302. The Master's Grace (1)
302. The Master's Grace (1)
- 1 -
For the queen of a nation to meet a stranger not in an official setting but in her private study.
That alone was unconventional enough.
Moreover, if that stranger was a projection revealing her presence through long-distance communication magic?
'No.'
Rizelotte swept such 'trivial' formalities from her mind.
Now was not the time to be bound by etiquette.
"... What in the world are you?"
At Rizelotte's question, the black-clad woman answered calmly, without so much as blinking.
- An existence that desires peace and prosperity.
It was an exceedingly simple answer. So much so that it seemed almost insincere at first glance.
Rizelotte bit her lip slightly. If this woman thought she could disarm a queen's wariness with a single vague phrase, she was sorely mistaken.
And yet.
The woman simply gazed at her with a gentle expression, as if those words were already sufficient.
The problem was that Rizelotte truly felt a 'persuasiveness' that made it seem as though they really were enough.
The queen deliberately straightened her back and sharpened her gaze.
"You cannot persuade me with words like that. I am the queen of a nation."
Libertas sensed the curiosity beyond that gaze and smiled.
Watching her violet eyes hold a blue light and stir shimmering, dreamlike waves, Rizelotte nearly let the tension drain from her squared shoulders.
"I... acknowledge that we need your help. This mercenary company and the unprecedented support to be provided going forward..."
Rizelotte unconsciously reached for her teacup.
Her throat suddenly felt parched.
This sensation was like...
'Standing before my late father, the king, when I was young...'
Though he had passed away early, Rizelotte's predecessor king had been a man possessed of a conqueror's qualities.
A figure so outstanding in both military and administrative talent that people believed Ulland would surely have prospered had he lived long.
But that man was no longer here. Here, there was only Rizelotte herself.
She straightened her back once more.
"We are a small nation. I must acknowledge that. For a small nation to join hands with a powerful figure from another country is dangerous. Especially..."
Rizelotte found herself gripping the handle of her teacup tightly.
'If, because of these words, the mercenary company decides not to extend the contract any further...'
Even so...
She had to say it.
"... Kakia, and all the more so with someone whom Norn and Zenota keep under watch."
It was then she felt the black-clad woman's smile shift in meaning.
'... Is that admiration?'
Rizelotte was seized by complex emotions.
Anger that her own desperate struggle seemed merely admirable in someone else's eyes, as though she were so powerless.
Yet at the same time, a subtle relief that this woman did not seem about to leave.
And then, bewilderment at her own weakness for feeling such relief.
- There would be no need for Kakia to know of this matter, would there?
Rizelotte blinked for a moment.
Philia's words were simple, but their meaning was complex.
At the very least, it was a meaning that Rizelotte herself could not easily arrive at.
For though she was pragmatic, she was not cunning.
"Do you mean an alliance behind the scenes?"
- There is no particular need to call it an alliance. It would be fine to view it as a transaction for mutual benefit.
'Philia' spoke, extending her hand toward Rizelotte.
- Ulland needs coastal defense, and many things to supplement the land made barren by war.
She placed that hand back around her own collarbone.
- And I, too, will gain profit from that process.
"What sort of profit?"
- That is not at the stage for discussion yet. Now... listen.
The hand that had been at her collarbone rose slightly and tapped lightly against her chin.
- The reason Kakia and Elieniessi do not provide proper support to Ulland is that they are preoccupied with handling the Hinness Duchy.
"To use it as a bridgehead to attack, or defend against, Hysen, I presume."
A satisfied smile settled on Philia's lips.
Feeling as though she had heard a voice saying 'How clever,' Rizelotte blinked.
- That is correct. However, that too is an opportunity.
"What kind of...?"
- An opportunity for you to grow.
As she gestured, the black tea within her teacup rose and began to draw a map in the air.
"This is..."
- A map.
"Is it permissible to show me something like this?"
- Consider it a gesture of goodwill.
At that answer, Rizelotte momentarily clenched her teeth.
It was to conceal her surprise and compose her expression.
A good map is, in itself, valuable strategic material.
To show such a thing to her, who had yet to declare any proper intent to cooperate, was a remarkably generous display.
- Look.
The black-clad woman raised her hand and enlarged the map.
Dantalion's Demon Realm in the northwest.
The small nations to its east, and the Kingdom of Mightia below them.
The Jake-Crossian Great Chieftain Territory to the south of the Demon Realm.
Kakia, which blocked all routes from the center of the northern continent into the central continent, save for the sea.
The Kingdom of Elieniessi to its south, along with other nations of the central continent.
It was astonishingly detailed and accurate.
Rizelotte felt hope in seeing that Ulland's land, which she had thought so small, was not so small after all, yet was further disheartened that Kakia was incomparably vast.
Even the territory of the uncivilized Whiscliff was similar in size to Ulland.
- I can state with certainty that Whiscliff will not descend for a while.
"For what reason?"
- Because my informant has discovered a certain phenomenon among them.
The violet eyes turned toward her.
- They are preparing to unify. They are gathering under a single great chieftain who wields great power.
"Such...!"
Rizelotte's face turned pale.
The reason she had been able to withstand those barbarians' attacks until now was because Kakia and Ulland had employed all manner of schemes to keep them from unifying.
Estrangement, assassination, all kinds of dishonorable intrigues.
And now, they said those very barbarians were quietly preparing for a grand unification.
For Ulland, already struggling under Astaroth's attacks, this was truly one mountain after another.
"How in the world...!"
Rizelotte seized the table and burst out in anger.
Even though it was a fact that inspired fear, anger boiled up first.
"What is Kakia doing?"
- Whiscliff is receiving support from Astaroth and Dantalion. There is no way they would lack magical support.
From the black-clad woman, a gentle voice still flowed forth.
Listening to that voice, Rizelotte felt her heart gradually settle.
"How do you know...?"
- If there is a method to conceal, there is also a method to find. In addition, Kakia is directing some of its attention away from the east, as it is preoccupied with Hysen and Dantalion.
"Then... in that case..."
Rizelotte's pupils dilated.
She realized.
Assuming these words were true, she did not merely possess an opportunity right now.
She had no choice but to cling to this woman, somehow.
If her mercenary company departed, Ulland had no future.
It would be occupied by Whiscliff, reduced to ruins by Astaroth, or forced to request annexation, tantamount to surrender, from Kakia.
Just as Rizelotte's expression clouded with despair.
She felt a touch upon her shoulder.
It was a warm touch.
"Your Majesty, the Queen."
"Lady... Sonia."
"My master wishes for your nation to grow stronger. Of course, this is not goodwill... merely a favor. However, the price we desire is not so great."
Rizelotte turned her gaze back toward where Sonia's other hand pointed.
Libertas slowly opened her mouth.
- As Sonia said, I do not wish to see you, or your people, perish.
Before Rizelotte's eyes, the projected map began to change.
Ulland's territory started to expand, gradually. Toward the north.
"That means..."
- Kakia and Dantalion. Both are ignoring you. While we defend the coast, and their attention is turned upon each other or upon me...
Libertas raised her index finger to her lips in a 'shh' gesture.
Beyond it, the corner of her lips curled upward.
- Ulland will be able to grow quietly. For now, Echidna's mercenary company will handle the coastal defense, but that is only the beginning.
What she was proposing, Rizelotte grasped at once.
"It is not simply military support, then."
- The mercenary company is only the beginning. No proper food could possibly come from land ravaged by war. Will you not need something to feed your people?
Having her nation's situation grasped from such a distance, Rizelotte felt a chill run down her spine.
The people of Ulland were starving.
The inland people, unable to know when the Whiscliff bastards might descend, spent their days in constant anxiety, merely gathering wild grasses and forest things without being able to carry out cultivation.
The coastal people had been a hope, but as Astaroth's invasion intensified, they too became unable to do anything.
Of course, as always, the nobles had stockpiled the minimum required food and wealth for 'luxury,' but the young queen now lacked the power to forcibly control those nobles' actions.
There was no particular reason to inform a foreign country of these complex affairs.
She had merely been attempting to increase trade volume with Kakia.
Even that had been conducted as secretly as possible, and yet...
'No, perhaps I was like a deer hiding its head in the grass.'
Rizelotte shut her eyes tightly and opened them again.
What mattered was not the current situation, but the way to overcome it.
"... I understand that you will provide us with food, and more. However, Kakia will surely grow suspicious. The trade routes are under their watch..."
The black-clad woman smiled softly.
- I have already sent people there. What reason could there be that I could not send food?
"... That would be so. To be able to resolve the famine... it is a truly precious offer."
Rizelotte felt both humiliation at her current situation, where she could not solve the problem on her own, and hope that she had found a way to feed her people.
For the suffering of her people had always been one of her greatest worries.
- Of course, you understand, yes? This is a story that applies only if you accept the contract with me.
"... I wish to know the detailed terms."
Philia extended her index finger and pointed at the table.
From her fingertip, violet magical power rose and materialized into five intertwined flowers and one flower set far apart from them.
- Ulland must become a strong nation. In doing so, within the Nodengarde Union, it must actively advocate for vigilance, defense, and attack toward the north, not the south.
"You mean Dantalion, as you spoke of earlier. ... But our nation, as I said, is a small country. Our voice is..."
- Did I not say it? That you must become a strong nation.
Libertas tapped the table.
Hearing the actual 'tok-tok' sound, Rizelotte realized that beyond it, the woman was seated at a table similar to her own.
- Territory is a matter that does not go as one pleases, but I can procure for you the advisors and armaments to build up your military strength. After you fend off the approaching Astaroth...
'Philia' reached out her hand toward the queen. With it gently open.
- You will face the unified army of Whiscliff on your own. And, you will achieve victory.
Ulland's victory.
Rizelotte felt the pounding of her heart grow gradually louder.
She forcefully suppressed it and asked about the final condition she needed to confirm.
It was a question she had asked before, but if she did not confirm this, Ulland could find itself in even greater difficulty.
"By doing so, what do you stand to gain?"
'Philia' smiled softly.
- Die now, or die later.
Despite the gentle tone, the content was cold and firm.
- You have no choice.
Feeling a chill run down her spine, Rizelotte corrected her gaze, which had tried to evade Philia's eyes.
- And yet, you still seek to choose.
The black-clad woman tilted her head slightly and stared at Rizelotte.
With deep interest brimming within.
- That will of yours, truly... I rather like it.
Though her bangs, like black mist, nearly covered her eyes, that gaze pierced through and met Rizelotte's own.
- But do not worry. I will not make you vomit back up your enriched land and army. As I said, what I desire is to push out Dantalion and Astaroth and draw forth this land's peace once more.
"... I do not understand. It is a crisis unrelated to you. Why do this?"
- Just because it is not my crisis now does not guarantee it will never be my problem. Rizelotte.
Her eyes deepened like an abyss.
- The Archdukes of the Demon Realm are dangerous beings. If they merely seize the opportunity, they will never be satisfied with the north alone.
'Now then,' Philia said, rising from her seat.
Resting a hand on Sonia's shoulder, she looked back at Rizelotte.
- My words end here. The detailed work will be carried out by my disciple Sonia, so consult with her.
"Wait..."
- Let us postpone a longer conversation until after we meet in person. You seem like someone worth meeting face-to-face.
After sending a smile-tinged glance toward Rizelotte, the black-clad woman's form began to gradually disappear.
- Sonia. I have heard the news of your victory. I knew you would succeed. Do not get hurt, and keep up your strength.
"Yes, Master."
The woman who vanished with her back turned to the queen of a nation.
Rizelotte reached out her hand, but she could not grasp that form.
"... She has gone."
And only then did she realize that the woman had consistently addressed her in informal speech the entire time.
'... Yet it is not unpleasant. Strangely so.'
The black-clad woman's presence was that overwhelming.
An overwhelming dignity that captivated the beholder and made one naturally acquiesce to her authority.
Rizelotte shook her head.
Admonishing herself that it could never be acceptable for the queen of a nation to submit in her heart to a figure from another land.
Of course, she had an intuition that this event had already occurred, and that its repercussions would continue to unfold.
Still, she could not accept it.
"You..."
Having composed herself, the queen gazed intently at Sonia.
Her gaze still held bewilderment, but a hardened resolve glinted within.
"You were that person's disciple from the beginning."
"Yes, Your Highness. My loyalty lies solely with my master. The same applies to Her Excellency Countess Echidna."
"Hmm..."
A strange woman who held deep influence in a foreign country, yet kept it completely hidden.
A woman who, from the sound of it, wielded enormous influence even within the Central Union.
Such a figure had become an ally to her.
Therefore...
'Ulland's future will surely brighten.'
The queen turned her head.
Below the high spire, the entirety of Wolfsaehir was visible.
The weary shoulders of her people, and the old castle that had only just avoided becoming a ruin.
Thus, it was only right that she should rejoice in this fact.
But...
An anxiety, as if some unpredictable darkness were waiting on the path ahead of her.
A fear that she could not guess what events would occur in her future.
Rizelotte touched the pendant with the feeling of handling a dangerous object.
She had now entered into a contract from which there was no turning back.
But what filled her heart now was not fear, but fierce determination.