Chapter 670
King Dena of the Dwarven Kingdom looked at the unexpected visitors and struggled to resist the urge to scratch his head under his helmet.
“Is the world going crazy these days? Why is it that not a single day is a good day?”
However, this was only to avoid showing off his lax appearance in front of someone who had to show off his dignity as a king, so he had no hesitation in using harsh words.
It was only a few days ago that the warrior of the machine was sent away. Even though it was the first visit in the history of the kingdom, King Dena was so busy that he could not respond properly and had to ask General Miwood for everything. It was the same even now.
The trash from beyond the mountains is already a headache, but who would have thought that a neighbor who is so annoying would suddenly visit after a dozen years?
Naturally, I felt uncomfortable with the warriors who were disguised as the delegation in front of me, so I strained my eyes. At times like this, I really liked the helmet that allowed me to freely express my emotions. On the other hand, there was also the disadvantage that no one knew that I was feeling uncomfortable.
It was no different for them to be uninvited guests in front of their eyes. However, the nine warriors of Lovell, wearing the skin of a giant wolf monster as a cloak, stood silently in their place, not caring about the glares of the vassals who were wearing the arrogant clothes on behalf of King Dena.
As expected of the Lovellians, regardless of gender, they all had large skeletons, and their appearances looked like stone statues. As a result, the only one who responded to King Dena’s mutterings was the Lovell diplomat standing in front of them.
“Our request is simple. Provide a railway line to the Dena King and the Empire. Then the Kingdom of Lovell will help you with your problems.”
He was making a fuss and saying things that even a street dog wouldn’t bark at.
“If we can’t stop it anyway, you guys will be next. Are you bringing that up and calling it negotiation?”
One of the dwarves finally managed to hold back his swearing at his arrogant attitude and snapped at him. The other dwarves agreed with his opinion, but the problem was that even though it was obvious nonsense, they were in a position to use it as negotiating material.
The diplomats of Lovell also understood this point very well.
“Even if that were true, wouldn’t there be a big difference between not moving until the Dwarven Kingdom suffered critical damage and moving and seeking cooperation before that?”
It was a really shameless attitude, but aside from the shamelessness, it was not a bad offer. If we accept the negotiations as they say, we will have no choice but to move the troops from Lovell, so it is a very profitable deal to say it is the price of moving the trains.
Rather, that was why King Dena hesitated. In diplomacy, if there was a deal left over without using any tricks or gaining an advantage, it meant that he had missed something or that there was something behind it.
After a moment of hesitation, holding the crooked helmet in his hand, King Dena nodded slightly and spoke for the first time.
“Why do you want to take the train?”
“It’s an internal matter of Lovell. I can’t tell you.”
There was a time when the two countries were on good terms. Strictly speaking, the period of friendly relations was longer than the period of not being friendly. It was a memory that remained clearly even though it happened when King Dena was still a runny-nosed child.
At that time, there was no need to worry about the other person’s intentions over such trivial matters, and there was no need to make a fuss about lending the train for a short while, and there was no need to make a condition that you would help them when they were having a hard time just to get on that train once.
It seems like it hasn’t been that long, but how did things go so wrong?
“It seems like it would be beneficial to us as well, and there would be no harm done, so how about accepting it?”
After much thought, King Dena’s thoughts, which had led to a lament similar to escapism, were corrected by General Miwood.
“Instead, I think we need to draw a clear line. Allowing another country to establish a bridgehead with the Empire is a serious matter... How about publicly announcing the purpose of the Lovell Delegation and dealing sternly with any actions that do not conform to that?”
“Are you saying this publicly...?”
For a moment, the diplomat’s face became embarrassed and he looked at the group again.
It was a very subtle reaction that most people wouldn’t notice, but this time, it caught the eye of General Miwood.
“···It is true that our conditions were somewhat rude at first, but if you allow us to use the train under those conditions··· we will accept it.”
King Dena, who was silently looking at the diplomat who was answering while hiding his nervous feelings by lowering his head, slightly moved his helmet towards General Miwood.
“I think General Miwood’s opinion is valid. Any objections?”
“As you wish, please.”
“Okay, prepare the train.”
Without waiting, King Dena immediately rose from his throne and the other dwarves began to move. Even though the deal was done, he was not happy with Ruby’s attitude, so he expressed that he did not want to see her any longer.
“Hmm, they used to be good kids.”
Niath Ezelf’s quiet mutterings as he watched the delegation of Lovell leave without a single guide were buried in the noise the dwarves were making, and died down without anyone hearing them.
A Word from the Author (Author’s Note)
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