CH 175

Audiences and Negotiations.

Translated by SoundDestiny

Edited by SoundDestiny

The next day, when Raidorl returned to the palace, he was met by Justy Oigist, the Thousand Horsemen.

Raidorl sat on his throne and greeted Justy as he arrived. He was accompanied by Neimilia and Sven.

“It’s been a while, Justy. I’ve heard about your work. You seem to be doing well in Raddockhorn, don’t you?”

“What a waste of words. Your Highness, Raidorl.”

Justy knelt down in front of Raidorl and bowed deeply.

“I am glad to hear that you are well, Your Highness. I have heard that the pioneer cities are rife with powerful demons, and I was worried for your safety.”

“Who are you talking to? I’m not going to be outdone by a demon.”

“I’m sorry, your highness, Please forgive me.”

Justy bows even more deeply, and Raidorl nods his head.

So far, this is a standard greeting. Now, this is where the real story begins.

“……….”

Raidorl turned his attention to the boy who was one step behind Justy.

The boy, who looked to be about Sven’s age, had an anxious look on his face and was bowing his head, but he was not kneeling like Justy. He is bending slightly at the waist in a half-hearted bow.

The boy was carrying a large sword on his back. It’s not the size of a sword, but it’s the size of a small man. The coat of arms on the hilt makes Raidorl’s eyes widen.

“So, who are you? I assume you’re from the Kingdom of Athena?”

“….It is a pleasure to meet you. Your Royal Highness, the King Raidorl.”

Before Justy could introduce him, the boy stepped forward.

“I am……my name is Neferte Athena, Crown Prince of Athena. Please forgive my rudeness for coming to you so suddenly.”

“Hoo……, this is a surprise. I had not expected to find the royal family of Athena here alone. Let me ask you the purpose of your visit.”

“That’s….”

The boy – Neferte – cut off his words and fell silent for a while. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he opened his mouth.

“I’m going to be straight to the point. The other day, the kingdom of Athena was attacked by undead, and the royal capital fell.”

“The capital has fallen…….? What happened to King Athena?”

“……Father chose to evacuate the inhabitants of the capital and stay until the end. I have not been able to confirm this, but I believe he may have lost his life.”

Neferte’s face contorted and he clenched his fists.

What must it have been like for a boy to have to leave his family, his home, and flee to a strange and foreign country?

It was a sentiment that Raidorl, who had been driven to the frontier by a disagreement with his brother, could understand.

“The immortals……are undead. The number of demons is increasing in this country as well. Why are the undead only appearing in the kingdom of Athena on a scale that could destroy the country?”

The undead – are also demons, but their appearance has not been confirmed to that extent in the Kingdom of Zain.

Why are there so many undead in the kingdom of Athena, just across the mountain range?

“Perhaps it has something to do with Osman, the ‘earth’ witch?”

Raidorl’s question was answered by Neimilia, who was standing next to him.

In her usual maid’s uniform, Neimilia explains cheerfully, tilting her thin head.

“Osman, the Earth Witch, is the ruler of the earth and the queen of the underworld. She has the power to raise the dead as the undead. In a battle three hundred years ago, she led four knights and a hundred thousand dead to the destruction of several western nations.”

“Osman……the ‘earth’ witch……”

The words are spoken in a nostalgic way, and Raidorl thinks about them.

It is true that a sudden appearance of a hundred thousand troops would easily destroy a country or two. This is especially true if they are in a state of confusion right after an earthquake.

“So……what does Lord Neferte want from me, from the Kingdom of Zain? Do you want me to protect you in my own country?”

“……No, no. I don’t care what happens to me.”

When Raidorl asked in a matter-of-fact tone, Neferte  shook his head fully.

“I don’t care what happens to me, I’ve abandoned my home, my family and my friends. All I want is the restoration of my country. I only want to free the kingdom of Athena from the rule of the evil witch.”

Neferte lowered the sword on his back and knelt down for the first time.

He then held the large sword in its scabbard with both hands and held it out reverently.

“I present to you my country’s greatest treasure – the sacred sword of the Water, the Mistilteinn. Please find the owner of this masterless sword and restore our country.”