242-236 Alliance

Going to the Empire was a decision, and even if they didn't form a joint front with the Resistance, there would be no problem if they just crushed the fake Lionel and Demonization research.

However, assuming we were to slay the emperor, it was clear to everyone that the empire would be in a sour situation if we didn't decide on the next emperor as soon as possible.

Well, originally, it was completely irrelevant to me, but I had also heard from Lionel that the Empire was fighting against the demon race.

Therefore, if there is a successor in front of me to rule the empire and his personality is fine, I would like him to continue to fight the demon race.

That's why I decided to make a proposal.

''Your Highness Albert, do you intend to set up another attack on the Empire?''

Why would you do that?

I might have been wary of trying to cut to the chase. But I felt that if I backed off here, I would not be able to negotiate, so I decided to tell them only what we wanted to do.

''We are prepared to attack the Empire,''

Then I feel the air that was friendly earlier quickly turn into a tense one.

''Sensei, why do you want to attack the Empire?　The Empire should remain the homeland for you, Doctor.

His Highness Alberto gets a little emotional, and then closes in on Lionel.

But Lionel doesn't get emotional, he looks at me and chooses to leave everything to me.

'Your Highness Alberto, I am the one speaking. And don't you think you're getting a little too emotional?

When I told him that, His Highness Albert, who turned to me, asked me again.

''Kudos, why are you attacking the Empire?''

Perhaps because he was chided, he mentioned the attack on the empire while blushing a bit.

''If the Emperor and the False War Demon General are going to impose an oppression, it's because they are trying to turn people into demons. That is not something that can be overlooked as a person. The two of you have also turned into demons, so I'm sure you understand that this is true--

''...I see. You want to attack the Empire because you want to stop that - honestly, it's not normal nerve to attack the Empire.

As soon as the topic of turning into a demon race came up, he looked a little thoughtful, and when he denied our strategy, His Highness Albert stopped speaking.

It's as if we would be prepared to make that strategy a success. He hid such a nuance and deliberately spoke in a way that made us want to listen to the other side's proposal.

But he was very careful not to be taken advantage of, and I was aware of his intentions in doing so.

I'm sure that when he went to listen to the proposal, his purpose was to give a reason for this or that and bring them into the resistance.

Making a proposal is a kind of request.

Therefore, when the proposal is accepted, no matter how trivial it may seem, you feel like you owe them something.

Maybe it's because he grew up studying Imperialism that he has such a conversation technique.

But I've just dealt with Mr. Bazak, who is tougher than His Highness Alberto, so I've had plenty of time in my heart to notice it and get his aim off.

'Well, it wouldn't be a normal nerve. But we intend to set up in the Empire as early as tomorrow. I'm sure that even if we had to fight the demon race in the Empire, we would still have a good chance of winning.

Oh, tomorrow?

His Highness, who had temporarily calmed down, tried to put on a slightly relaxed poker face, but it all fell apart at once, and a hint of impatience appeared.

As expected, he hadn't imagined that it would be tomorrow.

''Yes. Melfina-sama, who was over there just now, told me that the fake Lionel is in the basement, so it's even easier for me to set my sights on it.''

His Highness Albert and Saint Melfina looked at each other impatiently.

But still, couldn't the saint of prophecy have predicted this as well?　I'll have to ask Lionel why he's a prophetic saint later.

'Sage Luciel-sama, would you please leave it at that, bullying your highness?　''Your Highness, Sage Luciel is younger than Your Highness, but he has gone through a different number of shuras than Your Highness. He'll be crushed before we can put him on this side of the ring.

So it was still Mr. Bazak who interrupted me and His Highness Alberto.

I really wish I could do something about it, because it's exhausting to have a conversation with this man. But I still had no choice but to talk to him, so I pulled myself together and decided to talk to Mr. Bazak.

'Tormenting him is another strange thing he says. It was decided from the beginning that we would attack the Empire.

So, even if you were to defeat the Emperor, who would you want to have rule the Empire?

You see? They will definitely poke holes in us. But we can't get stuck here easily.

''My goal is to study the demon race and demonization research, and beat Lionel's imposters. If the emperor doesn't know about the matter of the demon race, then I will escape from the empire there. If the emperor makes you do that, you will slay him. As for governing, I hope that one of the emperor's blood relatives will do it.

'You don't think that Luciel the Wise will rule the Empire?'

This time he asked as if he was peeking through, but I guess this person was asking this question just to make His Highness hear if I was interested in ruling the empire.

''Why should I rule? If Lionel wants to rule, I'll do my best to support him, but--'

Of course I'm not interested in that.

It was written on Lionel's face that he absolutely hated it.

''That being said, you can leave the political battles of the Empire to your own devices.

Mr. Bazak nodded his head repeatedly as if to counterbalance.

'So you don't think the Empire won't retaliate against the St. Schuler Cooperative State?

Then words were thrown at us to try to measure our strength.

''If you wish to retaliate, I will spread the word to the world that the Empire has been turning people into demons. Furthermore, if you decide to wage war against the St. Schuler Cooperative, and not me, consider that you will also be waging war against the Kingdom of Rubruk, the Dwarven Kingdom, and Yenis at the same time.

I hesitantly showed him one of my strategies in case we're supposed to fight the Empire.

Then Mr. Bazak smiles as soon as he finishes hearing my words and turns his body towards His Highness Alberto and begins to persuade him.

''Your Highness, if you have the future of the empire in mind, please bow to the wise Luciel for now and let me help you, even if I owe you a great debt.

When His Highness heard what Bazak had to say, he immediately turned to me and bowed his head.

'Sage Luciel, please help us to return the empire to a strong and noble nation that will protect its people.

His Highness Albert listened to Mr. Bazak's words and immediately bowed his head.

Rather than having any unnecessary pride, he seemed prepared to bow as often as he could for the sake of the empire.

'Wise Master Luciel, General Lionel, please take care of me.

Saint Melfina also called for the same kind of cooperation.

There was no problem for us to cooperate, but there was something that didn't feel right.

That's right. It's like a made up race.......there's no doubt that Mr. Bazak is the one who set this up.

I can't help but feel that I'm being rolled in his hands.

'One question I would like to ask Mr. Bassac, why are you trying to get His Highness to bow down and cooperate with us?

''I felt that Luciel the Sage was already prepared to face the Empire and that the line of purpose was well-defined. And we've made our way to the Imperial City many times, but honestly, if we don't, we'll be wiped out in the not-too-distant future, so it seemed to me that the best option would be to take a chance on you.

Even if I made a rational decision, it was still not normal to make His Highness Alberto bow down.

''So you are saying that this occasion was also testing me?''

The fact that Lionel was surprised to see Mr. Bazak when he came to this town means that he must not have been an Imperial general at least until two years ago.

When you think about it, this much trust seems a bit unusual.

''To be honest, that's what I wanted to know, why the Warlord General, who was the guardian of the Empire, was willing to follow you.

Did you learn what you wanted to know?

No, I'm going to get to know you better by working with you.

He seemed somewhat aloof and just enjoying the conversation.

''I was wondering, why is Mr. Bazak doing what His Highness Alberto's chief of staff is doing?　If you're a general who was defeated by the Empire in the past, wouldn't you be pleased with the current state of the Empire?

'I see you finally asked that question. As a matter of fact, I owe these two men a debt of gratitude.

Owe?

'Yes. After Lionel there cut me down, I thought my life was over, but I was not going to die. But when I woke up, my country was already destroyed and I had nowhere to return to.

It was the end of a defeated general, which seemed to be a common occurrence.

'It was five years after that battle that I met Your Highness and Lady Melfina. The village I was taking care of was attacked by a demon, and although I managed to fight back with magic, my magic power ran out and I was in desperate need of help.

Does that mean you're saved?

''Yes. The imperial army commanded by these two young men saved our village by destroying the demons. Therefore, I don't owe the imperial army any favors, I'm merely paying back the debt that you two saved my life.

"When I return to the Empire, I hope to claim my place as Prime Minister.

His Highness Alberto told him to declare that, but Mr. Bazak just laughed and didn't say anything about it.

After watching their exchange, I decided to tell Lionel what I thought of him and figure out what he thought of me.

'Lionel, I think I'm going to form a joint front with them, but what do you think Lionel?'

'I have some thoughts about Bazak trying to measure Master Luciel. But I'm sure that when His Highness Prince Albert ascends the throne, he will still be able to regain his pride in the Empire.

Well, if this starts to become as corrupt as the church, it will be just as Duchy Blange wants it to be, and if that happens, there will be a lot of people who will suffer. That is something we want to avoid as well.

I nodded to Lionel's words and decided to accept their request for cooperation.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this, but I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

Thank you, sir.

He was still feeling a little uncomfortable with Mr. Bazak, who bowed deeply, but he was going to start a strategy meeting.