Precarious Negotiations (1)
The capital of the Valua Kingdom, Lumiere. Alongside Londinium, the capital of the Albion United Kingdom, Lumiere boasted a staggering population of 250,000 residents.
Protected by the Kingdom's Seven Swords—hailed as the kingdom's guardian blades—Lumiere stood as an impregnable fortress, never to fall. It was famed for holding firm even against the massive elven invasion decades ago.
"So, what about that bastard?"
"Have no fear, Your Highness. Yushin will never return to the Valua Kingdom."
"Captured by those elves, he's probably been drained dry and croaked by now. A far too merciful end for that arrogant prick, but we'll call it an act of special mercy."
"Truly, Your Highness is most gracious."
Alpons Valua, the second prince of the Valua Kingdom, possessed an appearance so grotesque it felt the polar opposite of the beauty embodied by elves. His face was slick with grease. Layers of sagging flesh hung from his jowls. His obese frame was so bloated it seemed to hinder his every movement. Had he been born in modern South Korea, he'd have been the quintessential shut-in gamer rotting away in his room. Yet this man was the second son of King Philippe Valua.
"The real issue is the elf kingdom. It's so damn insular, our spies can't get a read on their movements."
"Forget it. He's probably dead anyway. Or enduring a heaven worse than hell."
Royalty typically viewed the "Another Ones"—beings from other worlds—as ominous taboos. Origins unknown, these otherworldly intruders always instilled fear in the ruling class. Sometimes they became demon kings; other times, catastrophic revolutionaries toppling nations. When they first appeared, they were hailed as "heroes descended" or "demon king slayers." But the Another Ones were far too willful, untrained in royal etiquette. Wielding powers granted by the gods, they terrorized the elite.
"Father's acting strange too. He's ignored politics for ages—why suddenly order Yushin Gilliard's release? No idea."
The Kingdom's Seven Swords? The three vacant seats could just be filled with fresh faces loyal to the crown. Not some creepy Another One monster, but knights of noble blood and elite training. Announcing a new Seven Swords selection to replace Yushin Gilliard would draw top swordsmen flocking like clouds across the kingdom.
"But Yushin is Sir Rocksfield's..."
"AllEN Rocksfield is mine!"
"Y-yes, sir! I overstepped... forgive me!"
Enraged by his vassal's words, Alpons bellowed. The vassal prostrated himself flat. He knew full well his lord's obsession with Allen Rocksfield. The knightess dubbed Rocksfield's mad dog was as unnerving as Yushin Gilliard himself. But upon seeing Allen in a dress at a banquet, Alpons was utterly smitten. Ever since, he'd schemed endlessly to make her his princess consort.
'Rumors say she's violent and cruel, but as her prince husband, the Rocksfield family would have no choice but to grovel for their survival!'
Allen Rocksfield was a knightess who'd served for years on brutal battlefields. Her loyalty to the crown was unmatched. Hearing how the Rocksfields had served the Valua royals for generations, Alpons assumed their daughter shared that devotion. Marrying such a knightess would honor the family's long service—and Allen's prime womb would birth superior heirs, no doubt.
'How could I forget that figure from the banquet? Flowing blue locks like ocean waves, golden eyes sparkling like gems. Delicate features, skin whiter and softer than silk! Allen Rocksfield, I want to hold you now!'
He'd jerked off countless times fantasizing about her form and allure. But the wait was nearly over. Soon, he'd savor that lewd vision in the flesh. He'd eliminated her biggest obstacle—her fiancé—using the elves as proxies. No evidence linked him to trapping Yushin Gilliard. With the hurdle cleared, Alpons swelled with anticipation sweeter than any grape, his loins throbbing.
Yushin Gilliard had lost the war and been taken prisoner by the elves. Allen couldn't believe it. Yushin wasn't just her fiancé—he held the third seat among the Kingdom's Seven Swords, a powerhouse. How could such a warrior fall to mere elves?
She refused to accept it.
"Why...? Why won't you stay by my side...! I thought we'd meet again! I thought you'd come back here to Lumiere, so I endured all the hardships until now...!!"
It was all the elves' fault—the root of every grievance. Kin of the Liberia Elf Kingdom, long-time blood enemies of Valua. She'd slaughter them all. Every elf who'd stolen her fiancé, every one connected to him—she'd eradicate them with her own hands. Then she'd bring her beloved home safe and hold the wedding of her dreams.
"Cool your jets first so we can talk. We're already sending an envoy to retrieve Yushin with the ransom they demanded. So rein in that killing intent before you charge the elf kingdom solo."
Heinkel said.
Heinkel Lineholder. First of the Kingdom's Seven Swords, bearer of the title Kingdom's Greatest Sword. Yushin's swordmaster and guarantor of his status—a father figure to him. Even in her frenzy, Allen heeded Heinkel's words. Marrying Yushin would make him her father-in-law, after all.
"Yes, Heinkel."
Allen nodded, quelling her bloodlust and showing a docile side. Silent and composed, without her feral aura, Allen Rocksfield was arguably the kingdom's most stunning beauty. Heaven above, why curse such a goddess with madness and murderlust? Heinkel inwardly cursed the skies. Without that fatal flaw, Yushin would've married the Rocksfield heiress ages ago.
"My idiot disciple got nabbed by elves, no doubt. The royals plan to pay their ransom and get him back."
"Will they hand him over nicely? Easier to just kill 'em all and grab Yushin. Send me—I’ll behead every elf and bring him home."
No joke. Allen meant it—she'd wipe out every elf on the planet. To her mad-dog mind, mass slaughter was par for the course. Kids, elders—didn't matter. Kill 'em, take Yushin. Dead serious. Anyone blocking her love was a pest to exterminate.
"They'll return him for the ransom. No reckless bullshit. That's an order—not just as Yushin's guardian, but as head of the Seven Swords."
Heinkel knew his authority wouldn't cow her. She was a vortex of insanity. No fear of death or power gap could subdue her. Yushin Gilliard was her world.
He didn't get her blind devotion, but he wanted this mess resolved peacefully.
"The Rocksfields will cover it too."
"Ransom's already covered. Finance Minister Baron Turgot pulled overtime."
"Negotiation timeline?"
"Two weeks from now. Hold out that long. Once Yushin's back safe, marry him or whatever. Just endure till then."
"Marriage... Got it. I'll trust you. Two weeks... Nothing compared to fighting alone up north."
Her rampaging madness finally ebbed. Heinkel sighed in relief. The kingdom's top sword, worn out not by enemies but the madwoman beside him.
I wonder if Yushin knows this shitshow from the elf kingdom. That fool's stressing a middle-aged mentor clutching his resignation letter.
Heinkel cursed his wayward disciple while picturing him.
'Hope he's okay. Those horny elves won't leave a Six Ember knight alone—their racial instinct is breeding superior offspring. If he gets hooked and whines about not coming back, I'll decapitate him myself.'
Ransom was ready. Two weeks to go. Negotiations set for Urhel, a hunter village midway up the Akiteon Mountains. The envoy was assembled: Finance Minister Turgot leading, backed by two of the Seven Swords and kingdom knights. Elves might renege and steal the ransom, so full force was essential even at the talks.
"Can I come too...?"
Allen asked. Heinkel shot back instantly.
"Hell no."
"Why not?"
"Can't predict your rampage."
Trust the trustworthy; never unleash a feral dog at delicate talks. Unless elves planned betrayal—which intel lacked—unleashing her was suicide. Heinkel talked her down.
"I won't draw until they do."
"You said that years ago, then punched a barbarian chieftain's son to death."
Allen mumbled like a mosquito at the memory, embarrassed: "Didn't draw my sword though..."
"Won't use fists either."
"Then feet."
"No feet either."
"Haa..."
Heinkel despaired at her stubbornness. She'd force her way if pushed. He half-wanted to chain her in the palace dungeon with anti-knight manacles and shackles—the only sure restraint for Allen Rocksfield.
"If I'm such a worry, just come yourself, Sir Heinkel."
"Can't."
Heinkel was a force all nations, including Liberia, watched warily. Valua's Greatest Sword. Now a slacker armed with laziness, but in his prime, he'd halted demon king armies and threatened the king himself—a legendary blade.
"I show, other nations stir. I move, and so does Liberia's top warrior captain, El Seed."
El Seed. Heinkel shook his head, muttering their ancient bad blood.