Heavenly Castle

[Atool Kingdom]

Southeast across the Leelablas Mountains from the Blau Empire. There was the kingdom of Atul before we crossed the deep woods.

It's only one of the smaller countries, and the national territory is small. It is a current situation where we manage to turn around economically, but suffer from chronic manpower shortages due to small populations.

The great turmoil now dominated the king's capital of such a small country.

Usually there was no liveliness on the boulevard, which should be somewhat busy, and instead the hustle and bustle had been created by the people whose voices were rough around the royal castle.

"Get the princess out!

"What would you do if the Empire attacked you!?

When the people shout that out loudly, the guards guarding the castle yell as they set up their shields.

"Then, fool! Where do you think you are?

"Come on, or we're all gonna hit the dungeon!

The anger of the people burned further into such dialogue. One man sighs at the appearance of a citizen and a soldier yelling at each other in a state of instant tension.

He is a tall little fat man. I would be in my fifties or so, but now I also have a rounded back and melancholy look, and it was uncomfortable to be told I was sixty.

There is a small crown over the red hair of a man with a cloak on his luxurious outfit.

King of the Kingdom of Atul, Reizent Torte Atul. That was the name and title of this man.

But Lytzent peeks softly out the window with a tired face that doesn't even make him feel fine dust, such as majesty as such a king.

"... got hit. They totally did it... it was an imperial trap after all... take my daughter with her to the mark of slavery..."

Lightzent bumps and solitude with a plundered voice.

There, the sound of knocking on the door rang from the outside. Frowning at the fierce sound of fisting the door, Reizent looks up.

Immediately after granting permission to enter, the door opened and a tall man appeared from the back. I don't have a helmet, but I'm wearing white armor.

"Excuse me. Your Majesty, the messenger of the Blau Empire..."

"Again."

Blocking the man's report, Reizent looked to heaven. The man closes his mouth and stiffens his expression at the frustrating appearance of Lyzent.

"There's no way to divulge the inside out, but Folk Grass is holding his mouth and complaining that I'm raiding the Imperial Soldier on princess cuteness and keeping the princess hidden in the castle... and give her the princess early every time a word from the messenger. Otherwise, the empire will lay merciless hammers on the kingdom."

Half laughing and mouthing like that, Reizent slapped the wall so flat that it made a sound.

"Say stupid! He was watching my daughter crying with a slave mark on her shoulder in front of her! It's the Empire that made the princess lose her place to go home!? How dare you act like a victim!

To the roaring voice of Reizent trembling in anger, the man who comes to report stretches his spine and opens his mouth.

"Ha! I understand all the soldiers are prepared to offer the princess to protect His Majesty's deep sorrow and kingdom! But the imperial side..."

"I know! Either way, if the Imperial Messenger is here, we must meet! Tell him I'm coming!

When the man replied and thanked Reizent, he left early.

When Lytzent went to the hall, there were already two soldiers there and one man with a knightly look.

The knightly man looks back at Reizent and makes a meeting.

"Good for you. I'm here. Welcome aboard."

When Lytzent said so with a subtle smile, the man turned a rugged look.

"Excuse me for being busy. It is time to return Her Royal Highness the Princess, who should have given it to our country..."

That's what they say at the top of the opening, and Lytzent's eyebrows jump.

"… the Apostle. I know what you're saying, but I want you to listen to me. As I explained from the beginning, there is no princess in our castle, and there is no fact that she is hiding somewhere. Instead, I think it's more impossible to talk about your princess escaping."

"Your Majesty. I mean, it's just like you're saying we're lying..."

"No, I didn't say that. But isn't it a flow too convenient for the Empire? This one even had her daughter take a slave mark. I can't talk to her, and even if the princess tells me she escaped, I can't find out. But even I don't know what happened to the princess, but the people of the king's capital are crying out loudly that I hid it."

The messenger lifted his eyes to the dialogue of Reizent, who seemed dissatisfied.

"... that the Empire brought this story in from the beginning to wage war? As you know, our Blau Empire has developed rapidly in recent years, expanding its national territory and boasting that it is no longer one of the world's most famous powers. Do you really think that empire is doing this much to get the Atool Kingdom?

"If we get the Atool Kingdom, we can put pressure from both directions on the eastern Frieder Empire. Conversely, if there is anything like a battle with the Empire without striking a hand here, it is possible that our kingdom will take the side of the Empire... no wonder I thought so"

When Lytzent told him so, silence visited the hall.

The sound of knocking on the door in the hall sounded as the soldiers standing around watched the two interact in a harrowed manner.

Surprised to hear the sound, one of the soldiers opened the door and heard the requirements.

And face Lytzent with what a complicated face.

"What?"

When Reizent asked in a grumpy manner, the soldier opened his mouth unspeakably.

"Heh, Your Majesty. There was a mysterious flying object in the sky..."

To that report of the soldier, not only the Reizent but also the Imperial Messenger blinked in anger.