120 Episode 16: Floating Neighborhood Shadows (1/2)
”Sister Wang, the detention of the thief is complete.”
A little after dropping off Priscilla and Charne, who rode an air bike to the King's capital, Navre and Gakkun, who had finished detaining the surviving raiders, called out.
Black outfits tied up with hands behind them and fixed ankles. The black headscarf that had hidden its face was also stripped off and now its face is also exposed.
”This is the best I can do with my hand. Honestly, there's nothing I can do if I get myself hurt...”
Self-harm, huh? Although there is no sign of that at the moment, the possibility of choosing that path is conceivable. I can't deny that their destination is darker than what they've been after me.
I look at the black outfit in captivity, the man of all ages among them. He's a leader who was slashing me because of his physique. I'm losing my mind now, though, so I'm neat.
”Hmm... I knew it, didn't I?
”What is it? Her Highness Sister Wang.”
”Maybe... but these people, they're not from the Kingdom of Palettia”
”Huh?”
Gakun stares at me strangely. As much as I have questions written on my face as to why I thought so.
”The use of spiritual stones was old. But who thinks you should attack me until you use it in such an old-fashioned way, in the current situation in the Kingdom of Palletia?
”... it is, indeed”
Navre nods to show affirmation in my thoughts. I don't know what to say myself, but I think there's a lot of support to be gathered from my civilians. It pushed for the spread of demonic props and changed the lives of civilians. There are only more voices seeking that benefit.
That's definitely due to the fact that the Ministry of Magic and Science is busy working. My achievements are wanted by the people. I can't believe there's no good reason why the people of the Kingdom of Palletia would point a blade at me like that. Because it's hard to think of an achievement commensurate with the risk of raiding me.
”I can also think of a reason why my place is still an affair on the border...”
”It's painful to reason. So you think you're not a people of the Kingdom of Palettia?
I nod and show to Navre's confirmatory inquiry. Because it is considered more natural.
”So... is it the Aylene Empire?
The Aylene Empire is a country flanked by the Kingdom of Palletia and territory. And there has been some cause since the founding of the Kingdom of Palettia.
The country that became the culmination of the founding of the Kingdom of Palletia in the first place is another country that is now the territory of the Aylene Empire, and now it is only to leave its name in the region at the end of a long history.
The Aylene Empire, formerly known as the Kingdom, also became a great power by swallowing many nations. And the hand of that invasion was about to extend to the Kingdom of Palletia as well.
But the Aylene Empire has given up its repression by force and brought about reconciliation. The reason for this is that the Kingdom of Palletia had a wealth of spiritual resources and a number of wizards who defended the country.
That is the strength of the Kingdom of Palettia. So no matter how big the land is or how much the population wins, history tells us that it cannot be attacked in a detour.
And the Aylene Empire chose the path of reconciliation, not aggression. Neither did the kings of the Palletian kingdoms at the time want territorial expansion or anything else, and the Palletian kingdoms and the Aylene Empire became friendly countries.
Still, it's not like the Aylene Empire hasn't done anything. Just avoided bumping into each other by force, there is a move under the water exploring the Kingdom of Palletia. I hear your father had a hard time when he came to power with it.
”But why did the Irene guys suddenly come after Master Anisphere?
”Isn't it because the propaganda of demonic props has become full-scale?
Nearly two years have passed since Yufi took office as queen. In the meantime the Kingdom of Palletia was busy with the spread of demonic props. I think the most remarkable of these benefits is the Knights everywhere.
Increased combat power through the spread of demonic props and improved environment for outdoor activities. As a result, the collection area for collecting spiritual stones has been successfully opened to meet the ever-increasing demand for spiritual resources.
”Demonic props were only intended to spread domestically and were not intended to be exported to other countries.”
Still magic, and demonic props history is shallow. So unlike what I personally make, I expected that if I were to mass produce, there would be various problems.
To be clear, demonic props can still be described as immature technology in the field of mass production. That's why I couldn't think of it as an export to another country. When things go wrong, I can't take responsibility.
But what if we saw the Kingdom of Palletia from the outside with more and more propaganda for demonic props?
(... it's a threat, isn't it)
On second thought, I mean, that's what happened.
”...... but that is why it is only a lower measure to try to harm His Royal Highness Sister Wang, etc. Whether these men are of our kingdom or of our empire.”
”Yes, if anything happens to Lady Anisphere, Her Majesty will fly away.”
... I literally hope that the imagination doesn't come true because Uffi is going to ”fly”.
”I didn't think of war or aggression because I was armed.”
For a long time the Kingdom of Palletia has tended to have a strong temperament for it. Originally, there was pride and attachment to the territory built by the first kings, and there were many more demonic raids, so I tend to look at protecting my land and how to live on it.
I know other countries, but I'll protect them if they attack me. Conversely, many people answer that they have no such ambition when asked if they want the territory of another country.
After all, I can't think of any reason why you would raid me in view of the national pattern of such a palletian kingdom. When it comes to it, it's natural to think of it as someone from another country, after all.
”I don't even think I'd answer if I asked...”
”That will be fine after you hand it over to the Knights. It is not the work of Her Royal Highness the King.”
”Yes, sir. Also, Navre is loud in his novels!
Until the knights came to pick up the raiders from the Wang capital, I would be told a long story by Navr.
He handed over the Raiders to the Knights and returned to the King's Capital with them. Navre and Gakkun were to accompany the Knights as they were and to accompany the raiders for questioning.
I came straight back out of the palace because I was worried about Charne. I checked with the samurai who welcomed me and said that Charne was sleeping in an outhouse room.
As soon as I turned my foot to the room, I saw Priscilla sitting in the equipped chair of the bed where Charne was sleeping.
”Good day, Sister Wang”
”Yeah, tired. What about Charne?”
”It seemed like the thread of tension had broken back to Wang Du, so I thought I should let it rest as it was. It was fine in the samurai's quarters, because I thought Her Royal Highness would return.”
”You don't have to worry about it there.”
So I was finally able to exhale in relief. I think this raid has put a considerable strain on Charne. What didn't bother me that much was where I had to admonish that I might have been at peace somewhere, too.
As I was renewing my feelings, Priscilla was turning an obscure eye at me about whether it was open.
”Sister Wang, since you're already off today?
”Right...... because I hear Yuffi has to go back today if it's not night too”
The day I come back, Uffi also devotes herself to the holidays, but the Queen's affairs are busy. Sometimes it is rare to spend time after coming back about the time the sun went down. Today was that rare day.
”I see.... If so, could you give me a moment?
”Yeah?”
”I've heard a little bit about this one.”
”... I was wondering, where do you buy that kind of information from?
”You would say that a woman's charm lies in a secret, wouldn't you?
Priscilla with her fingers on her mouth is somewhere glossy and does look good to say she is a mysterious beauty.