I heard that some morons started trouble while Ciel was registering as a Hunter at the Hunter’s Guild and Seras was going through the Wing Crest joining procedures. I was a little surprised to hear that Eisen, an Ancient Dwarf from Lily Wish, and Urufy’s Volf intervened to mediate.
I thought Lily Wish should be on a healing pilgrimage in Amistad with Sayuri, so I wondered why the two of them were there. Apparently, they had recently gotten married, and it seemed they were being considerate towards us.
However, both of them had also heard rumors about the Krater Labyrinth and asked me what kind of labyrinth it was. I was quite surprised when I told them the details, even though it was only up to the fourth floor.
Despite that incident, when we returned to Amagi Castle, we were asked to help prepare for a meeting. It was just a brief meeting with Emperor Reinhardt, Hilde, and the others. Emperor Reinhardt found out that Hilde had evolved into an Ancient Vampire and insisted on being taken to the Krater Labyrinth, which was quite difficult to stop. Oh, Hilde also came to Alka in the evening, so we’ve been acting together. At that time, Princess Brynhild, Vize, the next Grand Saber Master, several Royal Sabers including Albert as guards, and even the Grand Butler Master and several Butlers wanted to come along, so we readily agreed and brought them to Alka. Last night, they stayed in the west guest house, Komine-dono. Butler Mirei, of course, accompanied Hilde, and they were very excited about the Butler’s Wear specifically for the Wing Crest. That night, Hilde also came to the master bedroom, and things got quite complicated.
Then, after lunch, the meeting finally began in the Main Conference Room at Amagi Castle. The participants were us from the Wing Crest, Emperor Reinhardt, H.R.H. Elis, H.R.H. Maruca, His Majesty the acting king Iver, Prime Minister Laina, Grand Order’s Master Tolman, Associate Order’s Master Dianthus, the next Grand Order’s Master Rex and his five Ancient Order members, Hilde, Princess Brynhild, Vize and ten other Sabers, and the Grand Masters of each Guild. Furthermore, to support the reconstruction efforts in Libertà, Grand Duke Liar of Lichtenfels, Representative Uls of Denebulate, and two other representatives are participating. Ciel is also in the conference room as Emperor Reinhardt’s fiancée, and Seras is participating as a member of the Wing Crest.
“I would like to begin the meeting, but before that, there is something I wish to convey. Actually, there has been a sudden request from someone wishing to participate in this meeting. I intend to allow them to participate, but I would like to hear everyone’s opinions first.”
“I have no objections.”
Hilde agreed without hesitation, but we had also heard that one more person would be joining the meeting suddenly. We weren’t told who it was, but Emperor Reinhardt said it was an important person who could influence the course of the meeting, so we felt we shouldn’t object.
“Indeed. This meeting is not only to decide on the governance of Solemn, but also to determine the reconstruction support for Libertà. Could it be that the representative from the suspended city has been found?”
“No, unfortunately not a representative. The one who wishes to participate is the Beast King of Valiente, Gumnos.”
“Huh? W-wait a minute. Why does the Beast King of Valiente want to participate in this meeting?”
“Actually, I’ve been approached for a direct discussion for some time now. I have already received the Beast King’s thoughts in writing, but the matter is too significant for me to handle alone.”
“Too significant, big brother?”
“Yes. The issue extends beyond just Amistad, Torencia, and Libertà.”
I understand there might be talk about reconstruction support for Valiente, but is it that serious?
“It’s not about the reconstruction support for the city destroyed by the Steam Battleship, is it? Of course, that topic will come up, but I don’t think it’s just that.”
“And it doesn’t seem like they’re going to help reconstruct Libertà either. They wouldn’t meddle in Solemn’s governance, but I have no idea why they’re in Amistad at this timing.”
Grand Duke Liar and Representative Uls are both bewildered by the sudden visit of the Beast King of Gumnos. It must be a very serious matter for a king of a nation to suddenly come and want to participate in a meeting.
“…I don’t mind either.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s true that Gumnos ordered my father’s execution, but he was in a situation where he had no choice but to execute him. It would be a lie to say I don’t resent it, but I no longer see him as my enemy.”
The Beast King of Gumnos had, to some extent, executed Duke Ternal Hydransia, Prim’s father, by using unavoidable circumstances. As a king, he had to make that decision, so it couldn’t be helped, but that doesn’t mean everything can be easily dismissed. It also makes things complicated for Prim that she heard from her cousin, Viscountess Neige Ovest, that Duke Ternal and the Beast King of Gumnos, though political rivals, were also acquainted.
“Your Majesty, for confirmation, Valiente is not going to interfere with Solemn’s governance, is it?”
“No. However, Representative Gustav, do not forget that you also have no right to interfere.”
“…”
Gustav Formalhaut, the representative who asked Emperor Reinhardt for final confirmation, is a human representative who governs Formalhaut, a suspended city located south of Estrela, the capital of Libertà. The troublesome part is that Representative Gustav is also a supporter of self-interest and is apparently one of the representatives who betrayed Libertà and colluded with Solemn. He seemed to have been profiting greatly from Solemn in the past, and now that the Imperial Royal Family is gone, it would be a new market, so he apparently expressed his desire to participate in the governance. However, Libertà was barely saved from ruin with the help of the Amistad and Torencia Allied Forces. Therefore, he should not have the right to speak, let alone participate in the conference. The reason he is here is because the reconstruction support for Libertà is also on the agenda, and only Representative Uls, Representative Gustav, Grand Duke Liar, and one other person were able to act immediately among the surviving Libertà parliamentary members. Otherwise, he would never have been invited, nor even considered.
“Then I will summon him here.”
As Emperor Reinhardt gave the order, one of the Royal Order members standing guard left the Main Conference Room. Perhaps to summon the Beast King of Gumnos.
“Still, why is he requesting participation at this timing?”
“After we captured Deseo, we returned to Float and informed each country of the results, didn’t we? His reply stated that he also had something he wanted to convey and wished for a meeting.”
Come to think of it, the day after Deseo was captured, Emperor Reinhardt went to Float and Hilde returned to Bestia to report. He also sent letters to Valentia, Alegria, and Valiente at that time. Since Estrela in Libertà had fallen, they apparently informed Lichtenfels first.
“The thing he wants to convey isn’t about reconstruction support for Valiente, is it?”
“It’s not that we can’t support them, but the main issue is something else. However, I’m struggling to decide on my own, so I’d like to borrow the knowledge of Yamato and Mako.”
“My knowledge and Yamato’s? Ah, because we are guests?”
No, no, why because we are guests? And if that’s the case, why isn’t Sayuri participating? Well, Sayuri is probably on a healer’s pilgrimage to some town or village in Amistad right now, so we can’t consult her.
“That’s right. I heard a little from my great-grandmother. So I want to borrow the wisdom of our guests.”
However, this is something the Beast King actually said, so Emperor Reinhardt is still keeping silent about its content.
“So then, Your Majesty, do you have a proposal from the Beast King? Even if you do, are you going to accept it?”
“Frankly, I don’t want to accept it, but I think I have no choice but to do so. However, that matter alone won’t be resolved.”
Seriously, what on earth is going on? And even if I’m a guest, I was just a high school student. I had no interest in politics, so I don’t think I can be of any help.
“Pardon me. Beast King of Valiente, His Majesty Gumnos, has arrived.”
As I was feeling conflicted, it seemed the Royal Order had arrived with the Beast King of Gumnos.
“Understood. Please guide him in.”
“Yes! Please, come in.”
“Ah, my apologies.”
The Royal Order stepped aside, and a Tigari man with a sturdy build, about 190 cm tall, entered. This must be the Beast King Gymnos Basilious Valiente.
“I apologize for my sudden and unannounced visit, and I thank you for allowing me to participate in this important meeting that will determine the future of the Philia Continent.”
He offers polite apologies and thanks, but as expected of a king of a nation, I feel a presence about him, a kind of charisma. Is it called dignity?
“Beast King Gumnos, I apologize for the abruptness, but could you please state the reason for your participation?”
“Indeed. Whether my proposal is accepted or rejected, that is where we should begin.”
A murmur went through the conference room. Only Emperor Reinhardt and the Beast King of Gumnos seem to understand each other, but this meeting is not only about the governance of Solemn, but also about deciding on reconstruction support for Libertà. So why is Valiente’s proposal being prioritized?
“Your doubts are understandable, of course. However, as the Beast King Gumnos says, the future course of discussion depends on whether his proposal is accepted or not. Personally, I believe I have no choice but to accept it, but I have no intention of disregarding everyone’s opinions.”
“Hmm… Somehow, I think I have an idea of what His Majesty Gumnos’ proposal is.”
Only Grand Duke Liar could guess the content of the Beast King Gumnos’ proposal. No, Mako also looks surprised, so she seems to have guessed it too.
“No way… But… if that’s the case, it will indeed influence the future of the Philia Continent.”
“Not only Grand Duke Liar, but the Ancient Human over there has also noticed. As expected.”
“I am honored by your praise. However, Your Majesty, the discussion cannot proceed unless you state it out loud?”
Grand Duke Liar and the Beast King Gumnos laugh lightly. It truly feels like the world of politics, and I feel extremely uncomfortable.
“You are right. Then I shall state it. I believe that now that the Solemn Empire has fallen, the threats are only the Retysentia Empire to the North, and the Abyssal Divine Nation in the Gradia Continent far to the East. Retysentia will eventually fall, but its territory will be managed by Amistad.”
It feels like the topic is jumping around, but it’s true that with Solemn fallen, the clear enemy nations are Retysentia and Abyssal. There might be military conflict with Retysentia in the spring, but Emperor Reinhardt does not intend to destroy the Imperial Royal Family. He intends to destroy them eventually, but for now, he is short-handed with reconstruction efforts and governing new territories. If he were to destroy Retysentia as well, it would lead to a severe labor shortage.
“Therefore, now is the time to unite the Philia Continent as one nation. Hence, I believe that the land of Valiente and the throne should be returned to the King of Amistad.”
Wha—?! Returning Valiente to Amistad means restoring all of Valiente? Prim said the same thing, but I never expected the Beast King to say it directly…
