The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 132
Pressure (2)
‘… … Additional conditions?’
For a moment, the high priest’s eyes sank deeply.
What the Holy Nation decided to support was none other than the Holy Relic.
It was something that had never happened in the long history of the continent… … No, it was clear that it was a precedent that would never happen again.
The dispatch of the previous healer and the peace agreement were also extremely unusual circumstances.
But you’re expecting additional requirements from there?
There was no way that the first prince, who had created a two-sided relationship with the Holy Empire, would not know the power of the holy relic.
In that case, the 1st Prince wants to add a condition of support under the current calculation.
“Your Majesty, I think it would be too greedy to ask for more than this.”
“It’s greed.”
“Isn’t this tantamount to making concessions several times for the sake of the relationship between the two countries?”
The high priest spoke so firmly that he dismissed any possibility of negotiation. His tone was so firm that not even a single sword could be used.
But I twisted my lips as if I had heard something interesting.
“It’s strange to hear that. I clearly remember that it was Esteban who made the concession.”
“What do you mean?”
“Weren’t you the ones who originally wanted a situation where we would be at odds with the Federal Empire?”
The high priest’s lips twitched as if he had been hit on the spot.
“Wasn’t it also agreed to conclude a trade agreement to prepare for the damage caused by it?”
“It’s not a bad excuse, but I have to be precise. It’s compensation for the ongoing trade dependence.”
“that…….”
“I think the relics would only alleviate the damage of war, not stop it.”
I continued speaking in a rambling tone.
“Are you saying that it is excessive to ask for additional support after creating a non-refundable deposit system?”
“… … .”
It was the Holy Empire that led the two countries into conflict. And all of this support would not have existed if Esteban had not made concessions from the beginning.
… … Their concessions are a waste of time, and if they had not intervened in the first place, there would have been no trade disputes or war.
‘Of course, this would have happened naturally even without the Holy Empire.’
But they had no way of knowing that fact.
They would be thankful that we, who hold the secrets of the Holy Nation, do not cooperate with the Federation Empire.
Didn’t he even reveal to them the tasty prey that was Shin Seong-cheol?
The situation can be interpreted in many ways.
‘It’s clear that this situation only benefits Esteban.’
In this way, we succeeded in making them aware of the hierarchical relationship.
So, it is their position that they think that the holy relics alone are sufficient.
If it was beneficial, it was natural to ask for additional support from this side.
“If not, are you sure that there will be no war in the Holy Empire?”
“… … That’s not it.”
“Then it is decided.”
I bent down and pointed my finger at a spot on the desk.
Then he looked at the high priest and the saintess with a serious look in his eyes that he had never seen before and said.
“It seems like they expected from the beginning that we would make additional demands.”
“… … .”
The high priest pursed his lips and remained silent.
But the silence soon became a strong affirmation. Then, slowly, the high priest’s mouth began to open.
“… … Then, what additional conditions does Your Majesty desire?”
“Oh, are we going to get straight to the point?”
There was no point in trying to evade the truth once the truth was revealed… … That was what he seemed to think.
Well, it didn’t really matter.
No, rather, it was something to be welcomed.
‘If they had thought that way from the beginning, there would have been no need to decline.’
The context was none of my business.
I just have to move in pursuit of profit.
“In Esteban, we will borrow together the holy relic of Roena, the cup of abundance.”
“Phew, the cup of abundance… …!”
This time the saint opened her eyes wide and was astonished.
It was because I heard a story I had never imagined.
“Are you, of all people, asking for the cup of abundance… …!”
And the same was true of the high priest who had been preparing for negotiations.
* * *
Adele de Roena, the leader of the Holy Nation.
He expressed his surprise when he heard the contents of the agreement from the priest who brought him the news.
“Are you saying that he additionally offered to pass over the cup of abundance?”
“Yes.”
“… … This is truly an amazing story.”
Up until now, the way the first prince treated the kingdom was surprising, but the surprise given by the name of the cup of abundance was even greater.
“According to what High Priest Garden has told us, it seems that he already knows its efficacy and even its uses.”
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“Is that true? To know the efficacy and use… … .”
“I have been told that I am certain of that.”
“How could a foreign prince know the origin of the holy relic?”
A cup of abundance.
It is the foundation of all existing sacred relics, and unlike other sacred relics made by humans, it is said to be one of the first sacred relics that was given by God.
The divine power that befitted its name was like an endlessly gushing spring, and so it was no different from the symbol of the abundance of the Holy Empire itself.
The problem here was that Prince 1 saw through its effectiveness.
“In the first place, books related to the power of the Cup of Abundance would have been kept completely secret.”
“Yes, I understand that it is impossible to view it unless you have a high priest-level position.”
“But the fact that Prince Esteban knows about it… … .”
This was on the contrary to knowing the secrets of divine power.
Because it was a sacred object associated with the birth of religion, it was kept secret from the beginning, even more so than the relationship between white magic elements and divine power that was known in the distant past.
“It is said that even the high priest did not know the details.”
“That’s a sad story.”
The Pope expressed his feelings without reservation.
The more I thought about it, the more curious I became.
About Esteban. No, everything about the Prince.
But now was not the time to discuss that.
Because the matter proposed by the First Prince has not been resolved yet.
“You clearly understood its efficacy and use, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why did the first prince want the cup of abundance?”
The Pope began to think seriously.
In reality, the efficacy of the cup of abundance was very poor compared to its symbolism and divine power.
Changing the water in a cup into holy water.
Rather, it could be said that it was inferior to other holy relics. If we were to only consider its use, it meant that if you wanted another holy relic, you could have chosen it, but there was no reason to choose the Cup of Abundance.
“What do you think about this?”
“Your Majesty, you cannot see a thousand miles from where you sit. I do not have enough information to guess their intentions.”
The priest who received that gaze bowed his head and said.
“And passing the cup of abundance is a completely different matter.”
“Do you think it would be better, Father, to reject that proposal?”
“There is definitely room for renegotiation, even if only for symbolic reasons.”
“okay.”
It has a symbolic meaning… … .
The Pope muttered something after hearing the priest’s words, then nodded as if he had made up his mind.
Then he began to open his mouth with a soft smile.
“I fully expected that you would provide additional relics, so I will accept Esteban’s request.”
“Yes, I understand. If that is Your Majesty’s will.”
“Aren’t you going to ask why?”
The priest immediately accepted the idea, unlike before when he had opposed the idea, saying that renegotiation was necessary.
It was a surprisingly quick change of stance.
When the Pope asked about this, the priest bowed his head even more deeply and said:
“Your Majesty knows more than a mere servant of Roena. All of this will be done according to Roena’s will, so there is no disagreement.”
“okay.”
… …God’s will.
It was likewise enough words to convince the Pope.
“Let us convey the will of the Holy Nation to High Priest Garden as soon as possible.”
“All right.”
“With this, the two countries will become official partners.”
It was the moment when the long tug-of-war came to an end.
* * *
I said indifferently as I checked the news that had arrived at my office.
“They say they will accept all of our opinions.”
“It seems like we’ve decided to support one more sacred object. It’s a refreshing decision.”
My shoulders shrugged in response.
“That may not necessarily be the case.”
George seemed to think that the additional relic support was just a huge drain, but to me, who knew the truth, it was just a formality.
Rather, he might be relieved that he had asked for it.
‘The cup of abundance would have been the most unnecessary and the most difficult to abuse relic.’
Guessing the Holy Empire’s reaction was just as easy.
In fact, I had already adjusted my schedule to match the arrival of the letter.
But it didn’t matter. No matter what they thought, it was obvious that this choice would pay off.
“But it seems like they were also anxious and added conditions.”
I laughed as I read the contents of the letter.
There are two conditions they set.
One is not to damage the symbolic value of the cup of abundance.
Another is to limit the rental period of the Cup of Abundance to half a year.
It literally meant to be used only for necessary purposes and returned immediately. Of course, this was also expected and was an irrelevant condition.
“It will be sent when the research on the artificial sun of the Magic Tower is completed.”
“The research is already in its final stages, so there will be no delays.”
A holy grail filled with near-infinite magical power. And an artificial sun.
These two miraculous magical products were different, yet very similar.
So what if we study its interior, which contains near-infinite magical power?
Perhaps comparing the two different control groups could also increase our understanding of the artificial sun.
There is also the possibility of studying the Cup of Abundance itself, so half a year would be more than enough time.
“I hope the time comes soon when I can use this.”
My gaze finally turned to something inside the box.
It was the item that the Baron had brought upon receiving the order.
That which he was confident would become Esteban’s future… … .
“… … It’s almost time. Let’s go.”
“All right.”
I walked through the palace hallways that felt deserted today and arrived in front of the main hall where the nobles were waiting.
Beyond the door, a suffocating silence flowed, as if soldiers were stationed there before battle.
Well, you could call it a battle.
It wouldn’t be completely wrong, because it would give a similar feeling.
Squeak-
“… … .”
The doors to the main hall opened, and the eyes of the nobles lined up inside were focused on me.
And the silence still flows.
Among them were those in strange attire: a man and a woman, the High Priestess of Garden and a saintess, wearing silver robes.
“Allen Esteban.”
“Greetings to His Majesty the King, the beacon of all knights and the leader of the Kingdom of Esteban.”
I paid my respects to my father’s voice.
Then he slowly raised his head and straightened his body.
My father, who looks down on me from his high throne. And the nobles and strange guests who have lined up in the grand hall.
… … Now the preparations are complete.
The curtain has risen on the real stage.
“The reason I have summoned you to this sudden State Council meeting is to make an important announcement.”
“… … .”
As I said that, I took in the internal scene that was about to become noisy through my eyes.
Leisurely.
But never relaxed.
“But unfortunately, it seems like not all the spectators have gathered.”
“… … .”
“Well, two or three won’t be a problem.”
Exactly-!
A single, incongruous murmur passed, and my fingers made tiny ripples in the silence.
Okay then.
Squeak-!
Clank-
… … The gates of Daejeon are locked.
