Two-Way Conversation
Ren and King Albert decided to continue their discussion in a different location. Ren chose a small village not far from where the meeting was to take place as the location for this.
But Ren knew it well enough. It is not just a village. This place is a base for people from the Nord Empire who operate outside the country. It may look like any other village, but it is different.
"...Such a place"
Entering the room to which he was led, King Albert was surprised. The room is a magnificent structure that cannot be imagined from its crude appearance outside. The furniture in the room was expensive at first glance.
"Even the Luine Kingdom has a room like this, right? Oh, I guess the king himself doesn't go there."
"…Maybe so."
As Ren said, King Albert never actually saw the base of the intelligence organization. Even so, he knows it's not quite as good.
"Ah, perhaps it is the interior of the room that surprises you?"
"Yes. It is so luxurious that it could be mistaken for the inside of a castle."
"That's an exaggeration. I am aware of it. It's hard work. When they're not working, they need to be comfortable."
Those who are operating outside the country are on a dangerous mission that could end in death at any moment. It is the same for military personnel, but they have comrades close to them who share the same concerns. They are different from those who often act alone.
"...You think that far?"
"I'm not like you. I came from somewhere else and became an emperor. I'm not in a position to expect unconditional loyalty."
"I see……"
King Albert is different. He was born into the royal family of the Luine Kingdom, and since he was a child, they have been loyal to the future king. He took it for granted.
"That allows me to do whatever I want without worrying about what others think of me, though. In a manner of speaking, this is meant as a consolation."
"...The last words are superfluous. But, well, I'll make myself comfortable."
Ren's words that he doesn't know if they're serious or joking. Even so, he found him to be an interesting person.
"Now then, since we can't stand around talking, please take a seat."
While Ren and King Albert were talking, tea was prepared on the table in the center of the room. Ren invited King Albert to the table.
"Do we need to test it for poison?"
"...No, it's useless."
"You should stop acting like that. Your retainer will die prematurely."
Ren's gaze turned toward the worried Harrisman. Knowing that, King Albert smiled wryly.
Ren put tea utensils in front of him and poured tea into them. King Albert knew he was going to test it for poison himself.
Once the tea was poured into one bowl, Ren took a sip of it. A few seconds after that. He also pours tea into each teapot and holds it out in front of the people seated.
"If you're no longer anxious, go ahead."
"Yeah, I'm sorry."
King Albert drinks the tea presented in front of him.
"A little less vigilant, aren't we?"
"What?"
"Poison has no effect on me. I wouldn't say not at all. So the tea isn't safe either."
"...How should I take it?"
With a probing gaze, King Albert asked Ren.
"Just a warning."
"I suppose."
"Your response is boring. Did you understand?"
"The woman next to you is also drinking, so I thought it would be okay."
King Albert wasn't just trying to be tough. Seeing Shizuku sitting next to Ren drinking, he thought it was fine.
"...That's not absolute, but enough of that. Now, what do you want to talk about, taking risks like this?"
It's not just about the tea. In the first place, it was a risk to follow him to this place. Ren asked King Albert's intention for daring to accept it.
"Let's start with my sister."
"Ah, yes. Then what is it?"
Grace said she had something to say. Remembering that, Ren turned her gaze to her.
"...I am here to thank you for saving Milianea-sama's life."
"That won't be necessary. That was just Lang returning the favor. Gratitude comes from Lang, and it's over."
"Did you really do that for this Lang person?"
"What else is there?"
Ren returns the question with a smile. The smile makes Princess Grace's suspicion grow stronger.
"...There are also rumors that you are trying to use it as a scheme."
"Grace."
King Albert utters her name to reproach Grace, who asks straightforwardly. Although he agreed to the non-aggression pact and changed locations, it was still a diplomatic meeting.
"But……"
Princess Grace who received it showed a dissatisfied expression. She knows it, too, but she can't help but complain about the way he is using her as a tool in his schemes.
"That scheme may be for your brother's sake."
"Eh?" "What?"
"There's just one more problem that needs to be solved before it can succeed."
"What is that?"
"Grace!?"
They were completely sidetracked, but at this point, both of them were falling right into Ren's trap.
"She is not the type of person who thinks that once the mourning period for her late husband is over, that's the end of the story. We need to get rid of her guilt about the marriage."
"What should I do for that?"
King Albert did not respond to Grace's question, but he wanted to hear the answer.
"Isn't that why we are here?"
"...What do you mean?"
"Fighting against the Izrim Empire. Fighting and winning, and saving the former Izrim Magic Kingdom, the ex-Lemberg Empire's retainers, and the people who live there. By doing so, she will be able to let go of the guilt she carries."
"Yes. Then brother, you have to do your best!"
With sparkling eyes, Princess Grace told King Albert to do his best. Completely forgetting about the question she has asked herself.
"Grace. What's wrong with you falling for the trick?"
"Yes?"
"She has nothing to do with the battle of the Izrim Empire. No, I don't want her to have anything to do with it."
"What do you mean?"
Grace didn't understand the meaning of King Albert's words.
"So you don’t want to use her as the former Princess of the Izrim Magic Kingdom and the former Empress of the Lemberg Empire as a justification for war."
It was Ren who explained the answer.
"...I understand."
"You understand? That she's not a tool for a scheme."
"Eh?"
"Sending her to the Luine Kingdom won't give me the results I want. I know that."
The answer to Princess Grace's first question. He took a roundabout way, but he got there.
"Yes. I'm sorry. I doubted you."
"It's all right. I don't mind."
Princess Grace's misunderstanding is gone. It is only Princess Grace, and it is doubtful that it is a misunderstanding. There is no doubt that Milianea is an eyesore to the Izrim Empire. Her presence heightens the wariness of the Luine Kingdom. King Albert and the knight commander of the Platinum Knights Harrisman know this.
"How do you think the Izrim empire will operate from here on out?"
Even if it was just a roundabout way, Princess Grace's question is over. King Albert asked a new question.
"The conversation flies at once. And it's a difficult question."
"Is that an answer? Or the answer?"
"...Both? I'm not sure what Katsuragi-san is thinking right now. At the last minute, there is a possibility that she might turn it over."
"Was she that kind of a person?"
King Albert has not talked to Mei enough to know who she is in detail. Still, from the exchanges that occurred several times, she didn't feel indecisive.
"Maybe she doesn't want to lose what she's gained?"
"...It would be helpful if you could explain in a little more detail."
"They took a big gamble, which was also surprising, because high-stakes bets aren't her style. But, well, I think it's because of the people who pushed her on this one."
If Mei had been in a position to decide everything on her own, she might not have been able to go through with the plan, which would have gotten her killed if it failed. But then there was Yuya, who did not care about such things, or rather, did not think about anything but success. There was also Jin, who, despite his cautious nature, was drawn in by such momentum.
"She should be there now."
"Yes. But she is the only emperor. And her position as emperor makes her cautious. She never wants to fail. I think this is her original nature, but it is getting stronger."
"……I see."
"Right now, various problems are occurring in the Izrim Empire. Her decisions regarding them tend to prioritize those that have a high possibility of being resolved, other than the things that must be done.”
"You understand her."
Ren understands Mei's thinking. That contradicts what he said earlier, King Albert thought.
"I don't know what she will prioritize. She would never leave it unattended, but she doesn't mind putting it off."
If Mei heard these words, she might tremble with humiliation. Her immaturity is pointed out by Ren, the person she is most competitive with.
"For example?"
"Domestic affairs. Even though the country is in turmoil, they are leaving it alone and moving to secure the heroes. She doesn't understand it."
It's even more so if it's Ren who doesn't recognize the value of being a hero.
"...A powerful weapon for her."
But King Albert is different. As for her military strength, he sees heroes as a threat.
"I suppose it's just a matter of replacing the foolish nobles with ignorant heroes as rulers."
"In that regard, yes."
Ren's next words were surprising to King Albert. Ren emphasizes domestic affairs. He could see it from the Nord Empire's administration, but he still felt that it was more than he had thought.
"Well, I think it's what's best for her. So I can't read too much into what she's going to do."
"...Why is she being driven so far?"
Have you read everything but Mei? He swallowed this question. Because it's a question that Ren would never answer. King Albert himself is included in addition to that.
"I wonder? Do you think she's being backed into a corner?"
"If so, isn't she frustrated that things aren't going her way?"
"Yeah... she's good at what she does. Is that the biggest problem?"
"Is being an excellent a problem?"
Being a good king is a good thing. King Albert intends to make an effort to do so.
"If she trusts her subjects like you, it won't be a problem. But she's different. This can't be helped. I think she's aware that she's a usurper."
She can't immediately trust the people who served the country she took from. It is normal to think they hold a grudge against her. And Mei had no subjects to replace them.
"...You mean she can't leave it to someone?"
"Regardless of trust, if you think you're the best, it may happen. And the Izrim Empire is not a scale that can be ruled by one person."
"Rapid territorial expansion... is that normal? Even I wouldn't do that."
And Ren isn't even going. He understands that national robbery does not end with winning the war. In a different sense from Mei, Ren is cautious.
"If they just gain overwhelming power, the problem may be settled. It is possible that they are aiming for that."
If Mei has such overwhelming power that she no longer feels the urge to go against it. In fact, in terms of military power alone, Mei is about to get it.
"...Don't we have time?"
The only way to win a battle against the Izrim Empire after that happens is to diminish their chances of winning. The king did not originally intend to take the time, but impatience grew in King Albert's heart.
"Time is not always on their side"
"...What are you going to do?"
"Do you think I'll tell you that?"
"You're right."
There was no way he would tell the king of another country about the kind of scheming he was doing. King Albert thinks he is too.
"But that's right. Is there no time for you?"
"Even if you ask why, I probably won't give you an answer. Then just be aware that we don't have time."
"...Are you okay? You trust people so easily."
"No problem. I am not taking you at your word. I receive information, but I decide what to do with it. If that decision is wrong, it is my responsibility."
He doesn't make decisions based solely on Ren's word. He decides what he thinks is the right course of action based on the various pieces of information he receives.
"......That's true, too."
The same goes for Ren. He thinks about things from a large amount of information mixed with truth and false.
"Going back to the topic, what would you have done if you were in Mei Katsuragi’s position?"
"That's what you call getting back on topic?"
"That's the topic. What would you have done?"
Mei Katsuragi succeeded in usurping the throne, but her subsequent reign was, in the eyes of King Albert, a failure. What would Ren have done about it? By finding out, he thought he would learn about Ren's way of thinking.
"…How do I take over the Izrim Magic Kingdom, right? If that's the case, I've already done it."
"What?"
"It's not the Izrim Magic Kingdom, but I usurped the country too. It's not usurpation because I was promised to be king. But it's the same as usurping power, isn't it?"
"The Nord Empire, or was it the Nord Federation back then? Come to think of it, how did you unite the Nords?"
The Nord Federation, which should not have been united, was united, including the demons. King Albert knew that even the details were still unknown.
"......Sounds like an interrogation."
"I'm not accusing you of anything. I'm just wondering, after all this time, how you managed to put that Nord Federation together."
"There are hints for the answer, so why don't you just figure it out for yourself?"
"...A rebellion?"
The schemes that Ren has done so far. The thing for the Luine Kingdom was to incite a rebellion.
"Well, that’s what it is. It gives power to those who are dissatisfied with the status quo. In Nord's case, though, I had power from the beginning. All I had to do was to motivate those people."
"Could the same thing happen in the Izrim Magic Kingdom?"
"The Elected King has no popular support. The Elected Court monopolized power and was resented by many people. It was possible to start a rebellion."
In fact, Ren was doing it, although Lang was the one who made the move. Let the Elected King and the Elected Court clash, and when both sides were worn down, a real rebellion would take place. Such was the scheme that was planned.
"......But wouldn't the outcome be much different than it is now?"
Those who had been oppressed by those in power until then will seize power. After that, there is a possibility that there will be a conflict with the new authority.
"It can't be helped. But those people are also accomplices. To justify their actions, they have to make the country better off than it was before."
"......Won't the country be in shambles?"
The new king of the Izrim Empire is tyrannical. Is that because they don't have the awareness that Ren suggests? It is possible, King Albert thought.
"If there is one person like that, then everyone around that person will see it the same way. If you make people think that, no one will complain if you get rid of them."
Furthermore, Ren has been quick to eliminate problematic people. Don't take your time. If you don't get it done while you have a heart that is convinced of the punishment, you will be afraid that you will be next.
"In that respect, the Luine Kingdom is amazing. There are few people who are dissatisfied with the current situation."
"…Is that a compliment?"
It was King Albert who did it. His own actions prevented the spread of the rebellion, and possibly the usurpation. Knowing that, he is not inclined to rejoice.
"Yes. This is a compliment. That's where you differ from Katsuragi-san."
"You're comparing me to her here?"
"Even Katsuragi-san can come up with the methods I mentioned. But can she do the purge afterward? I don't think so."
"Why can't she?"
"By doing a purge, she fears turning those around her into enemies. It's the same as Katsuragi-san's now. That's why she seeks power. The power to protect herself even if she makes those around her enemies."
"That's a comparison with you."
"Yeah, that's right. The difference between you and Katsuragi-san is that as long as you do what's right, you can believe that the people around you won't betray you. This is different from me."
Ren cannot easily trust people, regardless of preconditions. However, if he were in the same situation as King Albert, he would make the same choice.
"...Am I blessed?"
"What do you think? Are you blessed to have reliable subjects from the beginning, or are your subjects blessed to serve a king like you?"
"I don't know if I'm being praised or you're being sarcastic."
"Do you care about that kind of thing? I don't think so."
He goes his own way. Ren thought that King Albert was that type of person.
"I'm curious about your evaluation."
But only when it comes to Ren, it's different.
"I can't tell if you're being complimentary or sarcastic?"
"I mean it as a compliment."
King Albert thinks highly of Ren. He can't ignore him, he can't help but be curious about him.
"I see... the answer is neither."
"Eh?"
"I didn't praise you, I didn't say anything sarcasm. I was just stating the facts. To add to that, you and Katsuragi-san have something in common. You both are afraid to lose. Not about what, of course."
"...You told me that first."
What is lacking is the preparedness to lose everything. This is the answer to King Albert's question. Not only that, Ren talks about this all the time. Not only for King Albert, but also for Mei.
"If you fight the Izrim Empire to the end, one of you will lose everything. If you can't prepare for that, you shouldn't fight."
"......Does that mean you have to be ready for that in order to win?"
"I wouldn't go that far. There will be times when your obsession with things will lead you to victory. It means it's going to be that much of a fight."
"That's probably right……"
In terms of territory alone, the Izrim Empire surpasses the Luine Kingdom. Naturally, the number of soldiers mobilized should easily exceed the number of their own country. For the first time for the Luine Kingdom, which was the largest country on the continent, it wasn't always like that, but it was a great enemy to face.
Even if they no longer had to worry about the Nord Empire, they could not be sure of victory. King Albert realized once again that Ren was right, this was a battle for the survival of the nation.
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