Chapter 23: Sorry… I Don’t Get It
Kazuma, having returned to the French government building, went to report that he had rescued Charlotte.
Fortunately, while he didn’t exactly have acquaintances in France, he knew someone who knew someone, so things proceeded smoothly.
“I see. So the culprits were indeed from the Ivera Church…”
“Yeah. We managed to capture them, but it seems they have an accomplice with a Transposition Gift, one capable of swapping living beings.”
“What…? Such a powerful individual is lurking on the enemy’s side?”
“That’s right. I wanted to ask, are there any noteworthy combat-type Gifted in France?”
“No, unfortunately, only those who were guarding the Holy Maiden. However, those guards too…”
“In that case, I have a proposal. How about we take Charlotte into our care?”
“Eh!? No, that’s…”
The man was surprised by the sudden proposal, but in his mind, he was calmly calculating.
Under the care of Kazuma, the Crimson Knight, she would indeed be the safest in the world.
Moreover, using this as a pretext, they could grandly announce that the Holy Maiden and the Crimson Knight were in a relationship. By solidifying things from the outside, they might be able to forge a strong bond with the Crimson Knight.
However, failure would be disastrous.
Their relationship with the Crimson Knight would deteriorate to an irreparable level.
If he learned that they had fabricated non-existent facts without his consent, the Crimson Knight would undoubtedly, while perhaps not becoming hostile, harbor strong aversion towards the French government.
If that happened, they would never be able to ask for such a favor again.
In that case, there was only one thing to do.
Build a relationship of trust while maintaining good relations with the Crimson Knight, and earn his confidence.
“Could I have a little time? This is a matter I must discuss with His Excellency the President Kakka.”
“In that case, I’ll go with you. If I show them my power, they’ll surely be convinced.”
“I-Is that so? P-Pardon my impertinence, but please, I implore you, refrain from any disrespectful behavior.”
“That depends on how you handle things.”
“I-I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”
And so, Kazuma headed to meet the President.
Incidentally, Charlotte had been taken to a separate room for a precautionary psychological evaluation.
The results of the evaluation showed no particular problems.
Rather, the report stated she seemed somewhat excited.
While Charlotte was away, Kazuma, guided by the man, had come before the President.
“You are the Crimson Knight…”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time, President Kakka.”
Seeing Kazuma bow politely, the President glanced at the man waiting behind him.
“President Kakka. There’s a proposal from the Crimson Knight. How about entrusting Charlotte Soleil to Japan, or rather, to him? Our country suffered great losses in this recent incident. If we were to be attacked again now, we would not be able to protect the Holy Maiden.”
“Hmm… Secretary of State Joseph, what you say is correct. However, our country already has a lower quality of Gifted compared to other nations. The Holy Maiden is what maintains the balance of power. Entrusting that Holy Maiden to another country is something I cannot possibly condone.”
“However, as I mentioned earlier, with her escort wiped out, if she were attacked now, we wouldn’t be able to protect her. Why not try trusting the Crimson Knight in this situation?”
“In that case, we would need something to warrant that trust.”
The President turned his gaze to Kazuma, who had been observing quietly.
Kazuma had no idea what the President wanted, but he sighed, looking annoyed, thinking that in the worst case, he’d have to resort to force.
“What is it you require of me?”
“Something simple. I want you to conclude a peace and friendship treaty with our country. Not with Japan, but with you personally.”
(What’s that…? Does he mean like, ‘Let’s be friends’? If it’s just that, I guess it’s fine, but I’d probably get yelled at for deciding something like that on my own, so I should go back and discuss it first.)
Kazuma, who only understood the literal meaning of the words, decided to postpone his conclusion, thinking he should take it back and discuss it with others first.
“Sorry. I need to discuss this with some others, so can I put this on hold?”
“If possible, I’d like an answer right away.”
“Muu…”
Through this exchange, the President had discerned that Kazuma wasn’t particularly astute.
Naturally, the President pressed for an immediate answer to prevent any meddling advice.
The President pushed, convinced that if he kept up the pressure, Kazuma, being typically Japanese, would surely agree.
“It’s not that complicated. A peace and friendship treaty is exactly what it sounds like: we join hands and get along. When France is in trouble, you lend a hand, and when you’re in trouble, we lend a hand. It’s simply a relationship of mutual assistance.”
“Mmmmuuu…”
He understood what was being said.
It probably really was that kind of content, but Kazuma could read people’s thoughts to some extent.
He understood that there seemed to be some ulterior motive, but as expected of a President, Kazuma couldn’t read any further than that.
Kazuma, desperately racking his insufficient brains, tried to predict what kind of future awaited.
(If it’s just as he says, I don’t need to think too much about it, but it’s probably definitely not that simple, huh~. Is he trying to win me over? Or maybe make me into a convenient fighting force? Or is it a check against other countries? A deterrent? No good. I don’t get it.)
Kazuma, whose brain felt like it was about to explode, stopped thinking and said one thing to the President.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
In the end, Kazuma, unable to sort out his thoughts, vanished from the spot using Teleportation as if fleeing.
The President and Secretary of State Joseph, astounded by Kazuma’s sudden disappearance, looked at each other, unable to comprehend what had happened.
“Secretary of State Joseph… Were you not aware of the Crimson Knight’s abilities?”
“M-My apologies! I knew he possessed numerous Gifts, much like the King, but I wasn’t aware of all of them.”
“…Haaah. Someone truly outrageous has appeared. To possess even a spatial Teleportation Gift… he’s more of a monster than we anticipated.”
“Indeed. He still has many more, so let’s at least prevent any hostility…”
“However, he doesn’t seem to be that bright. It would have been good if we could have skillfully talked him into it…”
“He’s probably used to these kinds of situations. He did say he wanted to consult with others immediately.”
“Hmm… If only he had been born in France.”
“Indeed…”
Shortly thereafter, Kazuma returned, bringing Ema with him.
Ema, suddenly brought over from Japan, was confused and looking around restlessly.
Similarly, the French President and Secretary of State Joseph were wide-eyed and greatly surprised.
“Alright, I’m counting on you for the rest.”
“Counting on me for the rest, you say…”
Ema, who had been briefed on the situation by Kazuma but was now completely saddled with it, sighed like an exhausted salaryman and turned to face the French President.
Straightening his back, Ema began with a sincere greeting and proceeded to discuss Kazuma’s arrangements.
Meanwhile, Kazuma, deciding his part was over, moved to the wall and leaned back against it in a relaxed posture.
With the complicated discussion as background noise, Kazuma closed his eyes.
It was a time so boring it made him sleepy, but it was necessary for the future.
After a while, the discussion seemed to have concluded, and Ema approached Kazuma.
“Is it over?”
“Yeah. For now, at least.”
“I see. So, is it basically the same arrangement as in Japan?”
Kazuma, who had been eavesdropping, understood a little of the content.
It was generally similar to the arrangement in Japan, but one slight difference was that Ema, not Kazuma, would be the intermediary.
“Let’s save the details for later. Shall we take the Holy Maiden and return to Japan?”
“Got it.”
After that, Kazuma had a brief conversation with the President, and then he, Secretary of State Joseph, and Ema went to pick up Charlotte.
“Ema. Where did you find him? Don’t tell me he was in a cardboard box abandoned by a riverbed or something?”
“Of course not. I’m only telling you this because it’s you, but he’s Satsuki Kazuma-kun, the one you guys were also trying to recruit. Let me warn you, don’t try anything funny. You’ve seen a glimpse of his power, so you should understand, but if you antagonize him, your country will undoubtedly be ruined or at least destabilized.”
“I-I know that.”
“You guys sure can talk like that with me standing right here.”
“It wouldn’t bother someone like you, would it? Besides, I think it would be more unpleasant if we were whispering secrets, right?”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“Satsuki Kazuma-kun. I’m asking this out of sheer curiosity, but if you were to marry Charlotte, would you consider becoming a naturalized French citizen?”
“H-Hey! What kind of thing are you asking!”
Ema was genuinely flustered by Joseph’s outrageous remark.
Ema also knew of Charlotte’s beauty.
And also that Kazuma had a weakness for beautiful women.
If he were to answer yes to this, it would be like creating an opening for them to exploit.
“Nah, that’s probably impossible. I prefer Japan. Besides, I have Teleportation, so I can come and go anytime, so it’s not a problem, right?”
“Ha, hahaha, that’s right.”
Joseph’s faint hope was splendidly shattered, leaving him dejected.
Beside him, Ema breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, he grabbed Joseph—his friend, who had nonetheless schemed to poach Kazuma for France.
“H-Hey, you! There are jokes you can make and jokes you absolutely shouldn’t, you know!”
“Well~, haha. I just thought I might have a shot…”
“It’s great that you two get along, but I want to get back to Japan quickly. So, hurry it up.”
After a bit of a kerfuffle, Kazuma finally met up with Charlotte, a little later than planned.