Chapter 173 (2/2)
The faces of Gotthold's party members and commanding officers of the army turned red from anger.
「I know. Find out what those people are up to. I'll consult His Majesty about this.」
The kingdom of Ponsonia's royal capital, G. Ponsonia. The royal castle was abuzz after receiving a notice from Bios out of the blue.
「So Austrin requested an arbitration from the Pope?」Kudyastoria asked, eyeing everyone present in the conference room.「They were the ones who opened hostilities.」
The Prime Minister nodded.「It is safe to a.s.sume that's the case, especially if they found out that we formed an alliance with Quinbland.」
They had already officially announced the alliance with Quinbland to break the spirits of Austrin's army.
「Judging by the contents of the message, we don't know if the Pope is really interested in mediating.」
「Indeed. He's just requesting us to send an envoy to Bios. Still condescending as always, but he seems to be saying that they'll provide a setting for an arbitration since someone made an appeal.」
A military man spoke up.「This is ridiculous! Prince Austrin is a wanted man and a traitor who teamed up with Einbeast! I don't understand why the Pope would want to listen to the prince!」
Military officials agreed, nodding repeatedly. Kudyastoria held the urge to heave a sigh.
「It doesn't matter what we think. I'm sure the Pope has his own plan. Anyway, there's just too many troubles one after another. Those complaints…」
The Military officials and n.o.bles' expressions stiffened. While Austrin's army hadn't attacked yet, the royal capital was busy with preparing to defend itself. Amidst all this, complaints arrived, mailed directly to the captain of the knights, Lawrence D. Falcon.
The complaints contained information about the Church and n.o.ble's corruption, sent together with notes and contracts. Before verifying the contents, the temple knights already made their move, so Kudyastoria had no other choice but to announce this to the n.o.bles.
However, the chaos that ensued was insignificant. The n.o.bles who noticed their doc.u.ments had been stolen left the royal capital, most likely using the civil war as a chance to flee to a different country.
Kudyastoria ignored them all. They'd have to survive the civil war first. But the princess had a hunch that perhaps someone was using the current conflict as an opportunity to weed out the corrupt. The ident.i.ty of the whistleblower, however, was currently unknown.
「Anyway, let's discuss the matter about the envoy. Someone has to go there to express our side. And, this one's important…」
The princess frowned. People whispered to each other, wondering what was wrong. The Prime Minister, who knew about the situation, took over.
「“A prior consultation is necessary, so make sure the envoy arrives in Agiapole in ten days” is what the message said.」
「Ten days?!」
「That can't be done.」
「With a fast horse, I think it's possible.」
「You do realize you'd have to go through Leather Elka, right?」
「Ah…」
Everyone quickly realized that the shortest route to Agiapole would be through Leather Elka, then Eingunstadt and straight through Einbeast. There was a high chance that the princess's envoy wouldn't be allowed to pa.s.s, considering the current situation.
「Fortunately, the message said we could send our statement via writing. I don't know why His Holiness would do something like this, but this is what the Pope wants. We have to follow his instructions.」
They didn't have to send an envoy. A letter would be fine, but it had to be signed by the princess.
「Let's send someone just to be safe. Can you go, Sir?」the princess said.
The man in charge of foreign affairs nodded.「This old man will undertake my last great task.」he said.
「No, you will have many work to do after this. Please make sure you come back.」
「Haha. It looks like we might have a strict queen soon.」
「I suggest you go through sea via Vireocean.」
The maritime nation of Vireocean was one of Ponsonia's neighbors. Going to Bios via sea would be the safest option. It was fast as well.
「So all that's left is the letter…」
Lawrence, who was silent up until now, raised his hand.「Let's disguise the knights as adventurers.」the captain of the Order said.「They will carry the letter across Einbeast. This is our fastest option. If we give the same letter to a few people, our chances of success will be higher.」
「I see. That is a great idea. Do you have people in mind?」
「Yes, a few. I can head there myself if needed.」
「Pfft.」
Sweet Pleasure's leader, Senkun, almost burst into laughter. Everyone turned their attention towards him.
「My bad. I didn't mean to laugh.」
「What's funny, Sir Senkun?」
「A famous person like you would definitely be stopped at the checkpoint. Besides, if you go, who will protect this place?」
「I don't think there will be any fighting during an arbitration.」
「Stop pretending, man. We're talking about people who'd do anything to win, even side with Einbeast. This arbitration might even be a strategy so we'd lower our guard.」
Lawrence went silent, probably not considering that possibility.
「I think disguising knights as adventurers is a good idea. But I have a different suggestion.」Senkun said.
「Are you going yourself?」
「I told you, well-known people can't go. We're rank A adventurers, you know. Besides, if they found out we left, they'd think the capital was lightly guarded. Anyway, I'm not talking about us. We'll send a real adventurer.」
There was a stir among the n.o.bles and officials. Their face said they couldn't trust an adventurer for this job. Only Lawrence, Kudyastoria, and the Foreign Minister seriously considered Senkun's idea.
「Please explain, Sir Senkun.」
「Princess! You can't be serious! We can't trust adventurers!」a man protested.
「Sir Senkun himself is an adventurer. And you all know what he's capable of.」
The princess referred to the mock battle a few days ago. Ponsonia's elite didn't stand a chance against Senkun's traps. Everyone went silent.
「Why, thank you for believing in us.」Senkun said blankly. He didn't expecting the princess to trust in their abilities.「Like I said, I suggest we send an actual adventurer who'll pa.s.s through Einbeast. It has to be adventurers ranked C and lower, though. Otherwise, they'd draw attention.」
「Is there even a rank C adventurer that skilled that you'd vouch for them?」
「I know someone skilled who's rank E… No, he's rank D now.」
A tumult of voices rolled through the conference room. A rank D adventurer was on the same level as an ordinary knight.
「Actually, I lost to him in a battle.」Senkun said, scratching his check with a wry smile.
The commotion grew even louder.
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