Chapter 42
I woke up when the sound of intense magic cannon fire finally stopped.
When I went up onto the deck, the battle was already over.
Leo and the others seemed to be searching for any remaining monsters.
"If it's over, come back quickly. I want to sleep in the castle."
"Sigh... Let's head back."
Under the exasperated gazes of the entire crew, I returned to the port and set foot on Rondine soil for the first time.
Well, the port itself wasn't all that different from Albatro's. Albatro's was more prosperous, though.
As I thought that, Elna came leaping from roof to roof.
"Al!"
"Oh, Elna. Good work."
I waved lightly as I praised Elna for her efforts.
Judging by how things looked, Elna had probably wiped out nearly all the monsters that had come ashore.
The monsters scattered around, almost all felled in a single blow, were proof enough.
"It wasn't hard. Aren't you the one who had a hard time?"
"Yeah. I'm tired."
That's what I'd expect from my childhood friend.
Apparently, she could tell that I was the real Arnold.
To see through me so easily... Elna's eyes were not to be underestimated.
As I thought this, I looked up. I happened to be in a position where I could see up Elna's skirt.
Of course, she was wearing black shorts, so I couldn't see her underwear. Leo would probably still call it indecent, though.
"Hey, Elna. Don't you think you should avoid climbing so high?"
"What? Are you trying to imitate Leo? That trick won't work on me."
"No, well, if you don't mind, I suppose it's fine."
Elna's confident expression did not waver.
She must have been absolutely certain of herself.
When someone shows that much confidence, it makes me want to shatter it.
"That's why it's pointless! I'm wearing something underneath!"
"Ah, yeah... They're torn, you know?"
For an instant, all expression disappeared from Elna's face.
Then she blushed faintly and protested.
"I-I won't fall for that!"
"I told you, if you don't mind, then it's fine. But since they're black shorts, pale-colored underwear will stand out, you know?"
"!!??"
That was the decisive blow.
Elna turned around and furtively checked under her skirt.
Elna generally preferred white or light-colored underwear. I figured she'd misunderstand if I just mentioned something being light-colored, but she fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
"W-where!? Where's the tear!? Al~...?"
"Obviously, I was lying. You should've realized."
As I said that, I leisurely made my way toward the castle.
After this, Leo would probably greet the Grand Duke, and then he'd likely say that, since this was an emergency, he wanted to speak with his brother. In other words, that was Leo's only option.
Until then, I had nothing to do, so I decided to sleep in the castle.
"Al...? Where do you think you're going?"
"The castle."
"You think I'm going to let you?"
"Aren't you the one who has to let me go?"
This place had been a battlefield until moments ago.
There was no telling when monsters might appear.
Leo was one thing, but I had to evacuate as quickly as possible.
"It's safe with me, so stay close."
"Put your hand to your chest and ask yourself: has it ever been safe by your side? I've nearly died several times, you know?"
"That's because you always say things you shouldn't! Honestly! Why would you tell such a rotten lie about them being torn!?"
"Well, you looked so self-assured that I thought I'd take you down a peg."
"You're just like His Majesty the Emperor... He often says he can't stand it when people look so pleased with themselves."
"We're father and son, after all. Anyway, sorry, sorry. But I think you should wear more adventurous underwear once in a while."
"None of your business!"
She grabbed me by the collar and shook me violently back and forth.
Oh, the world is shaking...
Just when I thought I was about to lose consciousness, she finally let me go.
Since I couldn't move for a while after that, I ended up riding in the carriage that had come to pick up Leo.
■■■
"W-what!? Has the Sea Dragon awakened!?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Three of Albatro's latest warships have already been sunk. This monster attack may also be related to the Sea Dragon."
"S-something like that was happening...? If the Sea Dragon is involved, our country can't afford to treat it as someone else's problem... can it?"
I sighed inwardly as I watched the flustered Grand Duke of Rondine.
I had thought I could take things easy, but that damned Elna suggested we switch places again. As a result, I was standing before the Grand Duke of Rondine pretending to be Leo.
Well, it would certainly be faster for me to pretend to be Leo than to explain things to Leo.
Even so, it still didn't sit right with me.
"Yes. The Grand Duke of Albatro therefore requested that the Empire mediate between the Duchy of Albatro and the Duchy of Rondine. Your Highness, as the Empire's plenipotentiary ambassador, I ask you to put past grievances aside and form an alliance against the Sea Dragon with the Duchy of Albatro. The Empire promises to support that alliance."
"Y-yes... but..."
"Is there a problem?"
"Will our country truly suffer damage?"
"I see. There is indeed no proof. However, on our way to the Duchy of Rondine, we encountered the Sea Dragon coming from the direction of Rondine. We managed to get past it somehow, but the fact that a Sea Serpent—which rarely approaches land—appeared also suggests that the Sea Dragon entered the waters of the Duchy of Rondine and caused this monster attack."
"B-but..."
"The important point is that the waters of the Duchy of Rondine lie within the Sea Dragon's range of activity. Your Highness, the sea route to the south is now as good as blockaded by the Sea Dragon. Don't you understand how disadvantageous this situation is for the Duchy of Rondine?"
I would have preferred not to resort to such persuasion, but the Grand Duke's evasiveness tried my patience, so I pressed him on Rondine's disadvantage.
"If the sea route is blockaded, overland trade will be our only option. The Duchy of Rondine controls roughly two-thirds of the peninsula, but most of the gateways to the central region lie in Albatro territory. If overland transport becomes our primary means of trade, the Duchy of Rondine will be placed at a disadvantage."
"I-is that true!?"
"If our Empire's sea routes were blockaded, we would be unable to provide any aid. Do you understand? To stand by and watch without defeating the Sea Dragon is tantamount to accepting that situation. Of course, if you are confident enough to fight Albatro under those circumstances, I will not stop you. However, I cannot say which side the Empire would support then."
I ended with the usual line, and the Grand Duke's face went pale.
The Empire was a great power. Merely hinting at its intentions was enough to send most small and medium-sized countries into a panic.
Especially since Rondine had been trying to enlist the Empire's aid. Those words must have hit harder than expected.
"I-I understand! We accept your proposal for an alliance. In the fight against the Sea Dragon, our country will spare no effort to cooperate with the Duchy of Albatro."
At last, he had made up his mind.
Now Albatro could place a request with the Adventurers' Guild.
Actually, they had probably already done so. I couldn't imagine them expecting the Empire's mediation to fail.
Well, that concluded my work as Arnold.
I had already told Elna and Leo that I would persuade the Grand Duke, but afterward, I wanted to be free to do as I pleased.
Rondine would probably send a fleet to Albatro to counter the Sea Dragon, but I would not be going with it.
From here on, it was time to work behind the scenes.