Chapter 189: Round Table of Lasting Peace (1)

The day of the “Round Table of Lasting Peace”. In the center of the vast second floor of Swain Fortress… Queen Carmilla seated at center of the oval-shaped table, and the Tarmine leaders were lined up around it. Seiya, Celseus, and I were also there, sandwiched between them.

Seiya and Celseus were wearing tuxedos lent by John Dae, and I had also changed into a dress that was different from my usual attire. Queen Carmilla and the leaders were also dressed in splendid outfits that seemed more like celebratory outfits than outfits meant for a discussion. There was a reason for this…if this discussion went smoothly, Princess Tiana’s marriage ceremony would be held right after.

…I wondered if Princess Tiana was arranging her hair.

My thoughts turned to Princess Tiana, who was not present. Only the three of us were attending the Round Table discussions. Colt and Eich were waiting in another room, and John Dae was on guard outside the door.

Duke Leon would be arriving soon. He was the dictator of the Principality of Galvano and the reincarnation of the Beast Emperor Grand Leon.

I glanced at Seiya after feeling uneasy. Seiya was sitting in a chair in formal attire, quietly drinking tea. Celseus was also in his wheelchair, sipping tea leisurely. The leaders of Tarmine were also chatting and laughing. It was a very peaceful atmosphere. Well, that was to be expected. Today was supposed to be the day they’d make an alliance.

In fact, there was a possibility that the alliance would be made without any problems. Seiya hadn’t taken any action yesterday. But even so…

…Ahhh, I was still nervous!

Queen Carmilla spoke to me with a smile after seeing me nervously putting my teacup back on the table and then picking it up again…

「Hu, hu. Even a Goddess gets nervous? 」

「Of…Of course! 」

「Honestly, I’m nervous too. But I’m more excited than nervous. We’ve finally been able to open negotiations with the Principality of Galvano. 」

It wasn’t hard to imagine how much effort the Queen must had put in to hold these talks with Galvano, a dictatorial state.

Queen Carmilla touched the pendant on her chest as if praying. I suddenly realized when I saw it.

「Resurrection Artema! So you brought it! 」

「Yes. I’m planning to use it in Swain Fortress today. 」

Swain Fortress was nominally Galvano territory, but John Dae said it was a neutral zone. Placing the Resurrection Artema here would allow Galvano and Tarmine to jointly possess it. However, I had a concern.

「I wonder if Leon will bring his Artema too. What if he doesn’t bring it…」

Queen Carmilla spoke immediately when I muttered worriedly.

「There’s no need to worry. Duke Leon always wears Artema too. Artema is the symbol of the country, but it is also a powerful self-defense tool in itself. 」

I see. The leaders of each country always carried Artema themselves for self-defense. Leon would definitely bring his Artema to this sort of place.

As I was talking with the Queen…the door to the round table hall slid open. Someone who seemed to be a Tarmine soldier shouted in a slightly high-pitched voice.

「Duke Leon of the Principality of Galvano has arrived! 」

The Tarmine leaders, who had been chatting, fell silent as if a stone had been thrown into the water. A sudden, tense atmosphere spread. Soon, a tall soldier appeared from the open door.

…That was…Duke Leon!

I saw a man walking towards me with several soldiers behind him, and I was sure. It was my first time seeing him, but there was no mistake. He was muscular and taller than Seiya, with long blonde hair reminiscent of a lion’s mane and a thick beard. His face was full of ferociousness. Duke Leon’s appearance was exactly like that of the Beast Emperor Grand Leon.

Exuding the dignity of a veteran general, Leon walked slowly while rubbing his beard. Then, he stopped in front of the round table and turned up one corner of his mouth.

…It seemed like he was more ready to fight than us…!

All of the people he brought along, including Leon himself, were wearing military uniforms. Not only me, but the Tarmine leaders were also starting to feel uneasy by what was happening. Leon seemed to have noticed and spoke up.

「Sorry. But this is our country’s formal attire. 」

Leon spoke in a low tone, and then laughed in a muffled voice. A little later, the Tarmine leaders also gave a polite giggle. What?! Was this Leon’s joke?! I didn’t get it!!

Beside me, who was feeling flustered, Queen Carmilla muttered with grace.

「You’re joking, but that outfit says otherwise. You’re even more cautious than I’d heard, Duke Leon. 」

That meant that, like Seiya, he was also thinking about the possibility of a battle. That’s why Leon came in military uniform. Of course, he could’ve intended to intimidate us.

Leon and the rest of Galvano stood up, not sitting at the round table. The atmosphere was so tense it made my stomach hurt. But Queen Carmilla gave a carefree smile.

「I’m glad you came. 」

Saying that, the Queen stood up from her seat. Following the Queen’s lead, the Tarmine leaders also stood up straight. I hurriedly stood up and straightened my back.

「He…Hey! Seiya, you also need to…Ah? 」

I thought for sure that this arrogant hero would stay seated, but he stood up obediently, which made me feel relieved.

Seeing the Tarmine people standing up in gratitude, Leon nodded slightly at the Queen and smiled.

「Well, of course I’d be here. After all, you’re offering to give us the Resurrection Artema. 」

「That’s bold of you. We’ll have joint management of it. 」

「Oh, I see. That’s right. Ha, ha, ha! 」

Leon laughed out loud, and Galvano’s people joined in with laughter. C’mon, why were they laughing again!?

I looked at Queen Carmilla, not knowing what to do. The Queen was as calm as ever.

「I’ve heard that Duke Leon likes alcohol. Let’s have a toast first. Sit on that chair. 」

The Queen offered him a seat, but Leon stood still and glared at us.

「Who are they? 」

「I was going to introduce them later, but they are the Goddess and God of the God’s Realm, and the Hero who will save the world. 」

「Ah. Gods and a Hero, huh? 」

Leon snorted and signaled the subordinate next to him with his elbow. The man with sunglasses stared at us for a while, then whispered to Leon.

「99% purity! They’re Artema class! 」

The Galvano’s side was in a commotion. And then…

「…Oh. 」

Leon’s face changed color. I was shocked by his lion-like eyes as they aimed for their prey. But Queen Carmilla continued speaking in a bright voice.

「Now you understand, right? This is the real deal. We wanted the Hero and the Gods to witness this historic day. Now, take your seats. 」

The man with sunglasses looked around the round table and said the following words.

「There’s no explosives or magical reaction to dangerous objects. 」

…He saw us and called us Artema class…Those sunglasses seemed to be a detector.

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