Episode 116
* * *
“Did you say it was sincerity?”
“Yes.”
At Dale’s question, Michael Lancaster smiled blandly.
“This place, the Northern Demon King’s Territory leading to the Dark Lands, has long been a headache for the ‘Duke of Saxony’.”
“… … .”
“That is why Prince Dale is turning this Demon King’s Territory into a ‘land of opportunity’ and gathering the most powerful men of the empire.”
The Northern Frontier. As the Viscount of Saxony, Dale accurately gauges the whirlwind of the ‘Artifact Rush’ that he is aiming for.
“As Prince Michael said, there is giving and there is receiving.”
However, Dale smiled blandly without paying attention. Adventurers have the opportunity to make a fortune here in the Demon King’s Territory, and at the same time, they play a role in preventing threats from this dark land. That was the unspoken deal made between the Viscount of Saxony and the adventurers.
“If we, the Duke of Saxony, become allies of Prince Michael and the House of Lancaster.”
Dale continues.
“What can the Duke of Lancaster give us?”
The sincerity Michael Lancaster wants to show to Dale’s alliance.
A brief silence fell.
“I will give you what your Majesty the Count of Saxony desires.”
Michael Lancaster answered, Viscount Saxony, as Dale wishes.
“──Anti-Demon Alliance.”
“… … !”
“That is the ‘form of alliance’ that will be formally concluded between us, the House of Lancaster and the Duke of Saxony.”
Michael Lancaster said.
“An alliance of vassals to protect the empire against threats from the Northern Demon King’s Territory and the ‘Dark Lands’ beyond.”
“That’s a really plausible excuse.”
Dale answered with a hint of interest.
The Great Demon Alliance to fight against the threat of the Demon King’s Territory. As long as there is a common cause of ‘protecting the Empire’ against a public enemy, the Imperial Family will not be able to openly criticize the alliance between the two dukedoms.
In addition, from Dale’s perspective, he would gain unparalleled power in the development of the Demon King’s Territory. After all, the Archduke of Lancaster was one of the greatest lords of the Empire.
As Dale and Mikhail had said, it was a give-and-take deal, and it was an offer that there was no reason to refuse.
nevertheless.
“It seems that the situation at the Lancaster family is worse than expected.”
Dale, who had assessed the situation, opened his mouth calmly. He was not foolish enough to stamp his seal blindly for the immediate gain.
“The House of Saxony in the North… … It is impossible for His Royal Highness the Duke of Lancaster not to know how joining hands with the House of Darkness would be perceived by the Empire and the Royal Family.”
But, even if it meant taking such a political risk, he would still seek help from Saxony.
“How serious is the situation?”
“… … .”
It was a straight ball that was thrown without a moment’s hesitation. However, Michael Lancaster just smiled blandly as if he had expected this.
“Since your engagement to the Marquess of York, you have officially become their son-in-law. Furthermore, ‘Sir Sepilia the Sword’, a collateral branch of the Marquess of York, is directly pressuring your father.”
Sir Sepilia, the Swordsman. At that name, Dale’s expression suddenly became uneasy.
“The Vice-Captain of the Knights of the Iron Cross… … .”
The Knights of the Night Raven of the Dukes of Saxony, the Knights of the Order of St. Magdalene of the Counts of Brandenburg, and the Knights of the Rosicrucian Cross of the Archduke of Lancaster.
Each of the lords of the empire had an organization that inherited their sword, and the imperial family at the top of the empire was no exception.
Order of Iron Cross.
The strongest knight organization that is directly under the imperial guard and, along with the Red Tower, enforces the ‘Empire’s Zeitgeist’.
“The royal family is drawing a line, saying that it is ‘Sir Sepilia’s personal will,’ but they are implicitly supporting the Marquis of York’s family.”
After hearing that, Dale answered.
“Then, the Holy Sword must have also been in the hands of the Marquess of York.”
“… … !”
It was a point that even Michael Lancaster could not have imagined.
Sir Sepilia, the noble sword, and Count Brandenburg, the holy sword. Two of the Seven Swords of the Continent support the ‘Marquis of York’ and put pressure on the Archduke of Lancaster. Under the pretext of upholding the rule of primogeniture, or in other words, the ‘tradition of the empire’.
The situation where the Seven Swords of the Continent each have their own justifications and are supporting the Marquis of York. Even if he is the Archduke of Lancaster, it is not a situation that he can handle alone. Even if the head of the Lancaster family, the Heavenly Sword Archduke of Lancaster, is a strong man with the title of the First Sword of the Empire.
“So, you are trying to form an alliance with the Duke of Saxony, who bear the Holy Sword and the Sword?”
“… … As expected, I can’t match Prince Dale’s insight.”
Michael Lancaster answered.
“It is as the Prince said. The second daughter of the Marquis of York, Catherine, made an alliance in exchange for being engaged to the eldest son of the Count of Brandenburg.”
“… … You said you were the eldest son of the Counts of Brandenburg?”
Suddenly, an unexpected name was heard.
“Yes.”
“Then, if the succession dispute escalates into a war, it is possible that the eldest son of the count’s family will join the battlefield.”
“As long as the Holy Sword is with you, I think there is a high probability that it will be so.”
Michael, who could not fathom Dale’s intentions, tilted his head for a moment. The war between the House of York and the House of Lancaster was expanding, and the father and son of the Counts of Brandenburg were joining in. It was not a particularly strange result.
But the moment he heard those words, Dale smiled without a moment’s hesitation.
“call.”
“call……?”
“Oh, that means I will accept Prince Michael’s offer.”
Dale answered.
With the ‘genius of defeat’, whom even the world’s greatest Dale could not dare to approach, active in the enemy camp… … and furthermore, in a situation where he could ‘legally’ confront the Holy Swordsman Count Brandenburg, why hesitate?
Now, at this very moment, I recall the oath of the Holy Spirit engraved in the heart of the Holy Swordsman.
The ‘Indefinite Truce’ document signed between the Kingdom of Britannia and Charles VII is still in Dale’s hands and has not been destroyed, so strictly speaking, the ‘legally war with the Kingdom of Britannia’ is not over yet.
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And as long as the war is not over, Count Brandenburg has no choice but to obey Dale’s orders absolutely. That was the content of the Geass, to obey the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army.
“He who seeks peace, prepare for war.”
After doing the math in his head, Dale smiled.
In a situation where it felt like a pumpkin had rolled in with its vines, I tried to maintain my composure.
It was just then.
Kuung!
A cold presence approached the place where the two people were talking.
A monster that lives deep in the labyrinth.
The assassins of the ‘Shadow Court’, including Master Baro of the Sword, turned their heads, but Dale stretched out his arm. As the ruler of the Demon King’s Territory, the Viscount of Saxony.
“Everyone, step back.”
“Respect.”
At the same time, the assassins in the bird beak masks disappeared all at once, melting into the shadows throughout the labyrinth.
Just like knights and magicians who have reached a certain level, assassins are no different.
“Then, in order to commemorate the alliance between the two ducal families… … .”
The Shadow Court’s assassins retreated, and Mikhail and Dale were there.
And as he watched the monster approaching the two of them, the S-rank adventurer, “Faceless,” opened his mouth.
The shadow cloak disguised as a black robe flutters, and at the same time, the ‘Peacemaker’ held in Mikhail’s hand is left behind.
“Would you like to strike it rich with Artifact Rush together?”
“That’s exactly what I wish for.”
Dale said, and Mikhail smiled silently.
Apostle of Fire and Light. Michael Lancaster’s ideas are dangerous. And it cannot be ruled out that he will stand in Dale’s way in the future.
Nevertheless, there are no eternal enemies or friends in this world.
And for now at least, Mikhail Lancaster is not an enemy to be taken down.
Because they were comrades who had similar interests and were working together to achieve what they each wanted.
* * *
The pure white rose symbolizes wise nobility.
The emblem symbolizing the Marquess of York, one of the great barons of the Empire.
The Marquess of York does not have any ‘out-of-the-ordinary strongmen’ like the Continental Seven Swords or the Five-Colored Magic Tower.
Nevertheless, it was the ‘wisdom’ symbolized by the pure rose that allowed them to solidify their position as the great princes of the empire.
The Marquess of York’s lordship.
Right there, there were two strong men known as the Seven Swords of the Continent.
Sepilia, the Vice-Captain of the Knights of the Iron Cross, the Imperial Guard, and the Holy Swordsman, the head of the Brandenburg Counts’ family and a war hero of the Empire.
Lastly, there is the son of the Holy Sword Master, the scoundrel Philip, who is in some ways worthy of the title of ‘the greatest genius in the empire’.
“Everyone took the difficult step.”
It was there, in the midst of an ominous atmosphere, that the Marquis of York opened his mouth.
And the young ladies of the Marquess of York smiled as they stood by the strong men gathered there.
Catherine, the second daughter of the Margrave of York, who was engaged to the eldest son of the Count of Brandenburg. Looking at her pure smile, ‘Luscious Philip’ could barely contain his jaw-dropping joy.
Furthermore, Richard Lancaster, the eldest son of the Duke of Lancaster, was also there.
Smiling lovingly at Margaret, the eldest daughter of the Marquess of York.
A scene that seemed to be literally struggling under the spell of a nightmare was unfolding there.
“… … .”
Looking at that sight, Sepilia the Demon Sword turned her head away in disgust.
The Marquess of York does not have any strongmen outside the standards of the other imperial grandees.
But the York family had a ‘wisdom’ that they did not have.
The young ladies of the York family have been thoroughly taught the ‘wisdom’ of the York family since birth, and through their wisdom, they have built an unshakable position that embraces the powerful men of the continent.
Just like the ‘Marchéss of York’ who is right here, whispering sweetly in the ear of the Marquess of York.
“You are gathered here for only one reason.”
The Marquis of York opened his mouth.
“The Duke of Lancaster’s decision to pass the family title to his second son is a clear disregard for the ‘traditions of the Empire’.”
“You’d better not underestimate the Heavenly Sword.”
After a moment of silence, the Vice-Captain of the Knights of the Iron Cross, ‘Sepilia the Demon Sword’, opened her mouth.
Because she has a female body, she is the only one who maintains her composure and escapes the bewilderment of the York clan.
But her warnings meant nothing to the Marquis of York, who was nothing more than a puppet.
“Honorable Vice-Captain of the Knights of the Iron Cross, do you wish to deny the traditions of the Empire?”
“… … .”
The demon sword Sepilia did not answer.
I just silently bit my lip as I thought about the reality of this empire.
The Marquis of Yuris of the Red Tower, the women of York, and the royal family, and the countless other families hiding in silence beneath the surface, are all brought to mind.
The existence of vampires, dream machines, and ‘non-humans’ who rule the country called the Empire.
In front of their system, there weren’t many decisions that a single knight from a knightly family could make.
All I can do is just bow my head and follow along, just like I have done until now.
