Chapter 167: Makoto, Overcome This (1/2)
The prince of Limia, huh.
No, the princess?
If I’m not mistaken, her name is Joshua-sama.
Honestly, I’m surprised she’s still in Rotsgard.
That’s exactly how I felt when she called for a meeting with me.
Her business is probably to do with her gender, but I know what I need to do first.
Apologize.
That’s all.
There’s no simpler solution.
And if it looks like the conversation will turn towards the country or the company, it’ll be fine if I just tell her that I can’t reply quickly and we should discuss it another day.
I’m still learning these convenient phrases that I can use in my work.
As I consider that, I knock on the door to the conference room.
「Come in.」
A quick reply.
It is indeed Joshua-sama’s voice.
Well, a person like the prince of a large country wouldn’t do something like use the another country’s facilities to set up a trap.
Maybe I’m worrying too much.
「It has been a while, Joshua-sama. I’m honored to have been called here today.」(Makoto)
I’ll try conducting myself like I’m a lower-class person.
Incidentally, the prince’s appearance is as it always has been until now; she is dressed in men’s formal clothes.
I’m not taken by surprise by her wearing a dress or anything like that.
「I heard that you are now able to speak; it seems that you have become completely fluent in conversation. I, too, am thankful that you accepted my request to meet, Raidou-dono.」(Joshua)
The prince is speaking in her usual polite tone.
I’m a little of tired of having my speech mentioned every time I meet someone.
「So, what did you need of me?」(Makoto)
As according to my plan, I’ll give her an apology and have her forgive me for my rudeness the other day.
I'm not entirely sure how to address royalty in a polite manner, so I’ve accepted that I’ll be impertinent many times today as I listen to what she has to say.
... I’m also busy these days, so I kind of want to finish this quickly.
「... Well. Let us get straight to the issue at hand.」(Joshua)
「Please.」(Makoto)
「Firstly, the thing you found out about me the other day, that...」(Joshua)
Joshua looks like she’s having a hard time saying it.
She’s talking about that, isn’t she.
「The fact that you’re a woman?」(Makoto)
「... Yes. I’m sure you would know this by seeing my appearance, but this fact is known only to a few in Limia Kingdom. It has not been leaked at all to other countries, or at least, that should be the case.」(Joshua)
That should be the case, huh.
Regarding the demons and the empire, does she feel there’s a possibility that it has been leaked?
Ah, I wonder if there’s a chance that the room is bugged.
Seeing that Joshua-sama is talking about quite a serious matter here, it’s probably fine.
We’re not discussing anything that would be bad for me, so there’s no need for me to worry anyway.
「I see.」(Makoto)
「Of course, I understand that it was just an accident while you were trying to save me. However, regarding this subject... I would like to request that you do not mention this to anyone.」(Joshua)
Request.
Zara-san said it sarcastically, but considering our positions, this request is more like an order.
At the very least, it feels that way.
Well, this person might be from the kingdom of Limia, but she did seem to support the Kuzunoha company.
Even I know whether or not it’s wise to disclose the prince’s real gender.
「I understand.」(Makoto)
「... Huh?」(Joshua)
「Eh, err. I understand. I will not tell anyone.」(Makoto)
「Umm. But you know my secret.」(Joshua)
She looks like she wants to ask me if I’m not going to make a demand in exchange.
Her expression has been slowly stiffening since we began our meeting, but now in a single instant, it’s relaxed completely.
「I will not tell anyone.」(Makoto)
I’ll say it to her clearly.
More like, listen properly.
What else would I do when knowing the secret of a large country’s prince?
Threaten her, for example?
That would definitely be troublesome.
Have her be on good terms with me?
Even though our social position isn’t equal and I’m the only one who knows the other’s secret?
I can’t picture her being my friend.
Also... Limia is the country where Hibiki-senpai lives.
I don’t want to have a dispute with the prince of such a place.
「... I’m sorry, but I cannot trust you.」(Joshua)
「Even if you say that –」(Makoto)
「Is there nothing that you wish for? If it is within my power, I will make an effort to grant it.」(Joshua)
She’s thinking that nothing is as costly as a free gift, huh.
「Currently, there’s nothing in particular. Though I think it might be best for you to return to your country with haste and devote your power to its restoration.」(Makoto)
「... I am speechless. Indeed, that is one thing that I should do.」(Joshua)
In the first place, it’s odd that the prince is still in Rotsgard even though the king has already returned.
「Well then, please do so.」(Mokoto)
In fact, I can see her face occasionally looking like she wants to go back.
「At the same time, investigating you and negotiating with you are also things that I should be doing.」(Joshua)
Joshua-sama puts on a troubled smile.
Perhaps it’s because it’s to do with the first topic that we discussed in the meeting.
However, I don’t have any intention of making a deal or submitting to any demands. Since Rotsgard is in this state and Asora is in commotion as well.
「I would be relieved if you would report that there are no problems at this moment in time. I’m currently busy with the restoration of Rotsgard. You would know this if you did some investigating, but we don’t have any thoughts to offer our cooperation to any single country in particular.」(Makoto)
「... It does seem that way. Other countries seem to be thinking of ways to bring you over to their side, although they are not showing any results.」(Joshua)
「Yes. And I would think that they should not expect any results from now on, either.」(Makoto)
Most likely, because we won’t become attached to any particular country.
In fact, it’s unlikely that we’re going to be allied with only the hyumans.
... Though I can’t say that.
「... When I tell you to report to me, exactly as you said, this is what happens. Hmm...」(Joshua)