Results are Everything
The Baslek Kingdom is a small country in the northeastern part of the continent. The Nord Army is now advancing along the central square leading to the castle in its royal capital. It is not for battle. They have come here to negotiate at the request of King Baslek.
On both sides of the main street, the people of the royal capital had gathered to catch a glimpse of the Nord Army that they had heard so much about. The Nord Army was advancing in formation through the crowd. Their appearance fully satisfied the crowd's expectations.
At the head of the procession, a cavalry unit dressed in all black led by Kai and Mai.
If this were any other country, their young appearance would have been underestimated, but the strength of the Nord Army is well known to the public. The young appearance of the two was seen by the people as the vigor of a newly emerging nation.
The Mage Corps followed them. There are young members among them, such as Sai and Ai, but the mage corps is dressed in black robes and hoods. Their age is not discernible. With only an eerie atmosphere, the group of mages moves forward in front of the people.
And behind them. When they see the people there, various voices begin to leak out from the crowd. The one who is leading the group is King Baslek. In order to show that he has no intention of antagonizing them, the king himself is serving as a guide. His presence is meant to serve as a hostage.
The crowd is surprised at this. What does it mean that the king himself is serving as a guide? Words were heard from all over the place speculating on this.
But the speculation soon ceased. Looking at the people who are walking right behind King Baslek.
An animal with a single horn, which was instantly recognizable as not a horse. Someone who knows things tells the people around them that it is a magical beast.
The one who straddles that magical beast is Ren. Rumor has it that he is the ruthless emperor of the Nord Empire. People are surprised at the emperor's surprisingly innocent appearance. And as Ren approaches, people notice a girl sitting in front of him, being held in Ren's arms.
She is a beautiful girl with silver hair like Ren and a face so beautiful it is hard to believe she is from this world. People who do not know who this girl, Luna, is beginning to talk with each other, imagining that she is a daughter, a sister, a lover, and so on.
Furthermore, the saint follows right behind him. She is one of the few who can admonish the ruthless emperor for his evil deeds. A woman who saves many people with her compassionate heart.
However, some people find it surprising that the saint has an atmosphere that is too sexy to be a saint, and she attracts the attention of men and doesn't let go.
"......You, why don't you try to be a little more like a saint?"
Sensing that sign, Ren whispered to Shizuku.
"This is Ren’s fault. If I am tormented like that, night after night, the lingering effects will never go away."
The reason why Shizuku spreads her s*x appeal around her is because of the afterglow of her actions with Ren. Yet this is not always the case.
"......Hundred times is a lot of work when it comes down to it."
"Isn't it obvious?"
It's hard to say that he made a promise, but Ren continues to torment Shizuku, keeping his promise. But as expected, it was not easy to make her say [Forgive me already] a hundred times.
"Then I'll stop now."
"...Are you going to break your promise?"
"Because you don't want to, do you?"
"Not really... Anyway, it's not good to break a promise."
100 times is hard not only because there are many. In order to monopolize Ren, Shizuku deliberately avoids saying a word. Even so, it is quite a feat for Ren to make her say it several times in one night.
"It's not a promise with a deadline. Why don't you both just take your time to accomplish it?"
A remark that derails Shizuku's plan is heard next to her.
"...Emily. It has nothing to do with you."
"I can't say I'm not related. Am I wrong?"
Emily is in a position to complain about Shizuku monopolizing Ren. Emily's claim is correct.
"...I don't mind though."
"Well then, that's that."
Shizuku decided to quietly withdraw. For the past few days, she had been able to monopolize Ren at night. She thought she should be satisfied with that. Otherwise, Shizuku knew that Ren did not like this kind of conflict, or rather, it was annoying for him.
"Now! Your Majesty the Emperor, we are at the castle!"
Did he not hear the conversation, or did he hear it and play dumb? Anyway, King Baslek did not seem to pay any attention to the conversation between Ren and the others, and announced their arrival at the castle.
◇◇◇
A banquet to welcome Ren and the others. However, it is just a meal around the table. There is no time for entertainment. The Nord Empire did not want that.
However, the Baslek Kingdom is grateful for that. With war-damaged finances, it is difficult to set up a luxurious banquet.
"I don't know if you will be satisfied, but we have prepared it with the utmost sincerity in our own country. Please enjoy your meal."
King Baslek offered a meal with words that contained a little humility.
"I'm satisfied enough. I don't usually have such a luxurious meal."
Ren answered. Some people are surprised that he can respond in this way. They don't know that Ren has always been good at feigning innocence.
"Well, we have a wide variety of drinks, especially distilled liquor, which are the only thing we can proudly recommend to people from other countries in our country. Please try some."
King Baslek seemed relieved when Ren replied in a good mood.
The servants who were surrounding the table all approached the table with drinks all at once, and poured their prized liquor into glasses.
"How is it? Has it been distributed to everyone? Let's make a toast――"
King Baslek was in a good mood. But that good mood was blown away when Ren raised his hand lightly.
"...Is there something you don't like?"
"No... I can't drink alcohol, so you should drink this."
"Eh?"
Ren's request was not directed at King Baslek. He was talking to the servant who poured the liquor.
"You drink this"
"...N-no, I'm just a servant."
"Don't worry. I'll allow you to drink it."
The participants from the Nord Empire, except for Ren, stood up at once. At this point, they know what happened.
And it is not only the Nord Empire that understands.
"Y-Your Majesty the Emperor... I-it wasn't my order. It's true. Please believe me."
King Baslek's voice trembled as he claimed that he did not know.
"I'll ask him. Who gave you these instructions?"
"I, no."
"I see... then, I'll let you choose. Do you want to speak the truth yourself in pleasure, be forced to reveal the truth in pain, or speak now? Which one is better?"
"Your Majesty... a bit, that thing is..."
A maid voiced her dissatisfaction at Ren's words. She is a Lilith woman who serves as a maid and night guard.
"Ah, I'm sorry. Then there is no pleasure. Pain or now?"
Inexplicably, the servant lost the chance to get the best pleasure in the world. And he didn't know that it would involve death.
"I know nothing!"
"Your words will involve a lot of unrelated people in this place, you know?"
"I do not know!"
"I see. Perhaps the person behind it is from another country?"
"…………"
"Well, I'll leave it to the people of this country to pursue the truth. Is that all right with you? King Baslek."
"Y-yes. I will definitely find out the truth. Hey! Take this man!"
The servant was taken outside with both his arms held. From now on, severe torture should be waiting for the man.
And at this time, a knight from the Nord Empire also disappeared. It's not like they completely trust the Baslek Kingdom. They intend to find out how they actually treat the servant.
Even though the servant has been taken away, the tension at the banquet is not dissolved. They all thought that this negotiation would be suspended before getting into specifics.
"...U-um, Your Majesty the Emperor?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"You're continuing to eat?"
Ren was in his seat, tending alone to the meal in front of him.
"Because I haven't eaten anything yet... Huh? Could it be that the food is poisoned?"
"N-no, no way! That's not the case... it should be."
King Baslek didn't know that the liquor was poisoned. He can't say with confidence that the food is too.
"...It looks like it's okay. Why don't you try it too?"
"Y-yes"
He doesn't know how Ren felt when he said that. But King Baslek could not say that he could not eat under the current circumstances. It was the same line he used to say to the servant.
Making up his mind, King Baslek ate the food that was lined up in front of him.
"If you eat it with that face, I feel sorry for the person who made it. I think it's delicious."
"...Yes, that's right. Yes, it's delicious. Come on, everyone."
King Baslek, half-awed and cheerful, is not the only one who is encouraged to do so. His subjects, however, could not stand the recommendation. Even so, they can't help but touch the meal that the king has just eaten. They know that if they do not do so, the Nord Empire will suspect them.
The people of the Baslek Kingdom, who had taken their seats, made up their minds just like the king and resumed their meal. Seeing that, the members of the Nord Empire also sat down.
"You would like to be annexed to the Nord Empire. Is this correct?"
"Yes"
While eating, Ren began to confirm the content of the negotiations.
"Reason?"
"The country has been devastated by the dispatch of troops and the invasion of other countries. It is not easy to rebuild it, and I don't think we have the leeway to do it right now."
It is impossible to rebuild on their own. If that is the case, they have no choice but to rely on other countries.
"Why would that be the Nord Empire?"
There are other great powers they can rely on. Why would they want to rely on the Nord Empire, which is far smaller than them, and make an enemy of the great powers?
"…The people of the Saint Miriam Kingdom, no, they are the people of the Nord Empire now, are glad to see a change of administrators. I thought that the people of the occupied country, not so many months ago, would feel that way because of the good administration."
"Did you think it would happen in this country as well?"
"Yes"
"I see... I understand. I accept the annexation."
"……T-thank you very much"
Having been so easily accepted by Ren, King Baslek is more confused than pleased.
"Please continue to serve as the king."
"Eh?"
"However, I will take care of the army here. It is necessary for them to acquire the military system of the Nord Empire's army. The training will be quite rigorous, so please be prepared for that."
"Ah, yes"
They are taking the army. That is understandable. Without military power, even if they are in charge of the national government, they will not be able to oppose the Nord Empire.
"I would like to intervene in national affairs as well. But that's only if there are more effective and efficient measures."
"……Yes"
They were also deprived of real power in national politics. King Baslek understood that he was just a decoration.
"The cost of rebuilding depends on the results of the estimates, but in principle, the empire will bear all the costs. So it's only natural for us to interfere, isn't it?"
"Eh?"
"So, no tax for a year. Well, think of it as gaining popularity."
"Yes……"
Instead of being squeezed out of tax money, they will pay for the reconstruction costs. That's good. He didn't expect that either.
"We will investigate the civil and military officials here. If evidence of wrongdoing comes up, of course, I will present the evidence to you and punish them mercilessly."
"If there is such a person"
"Right. I hope not. Also, please refrain from extravagance. We do not allow lavish banquets from royalty and nobility. If you are looking for a place to have fun, why don't you attend one of the people's festivals?
"At a people's festival?"
"That's right. The saint is good at that kind of thing, so if you want, we will accompany you. Emily would be fine, but Emily has more of a role in reaching out to people in need than the festival... I don't know which one is the saint, though?"
"Haa..."
King Baslek no longer understands Ren's thoughts. He was not sure what he was going to do to him or his country.
"Including that, it is the way of the empire. I will have you and the civil and military officials learn the way of the empire in a short period of time. We don't have an excess of manpower either, and we can't keep working on the Baslek Kingdom forever."
"......So you're saying that eventually, you'll leave it to us?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No... ah, no, it would be nice if we could properly learn the empire's way of doing things."
"Then you'll just have to do your best."
"…Um, isn’t our country going to be annexed?"
In the future, they will be in full charge of national politics. If that is the case, King Baslek thinks it is not an annexation, but just a support.
"It will be annexed, though?"
"However, the Baslek Kingdom will remain as it is."
"The Nord is an empire. It's a country made up of many countries. The Baslek Kingdom will become one of the countries that make up the empire, so it's annexation."
"……I see"
King Baslek finally understood Ren's thoughts. Unexpectedly, his face smiles at the unexpected hospitality.
"There is one thing that you must keep in mind."
"……What is it?"
"I will never allow the persecution of the demon and elves. Of course, if the other party has committed a crime, it is different. But if they have not, and persecution is taking place..."
"...What if it was done?"
"Please think that this country will disappear. I will erase everything without leaving anyone who laments the fact that it has become a ruined country."
"...I will never allow such a thing."
He doesn't think it's an exaggeration when Ren says it. King Baslek fears that he will actually do it.
"As we proceed with the reconstruction, there will also be opportunities to feel the gratitude of the demons. Don't take it for granted, know the feeling of gratitude, and don't forget it. Surely."
"Yes"
In the midst of ruthlessness, he faintly feels a warmth that is the opposite of that. King Baslek knew Ren's complexity. King Baslek, who can know that, is not a fool. So Ren accepted the annexation and promised to help rebuild the Baslek Kingdom.
◇◇◇
After the banquet was over, King Baslek was sipping a glass of liquor in his private room.
Negotiations with the Nord Empire went better than expected, despite the unexpected events. The details are still to be worked out, and even if they do come to an agreement, it is likely that they will have to go through a great deal of trouble, but even so, it is a relief. He was planning to spend the time before bedtime enjoying a drink and relaxing.
However, an obstacle appeared in his way. It was his daughter, Princess Catherine, who had failed in her negotiations with the Nord emperor just a few days earlier.
"Am I that unattractive?"
Princess Catherine had visited Ren in his bedroom, but had been turned away, saying that she had no business there.
"Oya? I thought you didn't want to be with the Emperor?"
Even for the sake of his country, he would give up her daughter to make the other party happy. It was supposed to be such a humiliating event, but now he can laugh about it.
"That's... but the rejection hurts."
"Rejection is an exaggeration. Didn't he just refrain from needless concern?"
The Nord Emperor is an unparalleled womanizer. Apparently, this rumor was not true. King Baslek thought so.
"Maybe so, but..."
"What's wrong? Is there something that bothers you?"
She didn't have to deal with the night. That should have been something to rejoice about, but Princess Catherine was far from happy. As her father, King Baslek was curious as to why.
"Honestly, hypothetically. If it is in the best interest of this country that I marry the emperor, then I think I should accept that as a princess."
"...Well, that's right."
Before Ren came, the same words were repeated to Princess Catherine. She had been refusing it, and now she gives her consent. King Baslek became more and more worried about his daughter.
"But... I'm sure I'm not up to the task."
"Hey. What's wrong? Father thinks Catherine is a very attractive woman."
This is a bit of fatherly favoritism on his part. But by no means is Princess Catherine ugly. It was no problem at all in describing her appearance as lovely.
"Because the women near him..."
"Ah, well..."
Thinking that it would be pitiful for Princess Catherine to affirm, King Baslek muddied his words.
The women around Ren. Luna is a beautiful girl, a description that is not enough to describe her appearance. Shizuku, too, is a beauty who deserves the title of [Saint]. But that's not all. Emily, too, has an interesting beauty that makes her seem like no ordinary maid, and the other maids are all women with a hint of s*x appeal, a trait the Liliths are born with.
As a father, he can't say it, but as a man, he has no choice but to admit it.
"His Majesty the Emperor is only attracted to good looks. That's why he doesn't care about me."
"That's... I don't think so."
King Baslek denied Princess Catherine's words, even though hesitating a little.
"What's the difference?"
"Do you know the reason why he is professing revenge against the heroes?"
"No, I don't know."
"It is because they killed a woman whom he cherished."
"Eh?"
"The woman, if I may be so bold, was not a good-looking woman. She was in various difficult circumstances, but it seems that she was still very important to him."
Even King Baslek didn't feel like explaining Kazuki's circumstances out loud.
"...You know about it?"
"I intend to get all the information about him as much as possible. Without knowing the man, I would not be able to make a decision to give up the country."
"But with that information..."
Ruthlessness, tyranny, and other words to describe the person Ren are nothing but bad things.
"Yeah, the rumors are not good. But that doesn't mean they're true."
"He has many enemies."
"No. Some of them spread bad news themselves, don't they?"
"Eh? Why?"
"The only one who can stop His Majesty the Emperor's outrageous deeds is the saint, but that is a lie. The saint is at the mercy of His Majesty the Emperor. In other words, His Majesty the Emperor is disciplining himself."
King Baslek saw that Shizuku was no saint. A woman who is immersed in the afterglow of their nightly activities while on the march cannot be a saint. Not only that. During the meal, Ren suggested that he was using Shizuku to gain popularity.
"Why would he do that?"
"I can think of a reason, such as thinking that it's easier to rule by instilling fear, but I don't know if it's right. What I do know is that it's not easy to understand him."
"But Father relied on the person you couldn't understand."
"Even if I can't understand it, I can trust it. That's what I thought."
"Why?"
What can he trust in someone he doesn't understand? Princess Catherine herself can't feel that way.
"I have spoken with His Majesty the Emperor several times since the formation of the Northern Alliance. Well, it seems that His Majesty the Emperor was feigning innocence back then, and we were completely fooled. There is one thing I do know, though."
"What is that?"
"He won't betray you. He knew there was a traitor in the Northern Alliance. I told him that there was a concern about that. But he would not make a move until he knew it was true."
"Why?"
"Just thinking about it in my head, if he decides it's a betrayal, everyone will be a traitor. Everyone cares about themselves and their country. Betrayal is an option for that."
"That's amazing"
There is a degree of tolerance for feelings of betrayal. Princess Catherine thought so. But this is not what her father thought.
"No, I'm scared."
"Eh?"
"He probably doesn’t believe anyone. He is afraid of being betrayed. And he is fully prepared in case he is betrayed. If we knew that and betrayed him, what awaits us is destruction."
"Father……"
Her father, King Baslek, asked for help from the one person he should never betray. Princess Catherine did not know if they had made the right decision.
"Still, I decided to believe in the results. Whatever the rumors, he became emperor, and the Nord had the power to fight against great powers. The annexed Saint Miriam Kingdom. People's lives are steadily getting better, that's an undeniable fact."
"Yes"
"I think that he is like a mirror. He repays evil with evil deeds and good deeds with good deeds. He is not ashamed of his conscience. If that were the case, there would be no need to fear him."
Because he was a man with this kind of thinking, King Baslek was accepted by Ren, or to say so would be an exaggeration, but he was not rejected.
In that sense, King Baslek's idea is correct. Even if Ren himself had no intention to do so, the result shows that he was right.
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