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The Tale of the Wizrain Kingdom

Rigoberto Jean Arbarul

Translated by: S3

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

*****

The meeting was to be held in a certain room within the lord’s manor in Crushment.

As per the prior notification, participation was limited to royalty and the absolute minimum of staff. It had already been communicated that Elna, as the fiancée, would be in attendance. Since the carrying of weapons was strictly prohibited, there were no guard knights present; both Elna and Cross had been fitted with Magic-Sealing Rings.

Once worn, these rings function as a mechanism that prevents the use of spirit arts or magic. On this occasion, they were set so they could not be removed until the parties returned to their respective borders, a fact verified by Kyle, acting as the representative of a neutral nation. The people from the Empire’s side were surely wearing them as well.

While wearing the ring was a disadvantage for Elna, she still possessed physical capabilities far superior to those of an ordinary human. In this place where even carrying a weapon was forbidden, one could almost say it was Elna’s unrivaled domain.

(If those Imperial bastards try anything, I’ll beat them to a pulp without hesitation.)

It would be a major problem if she struck first, but if they initiated it, there would be no issue at all. (I’ll mess them up so badly their own mothers won't recognize them...) Elna secretly vowed. However, she allowed none of this to show, sitting in her place with a look of pure elegance and a refined demeanor.

Seated at the large, round table were Elna and Cross, side-by-side. A few servants for note-taking stood at the edge of the room, while Kyle and the Lord of Crushment waited near the entrance as observers, both wearing expressions of intense tension.

Directly across from Elna and Cross was a young man with crimson hair.

Rigoberto Jean Albarul, the King of the Albarul Empire.

His commanding presence seemed to declare him the master of this space. His blessed physique was tempered without a single opening, and though his features were handsome enough to captivate any onlooker, his expression could not hide a certain ferocity. Or rather, he likely had no intention of hiding it. His hair was the color of a roaring flame. The Duke of Wizrain, Halburn, also had red hair, but compared to Rigoberto’s pure red, his was more of an orange-tinted vermilion.

「Now then, let us settle this quickly.」

Rigoberto laughed heartily, his eyes narrowing sharply. The sensation was like needles pricking the skin. There was no doubt—he was directing pure killing intent toward them.

Beside Rigoberto, a man of average build could be heard whispering in a voice like a buzzing insect, 「Brother, you came here to apologize today, didn't you...?」 Elna would later learn that the Imperial family of Albarul had been wiped out, leaving only Rigoberto and his younger brother.

That meant the man beside him was surely Rigoberto’s brother.

(Hmph. Trying to seize control of the conversation by projecting killing intent? How desperate... though I suppose I should react to it to some extent, shouldn't I?)

Today, she needed to appear as a sheltered young lady who looked as if she wouldn't hurt a fly and had never lifted anything heavier than a fork. She couldn't let it be known that she was actually here as Cross’s strongest bodyguard.

「Uugh...」

(Is this about right...?)

She tried feigning a brief dizzy spell. 「A-Are you alright!?」 Rigoberto’s brother reacted instantly, so it was likely effective enough. She felt a twinge of embarrassment, wondering if it looked too fake, but she had to commit to the role. If she felt like the expression on Cross's face in the corner of her eye was saying something despite his stoicism, it was probably just her own paranoia.

But Kyle was definitely making a strange face after seeing Elna's performance.

「Y-Yes... My apologies. I still haven't quite recovered from the long journey...」

「Forgive her. My fiancée is a bit delicate.」

Cross smiled with a cool, composed face.

(Delicate where?!) Elna could still feel Kyle’s gaze.

「Of course, of course... Both of you have endured a difficult journey for the sake of our Albarul. I am the younger brother of the Albarul Emperor, Lancielo Jean Albarul. I am truly, deeply sorry for the tremendous trouble we have caused you...!」

Rigoberto looked down at his groveling brother with bored eyes. He was so humble it almost made Elna feel awkward.

(Why is he allowing his brother to do all the talking? I heard from Mrs. Brownie that he's rumored to be the "Blood Emperor." Was the rumor just a rumor?)

No, she couldn't forget the atrocities this man had committed against Wizrain. Elna maintained her act and watched the flow of the conversation.

「—Silence.」

「Hiee!」

At the man’s short command, Lancielo jumped in terror. It was a reaction so extreme it was hard to believe he was addressing his own biological brother. Lancielo continued to shake and tremble piteously.

「He insisted on coming along, so I brought him. Though for a brother of mine, he's as noisy as a gnat.」

「M-My apologies...」

「King of Albarul. There is no need to be so impatient. Why not discuss this calmly?」

「...You are quite leisurely for a man at a meeting to discuss his own national borders, King Crossgard.」

「Is that so? I came here under the impression that it was 'for the purpose of an apology.'」

Cross parried Rigoberto’s sharp gaze with an air of indifference. The silence was as heavy and oppressive as being submerged in mud, enough to make even Elna feel ill. Suddenly, Rigoberto burst into a roar of laughter. The suddenness of it made everyone around him startle, but Cross’s expression didn't waver.

「An apology. Well, that is correct. I dislike roundabout speech. I’ll put it bluntly. We have already taken the appropriate measures against those in our country who bear the responsibility for the incident. Be satisfied with that.」

His tone suggested he didn't expect a single word of protest. He likely truly believed he could end everything with that one sentence.

「...And who exactly are those who 'bear the responsibility'?」

Cross narrowed his eyes slightly and tapped his finger on the table. Neither Elna nor Kyle could grasp what Rigoberto was talking about. Likely only Lancielo, Rigoberto’s brother, understood, but he remained pale-faced.

「It’s obvious, isn't it? It means I have disposed of the officers who 'mistakenly' crossed your border during training. By now, their heads are no longer attached to their bodies. That is the end of the matter. There should be no problem.」

「...Do you mean to say... you killed them...?」

She had intended not to speak. And yet, a trembling voice escaped Elna’s lips. Rigoberto explained it as a mistake, but there was no way that was true. He had ordered them to march, and then cut off their heads when they failed.

Such a thing was unforgivable.

「Oops. Was that a bit too much for you?」

Rigoberto sneered, perhaps misinterpreting Elna’s trembling as fear rather than rage. Elna clenched her fists in her lap so tightly that blood nearly seeped from her palms.

(Endure it.)

This was Marls. She couldn't cause trouble here. Other nations had other standards. It wasn't Elna’s place to speak. But, but this was just too—

「Indeed. It is quite shocking. To think such heartless acts are being carried out.」

Cross’s hand rested gently on Elna’s shoulder. It was only for a moment, but Elna’s vision, which had begun to tint red, cleared as the impulse washed away.

「Heartless, you say! Hah-hah-hah! As a King, it is a necessary measure. King Crossgard, you are a spineless one. To think you didn't even have the courage to face me without bringing your fiancée along. How amusing.」

「You may laugh all you like. However, allow this spineless man to say one thing. Even if your country has carried out these 'disposals,' what benefit does that bring to us? The impact of your soldiers entering our territory is significant. How do you intend to answer for that? If possible, I would like to see some sincerity.」

「...What are you trying to say? Speak plainly.」

「Well, I thought you might say that, so I have prepared a list of our demands.」

Cross snapped his fingers. One of the servants stood and quietly presented a paper to Rigoberto. Rigoberto knit his brows slightly, but he immediately snatched up the document and read it in silence, his eyes darting across the page.

「...In the end, it’s money.」

「I thought it would be the most straightforward form.」

Rigoberto shot him a look of contempt as if he had just bitten into a bitter bug, but Cross remained composed. Since they had been summoned for an apology, there was no need to be excessively humble. That was what Cross had said before the meeting began.

『Money is not the objective. We need the fact that we are indignant and that appropriate reparations were made to be established. Should the Empire ever turn its spear toward Wizrain, it would mean they are also antagonizing our allies, Myuberta and Marls. Even the Empire would find that somewhat troublesome. If it can be settled with money, they should prefer that as well.』

More importantly, Cross had continued:

『From the Empire’s perspective, they could have simply kept insisting that it was an accidental incursion and that no apology was necessary. And yet, they suddenly changed their tune. Their true intent is what concerns me.』

There was likely a motive beyond mere harassment. By emphasizing a meeting of royalty only and sending a provocative message suggesting a trap, they might have hoped Wizrain would refuse, leaving the border ambiguous and allowing them to chip away at the territory. But beyond that, there might be some benefit for them in Cross actually attending.

Normally, one would think of the assassination of the King of Wizrain. If that were to succeed, Wizrain would be left with only the young Feliol, and many vassals might decide that becoming a vassal state of the Empire is better than useless resistance. If that happened, it would be the end of the nation.

(I am here to make sure that doesn't happen.)

Elna pressed a handkerchief to her mouth to hide her expression and narrowed her eyes. Cross himself was skilled in combat, but one can never have too many shields.

「...Fine. This much is mere pocket change.」

Rigoberto gave a light wave of his hand and had a pen brought to him. Beside him, as he scribbled his signature on the document, Lancielo muttered discontentedly, 「Really, such pocket change...」 but Rigoberto seemed not to hear him.

「Oh. How magnanimous. You are quick to decide.」

「I am not like some opportunist who delays judgment by listening to every word from his vassals.」

「Then, taking advantage of that magnanimity, would you mind if I added one sentence to that contract?」

Rigoberto stopped his pen and waited for Cross to continue.

「—How about: 'The crossing of the Kingdom of Wizrain's borders without permission shall henceforth be prohibited'?」

Cross crossed his legs leisurely, his smile as cool as could be. At those words, added so nonchalantly, the air instantly froze. (Uh oh,) Elna thought, tension running through the hand holding her handkerchief. She prepared herself to move at any moment.

「...Heh.」

Surprisingly, Rigoberto was laughing. His shoulders shook as he let out a great laugh, and after a moment to compose himself, he let out a quiet breath.

「Well now. I cannot promise that. Our troops might 'accidentally' march across again. Perhaps even as far as your capital.」

「B-Brother...!」

Ignoring his brother’s near-scream, Rigoberto held up one finger. 「However, on one condition, I might add that sentence.」

「Oh? And what is the condition?」

「Give me the dragon. —The guardian dragon of the Kingdom of Wizrain, Elnalfia.」

The air turned to ice. A slow, gentle curve formed on Cross’s lips.

「...Now then. I have no idea what you are talking about. You are likely mistaken. I had no fiancée for a long time, but I have recently taken a lovely wife. There are some among my people who, in celebration, pray for the dragon’s protection and refer to my wife by the dragon’s name. If the name of the dragon reached your country, that is likely the reason.」

「What a fine excuse. It sounds as if you had it prepared.」

「When one is suspicious, everything appears as a lie.」

「That is true.」

Suddenly, Rigoberto stood up. He had no weapon, but one could not be careless. Elna couldn't move first, but she couldn't allow a single opening. As Elna’s tension deepened, Rigoberto walked swiftly toward Cross. He slammed his palm down on the table directly in front of Elna—and in front of Cross.

「That is why I came here. That is why I summoned you.」

「...And that would be?」

「I can tell by looking into your eyes. Whether your words are fact or not.」

「I see,」 Cross said, looking up at Rigoberto with a light laugh. Rigoberto moved closer.

「I can tell by looking into your eyes... Now, show me.」

「............」

Cross met Rigoberto’s gaze without a single change in his expression. No, "met his gaze" wasn't the right phrase. It was like two beasts measuring the distance between them, each looking for an opening to drive a blade into the other's throat. Cross never lost his smile, parrying everything.

「...Hmph. I see.」

Rigoberto laughed, pulling back his chin. It was a meaningful laugh.

「I will pay the reparations you asked for, every last cent. As for the non-aggression regarding the border, that is rejected.」

He reached for the paper with his name on it and threw it behind him; a servant scrambled to catch it.

「Fine. I hope there will be no further occasion for this.」

「That is all. Lancielo. We’re leaving.」

「H-Hey, wait, so suddenly...!」

「Move it.」

Saying his piece, he acted exactly as he pleased. The moment the air relaxed, as if thinking it was over...

「...By the way, fiancée there. Hm? Did you say wife?」

In this atmosphere, it was too late to correct him and say she wasn't a wife yet, though it was Cross who had started it. She couldn't afford to let things get complicated here. Elna did her best to act like a refined lady and replied with a smile.

「...Is something the matter?」

「I didn't hear your name. Tell me.」

Elna hesitated. Calzeed was a family that had already fallen. Even if she tried to hide her name, he would find it out as soon as he looked into it. The option of lying didn't exist.

「I am... Elna.」

「...Elna?」

He knit one brow, looking suspicious. But he soon gave a snort of a laugh.

「...Hmph. To have the name of a dragon is quite a thing. Lancielo!」

「H-Hyah!」

The Emperor of Albarul vanished with his brother in tow.

How much time had passed since then? In the silence that naturally fell without anyone speaking a word, the heavy sigh that escaped from somewhere—was certainly not from just one person.