Maou No Utsuwa

Old Royal Capital Territory, the largest city in the western north of the continent, Amphang. In that office in the castle, Alto roars, yeah, while surrounded by piles of paperwork. I've been working so hard that I can't get enough sleep for more than half a month.

"Huh. It's unusual that you're in so much pain."

Thereis smiling and watching how that alto is doing.

"If you think so, why don't you help? This is your country's business."

The king of Amphang is Thereise.

"... even if they say it's your country's business. I am not the king I have become fond of. Your Lord threatened me, and I just couldn't help it."

Even if he doesn't like it.

"That's worse to owe Kamui. I have to return what I owe you."

"That's true, though."

Kamui dragged out the Terrays, who had decided not to get involved in politics anymore. To refuse to do so, Thereys was too much in the care of the Kamuis.

I owe it to Aur to be alive now.

But I'm not for the king.

"What the hell did he say when he tried to be Emperor of the Empire?"

"But I couldn't. I don't have any luck. I think it's an important quality for those who stand above it."

"Luck...... I know what you're trying to say"

If Thereys had met Kamui sooner, the fate of the Empire would have changed as well as Thereys.

If Therese hadn't gotten sick, the Emperor's throne might have belonged to Therese.

There is certainly something that seems to be the case.

"Right? So I shouldn't be king."

"Well, that's different."

Assuming he understands what he's trying to say, Alto denies Therese's point.

"How not?

"The least I can do for you is stick. You're giving up too soon."

"... would it?

"Now I can tell you, if I had asked Kamui more desperately to take my side, I think Kamui would have switched sides."

"You think that Kamui will break his promise to his sister?

Always keep your promises. Kamui also respects the idea of the devil tribe to take care of the contract. I don't think Thales has Kamui betraying his sister, Sophilia.

"Lady Sophilia, the Sophilian princess, not just in person, betrayed this one many times. I don't know if the contract was in place."

The contract is formed by the trust and good faith performance of both parties. The Sophilian princess, who was not honest with Kamui, was ineligible as a contractual partner.

"... I see"

"There have been many opportunities. It wasn't just in college. Even after that, even after coming to Nort Ende, if you really asked Kamui to do something about the Empire, that might have been the real rebellion."

"Surely, I let go of the throne of the Emperor myself. Well, I had no choice because I didn't want to be."

I'm telling you that alto is a faulty, but suddenly it can't be cured.

"I don't like it, but I have to do it."

Both Alto and Kamui are doing it.

"I can't do that, so it's now."

"So make that right now. The king of this country is you. Trouble as ever."

"So that's it."

"I asked Marie. I'm serious. You're capable of fighting Kamui."

The imperial imperial princehood Therese is the only imperial being who was reading Kamui's movements. If I had used that reading for the sake of the Empire, this could have been a different situation again.

"I can't do that."

"So why?

"I don't have you"

There is no one in Therese who can be called loyal. I thought in person.

"Marie was there. Dear Hildegand and Matthias. I won't let you tell me there was no one there."

"... you did. Sorry."

Therese utters words of apology. Marie is here too.

"Apologies are good, so help me. Alto hasn't slapped me for nothing either, so get to work."

"... bad"

What do you care? Alto is laid on Marie's ass. As a couple, this would be the better answer.

"I don't know what you're doing when it comes to helping."

I knew Alto and Marie would be keeping busy all the time, but Therese doesn't know what they're doing. That's what bothered me, so I came to this office today.

"I've solved some of the problems I've forgotten to run through so far."

"The problem I forgot to put away?

"Don't put it on like that. Explain it clearly. What I'm doing is I'm putting out the grass."

The roundabout way Alto said it was troublesome, Marie explained in her own mouth. It's just that this is too concise for Therese to know either.

"What do you mean by grass blur?

"It was the grass the kingdom sent in that killed your sister, wasn't it? There's grass up to the Chancellor. It's not weird to be in the aristocracy, I mean, you'll definitely be there. That's not one or two, either."

"The grass..."

"Getting out of Nort Ende added many newcomers. There's no guarantee there's no grass in it, is there?

In the process of acknowledging it as a subordinate, I have looked into it quite carefully, but still, it is not absolute.

Grass is only grass if it is assimilated to an enemy country. It's not easy to blur that.

"... how?

Tairaise also understands the difficulty of finding grass. I couldn't imagine how the alts were going to broil it out.

"Grass is only grass if you dive into an enemy country. And now is the perfect opportunity for that. Use this in reverse."

The old empire is now in the middle of chaos. The aristocrats have repeatedly dispersed themselves in an attempt to achieve independence in the best possible way. This situation where people get into it is a great opportunity for grassy beings to dive in.

"... you think anyone who tries to follow us is suspicious?

"Simply put, yes. Among them are the aristocrats whose empire does not seek to instigate independence for no reason, those who seek to remain in this country even though the Lord intends to become independent. It's extremely suspicious around here."

"But there is also the possibility of thick loyalty"

"I haven't been given anything yet. Hey? Sure would be a shame if there was such a noble man."

The Republic entered the north and many aristocrats followed, but the situation is now before full rule. Nothing has been given so far, such as the benefit of belonging to the Republic.

So Alto does not believe that those who are loyal to the Republic will show up.

"... aren't we going to get rid of it quite a bit?

In Alto's opinion, no one who has been submissive since entering the north can be trusted. Eliminate that, and you'll run out of the people you need to rule Amphang.

The problem of shortage of human resources, which can also be described as the fate of the Republic, also becomes apparent.

"Only those who put themselves in that position will be eliminated. Well, if you come out from below, that's it, but that's when. I do what I can, but I know I can't do it perfectly."

"Well, what about replacing those in good standing?

Quite a few positions are those at the heart of national politics. Losing it doesn't make national politics work.

"Turn from Nort Ende. Besides, the number of subordinates will soon increase"

"... why?

I should have been suffering from a shortage of talent for a long time, but somewhat Alto makes it easy to say. I don't know why this is Therese.

"... you okay? Aren't you too relaxed and frightened?

"It's..."

Alto's way of saying this means cracking and simple answers. However, as Alto puts it, the Therays have not been able to demonstrate their original intelligence. I'm not feeling retired.

"I chose you king for quite a reason. It's not just that my son's still young."

"... the Empire"

Taking a hint from Alto, Therese finally found the answer.

"Yes. Those who are dissatisfied with their submissiveness to the Empire are pretty much gone. Some would be thinking about going blade to blade to empire. If that's where you get the story that you had the country."

"Those people come together relying on me."

"You don't have a problem with your men, do you? Besides, they were originally involved in the imperial government. I can't say it's perfect, but it should be a little better."

Assassination by the Prime Minister, who was the grass of the kingdom. After what happened, the Empire didn't do anything. Thoroughly washes the identity of those in positions involving national politics, mainly those who had contacts with the Prime Minister, and the suspicious are eliminated.

This is why Alto says it's a little better.

"But if you accept it, Amphang will be the base of disobedience to the Empire"

"That's no choice. Manage to contain the miserable outburst as a king. There's a time for outbursts."

"... I feel somewhat fooled, but the Empire is more fooled than I am. Is subordination a strategy?

"Kamui chose to obey him for reasons that made him Kamui. I respect that feeling. But I don't remember being subordinate to anyone but Kamui."

"Are you going to disobey Kamui?

Fellows from orphanages, beginning with Alto, have absolute loyalty to Kamui. This is what Therese thought, but now it looks like Alto is trying to act against Kamui's will.

"... it won't. Everyone misunderstands. Kamui has a far worse personality than I am. I don't think it's all about Kamui."

"... right"

"Ma'am, you can't even read me from here on out. That's why I'm just gonna do what I think is best right now."

"The result..."

"Chaos. A lot more intense and a lot more extensive than ever before. The war that's been going on should be a brilliant situation."

I'm not supposed to, I'm going to. Alto has no intention of consolidating the form of continental domination by the Empire. Confuse the empire, confuse the entire continent, and do not allow stability.

Ahead of that chaos awaits the world that the Alts want. This is what I believed.

◇ ◇ ◇

Approximately a month after the proclamation of the ban on the trade and possession of illegal slaves in the name of the Ruthuan Emperor Nicolai. Western part of the Ruthuan Empire Territory. It is an aristocratic territory situated close to the Union of Central Nations, with early disturbances.

"What right do you have to look into our house?

Those who suddenly pushed me against the mansion and said they would look inside. If we don't allow such imitation, the butler of this house is blocked at the entrance.

It's not just the butler. The knights serving this house were also stiffening the entrance as they murdered.

"I wonder what the right is, His Majesty's direct orders."

It was Ignaz who answered without any concern for the knights' killing. Ignaerts is not alone. It is accompanied by several soldiers.

"What?

When I heard of Emperor Nicolai's order, the butler surprised me.

"Haven't you heard about the illegal slave trade, the ban on possession? We are empowering His Majesty the Emperor to investigate those who violate it."

"No, but that decree arrived only a few days ago"

Being a butler, naturally I know. The decree just arrived a few days ago.

"I mean, it's arrived. I know His Majesty's orders, and it's a felony to disobey them. Let me look into it."

"That's why I'm saying it just arrived!

"That's why I'm saying. Because knowing and not following orders is the same as disobeying Your Majesty. Does that mean you're in such a hurry, there's something behind you?

"... that can't be"

Deacon denies it, but this is the one thing that can't be. The Ignats are pushing against this aristocratic family because they know they possess illegal slaves.

"Then let me look into it. If you don't find anything, I'll pull you up with it."

"But..."

If they say it is the order of Emperor Nicolai, they cannot refuse it either. Or, it's not good to be able to look inside the mansion.

Deacon was supposed to be on his way to see how good it was.

"I don't need to look into it!

"Your husband!

Seeing as uncontrollable in deacons, Count Stepan Ivarev, the lord, appeared. He is a magnificent man with a rich beard that covers half his face.

"Are you Uncle Ivarev?

Ignaerts, knowingly, asks Count Ivarev.

"Oh, yeah. What are you doing pushing me into people's mansions?

In response to Ignaz's inquiry, he showed Count Ivarev in an eagle attitude.

"By the life of His Majesty the Emperor, I will examine the Mansion"

Whatever attitude Count Ivarev comes in, what Ignaz does remains the same.

"So I'm saying that's useless"

"That's not how it works. Because it is our job, ordered by His Majesty, to control anyone who violates the ban on illegal slavery."

There are no illegal slaves in my mansion.

"We'll look into that before we judge."

I'm not willing to pull a step toward Ignaz. There's no reason to pull it off, so it's obvious.

"... look into it, and if you find nothing, how do you take responsibility? The sin of humiliating our home is never light, is it?

Count Ivarev has been using threats to see if he is willing to pull to Ignaz. Again, this doesn't make any sense to Ignaerts.

"Results are results. We only do what we are given in good faith."

"That kind of escape doesn't work. The Count Ivarev family has dedicated themselves to the Kingdom of Ruthua for generations. What you do is insult this loyalty. Don't think it's just gonna work, okay?

Count Iwalev, who is coming under more threat.

"... ok"

"Right. You finally get it?"

That can't be right.

"If you want to take responsibility, take it. So let me check the mansion."

"What? You don't spare your life, do you?

"That's not going to happen. Because this mansion has illegal slaves."

"... there's no such thing"

Count Ivanov's denial of the existence of illegal slavery was almost simultaneous with its appearance.

"There is a staircase leading to the basement in the back room. Illegal slaves are trapped underground."

A woman in black has told Ignaerts where the illegal slaves are. Those eyes are red and look radiant. It's one of the intelligence groups that Mito binds.

"... that you're a demon tribe?

Count Ivanov is surprised by the demon clan that suddenly appears. I didn't know who the Ignats were.

"Thank you. Well, the existence of illegal slavery has been confirmed. I mean, you're a criminal."

"... chi, wait a minute? Who the hell are you people? How come there's a demon clan?

"It's easy for you to understand, it's Northende."

"What? Why should the Northende guys have to look into our house?

As soon as I learned about the Ignats' qualities, a sentiment of contempt surfaced in Count Ivanov's face. Not only Nort Ende, but other countries belong to the Empire. I think I'm in a better position.

It's not a mistake. I just wasn't good with them.

"With the immediate nomination of His Majesty the Emperor. I mean, with my life."

"What's that? It's no use trying to discredit our home with no roots, no leaves, bullshit. Your Majesty will always believe in my innocence."

Count Ivanov decided to leave behind the existence of illegal slaves. If it is the words of those who belong to the kingdom and their own words, which are imperial nobility, they will undoubtedly be recognized.

"How about that?

"It's no use being strong. Give up and pull back."

"... you can back off and do it. But to do that, you have to have nothing in return, right?

"In return?

Count Ivanov is perplexed that Ignaz has suddenly demanded something in return. I know what I'm getting in return. But I don't know why you're asking me here.

"You know what I mean?

"... you suck, huh? I'm telling you, how's the mission going, but in the end, it's just a slack?

"I just thought it was better for you to hit your hand with gold. As much as I want you to thank me."

"A fool. You don't understand this story? Your Majesty doesn't trust the words of people like you. Whatever the facts are."

Count Ivanov, with a scornful grin, has told Ignatz. You don't seem to know if it's strange that you're being scorned yourself for trying to twist your sins.

Besides, Ignaerts also doesn't know that Nort Ende can't have such a raw negotiation.

"Exactly. It doesn't matter what the facts are. His Majesty the Emperor meant it. You're gonna regret seeing that wrong, aren't you?

"... what are you doing?

I see Ignaerts speaking with a confident grin, slightly anxious on Count Ivanov's chest.

"Do you know what it means to die cunning and boil a running dog?

"What's that?

"A hound that catches a shiitake ravioli also means that if the ravioli are not dead, it can be boiled and eaten without use"

"So what happened to that?

"This is a proverb from a long time ago that is passed down to the Demons. It means that if an enemy nation is destroyed, the ministers who have done so will no longer be needed."

"Hey, what?

Count Ivanov will do it. Now I know what Ignaz wants to say.

"How can people be greedy? You've got a vast territory and you can't allow it to belong to someone else"

"Oh, that's not true."

"How can people be cowardly? Even those who are now turning their hearts to loyalty will suspect that one day it will disappear and try to discredit itself. If the opponent is good, it's better."

"... it"

Count Ivanov is no longer able to argue with Ignaz's words. Count Ivanov did not know the proverb that Ignatz told him, but there are as many examples of loyalties and massive solemnization of subordinates in the history of the continent.

"If you defied your life, it wouldn't be strange to take it away. We're going to have more houses like that."

"Ho, His Majesty really is such a..."

"From what I've heard, it sounds like a heavy complex against my brother, doesn't it? He seemed to resent his subordinates for comparing himself to his brother."

…………

Talking about how it could be, Count Ivanov had no choice but to remain silent. If my brother, Prince Alexei, were alive. I also remember speaking of this dialogue to Count Ivanov.

"If you don't believe, you can appeal to His Majesty the Emperor that you are innocent. It's too late to find out."

No more push. Now we have no option of appealing to Count Ivanov to Emperor Nikolai.

"Duh, what do I do?

"Aren't we just going to have to be adult so that we don't even stand out? As we were sent here, you'd better think you're already on the lookout."

"But. Already..."

"So in return. All right? We didn't ask for anything in return just for private personal greed either. It's so pathetic, I'm going to make it work, but we take risks too."

"... right"

If you hide your sins, the Ignats are guilty of the same crime. This thought creates credibility for the Ignats to Count Ivanov. Don't even know you're the one you shouldn't trust the most.

"Illegal slaves naturally get freed. And on top of that, in return, there's a piece of gold per capita."

"... a piece of gold?

This is not the price when you buy illegal slaves. In return, Count Ivanov is distracted by how cheap he was prepared to be asked for considerable gold.

"I said it wasn't for personal gain. But that's not the only condition."

"... what?

Advice, Count Ivanov's feelings were tightened up again with Ignaerts making further demands.

"Ask them to sign the contract of sale"

"... what contract?

"A contract for the sale of illegal slaves. This makes us accomplices."

"... Hmm"

Following Ignaz's explanation, Count Ivanov is showing a slight distress. You will give the other person evidence of a crime. But at the same time, it can grip the weakness of the target. I was thinking about balancing interests.

"Just thinking is futile. Turn this down and this one will pick you up. You have no choice but to sign. If so, I think it would be better to have a friendly relationship with this one."

"... although it does"

Ignaerts is right, I know I can't say no. But somehow I don't like the situation that forces me to obey.

"Friendly relations will surely benefit you. In terms of intelligence capabilities, there's no organization on this continent comparable to ours, is there?

I want you to sign it if you can. If we can build a relationship well, we can not only give information, we can also get it.

"Right..."

"Did you get it? What the Empire Central is thinking will be more precious to you than anything else."

"Okay. Conditions drink."

Count Ivanov agreed to receive illegal slavery. This is the case in form, but its contents will be that we have agreed to enter into a cooperative relationship with Nortoende.

Count Ivanov still doesn't know what this really means. That such activities are also carried out everywhere in the home country of the Ruthua Empire.