“So? What did you guys reply?”
“W-well, of course, we rejected them, stating that this is our country’s territory and they have no right to investigate it.”
Well, that’s the kind of response they’d give.
“But, the fact that you’ve come here means they weren’t satisfied with that, right?”
“The very inquiry of allowing another country to investigate our territory is unprecedented, but it seems that common sense doesn’t apply to the current Demon Tribe Nation…”
“Did they threaten you?”
When I said that, she nodded with a tired face.
“Yes. It wasn’t like the skirmish we had before. They said they wouldn’t hesitate to start an all-out war.”
Hmm.
“You should just accept it. You pushed them back in the previous skirmish, so you can win.”
When I said that casually, Princess-sama glared at me for a moment, then immediately averted her gaze.
“…The last time was just a reconnaissance. I don’t think the Demon Tribe Nation army was serious. Also, the Demon Tribe Nation army was severely defeated by Admos’s Summoner. To wipe away that disgrace, they’ll come at us with all their might this time. If that happens, the damage our country will suffer will be unimaginable. Or, our country might fall into the hands of the Demon Tribe Nation. If that happens…”
Whoa, this girl is threatening me in reverse.
“This forest will also become the property of the Demon Tribe Nation, huh?”
“If that happens, I think a lot of troublesome things will increase…”
The troublesome things Princess-sama is talking about are probably that Weimar is preventing other countries from interfering with me, but in reality, there are real troublesome things.
And those are related to the Demon Tribe Nation.
Considering that, it’s certainly not good if Weimar is controlled by the Demon Tribe Nation.
“If you want to prevent that, you want me to do something about it?”
“Ah, no. For now, I was wondering if you could try talking with the Demon Tribe Nation. In the first place, this land is within the territory of the Weimar Kingdom, but it’s outside of our control, so we can’t really respond to the investigation request…”
“Huh, so that’s how this place is treated.”
I didn’t know that.
“Yes. We’ve treated it as a small independent nation.”
“…”
Seriously, aren’t they trying to get under my umbrella themselves?
I didn’t ask for that, you know?
The conversation was getting confusing, so I called Ivern over.
“…I see, so that’s how it’s being treated.”
“Yes. So, we don’t collect taxes here, nor do we impose any obligations.”
“On top of that, our comings and goings are free, and you occasionally bring us useful information. That is…”
When Ivern said that and looked at Princess-sama’s face, Princess-sama stared back intently at Ivern’s eyes.
It was as if she was telling him not to say anything more.
Noticing that, Ivern shrugged slightly and said, “Understood.”
“So, about the matter of the Demon Tribe Nation saying they want to investigate this land, it seems like it would be better to set up a meeting somewhere.”
When Ivern said that, Princess-sama’s face lit up.
“Really!?”
“However,”
To Princess-sama, who looked happy, Ivern immediately said sharply.
“I will be the one attending the meeting.”
“Eh?”
“Why?”
Princess-sama looked surprised, but I was the same.
What’s this guy saying?
“Kenta, are you aware that you’re the Demon Tribe Nation’s enemy?”
“Yeah.”
When I answered immediately, Ivern sighed and put his hand on his forehead.
“You… if the negotiations break down, you’re planning to annihilate the demons on the spot, aren’t you?”
Oh, amazing.
“You understand well.”
“!!?”
When I said that, Princess-sama looked at me with a lot of force.
Her face was pale.
“I thought so. There’s no doubt that Kenta is the biggest enemy of the Demon Tribe Nation. I don’t think the Demon Tribe Nation guys can stay calm with such an enemy in front of them. And, when you’re faced with such emotions, you don’t deflect them, you reflect them back as they are, right?”
“Amazing. That’s exactly right.”
I thought that a breakdown in negotiations was equal to war.
“That’s why I said I’d go first.”
“I see. Then, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Understood.”
“W-wait a minute!”
Just as Ivern and I decided on the representative for the discussion, Princess-sama stopped us.
What is it?
“I-is it okay to decide so easily!? Certainly, the Demon Tribe Nation has ill feelings towards Maya-sama. If things go wrong, Ivern-san might…”
“Ah, that’ll be fine.”
“Why?”
In response to Princess-sama’s question, Ivern grinned and said.
“I’ll say it first, ‘If you harm me, Kenta will go and destroy the Demon Tribe Nation without question.'”
“That’s right. Say it, say it.”
“…”
Hearing Ivern’s words and my agreement, Princess-sama swayed, even though she was sitting.
“Your Highness!!”
Her attendants rushed to support Princess-sama, and she managed to avoid falling, but her face remained pale, and after looking back and forth between our faces for a while, she covered her face with both hands.
“…I can’t take it anymore, these people… It’s even worse that it seems like they could do it easily…”
“…”
Oops, I made Princess-sama cry.
“Well, that’s how it is, so please don’t worry about me. If I say that, they won’t try anything reckless, and we should be able to have a peaceful discussion. I’m sorry, but could you please tell the Demon Tribe Nation that ‘we cannot agree to the investigation, but we will agree to a discussion’?”
“…Yes, I understand. Then, I’ll take my leave now.”
Princess-sama said that, stood up shakily, bowed to us, and then left.
The attendants who followed her also didn’t blame us for treating Princess-sama like that, and they left quietly without making eye contact.
After seeing off Princess-sama’s group, we confirmed that they had entered the forest before opening our mouths.
“Princess-sama was looking at you with fear in her eyes.”
When I said that to Ivern, Ivern scratched his head.
“…I never thought the day would come when I’d be looked at like that by Her Highness.”
Ivern had said that Princess-sama was a person worthy of respect, so it must be a complicated feeling to receive such a look from such a person.
“Well, it’s fine, isn’t it? Right now, you’re in a position that doesn’t have much to do with the Weimar Kingdom.”
“…Well, I guess so.”
He’s still quick to switch gears.
“Now then, about that. The Demon Tribe Nation’s request is to confirm whether Meileen is here, and if she is, to demand her handover. What do we do?”
What do we do?
“There’s no way we’re agreeing to that.”
“I figured. And, if that leads to an all-out war?”
That’s already decided.
I grinned at Ivern and said.
“I’ll accept it. But, tell them to come prepared to be annihilated.”
Ivern’s reaction to that was just a small shrug.
And so, a few days after Princess-sama’s visit, a meeting between Ivern and the Demon Tribe Nation was held.
With this, Ivern became publicly recognized as my representative.