Seeing me return together with Josak, Lord von Christ’s face turns extremely pale, add that to my uncharacteristically solemn expression, and he a.s.sumes that I’ve met with some sort of danger. But that baseless worry doesn’t last very long, before it turns into another problem.

“I heard Your Majesty met the Shou s.h.i.+maron king, Saralegui?”

“That’s right.”

“In the pool?”

“Yup.”

“But why would he show up in this kind of highway hotel…”

Of course he would feel confused, but what I have to say next is even more shocking.

“And then, Günter… We’ve been found out.”

“What? What’s been found out?”

“The fact that I’m the Maou.”

When he heard that, forget his gaze losing focus, he practically turns the whites of his eyes. First turning pale then turning the whites of his eyes, he really is a busy man.

“H-h-h-h-h-how did things come to this? Don’t tell me Your—Your Majesty revealed your ident.i.ty of your own accord?”

“Of course not, I’m not that stupid yet. He just saw through me. Logically in the foggy condition of the bath, he shouldn’t have been able to tell the color of my eyes. Josak immediately covered my head with a towel too. But we still got found out easily. Maybe I have some other mazoku quality besides my hair and eyes?”

“It must be… Your Majesty’s beautiful appearance and n.o.ble aura, and the perfect parts that the lower cla.s.s people can never even hope of having…”

“No, the only one who thinks so is you.”

Beside us, Saralegui fixes his hair with his slender fingers, saying,

“Anyone can see you’re a king at first glance.”

I had even started suspecting if it was due to the maseki on my chest, but it isn’t a national treasure. If this stone was a legendary item that other kingdoms knew about, ‘he’ wouldn’t have simply given it to me.

But, we don’t have any time to spare to slowly figure out our worries.

Because by the time I finally manage to change into my clothes, Saralegui’s messenger is already standing by the door.

He pa.s.ses on a declaration, “His Majesty wishes to dine with milords”.

What will come has come, we’re going to have breakfast with the king of Shou s.h.i.+maron. Dining with a hotshot isn’t something you can deal with just be saying, “It’s really delicious~” or “Thanks for your hospitality—”. That’s to say, this isn’t just a simple gathering and meal, it’s actually an invitation to a summit of leaders with toast in front of us.

We were meant to have a few more days before reaching the castle in the capital Saralegui, and it ever occurred to us that we’d face our challenge on short notice in this hotel, so we didn’t have time for any mental preparations whatsoever.

Besides, the dueling card now has changed from Günter versus Saralegui, to me versus Saralegui. The saddest part is Günter, who was so ecstatic to be appointed “Special Amba.s.sador of s.h.i.+n Makoku with Full Authority under the Orders of the Maou”, has been abruptly pulled down from the main character’s seat. Just thinking about that, causes his cold sweat and tears to flow nonstop.

Anyway, we head towards a small restaurant that was booked ahead. Being a very through person, Saralegui is even waiting for us at the entrance, watching from the far end of the corridor. He is the honored ruler of a large country, but his personality is really quite straightforward. I say with a tone of sympathy, as though it has nothing to do with me, “The men in charge of protecting him must have it hard!” But for some reason Günter actually pinches my nose.

“What did you do that for—”

“…Your Majesty, ask yourself, is it logical for you to say that?”

I give him a stare full of resentment. What, if you have any grievances, just say it! Don’t want to deal with the naggy education minister anymore, now’s the time to focus on the summit between two countries. I use the strings on my ap.r.o.n as a replacement for a tasuki[1] and tie them tight, preparing the first sentence of greeting.

“Good morning, Your Majesty Yuuri.”

“Goof morning, Your Majesty Saralegui.”

Because this is my first ever high level summit, my words come out sounding strangled.

Meeting him again in a bright area, he’s still the pretty boy I imagined him to be. Just like at the pool, Saralegui is wearing pale colored gla.s.ses. Since they’re tiny things meant to protect his eyes, they don’t hurt his beauty at all. Overall, he still has a young girl’s slender figure, and fair smooth skin, so these aren’t illusions by the mixed magic after all.

The first thing that attracts my attention is his hair color. Silky gold hair cascades down his shoulders like a waterfall, sparkling under the morning sunlight. Different from Wolf and Madam Cheri’s honey blonde hair, his is pale, as though one drop of golden dye added to white. Although it’s easy to categorize them together, each has its own merits when you look closely.

What am I talking about, each have their merit, why do I sound like a pervy old geezer?

“Your Majesty Yuuri, I apologize profusely for inviting you over on such short notice.”

“I-I’m grateful f-for your g-gracious i-invitation… Ouch!”

Wolfram secretly kicks me, ah, calm down, me. Quick, remember when you were chosen as the subst.i.tute oath-declarer at the Summer Games, and how you practiced every day for it. Although since I was only the subst.i.tute, when it came to the actual day all I could do was sit and listen.

I have to be calm and carefully when conversing with this boy king, and try to find out what kind of character he is. Or perhaps to let Wolfram and Günter get a better picture, I should try and glean as much information as I can. Like whether he’s a good guy or a bad guy, or if he’s a person we can trust.

“…Likewise, likewise. I’m sincerely very happy we can have breakfast together, Your Majesty Saralegui.”

The ‘pretty’ boy king curves his light red lips into a small smile.

“Let’s not call each other ‘Your Majesty’ any more. We should be equal in standing, wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Yuuri?”

“I never requested that you call me Your Majesty, Saralegui.”

I actually called him without even an honorific. Although my pretense at calmness is still holding, the truth is I’m a nervous wreck inside.

But no wonder. The enemy is a natural born royal, receiving kingly training since childhood, a boy who’d grown up watching the back of his father and previous king for seventeen years, a man n.o.ble amongst n.o.bles. In comparison, I’m surrounded by ministers who desperately praise me, and a throne I got like from a lottery. I have absolutely no idea what the tricks to leading an entire people are at all.

Though I have met other people of high stature in the past, like Mr Hyscliff and Belar the Second, but back then I wasn’t using my true ident.i.ty as s.h.i.+buya Yuuri to face them, and was instead hiding under false pretenses. This is my first time going leader to leader, king to king one-on-one like this. This time what I say might be taken as the opinion of all the mazoku, if I lower my head now, then all the people of s.h.i.+n Makoku will surely scorn me.

Right now, saying something comforting like ‘just be who you are’ has almost no use at all on the actual battlefield. If I can’t show a power above average, then there’s simply no way for me to be Saralegui’s equal.

I desperately straighten my back, not letting the other party look down on me no matter what.

The pressure makes me feel like my b.u.t.t just can’t sit on the chair.

Firstly I must choose an appropriate tone of voice. The first person p.r.o.noun should be ‘we’, right? And stuff like when to show respect and when to show allowance must be noted. And instead of ‘have’, should I say ‘own’?

And yet all the mental preparation I did beforehand is instantly shattered. Because Saralegui suddenly gives me a warm hug, wrapping me tightly with his slender arms.

“Waa!”

“Really? Can I really just call you Yuuri?”

“…P-please call me that.”

While I’m trying to hide it on the outside, on the inside I’m screaming ‘Eeeeeeee—’ in embarra.s.sment. Wolfram’s piecing gaze from behind makes me exceptionally jumpy. Instead of saying it’s piercing like a needle, I should say it’s like a roaring flame of jealousy. No, wait! It’s not just a glare, he’s pinching me too! My b.u.t.t hurts like h.e.l.l where he pinched me!

Saralegui doesn’t notice our little movements under the counter, pure and innocent him pulls my hand like a child and says,

“Come in, we can chat inside. By the way, why are you dressed in a kitchen apprentice’s clothes?”

“Because I’m in the middle of stowing away, so I can’t change my clothes.”

“Stowing away?”

Saralegui starts laughing lightly.

“Even the king has to stow away? s.h.i.+n Makoku is so interesting. But that long ap.r.o.n looks really good on you!”

I don’t tell him that in fact I was planning to pretend to be a professional chef, and feign ignorance while I eavesdropped on the conversation between the Special Amba.s.sador and the king of Shou s.h.i.+maron.

Just like all the secret negotiations happen over the corporate lunchtime or in high cla.s.s restaurants, we eat as we talk. But because I’m naturally slow, I was never able to mult.i.task. So even though the table is covered with a luxurious breakfast, even a glutton like me is in no mood to eat.

There’s another reason my appet.i.te declined, actually.

Aside from the soldiers standing guard at the entrance and Saralegui’s personal guard, there are a few more of his men in the room, and one of them is a familiar face.

He has Shou s.h.i.+maron’s standard hairstyle and a textbook beard, plus a drawn, wan face and thin single-lidded eyes. Maybe it’s due to his appearance, but rather than saying he gives off an overall impression of strength, it’d be better to say he’s like a sharp weapon. And last of all, there’s that memorable army uniform of yellow and blow crossed, as well as that cheek with even more scars than last time.

This person is the king of Shou s.h.i.+maron’s loyal lapdog, Nigel Weiss Maxine.

His is the real Cropped Ponytail, but I’ve already given him a cute nickname.

“Ah, it’s you! Crop Pony!”

c.r.a.p, I actually said it out loud…

Maxine is the man who made Caloria h.e.l.l on earth. If it wasn’t for this man using a royal decree as the starting gun, ridiculously performing experiments, that tragedy in the south east area of the continent wouldn’t have happened—As in, using us, on the north bank of the Kalongba river as guinea pigs, and activating the most evil of all weapons, ‘Ends of the Earth’.

And not using a wrong key from goodness knows where, either.

…It was that certain someone’s left arm.

Speaking of experiments, I wonder what those experiment partners are doing now? Is Gwendal being played around like a toy by Miss Anissina? Maybe he’s even letting loose blood-curdling screams now? I try to think about the happy life I led in Covenant Castle, but seeing the worst man in Shou s.h.i.+maron, I can’t relax no matter what.

At this moment, Josak taps the arm I’d twisted behind my back lightly, and Wolfram is frowning slightly to. The only one who doesn’t recognize Crop Pony is Günter. But today’d Nigel Weiss Will-Never-Die Maxine isn’t the same as usual, he’s blinking non-stop, and that’s just too unnatural. Those thin lips, usually curved into a cruel smile, are now twitching oddly, doesn’t it feel like the sense of defeat of someone who’s failed so many times he was scolded, and even branded as ‘useless’ within his country?

“Eh, you know Maxine?”

“Of course I do.”

A taste of bitterness welling from deep within my throat, the fist I’m gripping so tightly shaking uncontrollably. If it weren’t for Wolfram sitting on my right, stopping me, I would have long since grabbed Maxine’s s.h.i.+rt and pushed him to the wall.

“It’s this sc.u.m who turned Caloria into h.e.l.l on earth.”

But the one who ordered Maxine isn’t anyone else. It’s the king of Shou s.h.i.+maron, Saralegui. Ad that same man is right before me now, even smiling gently.

“Speaking of that, Caloria even accepted s.h.i.+n Makoku’s help during that crisis. I’m really grateful for your side’s aid and a.s.sistance, so here I’m representing Caloria’s appointed ruler in presenting to you my grat.i.tude. After all, back then that was still my territory.

I really don’t understand the true meaning behind those words. Did he purposely take the extra effort to say that? Or is he sincerely grateful? But when I see his innocent smile, I naturally accept his words.

“Technically, it’s what we were supposed to do anyway. Although we could not lend a hand in time, but we were willing to offer financial a.s.sistance, only to be rejected by Flynn Gilbert. Of course, we still have manpower and machinery standing by there to this day, so we can give our help at any given time. Now we’re just waiting for Flynn to soften up… Oh, yeah, she’s already the leader of an entire country, seems like I shouldn’t simply call her Flynn anymore.”

He shrugs his shoulders like a child who was scolded, making him look even younger than his actual age.

But no matter what, the one thing I can’t forget is that he’s the true mastermind behind this entire incident. Getting the wrong key and box, then ordering Maxine to open it, it was all him, the king. Is he trying to hide his own guilt? Or maybe he doesn’t know I witnessed everything on scene?

“Saralegui, what do you think the reason behind the tragedy in Caloria was?”

“Of course I know.”

“If you know, then how can you still be so--”

My angry, shuddering words are suddenly interrupted.

“I’m sorry!”

Saralegui suddenly puts both palms onto the desk. And lowers his pale golden head.

“I’m really very sorry. Although everyone knew that a terrible calamity might strike once we open the box, especially using an uncertain key, making the power even more impossible to control. We even knew that by doing this, we could never the desired result, but still…”

Without raising his head, he continue yelling, leaving no s.p.a.ce for anyone to interject.

“Ever since we got the box by some unique chance, I’ve told my men time and again, to guard the box carefully, and utterly. Its overwhelming power is indeed very attractive, but I understand clearly that we humans have no way to control a power that defies the laws of this world, surpa.s.ses the human intelligence. But I still… could not believe in the power of a legendary box. I thought that man could overthrow the G.o.ds, and that victory in war comes not from some box, but from the power of humanity. I thought that the people and all my men understood me, and agreed with me, were willing to follow me…”

I’m completely subdued by Saralegui’s presence. Forget fighting back, I can’t even open my mouth to agree.

“But a few of the more superst.i.tious soldiers… could not fight the temptation of that power. hey were attracted by the holy power of the ‘Ends of the Earth’, and brazenly took action without considering the consequences… No, they did it for the country, and for the people of Shou s.h.i.+maron. But still, whenever I think about the terrifying outcome, I know I can’t just turn a blind eye to their crime. Even though it’s the sudden action of a few soldiers, but I had noticed long ago yet failed to stop them, so I should take up all the responsibility, the responsibility that I, who had failed my duties as king, must carry. I was only watching the country’s land and borders, but I failed to grasp my minister’s hearts. This happened because I(informal) ... I (formal) could not reach them. As a result, the violent soldiers ended up doing such a dreadful thing… Don’t you think so, Maxine?”

The Crop Pony standing by the window side, his shoulders are shaking really violently, and he’s biting his lip without a word.

“Why aren’t you replying?”

Another s.h.i.+maron soldier in the room scolds him in a low threatening voice.

“…Your Majesty’s words ring true.”

Maxine replies straightforwardly, making me unable to shut my mouth which had already taken on an ‘oh my G.o.d~’ shape. What happened to you, Crop Pony? Why are you so serious and well-behaved today? Purposely speaking slowly and menacingly, isn’t that the specialty of the real Cropped Ponytail?

This isn’t the Maxine I know. Besides, he deserved it, I’m not gonna pity him.

“He is repenting to this day. After his successor is determined, he will personally pay for his sins. To make it up to the people of Caloria and the south-east area, I’ve given him the heaviest possible punishment, but…”

The agitated Saralegui suddenly slows down, a barely suppressed anger in his words.

“The problems that he caused you. Must be repaid here.”

Nigel Weiss Maxine slowly raises his head to peek at his master’s expression.

“This stupid man cannot expect forgiveness, but at the very least he hopes you will accept his sincere apologies, right?”

The expressionless man’s face only twitches a little, and the same light that shone in his eyes when he yelled Saralegui’s name that day flits through them again. But that light quickly vanishes. Becoming a deep brown tinged with despair.

The man’s master orders him in a cruel voice.

“You must apologize to Yuuri, Maxine. Kneel, take his shoe…”

I think, ‘Don’t tell me he wants him to lick my shoe?’ and take a surprised half-step back, preparing to reject him solemnly.

“…and put it on your head.”

So at the end it isn’t licking, but putting on his head? That’s a weird way to apologize, is this the s.h.i.+maron version of a kneeling apology? But, how should I say this, mn—It still counts as a culture exchange between countries, if doing this can solve matters, I can still take it.

I get it now, to make some problematic men obey and respect you, you have to show a strong and forceful att.i.tude like this. This makes me respect him and scold myself at the same time.

After a bit more comparing, I realize I’m actually really lucky. I’m surrounded by people who call me a noob yet let me do as I wish, and people who frown deeply yet are still willing to take the suggestions of a rookie like me, and people who nose bleed while desperately giving me courage, and people who love crossdressing but helps me through underground work. And when I first came to this world, and was feeling uneasy, there was also a person who took even better care of me than anyone else.

When I’m desperately trying to escape reality, a wordless and cool-gazed Maxine has already taken one slow step forward. This forces me to try and take a step of equal distance backwards, I really don’t want him to do that—and from the look of things it’s obvious to see, that the person accepting the apology feels even more humiliated than the person apologizing. If it weren’t for Saralegui, I would have rejected something so embarra.s.sing from the start.

Crop Pony with his special beard, approaches me with an even paler face and staggering steps. The other three mazoku aside from me too are afraid of a fraud, watching with nerves tightly taut. But then the human man filled with despair falls to his knees with a stance as though sticking his body to the floor, and his forehead is so low, it almost touches the ground.

Wolfram hurriedly says in a small voice,

“…What are you doing, Yuuri?”

“Eh, I put my shoe…”

Crop Pony lifts my right foot up high, then takes off the chef’s shoe. Then he puts the thin-soled and lightweight leather shoe on his dark brown ponytail with a ‘pah’.

“Didn’t he say to put in on his head?”

“It shouldn’t be like that, right?”

“Feels like he’s wearing a hair ornament.”

“I told you it’s not like that!”

“But Wolf…”

I turn my head to look aside, and realize that the man who was staring at my naked right foot is now raising his head, so slowly it makes me impatient. He slowly raises his turbid gaze.

“You got the wrong guy.”

I take the shoe away from his head, the dust left behind there making me feel slightly guilty.

“The one you should be apologizing to isn’t me. To whom you must make it up, and how, you should know better than anyone else.”

At first I touch his head with the intention of knocking the dust away for him, then to hide my own sense of guilt, I have to rap down forcefully instead.

“I’m right, aren’t I, Nigel Weiss Maxine. Honestly, even I feel embarra.s.sed. Maxine!”

c.r.a.p, I actually said it out loud.

Perhaps having noticed my red ears and face, Josak grabs Maxine’s hand and pulls him away from me, opening the door and chasing him out of the room, even saying a few short words to the s.h.i.+maron soldiers at the door.

The one who ordered the apology, Saralegui, must have been really nervous too, because now he releases a deep breath as though there was a weight lifted off his chest.

“Every time something like this happens, I wonder if I have what it takes to be king… Guess I don’t have the leaders.h.i.+p skills you do, huh. Yuuri, I really envy you, and the citizens of s.h.i.+n Makoku who have such an impressive king!”

“There’s no such thing! It’s not like that, Saralegui!”

No, this is 180 degrees away from the Saralegui I imagined.

“Quick, raise your head. You’ve just been on the throne for two years, you’re only seventeen, right? To rule perfectly is impossible, it’s impossible regardless of who is king. Besides, Shou s.h.i.+maron is a large country, and I heard there are even complicated racial problems.”

“Because of the invasion.”

Wolfram mutters in a voice only I can hear.

“S-so, it’s impossible to properly rule an entire country. Like me, I’m a rookie king through and through. Until now I still don’t understand exactly what a king’s supposed to do! It’s because I have excellent comrades helping me. That’s the only reason I could hold on until now. If there was even one of them missing, our country might have fallen long ago.”

The difference is too much! The enemy in my imagination was a natural-born royal, having been taught the kingly ways since young, a man prepared to be king of a country. One with a mysterious charisma! A professional king who can capture the hearts of his men, then rub and knead and beat them without letting go! Technnically, it should be like that!

“There’s no such thing as the perfect leader, Saralegui, you can’t take everything onto yourself!”

Come to think of it, someone like me who’d been lucky to win the throne, why am I worried for the boy king of a country with tense relations and no deals with us?

Or is it just like Miss Aninssina said, and s.h.i.+n Makoku’s intel department is for decoration purposes only?

“Thank you. You really a nice guy, Yuuri.”

“Mmph!”

Saralegui raises his head to look at me, the eyes behind those lens already moist.

“Mmm! Nah… I’m really not as good as you think!”

If I don’t do anything, it’s highly likely that he’ll start yelling ‘stupid stupid stupid, I’m so stupid!’ while knocking his head on the wall.

“I believe the people of s.h.i.+n Makoku are really lucky too.”

“You’re wrong, Saralegui!”

The truly lucky one isn’t the people of s.h.i.+n Makoku, it’s me.

“Your Majesty.”

One of the soldiers still in the room whispers into his master’s ear—it’s the guy who scolded Maxine just now. This man has a regulation cropped ponytail too, but his hair and beard color make him seem gentler than Maxine. And I think compared to Crop Pony, he seems closer to Saralegui.

“I know, Storob.”

His name is Storob, please pay attention not to get it mixed up with ROAST BEEF[2].

The boy king nods his head softly, then stands in front of the chair he pulled over, saying,

“We’re going to talk about more serious stuff from now on, can I ask that everyone be seated? Although I said it’s okay, my men are still a little worried.”

Maybe it’s because he’s too skinny, so he doesn’t have a lot of stamina.

That’s what I was thinking. Eventually everyone takes their places, and just as I’d guessed before, the ones standing by are all men in soldier uniform. This really is a breakfast conference with a heavy atmosphere and muscle men.

Although there are enough chairs, Josak still stealthily moves to the door. The seating isn’t arranged according to our positions. That’s why I’m seated between Günter and Wolfram.

Saralegui, whose appet.i.te is as small as I thought, raises a gla.s.s filled with what looks like orange juice.

“Then, we can’t just be talking about the Box and Caloria, I’m sure that’s not your only goal.”

It’s the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. Günter asks immediately,

“I know this question is rude, but why did you to a normal hot spring hotel like this one? Shouldn’t we approach you for a formal interview first?”

Saralegui gives him a glance and then turns his gaze back to me instantly. I look back at him, and realize that there’s a smile even in his solemn expression. Looks like his mood wasn’t affected. Or maybe he just didn’t want to listen to someone who was never introduced.

“Saralegui, Lord von Christ is a very capable prime minister, and one of the most important people in s.h.i.+n Makoku. He understands more things than I do, so I let him speak on my behalf. Just treat Günter’s opinion as my own.”

I planned to introduce everyone beside me at once. So I turn to Wolfram. But he shakes his head slightly. He narrows his emerald eyes, even creases his stern brows, the picture of hostility.

I’m scared that there’ll be another storm to face when we go back to our room, so I do as he wishes and spare the introductions.

“I know he is your confidante. But I just want to talk to you, Yuuri, and not… any other stubborn mazoku.”

“Stubborn…”

Special Amba.s.sador Lord von Christ is at a sudden loss for words.

What to do, Günter’s brain juices are boiling over. If so, I’d better end this first conference quickly.

“I know, I kno~w, Saralegui! Just talk to me then, we’ll have a summit. An ‘Exciting Debate, Raw Egg at Dawn’, I can be Tahara Soichirou [3], okay?”

I stretch out my pointer and middle fingers to the boy king sitting opposite me.

“There are two topics to discuss this time. One is why are you as a king here at a commoner’s inn? Although it is still kinda fancy here. And one more… I’ll be blunt with you, because I don’t plan on beating round the bush. The other thing is about Shou s.h.i.+maron’s urgent diplomatic plans. Is it true that you are actively trying to contact the country under lockdown, Seisakkoku? Because we will take the appropriate measures according to your answer. Although I don’t want to ruin your mood, but in case Shou s.h.i.+maron plans on joining forces with Seisakoku to attack the mazoku, that’s more than just bad news to us.”

Saralegui nods as he listens to me, seemingly without any intention of interrupting.

“Then let’s begin with the first question, why are you here at the hotel? Why didn’t you wait for us in the city? Isn’t just a few days’ difference? Or is it inconvenient for us to meet at the capital?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I hope you’ll just call me Sara, it feels friendlier that way.”

After giving me a disappointing answer, Saralegui puts down his gla.s.s of juice. His fingers are really beautiful after all, it wouldn’t be a problem even if he were to be a model.

“Because both these questions are related in cause and effect, please forgive me for not being able to reply you in order. But the reason we’re here, is because we guessed that our guests from s.h.i.+n Makoku would surely be here. After we predicted the course of your journey, we decided on this place, where we were certain we would encounter you.”

“I see.”

“I guess you must be wondering why I couldn’t wait for even those few days? Are all Shou s.h.i.+maron people so impatient? The answer is no, but we really don’t have the time. If we waited until you reached the castle to start our journey, we’d never be on time. We plan on departing from this country two days later. Yuuri, we’ve decided to set sail from the Saralegui War Port your s.h.i.+p had arrived in.”

“I se— Set sail? Don’t tell me—?”

Saralegui clamps his mouth shut, lacing his fingers across his chest as he says,

“To Seisakoku.”

“What detailed preparations.”

More offended than surprised, Günter scolds softly. Maybe the people from Shou s.h.i.+maron didn’t hear him, probably.

“This is probably what you wanted to know, Yuuri. Does Shou s.h.i.+maron plan on starting relations with Seisakoku? The answer is ‘that’s right’.”

While I’m still hesitating on how to react, a sigh escapes my lips. The biggest mystery has been solved too abruptly, leaving me feeling suddenly weak. I take a hand complete different from Saralegui’s, one full of baseball calluses, and bring it to my forehead.

“…Is that so?”

“Are you unhappy?”

“Nah, at least not now.”

After many letters sent back and forth, we’ve decided on a date with the other party. Although we are neighboring countries separated by an ocean, but the journey to Seisakoku will take a fair amount of time. According to the detailed navigation plans taking past weather conditions and marine routes into account, if we don’t depart from Shou s.h.i.+maron within these ten days, we’ll surely be met with seasonal winds and currents. So, Yuuri, I really didn’t have the time to wait for your arrival at the city… But it really is a pity.”

The eyes behind the lenses narrow mischievously. When I was thinking he was talking about something serious, he immediately says something cute. As the king at the helm of a large country, who knew he’d be so childish. Although he’s one school year older than me, he’s the type that makes you want to stay by his side to console and encourage him on.

“What do you mean by ‘pity’?”

“I really wanted to take you around my castle. Now’s right in the middle of the second blooming season, so the garden’s really pretty. If only I could take you around it, I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“Is that right, that sounds nice.”

I’m not paying a lot of attention to Saralegui’s words. Instead I’m distractedly thinking, ‘things are gonna get busy again’. Since the intel about restoring relations turns out to be true, then s.h.i.+n Makoku must take the corresponding measures. After all, if a land shut away for 2000 years decides to have a special relations.h.i.+p with Shou s.h.i.+maron, then the other countries, starting with Dai s.h.i.+maron, will definitely not stay quiet about it.

Of course, s.h.i.+n Makkoku can’t just stand by and watch either. I’m really not good at diplomatic discussions, no, instead of saying not good, I should say I’m basically clueless. Guess if it was Günter and Gwendal, and the other Ten n.o.bles plus all the other high-level officials, they’d surely react violently, then start discussing non-stop in meetings.

“Please answer me, after this trip would you come stay by my castle for a few days? You’re in no hurry to return home, right?”

“Yeah.”

Although it wasn’t my own intention to interfere with other countries’ matters, but my country can’t stay out of this either. Whether the results are good or bad, this world is a compet.i.tive world. With my mathematics results, contemplating national economic matters is no easy feat, but when it comes to a sales market, bigger is always better, right? Mmgh, my head is already starting to hurt, looks like I’d better get back quickly and hand this over to the experts.

“Sorry, I think I should return immediately after all…”

“Don’t be like that, Yuuri. Didn’t I just say I wanted to take you around my garden? Didn’t you agree to stop by my castle after this trip? If you want to go back on your promise, I won’t let you in my s.h.i.+p!”

“Your s.h.i.+p?”

Did he mention a s.h.i.+p just now?

On both sides, Günter and Wolfram won’t stop knocking my knees. It hurts, it really hurts!

“I don’t understand your signals!”

“Don’t go back! Just don’t go back for now!”

What? That’s too mean, Wolf, is that what the officially-recognized fiancé should say?

“We’ll stay for now. We agree to stay a few days in Saralegui City after you return from your trip!”

Since when did the overprotective Günter get so agitated that even he’d reach out and betray me?

“Mm? What are you guys…”

“That’s why, please bring us along on this trip to Seisakoku!”

I haven’t even completed my sentence, and Günter has already promised the other party.

Although he’s the Special Amba.s.sador I myself chose, I have absolutely no idea what he’s saying. Is Lord von Christ forcing Saralegui, whom we’ve just met, to take us to Seisakoku?

“I say, Günter, even if they mean well, doing this is just too shameless—”

“I don’t mind, y’know!”

“Is that right, you don’t m… Saralegui?”

The boy king makes a bold statement with a nonchalant expression. No wonder they say a man is as good as his name[4].

“Although I only welcomed Yuuri, but if he does not wish to travel alone, I can allow the other two to board the s.h.i.+p with us.”

In other words, he’s willing to let the three of us tag along in the Shou s.h.i.+maron s.h.i.+p on the diplomatic expedition to Seisakoku? I can almost hear the super bis.h.i.+e yelling ‘banzai’ three times inn his head.

“Sara… You really are too kind.”

“I’m nothing compared to you, Yuuri.”

He shows an angelic smile that won’t lose to that stubborn kid. In fact, now he looks more like an angel than the third son, who’d suddenly changed into his oldest brother.

And then I collapse onto the back on the chair, feeling completely drained.

How did I do in my first ever leaders’ summit? If the full score is 100, my performance should be 127, because no one made any noises of protest. I suddenly feel like going out and soaking in the sun, whistling.

When I finally get out of the overwhelming sense of relief, the hunger hits me like a hammer.

“Phew—Since it’s rare to have such a lavish breakfast, then I won’t hold back—Though it might have gotten cold by now. Wolf, pa.s.s that jam over there to me!”

Just when I’m holding a toasted piece of bread in one hand and reaching out for the purple jar—

An unnatural commotion comes from the corridor. Josak, who was standing by the door, moves his back away from the wall and his hand to his waist, before remembering that everyone’s swords had been pulled into a corner. So he heads across the room with a ‘tsk’.

Günter and Wolfram stand up too. Everyone looks towards the same direction.

The only ones still seated are Saralegui and I, opposite to each other.

“I say, Saralegui, I heard a shocking rumor. There are extremists against your rule…”

“It’s true! Yuuri.”

Just then, the door crashes open, followed by hurried steps of boots on the stone ground.

“What is this?”

A familiar voice.

“What’s with the security here?”

“…Conrad…”

Günter murmurs the name of the one who was once my confidant.

Lord Weller, who had barged in, tosses a bleeding soldier away.

Except for a certain someone, everyone’s gazes land on him, with his sword unsheathed and covered in blood. And I remain with my back towards him. Staring at the sky outside the window.

I don’t see the need to turn around.

Because he’s no longer the man I once knew.