Souen no historia

The imperial castle of [Topajo Country]. At its center is a small garden called the courtyard. It's much bigger than a garden in a normal household. It is only small compared to the size of the castle.

The courtyard has a stone building. There are also benches and tables, and it is also a place that Demon King Curier uses as a teahouse. Now sitting on the bench, two men were facing each other.

One is Barmunk, the butler who serves Justin, Yoyo's father. The other is Grouse, one of the five ministers who serve the Emperor.

The reason why this is happening is simple. Because Balmunk invited me to tea time. Balmunk invited Joyo to tea because they were having an important meeting, and Glows was out of hand.

But it was also Yoyo's command. Yoyo, fearing that the Five Ministries or something close to them would be involved in this coup, ordered Balmunk to confirm the sincerity of Glouce, the Five Ministries. It was closer to a plea than an order.

Um, this Balmunk tea is delicious.

"Well, that's an honor, Lord Glows. If you don't mind, please enjoy this too."

Balmung rents the castle's kitchen and presents his own ball-shaped confectionery. This is Castella, an adult confectionery with a modest sweetness and a little alcohol content.

"Hmm, this is also delicious. That's the butler."

"No, thank you very much if you like it."

Grouse puts Castella in his mouth and moisturizes his throat with tea, releasing raw, warm breath happily. And slowly he put the tea on the table, and opened his mouth in the gentle air.

"Now, Lord Balmunk, may I... interpret that as something you want to ask me?

"Well, what do you mean? I just wanted to have a cup of tea with the brave and famous Miren.

"Ha ha, please joke. A samurai like you won't be alone with a stranger just to talk. Apparently, people are paying for it."

Glows glanced at his surroundings whilst spitting out his words.

(... that's the "Five Ministers". I don't know if you already know what this means.)

I did ask Jumbo, a neighbor of Norwegian, to leave me alone, rather than the Mansion.

Sensitively aware that he was paying, Glouce was asking Balmunk for his true intentions.

"Yes, I wanted to ask Mr Grouse a few questions, so I made time for him."

"Let's hear it."

Apparently this opponent is old age. Balmunk realizes that exploring a half-life belly is ineffective.

"Now let me ask you a straightforward question. What does Lord Grouse think of the world today?

"Is this the world now...?

"Yes"

Balmunk looks him straight in the eye and creates an atmosphere where he can't tell lies.

"What does that mean? I wonder if Lord Balmung is dissatisfied with the emperor's reign?

Tight tension stretches the air. If you say words here that are hostile to the Emperor, you will not hesitate to pull out the sword you carry on your waist.

(Hostility without thinking about the Emperor... but there is also the possibility of acting.)

Balmunk said after containing a sip of tea without smiling.

"I am not dissatisfied with this world. Just this coup. Current situation because at least there are dissatisfied people in the world. In other words, the Emperor is not perfect either."

…………

"But it's only natural if you're human. There is no perfect human being in this world."

I'm sure.

"Therefore, the emperor's reign also has drawbacks. And if you have been with such an emperor for a long time, you are only foolishly aware of its shortcomings. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

As Balmunk quietly lowers his head, the intimidation he was experiencing from Grouse subsides.

"I see. No, you're being rude. I'm sorry, but I don't want to talk about one thing, even if it's flawed."

That would be natural. I don't suppose it would be easier to disparage the Emperor than to serve him. If the "Five Ministers" say that there is such a defect, then their loyalty is doubtful.

(Would you like to get caught...?)

If he were to speak to others of the emperor's faults, he could have questioned his loyalty, but he showed remarkable loyalty. I can't tell if he's still acting or not, but at least his attitude belongs to the Emperor.

"So, Lord Grouse doesn't complain at all?

"I am happy to serve the Emperor. It is my duty as the sword of the Emperor to protect his world."

"... may I talk about assumptions from here?

"Assuming? Well, that sounds interesting."

His calm eyes change to sharp ones. You may be alert to Balmunk's words and wary of dealing with the Emperor immediately if he is insulted.

"It is clear that this coup, the [Country of Luvino], stands on its side. However, the opponent is the ruler of the world and is considered to exist as God. Don't you think that trying to defeat such an existence has a fair chance of winning?

"... maybe."

"Then how about the odds of winning... I think so. Maybe other countries are also under the umbrella of [Ruvino Country]."

"... as a result of my investigation, I don't think there are any such facts?

"The survey is not perfect. I am a person who thinks big things such as the emperor's crusade. Can't you just scratch the investigative net and deny the possibility of hiding more power?

"Hmm... there's definitely a reason for that."

"What would you say if most countries in the world were moving toward emperor crusade?

"... that's the hypothesis, right?

"Yes"

Glows puts his hand on his chin and thinks with a sinister expression. After a while of silence, he speaks.

"Even if countries that do not feel comfortable with the reign of the Emperor are united to invade the [Oogon Continent], we will protect the Emperor."

"..." Disarmament "will certainly be excellent. However, numbers are called strength. Not only the Golden Bandit, but many countries would be unable to defend themselves against rebellion?

"Still."

……

"Still, with my life at stake... only the Emperor will survive. That's what I owe him."

The tone has changed so far. From his words and appearance, I was ready for them. Unexpectedly, Balmunk also felt an eye-catching temper.

Balmunk stood up and bowed his head politely.

"I apologize for all the rudeness."

"... no, I'm starting to get a little hot, too. Excuse me, but this is it."

Grouse also stood up and walked away, but immediately stopped his feet and said without looking back.

"Lord Balmunk, let me add one more thing."

……

"Earlier, I told you that any country would survive the invasion of the Oogon continent."

"Yes"

"But that's what you can say in everything."

"... what?

I couldn't understand exactly what Grouse was saying. But he keeps going.

"Everything... no matter what the opponent is, the Emperor will be protected by me."

And he said, "Excuse me," and left the scene. Hearing his words, Balmunk felt his shoulders fall.

(Apparently, Yoyo himself thinks there may be a traitor in the Five Ministers.)

Otherwise, the previous words are impossible. If you have great trust in the same "Five Ministers", it should be a word that won't come out.

But the fact that he took the trouble to stop and advise meant that he also took the possibility into account. But there's only one thing I've learned from my conversation with him.

His loyalty to the Emperor seems to be real.

Yoyo told me to make sure, but apparently he was a Balmunk who recognized that he was likely not involved in the coup.