Chapter 64
Louise stopped in front of a balcony on one side of the banquet hall.
"I'm going to have an important conversation, so don't come in until I call for you. I don't need any drinks either."
"Understood."
She stopped the maids who were following her and went out to the balcony first, opening the door.
I followed her out and closed the door.
-Thud.
Perhaps because the door was quite thick, the balcony was quite quiet once the door was closed.
Moreover, as no separate lighting was installed, it was so dark that it was difficult to see Louise's face.
"Ah, much more comfortable. As expected, acting isn't easy."
Louise leaned back comfortably in her chair, facing me with her back to the city center where the festival's heat was rising despite the sun having set.
It was an attitude that didn't consider etiquette at all.
Separately from that, I could sympathize with her saying that acting wasn't easy.
"Viktor, you sit comfortably too. Unless someone opens that door and comes in, no one can see us."
"Yes."
As there was only one chair left opposite her, I sat across from her with a table between us.
I don't know about her, who isn't human, but to my eyes, I couldn't see the expression of her sitting right in front of me clearly.
I could only guess that she was smiling based on her seemingly excited tone and the glimpse of her mouth.
"Since there's someone waiting, I'll get straight to the point."
Louise began bluntly.
"You kept your promise very well."
"Were you satisfied?"
"Hmm, of course. Before finding you, I also asked General Gerhart and General Friedrich about your actions."
As I had roughly expected this from her saying she didn't need drinks, I answered without being flustered.
"It was amazing. In such a short time, they seemed more excited when talking about your exploits than their own."
"..."
"I've heard that homosexual culture is quite prevalent among humans, I wondered if this was part of that."
"That's not it."
At the strange words that came out naturally like flowing water, my head felt dizzy and the answer automatically popped out.
It seems that rather than at other times, when she speaks so insensitively like this, I realize that she isn't human.
"I suppose not. They're both married after all. I just meant that the generals were that enthusiastic when talking about your achievements."
"...Yes."
As if it wasn't a particularly meaningful statement, she lightly passed over that talk and continued speaking.
"Not to mention that outstanding ability, I heard you haven't caused any disturbances even in private settings."
"Is that so?"
"It would have been hard to believe if it hadn't come from General Gerhart's mouth. Ah, so, Viktor."
-Thud!
She suddenly rose slightly from her seat and leaned her upper body towards me, resting her hands on the table.
As she came close enough that she would touch me if she came any closer, I could see her mouth curved into a smile and her eyes burning red.
"..."
"Now that your worth has been excellently proven, I think it's my turn."
To me, her eyes seemed to glow red.
"I think you've already shown sufficient sincerity."
"No."
Although I said that what I had already received was enough, her answer was firm.
"I said I would fully support your future path. Do you remember?"
"Yes. I remember."
"I clearly said 'fully'."
She continued speaking without losing her smile.
"You shouldn't be satisfied just with removing the temporary title attached to the front."
"...Is that so?"
Her voice grew louder.
"You put both honor and life on the scale, and I promised as Louise Zainburg, Empress of the Dragonian Empire. You've brought tremendous results in making the Brotan Kingdom a puppet state, so now I must pay a corresponding price."
"..."
"I'll say it clearly. Whatever you demand of me, if it's something I can respond to as Louise Zainburg, I mean I won't refuse."
I could feel a strange excitement and expectation in her increasingly heightened voice.
"Viktor. What do you want? What is your goal?"
It felt like receiving a blank check.
If what she said was true, I could really gain a lot.
"Anything is fine as long as it's not asking me to abdicate. Title, power, money, treasures, anything. If you really want, I'll even accept it if you demand this body."
"..."
"It's not because I think lightly of this body that came out of play. I have no intention of treating this body carelessly either. It just means I'll respond seriously to your demands to that extent."
Indeed, what should I demand from her?
"...I'd like some time to think."
"Of course. I can wait as long as you need."
She readily agreed to my request.
I closed my eyes and fell into contemplation.
---
Louise sat back down and waited for Viktor's contemplation to end.
"..."
In the past, she would have satisfied her curiosity by watching people enjoying the festival, but now she focused all her senses entirely on Viktor.
There was no reason to look elsewhere.
Right now, the human who fully satisfied her desire that made her choose to play was right in front of her.
Without needing to look for heroic tales, legends, or search for talented individuals.
She thought that the reports detailing Viktor's actions were themselves heroic tales and legends.
"Hmm..."
-Thump. Thump.
Louise enjoyed the pounding she could feel because of her human body while waiting for Viktor's answer.
After a while.
"Your Majesty."
"Hmm. Have you thought of something to demand?"
"First, may I ask a few questions?"
"Of course. I won't treat those questions as fulfillment of the promise, so don't worry and ask comfortably."
As Viktor opened his mouth, Louise responded immediately.
"Recently, it seems your attitude towards the Dragonian Empire has changed."
"Hmm?"
She expressed doubt at the unexpected question, but.
"From what I heard in the Rus Kingdom, Your Majesty wasn't a monarch who acted proactively. However..."
"I directly delegated diplomatic authority to General Gerhart, and personally presided over the triumphal entry and other events. Is that why?"
"That's right. The establishment of a direct corps was especially surprising. There must have been considerable opposition."
"You're curious about why I changed my attitude, right? I can answer that right away."
She smiled with her eyes as soon as she heard Viktor's careful question.
"It's because of you, Viktor."
"...What do you mean because of me?"
"I simply strengthened my power so that I could hand over whatever you might demand. I have no other thoughts."
Because Louise thought that a human needs many things to live as a hero.
As she told Viktor, she was prepared to fulfill whatever request he might make.
Her recent active participation in state affairs and broadening her range of action was also to expand the scope of 'full support'.
She had made a promise, and as long as the other party hadn't broken it.
She had no intention of glossing over it carelessly.
If he wanted money or treasures, she was thinking of even bringing out the wealth she had gathered as a dragon.
If he wanted power, she would actively use her position as empress to allow him to wield absolute power comparable to an empress.
Even if he suddenly asked for her body, she would only be a little disappointed and would diligently study human intercourse from books.
That was the meaning of 'full support' she had mentioned.
"Hmm..."
"Did that answer your question?"
"Yes."
"Is there anything else you're curious about?"
"No, that's fine."
After brief consideration, Viktor opened his mouth.
"There are two things I want from Your Majesty."
"Two things? Fewer than I expected."
"The first is support for the Red Dragon Corps."
"The Red Dragon Corps? ...There must be a reason you mentioned it specifically."
"That's right."
He nodded.
"I will organize the Red Dragon Corps completely differently from the existing corps."
"Hmm?"
"I want to introduce new weapons by trading with the Anchester Kingdom."
"Anchester? The dwarves?"
"Yes."
As arming the corps with new weapons was synonymous with saying he would achieve more merits in the future.
Louise's cheeks slowly rose.
"Ah, I think I've heard of it. Some mercenaries in the west fight carrying small cannons, right? Were those items from the dwarves?"
"That's right. I intend to introduce these to the Red Dragon Corps as well."
"I heard they're very expensive and difficult to operate."
She mentioned the difficulties, expecting Viktor's rebuttal.
"I think those small cannons will change the landscape of war. The dwarves are using more advanced forms of weapons than those used in the west, which they call guns."
"Guns. You'll arm the corps with those?"
"Yes. Future battlefields will be divided between those who can handle guns and those who can't. I'd like your help in introducing them."
The introduction of new weapons is a matter that can't even be attempted with an ordinary budget.
Moreover, as it's a risky venture with no guarantee of recovering the invested budget, Viktor asked carefully, but.
"Let's do it. What's your next demand?"
"...Skilled craftsmen are needed to make guns, and the production cost is very expensive due to the materials."
"There's no need to doubt the financial resources. My wealth is far more than you can imagine."
"The verification of their effectiveness..."
"You're certain about it, aren't you? I've decided to trust your judgment, and I have no intention of going back on that."
"Then, I'll explain in detail later."
"Hmm, good."
Louise, who noticed the certainty contained in that cautiousness, readily accepted.
On the other hand, she was also looking forward to seeing how powerful these guns would be, which Viktor had praised using strong expressions.
"So, what's your next demand?"
She asked Viktor about the next demand without delay.
"The second demand... is a bit delicate, but."
At his appearance, watching Louise's reaction even more carefully than before and taking a short breath, she held great expectations, but,
"...?"
"I'd like Your Majesty to continue actively building up your power as you have been doing."
To her ears, his second demand had no reason to be more cautious than the first.
"If you bring results, no. It wouldn't be strange to bestow titles and fiefs on you even now."
Puzzled by this, she said to Viktor, but.
"...There seems to be a misunderstanding."
Viktor corrected Louise's misunderstanding.
"I'm talking about Your Majesty's power, not mine. I want Your Majesty to become the one and only empress who holds all the power of the empire in your hands."
"..."
At his demand, which she hadn't even thought of, she stared at him with her mouth slightly open, and then.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
She burst into laughter with an incredibly loud voice.