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Chapter 309 part 1

It was a few days prior to when the lords of the Arkrest Kingdom were notified about forming a joint front with the Romal Empire in the war against the Demon King’s Army.

Baroldi Castle, a major city in the western part of the Romal Empire and the stronghold of Princess Asteria, was brimming with tension, equal to or greater than when Amria was secretly invited. The atmosphere was so rigid and tense that even those uninformed of the situation could sense it.

Interestingly, the person at the center of this tension seemed quite nonchalant.

In a room prepared for Amria, a highly confidential and important individual was being led in. Known only to a select few high-ranking officials, this person was none other than Sperion, the Crown Prince of the neighboring Arkrest Kingdom.

Beside him was Shald, an intelligent and powerful knight, though his demeanor was typically light.

The envoy sent from Arkrest Kingdom to form a joint front with the Romal Empire was indeed Sperion. He had already discussed the matter with Grand Duke Linosart, who controls the eastern part of the Romal Empire, but this was not about priority but simple geography.

Though the wind was growing colder, it was a pleasant afternoon, perfect for a tea party in the courtyard. Gazing at the beauty of the garden, meticulously maintained by a top gardener, Sperion was in direct conversation with Princess Asteria, one of the three rulers of the Romal Empire.

At the lavish table, where even Gwandan couldn’t help but ponder its value, sat host Asteria, guest Sperion, and Amria. Shald, Gwandan, and others stood around them, fulfilling their duty as guards.

Unusually, Kyles was absent, and the maids attending to the service were from Asteria’s retinue.

Lynette, Gundeus, Kyrlinne, and Thanatos, also present as maids, were observing and learning from those accompanying Asteria, who were their mentors or senior sisters.

Gwandan had no particular opinion, even though it seemed odd for Thanatos, the great goddess of death, to be so involved. He was quite lenient with those he considered family and seemed to think that if Thanatos enjoyed it, it was fine.

「This time, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to form an alliance with your nation. Our country’s vassals will surely feel relieved. I extend my gratitude again to you, Princess Asteria.」

Sperion, smiling like a prince from a fairy tale, was the one speaking. He seemed less tense, having fulfilled a significant role and relieved a great burden. Many in the Romal Empire were astonished that the next king was sent to the capital of a potential enemy nation.

When Sperion directed the conversation towards Asteria, she returned a mask-like smile and placed her porcelain cup back on the saucer. If an outsider unaware of their true identities were present, they would have been struck by how fitting a couple they appeared.

However, those like Gwandan and Lynette, who knew Asteria’s true nature, might have hesitated to comment, especially about Asteria.

「It was merely a conversation beneficial to both sides. There’s no need for Your Highness Sperion to express such gratitude repeatedly. In this case, it is my uncle who truly deserves thanks for taking over the defense of the nation while we were engaged in battle. He wouldn’t take advantage of my absence this time, as seizing the throne in such a manner would bring too much infamy and hinder the governance of the empire. He probably sees this as a good opportunity to deal with those in the south who would exploit my absence.」

Asteria’s gaze at Sperion, not a smile in her eyes, seemed to probe into his very soul.

Everyone except Yachiyo and Fuka understood that her look implicitly questioned whether the Arkrest Kingdom would assist the rebels. Gwandan always felt dismayed encountering such insinuations.

「Both Grand Duke Linosart and Princess Asteria are formidable. My father and I truly wish to avoid any hostility with them.」

「My uncle and I share the same sentiment. Like the Grand Witch Merle of your country, we’ve seen the emergence of exceptional talents in recent years. Unlike our empire, divided into three, Arkrest Kingdom has built a long history as a unified entity, forging alliances with the Ryuuguu Kingdom, the Ente forest tribes, and even the Dragonkin of the Mores mountains in the fight against the Demon King’s Army. The phrase ‘unstoppable momentum’ truly befits your nation.」

「Ha ha ha, all thanks to our predecessors and the people. Yet, I am honored to receive such praise from the astute Princess Asteria.」

「Ufufufu, we look forward to maintaining a good relationship with your nation. Especially with Amria’s arrival, our country is set to undergo significant changes. We hope she will act as a bridge between our countries, considering how well your nation cared for her.」

「Indeed, we did cause some inconvenience to Amria, but we did our utmost. I sincerely wish to forge a better relationship, as Princess Asteria suggests.」

Having elicited the desired words from Sperion, Asteria’s face lit up with genuine joy as she looked at her twin sister, Amria.

Amria, overwhelmed by Sperion’s elegant words and confessions, blushed and shyly looked down at her cup. It seemed she was more cherished in the Arkrest Kingdom than her sister had imagined. If she were only valued as a pawn in the Romal Empire’s succession, Sperion wouldn’t have expressed such emotions.

Gwandan, observing this exchange, smiled inwardly with satisfaction.

「Yes, we must certainly achieve victory in this battle against the Demon King’s Army.」

「While we have already communicated the broad strokes, the plan essentially boils down to your country and ours launching an attack on the Demon King’s Army, which is assembling from the east and west. I must admit, calling it ‘broad strokes’ is an understatement; it’s overly general.」

「Given the history and current relations between our two countries, it’s unlikely that things will go smoothly, regardless of who commands. Considering the speed of the Demon King’s Army’s preparations for invasion, if we don’t synchronize our efforts, they will seize the initiative.」

「Princess Asteria’s analysis suggests it will be about two months until the Demon King’s Army is ready. By then, winter will have begun. Winter is harsh everywhere, but in the Dark Wilderness, it becomes particularly challenging for an army to march.」

Even considering airlifting by airship fleets, two months is a tight schedule to gather the nation’s forces. The task involves not only assembling troops but also establishing command structures and arranging supplies, and considering the associated costs, those in charge of national administration would find it daunting.

Moreover, this war is predominantly defensive. Although there’s a noble cause in protecting the nation and its citizens, victory won’t result in gaining new territory. Additionally, both countries deem it either premature or impossible to invade deep into the Demon King’s Army’s territory.

While destroying the Demon King’s Army or inflicting significant damage to their national infrastructure isn’t out of the question, the shared understanding between both countries is that we first need to repel the immediate threat of the Demon King’s Army before considering further action.

「It’s undeniable that they are formidable foes. They differ in soldiers, technology, nations, temperament, and even values from the enemies we’ve faced before. Ah, I apologize, we shouldn’t be discussing such matters at a tea party. Amria, since you have this chance to meet His Highness Sperion after such a long time, why don’t you share what you’ve experienced and observed since coming to the Empire? Don’t worry about sharing something inappropriate; I’ll stop you if necessary.」

「Um, yes, thank you for your consideration, sister. Then, Your Highness Sperion, there are many things I would like to discuss. May I share them with you, if it’s not too much trouble?」

Sperion, of course, wouldn’t refuse Amria’s timid inquiry. However, Amria seemed concerned about the possibility of being refused, appearing nervous like a small animal. Her adorableness almost made Gundeus drool, which led to Kyrlinne giving him a firm pinch on the bottom.

Gwandan thought Gundeus’ reaction wasn’t obvious enough to warrant reprimand, but Kyrlinne and Lynette weren’t so lenient. As for Gundeus’ troubling predilections, Thanatos, or rather Beliratu, as the junior maid, had Lynette’s permission to be just as unforgiving.

Gwandan almost chuckled at the contrast between the demure Amria and Gundeus. He concluded it was alright since Lynette and Kyrlinne were compensating for his reluctance to be strict with Gundeus, whom he found as endearing as his own child.

And if Asteria and Sperion’s prediction was correct about a major confrontation with the Demon King’s Army in two months, Gwandan felt a deep relief. His primary concern was the upcoming grand occasion for his beloved daughter, Lenia.