Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 4 Chapter 2
Status: Incomplete
Brushing Past the Idea of Peace
Part 1
A splendorous and majestic corridor.
The marble floors were covered by red carpets, this here is Sherfield Kingdom’s Erdia city.
Listy was currently hurriedly running down the corridor.
Around a step to the right and left beside her location, Zechs and Loutier was following her closely.
“……Is this message really true?”
Listy turned her head and asked — | “Yes.” Responded by Loutier, who was following behind her, nodding her head.
“At that time I was away from the city dealing with official matters, so I cannot confirm the authenticity of the message; However, according to the soldiers responsible for reception and the maids, it should not be wrong.”
“It can’t be……”
Zechs muttered to himself with a tone of disbelief.
“Can it be that the report for the investigation team be true……?”
“……Tch!”
Listy bit on her lower lip tightly and sped up the pace.
—— Akatsuki had returned to Alayzard.
Listy and Zechs had gotten this report from their subordinates at three country alliance army headquarters near Galevain forest.
The investigation team captain was quite excited, during the report, there were parts that were incoherent as if he had fallen into a slight confusion.
Faced with this incredible intelligence, Listy did not know what judgment to make. According to Zechs and Loutier, people who returned to the original world from the alternative world could possibly pass through the <Dimensional Hole> and once again return to Alayzard; However, the news of Akatsuki returning was too sudden, it could be possible that the captain saw incorrectly, or perhaps an illusion made from magic, thus Listy did not put this information into her heart. But an emergency contact that came from Sherfield changed everything. A person calling themselves as the demon race representative delivered a mail requesting to have talks with Listy.
The location specified for the talks was Sherfield’s Erdia city, a similar copy of the contents was delivered to Disdia and Aleclasta at the same time. Listy immediately contacted the two countries’ leaders to confirm that Disdia and Aleclasta had received the same letter. As for whether they should accept the request of the letter, Sherfield, Disdia and Aleclasta’s opinion differ.
Emperor Baram from Disdia seemed to think that this letter was the demon race’s trap and they should not accept the request in the letter.
Pope Volk from Aleclasta seemed to be have an attitude of consent, after all if they could reduce the amount of unnecessary killing and sacrifices, it falls in line with the holy teaching and values of Church of Richard.
As for Listy, she was stuck between two decision. Basically, she agreed with Aleclasta’s stand, and she does not wish to increase the casualties; However, the demon race elimination this time was from the joint forces of Disdia and Sherfield. On behalf of the dead citizens, it is the responsibility for Listy as a queen to make sure justice is served.
Therefore, for the request of the demon race, Listy was current having a reserved attitude; but the situation that changed significantly this morning. The person claiming to be the demon race representative suddenly appeared at Sherfield’s castle. This was simply a reckless act. Listy could only feel a sense of dizziness and decided to refuse the request.
—— But she did not do so.
One of the demon race representative turned out to be Akatsuki.
“That idiot……!”
Muttering at the same time, the end of the corridor reflected upon Listy’s eyes.
The corner that is at the end of the corridor leads up to the doors of the hall. Listy did not show any signs of slowing down and hurriedly extended her hand to open the heavy doors.
What was reflected in her eyes was the familiar hall, as well as the magnificent square table in the middle of the room.
And……
“——Hi, your actions were pretty fast.”
A single youth was leisurely sitting on a chair.
Listy only stopped right now.
He was still the same as back then, whether it was his figure, or the messy shoulder——length hair and the confident look.
The familiar Ousawa Akatsuki was in front of them.
“——!”
Listy wanted to rush towards him immediately, but she suppressed her inner impulses.
Akatsuki’s return should be worth a grand celebreation. Listy had often fantasize about the reunion of Akatsuki and herself, she even thought of the things she wanted to say as well; but the current situation did not allow her to do so.
Listy carefully looked at Akatsuki and the females beside Akatsuki.
One of them was unfamiliar. From the female’s heroic and tall appearance, she should be a knight or something similar. Although Listy was very concerned about the relationship between the female and Akatsuki, it is not the time to ask for the female’s identity.
Because there was a greater and more troublesome problem in front of them. Listy’s gaze slowly shifted to the other female. Listy El Da Sherfield recognized that female, including her appearance, name and even her identity. Therefore, Listy’s opening question was not to question the female, but Akatsuki.
“Why……!”
A hoarse voice filled with a tone of resentment, Listy hurriedly attempted to confirm the truth in front of her eyes.
Why is the unknown whereabouts of the Demon King’s daughter Myuu beside Akatsuki.
“Why……Akatsuki!”
Listy’s stern questioning; was questioning Akatsuki, but at the same time questioning herself.
The reunion that I was looking forward to between Akatsuki and I, why did it eventually come to this sort of situation?
Part 2
Inside the kingdom of Sherfield Erdia city, representatives from various countries was currently sitting at the table located in the middle of the hall.
Sherfield’s representatives were respectively Queen Listy, General Zechs and Elite Executive Loutier.
Aleclasta’s representative were Pop Volk and his high priest Miranda.
The representatives for Disdia were Emperor Baram and the fourth prince Alphonse, behind them stood a knight as bodyguard. The knight’s outfit was different from Disdia’s royal knights, it was Listy’s first time seeing this knight.
……Just who is this person?
The armor equipped with several gold decorations looked extremely thick, the full helm made it hard to peep at the expression of the knight. But judging from the knight’s stance, his strength should not be underestimated.
Just from the point that Baram specially brought this knight with him, this knight must have received Baram’s trust.
—— Aside from that……
There is Akatsuki, Myuu and the female who is called “Haruka” from Galevain.
These 11 people are the participants of this meeting.
……If only I could……
Listy was deeply stressed inside. In fact, she had planned to, before the two countries had came, ask Akatsuki questions, understanding Akatsuki’s motives and intentions, and perhaps she would be able to help Akatsuki during the talks. However, this is equal to the act of betraying the other two countries. If what Baram had said was to be confirmed, that Akatsuki had secretly hid the demon king’s daughter, Listy and the other who supported Akatsuki naturally could not continue their support, so she could only quietly wait for Baram and Volk to arrive.
The strange thing is that after seeing Akatsuki, Baram and Volk did not reveal a startled look, thus Listy was sure that they had already knew about the existence of the <Dimensional Hole>.
“—— Valkyria.”
Under Listy’s command, the quiet and calm head maid guard nodded her head silently, and together with her numerous subordinates pour tea for the guests from each country.
Akatsuki picked up the teacup and took a sip, then he immediately let out a sigh filled with emotions.
“I can’t believe I would still be able to drink the tea you made by yourself, things are really unpredictable. Valkyria, ever since I stripped your maid outfit in the forest before I left, I haven’t heard of your news. How are you these days?”
Akatsuki had a smile on his face and joked around Valkria who was standing beside him.
Amongst the commotion, Valkyria still remained calm.
“Thanks to you, it was fairly decent. Although I could not repay you, but I specially added poison on the edge of the cup, it is approximately five times the lethal amount.”
“Buuuuu——!”
Akatsuki suddenly spat out the tea inside his mouth. Valkyria coldly looked at Akatsuki with a trace of disgust.
“It was only a joke, but you actually spat it out. Doing such a thing during a formal diplomatic occasion, don’t you feel that it’s rude?”
“I agree……but telling a joke also depends on the occasion right?”
Although Akatsuki made a fool of himself, it also slightly eased the tension at the scene.
……Valkyria, I really admire you.
Even facing against the Akatsuki who made all females afraid at the very mentioning of him, Valkyria was still able to take things calmly and sometimes even made Akatsuki suffer, this maid guard should not be underestimated. Hoping that Akatsuki could hold back on his frivolous attitude and made the meeting end in a peaceful atmosphere.
……It is probably difficult though.
Listy thought. Once the meeting began, a menacing Baram and a seemly calm Volk will certainly launch a harsh questioning on Akatsuki, at that time, Listy did not have the power to stop them.
What’s more is that Listy was still dwelling upon the truth that Akatsuki had hidden Myuu, she did not have the confidence to remain calm.
Just when everyone’s teacup was pour to 80% full……
“First of all, tahnk you all of you for accepting our request and prepared today’s conference.”
Miranda heard this and could not help but laugh.
“Ah — the person that laugh was Miranda right? Can you please not interrupt me?”
“Sorry……”
Miranda had a pleased look while narrowing her eyes.
“Even in such a formal meeting, you still do not change your free——spirited and bold attitude……”
“Yes, of course.”
Akatsuki replied.
“The people here at the scene should know what kind of person I am right? A false attitude and pretentious words means nothing to me, I am not here today to talk about topics that are important.”
“It’s okay. Today you are a representative of Galevain, your status is equivalent to us, there is naturally no need to make a useless attempt at beautiful rhetorical words and diplomatic language. Everyone here shouldn’t have any opinions right?”
Volk said. As the oldest participant and the Pope from Church of Richard, naturally no one objected to Volk’s proposal. After viewing the audience’s silence as agreement, Volk nodded his head with satisfaction.
“We also did not come here to listen to your flowery words — Okay, let’s begin.”
“I’m grateful, so let’s still off with the self——introduction. I am Ousawa Akatsuki, today I came here to ask a favor for all of you, so I came back all the way from my own world to Alayzard again. Afterwards, I somehow became Galevain’s representative, please to meet you all.”
Listening to Akatsuki, who was completely fearless, Listy could not help but personal feelings about it.
The meeting that decides the fate of Alayzard had entered the prologue.
Akatsuki’s preemptive remarks ignited a fire in the meeting.
“Please let me express my view first. It does not matter whether if you have comments, but this meeting is completely under my control. Let’s jump directly to the topic, Galevain hopes to, with Sherfield, Disdia and Aleclasta, these three countries, form a peace agreement. From now on, it will ban everything related to hostilities including intimidation and provocation. To express your sincerity, immediately order your deployment of troops in Galevain forest border to retreat now.”
Feeling the increasingly tense atmosphere at the scene, Ousawa Miu could not help but think that: the battle had just begun.
Then Miu glanced at Akatsuki beside her.
……I trust you.
Akatsuki was solely responsible for the negotiation work, Miu is only using her identity as the demon king’s daughther to witness the progress of the meeting. Although peace between humans and Galevain was still a distant dream, but in the foregoing future, signing a peace treaty is essential. Perhaps under Akatsuki’s request, the human forces will temporarily retreat, but there are no guarantees that they would use some excuses to start a war again. With no guarantee from a peace agreement, the citizens of Galevain would forever live in fear of battle.
……If the excuse to begin the war was me……
Miu could not help but think about that. At that time, she would have to stop the war together with Akatsuki.
Originally, she thought that Akatsuki’s arrogant statement was bound to cause an uproar from everyone at the scene, but she could not imagine that it would actually be completely quiet.
“Ah…… Akatsuki, please wait.”
A calm and elegant tone. The person who was first to break the silence was Aleclasta’s Pope Volk.
“Can you please first explain why the demon king’s daughter is with you, and why you became a representative of the demon race? Just starting off by telling us to withdraw really made me confused.”
“I think you should also understand clearly, the final battle for resisting the demon king was me singly defeating Galious. Before Galious had died, he requested me to take care of her daughter, after all her precious daughter had just become the defeated country’s princess, anybody would be worried right? Based on humanitarianism, I obviously hope to complete Galious’ final wishes, thus I secretly took the demon king’s daughter to my own world.”
After saying to this point, Akatsuki suddenly stopped.
“Originally I thought I could go back to the peaceful days…… but who knows what kind of idiot who claimed to be a hero suddenly came over.”
Akatsuki gave a wry smile.
“—— In the end, I was forced to kill that idiot.”
“You……”
Baram’s face was revealed his angry, but Akatsuki had a look showing that he didn’t care.
“Ah right, that idiot seemed to call himself a hero from Disdia. Please, how did you actually confer the title of a hero to that idiot? Disdia will lose their reputation.
After a short pause……
“Especially because that idiot actually made a contract with the Black’ mountain’s evil dragon.”
“—— What?”
Baram could not conceal his inner surprise.
“Zahhark was really defeated by you……?”
“What a pity. A superior dimensional being’s ability is indeed strong, but using a human as a medium made it difficult to use its true abilities. According to my calculations, he wasn’t able to even use half of its power.”
Akatsuki sighed.
“Anyhow, the guy call Phil was defeated by me at the end. Once I thought that Alayzard would continue to send soldiers to pursue us, I knew that this is not the way we should go, so I decided to return to Alayzard and clearly explain everthing……Is there any problem up to now?”
At this moment……
“Why——“
A calm and cold tone caught everyone’s attention, the source of the voice was Sherfield’s young queen Listy.
Only to see her stare coldly at Akatsuki.
“……Why did you not tell everyone?”
An exceptionally polite yet extremely cold tone, as if she was talking to the enemy.
This was Listy’s , who suppressed her inner emotions and tried to be as calm as possible, as polite as possible, method to express her words. She quietly waited for Akatsuki’s response with a sharp gaze.
“If you would let everyone know that Galious had entrusted her daughter to you, everyone would be willing to help find the best solution. I really don’t understand why you wanted to make such a ridiculous decision?” Listy, who missed Akatsuki more than anyone else, her touching confession suddenly made the scene fall into silence.
However……
“The best solution……?”
Akatsuki asked Listy.
“Then I’ll like to ask, what exactly is the better method?”
“This……”
Listy suddenly had a loss of words, but at the same time, she regained her normal tone.
Returning the demon king’s daughter to the demon race, there is a high chance of her being elected as the new demon king. Being under house arrest is also an excellent option, but there is no guarantee that there will be dissatisfaction and protest from their citizens, also, there is a chance that it may lead to the small, but bloodthirsty demon race faction to defect and start a rebellion to take back the demon king’s daughter.
So……
“Besides from bringing the demon king’s daughter to my own world and make her completely disappear with her whereabouts unknown, what other options did I have?” Akatsuki’s statement made Miu feel emotional.
……That’s right.
There was no place for Miu in Alayzard, at that time she could only just follow Akatsuki to an unknown world.
Just at this moment……
“——What do you mean there is no other options? There is at least one option that could solve the problem right?”
Baram arrogantly glared at Akatsuki.
“Just kill the demon king’s daughter, doesn’t that solve everything? Bringing the demon king’s daughter to your world is not the only option, directly killing her is the best approach. In the end you made such a foolish decision, and left a curse making this world once again be shrouded under the shadow of the demon race.”
“——!”
The value of her own existence was being deny severely, Miu’s body could not help but shudder slightly.
Even if it was inside her expectations, this heartless and relentless accusation made Miu get hurt. But —
……Ah.
Beside her, Akatsuki gently patted Miu’s shoulders.
“So what you are saying is that your intentions for sending pursuers was for the peace of Alayzard……?”
Akatsuki coldly stared directly at Baram in front of him.
Ousawa Miu could not help but think of Disdia’s true purpose.
But Akatsuki had not yet mention the information obtained from Phil.
……After all, there is no conclusive evidence.
Miu was well aware about it, impulsive questioning would only become baseless slander, and put one in a more unfavorable situation. Disdia’s main goal was to use Miu as the bait and incite the demon race to start a rebellion and create a new dispute. Afterwards, using their influence from ending the war to become the leader of Alayzard. Knowing this, they cannot expose Baram’s lie on the spot, thus Akatsuki decided to approach the question from another angle.
“The king’s life is equal to the life of all citizens. If Galious dies, the demon race also surrenders, this represents that the battle had ended, no matter humans or the demon race, both do not need to shed blood pointlessly.”
“Blood pointlessly……? You still dare such a thing.”
Baram glanced at Listy with one eye.
“Did you forget? Originally when Galious attacked Sherfield’s capital Erdia, besides the princess at that time, Queen Listy, Sherfield’s royalty had all died to the hands of the demon race.”
Baram sudden speech made Listy bite her lips tightly and bowed her head down in silence.
The tragedy five years ago emerged in her brain.
At that time, she lost her father, her relatives, her country and even lost Leon, and was forced to face despair. Yes, this was an indisputable fact.
……But……
Just when Listy was about to raise her head and speak —
“—— With all due respect. Baram——dono, this is our country’s problem.”
Loutier protested on the sidelines, Zechs also tried not to be outdone by her.
“What Lulu said is true. That day’s pain and anger belong to us.”
Then he coldly glared at Baram:
“ — It cannot become another country’s excuse.”
Listy gave a heartfelt thanks to her two close friends for speaking for her.
The unwelcomed Baram seemed to be somewhat helpless.
“I was only trying to defend for Sherfield’s injustice. If even the home country express this, then I, who is part of another country, cannot say anything more.”
“……At that time, I was there.”
Akatsuki muttered. Noticing Akatsuki’s gaze, Listy couldnot help but think:
Those are the same eyes as her. Akatsuki must have recalled that past.
“If that is the tragedy caused by the war, we cannot and should not blame anyone. If anyone wants to take responsibility for that tragedy, it should be me who killed off Leon.”
“……Enough Akatsuki. Don’t talk about that matter.”
Listy’s tone was extremely grim.
“I have already said it many times, the you, at that time, had no power to change anything. Leon’s death is not your fault, do not push the responsibility to yourself.”
The hall suddenly plunged into silence.
After a period of time.
“……Looks like we strayed from the point.”
Volk broke the silence.
“Akatsuki, please continue to speak. To prevent us from continuing to send pursuers, so you came once again to Alayzard, this point is not hard to understand. But why have you become the demon race’s representative? The demon king Galious died at your hands, why would the demon race accept you to represent them for the talk?”
“The reason is simple, they have no other choice.”
It was a simple elimination method.
“The demon race living in the forest, knowing that Galious had entrusted his daughter to me, and they also followed Galious’s last wards and lived a peaceful life in the forest. What they could not imagine is that your army suddenly attacked them without any warning, causing them to be highly distressed. They also knew that humans would not trust the demon race, so they could only rely on me to convince you to withdraw your troops. To the demon race, this was their last resort.”
“Without warning, now you’re trying to blame us?”
Baram coldly spoke:
“The one who first attacked should be the demon race? Don’t you forget, our surveillance forces that were deployed at the borders of Galevain was completed annihilated by the attacks of the demon race.”
Just when he finished —
“ — We did not attack anyone!”
The owner of this voice got up from her seat.
A closer look revealed that it was the quiet Miu, who had remained silent from the beginning of the talks.
Being separated by Akatsuki’s body, Nanase Haruka looked at Miu who stood up from her seat.
Ignoring everyone’s gaze, Miu coldly stared at Baram
……It really is difficult to forgive.
A strategist using despicable means and attempting to destroy their race.
About the problem of how to deal with Akatsuki, Miu’s hidden truth and entering an alternative world — Haruka decided to wait till she witness the actions of the two before making the final decision. Thus, today she was acting as a third party to observe the talks from aside. Using the information obtained before, as well as the speech provided by everyone to predict the situation, Galevain being framed should be an indisputable truth. And Disdia’s Baram, who from the beginning of the talks, expressed a strong hostility to the demon race, even acting as if he was the victim, isn’t it a method to get rid of the suspicion. As for the two other countries in the alliance, whether they comply with Disdia, this they do not know.
……If the other two countries also participated in it, the situation was unfavorable to the demon race. Akatsuki believes that Sherfield, who had a shallow relationship with him, should not be involved.
But if the three coutnries’ leaders had came to an consensus before, humans and demon race’s peace treaty would be difficult to achieve. Akatsuki probably had thought of this point, indicated Miu to return to her seat and slowly spoke:
“About this matter of the attack, is there any conclusive evidence?”
Akatsuki attempted to refute the opposing accusation. At that time Sherfield’s red haired general spoke.
“The ones being attacked is a joint force from our country and Disdia. According to the survivors, it was the demon race’s work. Besides from Disdia’s soldiers, our soldiers have also said the same thing.”
At this moment —
“—— That is only “testimony” and not “evidence”.”
Haruka immediately rebutted, at the same them brought the attention from everyone to herself.
……W……What am I doing……?
After seeing the despicable means to accuse the demon race, Haruka finally could not help but speak. But once the words came out, Haruka regretted immediately, after all she is not a resident from this world, and should not involve herself with the dispute between the demon race and the humans. However, Akatsuki took things calmly, and did not have any meaning of resentment, so Haruka was a little relieved. It seemed that her speech did not destroy Akatsuki and Miu’s plan.
Not only that, Akatsuki even winked at Haruka, motioning her to speak freely without having to think twice.
…….If that being the case……
Haruka nodded and turned to face the front. At first Haruka only wanted to witness Akatsuki and Miu’s actions and did not want to select a side, but her sense of justice did not allow the opposing side to use baseless evidence to accuse the demon race. This was Nanase Haruka insisted upon and as well as her belief.
“Pardon me for speaking frankly……Aside from the testimony from the survivors, I believe there should be no decisive evidence?”
Then Haruka said a speculation she was almost convinced to be true.
“The demon race is the enemy of the humans, this belief was deeply rooted in the hearts of the humans, naturally they would not consider for other possibilities. If the injured soldiers claimed that it was the demon race, people would naturally turn their attacks towards the demon race, completetly ignoring the wish to investigate for the truth. After all the truth of the investigation is equal to protect the enemy, protect the demon race, and the person who proposed this idea would even be considered as a traitor of humans and a fellow helper of the demon race.”
Haruka paused for a moment.
“Is it not?”
“ — Please wait a moment.”
A skinny youth suddenly opened his mouth. This youth was none other than the Disdia’s fourth prince Alphonse, who was sitting beside Baram. As the prince of the military empire, Alphonese did not carry a sword, he was also wearing an outfit for civil official. From his bod yand appearance, his strong point should not be in the battlefield, but his tone still had a touch of dignity.
…… After all he is also a royalty.
No matter how frail he is, he still should be equipped with guts.
Seeing Alphonse continued to say:
“We also hope to avoid unnecessary disputes. After a rigorous investigation, we confirmed that it was indeed the crime of the demon race.”
“On what basis?”
“According to the footprints on the battlefield, the enemy’s weapon and the magic residue, etc. These all point to the same conclusion, the demon race is related to the attack.”
“That is the truth.”
Sherfield’s high class elves also agreed with Alphonse.
“From the traces made by weapons on the armor, it is confirmed that it is from the special curved sword that the dark elves use. And from the magic residue, we also discovered dark magic that humans cannot use.”
Haruka nodded.
“But these things could all be fake right?”
“……You mean that we forged false evidence?”
Alphonse narrowed his eyes, revealing an unfriendly gaze. Haruka gently shook her head.
“I am just asking whether there is a possibility, and did not mean to accuse anyone.”
“This……”
Loutier pondered but could not answer, Haruka took her actions as a yes.
“In short, you do not hold any conclusive evidence, only rely on a few people’s testimony and wishfully attacked.”
It was a powerful accusation. Just when Haruka felt that satisfied……
“Oh — what’s the problem about it?”
A gloomy and calm voice mixed with a tint of laughter coldly rejected Haruka’s predictions.
The owner of the voice was none other than the Aleclasta’s talented female — the high priest Miranda. Her eyes seemed to reflect the world’s abyss, Haruka felt that she was nearly sucked into it.
Haruka did not know her, today was the first time meeting each other.
But……
……This person, seemed to be like……
A cold chill encroached on her forehand, Haruka suddenly sensed a familiar gaze.
However, she quickly put this idea behind her.
“……What does that phrase mean? It was reasonable to make fakes?”
“Of course not, I only confirmed the part that is wishful thinking.”
Miranda answered.
“Even if there is the possibility of creating fakes, but only people standing on the side of the demon race would make a fuss about fraud. Don’t you forget, the survirors testimony clearly stated that the attack force was the demon race, to us, just the testimony is more than sufficient. Moreover, when humans make a judgment, it more or less contains an element of wishful thinking right?” Because —
“After all, humans are creatures of emotions, Although it is necessary for government officials to suppress their own emotions, and put the country’s interest and the well——being of their citizens as their top priority, but what if you are facing this situation? Facing a situation where your citizens will most likely be killed by the demon race, can you still remain calm?”
“Mmmm……But!”
Even if she was being overwhelmed by Miranda, Haruka still refused to give up.
“That’s right…… what if our positions were swapped?”
Miranda Quenty continued her attack.
“Suppose your friend was suddenly murdered, the evidence all points to the enemy, also there are eyewitness testimony. Under this circumstance, would you still believe the enemy is innocent, ignoring the citizen’s feelings and search for evidence everywhere?”
“…….Mmmm!”
This was going bad, Haruka thought to herself. Alphonse and Loutier’s argument was based on logic, thus Haruka could refute it using theory; However, Miranda appealed to the emotions, by adding the element of emotion into the debate, it forced Haruka to respect them. As a result, there is no doubt that it will make their opposing actions reasonable and view the attacks from the human to the demon race as legitimate actions.
“Now do you understand? As the leader of many citizens, we were forced to make this decision.”
Miranda gave a shallow smile and expressed her declaration of victory.
At this moment —
“—— Very good!”
A rude and frivolous voice resounded through the scene.
Everyone all unanimously turned to look at the voice of the owner.
That was Akatsuki, who was holding his hands behind his head and was at eased.
Part 3
Noticing that everyone’s attention was focused on him, Akatsuki could not help but think:
Right now here is the main event.
……Eh?
Akatsuki suddenly took a glance at Miu.
Miu’s sorrowful face, that was staring at Akatsuki, seems to represent that she did not understand the meaning of Akatsuki’s previous phrase. Thus Akatsuki gently smiled and motioned Miu to not worry.
“——!”
Through this, it mad the sad looking Miu suddenly open up, and show full confidence towards Akatuski. Thus Akatsuki faced the front, and seeing the smiling Miranda hurriedly speak:
“——Akatsuki, do you empathize with our troubles?”
“Of course. Since you hold evidence, then it can’t be helped.”
“……Everybody heard this clearly.”
Baram’s said it in a deep tone.
“This is a formal diplomatic talk, even if we mistakenly included emotions in our speech, it cannot be cancelled afterwards.”
“……”
Noticing that Akatsuki remained silent, Baram laughed.
“Just say what your opinion is, remaining silent will be considered as agreement.”
“...…If you say so, then there’s no helping it. Okay, so it’s this.” Akatsuki shrugged.
“What does this mean? Did you give up on the peace agreement?” Facing Listy’s suspicion, Akatsuki shook his head.
“Give up? I did not mean to say I give up……Is there anything wrong with this?”
“There is nothing wrong. Just by seeing you judge and accept that our surveillance forces were attacked by the demon race, our attacks have also gained legitimacy, there is naturally no reason for us to retreat. Under this circumstances, do you think there is space for negotiation?”
“Of course not.”
Baram replaced Akatsuki to answer Volk’s question, then he turned to face Akatsuki.
“He has already admitted that our attack to the demon race is justified revenge.”
But……
“That’s correct, I admit that.”
Akatsuki attitude was still frivolous.
He announced to the crowd loudly.
“I recognize, and accept your argument that the demon race is the culprit behind the attacks on the surveillance forces.”
So—now it’s our turn.
“Galevain respects and accepts your country’s stance and judgment, after all besides from the testimony, you also hold relevant evidence. But do be mistaken, the truth isn’t this, the demon race have never attacked the human surveillance forces. About this point, we also have relevant testimony and we reasonably suspect that the evidence you found are fakes made by the real culprit.”
“W……What did you say?”
Facing Akatsuki’s explanation, Baram could not help but reveal a surprised look, as if he did not understand the meaning behind Akatsuki’s words. So Akatsuki gave out a slight smile and loudly requested:
“Now it is your turn to respect and understand our stance. We are troubled because we were wrongly accused, we hope you will be able to immediately retreat, this is our stance.”
“Ah……”
The moment Miu understood and exclaimed——
“——That is a lie!”
Baram slammed his hands onto the table, and angrily stood up. His chair fell down behind and created a loud sound. Under Baram’s menacing eyes, Akatsuki still had a nonchalant look.
“While we are not able to agree with your stance, we are still willing to respect it. So I will not request that you agree with us, but at least respect our stance.”
“A mere defeated country wishes to have equal footing with us? Don’t expect that if you respect our stance, we must respect your stance!”
“Huh, did you forget? Didn’t grandpa Volk just say this? “Your status is equivalent to us, there is naturally no need to make a useless attempt at beautiful rhetorical words and diplomatic language.” If our status is equal, then it is natural to ask for the same in return!”
“Ohoh, you’re really something.”
Volk, that was placed on the spot by Akatsuki, gently smiled, and stroke his long white beard.
Baram spat out.
“That was Pope Volk’s opinion, I did not promise that.”
“Then why do you not speak at that time? “If you have an opinion, speak quickly” , “Silence represents agreement”, I wonder who said these two phrases.”
“Mmmm……”
Baram was angry to the extent where his cheeks turned red. Miranda seeing this could not help but cover her mouth and laugh, her shoulder even shook slightly, with an overjoyed look.
However, Akatsuki did not intend to easily let go of Baram.
“This is a formal meeting, so all the speeches “cannot be cancelled”. This phrase was your excuse that you used in the beginning in order to put me in a difficult position, now you can’t even hold your own, it can’t be that you would pretend that you never said it right? I should hope that, the Great Disdia Emperor, would use just a dirty trick right?”
His honey tongue really made an awe-inspiring appearance.
Noticing that everybody remained silent, Akatsuki revealed a proud smile.
He then said:
“——Look, didn’t I say it already? This meeting was completely under my control.”
“……!”
Under Akatsuki’s superb conversation skills, he gave no room for rebuttal for Baram who wanted to eliminate the demon race.
However, the battle of politics was just about to begin.
“——Akatsuki-dono, please listen to me.
Alphonse suddenly speaks.
“Volk-sama did indeed mention about having the “same status”, but it should only represent only the representatives and not the relations between countries.”
“Oh……”
Although Alphonse’s eyes was filled with provocation, Akatsuki had a good impression on him.
Up till now, the developments from the peace talks, Baram’s previous careless remarks had forced his country to express disagreement with Galevain’s request, Disdia’s position and influence will also be affected. So Alphonse attempts to help his father take back the disadvantage. As a prince of his country, it is not only his responsibility but also his duty. However, Akatsuki will not be lenient because of this.
“So that is your explanation, but I believe that it should also include equality between the nations. Anyways, I respected your stances, then can you please respect mine?”
Once they accepted the opposing stances, it means that even if their opinions do not match, they could only interpret it by themselves. In short, Alphonse’s dissent would not have any effect. However, Alphonse readily accepted Akatsuki’s proposition.
“I see……If we accept your stance, what request do you have?”
“Immediately recall the troops that surround the forest.”
Akatsuki replied without hesitation.
“We have already accepted your stance of performing a siege, now it is your turn to show sincerity and recall your troops.”
“The cause of the attack was because our country and Sherfield’s joint forces came under attack, how would you deal with this matter? Right now both sides are sticking to their own positions, and both sides of argument are lacking evidence, and cannot accurately tell the truth. But our surveillance forces being crushed is an indisputable fact, even if we currently do not hold real evidence, but it does not deny the possibility that the demon race was involved in it.”
Alphonse’s conversational skills was also quite clever, Akatsuki spat out in his heart.
……Amazing.
The reason behind why both sides were deadlocked was because they continued to stand for their own sides legitimate reasons.
However, Alphonse actually admitted that both sides are lacking conclusive evidence,, and at the same time, Akatsuki’s opinion was only baseless speculation. Once they pulled out both sides emotions, it is left with only the truth. In reality, compared to the proposition of demon race believes they are being framed, it is clear that “Our monitoring forces have been attacked by the demon race and was completely wiped out” was more realistic.
……What should I do?
Although they could continue their stance of being misunderstood, but there are many weak arguments, sooner or later, it will be overwhelmed by the other side; thus, Akatsuki decided to change the course.
“In order to prove that we are being framed, Galevain hopes to quickly investigate the truth of this matter. However, Galevain will not accept the truth you investigated, and at the same time, you will not accept the truth Galevain investigated. Is this correct?”
“Yes.”
Alphonse nodded, Akatsuki revealed a satisfied smile.
“Why not let the Maritime Trade Country — Ayersmarina to act as a fair and impartial third party, and under witness from both sides to re-investigate. I personally feel that it is an appropriate method, what do you think of it??”
Only in the situation where it did not involve both sides interest, it can clarify the truth. Since the culprit was not Galevain, the truth was in their favor.
“……”
Alphonse considered for a moment.
“——This proposal is indeed appropriate.”
Then he quietly said:
“……I do not know what Sherfield thinks, Queen Listy?”
“Ah……That’s fine.”
After Listy expressed her agreement, Alphonse gaze shifted to the other side.
“Volk-sama, is Aleclasta also in favor of this proposal?”
“Yes, there are no objections. The truth is that the forces that were wiped out are from Sherfield and Disdia, I am generally following the friendship of our three country alliance, so I sent troops to participate in retaliation. As long as your country and Sherfield accepts, Aleclasta will naturally have no reasons to refuse.
“Very well, then let’s leave it as that.”
Akatsuki revealed a satisfied smile.
“——However……Akatsuki-dono.”
Alphonse coldly spoke:
“In principle, we cannot let all the troops retreat from the forest. The alternative plan was to leave the surveillance forces, I believe there are no objections from Galevain’s side.
“Geez, you really calculated it well.”
Akatsuki gave a wry smile.
“The amount of surveillance forces are the same as before?”
“No. Since they were able to eliminate our troops in one night, this represents that we cannot underestimate the other party. To prevent the same tragedy of occurring, we must increase the amount of forces.”
Alphonse apparently tried to fight for more favorable conditions, but Akatsuki replied quickly.
“Ah…Okay, that’s fine.”
“……Do you not need to confirm how many number of troops that we increased?”
Akatsuki attitude was very simple, and instead made Alphonse feel a bit surprised.
Only to see Akatsuki smile.
“Never mind, I believe you. After all you do not wish to break the consensus both parties had managed to build right?”
“……That is true.”
At the same time he saw Alphonse gave a wry smile, Akatsuki thought to himself.
…At least we came up with a conclusion.
They at least successfully manage to remove the siege around the force. Moreover, Alphonse was a negotiation expert, if it had continued, there is no guarantee that Akatsuki would not suffer losses.
“——Oto-sama, what do you think?”
Alphonse asked for Baram’s opinion. Baram obviously did not accept this conclusion, but he cannot express an objection; After all, his careless remarks made them fall under unfavorable conditions, it was thanks to Alphonse who managed to turn the tide and barely regained their pride, why will Baram let down his son’s efforts. Besides, this conclusion had obtained the agreement of Volk and Listy, if he was to object at this point, he would undoubtedly disgrace himself.
“……I understand, then let us do this.”
After saying this, Alphonse stared at Akatsuki as if he was seeking for Akatsuki’s consent.
Akatsuki accepted Alphonse’s gaze and quietly nodded.
……Disdia’s fourth prince Alphonse.
After his three brothers died in the battle against the demon race, Alphonse has become the sole heir of Disdia.
The frail and weak Alphonse cannot be like his father and brothers and storm the same battle, but he was the indispensable strategist beside his father, and helped his father to deal with politics. As a prince in a military country that had never killed in the battlefield, Alphonse was called by many citizens as the <Cowardly Prince>, but the display he showed in the debate was extraordinary, he not only made the surveillance forces stay at the forest as a legitimate reason, he even obtained agreement from the participants to increase the strength of their forces, helping his father and at the same time Disdia regain their pride.
……He sure has character.
Alphonse did not hesitate to accept the fair and impartial third party proposal to investigate the truth, this represents that Disdia did not seem to care if the truth was to be made public.
Is it because they have confidence in their own legitimacy? Or is it——
……Another conspiracy?
Not through violent coercion, but bribing with money? However, Alphonse did not seem to be that type of person. At least when he was facing Akatsuki, his eyes were extremely honest.
…Forget it.
Even if he really had little tricks, he would not be able to escape from Akatsuki. There is no need to waste his time on him.
They had managed the break through the first hurdle, but there are still more things for Akatsuki to deal with. The tension they had till now was finally resolved.
……Now they have to deal with the tension in the future.
At this moment——
“……I’m willing to accept the request of withdrawing my army and only leaving surveillance forces in the forest.”
Baram quietly said.
“But this does not represent that Disdia is willing to sign a equal peace treaty with Galevain. The demon race and Disdia’s national powers are too different, they will never be able to be equals.”
Akatsuki hearing this, was actually secretly delighted.
One of the most important ket to the peace negotiation is the lure the militarist Disdia to say the phrase just now, he did not think that Baram will actually say it himself. Ousawa Akatsuki of course did not miss this opportunity.
“National powers are too different……What does this phrase mean?”
“Is there any more to say!”
Baram’s said with a firm tone.
“Military Strength is equal to National Power. Once war breaks out again, Disdia will be easily able to annihilate Galevain!”
“Easily? You talk big.”
Akatsuki smiled slightly.
“Listen carefully, if war breaks out again, I will be standing on Galevain’s side this time.”
Part 4
<To be Added>
Translator's Notes and References
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