Those Seeking Change
With the United Kingdom of Mercenary coming under the control of the Nord Empire, the situation in the north began to change at once. In reality, there was a considerable difference in national power between the Luine Kingdom and the Lemberg Empire, but even so, the United Kingdom of Mercenary was called one of the four great powers. The fact that it was incorporated into the Nord Empire gave the surrounding countries a threat and a sense of security. No matter how strong the military was, in the end, it was no longer possible to see it as a small country on the frontier.
This was a great miscalculation on Ren's part.
"Your Majesty, a messenger has arrived from the Urana Kingdom."
Prime Minister Lang informs Ren of the arrival of the diplomatic delegation.
"Again? Every country moves quickly when they are not at war."
It wasn't just the Urana Kingdom that sent messengers. Most of the northern countries had sent envoys as well.
"It's less dangerous than war."
"Yes. Just because it's less dangerous doesn't mean it's safer. Don't they realize that?"
If diplomacy fails, it may end in war. The other party might be the Nord Empire, or the Luine Kingdom. It is not something to be taken lightly.
"Are they trying not to understand?"
"That's right."
The Nord Empire is far easier to negotiate with than the Luine Kingdom. They are trying to make people think so. Especially to those who are negotiating with two minds.
"And what about the room?"
"Rooms? Not enough room for the diplomatic delegations?"
"No. Rooms for His Majesty's prospective wives."
"…………"
In order to please Ren, each country brings beautiful women. All of them are said to be princesses, but in reality, they are only adopting beautiful women they find within their country. Even so, if they accept them, they must be treated accordingly.
"I would like to state for the record that I am not spreading rumors that His Majesty has an eye for beautiful women."
"I know... at a time like this, I wish Rin was here."
Even the most prized beauties of each country are no match for Rin. Ren thought that if he reminded them of this, they would stop thinking of offering their women to him.
"It won't change."
"Eh?"
"No matter how beautiful a woman is, if you look at her every day, you will get tired of her."
"...I don't think I'll get tired of her, though?"
"That's because it's His Majesty. People who think of offering a beautiful woman are different. They will consciously prepare a woman with an atmosphere that is not on His Majesty's side."
"That sounds like they think any woman will do."
"To be honest, it means they think any beautiful woman will do."
"…………"
It is really unfortunate for Ren that people think that way. Ren himself thinks he is the complete opposite.
"I don't think all countries will be selected, but there is an option to accept them as a maid instead of a concubine."
"......What's the point of that?"
Even if she is an adopted daughter, her title is princess. Ren doesn't understand the point of making her a maid.
"Under normal circumstances, the other country would not accept them to become a maid. However, in our country, we have Emily-dono. She is officially only one of the maids, but it is a well-known fact that she is a special person to His Majesty."
"A well-known fact..."
He felt embarrassed now that many people knew about his relationships.
"In this case, it is useful. Emily-dono is believed to have influenced the occupation policy of her homeland, the former Saint Miriam Kingdom. That is what each country wants."
To get Ren to treat their countries a little better. That is the reason why each country wants to send a princess. Emily is a good precedent, although they would not want to be put together.
"...Huh? Maybe the rumors about me... are self-deserving?"
The rumors about Emily were spread on purpose. So if Ren is thought of as a womanizer, then he deserves it.
"I think there are other factors, but it is certain that it is one of the causes. So, what do you think? What about making them maids?"
"Do I have to accept them as maids?"
"At this stage, we can’t sort out the countries. I thought it would be convenient to let them swim."
Ren and the others don't want the North to be pretty colored early on. The more iridescent countries that don't know which way to go, the more difficult it is for the Luine kingdom to decide on a strategy. That is the kind of situation they want to maintain.
For this reason, they must not let the other side in negotiations make a decision. Even if a country cannot be trusted, they will not cut them off, but will maintain a relationship with them to the extent that them can make them weigh the options.
"The treatment of the woman sent was also half-hearted. I understand."
"It's good. Such a case"
"What do you mean?"
"When it comes to women, His Majesty's mind suddenly becomes sluggish. I can help you easily."
"...I won't deny that."
Ren is certainly not confident when it comes to female relationships. Not only in personal love affairs, but also in things like this one, where a man's feelings about a woman are taken advantage of. Especially when it is directed at him.
"Incidentally, I would like to say something that is usually difficult to say."
"What?"
"If, as a result, these women decide to serve His Majesty as your maid, I ask that you show a certain amount of consideration for them. I don't mean that you should have a relationship with them, but that you should treat them with the respect they deserve."
"Why?"
"There are too many demon women around His Majesty. There are those who are close to you, Emily-dono and Shizuku-dono, but the absolute number is not the same."
"...Because they're a lookout and an escort."
The people surrounding Ren are mainly the Lilith tribe. Its role is to prevent those who approach Ren with malice.
"Yes. There is no need to reduce them. But, ostensibly, I am asking His Majesty to treat them fairly."
"So that people won't think that I am favoring the demons?"
Ren does not give preferential treatment to the demons. However, the degree of trust is different from that of the humans. Lang fears that this attitude may be seen as disrespectful to humans.
"I think it's time for His Majesty to make such considerations. I know it's not you don't like it, Your Majesty, but..."
"...Somehow, the shape has changed from what I thought at first."
Ren did not think at first that the Nord Empire would grow in this way. He will gain the power to fight against the great powers that hold the heroes. He just needed a country for that.
Whether they win or lose, the battle, which was supposed to be a short one, is unexpectedly prolonged and the country grows as a result. It is a strange situation for Ren.
"Even so, the current situation is by no means a bad one. It's not a situation in which we can rest easy."
"Well"
"Will the passage of time be on our side?"
The Nord Empire is buying time. To stabilize the expanded territory. In order to increase national power. But it also gives other countries time. Especially for the Izrim Empire, Lang was worried about whether it would be okay to give the country time to stabilize.
"Making them an ally is correct. Certainly, Katsuragi-san was more cautious than I had expected. But her consciousness is too much oriented toward the war, though this was also unexpected. Therein lies the impatience."
"Why?"
"Because you're smart, doesn't that mean you haven't studied?"
"……I see"
Mei has acquired a magic suitable for the title of Great Mage. She spent all her time out of the academy for that purpose. She doesn't have the knowledge to govern a country. In addition, she has a few human resources who can be entrusted with it instead, but it is not enough.
"They are expanding their military power at a tremendous rate, but other than that."
They invade other countries and gather their own classmates. That will increase the military power of the Izrim Empire.
"There is certainly an opening to take advantage of."
The Nord Empire not only strengthens its own national power, but also focuses on weakening the power of its enemies. That's what they've been doing all along.
"The question is, though, when will they move?"
Lang didn't respond to Ren's words.
"Your Majesty! The Izrim Empire has moved!"
Ralph rushed into the room and delivered information about the Izrim Empire.
"It's early. This one was a little hard to read."
It was unexpected that the Izrim Empire would move at this stage. Mei's move was hard to read, Ren thought. Naturally, it is not a good thing.
"This is not the time to say such things. It seems that the Izrim Empire's army is heading north."
"Heh... so it comes to that."
North rather than west. Ren thought that the Izrim Empire had chosen the Nord Empire instead of the Luine Kingdom as the opponent to fight.
"It seems that they are advancing in the direction of the church country, so it seems that they will invade Nordben directly."
"...Church country's direction? Why bother to come from a direction that is difficult to attack?"
If they want to fight the Nord Empire, they should not head in the direction of the Church, but go straight north and attack from the United Kingdom of Mercenary. The southern part of Nordben is well-defended, and it should be troublesome to pass through the Church.
"That's what the reports say."
"……What do you think?"
Ren asks Lang.
"Are they going to fight against the church country? It's true that their national power was second only to the four major powers, but there's no way the people will obey if they take the church country by force."
A large part of the nation's national power is supported by church members. Even if the church country's land is stolen, the believers will not follow that country, and they will not obtain power.
"Do they not know that, or is there some other reason...... no way?"
"Is there something wrong?"
"...I said she was smart, but I'll take it back. She's an outrageous idiot. Should I call her an idiot who can only rely on others?"
"Your Majesty?"
The expression on Ren's face was anger. The reason for this feeling is not clear to Lang.
"The goal of the Izrim Empire is to become the Church Country. No, to lift the proof of servitude."
The heroes were bound by the church through the proof of servitude. The proof was the property of the church. If so, they must know how to unlock it. Mei thought so.
"...What do you want to do?"
The target is not the Nord Empire. Even if the Izrim Empire gains the church country, it will not be of any help. If that is the case, they should leave it alone. She didn't need to ask Ren, but she asked the question nonetheless.
"...Send out an army. Ralph! Organize a fast-troop unit! It's going to be a forced march, so plan on it!"
"...Got it! I'll arrange it right away!"
Upon receiving Ren's order, Ralph rushed out of the room with more momentum than when he arrived.
"Are we ready to fight?"
Somehow she knew from Ren's atmosphere. So she asked him what to do.
"It's not logical. Church country... there are people in church country who don't want to die. It's a personal feeling."
"...I think it's fine. Even if there is such a fight. No, because that is why His Majesty fights."
Revenge for killing someone important to him. Lang thinks it's a good thing if it leads to the feeling of never wanting to lose someone important again.
If that feeling grows stronger and the number of people important to Ren increases, she hopes that it may become the way they want it to be.
◇◇◇
Deep in the [Forest of Confusion]. Rin has set up a base of operations in a place where no human would ever set foot. It is a base for the gathered companions. At first, there was only a place to sleep, but that place is now quite well maintained.
High walls surround the place. A number of buildings stand in a row. Water is available. There is also a place for training and a playground for children at other times. It is still only a small village.
There is a sense of tension in the place right now. Because of the unwelcome visitor.
"What are you here for?"
"Princess. It's been a long time since we met, but isn't your attitude cold?"
"It's a natural attitude."
Baat stands in front of Rin. Although they belong to the same vampire race, he follows her older brother. An opponent of Ren. She is imprisoned and has a grudge against him.
"...Well, that's fine. I'll answer your question about what I'm here for. I've come to ask what the princess is planning to do."
"Yes?"
"Was it difficult to understand? Then again. What is the princess trying to do in a place like this?"
"I'm trying to obtain the power to protect the future of the demons."
She's trying to bring demons together like Ren and gain the power to fight. In the case of Rin, the targets are demons living outside Nord.
"It is from the humans, isn't it?"
"From all dangers"
"...Well, that's fine. If the princess is really aiming for that, I'll cooperate with you. That's why I'm here."
"I refuse."
Without a pause, Rin announced her refusal.
"......Could you please think about it a little more? I still have a lot of power."
"I don't need to think about it and neither do you."
"Are the princess's words only words? The people here don't have the strength to fight."
The only people who followed Rin were mothers and their children. Many of the men also lack the strength to fight. Baat thinks that it is impossible for them to fight.
"Even if it's like that now, we can change it as much as we want depending on our efforts."
"Effort... I understand your feelings. But the reality is not that naive."
"You think so, that's why you don't need it."
"...Why?"
Rin refuses to accept him at all. Baat is aware that she hates him, but it is unconvincing to be so stubbornly rejected.
"Then listen. What was my older brother trying to do? For what purpose did you acquire the magic sword and unite the demons?"
"It's the same as the princess. It's to protect the future of the demons."
"That's a lie"
"Yes? No, it's true even if you deny it."
It is true that she thought he was protecting the future of the demons. But that is not what Rin is asking.
"Then what exactly did you think protecting the future of the demons meant?"
"Specifically... To acquire power that will never lose to humans. To obtain a land where we can live in peace. After that..."
"If that's the case, why did you become hostile to Ren-sama? Ren-sama was trying to fight even if all the countries of the humans were turned against him. He turned Nord into a land where the demons could live in peace."
Baat's wish will be fulfilled by Ren. It is so, and yet there is another reason why they turned against each other.
"...He interfered with the unity of the demons. Without him, the demons would have been united."
"That's why you sided with the humans and killed your fellow demons. What you guys are doing doesn't match what you're saying. I think it's shameful."
Inconsistency between words and deeds. It is akin to breaking a promise. So Rin accused.
"...Then what about the princess? If you stubbornly refuse me like this, the demons will not be able to unite, and there may be a battle in the future. Isn't it the same?"
"No. What I'm aiming for is different from my older brother and you."
"What's the difference?"
"It's the humans who threaten the demons. Not all of them, but the humans who are hostile to the demons. If so, we will defeat it. We will annihilate the enemy."
"What!?"
A radical idea that he had not expected. Baat was surprised by it.
"Kill the enemy. Protect the ally. That keeps our ally safe. The demons can survive."
"Princess... the humans."
"An existence that should be protected. Don't you think that idea has driven the demons into a corner all this time?"
In order to create humans, demons descended on this land to keep the humans from becoming extinct. In many cases, it is the humans that initiate conflict. The demons have fought to protect themselves. That was not good enough, Rin says.
"The demons exist because of the humans."
"I know that without being told."
"You will deny the existence of the demons!"
"Those things are long gone. So we have to create a new reason for existence. We have to create a right to live on the ground."
"...That kind of thinking is unacceptable."
"Who do we need to be recognized by? We recognize ourselves. That we can live if it's for that reason, I don't mind destroying the humans."
"…………"
Rin's thoughts are unfamiliar. It is a concept that would never have occurred to the demons. Baat can't understand it at all.
"Both my older brother and you were caught up in the common sense of the demons. You didn't really try to change anything. It's not just the two of you. It has always been that way for the demons in the past."
While talking about the danger to their existence, the idea of destroying the enemy, the humans, was never born. Such an idea was not allowed.
"Don't you think that's strange? Like the heroes who were ruled by the proof of servitude, they did not even question. What on earth are we ruled by?"
"...I don't know."
"Yeah. I don't know either. But I do know that it is wrong. I do know that we should really try to survive."
"...Princess. What is the princess thinking?"
Too different. Heretics are excluded from the world. That is the way of the world. Baat tried to warn her.
"But the people here agree with me."
"What!?"
"......You are strong. You are confident that you can defend yourself. But the people here are not. They are desperately trying to figure out how to survive. They are willing to do anything to protect their children."
"That shouldn't be allowed."
"I have forgiven them. So I will bear all the guilt. If I can't do it by myself, I'm sure Ren-sama will do it too."
To achieve his goal, he commits many sins. Ren does not expect to be forgiven for his sins. He doesn't think he will be forgiven. Neither does Rin. Whatever the punishment, if she can share it with Ren, she's willing to do it.
"…………"
"Do you understand? The reason I don't need you."
"...What about the magic sword?"
"Oh, was that what you were looking for? Too bad. I don't know where the magic sword is. I don't even need it."
The sword is necessary to rule the demons. Rin doesn't want to be tied down by that either. She wants to destroy everything that has been common knowledge for thousands of years in the past. She believed that this would lead to the future of the demons.
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