“Oh! Is that so?”
Helen was surprised, but making people unaware that you’re wearing makeup is very difficult. Like a first-class painter drawing on canvas, it’s completed only through delicate techniques.
“When I first met her and asked what kind of makeup she used, she said ‘I always keep it simple.’ But that’s definitely a lie. She must have a very skilled makeup artist in her employ.”
Lelia’s face twisted with disgust.
She absolutely despised women who carefully arranged their hair and makeup, dressed in expensive clothes, yet claimed with their mouths that they weren’t doing anything special.
“Besides, there’s a big difference between how she’s portrayed in novels and plays and the real person.”
While talking, Lelia recalled Romelia’s image as depicted in novels and theater. In novels and plays, she was excessively idealized, practically a different person.
“That’s certainly true, but I think the real Lady Romelia is also wonderful. By the way, Lelia-sama, you’ve also seen novels and plays about Lady Romelia.”
“Th-that’s… they’re so popular. I only watched because I didn’t want to be left behind in conversations.”
Caught by Helen, Lelia made excuses.
“Well, let’s leave it at that.”
Helen sent a glance while smiling. Lelia could only awkwardly look away.
“Speaking of Lady Romelia, when I came here passing through Hameil Kingdom’s camp, I saw Lady Romelia walking together with Zephyr-sama.”
“Oh, those two?”
At the information Helen shared, Lelia’s voice jumped up.
Zephyr’s face came to mind. He was always a timid, unremarkable young man. He was supposedly royalty of Hameil Kingdom, but there seemed to be nothing noteworthy about him as a man.
“Could it be that those two are together?”
“No way, that couldn’t be.”
When Lelia’s voice bounced with excitement at the first love story she’d heard in a while, Helen shook her head. Certainly, Romelia and Zephyr were mismatched. But it would be convenient for Lelia if the two were dating. She could laugh at Romelia for having no eye for men, and even if not, other people’s love stories were perfect material for killing time.
What kind of conversation might they be having right now? Lelia let her thoughts wander to the discussion taking place in Hameil Kingdom’s tent.
Zephyr sighed quietly to himself.
When Romelia said she had a private matter to discuss, Zephyr’s heart soared to heaven. However, that conversation was definitely not what Zephyr had envisioned.
In the tent where Zephyr was together with Romelia, there wasn’t a fragment of sweet romantic atmosphere—instead, blade-like tension filled the air.
In the tent were not only Zephyr and Romelia, but also his father General Zebul and the knight escort Laisel, plus several soldiers standing by. And on Romelia’s side, the twin generals Granbel and Ragunbel flanked her as guards.
The tent had a table and chairs where Romelia and General Zebul sat, while Zephyr stood behind the general like a secretary.
Romelia’s request was for a meeting with General Zebul, and the private matter was a conversation with General Zebul.
When Zephyr sighed again at his expectations being dashed, General Zebul heard it and turned around to look at him. His eyes contained anger, and blood vessels bulged on his forehead.
General Zebul disliked Romelia. To begin with, Hameil Kingdom and Lionel Kingdom had a history of war and could never be called friendly.
Furthermore, in this allied army, despite Hameil Kingdom suffering great losses, they had failed to achieve results. Conversely, Lionel Kingdom, which had the fewest casualties, achieved great merit through Romelia’s flood attack.
Romelia had already become an enemy-like existence to Hameil Kingdom, and General Zebul said he hated even looking at her face. Naturally, when the meeting with Romelia was proposed, he would be furious. But Zephyr couldn’t refuse Romelia’s request.
“So, using my son to arrange a meeting with me, what business do you have?”
General Zebul glared at Romelia without hiding his displeasure.
If Zephyr were subjected to this gaze, he would freeze like a frog stared down by a snake. However, Romelia remained calm even under the hostile stare.
“Thank you for making time despite being busy. I’ll get straight to the point. Would you like to form an alliance with our country?”
After briefly finishing the ceremonial greetings, Romelia immediately cut to the main topic.
“How strange. We allied forces are already allied and united.”
General Zebul dismissed Romelia’s alliance proposal with a laugh.
“Not such loose unity. In preparation for full-scale battle with the Demon King’s army, I want to establish strong cooperation with Hameil Kingdom.”
“That’s a generous offer, but I must decline. Now, is your business finished? Zephyr! Lady Romelia is leaving! Please see her out!”
General Zebul stood up, rejected the proposal, and prompted Romelia to leave.
“Do you have the luxury to refuse my proposal?”
“What did you say?”
General Zebul glared back.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
“Looking at yesterday’s national rankings, first place goes to Hurion Kingdom as the alliance leader. Second place to the great nation Fulgus Empire. Third and fourth places are contested between Hovos Federation and Heirent Kingdom, fifth place to Hameil Kingdom. And in last place was our Lionel Kingdom.”
Romelia calmly explained the power relationships between nations.
“However, at today’s military council, our country leaped to third place, and currently Hameil Kingdom is in last place, isn’t it?”
At Romelia’s words, the killing intent in the tent intensified. Zephyr’s face turned pale.
“Should I take that as provocation, Lady Romelia?”
“I’d be troubled if you took it that way. I’m saying, why don’t you join hands with our country, surpass Hovos Federation and Heirent Kingdom, and aim for fourth place?”
Romelia extended her hand toward General Zebul.
General Zebul didn’t take Romelia’s hand, but the murderous aura emanating from his entire body subsided, and his face became that of a cold general rather than one filled with anger.
“…What are you thinking? What is your aim?”
“It’s decided—to defeat the Demon King’s army.”
To General Zebul’s question, Romelia looked back with straight eyes.
“To defeat the Demon King’s army, we must capture Gangaruga Fortress. For that, we must defeat the Demon King’s army reinforcements that will definitely be sent. However, I believe that’s difficult with the current state of the allied forces.”
Romelia shook her head.
“Do you think we allied forces will lose to the Demon King’s army?”
“As long as Hurion Kingdom and Fulgus Empire are here, we won’t lose. However, both countries don’t seem to have the spirit to fight seriously. But you are different. Hameil Kingdom has shed the most blood so far. Among this allied army, you are the most trustworthy country.”
At Romelia’s words praising their sacrifices, the faces of Hameil Kingdom’s soldiers in the tent also relaxed. Zephyr didn’t feel bad about being praised either.
“Lady Romelia. You are quite the charmer. Certainly, Hurion Kingdom and Fulgus Empire are probably conserving their military strength. However, those two countries aren’t the only ones who haven’t shed blood. Isn’t your country the same?”
General Zebul shook his head, saying he wouldn’t be fooled by Romelia’s words.
“It seems to me that you’re the one not fighting seriously. Aren’t you trying to use us?”
“I see. Certainly, it’s understandable if you see it that way. However, I have no intention of using you. If you fight together with us, I intend to provide sufficient compensation.”
“Compensation? What can we receive?”
General Zebul looked at Romelia with a jaded expression. He thought there was no way she could prepare satisfactory compensation.
“At today’s military council, our country secured a promise to receive the Lint region of the former Juneblue Kingdom. You remember that, don’t you?”
At Romelia’s words, General Zebul nodded.
“If you conclude an alliance and fight together with us, we’ll transfer the Lint region to you.”
“What!”
This surprised Zephyr and most others in the tent. The only ones not surprised were Romelia and the twin generals behind her.
“Wh-what? Are you serious?!”
General Zebul lost color, and Zephyr couldn’t believe it either.
“Of course. To reward Hameil Kingdom’s brave fighting, this level of compensation is natural.”
“But would King Arata approve of such a thing?”
“I’ll persuade him. If necessary, I’m willing to write a formal document with Hurion Kingdom as witness.”
Romelia nodded firmly.
“What…”
Realizing Romelia was serious, General Zebul was speechless.
“How about it? Won’t you form an alliance with our country?”
Romelia once again extended her white hand toward General Zebul.
General Zebul groaned once, then took Romelia’s hand.
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