The Demonplay festival is, in a word, a magic prowess competition between the various nations.
Appointed by their respective kings, mages showcase their power, serving as one of the many metrics by which the strength of each nation is inferred.
After all, a highly skilled mage can significantly boost a nation’s power.
However, there is no rule stipulating that a nation must field a powerful mage.
If one is willing to endure the disadvantage in negotiations that comes from being underestimated, they can hold back. Conversely, achieving good results does not necessarily mean a nation’s power will be recognized as high.
The so-called “Continental Triumvirate” are Lucas of Filat, Philip of Ranleo, and Hemrooth of Seraeno, but this does not mean their respective nations are among the top three.
If we are to speak of the top three powers, they would likely be Filat, Hordia, and Ranleo.
These nations are not only adjacent to each other but also have other bordering countries, making it difficult to concentrate military power and strike down any single one.
The recent reckless expedition by Hordia is increasingly viewed as stemming from the impatience of being unable to easily upset the balance of power.
Meanwhile, Marius was on his way to Bolton, the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Boltner, the host of the Demonplay festival, along with the Royal Family’s entourage, Lucas, a large number of guards, and maids.
It takes about ten days by carriage from Filatos to Bolton, the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Boltner.
The straight-line distance is shorter, but the Shalom Mountains, known as the “Continental Pinnacle of Peril,” stand between the two nations.
It is a harsh region, so much so that it is said only those with flight capabilities can survive, and those wishing to travel between the two countries typically pass through Ranleo.
They would be staying overnight in Ranleo today.
As this was an official event, it was necessary to showcase national strength to other countries, so unlike the time they were attacked by a Wyvern, they could not travel with “the minimum necessary number” of people.
Incidentally, the highest-ranking guard was the former Grand General, Granfeldt.
Marius and Lucas shared a room with two escort knights.
Although this was for security reasons, Marius intended to protect the three of them himself.
“Still, only two participants this time.”
When notification came from the Boltner side, everyone had been unable to hide their surprise, which had sparked a question in Marius’s mind.
“Could it be my fault? Being placed alongside Lord Lucas for comparison?”
“Likely. While the competition content is determined by lot, it’s normal for the host nation’s intentions to carry some weight.”
Lucas stated that this time, each nation would have two participants, and there would be three events. Logically, this should be advantageous for the host nation, Boltner.
“We are on friendly terms with their country, so there’s no need for us to worry.”
“Is that so? When power dynamics shift, does their attitude change? Isn’t that not uncommon between nations?”
Lucas and the knights offered somewhat wry smiles at Marius’s question.
“Perhaps, if a formerly weak nation becomes strong. But our nation has always been several levels stronger than Boltner.”
He added, “It might be counterproductive to push too far.”
To discuss such extreme measures at this juncture, Marius wondered if he was being indirectly told not to overdo it.
Should he keep silent about being instigated by Lovisa?
He hesitated, but in the end, Marius said nothing.
He still didn’t know how much power he could exert.
Two beast-kin maids were assigned to assist Marius and Lucas.
One of them was a girl with black hair whom he had seen a few times in the Royal Palace.
“My name is Aina. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
When they exchanged greetings for the first time, Marius smiled kindly at the girl who bowed her head somewhat timidly.
“You don’t need to be so stiff; I’m a kind person.”
“N-no. If so much as a mistake is made regarding a Royal Court Magician, then my entire family would lose their heads, is what Helka-san said…”
(Hell-ka!)
He almost cried out, but managed to hold it in.
After finally making his presence known after a long time, what on earth had she told Aina?
Now, Aina and another girl, Remika, who had red hair, had become quite friendly. Seeing this, Lucas remarked,
“Lord Marius, you’re surprisingly good with women.”
This was a moment of peculiar admiration.
Sensing Lucas’s envious aura, Marius chose to respond with a smug grin rather than an excuse, resulting in Lucas looking frustrated.
Currently, the two maids were brewing tea for four, including the escorts.
One of Ranleo’s specialties is lemons, and the lemon tea made from them is said to be exquisite, according to the common wisdom of Taliant.
Marius confirmed with his own tongue that this was neither a falsehood nor an exaggeration.
“Delicious.”
Marius and Lucas’s voices overlapped.
Aina beamed, seeing this. She was the one who had brewed the lemon tea for the two of them.
“I’m glad. It seems I was able to make it as Emma-san taught me.”
“Are you close with Lord Emma and Lord Helka?”
Marius, of course, was the one who asked this question.
“Y-yes. Remika and I were mentored by Helka-san and Emma-san when we were apprentices…”
Marius found it hard to imagine Helka, let alone Emma, looking after junior apprentices, but he stopped himself from voicing it.
“Here are scones, please try them.”
Remika said, offering one of the items she had brought out.
Remika, being a food enthusiast, made various jams and creams to go with her scones. Today’s jam was strawberry.
“Mmm, delicious.”
Marius and Lucas smacked their lips in appreciation, and also offered them to the maids.
The maids accepted the offer, their lips curving slightly in satisfaction that their work had met with approval.
The escort knights, meanwhile, were standing guard outside the room.
Unfortunately, their status and rank were lower than that of the maids, and even though Marius and Lucas enjoyed their tea, and the maids were allowed to partake, the escorts were not included.
“As expected of a Fruit Kingdom, you have excellent ingredients.”
Remika said. The Fruit Kingdom is, of course, another name for Ranleo.
While its specialty is lemons, other fruits from Ranleo are also quite famous.
(For that matter, it might be inferior to what Emma-san has…)
However, Marius mused that more skilled individuals tended to be assigned to people of higher status, so comparing them to Emma might be unfair.
Though, he couldn’t imagine anyone more skilled than Emma.
Besides, he felt they were superior to Helka.
When he said this, praising them, the two maids widened their eyes and thanked Marius.
“To be considered more skilled than Helka-san yourself…”
“Th-thank you very much.”
Regardless of Marius’s internal assessment, they seemed to view him as a skilled senior.
During this time, Lucas remained silent, quietly sipping his tea.
It was as if he were observing the exchange between Marius and the maids.
The maids also seemed somewhat reserved towards Lucas.
Sensing the atmosphere, Marius still decided to bring up a topic with Lucas.
“I heard that Ranleo is a major power, third only to Filat and Hordia. What kind of country is it?”
Marius was hoping for information about the kind of people who would come to the Demonplay festival.
Lucas hesitated for a moment, but then decided there was no reason to hide it and replied,
“It is a country that has harbored hostility towards our nation since its founding.”
Marius learned for the first time that they would be overthrown if they lost to Filat. This was also one of the major reasons why they could not recklessly go to war with Hordia.
“If we had your full cooperation, Lord Marius, we would not lose fighting Hordia and Ranleo simultaneously.”
However, it would be foolish to deliberately engage multiple nations at once.
The country was already suffering damage as it was.
“The fruits are delicious, but as Filat citizens, they are an uninteresting opponent.”
Remika scowled. Marius imagined that since even she, who spoke with a smile about countries that create delicious things, held such a negative view, Ranleo must harbor considerable rivalry.
“The actual damage is almost nonexistent, but it’s annoying how Ranleo is advertised as superior to Filat in every way…”
Aina replied, looking somewhat troubled. High-ranking nobles with strong pride despised Ranleo even more than Hordia, which had become hostile.
Lucas revealed some of the information he knew. According to intelligence from the espionage department, Ranleo had succeeded in subjugating a Wyvern and was boasting, “Marius is nothing to fear.”
“However, several of our elite forces died,” he added with a wry smile, and Lucas, hearing this, also offered a wry smile, remarking, “As usual.”
When Marius was informed of this, he widened his eyes and his mouth formed a large circle.
“Eh…? I… I truly don’t understand what you’re saying.”
He couldn’t grasp their thought process – that a Wyvern was defeated with the deaths of several elite soldiers, yet he himself was not to be feared. He didn’t necessarily want to be feared, but he felt a disconnect.
“That’s how it is. In short, Ranleo is a nation that hostilely regards us. At this time, thanks to that unspoken agreement, we can pass through without incident. However, it is necessary to display our national power at gatherings like this to keep Ranleo in check.”
Aina and Remika also nodded with mild displeasure. Like Marius, the three of them could not comprehend Ranleo’s mindset. Domestically, the overwhelming view was that if a full-scale war broke out with Hordia, Ranleo would joyfully intervene. Lucas believed that even with Marius’s full cooperation, fighting Hordia and Ranleo simultaneously would only be a draw. Marius’s firepower was unprecedented, but he still required travel time. The borders, including Balderra Fortress, had been thoroughly patrolled, so defense would not be a problem…
“Could it be that Hordia was anticipating this as well?”
Lucas immediately nodded at Marius’s question.
“While it is a matter of hindsight, I believe it was not just a reckless act but a kind of cunning madness with several reasons behind it.”
Their actions, which seemed aimed at sealing the power of “Moon Goddess’s Tears,” could be predicted. These were truly infuriating adversaries for Marius. Hordia’s enemies had good reason to provoke him. Defending against Ranleo while attacking Hordia would be difficult even for Marius due to the distance.
(Perhaps the best course of action is to show them what I’m capable of at the Demonplay festival.)
If Boltner remained favorable to Filat, they would likely prepare an environment where Marius could display his power while ensuring the competition itself was advantageous to their nation. Even if Hordia had intelligent individuals, they wouldn’t have grasped Marius’s full power.
(Unless they have some kind of Sage’s bonus, that’s another story.)
High-level jobs often came with bonus skills, and since this wasn’t a game world, some might possess them from birth. Marius suspected Emma likely had one. However, he didn’t believe the people of Hordia possessed such abilities. If they did, they wouldn’t be acting in a way that everyone described as “reckless” or “insane.”
The demons, too, were a force whose motives were difficult to fathom.
(What are they doing now?)
Marius wondered inwardly. Logically, a situation like this would be an opportune moment for an attack. The kings and main forces of each nation would be gathered, and they would be away from their countries for over half a month. Attacking either would undoubtedly throw the human nations into chaos. Since the festival had never been interrupted since its first iteration, it was unlikely an attack would occur during this period, which, paradoxically, was strange. If they had some other scheme, Marius might need to capture a demon or use Psychometry on a corpse.
(Working for one’s country is tough, isn’t it?)
Marius thought this with deep reflection as he watched the maids, who had finished their tea, head to the room to deliver the leftover scones to the guards.
