A Royal Proposition
After several days of hard riding, the carriage finally ground to a halt in front of Grandis Castle. This was the residence of King Sherdin, and we had come to seek an audience with him.
"This way, please."
Compared to the imperial palace of the Carman Empire, its scale was undeniably modest. A castle built entirely of wood and stone, devoid of gold or jewels. Yet, I personally found the philosophy embedded in its architecture quite appealing. It prioritized structural stability and craftsmanship over sheer, hollow grandeur. Blending the techniques of elven master carpenters and dwarven master stonemasons, the level of craftsmanship was nothing short of extraordinary.
"His Majesty's wish is finally being fulfilled."
"Pardon? What do you mean by that?"
"His Majesty has long wished to meet Sir Alvin before his passing. He was deeply moved by how you, a human from the Empire, rescued the demi-humans of our kingdom over your own countrymen."
In a world where NTR ran rampant, racial discrimination was equally severe. If someone claimed a human had helped a demi-human, most would dismiss it as a bad joke. More than half of humanity harbored deep-seated hatred for other races, which said it all. Even those who didn't actively hate them were largely indifferent. Only Yudika Kingdom was exceptionally friendly toward demi-humans, so it was only natural that the kingdom had become isolated. Those who despised demi-humans would have severed ties with the kingdom long ago.
Yet, an imperial knight had rescued demi-humans and even petitioned the Empress to return them safely to their homeland. It was bound to leave a lasting impression.
I realized that even without my pheromones, the people of this kingdom would have welcomed Alvin with open arms. A rare, clear-sighted soul showing kindness in a world blinded by prejudice. It would be stranger if they didn't feel goodwill.
"Before his passing? Is His Majesty unwell?"
"No, he is in good health. However, due to his advanced age, he plans to abdicate the throne to his successor and go into retirement."
"Even if he retires, wouldn't there still be opportunities to meet him?"
"The current King Sherdin is a half-elf. Though human blood flows through his veins, his essence remains elven. Thus, he is destined to return to the World Tree."
The "retirement" mentioned here meant returning to the embrace of the World Tree. I didn't know much about elves, but I knew they didn't have traditional graves. According to the lore, they offered their bodies to the World Tree as nourishment, allowing their souls to find eternal rest. Anyone with even a drop of elven blood was bound to seek their final rest in the embrace of the World Tree.
"Our timing was fortunate, then."
"Indeed it was."
If it had been the original Alvin, he would have declined King Sherdin's invitation to focus on defeating the Demon King. And since Alvin's ultimate fate after defeating the Demon King was a miserable death, the two would likely have never met. Because I had abandoned the Empire, a meeting that should have been impossible was now taking place.
"Please, follow me. His Majesty wished to meet you in a private setting, rather than a formal audience."
"Is that alright for the ruler of a nation? At the very least, shouldn't we disarm...?"
"Haha! How fascinating to hear a Red Lion worrying about the safety of a foreign king."
Come to think of it, it was quite unusual that we were still carrying our weapons inside the castle. If we had harbored any ill intent, it could have ended in disaster. Yet, the royal guide merely offered a carefree smile.
"Even if we confiscated your weapons, who here could possibly stop the two of you? Besides, the Empire has no reason to covet a frontier nation like ours, so we trust you have no ulterior motives."
"It's good to be realistic, but isn't that a bit too complacent?"
"Please consider it a testament to how deeply His Majesty trusts you and your companions, Sir Alvin."
This level of absolute trust felt somewhat burdensome, but at the same time, it wasn't a bad feeling. It meant the kingdom was fully aware of its own weak defenses. If they recognized the problem, they would have the will to improve. Once I sought asylum here, I could teach them how to bolster their military strength and build them up.
"Your Majesty, Sir Alvin has arrived."
"Bring him in."
"Understood. Sir Alvin, you may enter. I must ask your two companions to wait out here for a moment."
This meant only I was permitted to audience King Sherdin. I glanced back at Luna and Scarlet. They both nodded, telling me to go ahead. Stepping past the threshold, I encountered another sliding paper door. A silhouette was cast against the paper screen, gesturing for me to enter.
"Welcome, Sir Alvin."
Sliding the door open, I saw a white-haired old man smiling warmly. True to his half-elven heritage, his ears were long but rounded at the tips. Deep wrinkles lined his entire body, and his skin was cracked like the bark of an ancient tree. I could instantly see what it meant for his time to be running short.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."
"There is no need for such stiffness. This is a private gathering."
"This is me being comfortable, in my own way."
Had this been a formal setting, I would have showered him with flowery honorifics to show my respect. I was simply showing proper courtesy to an elder as a knight. Even if we weren't interacting as king and subject, one must respect the elderly.
"Come, sit. I have brewed some tea for you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I hope it suits your palate."
It was a floor-seating arrangement, a rare sight in this world. I briefly considered kneeling formally, but ultimately decided to sit cross-legged comfortably on the cushion. Seeing this, King Sherdin nodded in approval and handed me a teacup. Receiving the cup politely with both hands, I carefully savored the tea he poured.
"You seem well-versed in our customs."
"I once had a friend from Yudika Kingdom. I only learned by watching over their shoulder, so please forgive me if my manners are a bit clumsy."
Naturally, that was a lie. I had simply acted according to Korean etiquette. Yet, that simple gesture seemed to win his favor, as King Sherdin refilled my cup.
"I heard that meeting me was a wish of yours."
"I believe I do not need to explain why I took an interest in you. I merely wished to see the man of the rumors with my own eyes."
"I am flattered. I never imagined a single good deed would earn me such goodwill."
"I do not place much weight on the mere act of you saving those demi-humans."
King Sherdin set his teacup down and looked me straight in the eye. He placed a wanted poster bearing my sketch onto the table.
Charges: Embezzlement, Insubordination, Murder of Nobility
The charges listed embezzlement, insubordination, and now, even the murder of nobility. At the very bottom, the Empress's seal was stamped, meaning this bounty had likely been distributed to every nation.
"May I ask your intention in showing me my own wanted poster?"
"Your eyes do not waver. It seems my suspicion was correct—the Empire framed you."
"So you wished to verify if the charges on the poster were true."
"I apologize if I have offended you. However, it was a necessary step."
I wasn't particularly offended. If anything, I was more concerned about whether he should be judging guilt or innocence solely by looking into someone's eyes. After all, the insubordination was an undeniable fact, and while I hadn't personally murdered any nobles, I had aided in it, so the charges weren't entirely baseless.
"Were you weighing whether to hand me over to the Empire or harbor me here?"
"Even if the charges were true, the people of Yudika owe you a debt. I fully intended to shelter you regardless."
"Then the truth of the matter doesn't seem to make much of a difference, does it?"
"No, it changes everything if the Empire framed you. It means Yudika Kingdom can officially declare its support for you and stand against the Empire's injustice."
A kingdom situated on the fringes of the continent was declaring its willingness to wage war against the mighty Carman Empire. It was incredibly reckless, but I absolutely loved the sheer audacity of it. Weren't they essentially betting their entire nation on me? Just hearing it was reassuring, but it was still too early.
"I am deeply grateful for your words, but I must ask you not to do that."
"If you worry for the fate of our nation, do not. Even without you, considering the harsh treatment our people suffer at the hands of the Empire, a clash was inevitable sooner or later."
"It is not out of fear of the Empire. A war should only be waged when there is absolute certainty of victory."
The issue I was pointing out was their lack of preparation. While Yudika Kingdom possessed superior technology, the quantity and quality of their soldiers fell short. Compensating for their shortcomings with overwhelming technological superiority was fine, but wouldn't it be far better to have both? Thus, I continued speaking to persuade King Sherdin.
"I know it is arrogant of me to make such a request upon our very first meeting, but I beg of you, despite my rudeness. Please, take me into your service! If you accept me, I will build a world where no one can ever look down on demi-humans again!"
"Are you serious?"
"I am."
"Hahaha!"
King Sherdin laughed heartily, slapping his palm against the table. I couldn't tell if my ambition had pleased him. I only hoped he would recognize my drive and sincerity. To crush the Carman Empire, the Silverion Holy Kingdom, and the Solia Magic Republic, Yudika Kingdom was the perfect springboard.
"Even if you had not begged, we fully intended to welcome you."
"I-Is that so?"
"Do you know why I bypassed a formal audience and summoned you here in private?"
"Forgive me, I do not."
King Sherdin pushed himself up from his seat and retrieved a parchment scroll from a nearby shelf. He unrolled it across the table, revealing a portrait of an exquisitely beautiful elven woman. It certainly wasn't another wanted poster. Unable to fathom why he was showing me a drawing of an elf, I stroked my chin.
"This is the woman who will lead Yudika Kingdom in the near future. She is a distant relative of mine, and unlike myself, she is a pure-blooded elf."
"So she will be my new liege."
"And, at the same time, the companion who will share your bed."
"...Pardon?"
King Sherdin's words hit me like a physical blow to the head. For a second, I wondered if my ears were playing tricks on me, and I stared at him blankly. But King Sherdin merely offered a broad grin and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Will you become the husband of the next queen?"
To my ears, it sounded like he was practically begging me to claim royal pussy.