novelzi Chapter 170 : Chapter 170
Chapter 170 : Chapter 170
King Leonardo, who had returned from war only three days ago. When such a King announced that he was going on another ‘business trip’ outside the royal castle, the atmosphere in the meeting hall became strange.‘The King is going to move in person again?’
‘Hmm… If the King wishes it, there must be a reason.’
‘It’s definitely not good for the King to be away from the castle so often.’
Not only the knights but also the officials thought so.
No matter how much the officials saw the military as competitors, their concern for the kingdom was similar.
In the past, they were officials who worked quietly out of fear of the tyrant, but now, a patriotism of their own had taken root.
An official standing at the edge of the banquet hall thought carefully.
‘The soldiers said that His Majesty Leonardo is a knight comparable to Commander Jereuth. Some soldiers even said he is stronger than Commander Jereuth. So His Majesty is unlikely to be in danger, but… there is always that ‘what if.’'
What if King Leonardo went outside the castle and got hurt?
That could be a loss that would shake the very foundation of this kingdom.
‘I must object… but honestly, I’m scared.’
No matter how much ‘patriotism’ the official had developed.
His fear of King Leonardo was still much greater than that patriotism. Human fear does not disappear so easily.
As a result, none of the officials could stop the King from going on a ‘business trip’ himself.
But then.
“…You can’t!”
It was Head Maid Elly.
“I, I oppose Your Majesty leaving the castle!”
In this place where the King was present, only the Head Maid would be able to raise her voice like that.
‘To shout at the King… I guess that rumor was true.’
‘The rumor that the Head Maid receives the King’s affection was true. If not, she must have multiple lives.’
‘No matter how much favor she receives from the King, to raise her voice like that. Does she not want to live?’
‘The Head Maid… is a good person and capable, but that attitude is not pleasant to see.’
While the knights and officials were making various complex assessments.
Leonardo turned around, looked at Elly, and asked.
“Why does the Head Maid oppose it?”
“Th, that is… because it is dangerous. In a state of confusion so soon after the war has ended, it is absolutely not a good choice for the King to leave the castle.”
“Hmm.”
“And also… if your purpose is to meet the Dwarves and seek their cooperation, Your Majesty does not necessarily have to go in person. Wouldn’t a knight or official bearing Your Majesty’s personal letter suffice?”
The Head Maid’s opinion was valid. The knights and officials also thought so.
However, the King’s opinion was more valid.
“No, I must go. Because we are the ones asking the Dwarves for a favor. And besides, until now, I have always gone in person when seeking cooperation from other races. It was so with the Giants, and also with the Elves.”
“……”
“Therefore, I must show the Dwarves the same courtesy. Just as my father did with his Giant, Elf, and Dwarf companions. As you all know, my father was ‘friends’ with many races.”
At those words, Giant Chieftain Barut and Elven Elder Elvandor nodded their heads. Faint smiles were also on their faces.
They had been watching the meeting from a corner of the banquet hall.
“St, still…!”
Elly’s lips trembled. It seemed she wanted to stop Leonardo from leaving the castle no matter what.
But unable to refute the King’s words, she eventually bowed her head.
“…I understand.”
“Is there anyone else besides the Head Maid who has an objection?”
—…….
“Any opinion is welcome. As I have said repeatedly, I like to hear opinions. And it helps me when you speak your minds.”
The King asked again, but no one said anything. This was partly because the King’s authority was fearsome, but also importantly, the trust that the King’s choice would always be right played a role.
“Good. Then Commander Jereuth, please form an escort to accompany me to meet the Dwarves.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Ah, and Olivia. The compensation plan for the fallen and wounded of this war that you submitted yesterday, proceed with it as is. It was so impeccable that there was nothing to change.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will proceed as instructed.”
Olivia bowed her head slightly with a smile that no one could see.
“Then this concludes the meeting. I know you are all tired and busy, so don’t overdo it, but do your best. That is all.”
Clang—!
As Leonardo rose from his seat, everyone stood at attention. Only the Head Maid, with a slightly slumped posture, followed the King down from the dais without energy.
“Leonardo, can we talk for a moment?”
When Leonardo reached the door of the banquet hall, Giant Chieftain Barut spoke. Next to him was Elven Elder Elvandor.
“Ah, yes. Would you like to come to my room?”
“Let’s do that. Jereuth, if you’re not busy, it would be good if you came along too.”
Jereuth did not know why Barut was calling him. But seeing as he was called separately, it seemed there was something important to say.
Barut, Elvandor, and Jereuth.
I returned to my room from the meeting hall with the three of them. Since all three were much older than me, I politely offered them seats on the sofa and spoke to Elly.
“Elly, please bring two cups of tea and a large glass of cold water. I’m fine.”
“……Yes, Your Majesty.”
Her voice was gloomy. It had been feeling that way since the meeting hall earlier.
As Elly left the room to run my errand, Barut smiled—a smile that felt a bit scary due to his stern features—and said.
“Leonardo, aren’t you being a bit too much? To not understand a woman’s heart like that.”
“Pardon?”
“Didn’t you notice? Why that maid is acting like that?”
“……?”
When I made a face as if I had no idea.
Barut and Elvandor looked at each other and shook their heads as if to say, ‘he’s hopeless.’
“It seems our King only knows the hearts of his people and not the hearts of women.”
“No one can be perfect. If God exists, He is surely fair.”
“Didn’t that fellow Philip teach him anything about romance?”
“That guy who seduced my daughter couldn’t have been ordinary.”
It felt like two old men talking about the ways of the world.
I did not really understand what they were saying.
Elvandor looked at Jereuth and asked.
“More importantly, Jereuth, you seem to have become quite close with my daughter, Silvia. She went to see you first after the war, before me.”
“Ah, that is, Lord Elvandor. That… actually, Silvia and I…”
Jereuth averted his gaze from Elvandor. Averting his gaze from someone was not a common reaction for Jereuth.
‘…Jereuth, don’t tell me he hasn’t told him about his marriage to Silvia?’
Nah, no way?
—As I was having that thought.
Barut asked casually.
“They’re married, so isn’t that possible? Is Elven culture a bit different? Does family always come first even after marriage?”
“…What did you say?!”
“Why are you so surprised? Jereuth and Silvia are married. So a wife can go see her husband before her father. Besides, they couldn’t even see each other during the war, so they must be even more affectionate—.”
As Barut continued to speak as if it were no big deal.
He realized Jereuth and Elvandor were glaring at him and changed his words.
“J, Jereuth. By any chance, did you not tell Lord Elvandor about your relationship with Silvia?”
“…I didn’t have the chance. So I was planning to tell him at an appropriate time. I was even thinking of telling him in person now that we have met like this.”
Jereuth said to Barut in a low voice. His voice seemed to hold a hint of resentment.
Ahem, ahem—.
“…I did nothing wrong. I am not a bad Giant.”
“……”
“Anyway, it’s your fault, Jereuth.”
Barut said with a dry cough and averted his gaze from Jereuth.
Jereuth looked at Barut, let out a small sigh, and then said to Elvandor.
“Lord Elvandor. I am truly sorry that you had to find out this way. But to say it again, Silvia and I pledged our love to each other before the war.”
“……”
“The reason I did not tell you sooner was because I truly did not have the chance… I would be grateful if my father-in-law could also calm his anger a bit.”
“Who is… your ‘father-in-law’?”
A blue aura flowed from Elvandor’s body. It seemed like he was about to use magic at any moment.
And not just ordinary magic, but very dangerous magic.
Just when it seemed something was about to happen.
Click—.
Elly opened the door and entered the room. She had brought the tea and snacks I had requested earlier.
It was very good timing.
“Elly, leave it here and you can go.”
“Ah… yes, I understand.”
Elly also seemed to have sensed the unusual atmosphere in the room and left quickly.
Even amidst that, Elvandor was still glaring at Jereuth. Jereuth was barely managing to look at Elvandor.
Saaaaak—.
Elvandor dissipated the aura flowing from his body and said in a voice barely suppressing his anger.
“For now, let’s talk about that separately. With Silvia.”
“…Yes! Thank—.”
“I’m not saying I approve yet. There’s nothing to be thankful for.”
“……”
“So, Leonardo. The reason Barut and I wanted to see you is because of the Dwarves.”
Dwarves.
I had been waiting for that name to come up.
‘In the
That was the content of the diary. When I showed the drawing of the ‘Griffon Aircraft Carrier,’ Ronak, who attended the meeting, had said, 「“A ship like this is difficult to build.”」
‘So the future me was flustered, according to the diary. Because Ronak, who knows more about ships than I do, said it couldn’t be built. Then Elvandor brought up the story about the Dwarves, it was written in the diary.’
That was the content of the
I thought that was the way to protect my authority—my dignity.
‘If I didn’t do that, it could have looked like a king who knew nothing was ordering a ship to be built.’
Elvandor continued speaking.
“Seeing you say you’ll go to meet the Dwarves yourself at the meeting earlier, it seems you know their culture and personality well. Those cowardly dwarves hiding underground have ridiculously strong pride. Your decision to go yourself is a good one.”
From the way Elvandor described the Dwarves, I could tell immediately.
The Elves did not think highly of the Dwarves.
“But Leonardo, even if you go to meet the Dwarves yourself, it won’t be easy to persuade those cowards and drag them out of their tunnels. As I just said, those cowardly dwarves have strong pride.”
“Yes.”
“So Barut and I are going to help you with that a bit.”
“If you help… how so?”
The two elders helping me was an unexpectedly good development.
At my question, Barut and Elvandor exchanged some words with their eyes, and then—.
Clank!
Barut unfastened the ‘shoulder guard’ that was wrapped around his shoulder, which was larger than my head, and gave it to me.
Swish—.
Elvandor took off the ‘ring’ he was wearing on his middle finger and gave it to me.
“Take this. This ring is a work of the Dwarf companion ‘Grombrindal,’ who adventured with your father and mother in the past. It is also a memento that your mother sent to me with a letter before she died.”
“This shoulder guard is also Grombrindal’s work. He explained what effect it had when he made it for me back then, but I don’t remember. But what’s certain is that it’s incredibly good. It will be too big for you to use, though.”
I asked as I received Barut’s shoulder guard and Elvandor’s ring.
“This is the work of the Dwarf elder Grombrindal—.”
Wait.
“I heard that the sword my father gave me was also made by someone named Grombrindal.”
“That’s right. That sword is also Grombrindal’s work. Barut’s shoulder guard, your mother’s ring, and your sword. All three of them.”
“Why are you giving these to me?”
“They will be the proof. The proof that you are the companion, friend, and king of the human, elf, and giant that Grombrindal acknowledged.”
“Proof.”
“Yes, proof. If you go to the Dwarves’ tunnel with that, they won’t attack you. They might even guide you directly to Grombrindal. If he is still alive, that is.”
So that was it.
I was truly grateful for Barut and Elvandor’s consideration. To hand over such precious items to me—.
“Just in case, I’m not giving it to you. Return it when you come back from meeting Grombrindal. I have never seen such a magic ring in my entire life.”
“Hmm. There is no other shoulder guard that fits my body so well. I can absolutely not give it away.”
Of course.
In any case, I was truly grateful. For them to prepare this for me without me asking first.
“Have either of you been to where the Dwarves live?”
Barut and Elvandor turned their heads at the same time.
“I went to the entrance but couldn’t go in. It was so small I couldn’t enter even if I stooped.”
“I didn’t even go to the entrance. Just getting near it, the smell of iron and fire is overwhelming. It’s a stench that cannot be compared to the smell of iron and fire from human cities.”
“Hmm… I see. Then could you perhaps mark it on a map?”
“Of course.”
Swish—.
Elvandor waved his hand in the air, and a large map appeared in the void. The map landed gently on the table, and Elvandor pointed to a spot on the sea east of the kingdom and said.
“It’s here. Do you see the drawing of two large chimneys here?”
“Yes.”
“There’s a cave next to those chimneys. That’s the cave that leads into the Dwarves’ tunnel. The chimneys are so large that you’ll see them as soon as you get close.”
“I understand. But what are these chimneys?”
“I don’t know for sure either. But smoke doesn’t come out of one, and from the other, smoke comes out every day without rest. It must be the smoke from the cowardly dwarves burning the earth, I suppose.”
Smoke from burning the earth…
‘But this looks just like a chimney at some factory. Like a chimney at a thermal power plant.’
I would find out what it was when I got there.
I brought the map Elvandor gave me closer to my side and said.
“Thank you. This has been a great help.”
“Hmm. Then I will be on my way.”
Barut stood up from the sofa immediately. Elvandor also followed Barut and rose from his seat, saying.
“I’ll be going too. …Jereuth, you come with me.”
“…Yes!”
Jereuth was like a man who had come to announce his marriage in a ‘shotgun’ wedding.
And Elvandor was the father-in-law.
‘Actually, that’s about right. Though since Silvia isn’t pregnant, it’s not exactly a shotgun wedding.’
I saw off the two elders and one sinner—Jereuth—as they left the room. Then I sat back down on the sofa and thought about what was to come.
‘Now I need to prepare to send Ronak to the Jerpan Archipelago as an envoy. I want to complete at least one ‘Griffon Aircraft Carrier’ before Ronak returns… to do that, I’ll have to move quickly.’
Thanks to resting well over the past three days, I was not mentally fatigued.
The war with the monster army was over, and our internal affairs were solid, so now it was time to prepare for external threats.