242 - - first-episode conflict

"Father!　I disagree!"

In the capital of the racial kingdom, a young man's voice echoes in his office in the castle, which is more the size of a slightly larger mansion than a castle.

The young man who raises his voice is Prince Claw, the first prince of the Human Kingdom.

He is about 170 cm tall and has a reasonably good-looking face. However, he is usually lacking in high spirits, his hair is slightly receding from his forehead, and his expression is dark, as if he is tired.

In a discussion with his father, the king, and his sister, the first princess Lilith, he raises his voice to the point of rage.

He continues to yell at them.

'I don't mind if Lilith participates in the Six Principality Council. It is implicit in the agreement that at least one of the king's relatives should go with her."

Although the construction of the plan is to 'take a relative of the king to assist the person in charge during the meeting and as a replacement in case of emergency,' in reality, they are only hostages in case of emergency.

Moreover, this unspoken rule only applied to racial kingdoms.

In the past, when the Six Principality Conference was held, the young Claw and Lilith participated.

But I am against taking an adventurer with the breath of the "Witch of the Giant Tower" as Lilith's escort!　The agenda for the Six Principality Conference this time is "About the Witch of the Giant Tower," you know?　Even so, we are suspected by other countries because we were invited by the "Witch of the Giant Tower" to inspect the "Giant Tower" a short while ago. We should not do anything to arouse their suspicions any further!

"Wait, my brother!"

Lilith couldn't resist raising her voice at her brother Claw's statement.

Lilith's brother Claw's comment was too much for her to bear, and she said, "I have already signed a contract with the Adventurers' Guild to escort the 'Black Clown' party. We can't do something so embarrassing as to make a request and then overturn it after the fact. Above all, they are skilled adventurers who have risen to the rank of adventurer A in the fastest time possible. We cannot condemn them just because they are in and out of the "Giant Tower Town.

I say that's the problem!"　As I said before, this time the agenda is "about the Witch of the Giant Tower," right?　Nevertheless, bringing someone related to the "Witch of the Giant Tower" to the meeting could be accused of aiding and abetting espionage!

'Aiding and abetting espionage, etc.!　The "Black Clown" party is not the only party that handles requests for adventurers in "Giant Tower Town. Other adventurers are also taking on jobs. But shouldn't you refrain from making comments that put the "Black Clown" party in the spotlight?

I say there is no point in going to the trouble of hiring people associated with the Witch of the Giant Tower as bodyguards!　Soldiers from their own countries should be sufficient as bodyguards. Does Lilith have such little faith in the abilities of her own soldiers, to whom she swears allegiance?"

No, it's not like that. ......

Lilith chokes up at her brother's statement.

In her view, she is planning to abolish the current king at the Six Principality Conference and take over the leadership of the racial kingdom to carry out reforms.

As an escort, it is essential to have a party of "black clowns" who know each other's inner workings as an escort.

This is because there are many spies from other countries in the racial kingdom.

If Lilith's plan is known, there is a high possibility that she will be assassinated during the trip or before or after the meeting.

Lilith herself is at level 100, although she uses magic items to disguise her level.

It is high among the races, but not strong enough for other species.

Since she has no martial arts training, it is almost impossible for her to fight off assassins on her own.

The danger level increases dramatically before and after the meeting than when she is inside the castle. Therefore, it was essential for her to be escorted by a party of "black clowns" who were capable and fully trustworthy.

However, "You can't trust your own country's soldiers. I can't say, 'I can't trust my own country's soldiers, because there are so many spies connected to other countries that I don't know when they will assassinate me, so I want a reliable escort.

Lilith clenched her fists and intensified her tone.

Lilith clenches her fists and tightens her words, "As for this escort, I only requested it with my own funds as a precaution due to the recent deterioration in public safety. Even if you are my brother, please do not make any comments to me that could lead me to doubt the loyalty of my own people.

"Wasn't it the 'Witch of the Gigantic Tower' who disrupted that security!　The one case in which you literally killed all of the beast race has spread throughout our country, and even the children know about it!"

The "Witch of the Gigantic Tower" only brought down the hammer on the beastmen who meddle in the affairs of her race with illegal hands!　It was a war, and the only reason it was one-sided was because the beast race was weak. Please stop making strange accusations!"

"Accusations?　Where's the point!　In fact, even the "Witch of the Gigantic Tower" admits that she killed all the beastmen!

Therefore, it was the beasties who committed the criminal acts in the first place..."

Calm down, both of you.

Their father, the king, stops them as they begin to fight as brother and sister, not as royalty.

The king had gray hair from stress, and his cheeks and wrists were thin like a sick man.

He had gray hair, and his cheeks and wrists were thin as if he were sick.

But there is a weight in his words that has sustained the nation, a strength that stops his emotionally troubled siblings.

At the sound of their father's voice, they both realized they had become too emotional and looked at each other awkwardly.

When they have calmed down, he makes his decision as king.

Claud and Lilith ...... are happy for the strength of feeling they have for this country as royalty. But this time, Lilith's opinion makes sense. As royalty, it would be shameful for us to break an agreement we have once made.

He said, "But father, the other party is a lowly adventurer. But, Father, the other party is a lowly adventurer, and the promise you made to him is as good as nothing!

As king, I shake my head at Claw's words.

Even if it was made with the people, it is a step toward national exile for a man in a position of authority to break a promise he once made. Claw, as the next king, watch your mouth.

Shush, I beg your pardon, Father. ......

Scolded, Clough backed down silently, without further rebuttal.

Lilith takes the opportunity of her brother's silence and moves to get a statement.

Father, then may I have the 'Black Clown' party as my escort?"

I don't mind. But we won't give you special treatment just because you are Lilith's bodyguard, will we?

Of course!"　Thank you, Father!"

The agenda for the Six Principality meeting this time is about the 'Witch of the Giant Tower. "It may be helpful to bring someone with information about the witches as a witness, so that they may be evaluated. It's all in the national interest."

Still, I cannot thank you enough for your help.

Lilith smiles excitedly like a girl her age when her opinion is accepted.

Claud was chagrined before the exchange between father and sister, "Father is too lenient with Lilith,......" he said.

The discussion is over and the meeting is dismissed.

Claud quickly leaves, but Lilith is stopped by the king.

'Lilith .......

Yes, what is it, Father?"

"............"

Her father stopped her, but he did not speak immediately and stared at her for a while.

Tiredness, regret, sadness, and hesitation came and went in his eyes.

The father opened his mouth, closed it, and repeated

'No. ...... it's nothing. I'll allow you to leave."

?"　Yes, excuse me."

Lilith bowed and left the office again.

The king watched her back to the end as her father.

After leaving the office, she went straight back to her room.

She takes only Yume (fake), who follows her.

When she returned to her room, she took a seat by the window and asked Yume (fake) for a cup of tea, as if she had lost her mind.

Nono, the head maid, who used to be in charge of the house, watched the exchange between the two from a distance.

Her eyes were full of doubt and frustration.

However, she could not say, "I don't want to drink tea made by Nono, a spy of the demon kingdom, and I don't want to let her near me.

Lilith was aware of Nono's dissatisfaction, who had been like an older sister to her for many years, but she dared not mention it and let it slide.

While sipping the tea made by Yume (fake), she revealed her joy again in her heart.

(The first step, it's a success!　I am now one step closer to my mission.)

Lilith was pleased in her heart that she had received permission to participate in the first stage, the "Black Clown" party escort.

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