“Anything the matter?” (Origa)
“It is a proposal for a ceasefire from a person calling herself queen of the demons. If it is actually implemented, that will be great, but…” (Imeraria)
“A ceasefire? Those are good news. If the battle drags on for too long, it will also become a burden for Alyssa. As the other side seems to also be at a loss how to continue, I guess it is just the right time.” (Origa)
Origa’s words strongly contain implications that it’s only natural to accept the ceasefire. It’s unknown whether those are her own thoughts or something she was told by Hifumi, but Imeraria has no reason to not go along with this.
“I guess you are right there. I probably should accept to hold those talks.” (Imeraria)
Suddenly the idea whether she can’t make use of this situation crossed Imeraria’s mind.
“…Origa-san, do you have any plans for tomorrow’s lunch?” (Imeraria)
“I plan to spend time with my husband.” (Origa)
Imeraria conceals her irritation at Origa saying it is as if it was just natural to do so with a smile.
“If you like, Hifumi-sama can join us as well. How about a luncheon in the castle that at the same time serves as preparatory meeting? I want to wrap up the official details at that time, but I would like you to escort the queen of the demons from the border to this place.” (Imeraria)
“…Is that not something which should be carried out by the royal army?” (Origa)
“I would like it to take the shape of it serving as training for the knights who are currently being trained by Hifumi-sama. Besides, in worst case if the demon elites started to act up within Orsongrande, Hifumi-sama would definitely be capable of suppressing them.” (Imeraria)
“I would like to discuss the request fee and the schedule when Hifumi-sama himself is with us,” Imeraria added. Because of that, Origa put the decision it on hold.
“As I have to consult with my husband, I would like you to allow me to contact you at a later time today.” (Origa)
“Understood. Please take care of passing on my request.” (Origa)
After exchanging simple words of parting, Origa leaves the castle.
Imeraria told the maid, who entered the office in exchange and started to clean up both women’s tea sets, “Please hurry.”
“Also, please tell Sabnak and the prime minister to come here right away.” (Imeraria)
“As you order, Your Majesty.”
The maid swiftly placed the tea utensils on a tray, and left at a quick pace.
“…Yesterday’s enemy is today’s friend…no, I can’t call them friends, now can I?” (Imeraria)
While becoming fed up with her thoughts steadily becoming dark as she deals with politics, Imeraria gently caressed her belly. A definite medical diagnosis still hasn’t come up, but somehow she has a hunch that there’s a life dwelling in there.
“…After all one wouldn’t consider to make use of one’s friend.” (Imeraria)
☺☻☺
“Yes. Thank you for your efforts.” (Vepar)
Vepar gently thanked the man who visited her to make a report.
The office of Vichy’s central committee that’s being used as the queen’s office as is was gradually getting buried in documents. In a corner of the room Nyarl and Pheres are sorting documents while breathing heavily. Vepar, who had become troubled by the increasing amount of documents, ordered the two to sort the documents by their level of urgency.
The man threw a fleeting glance at Nyarl who is processing documents while continuously grumbling, but he didn’t address her. If I talk with her, I might get dragged into it as well.
“The disguise was perfect, so I certainly didn’t expect them to see through it. It’s my blunder.”
“Since you came back to report after properly passing on the signed letter, you don’t have to worry over it too much. As I might ask you to infiltrate them once more, you just have to be careful at that time.” (Vepar)
“Yes, Your Majesty. If you allow me another opportunity, I’d like to show you that I can accomplish my mission even more perfectly.”
According to the information brought back by him, Hifumi has resigned as feudal lord and is staying in the capital of the country called Orsongrande. Also, it’s possible for the country called Horant and Orsongrande to have formed a cooperative alliance.
“Certainly I didn’t expect him to retire, much less to say about him staying in the capital.” (Vepar)
After telling the man that they would talk about the reward on another day and having him withdraw, Vepar looks up to the ceiling while saying, “That was a surprise,” and covered her face with both hands.
“If I had known about that, I wouldn’t have written about going to their capital! Please give me a break. If I’m careless, it’s not unlikely that something unnecessary might happen between the demons and humans. Not just the ceasefire might be a lost case then.” (Vepar)
“It can’t be helped,” Vepar at this point stopped complaining about the letter she had already sent. He won’t go as far as causing a disturbance in the capital of the country he belongs to, she judged.
“If he did something like that, it would only result in him turning both sides, humans and demons, into enemies with the castle as stage.” (Vepar)
She drowns out her anxiety by deliberately laughing it off loudly.
Nyarl and Pheres look at her with faces full of pity, but at this point she felt as if she knows how she’s regarded by her subordinates.
When her emotions finally settled down after laughing for a while, Bashim entered the room hurriedly. He’s the man who commanded the attack on Vichy as general of the demons and who had one of his arms stolen by Hifumi.
The man, who wore a metallic armor, proceeded towards Vepar with rough steps and knelt down with a thump.
“I heard that you sent an envoy to the human city!” (Bashim)
“Rather than an envoy, I only sent a letter to them. What about it?” (Vepar)
Vepar’s words lacked any emotions. She couldn’t get to like Bashim who bluntly exposes his desire to get promoted. I won’t go as far as telling him to show some respect, but if I plan to go to another country to have an exchange with them as an organization that’s called a state, I should make sure that he can show respect towards his queen, even if it’s only for form’s sake.
Vepar didn’t have the slightest intention to raise Bashim, who doesn’t look as if he would be able to do that, above his current position.
“Just what have you written in the letter you sent? Certainly it’s something like a recommendation to surrender, right?” (Bashim)
Vepar was completely fed up with Bashim’s remark. We are in a situation where we are losing against the humans, which includes you yourself as well. Haven’t you guys been continuously telling yourself that you are overwhelmingly superior while repeatedly covering up the reality with excuses such as missing the means to attack? Vepar cynically thought.
No matter how you look at it, the war progress isn’t in any situation to recommend surrender, but for Bashim sending a letter to the enemy probably is limited to using it as provocation or as capitulation recommendation.
There’s no need to tell him about the contents of the letter. Since such a rude fellow is nothing more than a hindrance for Vepar in her management of the organization, she was at the point of wanting to get rid of him as soon as possible, but it was a problem that he has so much power that he can be used to make up for numbers if placed on a battlefield.
Besides, the contact with Orsongrande at the same time also serves as camouflage towards the hawks in the demon army.
“If you only look at the content of the letter it looks as if we are sounding them out about a discussion to conclude peace through a ceasefire.” (Vepar)
“Ceasefire, you said!? … Excuse me. However, in the current situation there’s no way for us to lose. Not to mention that we made a whole country surrender. Even now we
are polishing a two-front-strategy without any big losses. At the current stage a ceasefire, moreover one proposed by us, is unnecessary and a foolish move.” (Bashim)
I see, reaching that point, she understood the reason why Hifumi, who came to the demon territory, started a conversation with the demons without going on a rampage right away after entering the city while being led by Phegor. It looks like people will be that retarded, if they lack information.
“Calm yourself.” (Vepar)
“But…” (Bashim)
“The armistice is just a means. Bashim, you know about my restrictions for new transfer destinations, don’t you?” (Vepar)
The transfer destinations are limited to set-up “marks filled with Vepar’s mana” or places she herself had visited.
Considering the possibility of the demon army’s hawks coming up with strange proposals, Vepar quickly announced the flaw of her own magic.
“Ooh! In other words, the favor of you, Your Majesty, personally heading into the center of the enemy territory is a preparation to smash the enemy headquarter in one swipe!” (Bashim)
Vepar grinned broadly at Bashim, who was speaking in a slightly excited manner, thinking I skillfully managed to deceive him. “If you understand, have the soldiers train. At worst, if it develops into me being injured in the capital, the battle will start there.”
“As you command, Your Majesty!!” (Bashim)
Bashim, who left with his face being all smiles, is certainly heading to the soldiers and gleefully spreading the strategy he heard in the conversation just now. And then he should come attacking with the highly-spirited soldiers under one command.
“I think I will call them at the moment when it seems that Hifumi is holding that sword.” (Vepar)
And then I will have him become a splendid shield to buy time for allowing his queen to escape. Let’s choose someone, who can guess what their queen thinks a bit better, as Bashim’s successor.
All of a sudden she called out to the two who still grappled with the documents inside the room.
“Nyarl, Pheres, don’t you want to have try on becoming a general?” (Vepar)
“Absolutely not.” (Pheres)
Pheres replied immediately and Nyarl also kept nodding her head repeatedly in agreement.
Chapter 172 – Mirrors
“That’s not my job.” (Hifumi)
Having enjoyed to his heart’s content the luncheon with Imeraria in the royal castle he visited together with Origa, Hifumi listened to her request while drinking an after-meal black tea and quickly refused it.
“What’s the deal with the coach standing out even at the real deal? Besides, what I’m currently teaching them are techniques for interpersonal combat. I think that the knight folks have plenty of experience with methods of escorting others while cooperating with each other.” (Hifumi)
“Uuh…” (Imeraria)
Having logic thrust at her, Imeraria was unable to go on with her persuasion.
Imeraria didn’t overlook how Origa, who watched the situation, revealed a faint smile.
“If you believe your own army to be lacking, you just have to make Fokalore send soldiers. There’s also no need to especially move a large number of people from the capital.” (Hifumi)
“But, an envoy from the capital not being present at the time of welcoming people from another country is…” (Imeraria)
“Phyrinion is at the border, isn’t she? If you send a letter or something written by yourself and some knights as guards for her, it will keep up appearances, right?” (Hifumi)
He requests a refill of black tea from the maid being in waiting and gently stabs the fork into the cake that had been provided.
“Can you possibly dispatch soldiers from the Tohno Earldom then?” (Imeraria)
“Idiot. I told you to make them send soldiers, you know? I’m not the one you have to ask about in regards to this.” (Hifumi)
“It will probably be fine if you give instructions to Phyrinion and while at it, have her negotiate,” he eats a slice of cake.
“There’s no need to worry, Your Majesty. It’s not something Alyssa would decline. And it’s probably nothing that demands a particular reward either.” (Origa)
As if throwing a lifeline, Origa spoke up to Imeraria who’s in confusion.
“But, if you could concern yourself with Alyssa a bit so that she’s allowed to get used to the kingdom’s nobility…” (Origa)
“Yes, that’s no problem.” (Imeraria)
Originally Alyssa is a foreigner as person from Vichy. Although it’s not unusual for merchants to pass back and forth between countries, it was unprecedented for a single soldier to convert to another country and to even become a noble heir. Since Hifumi’s influence is still going strong, there’s no public opposition, but as soon as Hifumi’s influence fades after his retirement, Alyssa won’t be able to elude a strong backlash by the citizens and nobility if she makes some kind of blunder.
“Since Alyssa-san is close to me in age, I’d like her to come to the royal castle as friend. I will also provide education in Orsongrande’s etiquette to her.” (Imeraria)
“Thank you very much for your kind consideration.” (Origa)
Imeraria immediately understood Origa’s true motive behind relying on her in regards to Alyssa. If their plan goes smoothly, Origa will be sealed together with Hifumi. Even though excellent civil officials will still be left afterwards, she’s probably anxious.
While being careful to not show it on her face, Imeraria is nervous in front of the big task of negotiating with the demons. Hifumi opens his mouth,
“You don’t have to worry about Alyssa’s lodging. I will stay here. Once Vepar arrives, call me. After all we are no strangers.” (Hifumi)
“Just what did you do in the demon’s country…?” (Imeraria)
“Just a little sightseeing tour. You can employ Viine if you are going to send a letter to Fokalore.” (Hifumi)
Viine has gone out to sightsee the capital together with Puuse since the morning. Since she said that she’s going to grab lunch outside, she likely intends to return in the afternoon.
“Understood. I will immediately prepare the necessary documents. How is the progress of the knights?” (Imeraria)
“Because their bodies were trained, it’s easier than teaching amateurs. I was really troubled with training Origa.” (Hifumi)
“P-Please don’t talk about that. Even I’m embarrassed about the events back then, so…” (Origa)
The voice of Origa, who casts her eyes down with a bright red face, is frail and delicate, lacking its usual pressure.
Imeraria was aware of Origa receiving training from Hifumi right after he came to this world due to the reports from the Third Knight Order. She didn’t feel anything at all back then, but being now shown that exchange in front of her eyes makes her quite angry.
After clearing her throat to gloss over that emotion, Imeraria takes a sip of the completely cold black tea. I forgot to put in sugar. Yuck, it’s bitter.
“Hifumi-sama, is it alright for me to ask a question, too?” (Imeraria)
“What is it for you to be so formal?” (Hifumi)
As usual Hifumi’s expression had a faint smile making reading his mind impossible, but Origa, who’s next to him, stares at Imeraria with a somewhat tense feeling.
“Hifumi-sama’s…no, what kind of world is the ideal world you are imagining, Hifumi-sama?” (Imeraria)
Being about to say Hifumi-sama’s desired, she reworded.
“I’m still inexperienced as statesman. I’m well aware of that. I’m royalty, but it’s not like I received education in that direction. …Honestly spoken, I’m only doing things ad hoc as I haven’t even decided the shape I’m planning for Orsongrande.” (Imeraria)
Since a war started, I dealt with it. Since a problem with Horant occurred, I dealt with it. Since the demons attacked, I dealt with it. And, after sensing the possibility of Hifumi’s existence jeopardizing the reign by royalty
, I will deal with it.
So what am I going to do beyond that?
What kind of country am I going to rule after eliminating Hifumi and restraining the demons’ threat?
She had postponed that while being swept away by her busy days.
At the coronation ceremony she carelessly stated, “I have the obligation to create a good country, where everyone can live in abundance. It’s my mission to build a country that allows them to believe that protecting it was worth it,” to the population. That’s no lie, but if she thinks back on it now, those are empty and embarrassing words.
“The ideal world, huh? That’s really simple. A world where everyone can do whatever they want to do.” (Hifumi)
Upon those words, Imeraria at first considered it to be an unexpectedly normal answer. But she immediately realized her own error.
“Everyone, that’s impossible, isn’t it?” (Imeraria)
Simply put, Imeraria’s wish and Hifumi’s wish run counter to each other. A peaceful, world with no disputes as desired by her and a world that keeps evolving through dispute as desired by Hifumi; neither of those two can come into existence.
“I guess. That’s how meaningless it is what you are trying to accomplish.” (Hifumi)
Draining the refilled tea, Hifumi stands up with the words “The lunch was delicious,” and quickly leaves.
Origa, who stood up likewise, called out to the bewildered Imeraria.
“Your Majesty. Desiring anything and everything like you do is foolish. That’s what he meant. I was taught the expression Someone who chases two rabbits won’t catch either.” (Origa)
Circling around the table, Origa looked down on the queen.
“You are trying to achieve peace for the country by abandoning Hifumi-sama. Since you have already decided to cut him off, demonstrate a resolve befitting that, please. Otherwise it will result in you losing everything.” (Origa)
Origa exits the room at a quick pace, chasing after Hifumi.
Being left behind, the queen was lost in thoughts for a while by herself. Then she headed to her office in order to prepare the documents. Her aura at that time was so intense that it didn’t let anyone get close to her.
Summoned Slaughterer - Book 8 Page 17