60 Episode 60: People are castles, people are stone walls, people are moats-- (1/2)

Is the story over, Nia Delacroix?

Yeah, sorry to keep you waiting, frontiersman.

It's not so much a question of giving him time to repent before the final judgment.

I think it's because the dragons are waiting behind them, and they are so smug and smug.

What, are you finally ready to repent?

The incendiary phrase can't help but come out of my mouth.

”You still don't talk much, kid........!

Sayre, I'm sorry. I have a few important requirements. May I speak to Atai for a moment from here?

I'm sorry, my bad.

I took a step back and decided to just listen to the exchange between them.

''This is why children who aren't educated enough at all...!　And Naiya Delacroix, you are still a turncoat of the Imperial City--!

''You're a very commanding man, frontier count Efren Moreno Navarosario. Is it really so much fun to pout at the behest of a tiger, or even a dragon?

Yeah, it's fun. It's fun. Wielding power is really fun, isn't it?

You'll be able to see the joyful look on the frontier count's face, but Naiya is quite calm.

”Unfortunately, it's not your power. ”Unfortunately, it's not your power, it's the power of the ”royal dragon's staff”.

It's a matter of values. The king is the one who uses his people, his soldiers, his power. Everything is to be used by the king, and all of it is his power--!

People are castles, people are stone walls, people are moats. When it's for the benefit of the people, there's nothing wrong with a king wielding power. But unfortunately you don't. You impose heavy taxes and use your power only for the sake of your own authority. That's just plain evil.

”I don't care what you say, it won't affect my mind, the embodiment of the king's thoughts.

If it's all right for you to say something, it's all right for you to say it.

Naiya brushed her bangs up in a cool way, like a good-looking actor doing fan service, and then she stood up taller than usual and declared with her chest out--!

This is one of the Seven Great Secrets of the Empire that was stolen from the imperial treasury a few years ago and is known as the Royal Dragon's Tin Stick. I'll ask how you got it, but first, let's have that one back.

If you're wondering what I'm going to say, how could I possibly repay you for all the power I've brought with me?

”Be careful what you say, frontier master. This is a royal decree issued by His Majesty the Emperor himself, the wise and great. Your words are to be taken verbatim as the words of His Majesty the Emperor.

The Emperor's edict - even I, who grew up in Japan, can understand the weight of those words.

But...

''Hmph, hahahahahaha!　That's it!　What does it matter?

The frontier count simply cut it off and threw it away.

''What........what.......?''

Naiya's eyes sharpened as if she was avenging her parents.

'If only I had this!　With the Sword of the King's Dragon, I am invincible!　You are not an emperor!

”...though I must assume that you have a duplicity of heart towards His Majesty and the Empire?

That's really annoying, that's how you can stand in front of the legendary Alexandrite while standing in front of a dragon!　Fine, I'll send you to the grave right now--!

Well, I'm sorry, frontier count Efren Moreno Navarro Rosario. Your chance to ask for forgiveness is now lost forever--

With a sharp look in his eyes, Naiya held up a beautiful white and silver long spear.

''Looks like negotiations have broken down,''

All right, I'm going to have to take a stand.