42 Episode 42 "Meeting between the King of Frontiers ... (1/2)

On the day of the meeting, in the plains near the frontier...

As we were walking along the road, two wagons came from the other side.

One was a wagon loaded with lumber.

The other was a box cart with a roof and windows. Soldiers in armor were walking beside them.

As soon as they noticed us, the wagon came to a stop.

Only the boxcarriage, with an old man acting as its driver, was slowly approaching us.

...... You're the old man who came to the village the other day, aren't you?

You are the old man who came to the village the other day.

I'm sure that's Princess Sylvia's carriage. Brother.

”Probably. I read in the letter that she was coming disguised as a merchant.

Princess Sylvia is supposed to come here secretly.

Therefore, she had to disguise herself so that she wouldn't be spotted by the other guardians or the sisters of Princess Sylvia.

The carriage would be guarded by one guardian and one soldier. There will be one guard, one soldier and two companions, so the numbers add up.

In other words, Princess Sylvia kept her promise.

That was unexpected.

There are no ambushers ...... nearby.

Lysette looked around and shook her head. Garunga, a demon, does the same.

I'm not sure if you've seen this before.

On either side of the road, there are plains with a good view. There's nothing blocking our view. If a soldier is hiding, you can easily see him. Beyond the plain is a forest and a riverbank with tall grasses. But it's a long way from here. If there's trouble, we can get out of here.

The boxcarriage stops a dozen meters away from me.

The carriage door opens and a girl in white gets out.

The first thing I see is a white dress. The first thing I saw was a white dress, embroidered and luxurious looking. I've seen them in pictures from the original world, but this is the first time I've seen something like this. Lysette seems to be the same, and she compares it with her own normal clothes and sighs.

I'm Sylvia Kittle, youngest daughter of the great father Kittle the Great. Nice to meet you, the King of the Frontier.

The girl got off the carriage and bowed lightly to us.

She looked at us with slightly upturned, steely eyes.

We face each other, keeping our distance.

We don't fully trust each other. We're ready to go if something goes wrong.

First time I've seen you. I'm Shoma Kiryu, a frontiersman. People call me the 'King of the Frontier' for a reason.

I said to Princess Sylvia.

”Thank you for coming all this way. Princess Sylvia. I salute you for your courage to come to the frontier.

I wonder if this is the way to speak like a king.

I wonder if this is the right way to talk like a king. I can't be obsequious to a human authority, but I can't offend him by being arrogant.

It's a difficult balance to strike. Is this what you want to do? ......?

”...... 'King of the Frontier' is the one who overestimates me, isn't he?

It's like a thank you for agreeing to meet with me.

Well, well, well.

You're standing in front of me, keeping your promise of two companions. In front of the King of the Frontier. It's only natural to admire your courage. If the princess wishes, I promise in the name of the High King of the Deformed, the Demon Dragon King Shouma, that I will not wield my power, which even the avenging goddess fears, against you.

I held my mouth involuntarily.

Oh no ....... The door that opens is the wrong one.

It's not the ”door of chuunibyou” that opens. It's the door to reality processing power.

Because I was called ”King of the Frontier”, ”Demon Dragon King Xiangma” was about to show his face. Oh no.

”Anyway, thanks for coming to the negotiating table. That's all.

...... We have the weakness of having a subordinate who was rude to us.

Princess Sylvia looked up at me and told me.

”...... Dimms has been dismissed. He is no longer with me.

”Dimms ......?

Yeah, I've seen that guy before.

The one who failed to break the fence and got blown up by Haruka.

Oh, yeah, he got fired.

Don't worry about it. Anyway, could you please confirm the terms of our alliance?

”The conditions are simple. ”The conditions are simple: a non-war pact with Sylvia Kittle, and the sharing of information between Princess Sylvia's territory and Hazama Village.

”Simply put, we will not invade each other's territory and we will share important information.

Yes. That's right.

I looked over my shoulder at Lisette.

She's nodding her head vigorously.

It seems to be a very good deal, even from the perspective of all the subhumans.

The ”Non-war Pact” is especially important. It means that the daughter of the Grand Patriarch of Kittle has recognized the subhuman village as an equal partner.

I also appreciate the information sharing.

In the frontier, there is no information about the prices and logistics of human society.

When the area around Hazama Village is developed and crops become plentiful, this kind of information will become important.

I have no problem with this .......

There is a common sense in the original world that all good stories have an ulterior motive.

Let's check this.

”Can you tell me why you're offering me such a good deal?

I said.

”Are you dissatisfied?

Princess Sylvia nodded her head.

It is true that it may seem puzzling that I recruited you and then immediately agreed to an alliance when you refused. ......

I apologize if you find this offensive.

No, it's a valid question. I am aware of the history of humans driving subhumans to the frontier.

Princess Sylvia looked a little thoughtful.

”The reason we are in such a hurry to form an alliance is so that my father won't be targeted in the back.

She stepped forward from the shadow of the parasol and said.

”My father, the Grand Patriarch of Kittle, has great ambitions. My father, the Grand Patriarch of Kittle, has great ambitions. He wants to quell this turbulent world and rise to a high position in a new dynasty. As his daughter, I am gathering resources and planning strategies to help my father. That's all.

”...... I see.

Easy to understand.

In short, Princess Sylvia's father, the Grand Patriarch of Kittle, has a goal of conquering the world. In order to help him, Princess Sylvia is gathering people and laying the groundwork behind the scenes so that when war breaks out, she will not be caught in the back. To do so, she is trying to get the subhumans on her side.

”And?

What do you mean by that?

Well, I was just wondering if the Kittle Patriarchs would come to the frontier after they've taken the throne.

”............

When the Great Patriarch Kittle achieves unification, he will naturally want to make the frontier his territory, right?　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.　Is it safe to say that the Non-war Pact will remain in effect until then?

”............

Wait a minute. Why did you look away?

I'm telling you, this place is way out of hand.

I said.

Princess Sylvia raised her eyebrows a little.

”Is it too much for you to handle?

”......, 'King of the Frontier'.

”That's strange. I'm inclined to trust you, sir.

Why?

I once had a subhuman friend. When I was a little girl, each of the ......3 sisters had their own faction, and things were tense. I once saved a stray harpy.

Princess Sylvia had a faraway look in her eyes.

But she was gone soon after. That's when I knew. Subhumans are not bound by human reason. Isn't that true for you too?　”King of the Frontier.

”Perhaps.

We stood in silence for a while.

Princess Sylvia turned her head thoughtfully and then looked at the faces of her men on either side of her.

The old man and the soldier with the parasol - their expressions did not change.

Lisette is holding my hand.

She's writing on my palm with her slender fingers. ”In case of emergency, I'll use that power.

I immediately make a ”X” with my fingers.

I told you that the power I just gave you is very dangerous and should not be used here.

”Again, what I want, what the frontier wants, is for you to leave me alone.

I said.

”That's why I'm here. What do you think, Princess Sylvia?

I'd like you to decide quickly if you can. This tone is getting pretty tiresome.

”Very well. Let's make a permanent non-war alliance between you and me.

After a while, Princess Sylvia opened her mouth.

I would like to form an alliance with you as an individual, Sylvia Kittle. If my father decides to send troops to the frontier, I promise not to send them. As the third daughter of the ......3 sisters, my intuition tells me that I have always been afraid of assassination. I will not make an enemy of you.

Is the alliance in writing?

In writing. In writing, so that everyone knows that Sylvia Kittle wants it that way. I'll have it printed and delivered to the messenger later.

Thank you.

And with that, Princess Sylvia and I separated.

At the same time, I heard her take a deep breath.

The king of the subhumans was at her side, albeit with a soldier in between. That must be nerve-wracking.

For him, it would be like being with a beast of prey.

I have one apology to make.

Suddenly, Princess Sylvia looked at me.

I have kept my troops in reserve in case you should try to harm me.

Princess Sylvia pointed to the forest and the riverbank beyond the plain.

The promise was only for 'two companions'. There are two of us here. There is no mistake. I'm telling you this as a sign of respect to you for keeping your word.

What the hell is that?

Lysette gripped the hilt of her sword and raised her voice.

”Brother Shoma came all this way because he trusted you!

And for that, I apologize.

Princess Sylvia brushed back her golden hair and said.

I don't know what the 'King of the Frontier' is like. My companion suggested it, and I insisted.

I was the one who suggested it. If you find it offensive, you may dismiss it.

The old man who had been acting as a guard stepped forward.

”But Princess Sylvia has been targeted by assassins since she was a child...

”No, Dougal. Talking about your sisters will only make the King of the Frontier feel uncomfortable.

”I apologize for the .......

Old Dougal is motionless. He's holding his head out to us.

You think he was going to shoot us dead if he had to?

Not if I had to. We're just trying to keep him from moving, give us time to get away.

Princess Sylvia answered my question with her eyes down.

I'm not going to kill you.　Princess Sylvia.

I've taken measures to prevent that.

As Princess Sylvia said this, the man holding the parasol chanted a small incantation.

At the same time, the parasol is brought down towards you. A translucent shield floats on the surface.

It's ...... defensive magic. Brother Shoma.

It's the kind that condenses magic power into a semi-transparent defense field.

You know what that is?

That's because I was training in the original world.

I soon got bored and switched to offense.

”I see. So you're prepared to defend against flying objects.

”I apologize again for my rudeness. ”King of the Frontier.

That's good. But let me ask you something.

I said.

It's important. We need to be sure.

Are the princess's soldiers really hiding in the woods and the grass on the riverbank?

Very. They're spread out in small groups.

Scattered in small groups?　What, like ten at a time?

Three each. About 30 total.

Do you have orders not to move until I give the word?

Strictly speaking.

All right. Get them in here now. There's gonna be casualties.

I said.

A silence fell around us.