103-103-The Majesty's Old Friend

128 years in the life of the King, 10 days in the red moon.

＜Jedite Empire, Hall of Audience

"The recent defeat of the Demon King's army was a great success.

After Fleur's magic wiped out the intermediate angel Grace, aka Dzire of Darkness, beyond the light, we continued to monitor the southwestern plains until after sunset, but no monsters in particular had appeared since then.

We then reported the circumstances to His Majesty Emperor Dinosis, who was waiting in the central square.

In the end, His Majesty's declaration of victory ended the defensive battle on the southwest plains.......

--But!

"Leaking of classified information, ignoring a dictated mission... If you hadn't come from a noble family, you'd be in prison for sure.

His Majesty the Emperor muttered with terrible cold eyes.

The person in the other end of his gaze was the sorcerer Galardi himself, who, after sending his pawns out to the 'day after tomorrow' during the last defensive battle and then acting alone on his own, ended up leaving the front line after he and his subordinates were injured.

''I........just wanted to serve the prosperity of the empire.......a strong empire, just like in the past.......!

According to Garoudi's statement, he was aiming to take advantage of the attack on the Demon King's Army to prove that his efforts to strengthen the country's power have been successful.

It seems that he is proud to say that he acted for the national interest this time as well, based on his track record of leading the city's hoodlums, who were once only a bunch of crows, and training them as mercenaries, but...

''What kind of a strong empire is that? I'm sure that at least your guys couldn't have won against them anyway.

What the f*ck?

You!　You are in the presence of the Emperor!

Leppard and Garoudi were in a tense situation, but the minister's blackmail kept them both quiet.

But though Leopard's words were provocative, they were undoubtedly true.

In the world I once saw, there was enough damage to turn the empire's living quarters into a sea of fire, and there's no doubt that at least the current strength of the Jedite Empire is unable to repel the army of monsters led by the Four Demon Kings.

........Considering that, it could be said that the power of the 'Sanctuary of Origin' released by Einz was out of the ordinary.

Then, although there was a buzz for a while during the audience, His Majesty the Emperor turned his attention to Galardi again and opened his mouth.

''Then, Galardi, I will ask you a question.

!

At the sudden words of His Majesty the Emperor, Garudi braced himself with a frightened look.

However, His Majesty's question was much simpler than he had imagined.

"What is your definition of 'strength'?

"Strength...?

After a few moments of silence, Garudi looked up and replied after only a few moments.

''I believe that we are a force to be reckoned with against a threat. The more soldiers we have, the stronger our nation will become.''

Upon receiving that answer, His Majesty the Emperor turns his attention to us with a bit of dismay.

Apparently, the intention seems to be to 'come up with another solution' for us.......

But before I could answer, Harl, who peeked out of the gap in Satsuki's hood, raised his hand, 'Yes, yes, yes, yes.

It's a good idea, all smart people run away.　What are you going to do with all these idiots?

"Ugh!

You are right, though it's a blunt thing to say.

As if to continue, Fleur also made a gnarled face from the side and opened her mouth.

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

"Thank you, Mr. Fleur.

It's a mystery to me why he's looking down on me, but the one who actually did the honors of fighting off Dysaea is Fleur, so it's okay.

The other soldiers are in an uproar when Harl and Fleur suddenly interrupted the scene, but His Majesty the Emperor walked up to them and spoke to them with the warmest face I've ever seen.

''It's been a long time, Harle-sama, Fleur-sama. If you've been here all this time, you should have asked me to come over.

"Surprise, surprise, surprise...

Even in response to Fleur's familiar reply, His Majesty the Emperor laughed with a wahaha.

His mood is as if he has met an old friend from long ago.

''Your father was acquainted with Fleur-san?''

''Hmm. ........although the last time I saw you, I was only about your age.

"What?

Prince Laika looked at his father and Fleur in turn while his eyes were black and white.

........Well, the reason for the prince's surprise was not because of the fact that he and His Majesty knew each other, but because of 'Fleur's age'.

Even when Fleur announced to Satsuki, who has become incapacitated, that she would accompany him for the rest of her life, she said, 'Human life is.......short. It's not a big deal,' she said, 'humans have a short life expectancy... not at all... not at all.

''I traveled on the Frost Continent when I was young. I was training with Sigurd, the lone brave man I mean the current King Sigurd of the Frost Kingdom.

Oh my!

"But he retires from active duty while I am fifty wins and fifty-one losses.　Gosh, now I'm so angry!　.........oops, sorry, I'm getting off track.'

It's a good thing that you're not the only one. So many things happened, but in the end, Sigurd was the only one who took the ice sword with him.

''I didn't need an ice-attribute sword. After returning to this country, how could I bring back a precious soul crystal (ice crystal) when I have no use for it?''

"Mm-hm. "Right place at the right time ... good call.

At Fleur's compliment, His Majesty the Emperor smiled a little happily.