Chapter 237: Three People, Three Colors
Chapter 237: Three People, Three Colors
“So, is this the gist of it? Since we can't escape anyway, let's just smash through it with a bang and settle things.”
This was the response Al’shel gave me after listening to the whole story, having spent his time doing nothing but reading books at the hotel.
“It’s a bit oversimplified, but yeah, that’s the summary.”
Al’shel stared blankly at my face as if he found it absurd before speaking again.
“And am I included in the combat personnel for this ‘smashing through’?”
Why? You trying to back out now? After all this?
“Obviously?”
At my words, Al’shel tilted his head to the side.
“Are you a fool?”
‘No, you were always a fool.’
I can hear you muttering, you punk.
“Fine, let’s say I participate. We’re in the same boat now, and I have my own scores to settle.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Why did you set things up in such a manner?”
Al’shel asked back, his voice filled with genuine curiosity as if he truly couldn't understand.
I began to organize my thoughts.
After a short silence, I spoke.
“Well, I don’t want to sleep for a whole month, and I don’t like the idea of being chased around. I figured I’d handle it quickly and then rest.”
“I heard that earlier. I agree with that part, so let’s move past it. What I’m asking is why, in that situation, you specifically chose the option to fight.”
‘When there are so many better ways.’
Hearing that, I thought a bit more deeply than before. Al’shel waited quietly for my answer, seemingly satisfied with my silence. After some time, I finally organized my thoughts and spoke.
“Both sides wanted a fight, and since we didn't have many cards in our hand, I pushed it in that direction. Besides, fighting is our specialty. Rather than twisting things around in a complicated way, it’s easier to just push through with force.”
I gave a standard answer, but Al’shel continued to stare at me.
“…It seems there’s more to it?”
He spoke as if he were seeing right through me.
I had no choice but to reveal my true feelings.
“…Commander Ronia was being annoying, and I felt like hitting him. But then Lieutenant General Par seemed like they wanted to fight, so I just took their side. I figured if two out of the three of us set the stage, Commander Ronia would have no choice but to follow along.”
I guess Al’shel is still Al’shel.
Come to think of it, this guy was quite the politician himself.
“I see. Well, since it’s already come to this, I won’t say anything more. The stage is set, so we should think of a way to win.”
‘Even just based on the information we have, it would be more beneficial to draw in the neutral factions of the military or engage in an information war among the citizens. And if you hate political maneuvering that much, there was also the option of staying safely with Captain Af’s military unit.’
You said you wouldn't say anything more. Yet you’re listing them all out.
I felt a brief flash of annoyance, but as usual, I was about to ignore Al’shel’s muttering and move on when…
…Wait. Captain Af?
“Why is Af brought up?”
“Hm? You didn't know? Captain Af belongs to the Central, and the Election Committee she’s part of has an obligation to protect any candidate who requests a guarantee of their safety. Though, in that case, the one requesting protection is also prohibited from interfering with others.”
…There was something like that?
“Un-ho?”
I asked the damn brat who was sprawled out on the bed, chewing on nuts.
He probably heard everything, so he wouldn't need a separate explanation.
“I didn't know there was such a thing, poyo?”
This damn ferret.
“Fine, you fat ferret. Eat your fill of this.”
I began stuffing nuts that looked like unpeeled walnuts into the mouth of Un-ho, the one who had messed everything up from the start.
“Gack, I can’t digest stuff like th— Kweeek!”
By the time Un-ho’s belly was bulging and lumpy with nuts, I tossed him into the corner.
“No, if even Un-ho didn't know, how did you know, Al’shel?”
“There was a book like this in the hotel library.”
At that, Al’shel held up a brown book that had been sitting on the table.
I tried to read the title, but…
“I have no idea what that says.”
Naturally, it was impossible for me to recognize the characters written in the book.
“It’s nothing much. The Development of Military Elections. It’s an academic text of some sort. I’m not sure why it was in the hotel, though.”
…Damn it.
“Um, should we go request it now?”
“I believe it’s already too late. According to the book, you cannot request help after launching an attack. You’ve already had a major confrontation with Lieutenant General Par and issued what was essentially a declaration of war, not a misunderstanding.”
…That damn Un-ho.
And so, thanks to Un-ho’s brilliant memory, we missed the chance to make a better choice.
* * *
Whether Lieutenant General Par had spoken to Commander Ronia as previously agreed, a sealed letter arrived at the hotel.
The contents were incredibly simple.
The location and name of a high-end restaurant.
And a time.
Nothing else was written, but that alone was enough to deduce what was going to happen.
It would be something like a tripartite talk.
I hope it goes well.
With that thought, I visited the restaurant mentioned in the letter with Un-ho.
However, there was something we hadn't expected.
“We meet again, guest.”
“….”
“Hello! Poyo!”
The fact that the restaurant Commander Ronia designated was the same one we had visited before.
It couldn't be a coincidence; he must have done it knowing full well.
The problem was what he meant by it.
Was it simply because it was a restaurant where we had a good meal, so he was showing hospitality? …Considering the behavior that pig had shown, that was absolutely not the case.
Was he trying to say, ‘We are watching you’?
Or was he trying to make Un-ho remember the embarrassing memory of his account being frozen?
…Whatever.
Thinking deeply about underhanded schemes would only tire me out.
More importantly…
What am I supposed to say?
Should I just say I have a reservation?
Come to think of it, this is basically a secret meeting; would they use their real names?
No, rather, a high-end restaurant like this would ensure absolute secrecy, so maybe using their real names is correct?
I should have had some experience with these kinds of secret meetings.
Politics isn't my specialty. This is something Macbeth or the Lord of Infinite Castles should be doing.
Wait, I did participate in one once as a courtesy. What did Macbeth say back then?
Amidst those swirling thoughts, the words I managed to squeeze out were pathetic.
“Ah, that… reservation…”
Forget a proper sentence; I barely managed the word ‘reservation,’ and even then, I couldn't finish saying what kind of reservation it was.
“Please, this way.”
The fairy waiter immediately flashed a smile and began to fly ahead, leading the way.
“….”
“Hm? Lee Ha-ram. Aren't you coming?”
“I’m coming…”
I just… for a moment… felt pathetic because of my own inadequacy…
Berating myself, I followed the waiter through the restaurant.
He headed in the exact opposite direction from where we had been when we first came to this place.
The first time, we were seated in a bright spot next to a glass wall.
Now, we were being guided into the inner part of the restaurant, down a dark hallway lined with several thick doors.
It’s common for high-end restaurants to have such places, but I was slightly taken aback by the atmosphere, which was completely different from the bright hall where sunlight poured in and you could see the crowds.
“It is here. Well then, have a pleasant meal.”
The waiter stopped in front of a door, waved his hand as he opened it, and we stepped inside as guided.
“See you again, Mr. Waiter!”
Un-ho saw the waiter off with a greeting that was completely out of sync with the atmosphere.
We watched the waiter’s smile one last time before…
Click.
We were left inside the room.
“You arrived a bit early.”
Greeting us was the voice of Lieutenant General Par, who was sitting in a chair with their back perfectly straight.
“Is Commander Ronia not here yet?”
I replied and sat in one of the empty chairs.
Un-ho immediately hopped off my shoulder, flipped a cup over, and began pouring the juice placed in the center into it.
“That damn pig is always late.”
Lieutenant General Par left it at that, closed their eyes, and shut their mouth again.
It was a rather rude attitude, but I didn't think much of it.
Well, they were like that when we first met, too.
That person seems like nothing more than a stone statue unless it involves combat.
However, there was something that bothered me more.
“Hey, Un-ho.”
“What is it, poyo?”
Un-ho, whose mouth had turned blue from gulping down fruit juice, answered my call.
“What does ‘pig’ mean in this world?”
I asked about the doubt that had arisen from Lieutenant General Par’s words.
“A pig is… a pig? Poyo.”
“No, I get that. But because of the Otherworld translation, it came across to me as ‘pig.’ There’s no way an animal called a pig exists in this world, and he seemed to be referring to Commander Ronia as a pig. I was wondering if that carries some kind of insult in this world… or what it means…”
What kind of rambling was this?
“Poyo?”
Since my words were so incoherent, Un-ho just shook his head, seemingly unable to understand my question.
I was about to give up and move on, thinking it was just whatever.
“It refers to Commander Ronia’s outward appearance. It describes a greedy, fat, and filthy being.”
Lieutenant General Par answered my question in a stiff, dictionary-like voice.
It was such an unexpected reaction that I was stunned for a moment.
Soon, a thought flashed through my mind.
Since this is going to turn into a three-way fight anyway…
Wouldn't it be okay to get on slightly better terms with one side?
A 2-on-1 is better than a 1-on-1-on-1.
Of course, those two would have to fight 1-on-1 after the first one is gone.
But rather than being the ‘1’ who gets ganged up on, it would be better to be part of the ‘2.’
So, I squeezed out a joke.
“…I don’t know the racial classifications of the Magic Kingdom, but isn't that racial discrimination?”
“Regarding the races of the Magic Kingdom, most take on the appearance they desire. Though broad categories like the Animal Kingdom and the Fairy Kingdom do exist. Therefore, it cannot be called racial discrimination.”
Lieutenant General Par returned an answer in that same stiff voice.
As if they had no intention of reacting to my joke.
My aim missed the mark, but I learned that Lieutenant General Par was a more sensible being than I had thought, and I gained some new information on top of that.
Hmm. Is that so?
I wondered why their appearances were so incredibly diverse; it seems it’s not about race, but just the appearance they chose for themselves.
I suppose an undead doll bear couldn't be a normal living creature.
Even Un-ho seems to transform into something a bit sharper than a ferret when he’s angry.
“Un-ho, is that appearance something you chose for yourself?”
“Hm? Oh, my looks? I guess so. I don’t belong to most of the categories Lieutenant General Par mentioned, so there are some restrictions, though.”
I see.
My knowledge has increased.
We shared that brief conversation, but ultimately, we couldn't keep up small talk in this desolate space, so silence followed for a while.
About four minutes past the appointed time.
Clack.
The door opened.
“Sorry I’m late! A bit of business came up!”
Flap. Flap.
A pink pig flew into the room, flapping large white wings.
Lieutenant General Par opened their eyes, glared at Commander Ronia, and adjusted their posture. Un-ho also put down his juice glass and sat obediently in front of me.
Just as the stiff atmosphere began…
“Hmm, you’re both here. Is the ordering finished?”
Commander Ronia scanned the two of us and sat in the seat of honor as if it were only natural.
“The meat dishes are famous in this restaurant. If you’d like, I can order my recommendations. What do you think?”
True to his appearance, he flapped his mouth talking about food.
Un-ho and I remained silent.
But the remaining person seemed to have a different idea.
“The food doesn't matter, Commander Ronia.”
Lieutenant General Par spoke, mixing anger into their stiff voice.
“What matters is when and where we fight. Let us decide only that.”
It was pressure mixed with clear hostility.
“We can choose a time that’s convenient for everyone after the meal is over. Ah, but there is something that must take priority. Is there anyone here who opposes the fight?”
Commander Ronia brushed it off nonchalantly and tossed out that question.
“Hm? Is it possible not to fight, poyo?”
Un-ho, failing to read the room, spoke up, but…
“I’ll take that as a no.”
“….”
Commander Ronia and Lieutenant General Par ignored him and proceeded with the conversation.
Right, Un-ho is just the justification for them to fight each other anyway, isn't he?
“Then, I shall proceed with ordering my recommended menu. Lieutenant General Par. Brigadier General Un-ho. Is that alright?”
“…Do as you wish.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Um, I’d like some Fruit-Meat, poyo.”
And so, the tripartite talk began.