Chapter 416 – Chapter 42
“Ugh…!”
“Big…!”
Charlize, Lillian, Neledriel, Barnes, Sirin.
Everyone except the Grand Master groaned at the pressure felt by the five.
I can’t even breathe properly, and my face gradually turns blue.
Boom!
“Huh!”
“Whoop!”
At that time, the Grand Master stamped his foot vigorously, and the faces that had turned from blue to purple returned to normal in an instant.
“We apologize for raising the Allied Forces and attacking the Kingdom of LucyArcanel.”
The Grand Master surprisingly obediently apologizes.
“However, according to the information we gathered at the time, every decision Her Majesty made was in violation of the decisions agreed upon by the continent, and indeed the world.”
“The world? I have to speak clearly. Isn’t this a decision made by royals and nobles who have been burned by the knowledge of another world?”
“Of course. Our world is a feudal society. In a feudal society, the decisions of the king and nobles can determine the rules of the world.”
We apologize for the attack, but insist that the attack itself was justified.
The Grand Master is right this time.
This world is a place where the logic that kings and nobles became kings and nobles by God’s choice makes sense.
‘We need it, but we won’t kneel down and go in.’
Once Lillian understood the Grand Master’s gestures, she was able to determine the direction of the meeting.
To be honest, when she was a princess, she felt disgusted as a royal when people of a different species who were not chosen by her god were forced to adopt the values of this world.
“Fuck the political debate.”
“I agree.”
‘Harsh tone. Is it because he worked as a mercenary for a long time? His expression is relaxed, perhaps because he succeeded in defending himself without major damage.’
When Lillian read the Grand Master’s thoughts, he also read hers.
‘Although I made the wrong choice to attract a different species, the judgment itself was not bad. As the intellectual class such as nobles and priests disappeared, a new intellectual class was needed to stabilize the country. If nobles from other countries were brought in, the royal power would have fallen, so it would have been inevitable.’
Surprisingly, the Grand Master analyzed the situation calmly.
Nevertheless, she did not change the thought that it was clearly a mistake to involve Lee Jong.
The Grand Master sat facing Lillian.
Three counselors to help him make decisions sat on his left and right, and guards watched the surroundings from behind the chairs.
“I am Rick Hauter, Grand Master of the West Continent Guardian Corps. Please call me Rick.”
Rick introduced himself and quickly glanced at Neledriel and Barnes.
I know about Lillian and Charlize, but I lack information about those two.
“I and Count Charlize both know this, so let’s move on. This is Neledriel, the divine tree from the legend of the kingdom’s founding. This is Vanes Cameldion Vlad Viteran, the queen of the Cameld Kingdom who had the misfortune to fall into our world.”
“!!”
Rick and his aides felt two kinds of consternation.
The divine tree that they only knew as a legend actually existed.
And if it’s the Cameld Kingdom…
“Excuse me, but speaking of the Cameld Kingdom… Isn’t it the vampire kingdom that overthrew the Lucia Archenel Kingdom?”
“That’s right.”
“From Her Majesty’s point of view, he must have been the enemy who murdered her parents and brought down the kingdom, so why…”
Rick’s counselors cautiously questioned the sight of incompatible people together.
“That’s right. That’s why I lost my parents and had to leave the kingdom and start the life of a mercenary.”
“…”
“But with Vaneth’s sudden accident, she was regretting what she had done. I sensed her sincerity, put aside her past grudges, and accepted her for the sake of her kingdom.”
Barnes silently accepted Lillian’s words with an unchanging expression.
“No matter what…”
“Stop. There is no reason for us, as outsiders, to debate Her Majesty’s choice.”
“I’m sorry…”
Are you forgiving your parents’ enemy and the enemy who ruined the luxurious life of the royal family?
Although the counselors did not understand, Rick silenced her by emphasizing that it was her choice.
“I apologize for our rudeness.”
“It’s okay. This matter has already been resolved without any regrets.”
‘The trembling of the voice, the emotions, none of the hate or anger. It seems like you really forgave me.’
I learned why vampires exist and why they are loyal to the kingdom.
Rick sensed that the Kingdom of LuceArcanel had more dangerous potential than he thought.
‘The knowledge of this species and the power of vampires who dominate the darkness. I can’t even imagine how it will become stronger as time passes.’
“Okay, enough chatting for now. Isn’t the important thing about the West? Or do we have time to chat like this?”
“You are correct. First, let me tell you why the Guardian Corps took the risk to request a conversation.”
Rick explained the pollution concentration and the problems as it increases.
“To summarize, if those who serve foreign gods pollute the mana floating in the air, they can strengthen their connection with foreign gods in that area. Am I understanding correctly?”
“That’s right. I believe you will understand what the foreigners who wield the power and authority of foreign powers have done without having to explain.”
Rick provided additional explanation to Barnes’ summary.
Lillian and Barnes looked at Charlize and Neledriel.
“I didn’t see it in person, but I know from the records that places with high levels of contamination were sure to be sprinkled with a lot of blood.”
“Contamination concentration. Is that what they call it in the Guardian Corps? Certainly, the stronger the contamination, the stronger the alien force was.”
They directly or indirectly reported that the pollution concentration was true.
‘Is this the ominous feeling I kept feeling? It will be dangerous if I give it time…’
As Lillian’s power grew, she felt an ominous feeling that was difficult to describe.
Now that the ominousness was clearly embodied, she had to attack the foreign union in some way.
‘Your Majesty.’
‘I know. ‘I need to get as much support as possible.’
She has fire in her feet, but if she shows it, she will lose halfway to her opponent.
Lillian, who received a signal from Charlize to open her mouth carefully, showed an indifferent expression.
“But in the end, isn’t it possible to use strong force only within the western region? All we have to do is build up a solid defense line, isn’t it?”
The guards’ faces hardened at Lillian’s remarks.
As she said, it is a matter of being safe as long as we build a defense line and manage the contamination level so that it does not spread.
However, Rick’s aides did not think so.
“The actions of the Foreign Press Association are very irrational.”
“Her Majesty the Queen accepted this species. Nevertheless, even though the Foreign Alliance could not completely dominate the western region, it sent troops to attack LuciArcanel.”
“But that army was a unit without a commander or a strong man. It was as if they were checking to see how strong the kingdom’s troops were.”
The counselors pointed out in confident voices that there was a reason why the Foreign Media Alliance attacked the Kingdom of LucyArcanel.
Just as Lillian’s expression was about to harden slightly, Charlize opened her mouth with a smile.
“Yes. There was a clear reason why they attacked us.”
“What is it?”
“That’s because the foreign species we accepted were hostile to them. From the perspective of the foreign alliance, it was like giving up the fight and surrendering to the natives of this world.”
If the relationship between Kaicent and Kang Myeong-cheol is known, the Guardian Corps, realizing that the two have no choice but to fight, will send less support.
Charlize mixed truth and lies and claimed that it was a difference in political views between different people.
“Now that we know that the kingdom is strong, we will turn our attention elsewhere. However, I am not sure if the kingdoms that have suffered great damage from the useless fight will be able to protect themselves well.”
“Although we lost the war, our infrastructure is intact.”
“Oh my. Was it possible for knights to increase reinforcements so easily? In that case, we can buy time by making a few kingdoms scapegoats.”
Charlize’s smile is grinning, but you can feel her iron will to never give in.
Rick said with a sigh, as if he had thought that Charlize would end up like this from the moment she came out.
She said, ‘She stands to gain very little by arguing with the Witch of Kalak. It’s more important to give something and get cooperation quickly.’
“Even at this very moment, the concentration of pollution is increasing. If there is anything you want, please let me know.”
“Dissolution of the anti-LucyArkenel alliance. Normalization of trade with all kingdoms. Tariffs up to 15%. And…”
Charlize made all her demands as if she had been waiting.
Matters that should be discussed between countries, not power support.
This is a gesture to show that they are not afraid of foreign media associations.
“Command authority should be held by the Kingdom of LucyArcanel, and the Guardian Corps will provide support with master-level personnel. That is all.”
“You want to take command! That’s too much!”
“That’s right! We are well-versed in how to deal with foreign media associations!”
“Then you guys can give me some advice.”
Political issues are difficult, but they are possible if you mobilize your personal connections.
But it is not command authority.
If the kingdom takes command, it might use the Guardian Corps as a meat shield.
Of course they said no, but no one could naively believe that.
“I understand. I can’t confirm the tariff part, but I will accept the other part.”
“Grand Master!”
“How can you accept such unreasonableness!”
“… What are you planning?”
Not only the counselors but even Charlize was shocked by Rick’s declaration.
Lillian glared at Rick
She couldn’t understand his actions of obediently accepting conditions that she thought were unreasonable.
“But there is one condition.”
Then yes.
As soon as the conditions came out of Rick’s mouth, the faces of the kingdom’s officials brightened with astonishment.
“Jin Resili Caicent. I want to meet that heterogeneous boy.”
But when they heard the conditions he proposed, everyone’s faces crumpled.
* * * * * *
“I expected some level of backlash, but I never imagined it would be this much.”
Rick, who came out of the conference room as if he was being chased, made a troubled face.
I was startled by the fierce opposition and was ‘taken’ to the break room as if I was being chased.
“Their reaction was very violent.”
“Even the Witch of Kalak was emotionally opposed.”
The counselors were embarrassed by the fierce opposition of Lillian and her party.
In particular, I never imagined that Charlize, the witch of Kalak, would show such emotions.
Because she always had a meaningful smile.
“Grand Master. The atmosphere is unusual.”
“The entire castle exudes life.”
The guards’ faces hardened as their skin tingled, and they formed a guard formation.
All the passing vampire servants glared with murderous eyes.
The space that had been uncomfortable until just now suddenly turned into an enemy camp.
“The boy’s influence is stronger than we expected.”
“Yes. Even the aides seem to treat this species called Kaycent with more respect than the queen.”
“What should we do? If we tell a story that never happened…”
“No, I’m pushing on.”
Rick decided to honestly push forward with meeting Kaicent.
“That boy holds the key to gaining the kingdom’s cooperation. Originally, I was planning to meet him for a different purpose, but I think I will have to take a more serious approach.”
“But if the queen refuses like that…”
“This news will be delivered to Kaicent in some way. Our treatment will also be determined by his decision.”
The leader of this country is Lillian, but Kaycent has a stronger influence than her.
‘Everyone from the Queen herself to her entourage places a heterogeneous boy named Kai Cent above their own worth. Like lovers passionately in love… No, this has gone too far.’
As far as they know, Kaicent was young.
There is a large age difference, and it is impossible for several women to love the same boy.
‘If it is true, it is highly likely that he has some special ability. I need to prepare for mental contamination.’
After a while, a vampire maid with a face that was openly suppressing anger approached.
“The Queen has given permission to meet Lord… Kaycent. However, for his safety, you must go alone.”
“What? That’s ridiculous!”
“Grand Master! This is a trap!”
“Even if it’s not a trap, it’s very dangerous depending on the situation!”
The counselors and guards vehemently opposed it.
This is because the Grand Master was the last bastion that kept the chaotic Western Continent from shaking.
Through his connections and influence, he is leading various kingdoms to cooperate with each other and recover from the damage.
If he disappears, we don’t know what the kings will do.
Because the monster called power paralyzes reason.
“Then I take it that you refuse.”
The maid only saw the reactions of her counselor and guards, and then she tried to disappear into the shadows.
Rick decided that if he let her go, this would be the end of her story.
“I’ll go alone.”
“Tch.”
“… What did you say?”
“I think you heard wrong. … Tch.”
The maid turned her face and clicked her tongue in response to Rick’s dissuasion from those around her.
Obviously, it was Rick who took the risk of being alone in a potential enemy camp, but the maid openly showed her dissatisfaction.
“I am an outsider, but I think the escorts’ opinions are valid.”
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“… Whew…”
The people in her guardian corps reacted with astonishment to the sight of her maid somehow trying to prevent her and her Kaicent from meeting.
This is because the atmosphere became as if they had acted unreasonably.
“Okay. Follow me.”
As the maid put on her businesslike face again, she began to lead the way to where Caicent was.
Rick followed her maid after instructing her in a code message not to let down her guard.
“Here it is.”
The maid who guided her to the tea table for her reception showed strong anger and openly spread her cruelty.
“If you touch that person even with a fingertip, I will drag you down the street, even if it means risking my life.”
“… Remember that.”
At this point, I feel a sense of crisis rather than anger at her rudeness.
What kind of power does this boy named Kai Cent have that she is so obedient to even a single maid?
‘If it is mental pollution that causes the other person to obey… It must be killed.’
After confirming that the magic item that prevented her mental contamination was intact, Rick opened her door and entered her.
“Uh… Hello…”
Inside the refreshment room, there was a pure white boy greeting me with anxious eyes.
