Water Magician

Vol 3. Chapter 707: Bonus Part: Ryo and Abel’s Journey Home (35)

707. Abel the Captive II

“P-please, have a seat, Your Majesty Abel, Duke Rondo.”

Marquis Nyusha, the master of the room, guided Abel and Ryo to the sofa.

He was the master of the room, yet he was sweating terribly.

“In fact, I came here without informing Marquis Nyusha in advance.”

“I should think so.”

Lord Aubrey said it, and Abel nodded as though that explained the situation.

For Marquis Nyusha, he surely could never have imagined that Lord Aubrey, the highest authority in the Federation, would come here.

Of course, the two countries were not at war.

There was a considerable difference in national power, but even so, they were neighbors.

When the head of a country visited a neighboring country, there were supposed to be a certain number of preliminary negotiations.

There were supposed to be, but...

“Well, I am only a regent. Therefore, I believe there is no issue with my casually visiting a neighboring country.”

“The side being visited seems troubled, though?”

“Does it?”

Abel raised the question, and Lord Aubrey deliberately ignored Marquis Nyusha’s expression as he smiled.

Incidentally, while Abel and Lord Aubrey were engaging in their sharp exchange, Ryo sat quietly and neatly beside Abel.

Then he drank the coffee that had been served with a prim expression.

“Still, when I received the report, I could hardly believe it.”

“Pardon?”

“That King Abel had appeared at the negotiation site in Zarash Fortress.”

“You came from the capital, Jakeleah, after hearing that report?”

“Yes. If it was true, then I thought escorting you while you passed through our Federation territory would be the proper treatment for a state guest.”

“How very thoughtful.”

Abel answered with a smile, then continued.

“I appreciate the consideration, but there is no need for an escort. Please do not concern yourself.”

“I cannot do that. If anything were to happen to Your Majesty inside Federation territory, it would become a serious matter.”

“You believe something might happen?”

“Of ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) course, our Federation territory strives to maintain public order, but... I cannot say there is no possibility that a third country might see an opportunity and extend a hand of intrigue.”

Lord Aubrey was pointing out the possibility that the empire might lay hands on Abel inside Federation territory.

“I see. That is frightening indeed.”

“Is it not?”

Abel smiled again, and Lord Aubrey nodded.

A clash between dragon and tiger... It is as if I can see the whirlpool of schemes and stratagems with my own eyes.

Ryo thought that from the perspective of an uninvolved third party.

The coffee he had been served was satisfactory, so he had no worries whatsoever and was watching the exchange between Abel and Lord Aubrey as a form of entertainment.

However, there was no way he could remain an audience member forever.

“As you know, the Premier Duke is at my side, so I believe I will not be so easily killed.”

Ryo was dragged in by Abel’s words.

“Oh, of course. Duke Rondo, famed as the Silver Duke, or the Icefall... I had heard rumors, but you truly were the adventurer who faced us then, were you?”

Lord Aubrey was likely referring to the battle in the Principality of Inberi.

Ryo had faced Lord Aubrey and the others there.

The fact that Duke Rondo was Ryo had not yet spread that widely.

Until before the delegation was sent to the Western Countries, there had even been rumors that “there is no such person as Duke Rondo.”

Those who worked in the Knightley royal castle knew Ryo rather well, since he had wandered around inside the castle quite a bit... but apparently, information had not readily leaked out of the castle, where Marquis Heinlein’s counterintelligence was perfect.

“Lord Aubrey, it seems you brought around ten thousand knights with you.”

“Yes. They are for my escort.”

“That is quite a lot for an escort.”

“Is it?”

Lord Aubrey answered with a laugh.

“Marquis Nyusha, were you not hesitant to let ten thousand elite Federation cavalry cross your border?”

“No such report reached me. I was only told that a diplomatic envoy wished to visit urgently and would cross the border.”

Marquis Nyusha answered Abel’s question honestly.

“Yes, I visited for diplomatic reasons, after all. As for the escort, I said a small number would suffice, but after those responsible added this and that, we ended up with this number. Perhaps it grew a little too large.”

This was exactly what one would call brazen... perhaps the proper word to describe Lord Aubrey.

“Even so, it is an insufficient number.”

“Pardon?”

Lord Aubrey tilted his head at Abel’s words.

“If our Premier Duke felt so inclined, that is only enough for all of them to become corpses in three seconds. I cannot say it is sufficient for coming to meet me, can I?”

“My, my. Your Majesty Abel says terrifying things.”

“Of course, it was a joke.”

“Yes, of course I understand. A joke, naturally.”

Abel and Lord Aubrey laughed cheerfully.

Beside that conversation, Ryo could see Marquis Nyusha visibly trembling.

Ryo felt sorry for him, again as a third party, and shook his head faintly inside his heart.

As long as it did not come down on his own head, Ryo himself did not particularly feel anything about it.

If anything, it might be fair to say he had gotten used to it lately.

He thought that was probably because, during the delegation to the Western Countries, he had often dealt with former Emperor Rupert of the empire, former King Roberto Pirlo of the Federation, and others like them.

In the midst of all that, Lord Aubrey dropped a bomb.

“In fact, I hoped to invite Your Majesty to the capital.”

“...Pardon?”

Abel tilted his head.

He honestly could not understand what Lord Aubrey was aiming for.

“I would like Your Majesty Abel to come to Jakeleah and show the nations the friendship between the kingdom and the Federation.”

Lord Aubrey explained with a smile.

After hearing that much, Abel understood.

《He wants to show the kingdom that he has taken me captive?》

《That possibility exists. The old “if you want your king back, hand over a ransom” move.》

《Whether it is ransom or territorial cession, if the kingdom gives in to his demands, its authority will fall to the ground, correct?》

《It would, yes.》

Ryo nodded at Abel’s words.

There had been several such cases in Earth’s history.

The most famous example would probably be Richard the Lionheart of England.

The Third Crusade was led by men who would later be called heroes: Richard the Lionheart of England, Philip Augustus of France, and Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, commonly known as Barbarossa.

In a sense, it was Europe’s dream team.

And on the Islamic side that received them, the leader was also a hero: Saladin.

In a certain sense, it could be called one of the most splendid East-West confrontations in world history.

In the end, the Crusaders withdrew without accomplishing their objective of occupying Jerusalem.

The problem happened during that withdrawal.

On his way back to England, Richard was captured by Leopold V of Austria.

Leopold V had also taken part in the Third Crusade, but he bore a grudge after being humiliated by Richard during the Siege of Acre... and as a result, he took Richard prisoner on his way home.

In the end, England paid an enormous ransom to recover King Richard...

Furthermore, Philip Augustus of France and Henry VI, who had succeeded Frederick of the Holy Roman Empire, incited Richard’s younger brother John and attempted to make him usurp the English throne...

Later, after John became King of England, Philip Augustus seized a huge portion of England’s continental holdings from him and strengthened his royal authority.

Incite an incompetent royal from a neighboring country, place him on the throne, then seize territory from that incompetent new king.

An artistic scheme.

Such schemes and stratagems also existed in that age.

Ryo considered that Earth history in his head.

However, what they needed to judge now was the situation in this world, Fai.

《Let him escort us.》

《Hmm. You mean accept the invitation?》

《Yes. We can travel with an escort. At least as far as the Federation capital. Even if we are attacked, I will protect you, so it will be fine.》

《The other side has ten thousand elite cavalry.》

《Not a problem.》

In chess or shogi, the strongest move was to accept the opponent’s invitation.

If the opponent was unskilled, he might think, “Excellent, he took the bait,” but what if the opponent was a world champion, an Eternal Seven-Crown holder, or an Eight-Crown King?

Then he would think, “He should understand what I’m aiming for, so why did he accept?”

Naturally, he would be forced to wonder, “Is there a line I haven’t noticed? Is there a trap?”

Robbing the opponent of calm was the most basic of basics in a contest between people.

That was why accepting the opponent’s invitation was the strongest move.

And the one making the move, Lord Aubrey, rated Abel highly.

The fact that he had come here leading ten thousand cavalry was proof of that.

What would happen if that Abel accepted Lord Aubrey’s move?

By that alone, would they not succeed in taking away at least some of Lord Aubrey’s composure...?

Abel understood Ryo’s thought process.

《Let us make this a trip to Jakeleah.》

《That sounds interesting in its own way.》

After agreeing through Soul Echo, Abel opened his mouth.

“I shall humbly accept your invitation to Jakeleah.”

“Ah...”

Even Lord Aubrey could not hide his surprise at Abel’s words.

He had thought Abel would refuse at any cost.

But he had accepted.

Why?

However, the suspicious look that surfaced on Lord Aubrey’s face lasted only an instant.

He had no choice but to say the next words.

“I am grateful that you have accepted.”