278-272 Request

I nodded my head as I looked at the upper echelon of people who had come out from the fort of the Rubruk Kingdom with Lord Wisdom.

It was because they were all obviously young.

The most unusual of them was a woman in luxurious armor.

The woman sensed something in my gaze, and before Lord Wisdom could introduce the woman, she spoke up herself.

''Wise man, welcome to the Royal Army of Rubruk's fort.

She's royalty.

Forenoire spoke a reminder at the right time, so I greet her without showing my face.

''No matter how much of a battlefield it may be, I think it would be impolite by nature to greet the royals from horseback, but please forgive me for being a petty person. My name is Luciel.

'........Is the wise man also engaged in espionage?　I'm amazed that you noticed I'm royalty.

Apparently, she was truly surprised, and those behind her changed their eyes to look at us, clearly wary of us.

''I'm blessed with a good companion and partner, so why would the royals be on the battlefield rather than that?''

'What?　You know I'm royalty, but you don't know that I'm in the military or that I'm Maxim's wife.

He looked at me like I was different, but Maxim?　I couldn't think of anyone by that name for a few seconds.

But when I saw Lord Wisdom laughing next to me, I finally remembered that he had called himself Maxim before in Yenis.

'I'm sorry. I've been very busy for the last few years on my end, and I haven't gotten any information on what's coming up.

'I see. I am late, but my name is Renoia, the third princess of the Kingdom of Rubruk.

Apparently, she really is royalty.

........More importantly, is she a member of the military? It's surprising that there's an existence that could be called a real princess knight.

Well, more than that, the fact that Sir Wisdom married a royal was more surprising.

I had heard that he was a baron when I spoke with him in Nerdal just the other day, so I didn't expect him to be allowed to marry a royal....

''Congratulations, Sir Wisdom,''

Thank you. I owe this all to you, Luciel-sama.

I don't remember doing anything about the Rubruk Kingdom, so the only thing that came to mind was a cure for demonization, but I didn't think that would allow me to marry a royal.

Then Lord Wisdom mentioned a brief introduction to the two of them.

''Renoir is the third princess, but she seemed to have decided that she wouldn't marry someone who wasn't stronger than her, so what's that.......''

I'm guessing that Lunore is this princess knight, but if the story goes on, Sir Wisdom must have defeated him.

However, no matter how much he defeated the princess knight, even if the royals were to say hi. What would they say?

''I see. But even so, how could the king be recognized?''

'Thanks to you, Wise Master Luciel, it's all thanks to you. Thanks to you returning Maxim to a human body, your father was not able to pull off the conditions he imposed on himself.

'Is it possible, if not, that my treatment of Lord Wisdom had anything to do with it?

''Yes. It's no wonder she wouldn't allow me to marry someone who has become a demon.

That's probably true. I'm sure the other nobles will also raise objections.......

''If you cannot restore your demonized body within a year, you will not be allowed to marry Renoir again and will be sentenced to continue fighting on the forefront.

I'm surprised you accepted that offer.

''Since I was originally born as a nobleman of the Rubruk Kingdom, it is natural for me to fight for the kingdom. Besides, the more I got to know Renoir, the more greedy I became.

Sir Wisdom smiled shyly and replied.

It's a wonderful thing to be able to think of someone so much, and I wonder if I'll ever find someone who can do that for me, too?　Such was the thought.

'Perhaps the king has realized my readiness, too, and I have been allowed to spend the period as Renoia's betrothed, and I have been granted permission to go to Nerdal.

I see. I guess he was clutching at straws when he heard the rumor that I had lost my Holy Attribute Magic at that time.

''Then it's the happiness I grabbed if Lord Wisdom didn't give up until the end. It's like I helped him a little bit.

But I still appreciate it.

This way, the Third Princess of Renoir might be able to help us as well as Lord Wisdom.

''Lady Renoir, Lord Wisdom, and the upper echelons of the Rubruk Kingdom's army, I beg you to do the impossible. Could you please hold a truce with the Ilmasia Empire?

Then the air changed completely.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it is impossible to do that, wise man. This is a battle that was originally initiated by the Empire, and even if you ask for an end to the war or a truce now, it's not something that can be done immediately.

I understand that very well, Your Majesty. But if our two countries become even more impoverished, it could be the last thing the duchy wants to see happen to the country's secretive leader, Vlange.

"Duchy Brange?

''Yes. Using the abilities of the peculiar ones called reincarnators, they have been using their abilities to successfully transform the demon race into a demon race, and they have been working in the dark to infiltrate the empire with demonization, and they have been harboring demons in the St. Surur Cooperative Kingdom and Grandle.

If they're telling the truth, do you think they're coming for us?

''Yes. It seems that the reincarnation that we defeated in the Empire had also entered the Rubruk Kingdom, so we can't rule out that possibility.

It's a terrible thing. Still, I don't see why we can't just call a truce right away.

It's not that I take credit for it, but I guess it's gotten to the point where I can't pull out without something to show the country.

I've decided to tell them what is already confirmed.

If a truce with the Empire is decided, the first thing that will happen is that the current emperor will abdicate.

The abdication of the emperor was the first thing to pop up, causing the upper echelons of the government, who had been silent until now, to buzz.

''Subsequently, the Empire promises not to wage war against your country for the next ten years.

In ten years, we could enhance the national power we've lost to each other.

If the Rubruk Kingdom doesn't start a war before then, but........

''And finally, the territory after the war, that will be decided by the diplomats among themselves.

''Well I'm not doubting the wise man, but will it really protect you?''

I feel like I've softened up a lot, but I don't think that's something that can be easily convinced.

''Yes, sir. The Emperor has been defeated in a coup by His Highness Prince Albert, who will become the next Emperor earlier today.

''I don't think His Highness Albert had that kind of power. Besides, I believe there were soldiers in the Empire who had been turned into demons.......

They're implicitly telling us they've been watching us, but well, maybe they don't need to hide it.

''We eradicated them all this morning. In fact, right after we killed the reincarnations that had been made to turn into demons, the soldiers who had turned into demons started to suffer and died as they were. Apparently, they had been implanted with a slave crest.

''Well you were still dealing with a soldier who turned into a demon race, right?

Would the Third Princess of Lunore also be interested in a soldier who has become a demon race?

It was about several times the number of people they were sending here, so it wasn't a problem.

Then, the higher-ups looked at us with a startled expression, but there was no need to bother saying here that it was a matter of compatibility.

And finally, the third princess of Renoir finally touches on something that I wanted her to touch.

''By the way, what exactly is that thing floating in the sky?

It's a flying magic tool, a flying boat. I'm very proud of the fact that I've spent two years developing this magical tool at the Luciel Chamber of Commerce.

''.......You own a magical tool that even such a country doesn't have.......''

'Yes. I think I've been blessed with some really good friends and partners.

I am truly blessed.

I've been able to meet a lot of people because of my hard work, and I really can't thank Gounan-sensei enough for his interpersonal luck.

''........Earlier, you were shot through the mountains with that, right?

'You've been watching me?　That was developed by the engineers for anti-aircraft warfare. They said it's still not very well controlled, but they released it to draw attention to it.

''........If the home country didn't receive a ceasefire, you don't think it would be possible for them to shoot through the royal castle with that thing......do you?''

Lunar Third Princess paled and asked this with a pale face.

''Haha.''

I'll have them notify the home office as soon as possible of the conditions I just mentioned.

I just laughed at the unexpected question, but I was relieved that the negotiations seemed to be taking a turn for the better on their own.

But then Forenoire's telepathic story comes flying in.

''Threaten the princess or something........ I'm sure the king will hate you for letting the royalty of the Rubruk Kingdom marry you off, even though he seems to resent you just for that.''

Such unexpected words pierced my naïve heart.