Chapter 457: Negotiations

A secondary forest road off the main road. It got abandoned when the main road was built, and now it was overgrown with weeds, making it unrecognizable as a road.

The abandoned roadside inn was ruined. It was going to return to nature in the coming years. Therefore, this was probably the last time the inn was going to be used.

The meeting between the two commanders of the Bolvat army and the Heraldic Order army. Their names were Sorcerer General Mastigius La Volgograd and the Heraldic Hero Lugis.

Mastigius sat down in the chair prepared for him and spoke to his vice commander, Hind.

「Are you sure you saw her on the battlefield? 」

「…I can’t promise you that. But if she looks like the girl I met in the past, then I saw her. 」

Hind didn’t seem to be upset by his master’s question, even though this questioning was out of the ordinary. Today was the third time they had spoken about the girl.

It was rare for Mastigius to confirm something more than once, and it was clear that he had a great deal of interest in this subject.

The person he had seen was none other than Filaret La Volgograd, the girl with black hair and black eyes.

She had gone missing during the Gospel War waged by the Heraldic Order, and her whereabouts were still unclear. Mastigius had occasionally heard rumors of a similar person, but those were all unconfirmed information. Mastigius couldn’t directly verify those rumors.

Noble sorcerers were a strange breed. Their children often faced all sorts of hardships, so the idea that they gave up amidst those adversities was universally held, which was why those nobles produced so many children.

It was like growing many flowers, leaving only the seeds that could withstand insects and pesticides, and eliminating the rest. This was considered righteous.

Mastigius, an exemplary sorcerer in his nation, wouldn’t have hastily searched for news of his own daughter.

But Hind thought that in reality the general was very concerned about his daughter’s wellbeing.

The letter sent in his daughter’s name must have been one of the reasons he agreed to the meeting, which he had never agreed to during this expedition.

Another reason why he agreed to the meeting was the absence of the magical devilish being Rabel, who had been keeping an eye on Mastigius’ actions.

Rabel, who had always controlled the Sorcerer General, was now clashing with another magical devilish being. In a sense, it could be said that this reason was why the meeting was possible.

The soldiers were probably in awe of that devilish fight, and Eileen was probably eager to seize that opportunity. Still, Hind found this meeting a far more interesting endeavor.

Aside from the safety of Filaret La Volgograd, what would the hero he had glimpsed on the battlefield, Lugis, have to say to his general?

It wouldn’t be a surrender, but a temporary ceasefire or reconciliation perhaps. Or perhaps something completely different. In any case, most of the offers would be rejected. Still, it would be possible to know more about that hero.

Hind would like to know what kind of character a hero had. This was more of a personal interest than anything else, even for a vice commander of the Bolvat army. Many soldiers yearned for heroes. Whether they were enemies or not, this interest never faded.

They arrived around the time Hind had sent out two scouts around the area.

There were probably other guards, but all Hind could see were just two people. He could tell they were a man and a woman with robes covering their faces.

「My General, they’re here. 」

Mastigius simply nodded, saying “Yes.” It was a half-hearted reply, as if he wasn’t really there.

Hind was unconsciously shaken by this answer, but didn’t show it. He addressed the two people while maintaining a firm expression and attitude.

「Stand still. Say your names and show your faces. 」

Words that included the bare minimum of courtesy. It was customary not to use indirect expressions or language on the battlefield.

Hind saw these people’s faces almost at the same time. One was the face Hind had seen on the battlefield. His characteristic evil eyes. His face bore many scars. His lips moved nonchalantly.

「Lugis. That’s all, I have no other name. 」

He said without giving his family name or even a title. Hind had heard that Lugis was an adventurer and commoner, but he hadn’t thought that he didn’t even have a family name. It was surprising that such a person reached so high in popularity and status.

However, what caught Hind’s attention wasn’t Lugis, but the woman standing next to him.

Beautiful black eyes and lustrous black hair. Holding the same coloring as Mastigius, she said.

「…Filaret La Volgograd. Thank you for arranging this meeting, Your Excellency. 」

Hind couldn’t believe his own eyes for a moment. He had met Filaret in the past. To be honest, the feelings he had at that time weren’t positive.

A girl who was always concerned about how others perceived her and seemed to lack confidence. That was Hind’s pure opinion of the girl named Filaret. In fact, he thought she didn’t deserve to be Volgograd’s daughter.

She even gave off an impression of fragility, as if she would disappear in the shadows of her talented siblings and the people around her.

But what about now? She was like a different person. It wasn’t just that she had grown over the years. Hind could sense her strength deep within.

Hind’s perception of her appearance was undoubtedly that of Volgograd blood. She was nothing like the girl he had seen before.

After a pause, Hind introduced himself and looked at his general. Mastigius narrowed his eyes, stood up from his chair, and stretched his large body as he spoke.

「I am Mastigius La Volgograd. There’s no need to thank. I would like to treat you with hospitality, but that’s not possible. We are short on time, and we have much to talk about. 」

Mastigius looked at Filaret for a moment, but didn’t say anything more. His affection as a father and his responsibilities as a Sorcerer General were at odds, but that was all. He didn’t bring those conflicting emotions to the outside world.

Hind had the soldiers around him prepare again, and an impromptu meeting was created. Hind wondered if, if this event was to go down in history, it would be called the Road Conference.

Hind was the first to speak as soon as the venue was prepared.

「…My commander-in-chief, His Excellency the Sorcerer General, has granted you both the opportunity of a meeting. First, we would like to hear your objectives and frank requests. 」

Of course, when military commanders met, it wasn’t just to deepen their friendship. It was because there was a clear request, a goal to be achieved.

A halt for the ongoing battle, a reconciliation, or something else? Hind waited for someone’s voice, while thinking about possible answers in his head.

It was Lugis who spoke. There was no sign of tension in his expression, and he spoke with a calm tone.

「The Great Demon Vrilligant, the magical devilish being Rabel…well, all of them. Great Demons and demonic beings who are hostile to humans. We must wipe them off this land. I would be grateful if we could form an alliance for that purpose. 」

Everyone stopped talking for a moment.

The words that Lugis spoke must have been far from what Hind had expected.

His request wasn’t directed at the war that was currently taking place, but at all those who were called Great Demons and demonic beings.

It was like a ridiculous farce.

Wipe out those monsters that started this threatening disaster. Lugis’ words were enough to make one question his sanity more than raise questions.

「…Let me hear what you have to say. 」

However, only Mastigius nodded in agreement.

Previous | Next

Hope you’re enjoying lots of A Wish chapters! But next sunday, we’ll publish Cautious Hero!

—————–

Support us on Patreon and get access to early chapters