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The Tale of the Wizrain Kingdom

The Envoy's Objective, Part 1

Translated by: S3

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

Kylevis. He was a genius inventor who lived in the era of Elnalfia.

Elnalfia's memories whispered that he was an odd man who created various ancient artifacts that survive to this day. Kylevis had silver hair, which was always tousled, and he always smiled faintly. Vaid often teased Elnalfia with his choice of words, but in that sense, she felt Kylevis was not so different from Vaid.

Kylevis would often visit Elnalfia between creating artifacts, speak baffling words, and get angrily chased away by her—a daily routine. Though she thought he was a man she couldn't understand, Elna didn't dislike Kylevis. It was only after she was reborn as Elna that she realized his actions were all clumsy attempts to keep Elnalfia from being lonely. One day, the realization dawned on her.

When she was Elnalfia, she possessed vast knowledge, yet there were many things she somehow failed to notice.

「Ehehe, I slipped up!」

That light, faint voice still echoed in Elna's ears. Flapping his long sleeves, Kylevis smiled happily beneath a large tree, amidst the sparkling glass flowers.

He was smiling.

***

「I am Kyle Zoomie, and I handle diplomatic affairs for the Kingdom of Marls. I thank King Crossgard for granting me his time despite his busy schedule, and I am grateful for his generosity.」

「No, we made you wait quite a while. We had many preparations, you see.」

Elna blinked, startled.

She had apparently been swallowed up in a vortex of vast memories. Crossgard was Cross's name in other countries. Yes, just as Cross was no longer Vaid, Elna was no longer Elnalfia. Still clinging to her memories as a dragon, Elna sometimes almost forgot that she was human.

(I have two legs...)

No tail, no wings. Yet she was standing firmly in this spot. She let out a breath. She was fine.

Much calmer now, Elna observed the envoy. The man who looked so much like Kylevis—Kyle, was it? The more she looked, the more the man's appearance resembled Kylevis. However, Kylevis had died. She remembered the cheerful, gentle, yet jester-like man, the genius inventor, dying sooner than anyone else. Even then, he had only been slightly past his prime. The man standing before Elna now was a young man in his early twenties, just a little older than Cross.

A resemblance in appearance is possible over a long lifetime. She might encounter such a person anytime. But the problem wasn't just his looks. The man's very essence was the same as Kylevis's. In short, he was Kylevis's reincarnation.

If asked how she knew, Elna could only say she simply knew. She was struck by the same overwhelming sense of nostalgia—as if their very souls were suddenly drawn close—that she felt when she first met Cross. Elna was abruptly overcome with pain and clutched her chest, her eyes twitching.

「It must have been a great hardship for you to travel such a distance. You seemed to be in such a hurry that you even forgot to send a notice beforehand.」

「My deepest apologies. My heart was simply overflowing with the desire to meet with King Crossgard as quickly as possible.」

While they spoke, the meeting proceeded with an air of pleasant, smiling conversation. Contrary to the congenial tone of their voices, the atmosphere in the audience chamber was deeply heavy.

Could Cross not have realized that this was Kylevis?

「I see, I see. I, too, feel pleased to be able to meet you like this.」

Looking at Cross's gaze as he looked down at Kyle, Elna felt as if she were looking at a complete stranger. No, that must be the face of Cross as the King of the Kingdom of Wizrain.

(…Ah, I see.)

Cross understood that the envoy was Kylevis's reincarnation.

He knew, yet he pretended not to know, acting properly as the King in this setting. …Just as he did when he first met Elna. Cross was that kind of man.

In that case, Elna straightened her back again, recalling her own objective. Elna's reason for being here was to figure out the envoy's purpose.

If she could recognize him as Kylevis's reincarnation, did that mean he recognized her? Elna observed the man closely. Comparing the two, who were still conversing lightly without getting to the main point, Kyle, unlike Cross, truly seemed unaware.

Cross was likely continuing the empty conversation to probe Kyle's true intentions.

Kyle fielded all of Cross's remarks, even those designed to irritate an envoy, with a calm smile. It was about time.

「Now.」

Though he didn't raise his voice significantly, Cross's clear voice resonated heavily throughout the chamber, creating a dead silence. In an instant, the atmosphere and the expressions of the people changed with a sharp tension. Elna unknowingly tensed her fingertips.

「From what I've heard, I find it hard to believe that you or the Kingdom of Marls would take such an ill-advised action. I would like to ask the reason you came here with such haste.」

—Finally.

Elna and the others held their breath, waiting for the envoy's reply. The tension in the chamber alone was enough to make one's stomach cramp. What on earth would he say?

(…Eh?)

At that moment, the envoy—Kyle—smiled.

It was only for an instant, a small smile that Elna almost thought was her imagination. When Kyle next raised his face, the majority of his eyes were again hidden by his long bangs.

「Yes, of course, I shall convey it!」

Though his address was cheerful, the words Kyle spoke next were entirely unexpected.

「The truth is… a new mine has been discovered in our Kingdom of Marls.」

Most of the people present were likely left feeling let down. Even Cross frowned, saying, 「…A mine?」

「Are you telling me you came here to secure a distribution channel for the stones extracted from that mine?」

「The mine was discovered exactly on the border between the Kingdom of Marls and your Kingdom of Wizrain.」

The atmosphere instantly changed again. Leaning his elbow on the armrest of the throne, Cross spoke with a wry smile, 「Well, well.」

「…Your country's people are quite honest, aren't they?」

「Of course, there was the opinion to conceal the finding from the people of the Kingdom of Wizrain and conduct the mining solely ourselves. I won't deny it. However, given the location, we cannot fully claim sole ownership when it is on the border. As you know, the Kingdom of Marls is a small nation. We desire a peaceful resolution rather than resorting to conflict.」

「The border—is it Mount Vidrast?」

「You are absolutely correct.」

That was the name of a mountain that had existed since the era of Elnalfia. Since it was rumored to be inhabited by many spirits and to cause anyone who ventured there to be lost, even people at the foot of the mountain rarely approached it. Elna could imagine that was why the Marls region remained intact when a part of the Kingdom of Wizrain was absorbed by the Empire.

Spirit magic continues to advance day and night without Elna even knowing. Humans are expanding their territories even into places that no one could previously approach.

Unless they were forcibly knocking on the spirits' gates, Elna felt no particular sentimentality about it.

She supposed that was just another current of the times.

「And this mine produces what is called 'Dragon Scale.'」

「'Dragon Scale,' you say… I see, I understand. That is why you were sent.」

「Yes. By collecting the scales, which could become a military asset, we wish to prevent unnecessary conflict from arising as a flashpoint.」

Whispering voices mentioning Dragon Scale could be heard here and there. This did not refer to the scale of Elnalfia currently hanging from Cross's neck, but to the name of a mineral ore. Though this ore is circulated in the Kingdom of Wizrain, it is rare due to its scarcity, and aside from being ornamental, it can also serve as a medium for powerful magic.

「Our country worships the Dragon. A Dragon must never become the source of conflict.」

Kyle looked up at Cross and stated clearly.

「I understand the situation,」 Cross said, stroking his chin with a slightly bored look.

「Is that truly the only message from your side?」

「No. We propose that the mining of this mine be a joint venture between the Kingdom of Marls and the Kingdom of Wizrain. As for the distribution, seven to three. Of course, the smaller share is acceptable for us.」

This time, the stirring was significant. The country's dignitaries leaned their heads together, frowning and conversing amongst themselves. Cross must have felt the same way as Elna and the others.

「…That is an exceptionally generous offer.」

「However, the aid of a skilled Spirit Master will be necessary for the mining. Our country is, unfortunately, constantly short on personnel…. We would be grateful if we could borrow your strength.」

「It is a very compelling proposal. But it is so compelling that I cannot give you a reply right now. I need some time.」

「We pray that you will make a wise decision.」

Kyle bowed slowly. When he next raised his face, he seemed to smile. At that moment—Elna definitely felt her eyes quietly meet with Kyle's.