Chapter 212
The Third Prince of Nostra, Baha Salman, spoke. He said there were never-before-seen monsters in a place like a giant ant colony.
This was definitely a story Franz was hearing for the first time, let alone having been there himself.
But ironically, it wasn’t too difficult to picture it in his head.
“A labyrinth and a gate…”
labyrinths shaped like ant colonies were a common trope in stories. The same went for the doors connecting to labyrinths (gates).
Furthermore, the fact that creatures like monsters and demonic beasts appeared from within was even the same, so it was safe to say they were perfectly identical.
Of course, he would have to confirm it with his own eyes to know for sure.
“What was the combat power of the investigation team?”
“Two mages, seven knights, and one non-combatant; their individual martial prowess isn’t that strong, but they wouldn’t lose against ordinary monsters.”
He didn’t know exactly what the level of Nostra’s mages and knights was, but a party of nine was by no means small.
And yet, for them to suffer such a fate meant that the monsters inside the labyrinth were quite strong.
Then the truly important part starts now…
“There must be a reason he specifically brought this story up.”
It was said that nobles do not speak idly.
Especially not from someone who was the representative of the delegation and the Third Prince. He definitely had something he wanted.
Franz wasn’t the only one who thought so.
“So what is it that you want?”
The emperor, who had been silently listening to the story, asked Baha Salman.
“I will speak directly. I would like us to solve the problem together.”
“Together…”
The emperor trailed off, tapping his finger on the table, tap-tap.
Franz merely watched the sight in silence. It wasn’t a situation where he could interject.
But why was he so anxious?
'It couldn’t be…?'
As Franz was thinking that.
Tap-.
The emperor’s finger stopped.
“It is certainly true that the empire cannot be said to be unrelated to this matter. Deliaspi Dyne was, in fact, taken down there.”
“If so…”
“But to put it another way, one could also say that the empire resolved a crisis that was about to strike Nostra.”
The emperor was clearly trying to gain the upper hand in the negotiations with Nostra.
Watching this blankly, Franz inwardly marveled.
Thinking that, as expected, not just anyone could be the emperor.
“Of course, we will solve the problem together. Is this not the relationship between Nostra and the empire? I cannot ignore that a crisis has arrived. But I want to make the terms clear.”
“…Then I will say it again. Please, I ask that the empire lend us its strength.”
“Good. First, I will send someone to be my eyes and ears, and we will decide on the subsequent matters after hearing his report.”
The emperor smiled as if satisfied and looked at Franz.
Someone to be his eyes and ears.
Realizing that this meant him, Franz gave an awkward smile.
So this was why he had felt an ominous premonition since last night.
He had expected it to turn out like this anyway, so it wasn’t a huge blow. He just felt like he had been swept up in another annoying matter.
How much time had passed since then?
It was decided that they would check the gate in Nostra on the morning two days hence.
Baha Salman had said that it would take a few days for the delegation to return to Nostra and finish their reports and meetings, but…
“If it’s returning to Nostra, I can escort you there at any time.”
“H-how do you mean…?”
He asked, looking flustered.
Seeing is believing, as they say. It seemed faster to show him rather than explain it with words.
“Your Majesty, may I be excused for a moment?”
“Do as you please.”
The emperor readily agreed even though Franz hadn’t explained what he was going to do.
Whether he was reading his thoughts, or simply trusting him, was unclear.
Well, his personal reasons didn’t matter anyway.
Snap-.
Franz snapped his fingers while remaining seated.
A magic circle was drawn on the floor, and it soon began to shine brightly as the magic activated.
The place they arrived at was, naturally, the massive country in the Eastern Continent, Nostra. To be exact, it was the underground city left by Deliaspi Dyne within it.
“W-what…?!”
As he opened his eyes wide in surprise, Franz snapped his fingers once again and returned to the emperor’s office.
“I judged that showing you would be faster than explaining it with words. I apologize if I was being rude.”
As if Franz’s words didn’t even register in his ears, he was letting out a hollow laugh.
Probably every ordinary person would have the same reaction. That was how astonishing it was.
“Excuse me, but how far can you travel…?”
“I haven’t particularly tested it, but I can move something the size of this castle anywhere on the continent.”
“The Archmage who subjugated the Demon Lord - I finally realize the true weight of that status.”
Baha Salman’s expression was complicated and subtle.
Being able to move a castle of this size anywhere on the continent meant, in other words, that nowhere on the continent could escape Franz’s grasp.
He was equal to a nation by himself; no nation could even be his match.
Looking at him, Franz thought.
“Looks like it worked perfectly…”
The reason he specifically showed the magic directly was a kind of warning. They would be working together from now on, and it would be troublesome if the man acted arrogantly without knowing his place.
Judging by his expression, it was a relief that he seemed to have understood perfectly.
After they shared a bit more conversation, the situation was concluded.
“Then I will take the members of the delegation and wait outside.”
Baha Salman bowed his head to the emperor and exited the office.
“Then, Your Majesty, I will also take my leave.”
Franz tried to stand up from his seat. It was because he had agreed to send the entire delegation, including himself, back to Nostra.
It was then.
“Franz, I am sorry.”
The emperor suddenly apologized.
Franz, who had been standing awkwardly, was flustered and sat back down.
“How could Your Majesty apologize to a mere subject?”
“I am apologizing as your friend. I ended up getting you swept up in an annoying matter before I could even commend your achievements for subjugating the Demon God.”
There was nothing to particularly deny about those words. It was literally the truth.
However,
“It was something I had to do anyway. Please do not mind it too much.”
It was also true that there was no other suitable person. A labyrinth and a gate would be closely related to magic, and the foremost mage on the continent right now was Franz.
Furthermore, Franz was feeling a little bit of interest: an interest in experiencing a new unknown.
One way or another, he was a mage to the bone.
“…I am truly fortunate to be the emperor while you are here.”
“I am glad that I can be a strength to Your Majesty.”
As the saying goes, sincerity begets sincerity? For the first time in a long while, he showed a genuine smile in front of the emperor. No, perhaps it was the first time ever.
“Then I will take my leave now.”
It was the moment Franz, having bowed politely, was about to exit the office.
“You haven’t forgotten your promise to my daughter, have you…?”
…There was one more annoying matter left.
In the end, by the time Franz finished all his tasks and returned to the Magic Tower, the sun was slowly setting over the mountain ridge.
Franz, who had faced the sun all day, withdrew his gaze from the sky and headed straight into the Magic Tower.
“Magic Tower lord…?”
As he passed by the secretary’s office, a voice suddenly rang out.
Franz turned his head.
In front of a desk piled with documents, Arian was staring blankly at him.
Was it because he had been tense all day?
As soon as he saw Arian, a drawn-out sigh escaped Franz’s lips.
“Did something happen?”
“Well, just this and that?”
“True, it is the Imperial Palace, after all…”
Arian nodded as if she understood. As a ducal daughter, she had been to the Imperial Palace a few times, so she understood how Franz felt.
Stepping into the secretary’s office, Franz divided the stack of documents in half and picked them up.
“There’s quite a bit today, huh?”
“Actually, I was helping Seri-ah and Zeni-ah with their magic a bit… I can handle the work, so you should go and rest, Magic Tower lord.”
“It’s fine. Let’s finish this quickly and go get a drink together.”
Saying that, Franz sat down on a nearby chair.
But why was Arian, who had been moving her hands diligently, now staring at him blankly?
“What is it?”
“N-nothing. Let’s finish quickly and go together.”
Arian began to focus on her work once again.
Franz stared at her for a moment before shifting his gaze to the stack of documents in his hands.
By the way, he wasn’t sure if it was okay for him to drink alcohol.
Well, it should be fine if he drinks in moderation.
…Or so he had thought.