The king, lost in thought, widened his eyes at those words that were lost in thought.
Either that or not. Among the props spread out on the table, I touched the one corresponding to Arendelle and said. It was the object that the king questioned its existence.
“The location of this barrier that occupied the back of the Federation Empire.”
“A firewall? Are you talking about Arendelle?”
“If it weren’t for Arendelle, wouldn’t all of the nasty thorns in the north fall into the hands of the Commonwealth Empire?”
“that… … .”
… … surely.
If that were the case, there would be nothing that would stand in the way of advancing eastward. But at the same time, a question suddenly popped into the king’s mind.
“Prince 1, are you saying that the Commonwealth Empire will attack Arendelle?”
The relationship between Arendelle and Carrot wasn’t that bad.
On the contrary, the Federation Empire had no reason to antagonize Arendelle, who could always aim behind its back, even if it gave an advantage in diplomacy between the two countries.
It is something that can only be imagined.
… … But what if it actually happened? What if they started moving with specific goals?
At that moment, my eyes calmly sank to the point where they seemed empty because they were cold.
“That statement is wrong.”
“then… … .”
“The attack has already begun.”
“What, what?!”
bang!
The King jumped up from his seat as if in shock, and this time, the Crown Prince standing behind was clearly surprised, as if he hadn’t expected it.
“Well, what does that mean? You launched an attack?!”
“The Federation Empire is clearly targeting the land of Arendelle. To use it as a bridgehead for future ambitions.”
“It could never be!”
It was the king’s gaze full of confidence.
In this situation where the Cold War with the Holy Empire continues, where can we afford to attack the enemy from behind?
The King continued his words calmly and cautiously.
“Even if that is the case, if they capture Arendelle, they will put the enemy in front and behind. Wouldn’t it be better to befriend Arendelle and block the rear?”
The king finished his speech and sat down slowly. In the first place, it was clear that an attack by the Federation Empire was truly unheard of.
… … however.
“The Federation Empire’s attack is not physical.”
“Then what the hell… … .”
“Jijay.”
“… … !”
Hearing the next words, I felt my hair stand on end. The king’s voice began to tremble slightly.
“The savages… … You mean they used barbarians?”
“Don’t you think it’s strange? The fact that the country’s fortunes were swayed by starving barbarians, and that the best knight in the north went missing.”
“Stop, please… … .”
The seed of doubt that has taken root in the heart. I recited it calmly, without the slightest euphemism.
“It was the barbarians lured by the troops of the Commonwealth Empire that took down the knights of the north. Besides, it had a wide range of magic attacks before that. What they were aiming for from the beginning was two gains.”
“dare!”
thud!
The king’s body, which had hit the desk, trembled with anger.
From noble mtl dot com.
It’s something I couldn’t even imagine. But I couldn’t help but believe it. Otherwise, there was no way to explain the misfortune that had happened to Arendelle.
“How dare you treat Arendelle as food for barbarians!”
Obviously, the barbarians headed for the plains of the Commonwealth Empire for war.
However, at some point, the Commonwealth Empire regained its composure, and on the contrary, Arendelle had to spend days like hell. Coincidentally, isn’t the timing so exquisitely right?
There were other strange things.
“… … Alas, yes, communication! If communication is cut off, it must mean that they interfered with communication magic!”
Like a puzzle being put together, it began to reveal its outline, leaving behind clues.
I must have thought it was strange. However, there was no way to find the blame outside. Nothing could be more important than the survival of the country. But what if everything is over now?
I watched it and said.
“Its purpose is to make Arendelle a land of barbarians.”
“… … Whoa! land of barbarians? What is the benefit of doing so?”
“As I said, the intention is that if we do that, we will be able to swallow Arendelle, the bridgehead, without much effort. In addition, it is to eliminate the possibility of Arendelle sticking a dagger in the back at all costs.”
“For that reason only!”
Hard!
The rage was audible enough to be heard.
Wasn’t it actually a land almost trampled by barbarians? Too much was lost for mere anger to cover up this fact.
“Obviously you said that it was the ‘guilty”s purpose. Prince 1, who is the ‘guy’ you are talking about?”
The King expressed his anger as if chewing and spitting it out.
To this, I replied with a barely visible smile.
“Leiden del Carrot.”
“… … !”
The 4th prince of the Federation Empire, a madman who will become the emperor in the future.
My lips were slowly opening in silence as if to tell the truth.
“He is dreaming of a war of conquest.”