Episode 70: Interlude (Leon Degraat 2)
“Welcome, Leon Degraat. It has been quite some time,” the lord greeted.
“Yes. Thank you for the warm welcome, Lord-sama,” Leon replied.
Leon had not anticipated being granted an audience with the lord himself after simply arriving as a herald, and was therefore somewhat nervous.
It had been eight years since his last visit to the city of Fratala, when he accompanied a different delegation as the captain of the guard.
“Now, this is rather sudden. I haven’t heard the details of your business yet, so perhaps you could enlighten me?”
“Yes.”
Normally, a herald would communicate via letter. Leon had brought one with him. Occasionally, one might meet with a steward directly under the lord, but even that was unusual.
This was the first time he had been granted an audience with the lord himself so suddenly.
“We are forming a delegation from our city of Telek Port to East Gate City, and we wish to stop by Fratala City along the way. I have come as a herald to inform you of this.”
“East Gate City, you say? Is your destination the Forest Country (Lebresta)?”
“I apologize, but I have not been informed of our final destination.”
“Hmm? …Hah hah hah, well, I suppose that’s to be expected. I was getting ahead of myself. I’ll hear the details from the head of the delegation. So, you are merely a herald?”
“Yes.”
The lord nodded and summoned the steward who was standing by.
“Arrange for their lodging.”
“Understood.”
“Leon, I will personally oversee your stay in this city. Will you be staying for about two days?”
“Yes. If we could enter the city today and depart on the morning of the day after tomorrow, that would be ideal. We would also like to rest and replenish some of our supplies during that time.”
“I see, I see. Hmm, these are troubled times, and we may not be able to provide much… Well, what do you say?”
“Forgive me. We may not have much food to spare. However, we can provide ample fodder and water. We have a reserve of salt. As for lumber… well, we should confirm with the guild as soon as possible. We recently reorganized our inventory of rope and cloth, so we can provide some of that.”
“Hmm. Leon, how does that sound?”
Leon nodded at the steward’s response. He lowered his head, expressing his gratitude.
“Thank you very much. I understand the circumstances, so we have brought our own food supplies. As for other materials, we have not actually consumed much, so we will check with the guild directly. A letter of introduction would be sufficient.”
“Is that so? It must be difficult, traveling after such a long hiatus.”
Upon being asked that, Leon hesitated for a moment.
“…I believe it would be best to confirm the details with the head of the delegation. We are accompanied by a very capable ally, which has made the journey considerably easier.”
“Hmm…? Such an important individual?”
“Yes. They are currently our city’s most valuable trading partner.”
After a few more exchanges, Leon completed his role as herald and scout. Fortunately, they were able to secure lodging for everyone.
Well, they had rented out an entire inn that was practically closed due to the lack of domestic travel. He had also left a tip for cleaning the dust-covered rooms.
It was an unnecessary expense, but delegations were expected to distribute money and goods along the way. The lord was likely expecting that as well.
After quickly surveying the market (which was not very lively), Leon and Zwanzig left Fratala City and urged their horses and golem onward to rejoin the main party.
“Ten escorts. Three attendants from Paraiso… and a carriage. And… golems? Hmm. Three golems, you say. That’s quite a small group for a march.”
“Yes, the performance of the golems assisting us is exceptionally high, which has been a great help. It is only because we can travel with this number that we were able to dispatch our delegation in this situation.”
Currently, Lord Radaeri Fratala of Fratala City was in talks with Agritend Luvannia, the head of the delegation. They had not been able to prepare dinner in time, but at Agritend’s request for the earliest possible meeting, they had gone straight to the lord’s mansion upon arriving in the city.
“Golems… I’ve heard rumors of such things. What are they like?”
“I apologize, but I have not been informed of the details. However, there is no doubt that they are made with extremely complex and delicate technology. They are incomparable to the magical tools we use. They are larger than a carriage, faster than a horse, and can easily defeat any monster, no sweat.”
“Hmph. This is not something to be discussed in such a setting, but… I can’t help but wonder if they could aid us in our struggles.”
Those words revealed just how dire the situation was for Fratala City. It was an incredibly direct request. However, Agritend Luvannia had no intention of involving their benefactor, Paraiso, in a civil war.
“I have considered that as well, but there is the issue of distance, which makes it quite difficult. However, if we can continue our exchange, perhaps there is hope.”
“Is that so? Hmm, I would like to meet these individuals, if possible.”
“…Very well. I will confirm. Leon, would you?”
“Yes. I will go and ask.”
However, they couldn’t very well refuse a meeting. After excusing himself, Leon called out to Dreizig, who was accompanying them.
Fortunately, they agreed to the meeting without any particular objections. Together with the steward, Leon escorted Dreizig back to the reception room.
“This is Dreizig Ringo-sama, the representative of Paraiso.”
“Show them in.”
And then, she entered the room. She wore goggles with some kind of function and kept her hood up. Her unusual appearance caused Lord Radaeri Fratala to frown.
“Forgive me. They are quite conspicuous, so they have been asked to dress this way while in the city. Dreizig-san, would you mind showing your face?”
“No problem.”
She nodded at Agritend Luvannia’s request and first removed her hood. Revealed was silky white hair and a pair of fox ears.
Her eyes were still hidden by the goggles, but one could easily imagine her well-defined features.
Then, she reached for the goggles, and with a soft kash sound, they fell into her hand.
“…Ho.”
Hidden beneath the goggles were golden eyes that captivated all who beheld them. Though her expression was blank, her charm was in no way diminished.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Dreizig Ringo, the squadron leader of Paraiso. I have been ordered to accompany this delegation as a guard.”
“I am Radaeri Fratala, the lord of Fratala City. Please, have a seat.”
“Allow me to take your cloak.”
Dreizig nodded and casually removed her cloak, handing it to the steward. What was revealed was her slender figure.
It was likely a uniform, but the style was unlike anything they had ever seen. Tight-fitting trousers, a large knife at her waist, and a gun.
“Excuse me.”
She sat down next to Agritend Luvannia, and Leon stood diagonally behind them. It was an assertion that Dreizig was an important figure to their delegation.
“….I am surprised. A beastman, perhaps? Do they truly exist?”
“I do not believe we are the same as the beastmen you speak of in this country, but it is true that we all share this appearance.”
As Dreizig answered, the lord let out a deep sigh and raised one hand.
Sensing an ominous atmosphere from that gesture, Leon instinctively, though very rudely, reached for the hilt of his sword. That action was correct, but it was not successful.
Almost simultaneously, the doors burst open and several people rushed in.
“Don’t move. Don’t resist unnecessarily. We have soldiers waiting outside as well.”
“…This is…”
It was an event that they had considered, at least in theory. But based on the state of Fratala City and the content of their meeting with the lord, they had dismissed it as unlikely.
In other words, an attack on the delegation, an act of plunder.
“I am very sorry, Agritend-dono. This city is far more desperate than you realize. There is no turning back. We will have to ask you to hand over everything you have.”
“…Surely, this is… Radaeri-sama, this is problematic. To demand everything…”
“What does it matter? You will have no way of knowing what happens anyway. Besides, that woman of yours is a stroke of luck. She would make a top-tier tribute.”
Agritend Luvannia scoffed at the protest, and surrounded by soldiers with swords drawn, they were at the mercy of the lord—
“Designated as a hostile act.”