Is this the first time I’ve met a king in a fantasy world?
While I don’t have time to leisurely enjoy myself being slowly rocked, I won’t be teleporting directly to the destination.
I moved by teleportation magic to a location far from the destination to set up a base, and from there, I traveled by carriage.
Honestly, it would be faster to go all at once with Flying Magic, but I can’t let my guard down and need to act accordingly to avoid intimidating the enemy.
I’ve heard that haste makes waste, but with such a lack of time, and with the passage of time meaning the end of the world, maintaining composure truly requires mental fortitude.
That’s why, while leisurely glancing at documents like this, I could think that this is my first time encountering a king from another world.
I might have met someone who seemed like royalty before, but they haven’t left much of an impression or memory.
The President doesn’t count because he’s the president.
“I can’t help but feel he’s a realist king,”
After finishing the documents and getting a general sense of his personality, I could only say that to the President sitting across from me.
“He’s more of a meritocrat than a realist. With loyalty and competence, faith and bloodline don’t matter. He continues to appoint talented individuals and eliminates those who are merely old. Because of that, his country is constantly in turmoil, yet he manages to keep it together. Even from my perspective, he’s a remarkably capable individual.”
His background is incredible.
He emerged during the previous king’s reign.
Originally, his status among the royal family wasn’t that high, and he was eighth in line for succession.
At the time, there was a Crown Prince who was close to ascending the throne.
In collaboration with the current prime minister, he carried out successive purges, seized control of the royal family, and ruled as a great power.
At the young age of eighteen, he culled corrupt nobles, leaving only capable individuals to unify the country. His skill and decisiveness made him seem destined to be king.
“Will someone like that honestly listen to us… No, if he’s a realist, profit comes second. Without breaking through the current situation, there is no future.”
“That’s right. The only possibility is that we won’t be able to have a discussion. The problem lies in how far we can compromise and cooperate with each other.”
The king, even in the President’s eyes, is a remarkable figure.
While there isn’t much wariness, it’s clear that the focus of this discussion will be whether we can find common ground.
“…It’s almost time.”
“They probably sense that we’re coming.”
I may be about to witness a historic moment.
For a long time, demons have been depicted as enemies of humanity, to the point where the immediate response was to kill them on sight.
That relationship is about to change.
The guards’ guards slowly reducing their speed indicates that we’ve approached the encampment site.
We, who can sense magical energy, can tell that an immense number of people are gathered in one direction.
Their numbers might not reach tens of thousands, but it’s still a considerable force.
In contrast, we are a small contingent of less than a thousand.
The difference in military strength is tenfold.
However, we have the Demon Lord, our ultimate fighting force.
With the other generals engaged on the front lines or guarding the country, I’m inexplicably the only newly appointed general left by his side.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Yes, I’ll disembark first and stand guard.”
“Please do.”
Things I’m not used to constantly plague me, but before I can say I can’t do something, I think about how I can achieve it.
That way, I naturally know what actions to take.
Today is no different.
I was only briefly taught how to interact with a foreign king in a manners class.
There’s no practical experience for it.
However, the day to put it into practice without training has come.
Leaving the President in the carriage, I disembarked at the encampment site and had the subordinates set up tents while giving instructions.
I dispatched a reconnaissance unit to secure the surroundings.
That doesn’t mean it’s over.
I continued to walk forward and looked out at the expanding plain ahead.
“Is that it?”
An army, lined up in formation, bearing the flag of the Empire: a banner with two-headed crimson lions.
Unlike the haphazard armies I’ve fought before, they exude an aura of elite strength.
“If our instructor were here, he might want to fight, wouldn’t he?”
“I won’t say anything.”
“That’s a dull joke. My apologies for taking up your time. Prepare the envoys, raise our flag, and wait in the center between both armies to summon their envoy.”
“Understood!!”
There are no fools who would underestimate us just because our forces are few.
This is proof of the army’s strict discipline.
I folded my arms and watched their army, when movement came from their side.
“…Seriously?”
And seeing that movement from a distance, I couldn’t help but smile.
From how he looked, he was undeniably a king.
A man of that appearance, mounted on a horse, emerged from the army.
He has guards on either side, but that’s hardly enough to ensure his safety.
To the right rear of the king, a girl in armor is mounted on a white horse.
Judging by her appearance, is she an elf?
It’s the first time I’ve seen one.
“You’re quite eager. I didn’t expect you to come before we even summoned you.”
I don’t seem to have time to observe the girl’s appearance.
“Remain alert. I’ll go see the Demon Lord.”
I understood that they wanted to set up a meeting urgently.
We also want to resolve this before any unnecessary interference.
Although I doubt it, there are plenty of people who would want to sabotage this meeting and pit the Empire against the Demon Lord’s Army.
If that’s the case, I’ll have to ask our Commander-in-Chief to get involved. Looking back.
“It seems there’s no need to go calling for him.”
The President had already disembarked from the carriage and was mounting his horse.
Since their king has appeared, I suppose we have to do the same.
“Prepare the guards and my horse, please.”
“Yes!”
In that case, all we have to do is appear to match them.
I’ve barely ridden horses, but I can manage something using my physical abilities.
If necessary, I can just jump off the horse and put on a show.
“Now, Human King. Please provide protection.”
“Understood.”
Whether the Demon Lord needs protection is up for debate, but we can’t just let the King go alone.
The Royal Guard soldiers in their magnificent armor, myself, and the President.
We sent an equal number to match theirs, and our horses slowly advanced.
The kings of both nations met on the vast plain.
Despite sensing our magical power, they remained unfazed.
The soldiers are tense but relaxed appropriately.
Good soldiers.
However, I thought Himusumi would be here, but I sense no presence. Is he not here?
Or is he waiting somewhere?
There is no one to be wary of.
As I advanced with this unease, I could gradually see the details of the opponent’s face.
He has a stubborn-looking face.
A stern appearance that seems capable of stopping an attack with just his facial muscles.
With the bearing of a king, he looks straight at the President.
His gaze pierces through me, with an intensity that could stab with a spear.
In contrast, the President’s usual cheerful demeanor has subsided, and he emanates a sharp, resolute aura, like a drawn sword.
As a bodyguard, I’m half a horse length ahead, so I can’t see his expression, but it’s an atmosphere I don’t usually feel.
Though I said “slowly,” the horses continued to advance moment by moment.
And finally, the kings of the two nations met.
“I am Ruziana Hanzibal, King of the Hanzibal Empire.”
“I am Insigne Runallos, the Demon Lord of the Demon Lord’s Army.”
Although we were separated by our guards, our voices carried to each other.
This is an achievement that can be called a feat in history.
The kings’ self-introductions.
The tension lasted only a moment; after introducing themselves, they looked at each other.
“Your Majesty!?”
“Demon Lord-sama!?”
They both dismounted their horses in silence.
Their guards panicked as their respective kings, at a crucial moment, threw away their means of escape and stepped forward, but there’s no way these two would be stopped by such a trifling disturbance.
Sensing their intentions, I sighed inwardly and also dismounted.
Then, I had the Royal Guard soldiers step back, and I took a step forward, positioning myself diagonally behind the President.
The other side, in response, had one guard step forward and position himself behind their king.
We closed the distance further, from shouting range, to a distance where we could literally punch each other.
As everyone watched tensely, wondering what would happen next.
They both suddenly sat down on the ground simultaneously.
“Huh?” A sense of confusion, as no one understood what had happened, permeated the air. I could empathize with that feeling.
Do these two have any self-awareness of being kings?
“Well, time is precious. Shall we begin our discussion?”
“Indeed. It’s rational.”
Who would have thought that this unprecedented historical achievement would begin on a plain with them sitting cross-legged, as if taking a break?
Frankly, I expected a negotiation between the king of a great power and the Demon Lord to start with a much more solemn atmosphere.
Then, I suddenly wondered if the opponent was alright, and looking at his face, he seemed very confused.
He should be wary of me, but our king has initiated the meeting in such a peculiar way, and he’s struggling to figure out what to do.
I can totally understand how he feels.
I somehow knew this knight was going to have a tough time.
“Now, let me state our side’s demands. First and foremost, a ceasefire agreement. This is the fundamental prerequisite.”
“Understandable. We also wish for that.”
Their subordinate’s intentions are being completely ignored as the conversation proceeds as if it were casual gossip.
“Wait, is this okay?” This is a discussion between nations, one that will decide the fate of the world.
This isn’t the kind of conversation to be had sitting cross-legged in the middle of a plain.
“What’s the duration of the ceasefire?”
“Ten years.”
Furthermore, such a straightforward negotiation is unusual.
Normally, in these situations, I’d expect them to be more guarded with their words to secure their own interests, but both kings are proceeding as if that would be a waste of time.
“That’s fine with me. Should we agree to non-aggression during that period? Or perhaps peace negotiations?”
“Considering the future, whether we achieve peace or not, a venue for discussion will be necessary. But that’s after this war ends. There are likely many annoying crows at our feet.”
“That’s right. We’ll need time to silence them.”
A ceasefire between the Demon Lord’s Army and the Empire was decided so easily.
Does war really end this easily?
At least, that’s not my impression. I thought there would be more of a messy clash of emotions.
“Then, let’s sign the ceasefire agreement.”
“Ah.”
Is it really okay to sign it so easily?
The contract, infused with magical power, that the President had prepared.
And the opposing king also produced a contract from his pocket.
“Let’s keep the content straightforward.”
“A ten-year ceasefire agreement. We’ll agree to not advance into the territories occupied today, correct?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
They both wrote their names on the contracts and exchanged them.
The two kings reviewed them.
“In the name of the Demon Lord, Insigne Runallos.”
“In the name of the King of the Empire, Ruziana Hanzibal.”
Casuallly, they each bit their fingers, letting blood drip onto the contracts as a blood seal.
“Well, the ceasefire has been agreed upon. From here, we’ll have to start by silencing those noisy gods.”
“Indeed. Do you have a plan?”
“If I say I have one, then I do. He’s the key.”
There’s no time to be moved by the historical achievement.
After witnessing the hastily concluded mediation, the spotlight now turns to me.
Huh? I wasn’t informed of anything like this?
Today’s Word:
It’s painful not to be able to teach what one doesn’t know.
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