Chapter 447 – 128. Proof of Lion Heart Sword (1)
“It’s an alliance with the Demon Kingdom!”
Wilhelm exclaimed in surprise. The reactions of other ministers were not different from him.
‘An alliance with the Demon Kingdom? What is Count Julian talking about?’
Mason’s Court Baek instantly recalled the relationship between the Demon Kingdom and Essenmund.
Most of the vassals of the Holy Ramir Empire are not on good terms with the demons. However, Essenmund actually did not have much ill feelings toward them.
‘Rather than that, it would be more correct to assume that there is no major point of contact.’
First of all, geographically, the Demon Kingdom in the east and Essenmund in the north were separated.
Although the Demon Kingdom was adjacent to the east of Essenmund. There was a huge and rugged mountain range, so the road did not pass.
So even before the Great War, there was almost no exchange between Essenmund and the Demon Kingdom. In fact, historically, great ill feelings could not have accumulated.
‘On the other hand, elsewhere in the empire…’
However, as the empire grew in size, it inevitably needed an enemy.
The days of Ramir Kingdom, which was not yet an empire. There was one fanatic king who was infatuated with Jedin.
In the first place, Jedin and Yunir. The God of Light and the Goddess of Darkness are equal beings.
However, the king who trusted Jedin too much. He defined Yunir, the goddess of darkness, as an evil evil spirit.
And he declared the kingdom of Ma an enemy of the kingdom.
– Drive the pagans who believe in the evil god Unir from this land!
Regardless of Jedin’s will.
The cult of Jedin, newly created by the fanatic king. He began to create a doctrine that rejected Unir and the demons.
Bad luck for the demons. That the fanatic king was a conquering monarch who was too good to pass up.
‘Since his reign, the Kingdom of Ramir has developed into the Holy Ramir Empire…’
So, after the establishment of the Holy Ramir Empire, the demons’ activity radius became very narrow. Periodically, the imperial army invaded and persecuted the demons.
Even the southern part of the Empire, the Caceres. It was to the extent that enslaving demons was a formal trade.
However, a liberator appeared among the demons who had been persecuted for such a long time.
That person is Lucifer, the ruthless demon lord.
‘That cold-blooded demon king started a great war.’
In other words, from the perspective of the demons, the great war 20 years ago was a war for survival.
Of course, in the history books of the empire, the whole story is known backwards.
To the imperials, the war of aggression waged by the wicked and obscene demons was the great war of 20 years ago.
In this way, the world’s perception of the Demon Kingdom passed through Mason’s mind for a moment.
And without realizing it, he checked the atmosphere of the ministers.
‘But I thought the Demon Kingdom would come out of Count Julian’s mouth.’
I don’t know about the substitutes here. Mason already knew that Count Julian’s real father was a cold-blooded demon lord.
However, it is not that Julian’s biological father is not known at all. It’s officially known that his father is the genius bard Riel.
And the public rumor that Griel’s true identity might be a demon. It was already widespread here in Essenmund. There was no way the substitutes didn’t know.
‘Because of that, I had a real headache until last year.’
Julian was a maniac beyond imagination. So there were many rumors that he was cursed by the devil.
And even all the gossip about his birth.
At least the ministers couldn’t criticize Yulian face to face. It was also because Marquis Wilhelm cared so much for his grandson.
‘Not only that. In any case, Count Julian’s real mother was the Great Saint Agnes.’
Besides, in the first place, the powers of Jedin and Unir are not opposite powers. The priests of Essenmund couldn’t find out that the blood of demons flowed in Yulian.
In the meantime, silence continued.
At least, the perception of the Demon Kingdom in Essenmund is on the better side. Still, Essenmund fought a fierce battle with the demons in the camp of the empire.
In particular, under the influence of the Great Saint Agnes, everyone came to believe faithfully in Jedinism.
Awareness of the Demon Kingdom is, after all, an unholy enemy of the Empire. It was nothing more, nothing less.
‘Perhaps even the ministers are shocked by the count’s words now.’
That’s why I couldn’t carelessly answer Count Yulian’s opinion. Marquis Wilhelm’s expression also hardened.
In the end, it was Wilhelm who spoke first.
“Julian. No, Count Julian. Although it is not a direct confrontation between Essenmund and the Demon Kingdom. There are still many people in Essenmund who remember the great war against the demons. And they are the Empire of Merit. To mention such an alliance with the Demon Kingdom. Do you know what that means too?”
“Yeah. Majesty. I know.”
At those words, the gazes of the ministers turned to one place.
Mason also saw his expression.
‘There’s not even an inch of shaking.’
The light in those blue eyes was bright. Seeing that, Mason inadvertently aroused anticipation.
‘A Count who received the Imperial Medal. And even this great victory at Harsen Castle was something he had done himself. Then…’
This statement also means that it is not the nonsense of a madman. So, he must have his own thoughts.
“Then tell me what you think. Count Julian.”
And Mason involuntarily swallowed.
‘If, by any chance, the Count had known that his biological father was Lucifer. If the alliance was mentioned out of instinctive friendliness or sympathy for the Demon Kingdom…’
It never should have been.
Alliances between countries are not places for young people to make friends.
In particular, an alliance with an enemy country must be accompanied by numerous political calculations.
If it’s just an emotional suggestion due to one’s roots. If it is driven by the affection for his father’s hometown.
Now Count Julian is the heir to the Marquis. He’s saying he doesn’t deserve it. Mason waited for his answer.
Not only that, but all the ministers were waiting with bated breath for his answer.
Finally he opened his mouth.
***
Then came a completely unexpected answer from Mason. Count Julian said.
“During the Siege of Harsen, we captured Paludis’ Marione. And he got an important piece of information from him.”
Wilhelm hurriedly answered.
“Information? What information do you mean?”
“Duke Pedro’s Confederate Army. The information is that their next destination is the Demon Kingdom.”
At those words, everyone’s faces hardened.
A man said soon.
“If it’s the southern army now, you’ll be able to conquer the Demon Kingdom without difficulty.”
Among the ministers, he was the chief of staff of the Essenmund elite army. And everyone here understood what he meant.
“That means the Confederates will have both the western and eastern portions of Island in their hands.”
Wilhelm let out a drool. And he looked at Count Julian.
“Tell me, too. Julian.”
“That’s right. If the Confederates were to give it all the way east. The Empire is under siege everywhere except the North. That is not good for the empire.”
Count Julian continued.
“That’s why proposing an alliance to the Demon Kingdom can be a good strategy. For the enemy of an enemy can be an ally.”
Everyone in attendance was shocked. So was Mason.
‘Unexpected strategy… But it definitely makes sense. No. For now, it could be a very good strategy to keep the Confederates in check.’
Wilhelm also nodded his head as if surprised by that statement.
“There is some truth to it. In terms of being able to keep the South in check, I mean. However, as you know, the relationship between the Empire and the Demon Kingdom is truly the worst due to the Great War 20 years ago. So even if you propose an alliance… No, I can’t even think of a person to be the special envoy.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
“No need to worry…”
And at Yulian’s words that followed, Wilhelm inadvertently opened his mouth.
“As a special envoy for the alliance, I intend to visit him myself.”
At the same time, the faces of all the ministers hardened.
***
It seemed that the last meeting had a great ripple effect on the palace of the white lion.
There is a meeting and the day has passed. Early morning.
For a moment, I sat in front of the tea table in the bedroom and listened to Eirin’s report.
“It seems that the ministers were all surprised by the young master’s remarks.”
“I was surprised. It won’t be bad though.”
At my words, Eirin nodded.
“Even after the meeting, it seems that there was a lot of talk among the ministers. And they said it was over. The boy’s suggested strategy is reasonable and worth trying.”
“It’s worth it. The plan for that alliance was something the two of us, Her Majesty Lilia, had been thinking about together for a long time.”
“Your Majesty… Are you saying?”
In an instant, Eirin’s pupils turned black.
The sight of it sent chills down my spine. Still, Ei-Lin quickly regained her composure.
“Well, the Demon Kingdom is officially the enemy country of the Empire. Without His Majesty’s Yunheo, we cannot recklessly step out for the alliance. You two must have talked a lot.”
Erin was right.
Although I am the heir of the Imperial Margrave. At the same time, he has the qualifications to become the ruler of the Demon Kingdom.
Even though she already knows the whole truth about me, the person who thinks of me as her husband is Lilia.
That’s how to restore the relationship between the Empire and the Demon Kingdom. It was also very important for the future of the empire.
‘The question was who would go as the special envoy for that alliance.’
Lilia, the emperor of the empire and a saint.
If she proposes an alliance. In fact, no one in the Empire could oppose her words.
In fact, right now, the greatest enemy of the Empire is not the Demon Kingdom, but the Southern Caceres Army.
The gap with the Demon Kingdom was so deep that it couldn’t have been easily thought of. Rather, it was the Demon Kingdom that could stand on the side of the Empire now.
However, it was not a problem that could be solved so easily.
“But will the Demon Kingdom obediently accept that alliance? That must be the problem.”
“You’re right.”
Like Erin said.
The Demon Kingdom’s grudge against the Empire is very large and deep. They have been unilaterally invaded by the Empire.
Even if they had a common enemy, Caceres. It was not easy to get the hands of the empire, which had been an enemy for a long time.
Their emotions didn’t allow it.
‘Perhaps the same goes for Ustina, who now claims to be the Demon King.’
Duke of Wrath. The red dragon Ustina, who was chosen by the demon grand duke. It was clear that she, too, had an aversion to her empire.
“That’s why the Empire can’t send anyone as a special envoy. Even if I am from the Demon Kingdom, I will decapitate the envoy and send him back.”
That’s why I volunteered to be the alliance’s special envoy.
Of course, I had the ultimate goal of making Ustina obey me and becoming the Demon King.
And in fact, I really wanted to protect the demons, my father’s hometown and half my own people, from the south.
I completely hid that feeling. Thoroughly disguised the cause of this incident only for political reasons.
‘Well, it seems that the ministers of Essenmund completely changed their minds thanks to that.’
I’ve already told you that I’ve been talking to the Emperor of the Empire. It was a surprise from the perspective of the ministers. There was no longer any reason to object.
However, only one. My maternal grandfather was against it.
– I can’t let my only flesh and blood die like that!
In the end, it seems that the maternal grandfather expressed his feelings in front of the ministers.
He is a man who loves his grandson so much. It seemed that they couldn’t bear to send me to the middle of that enemy country.
“That’s why the servants of the mansion are watching Her Highness Wilhelm very closely right now.”
“I can’t. My maternal grandfather would like to object. Still, from the perspective of the Demon Kingdom, I, the fiancé of Her Majesty Lilia, would have to come and hear about it. I can’t send anyone else.”
I had already had a separate conversation with my maternal grandfather about this.
Again, it was not easily persuaded.
But even the ministers agree with me. The alliance proposal I said was reasonable.
Above all, if the alliance is concluded. He was able to inflict great damage by encircling the Caceres army heading to the Demon Kingdom from both camps.
‘That’s why I must head for the special envoy.’
So my maternal grandfather was well aware that there was not enough cause to oppose it.
In the end, my maternal grandfather put a condition on me.
– Yulian If your skills aren’t good enough, I can’t send you there! However, if you have the skills to come back alive even if you are thrown into the rough terrain alone. That would be different
At those words, I barely stopped the corners of my mouth from rising.
‘I’m good enough myself.’
So today. My maternal grandfather decided to personally check my swordsmanship skills.
“Now it’s time to head to the gymnasium.”
I nodded her head to Ei-Lin.
There, the ministers of the palace of the white lion, including his maternal grandfather, decided to visit in person.
‘This is the first time since the military parade last winter. Showing my lion heart sword.’
I headed to the gymnasium with Eirin.
