Chapter 127: Declaration of Joint Rulership part 2
I went with Ria to visit Count Khalifa, whom we had taken prisoner. We were using one of the seized mansions as a temporary holding facility. It had originally been secured as headquarters for the Prime Minister’s army. I left Julian, serving as my page, waiting in the corridor, and entered the room where Count Khalifa was under house arrest alongside Ria.
「I am honored that you come to greet me in person, and even bring Princess Cleria. I am Count Khalifa, Your Highness.」
「I am Princess Cleria Starvine. I have heard of Count Khalifa’s renown—as a soldier whom Lord Corinth values. Think nothing of my presence. You may speak freely with Lord Corinth.」
「My thanks, Your Highness.」
Turning to face me, Count Khalifa spoke.
「A thorough defeat in terms of strength. Lord Corinth, are you some kind of demon god?」
He looks healthy enough. I’ve heard he is finishing all of his meals.
「 I’m just a normal human. I simply don’t have the luxury of stopping, not when I have to protect the people of this land.」
「This land is not your birthplace, is it? What binds you so strongly to the Kingdom of Belta? The Great Demon Forest? Or was it because your companions were thrown into prison?」
「Neither. When I say ‘this land’, I mean the entire continent. I intend to rule this continent, for the people’s sake.」
「You think big. But it took you nearly a year just to subdue the Kingdom of Belta, did it not? To conquer the continent, you are talking about more than fifty years.」
「I’ll see it through even if it takes my children’s or grandchildren’s generations. I’m confident in that. But if you were willing to lend a hand, Count Khalifa, I figure we could cut that time in half.」
I had already gotten Ria’s permission beforehand to try to recruit Count Khalifa. With the Count of Gantz dead and the Prime Minister’s life entrusted to Lord Leister, of the three great powers of Belta there was no one left to recruit but Count Khalifa.
「Surely you’re not still trying to recruit me. I’m a defeated man. Besides, I’ve already given you my answer. As a man of arms, I cannot bend my principles.」
「I’m afraid I had you looked into a bit. You sided with Burke to search for a way to cure your only daughter, didn’t you?」
Count Khalifa said nothing, but his silence spoke volumes.
「I know what Burke promised you to win you over. An artifact that could cure any illness.」
「Are you saying you have that artifact in your possession?」
We’d already traced, through Erwin’s kin, the fact that Count Khalifa’s past visit to Ares as part of a delegation had been for the purpose of seeking treatment for his daughter’s illness.
「No. I’ve never even heard of such an artifact existing. But judging from your daughter’s symptoms, there is something that comes to mind. If I’m right, then if I operate on her myself, there’s an eighty percent chance I can save her.」
「What… did you say?」
「Write your daughter a letter. Tell her you’ve been defeated by me and have surrendered—and that she is to accept the treatment I’ll perform. I can’t give you a promise. But left as she is, your daughter will die far younger than her natural span. If the treatment succeeds, you might even live to see your grandchildren, Count.」
「Don’t tell me you’re after my daughter…?」
I can feel Ria’s gaze stabbing into my back at Count Khalifa’s reaction. Ever since we accepted Ursula’s surrender, the women around me have been a lot chillier. This is bad. I have to clear that up immediately.
「I’ve no particular desire to become your in-law, Count. Whatever a beauty she might be, I swear on my honor as a noble that I will not lay a hand on her.」
The fact that I made that oath with Ria watching seemed to satisfy Count Khalifa.
「Can you swear that you will cure her illness?」
「No. I told you just now, about eighty percent. But I can promise that I’ll do everything in my power to treat her. How about that?」
Count Khalifa bowed his head.
「I beg it of you.」
I clearly heard the words forced out from the very bottom of his throat.
「Then I’ll send men to fetch your daughter. Write the letter and give it to the messenger. Once everything’s ready, I’ll have someone come collect it.」
Out in the corridor, I called out to Julian, who’d been standing by.
「Julian. I’ve got a job for you.」
「Yes, Alan-sama.」
「You’re going to Count Khalifa’s castle. Don’t worry, we’ll send you with a letter in his own hand. As long as we notify them first, there shouldn’t be any trouble. You’re to follow proper forms and bring his daughter back. Take the best carriage we’ve got. You’ll need an escort, too. Talk to Ader and have him pull fifty to a hundred men from my unit. Out of a thousand soldiers, we’ve got at least that many who can ride.」
「Understood!」
「Talk to Katolle and take a few bags of gold coins. If it’s not enough, contact me through the Commercial Guild. Lady Khalifa is to be treated as a guest. Do not give offense. A highborn noblewoman must have attendants. Bring her nurse, maids, and guards all together to Ares. She’s coming to Ares for treatment. She’s not a criminal, and not a prisoner of war—do not mistake her status. Get in touch with Erwin too and ask him for some support. You can tell him it’s on my orders. This is an important mission. Don’t botch it.」
「I–I see. Understood.」
When I went back to Count Khalifa, he had just finished his letter and was sealing it with a signet ring.
「All done?」
「Everything that needs saying is written there. Give it to the old retainer who keeps the castle. There should be no needless confusion.」
He handed me the letter as he replied.
「I’ll take it, then. Is there anything you need?」
「Wine and women, of course.」
「I can grant one of those wishes. Not both.」
「Then wine. I’d like to drink until I’m swimming in it.」
「I’ll have some brought. But don’t overdo it. Moderation.」
Leaving the room, I handed Count Khalifa’s letter to Julian, and Ria voiced her doubt.
「Alan, do you really think Count Khalifa will join us?」
I folded my arms and thought for a moment.
「Mm… I think there’s a chance.」
「Because you’ll treat his daughter?」
「That’s right. It’s not that rare for a parent to change how they live for their child’s sake.」
「Is his help really necessary? I think we could handle the Kingdom of Alois on our own.」
「I get what you’re saying, Ria. But personally, I feel like killing the Count of Gantz, the Prime Minister, and Count Khalifa all together would be going too far. Even if they were enemies, I want it known that if someone’s willing to stand with us, we treat them generously. Otherwise the resistance we face will just get fiercer.」
Alternatively, if I see promise in someone, I can force them into our camp by granting them favor. Our conduct this time is drawing the continent’s eyes. They will be taking our measure from how we behave. If we act small-mindedly, it could hamper our future plans.
「We’ve already promised to leave the Prime Minister’s fate to Lord Leister.」
「Exactly. Maybe that’s why I’m so fixated on Count Khalifa. I’d like to show mercy to the Prime Minister’s family if we can, too. I actually have an idea.」
I laid my thoughts out to Ria.
「Is that really possible?」
「I don’t know. But I figure it’s less trouble to reach out a hand to those left behind than to fight them pointlessly. I want to believe that’s how we keep needless blood from being spilled.」
「I understand. Goddess Ruminas will surely rejoice to see less blood shed. It’ll take delicacy, but… let’s start by talking to them.」
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