A Role to Play
A fortress where the Nord Army is holed up. A delegation from the Saint Miriam Kingdom arrived there. The leader of the delegation was supposed to be Emily, but the people of the Saint Miriam Kingdom were not willing to entrust such a big role to Emily, who was just a maid.
Emily is the leader only in form. The actual negotiations were supposed to be conducted by civil officials.
"Long time no see. How have you been?"
Emperor Ren himself suddenly appeared in front of the delegation, who thought it would be difficult to even meet, and spoke to Emily in a friendly manner.
"Yes, I'm fine"
"I never thought I would be reunited with Emily in this way."
"Me too. I'm very happy to have this opportunity."
"Since this is such an awe-inspiring occasion, why don't we have a cup of tea and talk?"
Ren tries to set up a private occasion. Ren's attitude toward Emily is unbelievable to the mission. He is the same Ren who had always been so strict in front of them.
"I would love to, but I have to finish my work first."
"Work? Ah, I see. You're not here for fun, right?"
"Yes"
It was not for fun. Not only Emily, but also a large delegation from the Saint Miriam Kingdom was accompanying her. So, of course, it was on purpose that Ren put it this way.
"So the business is... that's right. Before that, all the knights. And... you and you. Go back."
The knights in the delegation. Then, pointing at the two civil officials, Ren told them to leave. The one who was told by the sudden order is dumbfounded.
"You're not from the Saint Miriam Kingdom, right?"
"…Why do you think so?"
One of the officials who was told to return asked Ren.
"The former Saint Miriam Kingdom territory is now the territory of the Nord Empire. As the emperor, there's no way I don't know the faces of the subjects who work there, you know?"
The expressions of the members of the mission who received Ren's words were complicated. They were both happy and horrified that he remembered their faces.
"...We are newly appointed people"
"By whom and with what authority?"
"That's……"
There is no king in the Saint Miriam Kingdom. The person who can be said to be the acting king is also Amalia, but it is not official.
"I don't remember hiring you."
In the first place, Ren does not intend to approve the revival of the Saint Miriam Kingdom. The former Saint Miriam Kingdom territory is still part of the Nord Empire.
"We serve the Saint Miriam Kingdom, not the Nord Empire."
"Is that everyone?"
"Of course."
"I am asking the others."
Many of the delegates looked down on this question. No one in the delegation had the courage to admit their betrayal in front of Ren.
"...It seems like it's not everyone, huh?"
"No way..."
Not answering Ren means betraying the Saint Miriam Kingdom. The civil official is surprised to take it that way.
"It's strange to be surprised there. You're from the Luine Kingdom, aren't you? This conversation has nothing to do with you."
"…………"
"This place is for discussing the problems of the Nord Empire and the former Saint Miriam Kingdom. That's why I'm telling you to go back. Or shall I use force? In that case, you will return not as a person but as a thing."
"……I understand."
The people of the Luine kingdom do not have the desire to attend the negotiations even at the cost of their own lives. They had no choice but to accompany them when Yuya told them to. If they find out who they are and they still make it out alive, they're lucky. The two civil officials and the knights left the place.
"Well, now that there are no more distractions, let's hear what you have to say. Who will explain?"
"That will be me."
"Eh? It's not the civil official who accompanied you?"
"I think it would be cruel to make them do it."
It's a pretty selfish request. It takes a lot of courage for civil officials who know how scary Ren is to say that.
"I see what you're getting at. Then let's hear it."
"They want a truce."
"Which country is it?"
"A country that doesn't exist."
"...Ah, Amalia ...what's her title now?"
Assuming that the Saint Miriam Kingdom was destroyed, Amalia would have no title.
"Well. I don't know either."
Even in front of the members of the delegation, Emily didn't try to hide her true feelings. And she sees no need to do so.
"Amalia-san, who has no title, has asked for a truce. I don't mind."
"Huh?"
It wasn't Emily who raised her voice of surprise. They are the members of the delegation. Ren easily accepted a request that should not have been accepted. There's a reason for this.
"Originally, I had no intention of fighting with Amalia-san."
"Ah... is that so?"
Ren does not recognize the existence of the Saint Miriam Kingdom. Amalia's offer is only personal. In other words, accepting the truce changes nothing.
"Just what does she want? Proposing a truce is typical of her brazenness, but there must be a reason for her to come up with it."
"I think she's buying time."
"For what?"
"That's... time to let the people know that the Saint Miriam Kingdom has been restored."
"If time passes, it will be possible... ah, so she's waiting for the forces of the great powers to return. She has a surprisingly long temper. I thought she was more impatient."
With the strength of the remaining united front forces, it is impossible to bring the entire former Saint Miriam Kingdom under control. If they try to do so by force, they will be at the mercy of Ren. When the forces are dispersed, they will only move to destroy each individual. Knowing this, all that awaits is for the united front forces to regain their original strength.
"Is it that far-fetched?"
"Which would you prefer?"
"That's……"
"That was a nasty question. But, well, it can't be helped. You guys are probably struggling to survive. I have a proposal for you."
This is an uncharacteristically tolerant attitude. Naturally, there is a reason for this.
"Proposal?"
"Will you work for the Nord Empire while honoring Amalia-san?"
"That's... what kind?"
Ren's proposal is difficult to understand. There is no way they can both serve Amalia and the Nord Empire.
"I don't want the people to suffer. That's why I want you to work for the people of the Nord Empire."
"...I understand that. What do you mean by honoring Amalia-sama?"
"Whether she's here or not has nothing to do with national politics, does it? So there is no need to forcibly eliminate her. So why am I leaving it for you?"
"We……"
"If I lose, just put on the face of a vassal of the Saint Miriam Kingdom. If I win, it'll stay that way. Now you are safe."
"…Is that acceptable?"
To cross two countries. It is an act that is not faithful as a vassal. They don't understand why Ren would propose such a thing.
"It's okay if they don't find out."
"Yes, but..."
"Do you need time to think about it? If so, let's end the discussion for now. Is that okay with you, Emily?"
"……Of course"
Emily's heart races. She is embarrassed to have such high hopes for Ren's words, but she can't help her feelings.
"Then, dismiss. I'll prepare a room for you, so please rest until I call you."
"...Ha"
"Emily. Work is over for the moment. Let's have tea."
"Yes... just give me some time to talk to them. I'll be right there."
This is a sign of her desire to speak with other members of the delegation in Ren's absence.
"...I understand. Then I'll send someone to pick you up later."
Ren decided to leave his seat as he was told. He knew that Emily did not want to hide anything from him.
Only Emily and the delegation remained in the room.
"What Ren-sama said. Did you understand correctly?"
This is what Emily wants to confirm. Ren's proposal was never out of goodwill. If they don't understand that, they'll be in big trouble.
"No, I honestly don't understand. What was His Majesty's intention?"
Just as Emily was worried, there were people who didn't understand. He's not alone either. Most people were looking forward to Emily's answer to the question.
"Please take the meaning of His Majesty's words as they are. His Majesty said that he wanted you to work for the Nord Empire while still honoring Amalia-sama. This is exactly what he said."
"...Work for the Nord Empire. Is this all you mean?"
"Yes. Do you think His Majesty will forgive a traitor?"
"But this time."
"Fortunately, I don't think it's considered a betrayal. Because you guys haven't done anything for the Saint Miriam Kingdom. It's a mercy of His Majesty."
"Done nothing..."
They certainly haven't done anything yet. They couldn't do anything, but as a matter of fact, the result is the same.
But it is not true that they have done nothing at all. Even if you can't call it national politics, they are working.
"If necessary, I will speak to His Majesty myself. If you see anything that might be problematic, please be honest with me."
"""…………"""
"I can't promise that all will be forgiven if you speak honestly. But I do believe that hiding things is the worst thing you can do."
"...I worked for the army of the Luine Kingdom stationed in the Royal Capital."
"If you had not done so, you would have lost your life. I will tell His Majesty."
"Please."
This triggered the people in the delegation to confess to Emily one after another what they had done at Amalia's instructions. And so it felt as if all was forgiven.
In fact, their actions were never judged by Ren. At least, people around them will not think that they were judged.
◇◇◇
It is in the middle of a deep forest where no humans would ever set foot. There is a castle standing quietly there. The castle, which gives the impression of a long history, was built at a time when it was unknown. The building is so badly damaged that it looks like an abandoned castle, but people still live there.
This is one of the strongholds of the vampires who left Nord.
Rin, who was chained up in a room in that old castle, was puzzled by the person who had suddenly appeared in front of her and was staring at her silently the whole time.
"…A beautiful woman who has been deprived of her freedom by chains and is lying on the floor. The woman's soft skin, peeking through the gaps in her disheveled clothes, was tinged with a slight blush."
"W-wait, Luna?"
Luna is in front of Rin. Rin is surprised because Luna said something strange.
"It's obscene to the point of being repulsive."
"Obscene..."
"Luna will burn Rin's obscene appearance into my eyes and report it to Ren. I'm sure Ren will be excited."
"It won't be exciting..."
"Even if you do naughty things, it will be fine for Ren."
"No! I'm a member of the royal family of the vampires! Except for the fact that I'm bound and can't move freely, I'm treated accordingly!"
Rin is the only one with royal blood now that both her father and brother are dead. The Vampires are not unconditionally obedient to Rin, but they still observe the minimum courtesies towards the royal family.
"That's good."
"You didn't come here just to confirm that, did you?"
"Of course not. Luna is here to help Rin."
"I'm happy about that, but... how did you find this place?"
Rin doesn't know exactly where this place is. But there is no doubt that she was moved a long way from the cave where she was first held captive.
"If Luna and the others feel like it, there's nothing we can't find. But this time it took quite a while."
"I see... how is Ren-sama?"
"He's not feeling well. Ren thinks Rin is dead."
"Eh? Why?"
That's why Luna came to help. So Rin thinks that there is no way Ren could not know that she is alive.
"Luna definitely didn't have any confirmation that Rin was here. This place is troublesome."
It's the base of the vampires. Some magic is applied. One of them was interfering with Luna's detection.
"...But you knew I was alive, so you searched for me, right?"
Contradictions in Luna's description. Rin points it out.
"Luna found signs of Rin on the move."
"So you knew I was alive before you came looking for me in this place."
"...I won't help Rin, who says mean things."
Just like Rin thought. Even after Luna found out that Rin was alive, she didn't tell Ren about it.
"Luna, now is not the time to play around. Why don't you tell Ren-sama the truth? Then Ren-sama..."
How does Ren feel about her death? Rin doesn't know that.
"When he's alone, he looks blankly at the sky and sigh."
"That's……"
"Are you happy? Ren thinks Rin is dead and is very sad."
Ren's feelings for Rin grow even deeper as a result of this. Luna had hoped for that.
"……Just a little"
"Hmm?"
Ren is mourning Rin's death. When Luna told her about it, there was no joy on Rin's face. That was strange to Luna. She had thought that Rin would be overjoyed to hear that she was thought of in the same way as Kazuki.
"...I know this is an extravagant idea. But...... that he can think of me because I'm dead."
"Hoh. Does Rin say the same thing as Shizuku?"
"Eh?"
"That woman told Ren. Don't just look at the people who died, but look at the people around you. We can always die for Ren. That is why I want you to believe in us while we are still alive."
"Shizuku said that..."
Shizuku represented the thoughts of all the people around Ren. Rin thinks so.
"Luna thinks Ren has changed a little. I should say that I have noticed. He's trying to see the living as he was told to see them."
"I see... that's a good thing."
"Luna thinks so too. So from now on, we'll try to deepen his feelings for each person. Rin will also cooperate."
"Yeah, I want to. But..."
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Why is the word [but] used here? Luna doesn't understand Rin's feelings.
"Can I do that by just being by his side?"
"What are you talking about? Rin's role is to always be by Ren's side."
"Yes, that's right. I promised that I would. But...... you know, Luna. Is it selfish of me to want to feel confident that Ren-sama loves me?"
"Rin……"
Rin's feelings for Ren are wavering. Thinking that, Luna was surprised. She was only away for a short time, and Luna had no idea that she would end up like this.
"At this time I was restrained and had nothing to do, I was thinking about Ren-sama all the time. I always wanted to meet him. I wondered why I loved him so much."
"That's……"
The trigger is Luna's enchantment. Illusion rather than enchantment. It's more like brainwashing. Luna was worried that it had unraveled.
"I wondered what made Ren-sama like me. Perhaps, by being by his side all the time, Ren-sama might have been captivated by my [charm]."
"Hmm?"
"I am sure that after I became aware of my love for Ren-sama, I was wielding my [charm] unusually. I'm sure that Ren-sama is just misled by it."
Luna's worries are the exact opposite. Rin was worried that Ren might be under the illusion that he liked her because of the power of her [charm].
"Luna thinks that's not the case."
"Can you say for sure?"
"That's... it's not fair to ask that way. Luna knows that there are no absolutes in the world."
"I agree. That is why I am worried. I just wonder if I'll go back to Ren-sama and if our feelings will be different than they were before."
"That's why I don't think that's going to happen. Ren really likes Rin."
"Even so, what if it's just a trick? I know it's a stupid idea. But I can't stop worrying about it."
She wants to be truly loved by Ren. This is Rin's desire. Rin knows that Ren would not hate her for having such a desire. But even though she knows this, she can't get rid of it.
It's not just about desire. If it was the effect of the [charm] as she thought, then she is deceiving Ren. That is something Rin cannot forgive. She is ashamed to be on Ren's side like that.
"...Then what does Rin want to do?"
"I… I would like to stay away from Ren-sama for a while."
Words that she hesitated to say. But Rin has said those words.
"...Ren might take that as a betrayal."
"Maybe so."
"Are you still saying that you would leave Ren?"
"…If it's someone who will stay by his side and take care of his surroundings, then others can do it too. I want to be of help to Ren-sama by being me. I want to be someone who can do that. That's what I want."
While she was by Ren's side, it was fine to simply follow him without thinking. However, being separated from Ren and having time to think alone, Rin began to have different thoughts than before.
"…If you're going to go that far, then you can do whatever you want Rin. But those words should be said by Rin directly to Ren. It has to be done."
"……I know"
After meeting Ren, will she be able to convey her current feelings? To be honest, Rin has no confidence. She has no confidence in her ability to leave again after seeing Ren.
Still, as Luna says, she has to speak to Ren with her own mouth. If she can't, she can't be who she wants to be. Rin knows that too.
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