Chapter 250: At the Royal Castle (3)

Chapter 250: At the Royal Castle (3)

P-Please wait!

Your Majesty, please reconsider!

Would you consider serving me. The first to react to King Carls shocking statement were the knights standing behind me. It seemed they had not been briefed beforehand, and they pleaded frantically, their voices filled with urgency.

Their objections were not born out of mere emotion. There were two main reasons behind their appeals: our nature as demons and our status.

The first reason concerns our identity as demons. For countries outside the Empire, demons are considered heinous criminals worthy of execution. The kingdom, under King Carls rule, is not so desperate for military might that it needs to harbor such dangerous beings. The knights argued that there was no need to introduce a group of dangerous creatures like us into their midst.

The second reason is our status as fugitives from the Empire. Its unclear whether the fragmented Empire is actively pursuing us, but if it became known that we were hiding here, the unpredictable response from the three divided countries could pose a significant risk to the Harlasia kingdom.

Although it had been divided, the Empire still had a strong influence in the central part of the Enzo continent. The impact our existence could have on diplomacy with countries outside the Empire was entirely unpredictable.

So I implore you, please reconsider!

Hmm, I understand what youre saying. So, what do you suggest we do?

The most straightforward solution would be to dispose of them right here?!

By dispose he undoubtedly meant to kill. However, the one who uttered these words could not speak any further. The reason was that a swords tip was pointed right at his throat.

It was King Carl himself who had drawn his sword with lightning speed. His movement was fluid, without a hint of hesitation, proving that my assessment of him as a first-rate warrior was indeed accurate.

While his smile remained as usual, his narrowed eyes were not smiling at all. The contemptuous look of his king, to whom he had sworn allegiance, must have been hard to bear. The knight, sweating profusely, remained silent and tried to compose himself.

Ive heard your opinions. But do you really think I hadnt considered that? Those two concerns are not even issues to me.

King Carl outright dismissed the knights concerns. He planned to declare that we were not criminals, but rather victims who had been exploited by the empire during the war and had no choice but to flee. In his eyes, we were merely refugees in his country, and he intended to demonstrate his magnanimity by welcoming us.

By doing so, he aimed to convince his people that we were heroes who had fought in the war and victims of the cruel empire and divert attention from the possibility that we might be criminals. At the same time, showcasing his own generosity would solidify his popularity among his subjects. And so he would be securing us as assets for his army while strengthening his own authority.

However, this approach risked casting the empire in the role of a complete villain, which would potentially provoke a backlash from pro-empire nobles and merchant guilds with ties to the empire. Some voiced concerns over this strategy, but King Carl merely laughed it off.

Oh, in that case

However, I am truly sorry. I have a request from a benefactor that I must fulfill. Because of this, I cannot serve under Your Majesty.

My answer to King Carls proposal was determined from the beginning. I had a task entrusted to me by Aiwass, so I couldnt afford to remain here. I regret having to part ways with Chris after we finally reunited togetherBut I wasnt about to repay kindness with betrayal.

The knights, who had until now harbored killing intent, widened their eyes in disbelief as I declined the kings offer. The killing intent in their gaze was beginning to fade away, but the hostility within them had not yet disappeared.

Whispers of disapproval filled the air as some glared and muttered some stuff along the lines of, To decline His Majestys invitation. It seemed that whether I accepted or declined the proposal, the hostility directed at me would remain unchanged. My mere presence here was unwelcome. They were unreasonable.

A request, you say? Thats important indeed. Could you share the nature of this task with me as well?

To settle in the desert beyond the Shumie Mountain range and to make a place to welcome the benefactor when the time comes. These are the two tasks before me.

I spoke to King Carl without deceit about the mission entrusted to me by Aiwass. If this did not dissuade him, I was prepared to invoke the name of Aiwass. Although he appeared gentle and rational at first glance, he was the leader of a secret society that would not hesitate to harm others for the sake of The Seventh Pillar.

Unaware or indifferent to my thoughts, King Carl tapped his right index finger against his temple, as if pondering something. Then he made me an offer.

How about this? I propose a survey of the southern part of the continent. We could provide funding, supplies, and even personnel if necessary. Should you successfully settle in the south, our country would officially recognize that land as your territory.

That is

You would be fulfilling your benefactors request and increasing the likelihood of its success. In return, I gain a connection with you. Doesnt sound like a bad deal, does it?

The prospect of successfully fulfilling Aiwass request became more tangible, especially with the promise of official documents recognizing the land as ours. This was tantamount to the Kingdom of Harlasia declaring its guardianship over us, making it incredibly difficult for me to refuse.

However, what troubled me was why King Carl was so insistent on having me by his side. Despite knowing that this could further sour the opinions of those around me, I couldnt help but ask.

Why do you show such interest in us?

Of course, I am counting on your strength in battle. The war will end soon, and theres no doubt the continent will be in turmoil afterward. Ill need allies who can lend their strength during those times, and you are strong. As a ruler, wouldnt it be my duty to seek out such powerful allies?

King Carls reasoning seemed sound, and he didnt appear to be lying. However, my instincts cautioned me not to trust him unconditionally. After thinking about it, I decided to buy some time by saying I needed time to consult with my comrades.