Chapter 114

“In the end, I will have to go to Rupdell.”

Gillard nodded his head and said. The blacksmith was in a dangerous demon realm to the extent that even a strong man could speak bitterly of it.

Luciel was definitely going to go because of her jewels. Gillard thought to himself and remembered one thing.

Arzeon. He, too, must have had a deep relationship with Rupdell.

“Luciel, Arzeon must also know Rupdell.”

“Really?”

“If he were there, we would not fall into unnecessary danger and would be able to safely visit the Demon Realm.”

“……!”

It was a welcome story for Luciel, who was trying to go with him while being attentive to her grandfather’s feelings.

Unable to do anything, Luciel confided to Gillard the whole story.

From the fact that Louivid brought Arzeon who was transformed into a snow deer from the snowy field to moving him to Luciel’s fief, to the story of Arzeon’s seal.

“……Was there a reason in which he had to release the seal?”

Gillard’s eyebrows, who wanted to be worried about Arzeon’s affairs, soon curved wildly and he became furious.

“Still, the more I think about it, the more disgraceful and insidious he is. Cheating everyone to stay with Luciel? Shameful punk! I will kill him with my own hands!!”

“Oh. Grandpa, calm down.”

Luciel curled up and grabbed his arm to stop him.

“He has very impure intentions.” (Gillard)

Moreover, since Arzeon disappeared, Gillard, who was the vice Master, was even serving as the lord of the tower. He sharpened his teeth with the accumulated injustice.

Luciel thought it would be better not to convey the words “I like to play and eat” that Arzeon said to her.

“First of all, let’s go together to convince him. I tried to convince myself, but it was in vain.”

Gillard said with an evil smile.

“Is there a need to convince him? With that bracelet, Arzeon will not be able to move.”

His red eyes really shone with killing intent after a long time.

Luciel and Gillard, who moved to the little fief, decided to capture Arzeon first.

“……Hey, Arzeon. You’ve been hiding here using the skin of a cute deer?”

“…….”

“I knew right away that you were a great man without an ounce of conscience, but you hit in the back of my head with top-notch skills.”

Gillard said, squinting hard at the snow deer. Nevertheless, Arzeon did not unravel his transformation and only looked at him with his black eyes.

Gillard somehow felt like a fool talking to a real deer, so he glanced at Luciel.

“Luciel, is this really Arzeon? How tightly did he hide his magic power….”

It really looked like an ordinary snow deer.

“Arzeon, I’m sorry. I revealed your identity to Grandpa Gillard. So come back to your original form.”

“…….”

“While I’m still saying it nicely, okay?”

As soon as Luciel put on the bracelet, Arzeon slowly revealed himself. His slender face resented Luciel.

“Traitor. This is to much.”

“……Oh, I couldn’t help it.”

“Then for how long were you planning to hide it?” (Gillard)

Crisp!

Paah!

In order to face the powerful magical energy released by Arzeon, Gillard also released his mana immediately.

The energy of the ice and trees collided, and the air around them became tense. When the energy of two powerful wizards collided, Luciel trembled while trying to stop them.

“Now is not the time. Stop being wary with each other.”

It was not a hostile confrontation, but it’s was dangerous enough that it would not be strange for an attack spell to be cast by either side. Arzeon had a face full of sharp edges so Luciel shook Grandpa Gillard’s arm first.

“Grandpa, please stop first.”

“……He started first, Luciel. The mana must be cleared by him first.”

“Grandpa, we need Arzeon’s help.”

This time, Luciel took a step closer to Arzeon and spoke as if appealing to him.

“I need you.”

“I told you. I’m resting now.”

When Arzeon slowly answered again, Gillard sarcastically.

“Then why didn’t you freeze to death before coming here?”

“I hate it even more if I have to help this old man.”

“What, this guy doesn’t even have blood flowing in his brains.”

Without agitation, Luciel took a step closer to Arzeon and asked.

“Arzeon, do you know Rupdell?”

“You mean the grumpy weapon smith dwarf?”

“Yes. You know…maybe…is he the one who made this bracelet?”

Arzeon gently shook his head.

“No, that’s a different person. Why are you asking about Rupdell?”

“I’m sorry, but it’s not a request, it’s a threat. I need you to guide us for Rupdell. Otherwise, I will wear this bracelet for the rest of my life.”

Luciel immediately waved the bracelet and said so. Looking at Arzeon’s distorted expression, Gillard said with a very satisfied tone.

“My grandchild-in-law is doing well!”

Finally, the two heard the answer they wanted from Arzeon. He had a stone portal that could be moved to the entrance of the blacksmith quarter.

“When the moon rises tonight, we move.”

At Arzeon’s words, Luciel and Gillard nodded their heads.

***

It was a regular royal dinner held every month, but today there was an unusually special guest.

He was Crown Prince Alfredo of the Maynard Kingdom, which bordered the eastern region along a river with the Tyra Empire.

The prince seemed to be in love with Claudia and had postponed his return schedule for several days. Emperor Neuschwan, who was seated at the top of the table, looked at Princess Claudia and Crown Prince Alfredo, who were opposite her, with delight.

Prince Alfredo was trying his best to win her heart by releasing precious gifts for Claudia.

From a singing parrot to a crown studded with blue diamonds the size of a fist, to magical silks that change color.

“Princess, look at that. Isn’t it really beautiful?”

“Yes, well.”

It looked like he had brought all the precious things from Maynard, but he didn’t seem to notice that Claudia liked nothing.

“The Crown Prince is very sincere towards our Princess Claudia. However, seems like this is far from enough. Claudia is the greatest treasure of our Tyra Empire.”

“Your Majesty is right. I have never seen anyone as beautiful as the princess.”

The Crown Prince looked at Claudia with his blushing face and nodded his head again and again.

‘…….’

From the first time we met until now, all he can say is praise for my beauty. He also had a shiny appearance, but no real substance.

Claudia seemed to only sigh when she was with him, so she focused on the steak on her plate, considering the imperial family’s honor.

Reynold, who was silent at that time, suggested to Claudia.

“Well, sister, the path around the palace is quite pleasant to walk, so why not show Alfredo the way after dinner?”

Reynold said as he cut the rare meat with a knife. Then Alfredo smiled brightly.

“What, Reynold. That’s a really good idea. I just wanted to go for a walk. Princess, I would be happy if you would spare me your time.”

Saying that Alfredo would have kissed the back of Claudia’s hand if it hadn’t been for the meal between them. As if she had lost her appetite, Claudia answered after wiping her mouth with a napkin.

“I have a history class, so I don’t think that would be possible.”

“Isn’t it okay to miss a day of class? Or maybe you can go after class is over.”

The Empress, who had been silent the whole time, laughed at Alfredo’s words.

“The Crown Prince is also very active. You’ve been spending time together until now, so it’d be nice to spend some private time for yourselves.”

“It’s a pity that the time to meet with the princess is getting shorter and shorter. Therefore, I would like to formally invite you to Maynard next time.”

He didn’t say anything straight to the target, but it was like openly proposing marriage. It was too hasty to invite her to his country before even making an official marriage proposal.

“Nothing has been talked about yet, but I’ll allow Claudia’s invitation if it’s only for fellowship, if there’s any other intention, I think it’s too hasty of a course.”

The Empress politely rebuked the Crown Prince for inviting the princess without even proposing.

She, too, would not stop the marriage if she found a good match for Claudia, but it was also true that the young man in front of her seemed to see a national marriage as something too easily done, which made her somewhat unpleased.

The Emperor shook his head to see if he agreed with the Empress’s words.

“Yes, it’s a situation where nothing has been said or written yet, so let’s be careful.”

Then the Crown Prince exchanged glances with the Prince and spoke with determined eyes.

“I have been seriously thinking about getting married. We will prepare to send a formal marriage proposal soon. We are thinking of presenting ownership of the Maple estate, along with the Mukas trading rights.”

Not only the Emperor and the Empress, but even Claudia’s eyes fluttered in surprise.

The Maple Territory was one of the most fertile lands in the Maynard Kingdom and was very large in size.  Giving away such land, along with the Mukas trading right? From Maynard’s point of view, it was a very big concession.

Mukas was a tea leaf that grows only in Maynard and is effective in treating depression, reducing the suicide rate by half of those who suffered from memories of the war in the past.

Many countries wanted Mukas, but Maynard had never handed over trading rights to anyone.

After receiving the proposal between countries in writing, the answer could be determined by a meeting with ministers, the decision of the Emperor and the Empress, and finally by the will of the parties.

However, there are two powerful cards that Maynard has put out, so for the sake of the national interest, even Claudia couldn’t complain no matter how much she hated this marriage.