Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Do You Know Why I'm Strong? Because I Deserted! (5)
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Do you know why I'm strong? It's because I deserted!
Dwarf Principality.
From what I remembered, the Dwarf Principality was practically at enmity with the forest elves and the Twelve Tribes beastman alliance. And they didn't get along particularly well with other races either.
There were various reasons, but the biggest one was undoubtedly the dwarves' unique artisan spirit and their eccentricity. The extremism of selling even their own children for technological advancement.
In a nation full of mad artisans who wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice their own flesh and blood, their ruthlessness toward other races was even more merciless.
So how had they survived this long? Simple. They were eccentric, not stupid. The dwarves had one race they maintained relations with.
The first was the dragons, known as the benevolent race. The second was the humans, who held the greatest power. They chose voluntary submission to the dragons.
In contrast, they maintained good relations with humans through technology exchanges and various trades. Thanks to that, they could grow their power despite antagonizing so many races.
But now those dwarves had come directly to the Royal Knights. And not for any other reason, but because of a territorial dispute between the Dwarf Principality and the Twelve Tribes. Unbelievable.
A surge of irritation hit me for a moment, but I did my best to keep my expression in check. If I were a hero who could crush them all, that'd be one thing. Sadly, I wasn't a hero.
Even with my cheat-like time-stop power, I could barely make use of it to this extent. I was nothing more than an unwelcome guest occupying a seat.
"Captain, just in case... I'm mentioning it."
"Don't worry, Cluna."
"Pardon?"
"What you're thinking will never happen."
The Dwarf Principality was trying to leverage Bayard's desertion for political advantage. After all, I, the captain, was on good terms with him.
But why should I cooperate with something like that?
In the original story, the Dwarf Principality had been completely destroyed and didn't even appear. A few dwarves did show up, but most were refugees.
That was why the dwarf heroine in the original aimed to rebuild her homeland. How desperate must things have been for even a child to set that as her goal?
Anyway, ever since I took over as captain of the Royal Knights, I'd set a clear goal. To turn the Royal Knights into a perfectly politically neutral organization.
The Royal Knights had gone to hell because of political bullshit in the first place. And they still hadn't learned? Trying to play politics over a territorial dispute? Please, just stick to the first verse.
I entered the reception room.
The Royal Knights' reception room originally had chandeliers and various gold decorations. But now it was empty, replaced only by a shabby table and chairs.
Because I'd sold them all off. In our already money-strapped situation, decorations were a luxury. Even if we had spare cash, I wouldn't bother.
"We had high expectations for the famous Royal Knights, but it's not as impressive as we thought."
And in the reception room were some kids sipping tea while seated. Two boys and one girl who looked like nothing but kids at first glance.
The girl with blue hair and the boy with green hair stood silently in the back, weapons in hand. Meanwhile, the one sipping from a teacup while seated exuded leisure.
Dressed in fine clothes befitting someone of high status, he wore a monocle over one eye. He leisurely set down the book he was holding and smiled as he spoke.
"No malice intended. Pleased to meet you, Sir Hans, captain of the Royal Knights."
"Pleased to meet you. So, your name is?"
"I am Biral Emerald, ambassador of the Dwarf Principality."
Like Ruby, it seemed dwarves liked putting mineral names in their own. Well, the original dwarf heroine's name was something like Bell Sapphire.
"We're both busy, so let's get straight to the point."
"Sir Hans seems quite impatient."
"Ambassador Biral, shouldn't we both keep some decorum?"
"There's an elf here who doesn't know manners. A pet?"
Dwarves and elves really didn't get along, it seemed. But he was in the wrong here. I chuckled softly and spoke lowly to the ambassador.
"Cluna is my adjutant. How could I handle an important meeting like this without my adjutant present?"
"I knew the Royal Knights were going through tough times, but I didn't expect them to be so short on talent."
"Ambassador Biral, don't you want to return home with at least some positive results?"
"......"
I had no idea about intimidating postures. So I imitated a mob boss from a noir film. I deliberately crossed my legs and interlocked my fingers as I replied.
"Let me make this clear. Keep talking like that, and you won't get even broth."
"C-Captain...!!"
Not only the ambassador, but even Cluna, who had been silently listening beside me, was startled. This was, after all, a diplomatic occasion. And in diplomacy, the key was words.
The basic convention was to beat around the bush as softly as possible, no matter what. That way, you didn't give the other side any pretext. But so what? Was that my problem?
The Royal Knights had already crumbled doing that crap? And now they were still clueless, trying to play politics over a territorial dispute? Please, just the first verse.
"You're coming on stronger than expected, Sir Hans. If you'll pardon the rudeness, do you know about the relations between the kingdom and the Dwarf Principality?"
"Drop any thoughts of linking nation to nation. Isn't this just a deal between the Royal Knights and your principality?"
"......"
"Let's talk like men, straight up. What are you beating around the bush like some girl for?"
Some gambler once said that. In a gambling den, the scariest opponent wasn't another cheater, but a total newbie. Because you couldn't predict their next move.
But he wasn't a pushover. Biral still wore a smile on his face. His expression only changed briefly when he was caught off guard by my words.
Well, with a major territorial dispute at stake, they wouldn't send a rookie. Biral kept his smile but adopted a noticeably more deferential attitude.
"Then straight to the point: We request you hand over the deserter Sir Bayard."
"Refused."
"Quite firm. But can you still refuse after hearing this proposal?"
"What's that?"
"First, the Dwarf Principality will officially sponsor the Royal Knights."
"I see."
"Not only the finest equipment prepared by the Dwarf Principality, but we'll also reinforce this fortress to make it even more impregnable."
"And in exchange, hand over Bayard?"
"Yes. Just one man, only one."
It wasn't a bad deal, for sure. Officially, Bayard was a deserter anyway. Even in modern society, desertion was a serious crime punished by strict military law.
How much harsher would treatment be in this medieval setting? If mishandled, I could take damage too. The ambassador was aiming at that point.
For handing over just one deserter's custody, the Royal Knights would gain massive sponsorship. Support from the Dwarf Principality was worth that much.
"I have to ask again if your answer is the same as before, Sir Hans."
"Naturally, refused."
"A wise choice... Pardon?"
"Cluna, it seems the guests are leaving. Escort them out as politely as possible."
"Understood, Captain."
It was a tempting offer, but for my goal of neutralizing the Royal Knights politically, I had no choice but to refuse. Anything involving politics went straight to ruin.
"Wait just a moment! Sir Hans!"
"The captain has nothing more to say."
"How dare you, you elf. Lay hands on me?!"
As Cluna blocked Biral, he finally showed his true colors. His smile vanished in an instant. And as the ambassador spat his rage, the knights moved.
They tried to subdue Cluna, but she struck first. The two dwarf knights were instantly stomped under her feet. Well, now.
Honestly, I was a bit surprised. No matter how toothless the Royal Knights had become, to think they'd try using force right in front of their captain.
"Can't hold back your anger, huh? Hate elves that much?"
"W-Wait a moment! This is...!!"
"We won't forget this incident. See yourself out, Ambassador Biral."
He seemed like a veteran diplomat, but even so, he couldn't hide his elf hatred. And with that, Ambassador Biral was chased out with his escort knights.
"I never thought you'd really refuse."
"What do you mean by that?"
"To be honest... it makes me a little suspicious."
"......"
"People who acted like you over the years always had something scheming behind the scenes."
"It was a good offer."
Maybe because I refused such a sweet deal. I could see Cluna slightly suspicious. Dangerous. I needed to come up with a plausible answer here. I opened my mouth.
"But how could I sell out family for money?"
"......You're right. That's true."
Phew, looks like the suspicion cleared.
"I feel like even if they brought the Dwarf Principality's greatest secret treasure, the divine sword, you wouldn't waver, Captain."
"Divine sword?"
"Yes. Legend says it cuts through anything."
"......Cuts through anything?"
"Yes, though it's just a legend, of course."
Cluna added with a faint smile, but it fell on deaf ears right now.
Should I go hand him over right now? With that divine sword, I wouldn't need the Royal Knights or anything.
I thought that for a moment, but quickly dropped it.
There was no guarantee the sword was real anyway.
And if I ever had to go to the Dwarf Principality later, I could just time-stop and steal it then.