Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume15 Chapter4 (section)

===Part 6===

"Oooh... As expected, I cannot calm down at all..."

"Hmm, there is a breezy feeling on my legs..."

Leaving the great space, Claire and the girls murmured while walking along the corridor leading to the audience hall.

"After you get used to it, you will find underwear uncomfortable instead."

"This isn't something I want to get used to..."

Claire groaned in suffering.

After walking for a while, they reached a massive iron door at the end of the corridor.

For human use, that door would be unnecessarily big.

"...This is the Dragon King's throne room."

Leonora touched the center of the door with her hand and chanted some kind of incantation in spirit language.

Next, the gigantic door slowly opened inward&mdash;

The throne room was a dark hall without any lighting.

There seemed be a large set of steps inside. In terms of structure, it was quite similar to the Elemental Lords' audience hall they had seen at the Blade Dance.

Thud&mdash;The door closed behind them with the sound of great weight.

In the next instant&mdash;


'&mdash;Welcome, humans.'


A bizarre voice was heard as though it were coming from deep underground.

"...!"

Kamito and company held their breaths.

A blinding light appeared at the top of the steps. What then appeared was the silhouette of a gigantic "entity" sitting on the throne behind a large curtain draping down from the ceiling.

That silhouette was like a "monster."

Two gigantic curving horns. Six arms ending in hooked claws. Massive wings with vicious shapes.

The silhouette of a monster like a powerful archdemon was sitting on the throne.

(...That's Dracunia's Dragon King&mdash;Bahamut!)

Simply by sitting there, he was already exuding an aura of overwhelming power.

This was an archdemon-class spirit&mdash;no, this pressure even surpassed that of mythical-class spirits that only resided in Astral Zero.

"K-Kamito, what are you doing? Hurry and kneel down&mdash;"

With Claire tugging on his sleeve, Kamito hastily knelt down.

In front of the Dragon King's terrifying presence, it seemed like almost everyone knelt down involuntarily.

Silence descended.

After that moment, which felt like an eternity, passed&mdash;

'&mdash;Thou art the princess from the Ordesia Empire?'

The shadow behind the curtain looked down at Fianna, who was bowing at in the front row, and spoke to her.

"Yes, I am the Second Princess&mdash;Fianna Ray Ordesia."

Fianna looked up at the Dragon King's shadow and replied.

'&mdash;I see. Such excellent spirit in thy eyes. Indeed, thou art of royal blood.'

The Dragon King apparently saw Fianna's aptitude with a single glance.

'&mdash;The recent political troubles must have been quite an ordeal for thee.'

"Thank you for your concern. Regarding the assistance extended by Dragon Duchy of Dracunia and Your Majesty, I express my deepest gratitude as the monarch of Legitimate Ordesia&mdash;"

Fianna bowed solemnly again. Her elegant and dignified behavior exuded regal airs that one would not expect from her usual upfront and cheerful demeanor.

'Not at all. Supporting Legitimate Ordesia is also in Dracunia's interests. That is all&mdash;'

The Dragon King's roaring voice caused the air in the great hall to shake.

'If the current Ordesia Empire were to fall into the Holy Kingdom's hands, my Dragon Nation shall be the next target. Ye existences ought to keep the Holy Kingdom in check.'

&mdash;So it was true that the Dragon King regarded the Holy Kingdom as an enemy.

If the Dragon King intended to use Legitimate Ordesia as a card to play against the Holy Kingdom, that would be quite believable.

'Nevertheless, there is one condition before the Dragon Nation pledges to support ye.'

"A condition..."

Fianna looked up forcefully.

Kamito glanced at Rubia but did not see any change in expression. She must have expected the Dragon King to propose terms and conditions.

'Exhibit ye power in a test to see if ye are worthy of our support.'

"...Understood. May I ask what the condition is&mdash;"

Fianna asked.

'The Alphas Theocracy was plunged into turmoil when their princess, Sjora Kahn, murdered the Hierarch. Dost thou know of this&mdash;'

"Yes."

The Alphas Theocracy's civil war was an issue that concerned all nations on the continent. Kamito had heard that Dracunia had sent a delegation consisting of Leonora and others as representatives at the All Nations Conference at the imperial capital and proposed the military intervention approach. However, due to the attempted assassination incident on the emperor, the conference's progress had stalled&mdash;

'Here is the condition I propose to ye&mdash;Rescue Saladia Kahn who was imprisoned during the coup d'etat.'

The Dragon King's voice boomed like thunder.

"Saladia Kahn is the Theocracy's second princess, isn't she?"

'Indeed, she is a trump card against Sjora Kahn the usurper. She can serve as a flag-bearer for the resistance army that is currently fighting to the very end. With her in our hand, Dracunia's intervention in the Theocracy would unfold in a positive direction.'

"For us to accomplish that&mdash;"

'Indeed. Helping to quell the Theocracy's internal strife would add actual accomplishments to the empty repertoire of Legitimate Ordesia. Once Saladia Kahn taketh back the throne, ye shall receive the Theocracy's support in addition to Dracunia's. 'Tis not an unfavorable condition for ye.'

"...Indeed that is true."

Fianna murmured softly.

The Dragon King's words were very logical. No, more accurately, it was very correct from the standpoint of benefit analysis.

Despite withdrawing from the All Nations Conference, Dracunia probably did not want to conduct military intervention in the Theocracy by themselves. Hence, they intended to have Legitimate Ordesia, which did not belong to any faction, to serve as their vanguard.

In contrast to that monstrous appearance, the Dragon King's methods were wise and worldly. Kamito could not help but click his tongue.

"...I now understand the situation. May I have a moment for contemplation?"

Saying that, Fianna secretly glanced at Kamito and the others, but&mdash;

'&mdash;Nay. Fianna Ray Ordesia, know that thou art the one to decide as the monarch.'

The Dragon King's voice was deafening.

Confronted with Fianna's wavering gaze, Kamito nodded lightly in return.

''Counting on you''&mdash;

Fianna closed her eyes then said:

"&mdash;We shall proceed as you request, Your Majesty."