Read Novel Full Chapter 296
Chapter 296
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Chapter 296 – Political Flame
“Wait a minute!”
I tried to sneak out, but as I left the room, the guards caught me. It was, of all people―or perhaps it was a deliberate placement―the Deputy Commander of the Cassmeer Guard, who had come with us when we first arrived in the capital. I knew he had been transferred, but had he always been here?
“Ah, aren’t you… Deputy Commander-san?”
“I’m still in the Guard, though. I’m the captain of the Mobile Guard, a unit under the direct control of the Capital Council. It’s like the cavalry of the Kingsguard in the armies of other countries.”
“That’s quite a promotion!”
As I was about to congratulate him, he tilted his head.
“No, not really. Perhaps you misunderstood my analogy with the Kingsguard, but in a republic without aristocrats, the cavalry is not superior to the infantry. The only reason they are on horseback is that they are too few in number compared to the area they are guarding.”
“That’s dull.”
“It can’t be helped. It’s true that the Demon King saved us from a dangerous situation, but the consequences are terrible. The good and the bad, the rejoicing and the shuddering.”
“I wonder if we’ll be called in somewhere for this. I thought of sneaking away.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible. I’m usually on horseback and on the road, and the reason I’ve been assigned to this case is because you’re going to run away anyway, so I’m supposed to catch you. The order was signed jointly by board members McKin and Ecla.”
Not good. Well, it can’t be helped. I mean, those two are board members now, aren’t they?
“So, the Captain of the Mobile Guard… um, that sounds a lot sloppier than Deputy Commander.”
“I’m called Furnas. You don’t have to remember the title; it will change anyway.”
With the consolidation of each territory, the dismissal, promotion, and reassignment of officers, and in the near future, even the reorganization of the Guard under the jurisdiction of the Lords as a standing army of the Republic.
“The Mobile Guard itself is supposed to be a temporary organization. I think that’s a good idea. But if the money-grubbing Navy is to be reorganized, it can’t be done in two or three years, can it?”
Furnas, the captain of the Mobile Guard, laughed bitterly. The fact that he was a veteran of many battles made him somewhat optimistic.
“Well then, Their Majesties have asked me to ask you to come to the Parliament Palace, so I’ll take you there in a carriage.”
As we left the hotel, a four-horse carriage was parked in front of the main entrance. The man who greeted me in the carriage was one of the guards I had met earlier in Cassmeer. He was wearing the same uniform as Furnas-san under the cloak of the Central Territorial Guard, so I guessed that he belonged to the Mobile Guard now.
“I heard that you were not feeling well, Your Majesty the Demon King. Are you alright?”
“Umu. I nursed him back to health.”
The guard on the carriage laughs, saying that he is jealous of the fact that Myrril and I are as close as ever. We are placed in a simple but expensive-looking carriage and driven to the Parliament Palace with Furnas-san.
The carriage moves smoothly along the street where the snow has been cleared away. The last time I visited the city was during the war, but in peacetime, the snow is cleared, and the streets are well-maintained, as is expected of a capital city (and even more so when foreign heads of state visit).
“By the way, Furnas-dono, have you finished negotiating with the Empire?”
“No. Rumor has it that they are on the verge of collapse.”
“”Huh?””
What’s that? I heard from Ecla-san that it was only a matter of time before they reached an agreement.
“We almost reached a truce. Board member Ecla came back with you from the Western Territories, and suddenly, the Emperor canceled it.”
“A-ah. Maybe it’s racism.”
“I don’t know what this ‘reisizum’ thing is, but he said, ‘I will not negotiate or sign a contract with subhumans.'”
It seems that the Emperor has a suicidal thought. If he wants to die, he can do it on his own, but as it is, the whole country will be involved. Already, nearly 10,000 soldiers have died because of the emperor’s stupidity.
“And the Emperor is still alive?”
“Even Board Member Ecla is not so reckless as to lay a hand on the Emperor. One look from her and the proud beard freezes, and four or five days later, it’s still there.”
Isn’t that thoughtless? I can understand how she feels.
“The invasion of the Western Territories by the Mounted Golem and the riots in the Ilm Fortress of the former Northern Territories by the Apostles of the Saint seem to have been staged at that time. The Empire denies any involvement, and the Republic accuses them of outright aggression. Suddenly, trust is shattered, and the delegates and their guards stare at each other across a large desk in the conference room. The situation is funny, but it’s no laughing matter.”
“It’s no laughing matter, is it?”
I exhale quietly. The situation is funny. I would have stayed out of the way of the negotiations that were about to take place. It’s not up to us what happens with it.
The carriage goes about three blocks and glides into the parliament building we saw earlier. A butler-like man opens the door of the stopped carriage and offers his hand to Myrril.
“No need.”
She jumped down with a flick and continued on, ignoring the difference in the steps. It took her only a few seconds to look back and see that she had checked the safety of her surroundings. The cloth draped over her shoulders like a shawl concealed a pistol holster and a UZI submachine gun.
“Is it clear?”
The Republicans were not sure what she was asking, so they told me there was no threat to the area. I was grateful for their assurance of my safety when I came down later, but I felt sorry for them. Myrril stubbornly refused to wear the dress-like formal wear that had been brought in for her in large quantities and had me bring her a merchant’s outfit that looked identical to mine.
It is likely that she did not want the fluttering hems and restrictive designs that would interfere with combat.
“Well, let’s go, Your Majesty the Demon King.”
“My guidance ends here. I wish you well… and hopefully, you won’t have to fight.”
Furnas-san smiles bitterly, and Myrril gives him a big smile.
“Don’t say things you don’t believe. There is no way it is true. The demon king and queen who rule the land of the subhuman race will appear before the old man who speaks only of the elves.”
“Please don’t let me see that, even though there are still fires smoldering everywhere…”
“Please look forward to it.”
I could see the butler-like man’s face tense as he looked at Myrril-san, who seemed to be enjoying herself. Whether it was a decision or an order from the beginning, we were taken to a room across a long corridor from the conference room. It seemed to be a place for guests to wait, but it was obvious that it was a quarantine measure of a rope-tying method, as we saw that sofas and other furniture and a tea set were brought in after our arrival.
“Please wait a moment while I inform Their Majesties of your arrival.”
The butler-like man left in a hurry. The maid-like attendant stayed behind to offer tea and sweets, but her expression was blank as if she had no idea what she was hearing.
When she saw Myrril, she raised her hand to stop our movement. She has a distant look in her eyes as if listening.
“I can’t bear to listen to this. Who does that idiot think he is?”
“Who?”
“The Emperor, I suppose.”
If that’s the case, who is he? I don’t know.
“Oh, Your Majesty, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait here…”
I waved off the maid who tried to stop us, and we left the room. The door to the conference room had been opened, or so we thought when we heard hysterical screaming and yelling from the end of the corridor.
“What kind of trust can you build with a bunch of half-breeds you can’t even call people?”
“His Majesty the Emperor. Your voice, please…!”
“Shut up and get this guy out of here!”
Avoiding a butler-like man who was thrown out into the corridor, I kick open the heavy door. A large man leaning against the door, perhaps a guard, is blown away and rolls to the floor. The leaders of the Empire and the Republic, facing each other across a huge, long table, all look at me.
“””Wha-⁉︎”””
A few guards rushed in, perhaps to restrain the intruders. After throwing them away, Myrril-san shook her head with a sigh as she brought them down with Nojaloli hooks.
“Your barking like a sick beast is annoying. I wanted to tear you to pieces.”
“Disrespectful! Who are you?”
The remaining Imperial Guards were about to draw their swords, but the Republic representatives tried desperately to stop them.
“Please stop!”
“The use of weapons in this room is considered a use of force against the Republic!”
By the way, I saw a familiar face among the Republic guards, a former Battlecry who was holding his head against the wall. Only Tig and Louis, the muscle brain, looked amused.
Looking around the quiet conference room, Myrril-san smiled benevolently.
“Let me ask you a question. Who is the fool who insulted His Majesty the Demon King?”