Chapter 678 – Overwhelmed Mind and Meeting Place
000
＂──＂
There was silence.
It was such an absurd remark that it made you feel as if the surrounding sounds had momentarily disappeared.
Not only Cleon, but even Diora in front of her sobered up, so much so that she accidentally dropped the chopsticks she was holding on the ground.
Enlie beyond the cuff, what did you just say?
As if it wasn’t just Cleon and Diora who were shocked, Selena’s voice could not be heard from the other side that was eavesdropping.
When we couldn’t say anything to each other for about tens of seconds.
[─Haha, was it such a shocking story?]
And En Lai opened her mouth first, as if trying to lighten the mood a little.
[Definitely… A little. I was left in a daze… How could it be that a person who was not from the kingdom but from an eastern country was saying that he wanted his country to be annexed…]
[Of course, I also had great agony in making this decision. However, no matter how you think about it, if the Eastern Kingdom continues like this, it will one day become a country that goes against the kingdom and will end up like a second empire. I don’t want my hometown to be like that.]
Seeing Selena’s incoherent reaction, she spoke as if she was making excuses, but she spoke again as if what she said was not a joke at all.
Then silence flows between the two once again-
Next moment.
[Oh-ho… Oh-ho-ho! Ohhohohoho~!]
Laughter burst out from Selena.
It is a laugh that is clearly mixed with embarrassment, a little different from the usual relaxed laugh of a high-ranking noblewoman.
She, too, seemed to have relaxed a little due to the alcohol, but felt tense as if her belt had been tightened.
[Of course. Right now, only me and ‘Miss Selena’ know this plan. I would like you to take this story and pass it on to your father, the Duke Regent, who is in the kingdom. Along with my small gift – ‘Cleon’s head’ and the captive princess’s new soldier.]
[Well, that is…]
Selena didn’t think she would give a definite answer, even if she didn’t mean to say no here.
Once she had her orders from her kingdom, and Enlai also knew it.
However, Selena seemed to have been completely robbed of the flow of conversation by Enlai’s words a moment ago.
No matter how much she learned the basics of politics from her father, she still lacks experience as a politician at only 20 years old, and she is a magician at her core.
Talking to people and getting what you want is something that Enlai, who has been doing this for 40 years, cannot possibly win in a head-to-head match.
Even if what Enlai said could be dismissed as just an old man’s delusion.
It was impossible for Selena to decide whether she should stop this man’s outrageous remarks.
[Oh my… I’m sorry. Did I speak too hastily? Now, let’s eat before the meal gets cold.]
After Enlai’s words are over, the clattering sound of dishes moving begins to be heard once again.
However, only one sound, which should have been two, is heard.
I could understand what that meant even without thinking deeply.
Selena, completely caught up in the pace of her en lai, would be staring blankly at her plate, not even having time to eat.
‘It’s dangerous…’
When Cleon heard her reaction, he felt that it was not good.
If you think about it carefully, it wasn’t something that was discussed in an official setting, unlike conversations that take place at a meal like this, and it wasn’t something that was forced to sign a contract or make an oath.
Simply, it’s a story too big for Selena to think about on her own.
You see – she is very vulnerable to putting more thoughts into her head.
Therefore, she is overwhelmed by Enlai’s words and cannot even think of expressing her own opinion.
It’s not that she’s stupid or that her head isn’t working, but it’s better to say that she wasn’t nice to her opponent, Enlai.
Maybe she should have declined this offer of a meal in the first place, Cleon thinks.
However, she has already entered this restaurant and is sitting across from En Lai at the table.
If the conversation continues, En Lai will get into her unguarded psyche, and she will constantly pour out her cunning words to get what she wants.
In order to break this vicious cycle and change the flow-
＂Diora.＂
When Cleon called Diora like that, she too was concentrating on the sound coming from beyond her and then raised her head and made eye contact with Cleon.
“Can we take Selena outside for a moment?”
＂It’s possible… But what are you going to do? Should I let him run away like this?”
“No. I’d like to talk a little bit. It would be nice if there was a place where we could meet quietly… I don’t know where Enlai’s eyes or ears might be around here…”
When Cleon says that as if he is in trouble, Diora’s eyes light up when she hears him.
“In that case, I have a good idea… Is Cleon willing to do anything to overcome the current situation?”
Looking at her grinning and talking, Cleon felt her anxiety creep up her spine.
“… No, if I smile like that, I actually get anxious…”
Diora stands up while holding Cleon’s hand.
“It’s okay, sleep now. This way~”
＂Oh, hey…!＂
And then, he took Cleon with him and walked lightly somewhere.
001
“Hmm? Are you okay? Your hand stopped working… Is there food you can’t eat?”
When she heard her voice sounding like she was worried about herself, Selena shrugged her shoulders, trembled, and raised her head to look at the man in front of her.
Enlai was acting as if she was concerned about herself, but Selena knew that she was laughing at herself inside.
However, the reason she couldn’t say anything to him was because his shocking words she heard earlier kept ringing in her head.
＇My mission is… To produce the best results for the kingdom…’
Selena did not forget that the reason she accepted Cleon’s offer and refused to arrest them was to defeat the great evil hiding in the kingdom.
And – simply the fact that they were truly innocent stimulated the righteous heart within her.
However, if a huge country called the Eastern Kingdom – the only country on the continent that produces adamantite, and at the same time a country with many ancient secrets hidden – becomes one with the kingdom.
The kingdom will certainly gain the driving force to advance much faster and further than it is now.
However, if that is the picture that this man in front of you drew alone – a plan made without the consent of the residents of the Eastern countries or others.
Is that really the right thing to do for the people of both countries?
For her, until just moments ago, her values of ‘for the kingdom’ = ‘representation and justice’ were wavering.
Even when she wasn’t using her magic, it was her overthinking that caused her to lose her sense of judgment.
If you don’t properly respond to Enlai’s words, Enlai will smile evilly.
Well, then, after this, we can just cook it slowly and eat it.
Thinking like that, she poured some alcohol into her empty glass, and then took a sip from the small glass herself.
“Now, don’t do that. First, if you have a drink, you will relieve your tension.”
Afterward, Enlai advises Selena to empty the glass she poured.
It was at that moment that Selena reached for her glass as said.
Suddenly, the red-armored knight standing next to her grabbed her wrist.
＂!?＂
The sudden action must have surprised not only Selena but also Enlai, who was watching the scene.
“Why are you doing that all of a sudden? Lord Drake?”
When Selena asks that question, Drake’s head shakes his head from side to side, and he puts his hand to her forehead.
When the cold touch of metal touched her head, she was startled, but her head cooled down a little, and she was able to regain her cool a little.
And-
Thinking that Drake’s hand, which was touching her forehead, trembled slightly as something within her released a wave of her magic, Selena looked a little surprised and looked at her Drake once again.
But immediately, she erased that expression and smiled, nodding her head.
“I’m sorry, Lord Enlai. Wait, is it okay if I go pick flowers?”
“Hmm…? Ah. Of course, it comes. Don’t worry about this old man. Please come back.”
After saying that and sending Selena out of her room with a smile on her face, En Lai clicked her tongue.
“Lizard Knight… I don’t know what his plan was, but he lured Selena away. Do you want to have a strategy meeting?”
Then, Enlai stands behind him and talks to his masked guard who, like Drake, has not said a word.
＂Contact the subordinates stationed in the restaurant. Where she’s going, and if she happens to meet anyone – report it right away.”
His escort, nodding his head and placing his finger on the mask’s forehead, was muttering something and reciting a spell.
Meanwhile, Selena, who left her room with Drake, glances at the knight who was in charge of her escort.
Just moments ago, when Drake burned his hand on his forehead, it was only for a moment, but Drake’s will was conveyed.
Even if I were here now, I would just get caught up in Enlai’s pace. They told me to at least sober up and wash my face in the bathroom.
“You didn’t know you could say anything… I tried so persistently to talk to you, but you didn’t say a word, so I just said you really couldn’t say anything…”
Before Selena finished speaking, Drake moved her legs first and led her down the aisle.
“Now, wait a minute! “Are you saying I’m not finished yet!?”
＂…＂
Drake continues without stopping even when Selena calls him.
The two people soon arrived in front of Jinmidang’s women’s restroom.
And, Drake gestures as if to go in.
＂W-what is it… I don’t know what it means… I can go in, right? When you enter…”
And as Selena went inside, sighing as she seemed to urge her, she looked at the quiet bathroom where there was no one else but herself ─
With the intention of taking care of everything I had already done, I went into the empty one of the three rooms divided by a partition, locked the door, and sat down.
She lifts the skirt of her dress, pulls down her underwear, sits on her toilet seat, and sighs without realizing it.
…
Moments later, the familiar sound of the toilet flushing is heard and Selena gets up from her seat and is about to go out to wash her hands.
＂Keuhum…＂
A coughing voice came from the seat next to her.
Selena had no choice but to tilt her head.
Because that husky voice was like a voice I had heard somewhere.
I think I heard that too recently.
＂Shall we talk for a moment? Selena.”
＂That voice…? Really, Cleon?!”
Selena raises her voice in shock, and Cleon tries his best to lower his voice, saying, ‘Shhh…!’
The voice seemed a little higher than usual, but it wasn’t hard to tell that she was still Cleon.
“Everything, you. Why here!? Or rather, are you sane!? This is for women!?”
＂I was also forcibly dragged in…＂
＂Hehe… Just like you said☆＂
Then, if you thought that the voice coming from beyond another empty partition in the distance was also familiar, you would have been reminded of Cleon and knew that it was Diora.
＂You two… Were you watching me!?＂
Then, Selena raised her voice as if she had easily guessed their purpose given that the two were here together.
“That’s true, but I’m trying to keep it from being heard as much as possible, so be careful…!”
“That’s right. Right now, Enlai’s men have blocked the bathroom from entering. I can’t talk for long☆.＂
At Diora’s words, Selena bit her lower mouth, but then nodded.
“The fact that both of you were watching me here means that you were listening to everything that I and Lord Enlai said?”
“Of course… It’s not that I don’t trust you, but Enlai is someone you have to be very careful with.”
Although Selena hesitated for a moment at Cleon’s words, she could only nod her head in agreement.
＂That’s true… But, I didn’t expect that it would go that crazy… ＂
At her slightly exasperated voice, Cleon and Diora remained silent for a moment, but when she seemed to have gathered her emotions, she opened her mouth again.
“Don’t worry. The reason he said that to you just now is because he wants to have the upper hand in negotiations with you. His goal is to use what he just said to threaten you by saying, ‘I am a human being who can do this. What about you?'”
“Cleon is right. You are clearly here as a representative of the kingdom, but you have no obligation to intervene in the current situation where a noble from an eastern country is running wild. What’s important now is how well you can get out of this situation without getting caught up in the opponent’s pace. And if possible-“
＂… He is seeking evidence that he is trying to rebel against Duke Miyeom and start a rebellion!＂
When Diora was interrupted and Selena spoke like that, the other two couldn’t help but widen their eyes as if they were a little surprised.
“If you think about it, it’s simple! The fact that he told others about his plans means that he is somewhat prepared for it. Since he will never proceed alone, it is natural to think that there is a person or group who is more definitely cooperating with his plan!”
＂Oh, oh…＂
Cleon responded awkwardly as if he was embarrassed by her continued words.
“That’s right. This is your chance Selena. If you can obtain evidence that Enlai is plotting treason, not only will you be able to dethrone him, but you will also receive the gratitude of Lord Miyeom. Then, the relationship between Miyeom-gong’s eastern country and the kingdom will become even closer. Among the people like Enlai, who are consumed with desire, and the beautiful flame craftsman who is respected by the people. Which eastern country is ruled by which country is suitable as an ally of the kingdom? “You would understand even if you didn’t think about it, right?”
And after Diora’s words, which seemed to blow Selena’s breath once again, Selena responded by nodding her head with energy.
“Of course it’s the latter! My father also said that Lord Enlai is a person who has a raccoon inside him, so he cannot be trusted. On the other hand, Prince Miyeom is a person who has never broken faith with the kingdom since the war with the empire! This is something I can’t stand still! This Selena Regent… Is here to save Miyeom-gong!”
At her words, which seem to be overflowing with motivation, Cleon answers that she is right, even though he is sweating coldly.
“But calm down. The first priority is to get out of this restaurant safely. With all his intentions and plans revealed… It’s hard to think that he would let you go without any sanctions. At least you’ll want to do something about it. Forcing people to make a pact.”
Since it was something Enley could do, when Cleon spoke as if he was worried, Selena blinked her eyes and answered.
“Oh. Is it true that Selena is a good enough mage to be able to use her magic to take the two of you with her? It makes no sense for me to not be able to escape from a place like this.”
“It’s reliable, but of course, using magic to escape is out. You’re probably under Enlai’s suspicions right now, and using magic wouldn’t be a good idea… If you’ve been drinking too much and your head is full of Enlai’s stories, he’s going to ask you to use a difficult transfer magic. I can’t. Because you are dangerous.”
Selena thinks deeply as she rests her chin as if she understands Diora’s logical words.
＂But since Cleon may show up, we cannot intervene directly…＂
“… There is a way for us to intervene directly.”
Cleon thought for a moment, then asked Diora why she hadn’t thought of this.
“You just have to put on your armor and go back.”
＂…＂
Currently, Drake is controlling an empty armor with magical power, but if her contents return, she will be able to sufficiently counter Enlai’s tricks.
Rather, Diora kept quiet for a moment at Cleon’s words.
“I had so much fun being with Cleon that I forgot about it…”
＂Are you serious…＂
Cleon sighed as if he was dumbfounded by Diora’s answer.
Selena tilted her head and asked, ‘Her armor…?’ And raised a question.
“What. In that case, I should stick by her side and help her… It can’t end there ☆”
“Ah… We need to find out more about his treason plan. From here on, it’s our turn to trick him.”
Cleon’s eyes were sparkling as he spoke like that.
It was a bit of a problem that we couldn’t see each other’s faces because we were covered by the partition.
After a while, Selena left the women’s restroom as Diora said, and she saw Drake, who had accompanied her, enter and come out.
‘Why did you say that Diora would follow you?’
Selena leaves the bathroom with Drake, still not knowing what it means.
Then, a little while later, Cleon also came out of the partition in the form of Leona, and after confirming that no one was there, he slowly left the bathroom and walked to the outside of the house.
In order to hunt raccoons, it was time to borrow the power of the ‘fox’.
