Thunderbolt Sword (1)
Holy Empire received its first delegation from Valua Kingdom. They thoroughly condemned Liberia Elf Kingdom. Despite promising to release Yushin Gilliard in exchange for ransom and then failing to follow through, the elves had even targeted the lives of the diplomats who had participated in the negotiations with armed forces. Of course, Valua Kingdom had also mobilized troops to the negotiation site, but they conveniently omitted that detail. It was all to seize the high ground in the diplomatic arena of the Holy Empire.
“Valua Kingdom has maintained an alliance with Holy Empire for hundreds of years. We've dispatched support troops against the Demon King Army, and we've built substantial trust through long-term trade and diplomacy. That's why I'm firmly convinced the Empire will understand our kingdom's plight.”
The diplomat dispatched from Valua Kingdom was Baron Turgot, the finance minister who had led the diplomacy at the Urhel negotiations. He preached the reasons why Holy Empire had to side with Valua Kingdom. After all, Liberia Elf Kingdom also had trade and diplomatic ties with Holy Empire, so they needed any edge over the elves.
“We know. So quit spitting all over the place.”
A white-haired girl with horns sprouting from her head scowled as she spoke. The Empire's representative looked no older than her mid-teens at most. But none of the kingdom's diplomats dared see her as just a girl. This white-haired girl was a monster among monsters—the chamberlain who had served the Empire for hundreds of years, a master of politics.
“What're you staring at? First time seeing a goblin? Pissed 'cause some kid-looking bitch is talking down to you? Tough shit. I've been the Empire's chamberlain for hundreds of years. Third in the Empire's hierarchy.”
“No, ma'am! We're sorry!”
Tanya spoke up at the diplomats' flushed glares, and they immediately bowed their heads deeply. As the situation grew chaotic, Turgot hurriedly interjected.
“We ask that the Empire impose sanctions on Elf Kingdom so we can get Yushin Gilliard back. That's the only way to retrieve our kingdom's precious soldier.”
Tanya shot him a fierce glare at his words. Precious soldier? They'd thrown him away like expendable trash in the war, and besides, hadn't Yushin Gilliard gotten captured by the elves after falling into that second prince's trap? They'd have to hear the full story from Yushin himself about why he'd been taken so helplessly by the elves... but the ones who had handed him over as a slave were Valua's royals. Countless soldiers, including Yushin, had been captured by Elf Kingdom. It was all that damned second prince's doing—a catastrophe. And now this bastard Turgot had the gall to call them “precious soldiers”? It reeked worse than a sewer.
“Sanctions, huh... But our Empire trades heavily with Liberia Elf Kingdom too, just like with Valua. Imposing sanctions right away would be tough. It'd cause astronomical losses.”
To Holy Empire, Liberia Elf Kingdom was just as vital a partner as Valua Kingdom. The elves had captured the Raging Flames Demon King. Without them, that Demon King would've swept through Libria Peninsula, invaded Valua Kingdom, and threatened the Empire's rear. That's why Elf Kingdom mattered. If diplomacy soured and the elves allied with the Demon King Army, the Empire could end up trapped. They couldn't just blindly agree to Valua's demands.
“You know full well how crucial Elf Kingdom is to us diplomatically, right? And you're still making these outrageous demands... Guess you're finally realizing Yushin Gilliard's importance now.”
Turgot's dumbfounded expression nearly made Tanya forget this was a diplomatic venue and blurt out, “Fucking idiot.” Her head throbbed. This was exactly why she hated dealing with Valua Kingdom. She muttered curses at the crown prince who had dumped this Valua delegation on her.
Valua Kingdom embodied an even more arrogant noblecracy than Holy Empire. Selfish pricks dominated their politics. Most of their so-called diplomats were steeped in that noble bullshit.
“Just wait. Someone else is coming.”
Tanya held out her hand, and her secretary offered a pipe. She clamped it between her teeth. Embers flared in the empty pipe, smoke curling out.
“We are grateful for your welcome, offspring of the Empire graced with valor and wisdom.”
The elves had arrived at the palace. The delegation from Liberia Elf Kingdom. As they barged into the diplomatic hall, Valua's delegation buzzed with unrest. These bastards who had shamelessly broken their promises at Urhel dared show up as envoys? The kingdom's diplomats glared daggers at the elves. More than a few radiated killing intent. The tension was like a powder keg, but Tanya just puffed away at her pipe.
“You wanna make a scene here? Shut your traps. Want the Empire's knights dragging you out in disgrace?”
Tanya slammed her pipe down. Red embers scattered to the floor. At the chamberlain's shout, Valua's diplomats clamped their mouths shut. But their eyes burned with murder—if the situation escalated, they'd clash with the elves again.
“Pointy-ears, what's your point?”
Tanya asked. The lead elf spoke right up.
“Our Elf Kingdom council has reached a consensus on releasing Yushin Gilliard.”
“What?”
Turgot blurted in disbelief. They'd dragged him to negotiations, claimed they couldn't release him, and now this? He smelled a rat. They'd been royally screwed over before, so suspicion was natural. Even hearing the elf representative's words, Valua's delegation didn't let their guard down.
“But there are conditions. And they're something Holy Empire can resolve.”
“Us? Not Valua Kingdom? Pretty ballsy. Fine, let's hear it.”
Tanya gestured. The elf rep continued.
“Dispatch the Diablo Slayer to Elf Kingdom. In exchange, we'll hand Yushin Gilliard over to Valua Kingdom unharmed.”
“...What did you just say?”
Tanya's eyebrows twitched sharply—a tell when she was seriously shocked. The elves' demand was clearly aimed at Holy Empire. It made Yushin Gilliard sound like mere bait to summon the Diablo Slayer.
The elf was demanding the Diablo Slayer's dispatch in exchange for Yushin's release.
“Diablo Slayer... You mean the one who killed Tyranny Demon King Agares...”
Turgot muttered. The Diablo Slayer who felled Tyranny Demon King was a Holy Empire knight. But no one knew details about this Empire knight. Maybe the emperor or Valua's king... Even Finance Minister Turgot was in the dark; the info was top secret.
“...You messing with us on purpose? Or are you really that clueless?”
Tanya growled, glaring at the elf rep with seething fury. The elf figured she was burdened by the demand for their top asset, the Diablo Slayer. But Tanya's rage stemmed from elsewhere.
“We know it's a tough request. But we're desperate too. The Raging Flames Demon King occupying southern Libria Peninsula has started moving in earnest. Demon King Army forces that crossed the sea from the southern continent have approached our capital, Maherith. To save Elf Kingdom—to purge all demons from Libria Peninsula—we need the Empire's Diablo Slayer.”
The elf laid out the long explanation to Tanya, stressing the need. Liberia Elf Kingdom was in peril, on the brink of a decisive battle with Raging Flames Demon King. Turgot nodded, seeing the logic despite hating elves more than his parents' killers. If Elf Kingdom fell, Libria Peninsula would become a demon nest. Then the Demon King Army would eventually target Valua Kingdom.
Can't let Libria Peninsula fall to the demons. Hate the elves, but they've kept us safe from the Demon King Army. As long as we get Yushin Gilliard back, we don't care—so I'll hope the Empire grants their demand for now.
Turgot waited for Tanya's response to Elf Kingdom's plea.
* * *
Yushin stayed at the academy with Alonne and Letisia until sunset. Lectures ran late, and they'd trained extra long in the field Liana had set up, dragging it out even more.
“Fancy meeting you again? Truth is, I was waiting.”
As they headed to the warp gate site, an unwelcome face appeared. Bariteon Trident. The high elf warrior captain with sunglasses perched on his forehead stepped out. Did the third-ranked captain really have nothing better to do? Amid the murmuring onlookers, Bariteon focused solely on Yushin. He'd waited just to see him again.
“Step back.”
Yushin scowled, pulling Alonne and Letisia behind him. This guy was dangerous. He reeked of it. A fighter like Allen—unbound by conventions, pure martial pursuit. He was scheming a “spar” that was anything but. Yushin kept his disciples out of it to avoid dragging them in.
“Same goes for you, right? Your body's itching for a full-power fight. I can see it in a fighter's eyes. You stink like me—a fellow brawler!”
Bariteon flashed gleaming eyes at Yushin, acting as if he'd read his mind.
“Fighter? I hate fighting. And right now, getting these ladies home is priority.”
“Hiding behind excuses like that? Kinda pisses me off...”
Bariteon smirked bitterly at Yushin's words. How to ignite this human's battle lust? His gaze landed on Alonne and Letisia behind Yushin. The little one was clearly Ardena's sister, and the curvy student—totally his type—was Santander house's lady. He could tell the human doted on them. Doting meant they were his detonator.
“Crossing Valencia and Santander houses scares me, but it's worth it to see your full power, human. The old maid crashed our party last time, but not now?”
Bariteon grinned slyly and beckoned. High elves from Trident Company moved in. Not to gang up—that wasn't his style. Just a brief threat. A smokescreen to pressure Yushin. He had his pupils surround them, then showed his true colors.
“If you keep holding back, these ladies might get roughed up bad, Yushin Gilliard. Hate seeing a fighter like you cowering for the crowd's sake.”
Bariteon reached out. The savage captain's hand targeted Alonne and Letisia—to rile Yushin. As proof, his hand moved deliberately slow.
“Master!”
Alonne cried out. Yushin's hand shot forward at the same instant.
FWOOOSH!!!
The air ripped with a sonic boom. Yushin swung wide, and Bariteon yanked his arm back just in time. Any slower, and the swing would've torn it off amid the shockwave. A fighter's grin crept across Bariteon's lips. His skin stung. That swing had warped the surrounding air—pure destructive force in a simple motion.
“Finally showing your true colors.”
Bariteon chuckled at Yushin's murderous glare.