Idle Talk: About the Youngest Prince of a Small Country - Knight Nation Edition
The Holy Knight Nation of Mudou Veniornatal received an urgent report that the Empire was planning to invade a small country with malicious intentions.
The targeted countries were Mendashium and Nonette.
In particular, it seemed that Nonette's mines were the main objective.
The one who brought this information to me, Familis Terestajiredd, was the second princess of this country, Parubera Ereziamanya Mudou-sama.
"Acts of trampling upon the weak for one's own convenience cannot be forgiven."
Perhaps because she lost her guardian on the battlefield, Princess Parubera's demeanor had changed a bit. She used to be modest and withdrawn, but now she had become a princess befitting the temperament of the Knight Royal Family, which I was delighted.
"However, Princess Parubera, it has been stated that the Knight King does not intend to intervene in the Empire's invasion this time."
That's right. The Empire's actions this time have a justifiable reason.
The invasion of Mendashium is to make amends for using the staffs they sold for research purposes as unjustified weapons of aggression.
As for Nonette, they will send a representative to apologize for the trouble caused by the Empire's weapons and establish formal diplomatic relations.
The Empire had communicated this to our Sacred Knight Nation.
Both reasons were deemed to be valid by the Knight King.
Although the influential figures in the country wanted to denounce the Empire's invasion, they had judged that acting solely based on emotions would be a "mistake."
However, it seems that Princess Parubera had a different opinion.
"Even with a justifiable reason, preying on the weak is a wrongful act! To be kind to the weak and lend a helping hand, and at times, embrace them—this is the right thing to do, as I have learned on the battlefield!"
Princess Parubera's eyes made a resolute statement. She seemed to be looking at something that was not quite real, which worried me a little.
However, there are parts of her words that I can agree with.
"The act of the strong devouring the weak is the logic of beasts. It is undoubtedly an act that goes against the ethical principles set by God."
"Then!"
Princess Parubera showed a joyful expression. However, I had to shake my head.
"Our country cannot help Mendashium. Their country attacked Nonette, a smaller country, with weapons they acquired by deceiving the Empire. If we were to assist such a despicable bunch, the name of the Sacred Knight Nation would be tarnished."
"That may be true..."
Disappointed, Princess Parubera bit her lip, indicating that she had reconsidered her thoughts on Mendashium.
"Shall we only help the country of Nonette? His country shouldn't be acting against righteousness."
"Yes, you're right. It seems like a country that doesn't engage in pursuing the fleeing Mendasium Kingdom's army, despite struggling to protect its own territory."
"So, we can go and help them, right?"
"However, that might be difficult too. The Empire doesn't intend to invade Nonette. They plan to send envoys of goodwill to apologize and confirm diplomatic relations. We don't have a justification to intervene."
Upon hearing my explanation, Princess Parubera frowned, then appeared pensive, and finally had a look of enlightenment as if she came up with something good.
"There might be wicked schemes hidden within that negotiation. Shouldn't there be a third party to oversee it?"
With a proud expression, Princess Parubera, whose neatly arranged peach-colored hair matched her lovely appearance, suggested this.
Oops, this isn't good. I unintentionally found myself captivated by her.
"I see, that's a good reason. I will inform King of Knights and seek approval. Most likely, he will grant permission for at least one knight to depart."
"If permission is granted, then I'll ask Father to assign Famiris to that mission!"
I stopped Princess Parubera, who was eager to leave the room, with my hand.
"Am I the one who will undertake that mission?"
"Yes. And, if Famiris is assigned to the mission, there is something I would like to ask."
"When it comes to your request, Princess, I, Famiris is prepared to execute it with all my heart and soul. Even if it's unrelated to the mission, if you tell me, I will make it happen."
With a confident and accepting attitude, Princess Parubera blushed and gave a feigned smile.
"Oh, no, it's not something significant. I just want you to be a little concerned if you happen to cross paths with the boy to whom I handed the dagger on that battlefield."
Her expression clearly revealed her affection for that boy.
"Princess Parubera, as I mentioned before..."
"I know. That child is a citizen of another country, while I am the daughter of the Knight King from the Holy Knight Kingdom. We were only connected for that day. But, he seemed to be in such a difficult situation, collecting weapons from the Empire to turn them into money, that I'm concerned if he's able to live a proper life."
Princess Parubera restrained her words, but her flushed cheeks and excited tone indicated her feelings of longing for the boy she met on the battlefield.
However, this is troublesome.
Falling in love is not necessarily a righteous act, but for a princess of the royal family to fall in love with a commoner from another country, it feels just like a scene from a play.
And I understood that there was no point in trying to reason with someone who had fallen in love.
"Haa, I understand. If I am to go to the country of Nonette, I will pay attention to whether I pass by someone carrying the princess's dagger."
"Thank you, Famiris. I thought you would say that. Well then, let's go and seek approval from my father."
Princess Parubera, without hiding her lively steps, walked out of the room.
As I followed behind her, I somewhat regretted taking on this request, but I expected that it would not be approved by the Knight King.
"And yet, how did it come to this..."
I complained as I stood on the streets of the Holy Knight Kingdom. Clad in full armor, riding my beloved black horse, Nerotheora, and unleashing sacred magic at full power, I raced down the road.
After that, Princess Parubera's opinion was accepted, and the Knight King assigned me the task of overseeing the meeting between Nonette and the Empire.
A mission directly from the Knight King.
Normally, I would be excited and proud, but Princess Parubera's request cast a shadow over my heart.
"To think that I have to worry about encountering an unknown boy along the way..."
If it were just an ordinary love, I would have advised her to give it up, as it would be the right thing to do as an elder.
However, Princess Parubera had lost the one who had been her guardian from birth until the previous war.
Her love for him was a special remedy for healing the wounds in her heart.
"To take away the medicine and let the girl drown in sorrow is not a righteous act."
Muttering such words to myself, I directed Nerotheora off the main road.
By continuing straight ahead without following the road, I could shorten the journey to Nonette.
If I went to a remote place, I wouldn't encounter anyone, so I wouldn't have to worry about the princess's request. That was a cunning idea—or rather, it was a necessary action to thwart the Empire's plot. I had no ulterior motives!
And so, using the sacred magic that is natural for a knight of the Holy Knight Kingdom, I strengthened Nerotheora while traveling on an untrodden path, jumping over mountains and valleys. After several days, I arrived at the fortress of Nonette.
As I jumped off a cliff and landed inside the fortress, I was immediately surrounded by soldiers wielding spears.
Oh, they're quite skilled.
However, it seems insufficient to face the knights of the Holy Knight Kingdom.
To demonstrate my true abilities, the best course of action would be to invite the commander of the fortress.
With that in mind, just as I was about to draw my sword, a loud voice echoed.
"That person is from the Holy Knight Kingdom! Disperse the siege and show no hostility! Guide them respectfully to my room!"
Upon hearing those words in the voice of a young boy, the soldiers panicked and quickly changed their demeanor as if they were treating an honored guest.
So, that voice belongs to the commander of this fortress.
From the tone of the voice, if it's not a young person, then it must be a woman...
Although it piqued my curiosity a little, I dismounted from Neoteora.
A soldier tried to take the reins, but I stopped them with my hand.
"My beloved horse despises being touched by anyone else. It has been trained not to cause any trouble, so please leave it here."
"Understood! Does your horse require food or water?"
"For now, please provide it. Whether it need it or not, my beloved horse will decide."
"As you wish!"
As I was guided by a soldier different from the one who took care of the horse, I walked through the fortress.
While being stared at by imperial soldiers lining the hallway, I entered the commander's office in the fortress.
The first thing that caught my eye was the imperial governor, glaring at me with resentment.
Next, there was a boy sitting behind the desk, and an old man next to him.
Judging from the voice I heard commanding the soldiers, that boy must be the commander of this fortress.
To prevent the princess Parbera from being exposed to negotiations with someone of the same age, I declared to the imperial governor.
"It seems that the empire's atrocities have been stopped! Rest assured, now that I, Familis Terestajireddo, have arrived, leave everything to me!"
I praised myself for coming up with a decisive line, but whether it was the imperial governor or the boy behind the desk, they all wore perplexed expressions.
After that, I learned that the boy was the youngest prince of the Nonette Kingdom, Milimos Nonette.
At first, I thought he was just a figurehead marshal, but when I saw him negotiating, I changed my opinion.
Prince Milimos disregarded the words of his bodyguards and engaged in a verbal exchange with the imperial governor based on his own opinions.
While I am knowledgeable in martial arts, I am inexperienced in negotiations.
I didn't understand the meaning behind Prince Milimos saying, "I don't need land, just give me the documents," but seeing the frustrated expression on the imperial governor's face, I understood that the prince had won a point.
"—There's no way you can't prepare a single piece of paper, right?"
And provoking them, the Imperial Governor turned his eyes towards his enemy's heir.
Indeed, Prince Milimos seems to have mastered the Empire.
While I was pleasantly observing the negotiations, it seems that the meeting between the Kingdom of Nonette and the Empire has come to an end.
Prince Milimos showed relief at the conclusion of the negotiations, and the Imperial Governor, although outmaneuvered, showed a smile as if it wasn't a bad negotiation.
Hmm, it's an unusual outcome that both sides are satisfied.
Since the Imperial side left immediately after the discussion, I shall take my leave as well.
As a courtesy, I removed my helmet and exchanged some casual words with Prince Milimos and his attendant before preparing to leave.
At that moment, Prince Milimos stood up from his chair.
"Then, allow me to guide you to the fortress."
Thinking to accept his offer, I took off my helmet and looked at Prince Milimos' appearance in the opened field of view.
And then I noticed the presence of a dagger at his waist.
Perhaps shock and doubt surfaced too prominently, as Prince Milimos took a step back to distance himself from me.
"What's the matter, all of a sudden!?"
"That dagger. Where did you get it?"
When I asked straightforwardly, Prince Milimos said, "I received it from Princess Parubella."
Oh, what a surprise.
It's good that I fulfilled Princess Parubella's request.
However, the fact that the princess entrusted the dagger not to an insignificant commoner from another country but to a legitimate prince, albeit from a small nation, who faced the Imperial Governor is astounding.
I questioned whether it was something he took or confiscated from someone, relying on a glimmer of hope, but it seemed certain that Prince Milimos himself received it.
Unable to fully comprehend the shock, I used the completion of the mission as an excuse and decided to escape from this place.
"An urgent matter has arisen. I shall take my leave."
Jumping out of the window, I summoned my beloved horse, Neroteola, with a whistle and mounted its saddle, activating divine magic to race towards the Holy Knight Kingdom.
However, ah, what should I do with this newfound knowledge?
Since it was a request from the princess, I should inform Princess Parubella first.
But I cannot neglect the significant fact that a foreign dignitary possesses a knight royal family emblem dagger. I must inform the Knight King first and foremost.
It's a problem that troubles my mind, but the only solace is Prince Milimos' character.
During the negotiations, he prioritized the well-being of his own people without being swayed by the benefits proposed by the Empire.
With his character, it seems that there is no need to send a special forces unit to prevent the misuse of the emblem dagger.