Vol. 5 - Chapter 221 - Audience (3)
The Prime Minister showed some caution at what favor a major power like Rosenheim could ask for.
"Rosenheim was invaded by the Demon King's army, and many fortresses and cities were destroyed."
"Uh-huh."
At Philamer's words, the Prime Minister became even more defensive, wondering if it was a serious matter.
(Fortenia was destroyed, too. I really can't forgive the Demon King's Army.)
"We intend to fight the Demon King's army with a strong will. Her Majesty the Queen also told Her Highness Princess Sofiarone, who is the heir to the throne, to leave Rosenheim and gain strength. I hope you can understand the meaning of this."
"Well, that means..."
The Prime Minister looked at the Spirit God Rosen riding on Sophie's shoulders.
The Prime Minister knew that there were several members of the Royal Family of Rosenheim who had the right to the throne in Rosenheim.
But how many Royals had a Spirit God on their shoulders?
Philamer didn't say everything, but everyone knew that the Queen of Rosenheim would have the Spirit God Rosen by her side.
"This is about the future of Rosenheim, so I want you to understand. And Her Highness, Princess Sofiarone, would like to conquer the S-class dungeon of the Bakius Empire to get stronger."
"What? The Tower of Trials! You mean you're going to attack the Temple of Janpani? Just like the Hero Lord Helmios did?"
The Prime Minister knew that there was a S-class dungeon in the Bakius Empire.
"Of course. Princess Sofiarone and Lord Allen would also like to take their party members from the Latash Kingdom to go with them."
The King knew that Kurena and Cecile had been working with me at the Academy as well. That was the reason he sent them with me to Rosenheim, after all.
'Allow all of them to go to the Baukis Empire' was basically what Philamer said.
Because the issuing of entry permits was done by each country, Sophie, Formar and I, who had become the Chief of Staff, could go through the process of issuing entry permits in Rosenheim, but the same couldn't be said for my other party members.
"Oh, I see. When will that be? I think Her Highness Princess Sofiarone is still studying in the Academy?"
"I have already completed my graduation from the Academy. I have nothing more to learn. As soon as possible, I hope."
When Sophie said that, a silence fell in the audience room.
The Prime Minister could not give an immediate answer.
If what was said was true, they would have to send Kurena, a Master Swordsman according to them, to the S-class dungeon as well.
If something went wrong, the Latash Kingdom might lose one of it's Master Swordsman.
The Prime Minister looked at the King for an answer.
The King began to ponder with a difficult look on his face.
(Hey! You were very quick to issue the permit when you sent us to Rosenheim expecting us to die.)
I thought.
"Elder Philamer, Master Swordsmen are precious to our country. I've heard that the Tower of Trials has shed the blood of many powerful individuals. I have also heard that even the Hero Helmios has not completely conquered the Tower of Trials. I don't want to lose my Master Swordsman either, but what will you do if I refuse?"
For the first time since the audience began, the King spoke to Philamer.
(Yes, I know. Helmios had told me that Digragni can't make Mana Recovery Rings with a smug look on his face, but it's not like he's been able to fully conquer the dungeon.)
I had asked the Hero Helmios in Rosenheim how he conquered the S-class dungeon but he said that the S-class dungeon was still in the process of being conquered.
"I'm afraid I must inform the Queen that there will be no diplomatic relations, as you have failed to cooperate."
When asked what he would do if the King refused, Philamer immediately gave the answer he had prepared.
"Yeah, I get it. I can't lose this opportunity. I'll allow everyone here to go to the Bakius Empire."
(Did you just want to feel like a King?)
He said it would take a while to process the entry permit, but we would be granted the permits regardless.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Now I can safely challenge the Temple of Janpani."
Sophie thanked him.
A moment's silence indicated that the three elves from Rosenheim had no further business to attend to.
"Yes. I will hold a party in the evening, and I hope you can get along with my people. I'm glad you've come to the Latash Kingdom."
The King made his closing remarks, asking if there was anything more to talk about, and as if on cue, the Nobles applauded and welcomed us.
"This concludes the audience with His Majesty the King."
"What? Hold on!"
"Hey, Kiel."
As the Prime Minister was about to end the audience, a panicked Kiel interrupted him.
I, who was beside him, interrupted him further.
(Oh, so there's no mention of a reward for Kiel. Then there's no need to hold back.)
I signaled to Kiel with a glance that I would speak, and Kiel nodded at my strong gaze.
"What's the matter? You are in the presence of His Majesty the King!"
The Prime Minister rebuked me, saying that children should not make noise.
"No, I'm sorry. The promise the former King made was not discussed here, so I mentioned it."
As I said so, I leaned towards Sophie, who was standing closest to the King in the place, as if it was natural, and stepped further forward.
Not only the King, but also the commander of the Royal Knights and the Royal Knights behind him tensed up. The Nobles also focused their gaze on me, who had dark eyes and black hair.
"A promise made by the former King?"
The Prime Minister also tensed up, but he answered me. It showed how much they feared me.
At the very least, the King, the Prime Minister, and the Royal Knights knew that I had fought the Hero Helmios in the Academy Martial Arts Tournament.
"Yes, I would like to ask you about your promise to restore the demolished Carnell Family. If Kiel achieved success on the battlefield, would he be allowed to re-establish the Carnell Family? I'm sure you know the story, Prime Minister."
The Carnell Family, which had been destroyed, was promised to be restored if Kiel showed achievement in the battlefield.
It was not just an oral agreement, but a firm written one.
Be active in the battlefields designated by the Kingdom or the Five Continents Alliance for five years.
We will consider shortening the term if you achieve great achievements.
I also said that Kiel's work that time had great impacts on the war.
"I know what you're talking about. But it is for His Majesty the King to decide whether or not to consider the promise."
"Hmm? You meant to say not considering it doesn't mean breaking the promise, Prime Minister?"
I assured him that there was no option not to consider it in the first place.
"Look at how you are speaking! I am the Prime Minister of the Latash Kingdom. What kind of education did you receive at the Academy?
"I speak to you as Rosenheim's Chief of Staff."
"What?"
"Didn't our General Lucidral explain this to you earlier? Don't you know that there is a possibility that the assistance of the elven troops in the battle against the Demon King's army and the support of the Elven Elixir will be cut off in the future due to your own fault?"
(I used to think the Queen went way overboard by giving me this position, but it does come with its fair share of benefits.)
"You can't do that ..."
The Prime Minister looked at Sophie and the others behind me while saying so.
No one spoke against me.
"Prime Minister, if you have any doubts about Kiel's work, I have prepared a document for you to see."
As if to interrupt the tension between me and the Prime Minister, Sophie said that there was evidence of Kiel's work.
Two elves stepped forward from behind, carrying trays of rolled up parchment stacked on top of each other.
"What's this?"
"This is a record of Kiel's service on the battlefield. I have left this record in the hope that it will help Kiel's Family recover."
(No, seriously, it was hard to make.)
It was a record of Kiel's activities that I started making ever since the idea came to my mind. On the way back to the Academy from Rosenheim, my friends and I worked together at the hotel in the Academy City to create a heaping bowl of Kiel heroics. 90% of his feats were real, but I also borrowed the Queen of Rosenheim's Royal Seal, which could was used for official documents, and stamped it on the documents.
Even Sophie, the Princess with the right to inherit the throne, appreciated Kiel's efforts and urged the Prime Minister to keep the promise.
While we all looked at the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister couldn't help but look at the King.
"Hmm, I was planning to discuss it later considering it rude to discuss such things in front of guests from Rosenheim."
(Hey, you're lying. You were going to end it like this.)
"So you think Kiel is worthy of re-establishing his Family?"
Sophie proceeded to speak on Kiel's behalf.
"Kiel. Step forward."
"Yes."
The King asked Kiel to step forward, but unlike me, he nervously stepped forward until he was as far as me.
"Kiel. If Rosenheim, an ally of the Latash Kingdom, says that you have achieved great achievements, then it must be true."
The King reminded that Rosenheim was an ally.
"Yes."
"What your father, Lord Carnell, has done is unforgivable. The Royal Family will have to deal with it harshly. Returning this back to the Viscount's Family as it is and giving back all the territory will not be accepted by other Nobles. I hope you understand that."
"Yes."
"Therefore, your territory will be half of the original, and you will be a Baron. Is that clear?"
(I see. So this is what he is planning.)
"Good for you. Kiel. It looks like you can go back to being a territorial Noble."
I spoke to Kiel to show that I didn't have any problem with those conditions.
"Oh, thank you all."
Kiel also remembered that we made Kiel's Heroic Tale with a lot of excitement while wondering if it was okay to do so.
"But what half is Kiel getting?"
"Hmm? The Carnell Family has been in charge of the White Dragon Mountains for the past several hundred years. Naturally, it's half the territory from the White Dragon Mountains. The Capital of the Carnell territory also falls within that half, so you can rest assured."
The King answered my question.
The White Dragon was there, but we could manage it.
(Oh, so it's half from the White Dragon Mountain side? )
I had a serious look on my face when I heard that.
"Kiel, it may be difficult with the White Dragon, but this is a favor from the King."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for keeping the promise of your predecessor."
Kiel was made a Baron and received half of his former territory from the King.
The audience ended with Kiel bowing deeply to the King.