Chapter 531: A Turning Point

A break came at last.

Saint Matia fluttered her eyelashes lightly as she sat in one of the guest rooms assigned to her by the Bolvat Dynasty. She has been too busy lately.

The coronation of the young prince of the Bolvat Dynasty. The issuance of the Declaration of Peace and Cooperation. Other trade agreements and decisions on future policy.

Many sleepless nights were spent before the official agreement was signed. Matia’s face was clearly showing signs of fatigue, and the dark spots under her eyes were still heavily visible, although she tried to hide them with makeup.

Still, it could be said that it had progressed smoothly for an agreement between nations.

Of course, this was because the Bolvat Dynasty had lost the stamina for negotiations.

Even if it didn’t go as far as a complete surrender, they had come to accept many of the Gharast Kingdom’s arguments. It was Matia’s job to hold the two sides together and prevent it from becoming a problem.

Still, there was no denying that Lugis’ name had an influence in this regard.

He allied himself with the Sorcerer General Mastigius and accomplished the great feat of defeating a Great Demon without regard for his own personal gain.

Many of Bolvat’s high-ranking officials refrained from speaking, knowing that this hero was acting as a mediator. His presence also made things easier in many ways.

…And that was why, Matia thought. They could no longer leave the hero in such an unstable position. They had to take one step further and outsmart the others.

Matia sat back in her chair and glanced around her room. There was still no sign of the person she was waiting for.

She sipped the sweet liquor on her lips for the first time in a long time. Her cheeks began to heat up slightly.

Matia couldn’t drink alcohol to maintain her composure. No matter what the situation was, a Saint of the Heraldic Order must remain calm and make calculated decisions.

But now, she felt like it was okay to have a drink. Everything was going well. Matia felt her cheeks involuntarily rise.

At neither the coronation nor the signing ceremony, Matia refused to have Lugis recognized as belonging to either the Gharast Kingdom or the Bolvat Dynasty.

She insisted that having him act as a mediator between the two nations would ensure the smoothest process.

Both nations accepted Matia’s suggestion. In other words, this meant that Lugis was still pretty much recognized as belonging to the Heraldic Order.

And so, Lugis signed the document as the Heraldic Order’s mediator. What a wonderful thing.

…Now all that was left was to make this final.

That would be necessary to bring peace to the world.

Of course, Matia knew that Lugis wouldn’t like that. He hated belonging to anything, like it was a curse.

But what if it was for his own sake? If it was truly for Lugis’ benefit, then perhaps he would accept it.

He had to. But what if he rejected it?

As Matia sighed in anguish and set her glass back on the table…she heard a voice.

「Hey, come on. You’ve called me over, but you’re drinking first? And without me? 」

「I didn’t drink that much. Do you think I’d get so drunk I’d lose consciousness? 」

「No way, I can’t imagine that happening. 」

Lugis shrugged his shoulders and sat across from Matia.

He poured himself a glass, as if he knew what to do. It was a high-quality drink from the Bolvat Dynasty. It wasn’t very intoxicating, but the sweet taste lifted someone’s spirits. Matia knew this was his style.

Matia spoke with deliberate ease.

「It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to talk like this. Your selfishness has been bothering me. 」

Yes, there were only the two of them here.

Caria was reorganizing her troops, and Filaret was busy with administrative duties for the Bolvat Dynasty. Princess Philos was still attending the repeated coronation receptions.

And most importantly, Lugis had temporarily removed Fin Eldith’s necklace. She had told him in advance that today would be about politics.

「…I knew you’d say that. Sorry. I need to do that to have good results, so please forgive me this time. 」

「If you keep saying it that way, then you’ll eventually fail. 」

Lugis’ easy admission of fault made Matia’s cheeks relax in response. He had probably known that Matia would criticize him for this great expedition.

Still, Matia was happy that Lugis had made the effort to come all this way. It was proof that somewhere in his heart, he remembered the promise he’d made to Matia…the promise not to do anything on his own.

Lugis shook his head exaggeratedly and nodded.

「We’ll talk about politics, aren’t we, Matia? 」

Lugis raised his hands, indicating that Matia wouldn’t say anything more. So, as he had hoped, Matia decided to change the subject to politics.

She slowly spun out the words that had been running through her mind countless times.

「…Lugis. The world has become what you want it to be. You once said that the only way to resist evil is for all nations to unite. No, was it in a letter, not words? 」

Matia looked at Lugis after putting her glass on the table. Lugis sipped slightly from his drink, and Matia could tell he was thinking about it thoroughly.

「The Hanging Gardens of Ghazalia, the southern nation of Elizard, and the mighty Bolvat Dynasty in the East…though it cannot be said to be a perfect alliance, we have nonetheless managed to build a system close to a coalition against the demonic forces. This, too, is due to your efforts. 」

「It would be cool to say I did all of this on my own, but that’s not the case. Both of my soldiers and I got involved. 」

「But even so. 」

Matia continued to speak, trying not to be overwhelmed by Lugis’ unique way of speaking. She drew out each word from Lugis.

「But this is where the problem begins. Each nation will try to make you their own hero. You know that much, right? And this alliance could be lost at your own whim. 」

「…You’re frightening me, Matia. You’re telling me to play it safe, aren’t you? I know that. 」

After a pause, Matia smoothed her lips.

A strange throbbing began in her heart. The sound reverberated through her brain. She cleared her throat, desperately trying not to stumble over her words.

「That’s right. To achieve that, it would be best for you to act as a hero of the Heraldic Order. 」

Lugis listened to Matia’s words, chin resting on his hand. Then, he moved his lips.

「If you have something to say, then say it. 」

Matia swallowed and then spoke.

「I’ll say it. But first, I want to apologize for not being clear enough. 」

「Apologize? 」

After hearing Lugis repeat her words, Matia gently stroked the golden crested ring on her finger. Then, her eyes turned to the crested ring Lugis was still wearing.

Lugis, following Matia’s gaze, turned his attention to his own ring.

「When the Gharast capital fell, I promised you to exchange rings with me. 」

「Yeah, I remember. And you’re the type of person to even suspect I’d betray you. You even went to the trouble of calling the scribe. 」

Thinking about it now, she even smiled back then. Even she was amazed at how bold she had been with that exchange.

Matia shook her head and said the following words.

「Yes, but that’s not true…to the Heraldic people, the exchange of rings is an exchange of souls. An engagement’s vow. 」

Lugis’ expression dropped for a moment, and he put his glass down on the table. Though he didn’t say a word, his eyes revealed the great confusion in his brain.

What are you talking about? Matia knew what he was trying to say. But she’d never expected him to end up so confused.

Matia took Lugis’ hand in both of hers, locked eyes with him, and moved her lips.

And then, she spoke the words she’d practiced countless times. Her cheeks flushed with shame, but she still desperately mustered up all her courage.

「Lugis, I’ll say it now…let’s get engaged. You and me. That would be the best thing to stabilize the world. 」

Matia acted as if she’d understood everything that had happened up to that point, as well as Lugis’ reaction. However, inside she was so anxious and nervous that she felt like she was about to burst.

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Matia is so bold! The other girls want Lugis as well, but they are never direct or too blunt. But Matia doesn’t like riddles and she fights head-on!

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