Chapter 126
Lururia had called King Zeurasia a "foolish king."
The atmosphere in the audience chamber immediately grew cold, and tension ran through the room.
"...Why do you think that?"
King Zeurasia spoke in a grave tone.
Yet Lururia, the person who had said it, remained perfectly calm.
"I thought you were clinging to immediate concerns, even at the cost of carelessly giving up the greatest benefit this matter offers."
"I would hear your explanation. Depending on its contents, I may be willing to overlook your earlier words. But if they were merely an insult..."
"In this matter, Your Majesty—or rather, what is Rudek's greatest benefit?"
"Surely this matter offers our country no particularly great benefit?"
"Do you truly believe that? If I were in your position, I would even refuse payment and let the Greedle Empire have its way. Of course, I would keep a close watch on them."
"Are you saying we should demonstrate our magnanimity?"
"No. I am saying that nothing is more expensive than something free. In this matter, as you said, Rudek has nothing to do with it. Yet Rudek would cooperate free of charge. Could there be anything more unpleasant for the Greedle Empire? It would leave the Greedle Empire owing Rudek a very, very large \"favor.\"
"But the Empire is an enemy nation seeking our territory. Whether they owe us a favor or not, if we destroy them, none of it will matter."
"You all have a slight misunderstanding about the Greedle Empire. An empire that has grown so rapidly is by no means monolithic."
"Princess!"
One of the envoys who had accompanied them from the Empire went pale at Lururia's words. The reaction was only natural: their country's internal situation was about to be revealed to an enemy nation. But Tsetsii raised a hand to silence the envoy. Seeing this, Lururia continued.
"The Empire must be a good-faith invader, at least until its domestic foundations are stable. Entrusting the various territories to the imperial princes is meant to prevent civil war caused by rapid expansion and to convince the people by showing them the emperor's children governing well... Though, in this case, one of those sons ended up starting a civil war."
"Go on." Everyone from Rudek present, not only King Zeurasia, was hearing this for the first time.
"Therefore, the Empire is in no position to treat this debt lightly—though from the Kingdom of Rudek's perspective, it is a \"favor.\" To neglect it could breed distrust at home."
"...I see, that's an interesting point. So you mean we should make this favor as large as possible."
"Indeed. To chase immediate gains and thoughtlessly give it away would be..."
At this point, King Zeurasia burst into loud laughter.
"Ha ha ha! The princess is right. Delant, what do you think?"
The person King Zeurasia called upon was one of Rudek's important figures standing by the wall.
"I have nothing to add," came the brief reply.
"Prince Tsetsedora, Princess Lururia, I apologize for my somewhat discourteous treatment. To put it plainly, our country's distrust of the Empire runs deep. As I said earlier, quite a few people believed that making the Empire owe us a favor would accomplish nothing. That is why I deliberately asked you. Prince Tsetsedora, is there anything in your wife's words you would dispute?"
"There is nothing to dispute. Furthermore, if my wife's words offended you, I alone bear the responsibility."
"I was the first to be discourteous, so let us call it even. Now then, let us make it a substantial favor. You need not pay us anything. I grant you permission to escort that criminal through our territory."
"Thank you." When Tsetsii bowed, a sigh of relief finally swept through the audience chamber.
Just afterward, Lururia spoke up: "Ah, but..." and tension ran through the room again.
"What is it?"
"The information about our country's circumstances that I just shared should be valuable to your country as well. I'll deduct that from the favor, then."
On hearing that, even King Zeurasia nodded with a wry smile.
King Zeurasia remarked, "Prince Tsetsedora, you have a fine wife,"
"I am very proud of my wife. I relied entirely on her again this time."
"No. When your wife was speaking just now, you stopped your own envoy from interrupting and let her say what she wished. Your ability to do that was precisely what allowed these talks to reach an agreement."
"I am honored."
"Now, the matter is settled. The Empire's envoy will be heading to Gorbel to arrange the schedule, I presume? In that case, though it will only be for a few days, you should take the opportunity to relax here in Rudectrad. We shall prepare a welcoming banquet tomorrow evening."
"Thank you. We shall gladly accept your kind offer."
"Indeed. Then we shall conclude for today! First, rest and recover from the fatigue of your journey!"
Thus, the talks between King Zeurasia and Prince Tsetsedora somehow reached a settlement.