Within the shocked and shaken conference room, only Orchid's voice
echoed as he read the letter.
[…"Now then, it doesn't really take a genius to predict what Symphonia
Kingdom will do from here. You'd go negotiate with the nobles living
near Lilia-san's mansion, and after giving them sufficient compensation,
you're going to evict them and give their lands to Kaito-san. Well, your
actions should be around that."]
This certainly was what Ryze and Amalie had been thinking about, and
they're actions that Chris and Laguna could have predicted. There was
no doubt that the vicinity of Lilia's mansion, where he had once spent a
year as her lover, was a better environment for Kaito.
But as for the following contents, the people of the Symphonia Kingdom
started sweating bullets.
[…"But well, that's not necessary. I've already legally secured the land
and materials needed to build Kaito-san's house, so there's no need for
you guys to make a move on that regard".]
She had already acquired the land. Since Alice had already expected
that Kaito would build a house, it wouldn't be a surprise if she had done
such a thing. However, that's not the problem.
The section where Lilia's mansion is located in is a place where quite a
few high-ranking nobles live, and naturally, both the King, Ryze, and the
Crown Prince, Amalie, have been paying a lot of attention to the area on
a daily basis.
However…"They didn't feel anything out of place". There are no new
nobles that moved in that place, no new mansions, nor were there
nobles who had moved out of their mansions.
However, Ryze and Amalie thought about how there was a Count who
bought land near Lilia's mansion and set up a mansion "about two years
ago".
If you put that together with what you just said, it means that Alice had
been working on preparations for this before Kaito had returned back
to this world.
[…"Now then, since I think I've rambled long enough, let's get down to
business. I have two requests. First, in the documents I compiled for
each country, I have written down the people who might try to mess
with Kaito-san and as much patterns of their movements as I can
predict, so do you mind keeping them in check?"]
[ [ [...] ] ]
An expression of realization appeared on his face at that moment,
Orchid then handed out the documents for each country in the
envelope to the respective rulers.
Receiving the documents, Ryze, Chris, and Laguna gave it a quick look
over… and they became speechless. Some of the contents of the
document were patterns that they had also predicted themselves.
But there were also many patterns that they hadn't even imagined…
However, when they read what was written on it, they felt that such
patterns could certainly occur, which makes them feel like they were
confronted with the difference between Alice and themselves.
[…"And my second request. This is very important. Regarding Kaitosan's position, please be careful so that your laws of each country don't
try to bind him. Normally, if one takes up residence in Symphonia
Kingdom, they will be treated as a citizen of Symphonia Kingdom, and
they will be obligated to pay taxes… which isn't something acceptable."]
That was something that was originally absurd. Even though you're
establishing residence in their country, you're also asking to be
excluded from paying taxes and all such obligations of a citizen.
However, when those who heard what was said, a certain unreasonable
being came to their minds.
[…"No, if it's just me, I don't really mind. But Kaito-san belonging to a
country, although it's not actually true, could also mean that some king
stands above Kaito-san… I don't think that unreasonable, yet dangerous
otherworld God would shut up about it, so I'd like you to please handle
this."]
[…The Symphonia Kingdom approves the Phantasmal King-sama's
proposal here and now.]
[The Archlesia Empire has no objection… Or rather, if our country
objects, I feel like we'll be wiped out.]
[With my authority, the Hydra Kingdom also approves… That person
really isn't someone that could be reasoned with.]
In addition, Eden, the dangerous person in question, has already
threatened the three rulers at the Six Kings Festival. What she said to
them was simple, "If you disrespect my beloved child, I will obliterate
your whole country"…
[…"In addition to that, I've also compiled a list of laws in each country
that may affect Kaito-san later, so please make special exceptions
regarding those matters… Ah, that's right, Hydra Kingdom's Lagunasan?"]
[U- Unnn? Me?]
[…"You think that because the Hydra King is under a Parliament, the
King can't change the laws by herself, don't you? Don't worry, "If you
propose this, it will definitely go through".]
[ ! ? ]
[…"Arehh? Could it be that you're actually surprised? No way, have you
actually thought that I couldn't move "the majority of your
parliament"?]
When she heard that Alice could change Hydra Kingdoms' laws if she
wished, Laguna shivered, her face turned so pale that it was
unimaginable from her normal self.
[…"Well, with that, I'm counting on all of you. Ahh, also, I'm going to
visit sometime later, so please prepare a luxurious dinner for me,
okay~~ Welly well then, that's all."]
[…What is this? Phantasmal King-sama seems to be quite friendly only
to Her Majesty Laguna, don't you think?]
[…I've hardly talked to Phantasmal King-sama though…]
Even though Alice often looks cheerful, she hardly expresses her
emotions when dealing with others, but she's somewhat open-minded
when it comes to those who have gained her trust.
With the exception of Kaito, the only ones she claims to like are
Kuromueina and Fate… but she still cares for her family members like
Isis and Lillywood, supporting them behind the scenes.
Laguna was once Alice's companion when she called herself Hapti,
making her somewhat friendlier to Laguna than the rest of the rulers.
…Even though she felt as such towards Laguna, Laguna herself,
unaware of this, only tilted her head…
After that, the meeting between the three countries was suspended…
Ryze and the other members of the Symphonia Kingdom had left the
meeting room to talk to their departments immediately, and Chris and
Laguna's companions had also left to contact their countries, so now,
there were only two people in the meeting room, Laguna and Chris.
[…Even so, seriously, Phantasmal King-sama really is terrifying. How far
could she foresee?]
[…"The fools fear the King of Death, while the wise fear the faceless
king"…]
[Unnn? What's that, young Chris?]
[It's some kind of proverb passed down through the Archlesia Empire's
royal family. Death King is indeed terrifying. I wouldn't even be able to
have a proper conversation with her… However, if one looks through
history, there are hardly any cases where Death King-sama killed
someone just because she doesn't like them. Rather, such cases are far
more common with War King-sama, don't you think?]
[That's right, Megiddo-sama is such a person after all.]
Laguna, who knew Megiddo well, deeply nodded at Chris' words. Death
King, War King… Both are perceived by the public as the most
dangerous among the Six Kings, whose lives are at risk if their moods
are offended.
However, despite the fact that Isis has the magic power of death, her
personality isn't as harsh as she was perceived. She had a childish part,
where she wouldn't easily listen to someone, but that part faded after
meeting Kaito, and now, she is rather calm and listens well to people,
and her good personality could be easily observed.
On the other hand, War King has always been consistent. If someone he
doesn't like stands before him, he'll kill them, but he's someone who
would let you do whatever you want as long as he can't see you.
[Of course, as the Emperor to my citizens, I must remain vigilant of
Death King-sama… but for me personally, I think that Phantasmal Kingsama is far more terrifying than Death King-sama.]
[I know how you feel…]
[Phantasmal King-sama's true terror is neither her large number of
subordinates in the world, nor her overwhelming fighting power. What
I fear is how she's the "greatest mind in the Three Realms"… she can
easily remember the vast information of the world and make use of it.]
[…No, that really is quite frightening. It wouldn't find it strange if
Phantasmal King-sama even foresaw a conversation like this.]
[…That's right.]
As they realized how frightening Alice is once again, both of them
shuddered and just looked far into the distance.
Speaking of that Alice, who is extremely feared by the rulers of the
three human countries…
[What is it?]
[I'd like to ask you a favor, but do you mind hearing me out?…"Shallow
Vernal-sama".]
She was negotiating with the pinnacle of the world.