Volume 7 Chapter 8 (2/2)
”Procell-dono, this city you call Avalon is amazing. It is overflowing with things and people. Everything and everyone are also so lively. I have heard that this city has been around for less than a year, and yet in that short time, it has developed so much. The only word I have for that is incredible. As a political figure myself, I confess my interest is piqued. Won't you please impart to me your secrets?”
I had expected all members of the royal family to be crooked, so I was surprised to see him have such a modest personality.
In response to that personality, I answered him earnestly.
”I have one trick. I endeavor to bring happiness to my citizens. I believe that once they've become happy, they will work harder to further improve their lives. Naturally, the city will profit from their success.”
”Ohh, so the citizens' happiness is tied to the territory's wealth? That's in direct contradiction to what father thinks. According to him, the people exist for the state. Still, what you say makes sense.”
He was also very frank.
>
Aura's voice reached me via the wind.
I had asked her to examine whether the prince and his party were being controlled or not.
In response to Aura's confirmation, I asked the Mythological Foxes to bring out some Avalon Wine. Avalon Wine was made using Aura's [Water of Life] which itself had [Purification] properties.
”Please enjoy this Avalon Wine as an aperitif. This is one of Avalon's best products.”
”So, this is the famous Avalon Wine, huh? When I heard the rumors about it, I immediately wanted to taste it. I mean, according to the rumors, it is the drink of the gods.”
The prince said so while looking at the bottle of Avalon Wine with overflowing curiosity.
The bottle brought out wasn't made with the golden apples from the First Tree, but it was made with apples grown by Aura nonetheless, so it should still have overwhelmingly good flavor and special effects.
The Mythological Foxes then poured some into a glass.
Instead of the prince though, the head of the knights was the one to drink it. Apparently, he was the prince's food taster.
Upon intaking the liquid, the head of the knights opened his eyes wide, but was perfectly motionless otherwise.
”What's wrong, Bernard?! Is it poisoned!?”
”N-no, it's not, my prince… the sublime taste of the alcohol just rendered me speechless. Not only that, I feel that my body's somehow lighter. As if the sluggishness my body has accumulated for years is suddenly gone.”
This sluggishness he talked about was more likely the curse one of the [Black] Demon Lord's monsters had cast on him.
It seemed highly likely that a large percentage of the leadership of the Axera Kingdom was afflicted with curses.
”Then, I'll try it too… It's true. It is delicious, and it has also made my body feel better. Thank you, Procell-dono.”
”If it would please you, why not take some barrels home?”
”Are you sure?”
”Yes, definitely. However, instead of enjoying them alone, please share them with everyone. With your family as well as with your subordinates.”
It might be more work for Aura and it might only be temporary, but staving off that guy's powers was important.
”I am very grateful. As will my father and older brothers be.”
He said so with a smile.
It's well worth the investment.
Afterwards, dishes were served one after the other.
Each was perfect. From the ingredients used to the culinary techniques employed.
Even the prince who was used to luxurious meals was in awe.
Of course, Kuina and I were greatly pleased with it too.
Around the time the desserts were served, the prince put on a serious expression on his face.
”Those were marvelous cuisines. It would seem the rumors saying the best things from all over the world are gathered here are true. Not only is this city blessed with excellent things, but with excellent personnel as well.”
Such was Avalon's specialty.
Using air travel, merchants could procure things from all over the world.
And when good things gathered, so too would people.
Seeking better working and research environments, alchemists, sorcerers, and blacksmiths had immigrated here. With a higher demand present, of course, merchants increased too, repeating the cycle over and over again.
”Furthermore, you seem to be borrowing the demi-humans' talents as well. You have labor and a standing army for no cost in the form of the countless golems. Additionally, you also have air units in the form of the Hippogriffs and the Darkness Dragons. Frankly, I'm envious. However, even though I understand the usefulness of employing the demi-humans and the monsters' talents in enriching a territory, the Rigdolg Faith has closed off that option for my country.”
It was as he said. Since the human supremacy ideology was prevalent in the Rigdolg Faith, peacefully borrowing the demi-humans' talents was just not likely to happen.
”As for Avalon, our policy here is to use whatever we can in order to grow.”
”…I see. That's fine, but it just isn't possible for us. Even though the Rigdolg Faith's teachings are malicious, it is also true that it unites the hearts of our citizens. My voice is drowned out by their founder's.”
The prince said so with a complicated expression on his face.
”Is it fine telling me of this?”
”I see no problem. My experiences tell me lying about this would do no good. For that same reason, I would be frank here. I want your city of Avalon to be a part of our Axera Kingdom.”
”And then, you're going to borrow our funds and our fighting force? Specifically, our golem corps and our Darkness Dragons' aerial bombing corps? All so you can keep up the assault on a certain dungeon?”
When I said such, the prince was in complete surprise.
I see, so he didn't expect me to know of their goals.
”J-just how much do you know?”
”As pointed out earlier, merchants from all over the world have gathered here in Avalon, so it should be no surprise our information is good, so long as we listen closely. As for your request, my answer is no. I have a couple of reasons. The first is that no matter how many golems or Darkness Dragons we lend to you, you will not win.”
Their opponent was the [Dragon] Demon Lord who employed powerful [Dragon] monsters.
He also had a Dragon Emperor that could command at will the dragons empowered and driven mad by [Berserk].
In terms of a frontal assault, even if Avalon was to throw its full force against him, we would be crushed. Easily crushed, I should say.
So, even if I was to lend the Avalon-Ritters and the Darkness Dragons over to the Axera Kingdom, it was still an effort bound to fail.
”…But I've heard that during our war, Avalon showed tremendous strength.”
”We do have tremendous strength, but against that enemy, it is nothing but child's play.”
Under no circumstance should one take the [Dragon] Demon Lord lightly. Anyone thinking they could conquer his dungeon should check their sanity.
Upon hearing my reply, the prince looked downcast.
Let's throw him a lifeline here.
”If I'm not mistaken, your true goal, Prince Leonard, is to stop the fighting as soon as possible. However, even if you pour all your war potential, you don't stand a chance at winning. Rather, your damages and losses would just increase further. I am guessing your national treasury is already at the limits.”
In order to apply pressure to the [Dragon] Demon Lord, the [Black] Demon Lord had tasked the Axera Kingdom to attack. However, instead of being harassed, the [Dragon] Demon Lord was actually profiting off of his attackers: he was gaining large amounts of DP and feeding on excellent emotions.
As to be expected of one of the three strongest Demon Lords.
”But on the other hand-”
”On the other hand, if you pull back now, you run the risk of a retaliatory attack. You're afraid that if you loosen up on the offensive, the [Dragon] Demon Lord would send his monsters to destroy the Axera Kingdom. The founder of the Rigdolg Faith had said he'll protect you, but you don't truly trust those words.”
”How, how do you know so much?”
”Like I said, we have good information.”
Actually, it was less a matter of good information, and more of a logical deduction. Most people would come to the same realizations.
The following step in that train of thought was this meeting.
Without doubt, the [Black] Demon Lord instigated the Axera Kingdom once more and told them to acquire funds and war potential from Avalon.
In fact, in case today's negotiations were to fail, the prince was resolved to take Avalon by force, thinking that it would be the only way for their kingdom to survive.
Little does he know, I prepared another way for them.
”I understand you're in a tight spot and need help in whatever form, but before you get any foolish ideas, let me tell you upfront that taking Avalon's strength by force will end in vain for you. I'll have you know, the Avalon-Ritters and the Darkness Dragons are but a fraction of our strength.”
”If you're that strong, then help us! We might not have the money now, but we will eventually, without fail, compensate you for your help.”
”I still refuse. Like I said, lending you war potential wouldn't actually help. Moreover, I and your enemy are in good terms. In fact, he has been calling me his son. There is no way I would be make an enemy out of that person.”
In the latest letter he sent me, the [Dragon] Demon Lord called me his son.
Stolas and I were just friends, so it was undoubtedly a misunderstanding, but it didn't seem like it would stop even if I tried to correct him.
”…The ruler of that dungeon called you his son? I did suspect it a little, but are you a Demon Lord as well?”
The intelligence corps had confirmed that the [Black] Demon Lord had revealed his true identity—being a Demon Lord and all—to the royal family of the Axera Kingdom. And so, I saw no reason to hide mine.
”Indeed, I am a Demon Lord too. Just like the [Black] Demon Lord who is pulling your strings, and the [Dragon] Demon Lord, your esteemed enemy. And now, I'm going to offer you something that would actually help. As I said, the [Dragon] Demon Lord and I are on friendly terms. I have already spoken to him about your situation. If you accept my terms—and of course pull back your forces as soon as possible—you can be assured he would not exact retribution.”
”Is that… true?”
”Yes. That's not all. I can also lend you money to help in the rebuilding of your kingdom. You can also send your injured soldiers to Avalon for a much faster recovery. All these and more if you accept my terms.”
His reaction seemed to suggest he was interested with my offer.
The [Black] Demon Lord's plan involved pitting Avalon, the Axera Kingdom, and the [Dragon] Demon Lord against each other.
He used the [Dragon] Demon Lord to push the Axera Kingdom to the edge until attacking Avalon seemed lucrative.
The desperate Axera Kingdom was then supposed to put pressure on Avalon from the outside, while his religion threatened to tear Avalon apart from within.
If pressuring us failed, the Axera Kingdom was then to proceed to a full-blown war against us. If even that failed, it was still fine for the [Black] Demon Lord since by then, Avalon's name would be tarnished. And if our reputation and popularity were to plummet, it would mean a halt to our growth.
It was a convoluted and yet amusing scheme.
Too bad for him though, I used it against him.
By founding a religion of our own, we had consolidated our defense.
And, by proposing a truce between the Axera Kingdom and the [Dragon] Demon Lord, I could get the Axera Kingdom to my side instead.
You were careless in dealing with me. Now, it's my turn on the offensive.