Volume Five, Chapter Seven: Audience Room
When we arrived at the royal palace of Teera, numerous maids and palace officials were waiting for us.
Initially, we only intended to greet them and leave, so we felt somewhat awkward receiving such courteous treatment in our simple travel attire.
As a precaution, Shisaa Serpent had the Gouten (a weapon) held by Wyverns and made arrangements to bring it to the Teera royal palace if necessary.
However, it seemed that our worries were unnecessary.
Treated with great respect, we were led before King Sanshui the First and Queen Uraka the First in the audience room of the palace.
While opulent, King Sanshui the First, sitting on a throne that exuded a sense of history, gestured to Duke Freitas with his hand, instructing him to stop us from kneeling when we tried to do so.
Duke Freitas, one of King Sanshui the First's close aides, and a few guards remained, but apart from them, there were no others in the presence of the king.
"We apologize for the trouble Prince Pedro has caused."
King Sanshui the First bowed his head.
Huh?
Who would have thought the mastermind behind this was none other than Prince Pedro?
"Kazanzakis-dono, you showed concern and tried to prevent Prince Pedro from going too far by arranging for Alfonso, the brother born to the second queen, Marina, to marry into the Teotokis family, one of the five major families of Patrida. What exactly was he dissatisfied with?"
The king hung his head in distress.
"Originally, it was planned to have the second queen, Lady Marina, here for the audience as well, but she declined until then. I am truly, truly sorry."
Queen Uraka the First shed tears.
"Pedro had a troubled past and was always alone. His first close associate or rather retainer and friend was Count Rodriguez, so he was completely influenced by him."
The king seemed genuinely troubled.
"He was alone? Well, that changes things," my younger brother by oath, Apolito, muttered under his breath.
"Brother, you're right," I whispered back.
"I wish I could just separate Pedro from Count Rodriguez, but I can't bring myself to do it; I feel too sorry for him."
Queen Uraka the First covered her face.
"Wouldn't it have been better to have Duke Freitas as Prince Pedro's close associate, even though he's a bit younger?"
Aoi asked King Sanshui the First.
Aoi seemed to know King Sanshui the First and Queen Uraka the First through the Kazanzakis connection and made an incredible proposal.
I'm just a merchant now, so I can't possibly say anything.
"I-I may look young, but I am already in my mid-forties," the Duke Freytas replied with a smile.
Huh?
"You look so young!"
Is it just me, or is there a huge difference between Yamato and him? Or is Yamato the abnormal one?
"I didn't realize, I'm sorry," Aoi also expressed her surprise and apologized.
"No, it's alright. I'm happy to hear that I look young," the Duke Freytas chuckled happily.
"Um, Your Majesty, First Queen, I don't mind anymore, so please don't worry," I responded with a smile.
If you're a loner, it can't be helped.
"No, no, that won't do. I am indebted to Lord Kazanzakis, and I heard that Lord Kogorou might become Lord Kazanzakis' grandson-in-law," King Sanshu I shook his head.
At that moment, in the audience room, Crown Prince Pedro and Duke Rodriguez rudely barged in.
"Father, you must not be deceived by the people from Padlida! They are aiming for the position of the allied leader of the island nations, which Tera possesses!" Crown Prince Pedro exclaimed.
I see, he seems a little nervous.
"What do you mean by the allied leader of the island nations?" I whispered quietly to Apolito.
"Brother, Tera is just saying whatever they likes," Apolito whispered back.
What is that supposed to mean?
"As I said, there's no such thing," King Sanshu I said in a puzzled manner.
"Everyone has been saying that about our country for a long time," declared Prince Pedro confidently.
I glanced briefly at Apolito.
"Taira started saying it, and no one denied it, so it became the way people talk about it. It's just a self-proclaimed title, my brother," Apolito said in an even lower voice.
So, it's like one of those "Three Great Something of Japan," huh? Well, it's mostly self-proclaimed.
"Why would you say such foolish things, when Lord Kazanzakis is taking care to prevent any unnecessary power struggles with Taira?" replied King Sanshu I with an annoyed expression.
"Father! Do you not understand? This Kogorou person aided the destruction of Alexia under that false Savior's command! Why can't you see Padrida's ambition?"
They all shook their heads, indicating that they didn't know.
"If there were ambitions, he would aim for this royal family rather than helping my younger brother Alphonso marry into the Teotokis family, one of the five major families of Patrida. Why can't you understand that? Besides, Kogorou is just a merchant," King Sanshu I said, looking exasperated.
"Wait, please. Actually, there are people in Alexia who were deceived by the Savior. I will call one of them now. They will prove what that person is like," Prince Pedro signaled to Duke Rodriguez with a nod of his chin, motioning him to bring that person over.
This could be bad. Who on earth is this person? My forehead broke into a sweat.
But then, Rodriguez signaled outside the window.
Why outside the window?
Suddenly, the walls of the palace were destroyed with a deafening roar.
Screams echoed from various parts of the palace.
"What on earth is happening?" exclaimed His Majesty King Sanshu I.
Something massive appeared in front of the collapsed palace walls.
It was something I didn't want to see again.
Yes, it was the Dragon King Gouou.