Talks Between the Demon Lord and the Princess (1)

──Thor's Perspective──

That day, we set out for the planned meeting place.

The location was beyond the border, in the borderlands between the Demon Lord's Territory and the Empire.

Our party consisted of Demon Lord Lukie, Chancellor Kelv-san, General Raizenga, and the Minotaur soldiers.

Mabel and I were coming along as well.

Lukie and Princess Sofia were going to meet to discuss the Empire's military training.

In addition, Lukie intended to propose trade with the 'Town of Noza' and a joint investigation into demon beasts in the border region.

Both were necessary for the future of the Demon Lord's Territory and peace along the border.

I felt it was my duty to support her so that her wishes could come true.

To that end, I intended to make the most of my position as a hostage sent by the Empire.

I also wanted to help Princess Sofia...

She had entrusted me with the ring that had belonged to her wet nurse, saying, "I will keep your secret."

She had apparently said that the ring was worthless—but when I appraised it, that was not true at all.

The ring was made of mithril and had been enhanced with Water-Attribute magic.

It was an extremely valuable item.

That was why I trusted her and decided to let her use the 'Footbath.'

If Princess Sofia was an ally of the Demon Lord's Territory, I wanted to help her.

If possible, I wanted to create an environment where she could use the 'Footbath' regularly and improve her health.

If she came to occupy a position of authority in the 'Town of Noza,' she should be able to help Lukie and the others as well.

"Everyone, halt! The soldiers go no farther. Wait here until we return!"

After we emerged from the forest, General Raizenga raised his voice.

The Minotaur soldiers came to a stop.

This was as far as the soldiers could go.

Only Lukie, Kelv-san, and General Raizenga could proceed to the meeting place.

And I was the only other person permitted to attend as an observer.

"Well then, I'm off. Mabel."

"Yes, Thor-sama."

Mabel looked at me anxiously.

Then, as though she had suddenly noticed something, she reached out and began straightening my clothes.

We had left the campsite in a hurry, so apparently my clothes were rather disheveled. She straightened my collar, pulled down my rolled-up sleeves, tugged at a few things, and finally nodded in satisfaction.

"Thank you, Mabel. That helped."

I was about to meet an Imperial princess, after all. I needed to look presentable, at least.

I had stayed up late working on alchemy the previous night, so I had gotten up late.

Because of that, I had not even thought about my clothes.

"I will await your return."

Mabel gazed intently at me as she said this.

"I will wait for you the entire time. So..."

"I'll be back soon."

"O-of course. I know that. But right now, I am Thor-sama's fiancée... When I thought about that, I somehow became anxious..."

Mabel's face turned bright red all the way to the tips of her elven ears.

Hearing her say that made me feel embarrassed too.

Yesterday, Chancellor Kelv-san had said, 'I will arrange for Thor-dono and Mabel to become engaged.' It was meant to make it more difficult for the Empire to interfere with me.

He had added that it was only temporary, so we were not to make it public.

Both Mabel and I had been shocked.

But if it was an order from His Excellency the Chancellor, and Lukie had approved it, we could not refuse.

Besides, I trusted Chancellor Kelv-san.

So, on the understanding that it was 'temporary,' I had become engaged to Mabel—but──

"That is why I want to make it clear to the people from the Empire that I am your fiancée. Ah, if I were to see Thor-sama off too casually, they might become suspicious."

"...I see."

"Y-yes. Exactly."

Mabel nodded repeatedly, her face tense.

...But even if I was told I had a fiancée, I had no idea what I was supposed to do.

Noble marriages were generally political marriages, after all.

I had always been treated as worthless in the Empire, so I had never thought I would marry anyone.

But there was one thing I had decided.

That was—if I ever found someone like that, I would cherish that person more than anything in the world.

In the Empire, marriage partners were chosen according to noble rank and power relationships.

I hated the Empire for that very reason, so I had decided to remain free of such things. Regardless of status or power, I would simply cherish that person above all else.

So, even if it was only temporary, now that Mabel was my fiancée──

"I promise I will return safely, so you do not need to worry."

Mabel's eyes looked moist, so I nodded at her.

"No matter what the people from the Empire say, my place is here. I will not return to the Empire. I intend to spend the rest of my life in the Demon Lord's Territory, with Mabel. You do not need to worry about that."

"T-Thor-sama..."

"Which is why, here—take this too."

I handed Mabel a silver ring.

"T-Thor-sama!? What is this!?"

"I-it doesn't mean anything profound, okay? It's a good-luck charm."

"A good-luck charm?"

"Yeah. It's the 'Special Good-Luck Ring' that was tucked away in a corner of the 'Mail-Order Catalog.' I thought I had to give it to you if it would improve your luck, so I made it. Though it isn't finished yet."

The abilities written in the 'Mail-Order Catalog' were──

──────────────────

'Special Good-Luck Ring'

A good-luck ring for you, just like the ones every lucky person possesses!

Why not put on this ring and become incredibly lucky yourself?

The 'Special Good-Luck Ring' is custom-made in the truest sense of the word.

Based on your date of birth, blood type, occupation, body type, and favorite foods, a special practitioner contracted by our company (a master of secret techniques passed down since the dawn of antiquity; we cannot disclose further details in order to protect our secrets) will select the material best suited to you.

Then, a pattern suited to each individual person will be engraved on the stone of the ring.

The completely custom-made 'Good-Luck Ring' dramatically changes the flow of energy.

You will acquire terrifying luck beyond the realm of ordinary people!

You may be astonished when your world changes because of your incredible luck.

(This is an individual's personal impression.)

If you are interested, cut out the postcard on this page, fill in the required information, and send it to us.

(Note: A stamp is required separately.)

(Note: This is an advertisement. It is not affiliated with our company in any way.)

──────────────────

"S-something that amazing exists!?"

"Yeah. But I only copied the shape of it."

Unfortunately, the stone and pattern to be attached to the ring had not appeared in the photograph.

There was only a line that said, 'For details, contact us using the enclosed postcard.' Moreover, the bottom of the page had been cut off. The postcard must have been there. I supposed that was what a postcard was.

Enhancing Luck—in other words, using magic power to strengthen good fortune. The Heroes' world really was frightening.

Were there beings capable of blessing an item like that?

...What kind of being could they be?

"I intend to research the good-luck stone and pattern from now on and create something original to this world. Of course, for now, this is just a ring without a stone."

"...Thor-sama."

"I'll finish it properly someday. Until then, could you hold on to it, Mabel?"

"Um, Thor-sama."

"Yes?"

"It fits my finger perfectly."

Mabel slipped the 'Good-Luck Ring' onto her ring finger.

"How did you know my finger size?"

"You remember when we held hands the other day so I could sense your 'Life Force'? I checked it at the same time."

"...Amazing, Thor-sama."

Mabel closed her eyes and clasped the hand wearing the ring with her other hand.

Then, as though she had suddenly realized something, she said,

"Huh? You said you measured my finger when we held hands the other day. Does that mean... Her Majesty too...?"

"Yeah. I gave hers to her earlier."

"So that's why Her Majesty seems so fired up."

"Well, I can't tell because she's wearing a mask."

"I can tell. We grew up together."

"Really?"

"That's right."

"I see."

"Yes."

Before I knew it, Mabel and I were looking at each other and laughing.

Right. Mabel and Lukie were in the Demon Lord's Territory. Agnis and the Pixies were there too.

There was no way I would leave them behind and return to the Empire.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot. This too."

I took two more items out of the 'Ultra-Compact Simple Storage.'

One was the 'UV-Cut Parasol.'

"Keep this parasol open during the talks. That way, I will know where you are too, Mabel."

"Y-yes, Thor-sama. And... what is this small item?"

"That's for emergencies. There are soldiers here, and owls at the forest exit, so I don't think we'll need it, though."

"They are there, aren't they? The white owls and the black owls."

Mabel looked up at the trees and smiled.

"But if it is an emergency item, shouldn't Thor-sama carry it instead...? Then again, you have one for yourself too, don't you, Thor-sama?"

"As expected of Mabel. You're sharp."

"Yes. I am Thor-sama's maid and fiancée, after all."

Mabel declared this firmly while touching the ring.

Before long, the time for the talks drew near, and Chancellor Kelv-san came to call us.

I joined Lukie, Kelv-san, and General Raizenga, and we began walking toward the meeting place.

The people from the Imperial side were already heading this way as well.

At the front was a girl wearing a pure-white dress.

When I looked back, the owls perched in the trees at the forest entrance nodded. That meant she was definitely Princess Sofia.

Two warriors clad in armor from head to toe followed a little behind her.

There had been no restriction on armor, but was it really appropriate for Princess Sofia to be unarmed while her guards were completely armored?

The Imperial soldiers behind Princess Sofia and the others were all heavily armed as well.

The Empire's famed heavy cavalry was among them. They were powerful cavalrymen clad in full armor and carrying enormous spears.

I had heard that their breakthrough power was tremendous and that they had smashed through enemy formations one after another on the southern battlefield. But there was no need to bring them to the talks. At this distance, I could target their horses with the 'Laser Pointer,' so they were not a threat.

"Stop right there, people of the Demon Lord's Territory!"

The warrior behind Princess Sofia shouted.

The distance between us and Princess Sofia was a little over ten meters.

That was still too far for a meeting.

"There is no need to come any closer. Our voices can reach from here. We shall hold the talks at this distance!"

"Isaac!? Surely that's..."

"It is for Her Highness's safety. Please understand."

The fully armored warrior said this.

"I said that I would cooperate with the talks. However, Her Highness's safety takes priority above all else."

As I had expected, the Empire was wary of the Demon Lord's Territory.

Even if Princess Sofia wanted to speak with Lukie up close, her guards had no intention of allowing it.

"Demon Lord Lukie. I would like to speak with the people from the Empire. May I have your permission?"

I said this.

At this distance, it was incredibly difficult to talk.

It could not be helped. As the Demon Lord's alchemist, I would have to do something about it.

"...Are you sure, Thor?"

"I've taken safety precautions. It will be fine."

When I said this, Lukie nodded.

I checked the 'Ultra-Compact Simple Storage' in the pouch at my waist.

All the items I had prepared were ready. I had been carrying the 'UV-Cut Parasol' from the beginning, so there was no problem there.

All right... this should do.

"I am Thor Kanan, formerly of the Imperial nobility. As the observer of these talks, I have something to say."

"Thor Kanan-sama!?"

Princess Sofia cried out.

"P-please, come over here."

"Excuse me."

I left Lukie and the others and began walking toward Princess Sofia.

The guards stepped in front of her as though to protect her.

When I was in the Empire, warriors this intimidating had frightened me.

But... now I felt nothing. Had coming to the Demon Lord's Territory changed me too?

"Thank you for granting me an audience. I am Thor Kanan. As someone sent from the Empire to the Demon Lord's Territory, I was ordered to serve as an observer at these talks. I consider it an honor and am grateful for the opportunity."

I knelt before Princess Sofia according to noble etiquette.

"...So you are Thor Kanan-sama."

"Yes, Princess Sofia."

"The son of a former duke, is he?"

The warrior called Isaac looked toward me.

"You were appointed as an observer so that you could interpret for the people of the Demon Lord's Territory when they said something incomprehensible. You were not appointed to offer your opinion, were you?"

"Hold your tongue, Isaac Mueller!"

"Your Highness!?"

"These are the words of the person who knows the Demon Lord's Territory best. They are worth hearing."

Princess Sofia shook her sakura-pink hair and declared,

"Let us hear it, Thor Kanan-sama. What is your opinion?"

"The people of the Demon Lord's Territory have no intention of harming Your Highness. Demon Lord Lukie and the other officials have agreed to these talks and wish to speak with everyone from the Empire."

I said this.

Clearly, while looking straight into Princess Sofia's eyes.

"If there is even the slightest falsehood in these words, Your Highness, please direct your Light magic at me. I will atone with my life for the crime of lying to you."

"Those words resonate deeply within me."

Princess Sofia pressed a hand against her chest, covered by her white dress.

"If you possess that much resolve, I will trust you. Let us move a little closer to Demon Lord Lukie──"

"What good will it do for you to take responsibility after Her Highness has been harmed?"

Warrior Isaac said this.

"The life of a count's son is no substitute for Her Highness's life! If anything happens to Her Highness, we will..."

"How strange. The people who revere Heroes are this afraid of demons and demi-humans."

I said this.

I had lived in the Empire for more than ten years, after all.

I knew what words Imperial nobles and high-ranking soldiers reacted to, and what sorts of things ensnared them.

As a weak person, I had survived in the Empire by observing what the strong were like.

"If the great Heroes from another world heard what this guard──"

"I am Isaac Mueller!"

"──what would Isaac Mueller-sama's words make them think?"

I glanced at Princess Sofia.

After confirming that she nodded, I continued.

"Suppose the Hero's sacred sword were here. Would that sword accept Isaac Mueller-sama?"

"──W-what!?"

Isaac Mueller's face tightened.

"Y-you saw us when we tried to obtain that sword...?"

"I have been given freedom in the Demon Lord's Territory. I sometimes take walks through the border region."

"...Hmm."

"A hero is a 'person with courage.' If so, should we not call the person who stands before a Demon Lord and calmly holds talks a hero? I believe that the person who can remain calm and deal with difficulties is the true hero."

I took a deep breath and said one more thing.

"Or does 'hero' mean someone summoned from another world? Are there no heroes in the Empire?"

"...Grrr."

Isaac Mueller placed a hand on the sword at his waist.

I touched the new item I had put in my pocket.

But he should not make a move. If he drew his sword here, Isaac Mueller would be the one who ruined the princess's talks. Someone important enough to be the princess's aide should not make such a mistake.

Even as I thought that, I did not take my eyes off Isaac Mueller.

"Thor Kanan-sama is right."

Princess Sofia spoke unexpectedly.

She stared at Isaac Mueller and said calmly,

"Heroes laid the foundations of the Empire. Those people summoned from another world came to be called Heroes because they mustered their courage and fought in this world. What are we, who revere those Heroes, to do if we are afraid to speak with people from another country?"

"...Your Highness."

"Look at the people of the Demon Lord's Territory. There are only a dozen or so soldiers behind them, and their escorts are wearing nothing more than light armor. Compared to us, who brought dozens of heavily armored cavalrymen, the sincerity of the people from the Demon Lord's Territory should be obvious."

Princess Sofia said this and sighed.

"Besides... I told you, didn't I? All failures are mine, and all achievements are yours. Are you dissatisfied with that, Isaac Mueller?"

"...Urk."

"Keeping the other side waiting any longer would be rude. Let us go."

Princess Sofia extended a hand toward me.

"You came to the Demon Lord's Territory with courage, obeying His Imperial Majesty's command. Please stand between us and the Demon Lord and help these talks, Thor Kanan-sama."

"Understood, Your Highness."

I took the hand Princess Sofia held out to me.

It was thinner and more delicate than I had expected. It was trembling faintly, perhaps from tension. Was she frightened after all?

Even so, Princess Sofia had agreed to the talks.

There had been people like this in the Empire too.

...If only Princess Sofia could rule the Empire. The ruler should be someone who understood weakness, while the people in the field could be aspiring Heroes who valued strength—if that happened, I felt the Empire might function a little better.

Thinking that, I took Princess Sofia's hand and began walking.

The guards followed behind us. Both of them looked rather nervous, though.

And so I reached Lukie and the others.

"Demon Lord Lukie Evargard, Your Majesty. I have brought Princess Sofia."

"...Y-yes."

Lukie nodded with a complicated air.

As usual, she was wearing the 'Perception-Obstructing' mask and robe, so I could not see her expression.

But recently, I had somehow begun to understand what kind of expression she was making from her tone of voice.

"Well done. My──no, my guest, Thor Kanan. Come over here."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

I bowed to Princess Sofia and moved to Lukie's side.

Thus, the preparations for the talks were complete.

The distance between Demon Lord Lukie and Princess Sofia was several meters.

It was the minimum safe distance—just beyond the reach of a sword.

"I am Lukie Evargard, ruler of the Demon Lord's Territory. I am grateful for the opportunity to hold talks with the Imperial princess in this manner."

"I am Sofia Dolgaria, Imperial Princess. It is an honor to meet the great ruler who governs the demons and demi-humans."

Lukie and Sofia exchanged greetings.

And so, the talks between the Demon Lord and the Imperial princess began.

The discussion, however, took a turn different from what I had expected.