In a room, there are multiple people, but the one that stands out the most is a man seated on a chair behind the table. In front of him are two women, one taller than the other.
They all have the same characteristics. White hair, blood-red eyes, and almost identical faces. So yes, there is no doubt that they are siblings.
- Hadrian Pov -
As you are already aware, one of them is Emilia Von Kaiser, my older sister. I told her to come after she had just gotten home, which is why she is still wearing her armor, and it is understandable why she is upset.
She looked like a goddess of war who was ready to slash the person in front of her with the sword around her waist, proving that the rumors about her being domineering beauty were absolutely accurate.
"Emilia, I am so happy to see you home! Please take a seat. I do not have time to waste because I am now swamped," After giving her a cordial greeting, I told her to take a seat even though I didn't care what she thought.
"Also, Alice, you do not have to go. You can learn from observing as well," I responded by explaining that her participation in the game would be forthcoming.
When the two of them saw me sitting back down casually, they followed suit and sat down on the seats that had been prepared for them by two maids.
"Have you not instructed the two of them to leave?" asked Emilia
These two housekeepers have been in this room since the very beginning. Even when I spoke to Alice earlier, they did not engage in conversation but remained silently positioned in the far corner of the room.
"aren't you already familiar with the two of them? If so, it's okay, as they are very submissive," I remarked as I gazed at the two maids with playful eyes.
"Whatever...so what do you want to know first, the task you gave me or the situation in the Klein kingdom?" Emilia uttered these words in a drowsy manner with a sigh.
"Before that, did you come across any dragons while in the Klein Kingdom?" I inquired while maintaining an expression of intense interest.
Emilia was also perplexed after hearing the question posed by her younger brother. However, a surprising voice emanated from her right direction before she could answer.
"Hey, have you really encountered dragons there? I thought dragons only existed in tales and legends."
"Of course, it is still there, Alice. Have you forgotten that you also frequently encounter dragons?" I remarked as I kept my gaze fixed on the young girl.
After being told that, Alice was startled, she acted as if she did not understand, and her expression was very endearing.
"Yeah, we've talked, and I have to say that we have a wonderful rapport with one another."
After understanding what I was getting at, Emilia gave her response.
"Okay, to cut to the chase, have any members of the Aktuell family introduced themselves to you?" I asked while maintaining a solemn demeanor and staring intently into her eyes.
"I had no idea that the Aktuells were considered to be of greater importance than the Vortigern," Emilia responded while making a shocked expression on her face.
"yes, I did meet two people. One was a middle-aged man named Meeresstein, and the other was his peculiar niece named Anya."
"And," I kept staring into her eyes as I waited for the next part of the story to be told.
"And... they said they'd think about your offer first, but you don't need to worry because the middle-aged man will make sure to give an answer before the two giants start destroying the Klein kingdom," Emilia's younger brother had a habit of staring at her, making her uncomfortable. Her brother's gaze appeared to be penetrating her very being, particularly her crimson eyes, which occasionally emanated a mystifying glow.
After I had gotten the answer I was looking for, I averted my gaze when I saw Emilia, who appeared to be on the verge of passing out.
"what up, Alice! Put an end to your daydreaming and answer the following question.," I said to the young girl while pointing my hand in her direction that all of a sudden, the air around Alice turned chilly, and it felt like a mighty wind was blowing through her body.
Alice jolted awake suddenly and shivered in her chair as she continued saying, "hiii... I don't understand why you did that, big brother. I've been paying close attention to what the two of you say."
Unfortunately, Alice's brother and sister do not appear to be concerned in the least, even though she seems to be on the verge of crying.
After that, she responded with an upbeat and carefree demeanor, as though the previous events had never occurred, "because ever since yesterday, I've reached the point where I can't stand listening to this thing that everyone keeps talking about, so I really hope the Ausgeburt empire triumphs."
"Oh, you placed your wager on the Ausgeburt empire. Is there anything else?" I inquired with an enthusiastic disposition.
"Obviously, the reason is that you don't want the Ausgeburt empire to lose, and I know from the beginning that you told sister Emilia to go to the Klein kingdom, and from the conversation that took place earlier, it seems that you want to offer the Aktuell family to take care of something there in exchange for a big after the war."
Alice is only 12 years old but has thoughts that other children her age don't have. This made me proud of her, and I smiled as I leaned in close to her, reaching out my hand to rub the top of her head. Not because she had figured out my plan but because I was proud of her.
"you've got it wrong, and it doesn't matter to me who wins because, in the end, everything will be the same," I said while giving the tiniest hint of a grin.
It is possible to say that the Augesburt empire has beast pride, whereas its rival, the Unbesiegt empire, has human dignity. Therefore, you already know how this conflict will play out.
Even though the two had been at odds with one another for a considerable time and their territories were only separated by the Klein kingdom, they did not launch a full attack against one another and instead were simply peeing at one another.
They did not declare all-out war until one day, in the middle of the imperial capital Ausgeburt, there were the bodies of several humans, ranging from children to the elderly, hanging.
After finding out what they were up to, the Unbesiegt empire answered their call for war. This conflict became even more intense with assistance from the people working behind the scenes.
It goes without saying that the kings and queens of far-off empires were not invited to join in on the fun that was about to take place. At most, they could contribute flavors that would make the meal unpleasant.
"Hey, Emilia, I'd like to hear your opinion," I remarked, turning my attention to Emilia, who appeared to have regained her composure.
"Judging by what you said to me right before I left, it seems as though the Augesburt Empire intends to use this conflict to utterly devour the Klein Kingdom," Emilia remarked while adopting an expression of grave concern.
"And as for the Unbesiegt empire, they don't have any other options, but they'll be just fine with the assistance they get."
When I hear the explanation, all I can do is smile.
Alice is looking for an explanation based on my interest, while Emilia is attempting to determine the reason behind this war by using the currently available clues.
They will be helpful in the preparation of future plans.
Finally, after some time spent chatting, the two of them eventually got up and left. The exhausted Emilia appeared relieved as she walked out while Alice, who was still excited, ran.
"So, where did we stop?"
I addressed the two people who were still present inside.
As the two maids staggered in front of me, one of them said, "yes, young master," and if you look closely, you can see that their cheeks were blushing.