Maou No Utsuwa

King's capital mosque of the Kingdom of Ruthua.

Many of the heavy ministers were face-to-face in the Great Hall in the castle to greet the messengers who visited the kingdom. As the king's deputy, it is Ignaz, who took the role of messenger, who progresses slowly before the throne on which the king prince took his seat.

The reactions of the kingdom's ministers to see it vary, but the generally bitter face makes it clear that feelings for the Republic are not good.

"As you can see for the first time. I am General Left in the Republic of Arten Kreutz. My name is Ignatz."

"General? Isn't that an unfit position for a messenger?

Nor has the attitude of Prince Nicolai been favourable from the beginning.

"My country has just been able to do it, and as for the position, it has not yet been defined. This time I was chosen as a messenger in my position as one close to my king. I meant to pay tribute to your country, but didn't you like it?

"... no. Nothing to worry about."

Those close to Kamui. With this word alone, Ignatz will be recognized as a cautionary man.

"It would be helpful if you could say that. Then I would like to state the words from my king as soon as possible, may I?

"Oh, state but good"

"I would like to express my profound gratitude for taking the time to send a congratulatory envoy to the wedding ceremony with Queen Hildegand. We hope that our relationship with your country will continue to be friendly. That's it, sir."

"Is that all?

"Yes, that's it"

"Right. Then I did give it. Let me tell His Majesty."

"Thank you"

"If it's more than a story, this is a good way to go down"

"Yes. Now, if you'll excuse me,"

To the words of Prince Nicolai, according to honesty, Ignaerts tries to leave the spot. Besides, it was the heavy ministers lined up left and right who showed a slight rush.

"Do it, Lord Messenger."

"... Yes, what is it?

"I don't have plans for the rest of this."

"I think I only told you the words of return?

"I received that. But since I visited you as a messenger, I wonder if there's anything else to discuss?

For its part, the Kingdom sees it as a pretext, such as a messenger of salute. In fact, it is, but it is not the republic that uses it as an excuse, but the kingdom side. There's just no one here to know this.

"Was there a matter of concern between your country and ours? Oh, don't worry, if you are Her Royal Highness Princess Juliana, who is in our country as a goodwill ambassador, we will send you home politely. Our country is also responsible for protecting the territory of the Empire."

"Um, I'd like to ask you for that. But not about that."

"Is it something else? What would that be?

"For example, about Queen Hildegand."

"What is the queen of our country?

Ignaerts is in love, but for the kingdom, it's one of the key challenges.

"Queen Hildegand was to be welcomed as Our Lady. Is it okay if I say something because I took it as my own queen?

"As I said, it was decided at will in your country and the Empire, and I don't know how to keep it in our country. Why don't you take the story to the Empire about that?

Ignaerts' statement is that his muscles are through. There's no point in the republic being told anything about Hildegand.

But as a matter of reality, Queen Hildegand is in your country.

But then the kingdom will be in trouble. I want to take advantage of Hildegand.

"Our country welcomed Queen Hildegand into its own country in front of the imperial people. That means the Empire recognized it. After all, if your country is to be said to be anything, isn't it against the Empire?

I have no intention of accepting the words of the kingdom in any way whatsoever to Ignaz.

"Of course I offer to the Empire. But even with your country, I wonder if we need to talk about it properly."

"So what kind of story do you want?

"Shouldn't there be anything more worthy of it than handing over the identity of Queen Hildegand to your country?

"Something you matched? Are you talking about money or something?

"That's what your country thinks."

I didn't actually bring Hildegand's story in return. Make a loan to the Republic, that's the place.

"I see. In considering the match, I would like to ask you what status your country had prepared for Queen Hildegand."

"What?"

"Isn't there a big difference between the Lady Dowager and something else that matches?

"It's..."

Ignaerts is right. There is no objection on the part of the Kingdom.

"Since His Royal Highness Prince Wang already has a righteous queen, does he not have that status?

"Well."

"Then is it a side room...... Queen Hildegand in the sideroom?

"It will."

"Queen Hildegand, the queen of the first prince of the former empire and now the queen of my king, in the sideroom of the next King Ruthua?

"It's..."

There is a point in Ignaz's words to blame the Kingdom for its disrespect beyond words. In contrast, the kingdom side does not immediately find words to return.

I don't feel like saying anything about it in a way that's directing the conversation, even if it's strong.

"In my opinion, isn't it better not to think about Queen Hildegand anymore? As a nation, when you officially become queen, it becomes like a gift to another country."

"A gift?

The kingdom side is responding to the word "gift" that I dare to use.

"I think it would be very disrespectful to your country."

"But it is."

"You can't get on with it. Let's be clear, then. Why don't you think about what will be offered to the Empire as a new conditional on harmony before you can think about pulling any conditions out of our country?

"... what do you know?

The kingdom side understood precisely what was meant by the words of Ignaerts.

"The Imperial Messenger will soon visit your country."

"... I see. If so, shouldn't your country make an effort to improve its relations with our country?

Thanks to the smell beforehand, there is no great upset on the part of the kingdom. I just remembered the high intelligence capabilities of the Republic again.

"Whatever you promise now, if the imperial terms of presentation are anything more than that, it means nothing. Isn't it?

"That sounds as if you think it doesn't matter what happens with our country."

"That's not true. My country has always served, whether it is in friendly relations with your country. Is that what you intend to reveal in your battle against the Empire?

"It's"

The Kingdom's invasion was successful thanks to the Republic's restraint against the Empire. Even though I know it, the kingdom can't put it into words. You can't admit that you owe it to yourself.

"It is your country that is now trying to break that relationship. As for my country, I'm sorry to hear that."

"I didn't break it yet."

"But what is it that your country and your empire are bound to be first? You know what the Empire wants, don't you?

Joint struggle in the fight against the Republic. Nothing more than this. The kingdom also knows this.

"Well, nothing has been discussed yet,"

Such deception cannot be tolerated by Kamui or Alto, who sent him as a messenger, rather than by Ignaz.

"Now let me explain."

The kingdom that has brought up Hildegand as a bargaining material is, on the contrary, becoming embedded in the thoughts of the republican side.

"Oh, no."

"The conditions offered by the Empire are the full concession of the eastern border territory. Subject to that, we have asked for a joint war against our country. But there's no way your country would accept this. Even if the Eastern Border Territory and the Empire say so, it is already an independent country there. Your country is at war and you have to get there."

"It would be,"

"Even the Empire, I know that. I know, and I'm just buying time to say that. Now, if you speak only of Queen Hildegand, you will tell us to wait until we get it back from our country."

"What happens when you buy time?

"The Empire will have time to calm down the rebellion in the South and restore its national power. And if we can do that, will we negotiate with our country again? That's how we're going to restore more national power."

"... but it's the same in my country"

The kingdom has not grasped the rebellion of the southern uncle, such as the fact that there are signs of peace. Desperate to hold on to inner agitation.

"Is it? The last time your country mobilized 130,000 troops, can I say that this is the maximum number mobilized? On the other hand, the maximum force the Empire can mobilize will be 190,000. Besides, this is a number excluding the Oriental House."

"I know that"

"Excuse me, but I think your country's advantage in the last battle was influenced not least by the fact that our country was attracting the Knights of the Imperial Order main unit, the Northern Bergamot Army, and did not allow them to participate in the battle?

If the kingdom does not admit to borrowing itself, just let it be admitted from the republican side.

…………

It's a kingdom that you don't want to admit by silently returning it, but this doesn't make sense. The fact that you can't put it into words is a sign that you admit it above your feelings.

"Ahead, the more time passes, the stronger the empire becomes. The Imperial Knights, as well as the Central Noble Army, seem to be doing a tough workout right now. Wouldn't it be a tough fight, unlike last time, if you were won by force and the quality of your soldiers was caught up?

"So what do you want me to do?

At the time of hearing this, the will of the Kingdom, or at least of the heavy ministers, leans heavily towards coordination with the Republic.

"That's your decision. The only thing I can say is that the Empire cut itself off from negotiating with our country. We decided to oppose our country as an enemy. Beyond that, our country also clearly opposes the Empire as an enemy."

"Are you going to go to war with the Empire? Your country is much smaller than ours."

"We can fight now. If the Empire is not ready now."

"You can't possibly win"

If we can beat the Empire, it is possible that we can beat the Kingdom as well. This is hard to admit as a minister of the kingdom.

"You can win. If you're going to attack, you have to fight. Besides, I think it's your country that's in trouble for our country to lose?

"My country..."

I couldn't even tell you how strong I was. This is an argument that I have already admitted.

"We pride ourselves on the fact that the chaos of the Empire lies in the presence of our country and independent neighbouring countries. Without it, the Empire will do well if it turns its attention only to your country."

…………

"Please fully include the area in your negotiations with the Empire"

"... ok"

This would have broken that thought before the Empire began negotiations. The kingdom, which at this point intends to know the sincerity of the Empire, will proceed with various considerations in order to back it up.

"If the negotiations with the Empire have come to an unhealthy conclusion, please consider negotiating with our country. We also have negotiating materials in our country."

And Ignaz is preparing another pushing ingredient.

"... what can you tell me about it?

"Right...... Well, that would be good. Exchange between the territories of the Eastern Independent States and your country's new territories"

"What!?

"Do you need an explanation of what this means?

"… not required"

"I think it's mutually beneficial. Please consider it. Now, this one really has nothing to talk about. May I now excuse you?

"... Yep"

"Now, if you'll excuse me,"

In the end, Ignaerts was to leave his seat in full service as a messenger. That can be confirmed by looking into the eyes of the ministers who see the exiting Ignats. From obvious hostility to a bewildered gaze, it represented the agitation of the kingdom itself.

"Clear."

Because of his personal feelings, Prince Nicolai said this as if to throw up, but it does not affect the feelings of the heavy ministers in any way.

"Whether it is clear or not, we are certain that the Empire and the Republic are in a hostile relationship and that war is inevitable. The question is, what will our country do then"

"No way, fighting with the Republic, etc."

"You don't have to fight together. You just have to let them do it on their own. More than that, it's a republican condition."

"... what are those terms? Aren't we just gonna exchange territories?

Prince Nikolai, who is becoming emotional, refuses to think. Just think about it and you'll soon know how attractive the terms are.

"We don't just replace it. The eastern central part of the Empire is a robust land that prevented our army from invading. If we can get it, it means a lot to the invasion of the Empire ahead."

"You just have to invade from the north"

"Ahead of the new territory is the defensive line of the Oriental House. It was also a robust ground that prevented our army from invading. Having the North isn't easy to invade the Empire. But the central part, for this one, will be a hard place to defend and easy to attack."

"It's... no, I'm being deceived. Can we get on with such a good story?"

Prince Nikolai is still captured by the sentiments of Kamui hatred.

"It's also profitable for the Republic. The Republic and the independent countries are in alliance relations. But now, there is an Oriental Uncle family realm divided between them. Militarily, it makes sense to consolidate in the north."

"... but can you? Although a small country, changing the country's location, etc."

Exactly. Neither can Prince Nicolai deny this explanation. All I can do is pinch my doubts about feasibility.

"I guess I can. That's all the influence the Republic has over Eastern countries."

"No, but..."

But it is also returned to his subordinates without any hesitation. It's bad for Prince Nikolai to intertwine his personal feelings with the importance of the country. We should be glad to have a subordinate who is not confused by it.

"It is a proposal worth considering fully if we are to consider the interests of the Kingdom. Think of what would be good for your kingdom, except for your personal feelings, to His Royal Highness the King, who will be king of one nation."

"I'm not captured by personal feelings or anything."

"If that's the case, fine. You won't need to draw conclusions right away. After listening to the Empire, I hope you will judge."

"... um"

Indicating the opposite will be perceived as running into personal feelings in this matter. Prince Nikolai was to be stabbed with a nail under his subordinate.

◇ ◇ ◇

When Ignaz, as a messenger, was making a visit with Prince Nicolai, Kamui was on his way to the king's room, guided by Vasily of the Kingdom.

"It's this way. Your Majesty, I have guided you to Kamui."

"Oh, come in."

Upon the King's reply, Vasily leads Kamui into the room in various ways. In the room, there was one King Alexando II lying in bed, waiting.

"It's been a while. Camui Kreutz."

"Oh, it's certainly been a long time. Looking good, above all."

Kamui worried about how to say hello, but in the end, he chose to respond like a private person. Besides, King Rusua usually responds as well.

"Have a shame. Your Majesty seems better and more relieved than I thought."

"Hmm. Has Vasily exaggerated? What, I'm just a little tired of the battlefield. Rest and you'll be better soon."

"Yes, I hope so"

"So, what can I do for you this time?

"It's..."

Kamui's gaze turns to Vasily for unexpected questions. It was you who was called. Even if they say it's for you, Kamui doesn't know what to answer.

"Master Kamui was greeted by the Queen the other day. To report it."

This is why Vasily thought about it.

"Oh. Right. Take the queen. I congratulate you on that. Are you that old?"

"Yes."

"So what's the queen?

"... my name is Hildegand"

With hesitation, Kamui tells the name of Hildegand.

"Hildegand? Wasn't that supposed to be the Lady of Nicolai?

King Ruthua seems to know Hildegand, and he does not.

"Hildegand is my age. Her Royal Highness Prince Wang's Queen is a little too old to catch a catch."

To King Ruthua's question, Rara and Kamui return the answer.

"Right...... Well, if you're that girl, your lord looks better. I don't think Nikolai is going to make it out of that horse."

"As, well."

At least, his work on the battlefield seems to be remembered.

"What a strong man to be when it comes to you and that girl's child. Looking forward to it."

King Rusua gives a look that I am sincerely looking forward to. At least, it looks like it to Kamui.

"The child is a child. Not necessarily superior to martial arts."

"Hey, would that bother you?

Now you look a little angry. If the father were alive, this would be the case, and the more unconsciously Kamui thinks, the natural exchange would continue.

"Just because you're inferior to Wu doesn't mean you can't. It would be nice if there was something else going on. We think so."

"Hmm...... Well, yeah. But don't fail to work out."

"Of course it is. Well, I'm talking about a kid who hasn't even done it yet. I was wondering if you were feeling any faster."

"Or so it is."

"Yes."

"That's how you built your country."

"... Yes"

Kamui hesitated to affirm, but decided to answer honestly, considering the meaning of this question coming out of King Ruthua's mouth.

"Why? Isn't Nicolai enough to serve?

"I wonder if His Royal Highness Wang's instrumentalities are different and what he is aiming for"

"What's the difference?

"There are demons in my country, not just people. His Royal Highness Prince Wang will not recognize the Demon Nation as a people."

Kamui honestly decided to talk about the Demon Clan. Think you can't help lying about the Republic.

"... Isn't that what you have to do?

"Why?

"Hmm?"

"Has the Demons ever stripped their fangs of the kingdom? Of course, in our long history, we know that there has been a dispute with the Demons. But that was done by some demons, not the whole demon race, even if the kingdom was set up or from the demons. It's no different than someone in a human race who did something rough."

"I see..."

King Rusua thinks of Kamui's words with a serious look on his face. Seeing such a bare gesture, Kamui thought to tell him more about the Devil Nation.

"The Demon Nation, as a whole, does not seek to quarrel with people. Seeking battle is always on the side of the people."

"That's why he said he united the demons and built his country. To have the power against the people."

"That's a little different, too."

"No?"

"There are people in my country."

"Right...... So, what is your kingdom for?

"To create a place where all the people who live in this world can live in peace."

To King Ruthua's question, straight away Kamui returned the answer. Keep the Republic philosophy intact, I just spoke.

"... all people"

"Yes, all of them."

To make it clear that it's not just for the Demons.

"Sounds like a dream story to me?

"Perhaps so. But it's something someone has to do someday."

If we don't do that, the Demons will perish. Not only the Demons, but the Elves must follow the same fate.

"You think you're gonna do that?

"At least, I want to write down that first step. I don't know how far I can go. But if you don't get it on me, someone next will do it. It's a step for that."

"... we need to govern all of this continent"

"If that's what you need, I'll go for it"

Kamui hasn't done anything since the beginning, if that's enough to give it up as impossible. Because I believe there is light ahead, I can't wait to start a war.

"Can you do that?

I thought it might be a little strange for His Majesty to hear that.

"What do you mean?

"Your Majesty should be aiming for it. There's no reason why I shouldn't aim for what His Majesty is aiming for, apart from whether I can or can't."

King Alexandros II is also trying to rule the whole continent. That's what a continental champion is.

"... right"

"For what purpose did His Majesty seek the hegemony of the continent?

"It's"

"I don't think I can just be honored as a champion."

"... oh, of course"

"I think some of the generations of King Ruthua, and the emperors of the Empire, aspired to hegemony. Honestly, I don't care who does it. Just not in this day and age."

If you try Kamui, it's only a hard and troublesome thing, such as continental domination. If anyone can change me, I want it to change, I mean it.

"There has to be someone else."

"At least now the Empire has forgotten that. And His Royal Highness Prince Wang doesn't even think about it. That's what I'm thinking."

"What do you think of Non?

"As His Majesty does it, can it be done in His Majesty's generation?

"... I can't."

"So who will succeed His Majesty? If so, what is the name of that person? If you think it deserves better, I'll always turn to the side that supports it."

"That does not mean the succession of the Kingdom of Ruthua."

"As the champion of the continent, he has the will to bring peace to the continent and peace to all people."

Person who aspires to peace on the continent, not only for the sake of one country, but also for the sake of people. There is no way that such a person could be anywhere but Kamui.

"... how do you think it would have been if Alexei had been alive?

Neither did the names of the living come out of King Alexandros II's mouth.

"I don't know that. But given what my mother told me, if I knew the truth, I might have done the same thing as I did."

"Right. Are you doing something Alexei couldn't do?"

"It's only possible"

In fact, Kamui doesn't know what character the former Prince Alexei is. It's just that the former Prince Alexei, who saved his own mother, wants him to be an excellent man.

"Right...... I could hear a good story. I feel like talking to you forever, but you're a little tired."

"This, unaware. I beg your pardon."

"Oh, wait a minute"

King Alexandros II summoned Kamui to leave the room.

"Anything yet?

"Take that sword"

To which King Alexandros II pointed, there was a sword to which Kamui was accustomed.

"... it's the death"

"It's your father's sword. As a son and successor, you should have"

"But"

"Take it because it's good"

"... Yes"

The sword that was placed beside the bed. That is the sword of the shapes of His Royal Highness Prince Alexei, whom Kamui had previously returned. When he took it, Kamui gently thanked him and left the room.

"Thank you"

Vasily will thank Kamui when he leaves the room. In contrast, Kamui gave a slightly surprising look.

"You didn't know?

"What?

"I thought I was deceived, but I see, His Majesty was deceiving His Highness as well"

"Oh no..."

I mean, it's a lie to think of Kamui as your grandson. This was something Vasily didn't even know.

"What are you going to do? I even got a sword... Well, okay. Then I'll be excused for this. I'll leave the castle soon, don't be surprised."

"What?"

Now if you'll excuse me, this is in front of the king's bedroom. To the exit of the castle, quite a distance away.

"No, because I don't want to be attacked. When we do, we're not gonna pull each other in, are we?

"That's true, though."

"So good here. If anyone complains about Prince Wang, tell him he's been scattered."

"No, what?

In no time, Kamui disappears from the spot. Now it's the same as it was actually scattered.

Giving up after him, Vasily went straight back to the king's room.

"Your Majesty..."

"That's fast."

"I was scattered. They told me that if we were attacked, we wouldn't pull each other in."

"Well, be careful."

"You fooled me."

"... I see, were you spotted"

"Why are you doing this?

"I can't fathom in Nicolai. Thinking about what happened earlier, I thought it would be better to kill them, even if they said they were cowardly."

To kill Kamui, after being alone, we need to keep him alert. To create this situation, I thought about it and came up with a plan.

"It didn't make it. Why is that?

"If it was just King Ruthua's knight, it could have been done, but not in the knight of the champion. That's right. The mission of Nan, the champion, is to consider the peace of all those living on the continent."

"Would you seriously consider Kamui Kreutz a successor?

"No, it won't. That's not going to succeed Non, but it's going the way of the champion by itself. The only thing Noun did was not block the way."

If it is not blocked, Kamui can unite the continent. This is what King Alexandros II thought. On the other hand, in my own son, the wars on the continent will not heal.

"But then you will be harmful to the kingdom"

"That's what Nicolai's gonna do."

King Alexandros II has already stopped being King Rusua.

"Really?"

"Isn't that really Non's grandson? Thank you. Non is sweet on that one. I'm aware of that, but when I talk to that one, I'm strangely convinced of the word. Trouble."

"Sire?"

Are you talking sane, or are you still sick? Vasily's answer to this question was not obtained.

"I'll leave the rest to Nikolai. It's too sweet for the kingdom."

"Your Majesty, do not ask me that. The kingdom still needs His Majesty's help."

"It's not a lie to be ill. Now, it's bad for Nikolai to pull the kingdom halfway here. Nicolai will have the idea of Nicolai. To push it forward, we need to move a little faster. Otherwise, when you realize…"

You will fall at Kamui's feet. On the other hand, I feel sorry for this, and I am also willing to give the Prince Nicolai an opportunity. This is what I think as a father, not a king.

"I turn to the side blocking the path of Kamui Kreutz"

"Naturally. You are the king of the kingdom. But listen to me for one thing."

"What is it?

"If it seemed futile for the kingdom to resist when it came to exchange it in a generation, think of the people. Scratch in vain and keep the people from suffering."

"It's..."

"I forgot about Non. What were you thinking of making the kingdom the champion of the continent for? That was to create a world without war. I just remembered that"

And also, the thought of King Alexandros II will be that of the champion. It may still be true that consciousness is chaotic, but it doesn't matter anymore.

"... ok. Only, in the unlikely event of such a situation, I will consider it"

"That's good. Well, I'm just tired. Rest a little."

"... Yes"

King Ruthua's successor may be said to have been officially decided on this day. After this day, the kingdom will transform its system all at once into one that focuses on Prince Nicolai.

And there is another, which is a candidate, but who has been recognized as his successor. Alexandros II's as a champion, and successor to many kings and emperors who have ever dreamed of being the champion of the continent.

Only Alexandros II himself and Vasily know this fact. And no one else could ever know this fact.