200 – Overlooked (5)

Overlooked (5)

#8

“…… Majesty. I think.”

I pause for a while before continuing my conversation.

The King listens to Ezio with a solemn expression as usual. It is generally a calm expression. Indeed, the king of a country.

But Ezio could see it. A feeble movement of a finger tapping the armrest of his throne as if impatiently. Even if I pretended not to, it was clear that I was expecting it from the bottom of my heart.

Actually, looking at the flow so far, Ezio’s answer seemed to be fixed. Even the king knows that well.

Then, what is the reason why the king has a little bit of anticipation?

“…… Glass.”

Ezio seemed to be thinking deeply,

He finally opened his mouth.

“Glass… It is safest to send it back to the frontier.”

“Is that what you mean?”

The king let out a languid sigh.

Until this point, the king hadn’t deviated from what he had expected. The king could not help but feel a slight sense of disappointment.

If it was that young man, I thought he might catch himself a little off the bat. Like your own son…. Anyway, as the king who expected a very witty answer, he felt sorry for him.

At that time.

‘…… No, wait.’

The king’s eyebrows quickly narrowed.

Ezio’s answer I just heard was played over and over again in my brain. Then the king was able to detect something strange in Ezio’s reply.

I have to return Yuri, not even.

Returning is ‘safest’, you say?

“… Please tell me in more detail. There must be a valid basis for the claim.”

The king listened intently as he said so.

“Your Highness has said that you will no longer trust the Frontier.”

“Of course it is.”

This is the institution that drove his precious daughter to death (Chinese character).

There’s no way you can trust it.

“It is the same for me.”

The king’s eyebrows went up slightly.

“You look like you’re surprised.”

“… Not really. But you have a rather bold side.”

“That’s too much praise.”

“… So, keep talking.”

Ezio nodded his head.

“I don’t mean to think badly of the teachers there. It’s just that I think that Frontier can no longer be called a ‘Fortress of Heaven’.”

The most important facility in the most important area, such as the imperial capital, allowed the demons to invade.

I wanted to see peace after a long war, but it is a proof of the fact that there are still demons powerful enough to threaten the empire.

So the citizens had no choice but to tremble with anxiety and fear, and the empire had to raise the tension.

The frontier lies at the center of all the chaos.

In the past, it has been called a ‘Fortress of Heaven’ and has maintained an image like an iron fortress that will never collapse, but this incident is on the verge of shattering that image.

“What happened once, there is no guarantee that it won’t happen twice…. The King must have had such thoughts.”

“Um.”

“I am no different. I think we can fall into the same crisis at any time. I dare to predict, the Frontier will no longer be able to fully guarantee our safety.”

“If….”

The moment the king was about to open his mouth.

“It wasn’t perfect, but-.”

Ezio continues his words plainly.

“The only place on the continent that has successfully built the closest to perfect safety is still the Frontier.”

“… ….”

The Imperial Frontier Academy.

A place full of monsters that are different from ordinary people.

A place where high-ranking wizards, who can only be seen on the upper floors of the Mage Tower, and sword masters who have learned the extremes of swordsmanship desperately compete with blood and sweat to occupy a low-level teaching position…….

“That fact hasn’t changed. Majesty.”

Aside from that, Frontier was a city that possessed an independent and innovative technology enough to categorize Frontier and Imperial Capital separately.

“… ….”

The king closed his eyes for a moment and thought. It wasn’t hard to figure out what the young man was trying to say to himself.

Even if it is the kingdom of Altina, which boasts formidable military power led by the Knights of Plasma Beauty, even if the king wants to, he can re-enclose the barrier surrounding the palace at any time──

If you were to compare the barriers built by the wizards of the kingdom with the barriers of the frontier, it would be rude to compare them.

There shouldn’t even be a need to explain which side should be bowed down…….

“… That’s right. I know what you mean.”

The king let out a small laugh inwardly. If not, it would have been possible to come out with very insulting remarks.

But Ezio refrained from speaking directly. He left room for speculation instead. So that the king can find the answer himself.

‘The more you look… It reminds me of Idel.’

Left and right….

Simple logic indeed.

So is the kingdom stronger and safer than the frontier?

Is there a safer place in this world than the Frontier?

That was it.

If the demons, who easily penetrated the capital of the empire with their stupid words, attack the kingdom, if only they were targeting my daughter, Yuri.

Will she be able to save her daughter’s life?

‘I would resist even if it meant giving up my whole life…….’

…… At the end that was dizzying to imagine, the King frowned and pressed his hands to his temples.

After a while.

“So, you’re saying that now, would a feudal state dare to fight against the empire?”

“Me, Your Highness. Until then…….”

Ezio broke out in a cold sweat. It was because as soon as the king spoke the words, Halton, the commander of the Plasma Beauty Knights, grabbed the handle of the sword.

Sug-

The King stopped Halton with a gesture of his hand.

And looking straight ahead again.

“It was a joke. Besides, it’s not a huge mistake…. Yes, is that so Is that the only safe way for my daughter after all…….”

The king, who closed his eyelids for a moment, opened his eyes again.

“What, I had the same thoughts as you.”

“…… Did you? I’m going to give you some advice-“

“No, it is not. At that time, the conclusion was reached through consultation…. But now you are in front of me. I would like to hear more from you.”

If you really think about Yuri, it might be a more dangerous path for her to stay in the kingdom. So, she has to be sent back to the frontier. These claims and their supporting evidence were also confirmed.

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Just… Convincing evidence was still lacking.

“This is what I thought. Aren’t there a lot of big and small disturbances inside Frontier recently? In particular, didn’t all the incidents involving demons happen only in the Frontier?”

“… ….”

“Then, aren’t the demons focusing on the frontier? It is an important place that contains the essence of humanity. It could be that they are trying to destroy the capital of the empire, especially the frontier first.”

“… ….”

“Shall we make a hypothesis like this? The target of demons is the frontier first. Therefore, if I remain in the kingdom, my daughter will not be targeted by demons or be involved in dangerous incidents……. I’ve thought about it.”

The king’s logic was clear. A reasonable inference.

The King gazed intently at Ezio, as if asking him to present a counterargument to his opinion. Then Ezio calmly opened his mouth.

“… Majesty. No one knows the purpose of the demons.”

“Hmm.”

“Nothing is clear. Aren’t demons so selfish? As an example, there is a record of a great demon from the Demon Realm having a territorial dispute with another great demon during the height of the Man-Ma War, and in the end, one of them was brutally killed.”

“That sounds interesting. I am hearing it for the first time.”

“This is from a new book called 「Human or Monster」, You can easily find it in the library…. Anyway, the behavior of the demons is difficult to predict.”

Now look at the case of Nadieli and Naberius.

It is true that Nadieli obviously aimed for and attacked Ezio, but Naberius tried to sacrifice not only Ezio but also other students.

More than anything else, if Nadieli was to satisfy a person’s private desire, Naberius attacked them to be acknowledged by the existence of a demon through the sacrifice. Have different goals from each other.

Moreover, there are not one or two great demons who are secretly working on the empire. There might be a great devil disguised as a human hiding somewhere on the continent outside the empire. Right now, Naberius has been praised by some magicians under the pseudonym ‘Nebiros’.

… And, the drunk Selene.

From Ezio’s point of view, it was information that he couldn’t reveal to the king, but the purpose of the demon’s existence was impossible to determine.

“Because of this, it is not easy to conclude that they only target the Frontier. You don’t know when or where it’s going to happen. Rather, at a time like this, it would be safest to be protected by the Frontier until the Empire captures the remnants of the demons and confirms its purpose.”

“…… Hmm.”

“Above all, it is also important to focus on the fact that no deaths have occurred yet, even though such dangerous accidents have occurred. This is thanks to Frontier’s quick response and retrieval. In addition, the temple is located in the center so that you can move quickly from any school district…….”

“You.”

“Yes?”

“If you don’t trust the frontier, you seem to trust the frontier very much.”

“Ah.”

The king’s perception of the frontier is not very good. It was an institution that could have sent her daughter to the other side of the underworld.

For that reason, it would have seemed rather displeased to see him arguing in his defense to prove that the frontier was safe.

“I apologize. But everything I said is true…….”

“It wasn’t really a criticism. Raise your head.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ezio quickly lifted his bowed head.

“I heard you well. Indeed, I may have been overlooking it. Abominable demons may appear on the continent again. Yes, then…. Well… ….”

At this point, the king was pretending to be worried.

As a matter of fact, a conclusion had been reached.

“… ….”

Ezio waited silently for the king’s next words.

He stood up straight and clenched his fists.

‘I’m nervous.’

Did his persuasion really work?

I did not rely on clumsy emotional appeals, and I made an argument based on thoroughly rational logic.

To make anyone think it’s a reasonable choice.

… I was going to

“Your Highness the King.”

“… Something?”

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Just in case, Ezio stood upright again.

“I definitely said that remaining on the frontier was the best option for the safety of Her Highness. There is one more reason.”

“… Tell me.”

The king nods his head.

“I don’t know if you know it, but it’s never meant to exalt myself… I was the one who contributed the most to defeating the demons in this case.”

“I know. You did a really good job.”

“Yes, Your Highness. In other words, I have the strength to withstand the demons for a long time in case of emergency.”

The king expressed interest by stroking his golden beard.

“… Yes, you were an epic class. Is that power your talent?”

“I think you can see it that way.”

And….

Ezio concentrated and clenched his fists.

“My power seems to be the strongest when dealing with demons. I can’t say for sure yet, but maybe more than a high-ranking priest with great divine power…….”

Then,

“…… Ho?”

Paaat─

A white light burst out like a flicker, staining Ezio’s fists white.

It was so bright and dazzling that the king unknowingly frowned at him.

‘It is a holy light. It doesn’t seem to be hereditary…….’

With a light source that bright, it seems like it can dispel any darkness.

At that time.

“A disturbing power in the palace… ….”

Halton made a move to step out, and the King raised his hand as if to restrain him.

“My dear, I am on the verge of losing my sight, so please stop.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Paaat─

The fist of light fades in an instant.

“… Your words are not an exaggeration. I felt a different aura from the divine power of the priests. However, if it is not divine power, this divine energy is…….”

The king muttered something in a serious tone.

“So, what do you want to say?”

I came back to the main topic and asked Ezio again.

“As you can see, I have this much power, and I am always close to Her Highness.”

Because we are in the same class.

I live by seeing faces every day.

… Anyway.

“Even if demons invade the frontier again, I will risk my life and death to protect Her Highness…….”

I’m a bit ashamed to say this, though.

“I will definitely protect it.”

If you have to, you have to do it.

“… ….”

Ezio’s assertion of determination reached the king.

The king looked even more subdued.

“…… You.”

Slowly.

The mouth opens and closes repeatedly.

The king’s eyes sink very deeply.

“… Why do you go this far for my daughter?”

Ezio answered without a moment’s thought.

“Didn’t I already tell you?”

The following words are also without hesitation.

“My dear friend. For me and for my friends.”

“… ….”

In the end, the king was silent and closed his eyes.

Meanwhile, Ezio.

‘This is the best. If that doesn’t work…….’

My mouth was completely dry from talking nonstop for a long time. I wanted to drink at least a glass of cool cold water, but I couldn’t do that now.

How much time had passed?

“My dear.”

“… Yes, yes majesty.”

At the low voice, Ezio regained consciousness and stood tall.

Let the king’s mouth finally speak the following words.

“Do you like snacks?”

“…… Yes?”

Ezio couldn’t help but put on a blank expression for a moment.

“My daughter loves it. She liked my son too.”

Yes or no.

The king continued talking as if muttering.

“Among them, I liked [Golden Macaron] The most, a specialty of the Kingdom of Crito in the southern part of the continent.”

If it’s Crito.

Obviously… ….

“Although it is no longer available.”

The king said bitterly.

And.

“I’m not sure, but I heard that there is a shop somewhere in Frontier that has the recipe for the lost 「Golden Macaron」.”

The frontier was the place where even the food materials that could only be obtained from the Devil World beyond the continent existed openly.

Gulp─

“That means….”

Ezio swallowed saliva down his throat.

The flow of this conversation is clear….

“If you find it, I hope you take my daughter there. She probably likes it so much that she can’t stop even if she doesn’t want to show it.”

Ezio’s mouth opened slightly.

The king’s expression didn’t look so positive, so I was a little nervous, but no way.

… Really?

… Were you successful in persuasion?

“His Highness the King….”

“Not right now. Too bad tomorrow morning. There is still work for my daughter to do as her princess. After all that…….”

The king let out a deep sigh with a face that had given up on the world, then lifted the corner of his wrinkled mouth loosely and smiled bitterly.

“My daughter… I will send you back to the frontier.”

“Ah… !”

A small sigh broke out.

A king who never seemed to give up his will.

I finally succeeded in turning the king’s heart around.

“The castle is a nightmare…… !”

Ezio was about to say thanks with a face full of joy or joy.

“I’m sorry.”

“…… ?”

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Jerbeok─

A small resonance is added to the space that used to be quiet after removing the sound of the two people talking.

“Have you already found that store?”

Foldings of golden thread fluttered beside the tall and wide pillars.

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Jeobuck, Jeobuck—

Ezio and King Sigritte were speechless until the sound of those footsteps was right in front of them.

“… And Dad, aren’t you exaggerating too much? I don’t like it that much. I just buy it once in a while when I think of it.”

Yuri von Artina, who came out from behind her pillars and strode proudly under the brilliant crystal chandelier, spoke her words curtly.

But….

“… ….”

“… ….”

Even though it came out with great momentum, the reaction was not very good.

“Well, what do you see? . Did I commit any crime? Were you just passing by and overhearing a conversation?”

Yuri stuttered her words with her arms crossed.

Ezio was in a state of bewilderment, and the king was unable to open his mouth because of a brief argument earlier that had brought his daughter to tears.

After such an awkward silence.

“… No, why do you keep watching? Feel sorry for people Say something….”

Ezio nodded her head.

“Eavesdropping can be a felony in some cases.”

“Don’t take me seriously!”

Yuri’s face and earlobes, which screamed as usual, were lightly dyed the color of ripe peaches.