Chapter 162 (1/2)

Volume 2

CH 18

「Conversation With the Royal Family」

When the door in the back of the room opened, a young man and woman were the first to enter .

The young woman was slightly taller and older than Chiome .

Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in waves and her large, brown eyes perfectly matched her delicate facial features . Despite the flower-designs sewed into the collar and cuffs off her gorgeous dress, it didn’t come off as too extravagant .

Her eyes contained a strength and dignity that only added to the competent atmosphere the girl projected .

Next to her was a young man .

He was tall and had fine, light-brown hair coupled with intelligent, blue eyes .

His luxurious clothes were impeccable and he effortlessly projected a princely vibe .

In combination with the thin smile on his lips, he could be said to be rather handsome .

The pair parted at the doorway and allowed an older noble to enter the room and take a slow look around .

He appeared to be in his late fifties or early sixties .

It could be said that he was aging with dignity, even with the wrinkles that were set into his forehead, his blue eyes carried a steady strength within them, a strength that was empathized by the mix of white and blonde hair atop his head and in his beard .

Given that both the young man and woman bowed towards him, I assumed that he was the King .

Both Lille and Dylan stood and tried to bow towards the older man in a similar manner .

However, the older gentlemen stopped them with a wave of his hand .

“No need for formalities . You must be fatigued from your journey, there’s no need for formal greetings . ”

Even with those words, no one attempted to sit down as Lille took a step forward .

“Thank you for your concern, your Majesty . I am Lille Nozan Soulia, first princess of Nozan Kingdom . Thank you for meeting with us on such short notice . ”

Was that a practiced greeting, or was she just nervous?…… Lille gave a somewhat stiff greeting as she curtsied .

The elderly King’s eyes began to shine as he watched Lille’s small gesture .

“Oh, this belonged to Melissa……”

Deep emotions were reflected on the king’s face and the young lady looked surprised when they heard Princess Lille’s name .

“I am King Carlen Delft Rhoden Olav . I am also your uncle . ”

With a smile on his face, King Carlen began to introduce the two people beside him .

“Let me first introduce my daughter, your direct cousin and the second princess……”

The young woman stepped forward and performed a graceful curtsy before the King could finish speaking .

“Juliana Marill Melissa Rhoden Olav . Feel free to call me Juliana . ”

Lille responded to Princess Juliana with a natural smile of her own .

“And my son, the Crown Prince . ”

“I am Sect Rondaro Carunon Rhoden . It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance . Princess Lille . ”

After Princess Juliana introduced herself, King Carlen drew attention to Crown Prince Sect .

Prince Sect gave Lille a quiet smile as he elegantly bowed towards her .

At that point, King Carlen directed his gaze towards Dylan .

“It hasn’t been that long since you departed, but today you are accompanied by my niece?”

King Carlen raised an eyebrow when he asked his question, but Dylan’s smile remained intact as he replied .

“It has been a while, your Highness . We have already met before, but I am Dylan Targ Raratoia, the elder of Canada’s Raratoia village . As you have said, today I act as Princess Lille’s companion . ”

King Carlen eyes focused on Dylan as those words left his mouth .

“It’s surprising that you already have a connection with Nozan . ”

“Well, since there is a lot of overlap between relationships, perhaps this is a mere coincidence?”

King Carlen responded to Dylan’s question with a laugh .

“Let’s have a seat before we listen to your story . ”

After the King let out a small sigh he took the center seat on the opposite side of the table, with Princess Juliana and Prince Sect taking the seats at his sides .

Lille offered them a small bow before taking her seat, with Dylan following her example .

However, Zahar and Nana, who were acting as Lille’s guards, remained standing behind her .

King Carlen’s eyes briefly wandered in our direction, and Dylan was the one that answered his unasked questions .

“These are my attendants for today, my daughter, another member of our village and one of our friends . ”

The King’s eyes bulged when he heard that .

“…… There isn’t much of a resemblance . ”

Dylan smiled wryly at the King’s natural response .

Ariane had been chosen as his daughter by process of elimination .

“Well, she takes after her mother . ”

Ariane made a difficult expression at Dylan’s question and turned her head away .

Was it my imagination, or had her ears turned a little red?

King Carlen’s eyes glanced over Chiome and me, but he didn’t say anything in particular before turning a puzzled look towards Lille .

“So, for what reason have you traveled all the way from Nozan to visit your uncle? Is it something important?”

After King Carlen shifted the course of the conversation, Lille took out a letter and placed it on the table .

Zahar, who had stood behind her, then stepped forward to present the letter to the king before returning to his place behind Lille . .

“Uncle Carlen, I’ve come to you today and ask that you hear out our request . The details have been written in the letter from my father, his Majesty Asparuf . ”

With a serious expression, Lille addressed Carlen not as the King of Rhoden, but as her uncle .

King Carlen didn’t call her out on the issue, breaking the wax seal on the letter and examining its contents, his face immediately froze in an astonished visage as he read .

When they saw the change in King Carlen, both Princess Juliana and Prince Sect looked towards Lille .

“Is it true that the Hiruku Theocracy invaded Nozan, Delfuento and Salma……?  It says that the invaders number around two hundred thousand, but……”

Princess Juliana involuntarily let out a surprised shout when she heard the questions her father asked regarding the letter, while Prince Sect had an indescribable expression on his face as he knitted his browed and stroked his chin .

“Wait a moment, Father!”

The elegant Juliana violently rose from her chair and yanked the letter out of King Carlen’s hands, while he was still in the middle of reading it, and frantically began reading it herself .

“Goodness, Juliana . I was still reading that . ”

Although the King complained about his daughter’s behavior, Princess Juliana tried to authenticate the half-read letter by staring down a dumbfounded Lille and questioning her .

“Is what written here true? Has the Theocracy used wicked methods to attack the other kingdoms with undead!?”

“I-It’s the truth! I thought my life had come to an end when one of those monsters attacked me!”

In response to Princess Juliana forceful inquire, Lille’s passionate personality came out as she hastily replied .

However, Princess Juliana didn’t seem interested in that particular detail as she started pacing around the room and talking to herself .

“But, doesn’t the Hiruku religion have a long and benevolent history? The doctrine itself is rather ordinary, so I never expected it to be such a heretical religion……

King Carlen let out a large sigh as he watched Princess Juliana behavior before he took up the letter and paid her no mind .

After a little while, the King lifted his head from the letter and turned his eyes to a smiling Dylan .

“It says here that the Canadian elves will be participating in the upcoming war, but if that true…… this is basically a territorial dispute between humans, right?”

Dylan began to chuckle and nodded his head at King Carlen’s skepticism .

“The adversary is the Hiruku religion . If there is a cause for us to remove or weaken it, then the great elders should be all the more willing to join . ”

King Carlen made a worried expression when he heard Dylan’s answer .

“So you’re still working on this plan without higher approval?”

King Carlen looked at Dylan with a disbelieving expression on his face, yet he simply shook his head and said nothing .

“This isn’t a decision that a single village elder is capable of making . ”

Lille and her two guards began to pale as they listened to Dylan’s and the King’s conversation .

…… Their worry was understandable .

In this upcoming war, the participation of the elves was indispensable when facing an undead army capable of simultaneously invading three countries .

If Maple’s council of elders refused to join the war, it would spell the end of Nozan and its neighboring countries .

However, besides their concerns, Dylan seemed confident about something .

“There’s no need to worry . Canada also has a duty to defend the people of Rouen Forest . Above all else, we must take part in the upcoming battle…… it is that type of situation . ”

Listening to Dylan’s words, everyone had a strange look on their faces, but Princess Sect seemed to have noticed something because there was a smile on his face when he raised a hand towards Dylan .

Seeing the prince’s actions, Dylan tilted his head in curiosity .

“What is it, Prince Sect?”

“Assuming that Canada will participate in this war, what will Nozan be providing you in return? Is there anyone kind enough to lead a hand without seeking something in return?”

Hearing the prince’s question, King Carlen and Princess Juliana looked at Dylan, waiting for his answer .

“Nozan Kingdom and Margrave Branier of the Salma Kingdom have agreed to release their elven and beastmen slaves and make it illegal to enslave either race in the future . ”

Princess Sect’s eyes narrowed at Dylan’s answer .

“That’s quite the large demand . Not only the elves but the beastmen as well……”

When Prince Sect looked down at Chiome besides me, she received his gaze and returned a sharp bloodlust filled gaze of her own .

There was a smile plastered on his face as Prince Sect shrugged his shoulders .

“Excuse my impoliteness . If it was only a verbal agreement, are you sure they will uphold it?”

Lille’s cheeks became inflamed at Prince Sect’s spiteful smile and question .

“My father won’t go back on his word!”

Lille’s eyes began to shed tears when she slammed her hand against the table . Princess Juliana sighed and offered an apology after she and King Carlen scolded him with their eyes .

“There is no excuse for my actions . I did not mean to speak ill of your father . I’m only a bit worried . Whether or not the stated condition is guaranteed, it will determine if the Elven authority will agree to participate . Simply put, they do not know your father’s character . ”

Prince Sect words seemed to have upset Lille again, but Dylan’s smile remained ever present in front of her .