Chapter 23: After the Discussion
When Funsleroya learned that iron ore was likely to be found in the Mendashium region, he immediately ended the discussion with us.
For the Empire, the Kingdom of Nonette was nothing more than a place with no value except for iron ore. If they could secure that value in other places, there would be no point in having a meeting.
"Well then, as equal neighboring countries, I look forward to working with you from now on, Prince Milimos."
"Likewise, I look forward to it. Funsleroya-dono, I have high expectations for your Excellency."
We shook hands firmly with each other, and Hunsleroya left the office with his escorts.
Using hand gestures, I instructed the soldiers to guide them outside the fortress.
As I was about to take a break after the departure of the Imperial people, I remembered that there was still one outsider present.
"Lord Famiris, thank you for your presence at the meeting. Thanks to you, the discussion ended smoothly."
I smiled and expressed my gratitude, but he shrugged his shoulders.
"Even with my presence, it is quite impressive for a prince of a small kingdom to negotiate so boldly with the representative of the Empire. It's both surprising and exasperating."
That's quite a harsh comment.
However, I noticed that the atmosphere had become gentler and his tone had softened, probably because the Imperial people were gone.
Although it's a little concerning, what I should be more concerned about is the fact that even though the Imperial people left, Famiris is not leaving.
"Does the Knight Kingdom have something to do with our country?"
When I asked that, Famiris promptly removed his helmet and revealed his face.
She had short red hair, sharp eyes under slender eyebrows, brown eyes, and a straight nose. She looked to be in her early twenties.
If I were to describe the overall impression of such a woman using expressions from my past life, she would seem like a career woman.
However, why did she take off her helmet?
As I wondered about that, Famiris took a deep breath and looked at me.
"Phew. It's suffocating to wear a helmet."
"Just because you find it hard to breathe, you took it off?"
Feeling a bit disappointed that there was no special meaning behind it, Famiris waved her hand from side to side with a bashful smile.
"Oh no, it's not that. Now that the threat from the Empire is gone, I must show a sincere attitude to deliver the message from the Knight Kingdom."
"Just by taking off your helmet and revealing your face, the recipient of the message may still not believe it."
While understanding the reasons, I tilt my head at the words' content.
"Is it a message from the Knight Kingdom to the Nonette Kingdom?"
"Don't worry about it. It's something we convey to any country that has dealings with the Empire."
I see. If that's the situation, I should listen.
"What does the message entail?"
"If a situation arises where not only the Empire but also other countries invade your country, and if your country is acting righteously, the Holy Knight Nation of Mudou Beniornatal promises to come to your aid. That is the message."
It's quite a one-sided and troublesome conditional promise.
"What criteria determine this 'righteous action'?"
"I'm not saying you have to believe in the god we worship. Please engage in the operation of the state to protect the happiness of your citizens. That is the minimum requirement for a country's 'righteous action.'"
"Even if we request assistance from the Knight Kingdom, they won't help if our nation is not acting righteously?"
"We won't help. A country that oppresses its citizens is an evil country. It should be destroyed."
"...Like Mendashium being occupied by the Empire?"
"The Empire always prepares a just cause when invading other countries. Actions with a cause are righteous acts, so the Knight Kingdom does not intervene."
In other words, if we behave properly and the enemy is a bad country that can't even prepare a just cause, they will help us.
The conditions for sending a request for assistance are strict.
Even if it were just the military, I could still manage it, but making the entire nation behave properly is beyond my jurisdiction as the Marshal.
"Understood. I will inform my father, King Cholex, about this discussion, including the conditions."
After making that promise, I thought Famiris would leave, but she remained in the room.
"Do you have any other words to convey?"
"No, this is a personal matter from here on."
Famiris averted her gaze from me and turned to Alekthem.
"You. You were the one who protected the princess and held a memorial for the knights in the forest that became a battlefield with the Empire, right? Being present here means you were a high-ranking military officer."
"That's correct. I am Lord Milimos' bodyguard."
"Why did someone as important as you engage in such actions in a place like that, picking up items? Can you tell me the reason again?"
"It is a secret of our country. I cannot simply disclose it."
"Then please answer just one thing. Was that action the right thing to do?"
"I am proud to say that it was an act that I have no qualms about."
Somehow, I decided to intervene between the two as their exchange of words seemed tense.
"Alektem, you don't have to manipulate your words in a strange way. Just say it honestly. You were there to show me the most dangerous battlefield in the world."
"Milimos-sama, that is an indiscreet statement!"
"It's an act to show the vastness and fear of the world to an ignorant marshal who doesn't know the battlefield. It's the right thing to do."
While saying that, I looked at Famiris, who nodded in agreement.
"I see, if that's the case, there's no need to worry. I understand now. Despite being young, you didn't hesitate in negotiations because you have seen that battlefield."
With Famiris' response just now, the issue that was bothering her seemed to have disappeared. She saluted me while holding her helmet.
"Now that my business is done, I shall take my leave."
"Then, let me guide you to the front of the fortress."
She came running for the sake of the Kingdom of Nonette. As a prince, I should see her off with courtesy.
I stood up from my desk chair and was about to walk ahead as if leading the way when Famiris suddenly blew a gust of fighting spirit towards me, causing me to instinctively jump back.
"What's the matter all of a sudden!?"
Surprised, I asked, and Famiris' gaze was fixed on my waist.
"That dagger. Where did you get it?"
In a knightly tone, I felt a cold sweat running down my back from her questioning.
For some reason, there was a sense of tension that if I messed up my answer, my head and body would be separated. But I also had a premonition that even if I lied, it wouldn't be convincing, so I decided to answer honestly.
"I was with Alektem, and I was also there at that battlefield. In other words, I accompanied him even on scavenging missions and that's when I met Princess Parvela. As a thank you for saving me, she gave me this dagger."
"So, the dagger was directly given to you by the princess. It wasn't taken from someone or picked up from somewhere?"
"Of course not. Did Princess Parvela say it was stolen?"
I asked with an unpleasant expectation, but it seemed that I was overthinking.
"She gave it to a boy from a different country, the same age as the princess, not from the empire. I never expected that boy to be a prince of a small country..."
This fact seemed shocking to Famiris, as her eyebrows furrowed.
While Alektem and I looked puzzled without understanding the situation, Famiris put her helmet back on that she had taken off.
"An urgent matter has arisen. I shall take my leave now."
Famiris crossed over the desk and smashed through the window to the outside.
Upon landing on the ground, she blew a loud whistle with her fingers.
Immediately after that, along with a pounding sound resembling a hammer striking the ground, a solidly built black horse appeared.
Famiris gracefully mounted the saddle on the horse's back and grabbed the reins with both hands.
"At full speed, Nerotheola!"
"Neighhh!"
The horse let out a loud neigh. With Famiris on its back, it ran towards the cliff next to the fortress.
To my surprise, it climbed the cliff like flat ground, galloping on all fours.
Perhaps it was using some kind of sacred magic.
"Even a horse can climb this steep cliff. The knights of the Holy Knight Kingdom of Mudou Beniornatal are said to appear anywhere."
"They are truly formidable opponents. Building fortresses or castles would be meaningless in the face of this."
Indeed.
If we cannot withstand their assault at this fortress, the Knight Kingdom and the Empire, both possessing formidable military might, would easily overpower and conquer the forces of Nonette.
"It seems we've gotten ourselves involved with a troublesome country."
"This is not the time to be careless. We must inform the king of the situation as soon as possible!"
"You're right. In that case, we need to hasten the day of our return, which has been delayed."
"It's still early! Let us depart from this fortress immediately!"
Due to Alekthem's urgent urging, I decided to withdraw to my room to prepare for our departure from the fortress.