Chapter 201
(Kyle Calendar Year 511: Age 18)
The Unexpected Invitation
Translator : PolterGlast
Summer came, and soon
I would be graduating from the academy. When I think about it, it feels like
the days have passed in the blink of an eye since the conscription order first arrived.
On this day, I was
scheduled to meet the "old fox" (Headmaster) at the academy, together
with my brother who had unusually come to the Royal Capital on business.
"Takuhir, sorry.
It's the same every time, but meeting the old fox to ask a favor is a bit heavy
on the mind."
"Fufufu, is that
so? When you first introduced me to the Headmaster three years ago, you seemed
to be handling it with such ease, and I was always envious. Well, it's the same
for me, I'm still not good with him. That's why this time, I've asked the
'strongest shield' to accompany us..."
"Oh my! The
'strongest shield'—that's terrible..."
"Ah, sorry,
Yuka-san! Not a shield, the 'ultimate weapon for repelling old foxes'..."
"..."
"Takuhir, that's
not helping!"
My brother whispered
this and nudged me. Sheesh... what am I supposed to say, then?
In reality, in front
of Yuka-san, the Headmaster becomes just like a doting old grandfather and is
incredibly soft on her. So, unless I was specifically told to come alone, I
always brought her with me when I met the old fox. For me, it was just the
usual routine, so I hadn't thought too deeply about it...
After walking for a
short while, the three of us stepped into the Headmaster's office. He was now
concurrently serving in another post, following the resignation of the
Restorationist faction, in addition to his duties as Headmaster. A complete
change from before, he seemed reasonably busy every day.
"Oh? For you two
brothers to come together, you must be plotting something."
The Headmaster said
this as his opening remark, and laughed.
"Your Excellency,
it has been some time. Congratulations on your appointment as Foreign
Minister."
"I am graduating
soon, so I have come to pay my respects for all you have done for me. I thought
you must be busy, so I took the opportunity to accompany my brother on his
visit."
"Your Excellency,
it seems I have been brought here today as a 'shield' for those who wish to ask
something of you."
"!!!"
The blood drained from
my brother's and my face. This is bad! Yuka-san is angry.
"Y-Yuka-san,
that's..."
"I know
nothing!"
"Are you an
idiot! This is why you don't understand a woman's heart at all. I'm always
telling you!"
"Fohohoho. 'The
mouth is the source of misfortune,' as they say. Does this mean the Demon
Territory Count has learned yet another lesson at the academy? Good medicine is
bitter to the taste; this is a fine opportunity."
"No,
that's..."
"See, you fell
for it again. Look at your brother and your wife. They're staring blankly, with
no idea what I'm talking about. It's just like three years ago. My, my, how
nostalgic. Those words are one of a proverb that the first King Kyle left only
for the royal family, as a warning."
I see... He got me
again while I was flustered. At this point, the Headmaster must be doing it
deliberately. I hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
"Please excuse my
unsightly behavior. This time, I have come with a request, as the Demon
Territory Count responsible for the border's defense."
"Hmm, is it
something I can do?"
"Yes. This
autumn, I will graduate from the academy, and the two-year contract for
handling the mages' training and expeditions will also end. However, in the
future, I would like to borrow students from the Magic Combat Training Course
for base construction within the demon territory. I have come today to make
that request."
"Allow me to add
to that. We, the Frontier Knights, will take full responsibility for commanding
and escorting the dispatched unit, which will be centered on Earth Mages. The
Demon Territory Count, his subordinate mages, and the Earth Mages under
Viscount Cornell already have other matters and cannot be mobilized. Therefore,
we have come to request the aid of the academy's mages."
"Very well. The
kingdom, and this academy, can only exist if the border is secure. A formal
request from the Demon Territory Count is, in effect, a duty of the kingdom. I
will approve the dispatch."
The matter was settled
surprisingly easily, and my brother and I were letting out a sigh of relief.
Until the Headmaster's next words...
"This is a good
opportunity. The truth is, I also have a matter to discuss and a request for
you, Demon Territory Count."
...Of course. There
had to be a reason why you agreed so readily.
"From here on, I
will be speaking not as the Headmaster, but as the kingdom's Foreign
Minister... is that acceptable?"
"Understood, Your
Excellency."
It can't be helped.
Since I made a request in my official capacity, if he makes a request in his, I
have no choice but to listen.
"The southern and
eastern borders of this kingdom are constantly exposed to threats, but what of
the remaining west and north? Shall we ask Lady Yuka?"
"Yes, with my
limited knowledge... The northern border, aside from the river that flows along
it, has nothing to obstruct an enemy, and in terms of defense, it is quite
vulnerable. However, I believe the threat level is low. The northern country,
the Piett Trade Federation, is a collection of states formed through the
economic ties of small countries. The military strength of each individual
country is low, and moreover, the merchants' power is strong, so it is thought
to be difficult for them to attack as a unified nation."
"Indeed, that is
the correct understanding of the current situation. Now, what about the
west?"
"I have heard
that the west, much like the south and east, has only a narrow border pass
between mountains. And the Principality of Fearalt that lies beyond it has deep
ties with our royal family and high nobility, with ladies from our royal family
and high nobility having married into their ranks over the past several hundred
years, so I hear it is a very closely related country."
"Exactly right.
And now, things are smelling suspicious in the west. Viscount Solis, where do
the demon territories currently exist?"
"Yes. In the Kyle
Kingdom, the existing demon territories are the southern and eastern border
regions, and the great mountain range connected to them. Outside the kingdom, I
have heard that the Principality of Fearalt is the only other place with a
demon territory."
"That is so.
Well, until about 200 years ago, there was a demon territory, now vanished, in
the northwestern part of the present-day Gryphonia Empire. Now, demon
territories exist only in the Kyle Kingdom and the Principality of Fearalt.
That country still has a vast demon territory, and monsters inhabit it. And
they have the same church as this country. Do you, Demon Territory Count,
understand what that means?"
"Mages..."
"Why do you think
that country so eagerly desires the daughters of our royalty and high nobility
as wives? It's fine to think they want to deepen the bonds of friendship, but
what they want is a purer bloodline of the demonic people. It's not strange to
think so. In that country, among royalty and nobility, only mages could become
heirs. This was a tradition that continued for hundreds of years. But this
time, they have broken that long-standing custom, and someone who is not a mage
has inherited the throne."
"The country is
divided, you mean?"
"Exactly. Before
his ascension, the new king was talented but had no aptitude as a mage, and was
not in a position to hope for the throne. However, in a neighboring country, a
certain noble who could not use magic wielded his sword with such skill that he
was called a 'Sword Saint', and by skillfully commanding the mages under him,
he repelled the invasions of two countries from the south and east, and even suppressed
a large-scale civil war. Hearing that story, he was greatly encouraged, and as
a result, he broke with custom, pushed through the opposition, and for the
first time in several hundred years, someone who is not a mage has taken the
throne."
"Headmaster,
that's..."
"Ah, the stories
of you two have gotten mixed together. The same name, Solis, and both were
barons at the time. No one would think there were two such people."
"Your Excellency
Klein, what does that have to do with my brother and me?"
"Ah, it has
everything to do with it. The new king has sent a formal invitation through our
country, saying he wishes to meet this hero."
Huh? What the heck! I
barely managed to stop myself from saying it out loud.
"Our two
countries have been on friendly terms for over 200 years, and we still exchange
envoys frequently. Influential nobles from both sides have attended the
coronation ceremonies as special envoys when their respective kings ascended
the throne. Therefore, formally, it is neither sudden nor unnatural."
"And the
troublesome part is that among the opposition, those who are on the opposite
side of the new king, are relatives and blood relations of those four faction
leaders. For many generations, their houses, as the most powerful nobles in the
kingdom, have married their daughters into that neighboring country."
The Restorationist
faction... Just when I thought they'd quieted down, they're causing trouble
even in this? I couldn't help but click my tongue inwardly.
"What should my
brother and I do?"
"His Majesty has
said that he cannot force you, who have no connection to this, to either accept
or decline the invitation. But... this is a matter of diplomacy. To prevent
that country from falling into chaos and forcing us into a two-front war when
the Empire invades, I would like to ask you, Demon Territory Count, to make the
journey. This is not His Majesty's will. It is what I, in my capacity as
Foreign Minister, am requesting."
Has the butterfly
effect of the historical revision reached this far? Or is this, too, a part of
history's malice?
"As a vassal of
the kingdom, I, Demon Territory Count Solis, will go."
"I am sorry, at
such an important time. This country cannot afford to make any more enemies.
Please, forgive me."
Saying this, the Headmaster
bowed his head, deeply and for a long time.
It seems I'll have to
leave my domain again, albeit for unavoidable circumstances. I feel like every
time I leave my domain, a bad flag gets raised, and this time, too, I can't
help but feel uneasy...
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