Chapter 536: An Unforgettable Name

The villa where the illegitimate princess lived.

This place was both her royal palace and office until she was officially crowned.

Inevitably, her subordinates and those connected to her also moved into this villa.

In the same room, Largud Ann stretched her chest and spoke while showcasing her small frame.

「The current situation is simple, to put it nicely. But it is critical to put it bluntly. Let’s get the situation straight. 」

Ann drew a simple map of the continent using white lines on a blackboard.

She continued while listing only the names of the major nations.

「We made an alliance with our new Gharast Kingdom and the Bolvat Dynasty in the east and Elizard in the south. This is an alliance between nations with vast territories is unprecedented in history. However, both cannot be of immediate use. The Bolvat Dynasty is half-destroyed due to the appearance of the Great Demon. And I’ve heard that Elizard’s tribes are also struggling to cooperate due to the demon catastrophe. 」

In other words, neither side was reliable.

Given the current situation, it was highly unlikely they’d oppose a call for cooperation. Yet, they lacked resources and forces to fully help upon a cooperation call.

Still, the alliance was valuable if it helped avoid a decisive conflict.

If it had continued like this, then there wouldn’t have been any problems. However…

「In the midst of this catastrophe, two forces have declared their hostility toward us. Namely, the old Kingdom’s army, led by Ameritz Gharast, which fled to the north, and the Cathedral army that was protecting it. 」

Ann looked around the room as she said this. She focused on only one person while everyone was seated around the oval table.

The hero Lugis.

For some reason, he was chatting with Sir Biomondor, with Caria and Filaret at his side.

They were both men who had outdone their peers. Perhaps, they got along well.

But that didn’t amuse Ann. It was as if she was being told that what she had to say was less valuable than Sir Biomondor’s words.

It was always Lugis’ custom to ask for details after these meetings during drinks and food. If that was the case, why was he talking with Sir Biomondor now?

Of course, it wasn’t that she liked the idea of ​​the two of them drinking and dining together.

「…You could say the two forces are essentially one. They hate our Heraldic nation. They won’t accept our emissaries…and I hear morale has risen like a tidal wave ever since they crowned Saint Ariene. 」

Saint Ariene. As soon as Ann called her name, it felt as if the hero’s gaze turned towards her for a moment.

But why? Was this information that valuable?

Ann continued, still searching through the records in her head.

「There’s another major problem. Another disaster has manifested in the northwest…the Great Demon Zebrililith is continuing to move south. If it continues on its current course, then it will undoubtedly devour our territory. If that happens, we won’t be able to maintain any semblance of a kingdom. 」

So that’s what it comes down to, Ann said.

At some point, Sir Biomondor had finished chatting with Lugis and was now looking directly at Ann.

It seemed that, despite his interactions with those around him, he hadn’t missed anything that was being said at the meeting.

He was a truly sharp man.

「…We are being targeted by the Cathedral army and Zebrililith. This is not a situation to be reassured. 」

「You’re right, Lord Biomondor. 」

In addition, the existence of the Roah Alliance to the west couldn’t be overlooked.

They were also victims of this catastrophe, but it seemed they had no intention of forming an alliance with the New Kingdom.

Originally, that country wasn’t a very religious nation, but somehow, many of those lords had begun to lean towards the Great Holy Church.

The New Gharast Kingdom couldn’t actively oppose them, but they couldn’t expect cooperation either. They’d stab the new kingdom in the back if push came to shove.

The situation was simple in a sense. It was much easier to understand than when the Heraldic Order was trying to make a name for themselves in Garoua Maria.

That’s why it was also critical.

「…Hero. What do you think? I’d like to hear your thoughts. After all, you are the General. 」

Ann spoke in a tone that could no longer hide her irritation.

Before her eyes stood the hero, still holding a stick of chewing tobacco in his mouth. He was wide-eyed and smiling wryly, as if taken aback.

Then the attention of those around Ann gradually focused on Lugis.

It was only natural. The great hero who had slain a magical devilish being in the royal capital and brought down the Great Demon in the east. He was going to be appointed General in tomorrow’s coronation ceremony.

No one would be able to resist at least some interest in what he had to say.

And of all people, there was someone who was willing to go along with what Ann had to say.

「That’s right. I want to hear it too. Go ahead, Lugis. 」

Princess Philos glared at him through her monocle. For some reason, she looked amused.

Given her position, she was the only one who could give Lugis orders here. Lugis had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Ann sighed with satisfaction after seeing his cheeks twitch.

This was what happened when he tried to ignore what she had been saying without taking her seriously.

「Well…Let’s see. I can roughly see what that Saint’s tricks are. She won’t just attack us. She’ll probably come to attack us when we’re weakened by Zebrililith, therefore I don’t think she’ll strike first. Hey, old man, tell us what you know about Valerie. 」

Lugis casually brought up the topic to Richard.

Ann felt like he had gotten away with it, but she had to agree that Lugis was certainly not wrong.

The Great Demon Zebrililith continued to invade the continent, devouring everything on its path. Even areas directly under the Cathedral’s control were no exception.

But it wasn’t as deadly as it had been in the Gharast Kingdom.

If Zebrililith continued its direct invasion, it would hit the fertile area surrounding the Gharast Kingdom’s capital.

It would be like having Gharast’s heart stolen. Famine would break out instantly, making it impossible to wage war.

It was entirely possible that the Cathedral would wait for the right moment to launch an attack.

「…Well, I don’t want to meet Valerie face-to-face. In terms of pure direct fighting power, she’s undoubtedly the best in the world. I’d win in terms of command, though. 」

「It’s not just Valerie Brightness. The Cathedral army. No, Saint Ariene has appointed several people, including Valerie, as her guardians, and entrusted them with the army. 」

Ann couldn’t help but add this to Richard’s statement, which could be interpreted as either cowardly or assertive.

Now that she thought about it, Ann realized it was probably a mistake to add something so thoughtlessly.

She looked down at the parchment in her hand. There were several names there.

She read them out one by one.

「Garras Gargantia. He is the leader of the Knights. His military fame is surely no less than Valerie’s. The other is Giluel Harno, said to perform miracles greater than magic. And…」

Ann thought she’d seen this name somewhere before. But that sense of incongruity quickly faded away.

She slowly opened her lips.

「Helot Stanley. This person also appears to be a Knight. The details of his past are unknown, but…」

「…Ann. 」

That voice was very low. At first glance, it even sounded like a casual conversation.

But that one word froze the whole chamber.

Neither Philos nor Matia. Even Caria, Filaret, and Eldith, who were around him, managed to say a word.

Everyone noticed that his words were abnormal.

Ann was the same.

「…What is it, Lord Hero? 」

「How does Helot Stanley look like? 」

How does he look like? For a moment, Ann was confused by Lugis’ words. She realized she was extremely nervous now.

After a few seconds, she succinctly recited the information she had memorized.

「…I heard he was a blonde, golden-eyed young man. What’s the matter, Lord Hero? 」

That was all she could ask.

Ann felt that if she pressed any further, she would be attacked.

「…Nothing. Thank you, Ann. That’s enough. 」

That was all Lugis replied. He said nothing more.

However, everyone there realized that this Helot Stanley had an extraordinary connection to this hero.

After all, Lugis hadn’t let go of the treasure sword in his hand since the moment he heard that name.

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