anwhile, around that sa ti, in the Kingdom of Friedonia, a girl who looked like a rmaid princess, and a young man who looked like a samurai with white fox ears, were bowing before Souma.
The girl was Shabon, daughter of King Shana, who ruled the hostile state known as the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union, while the young man with the white fox ears was her bodyguard, Kishun.
Souma couldnt believe what Shabon had just said to him.
Please, use as your tool.
Whaa? My tool? he thought.For a mont, he didnt even understand the words. He was doing his best not to let it show, but internally, he was confused. Normal girls dont tell you to use them as your tools, right? She probably wasnt so kind of total masochist, and even if she was, she wouldnt be asking him for it with such lifeless eyes.
It was a problematic statent from a girl in the troubleso position of being the daughter of the Nine-Headed Dragon King. What was he supposed to do about this?
He glanced at Hakuya, who looked back at him with a serious look on his face.
I sympathize with what you must be feeling, but please restrain yourself for now. was what his eyes said.
I exhaled, trying to calm myself, then rested my elbow on the armrest of my throne to look intimidating as I asked Shabon, ...What is that supposed to an?
I an it literally. You may use however you please, Shabon answered, placing her hand over her heart. My existence should be of use to you who are about to fight my father... to fight the Nine-Headed Dragon King. When you declare war, when you conquer him, and when you need to administrate the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago after the war, I will provide you the justification you need. I will act however you request. If you do not wish to beco an invader, please, put my head on a pike. You can say that I ca to you for assistance to fight the Nine-Headed Dragon King.
I stared at her, my mind trying to assess what she just said.
If you wish for the Nine-Headed Dragon Kings throne, I will marry you. In that event, my body... will be yours to do with as you will. It will be a political marriage, but... if you wish to use as your concubine, then...
...What is this nonsense?
No, seriously... What was this girl even saying? Not only had she suddenly co to the country that was about to fight hers, but she was talking about tools, justifications, political marriages, and concubines. I didnt get it... Well, no, there were other girls who had said similar things to before: Roroa, and Saint Mary of the Lunarian Orthodox Papal State.
But Roroa hadnt had this tragic air about her, and even the doll-like Mary had been doing it for her beliefs and her duty. They didnt have a look on their faces like they had given up on everything like Shabon here did.
From what Im hearing, it sounds like you approve of our country invading yours. I had expected you were here to make a direct appeal to to stop the war, but thats not the case, is it?
Shabon shook her head sadly. I am well aware that war is inevitable at this point. Because you all must have put a considerable amount of work into preparing for the battles to co.
...What made you think that?
The actions of the Gran Chaos Empire, Shabon stated clearly with sadness in her eyes. Recently, we have received frequent envoys from the Empire. When they et our island chiefs, they say, It wont be long before the Kingdom sends a fleet to this country, and press us to sign the Mankind Declaration.
...But I know all that. We were the ones whod asked them to do it, after all. Well, it sounded like Maria had kept her word. But I put my hand on my chin and looked thoughtful to hide the fact that I was thinking about that.
The Empire, you say... And? Are there islands that have agreed to that?
No. The island chiefs are ill-tempered and fiercely independent. They will not submit to anyone. The more the Empire tries to impress upon them the danger of the Kingdom, the more they unify to resist you without Imperial assistance. They have been sending boats to the Nine-Headed Dragon King.
All according to plan so far, huh? I thought, but...
However, I believe there is so sort of plot at work. Shabon lowered her eyes and shook her head. The Empire is sending their envoys to every island that might have an island chief, regardless of size. An islands size is reflective of its population, and therefore its military power. Even if the chief of a small island wanted to sign the Mankind Declaration, its simply not possible if the chief of a larger nearby island is against it. Because there is the risk of them being attacked. Basically, attempting to persuade smaller islands when they cannot persuade the bigger ones is dood to failure.
Ah, so so islands are small enough that they are ruled by another islands chief?
Despite this, the Empire is sending envoys to every island chief at the sa ti. Why would they do sothing that they must know is futile...? In my view, they aim not to have us join the Mankind Declaration, but to infla a sense of crisis about the Kingdom, and gather all the Archipelagos forces under the Nine-Headed Dragon King. And yet, there is no benefit to the Empire in doing that. If anyone has sothing to gain, its either the king, who gains more forces, or... Sir Souma. It is your kingdom, Shabon said, looking straight at . The Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago has many small islands and straits, and an abundance of places to hide soldiers and warships. Even if you were to defeat the king in the first battle at sea, if the remaining forces went into hiding, it would take ti to subjugate them.
I see... And?
From your perspective, you want to catch as many of the soldiers and ships in the first battle, and destroy them. Perhaps you had the Empire help infla a sense of crisis, in order to gather as many of our forces under the king as possible. Because you are confident in your ability to defeat the amassed forces. Am I wrong?
...Hmm.
I was genuinely impressed. It looked like this princess wasnt just so Pollyanna who had stupidly co to visit a country that hers would soon be at war with. I couldnt give her anywhere close to full marks for the answer, but she had managed to discern so of our intentions.
But... that made this make even less sense.
If we assu your deduction is correct, Im a villain seeking to ensnare the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago in my trap. Why would you ask a man like that to use you as his tool?
Because... This is the last way I can think of to protect my people. Ive seen how the people of the islands have suffered all this ti. Shabon clasped her hands in front of her chest as if she was praying. The poor catch and inability to send the boats out, the way the Nine-Headed Dragon King raised taxes, the shadow of impending war with the Kingdom... All these things have sent the people into depression; particularly the lack of fish catches and inability to send boats out. Our connection to the sea is so deep that they say we live with the sea, and our souls return to the sea in death. Now, we find ourselves cut off from it. Most of us spend our days not filled with anger or sorrow, but emptiness.
The grip of Shabons interlocked fingers tightened, as though she were trying to restrain herself.
I have no power. I warned my father repeatedly, as his daughter, to at the very least avoid war with the Kingdom, but he would not hear out. I believe my father... the Nine-Headed Dragon King is heading in a progressively worse direction. However, I lack the power to stop him, or to save the people from their suffering.
...And thats why you ca to ?
Yes.
I see... If I compared what I knew of the situation inside the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago with Shabons statents, I could get a vague sense of what she was trying to accomplish. She probably had no ulterior motives. She had told everything. She had co to seek salvation... Not for herself, but for the people of her country. For that, she was willing to beco my tool. She was prepared to be a sacrifice.
This really is... troubleso. Even as I was thinking that, Shabon continued with her plea.
I believe one of your wives is the forr Princess of Amidonia.
Huh? Why bring Roroa up?
I have heard that after making Lady Roroa your fiance, you took care of the lives of the people in the forr Principality of Amidonia. If my life alone is enough to quell your wrath towards the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union... I will offer myself up to you, just as Lady Roroa once did.
...Eh?
So, please... I do not care what happens to . I would like you to take care of the peoplemy people...
What did this girl just say? Just like... Roroa?
Dont you dare make light of my wife, I bellowed.
Shabon shuddered at my words. Even I was surprised by how much anger there was in my voice. Anger... Yeah, I was really pissed.
Normally, I wouldnt let my emotions show during an audience like this, but it had caught by surprise, and I wasnt able to control myself. Hakuya, Aisha, and Kishun all stared at wide-eyed. The silence in the room was oppressive.
S-Sorry! I apologize if I said sothing to offend you! Unable to bear the silence, Shabon took a knee and bowed her head. Kishun followed his masters example and did likewise.
Augh... Damn it! This wasnt an environnt conducive to talking anymore. I an, I hadnt fully suppressed my anger yet, either.
Madam Shabon.
Y-Yes.
Return to your country, I said, rising from my throne. When Shabon looked up, her face was filled with despair, as if the ground had just crumbled beneath her.
N-No... Sir Souma
We have nothing more to discuss. You should return to your country.
Interrupting Shabon as she tried to continue, I turned around to make clear this talk was at an end, and walked out of the audience chamber.
Please, see these two out of the castle, Hakuya ordered the guards, then ca after us, too. When he caught up to us in the hallway, he imdiately protested, Sire, it is completely unacceptable for you to beco so emotional during an audience with a foreign dignitary like that.
...Sorry. The blood rushed to my head when I thought she was insulting Roroa, I stopped walking and apologized. I knew I had blown up way too easily back there.
It probably had sothing to do with my exhaustion and Shabons lack of malice. If she held so ill-will towards us, then no matter how much my blood was boiling, I would never have let it show. Even if I was thinking, I swear Ill get you for that later.
But Shabon had no malice, she had simply misunderstood. That made it all the more galling.
Hakuya sighed and shrugged. ...Though, I cant imagine the result would have changed considerably even if you hadnt gotten angry.
Well, it wasnt a proposition we could possibly accept.
Still, there are better ways to express that.
I already acknowledged I was wrong, okay? So, what do you think? I asked Hakuya. Will those two go back to their country quietly?
It would make things less troubleso if they would, but... I doubt it.
Go figure... From the look on her face, she must feel pretty cornered. I just hope what happened doesnt push her to do anything weird...
Like ending her own life, or making that beastman with the white fox ears commit seppuku to atone for his masters indiscretion... If sothing like that happened, it could impede our plans.
Hakuya, you have the Black Cats watching them, right?
Two of them, at all tis. If they try to do anything strange, theyll be stopped. I will speak to them personally and smooth things over in regards to your anger, too.
...Sorry.
Its my job as pri minister to support you, sire. I know you must be tired from the ongoing preparations. Why dont you take the rest of the day off?
Yeah... I think Ill do that. With that, I was finally able to smile. I think it was Roroas turn tonight. Maybe Ill burn off this frustration by spoiling her rotten.
Ohh... Sire, its my turn tomorrow night! Give so of that, too!
While Aisha and I were talking about that...
...As you please, Hakuya said, sounding absolutely done with us, and then left.
Incidentally, Roroa heard I got mad on her behalf and was really happy about it that night. She said, Thanks, Darlin, and really let pamper her.
How could I have been so foolish...?
Shabon was lying on her side in bed, her eyes filled with tears, in a high-class room she was occupying in Parnams castle town. The teardrops stread sideways across her face to stain the clean white sheets.
Having been rushed out of the castle by the guards, Shabon and Kishun slumped their shoulders and returned to the inn they were staying at. This lodging had been arranged for them by the Kingdom. They had co to the capital in secret, so that the Nine-Headed Dragon King wouldnt find out, and requested an audience with Souma. Because it would be bad if outsiders discovered they were in this country, they were assigned this inn, which was well-equipped to preserve the secret, as a place to stay.
I absolutely had to make the negotiations a success... In order to avoid the worst possible outco... That is what I ca to this country for, but... my careless remark angered Sir Souma... Honestly, I am such a fool, and so powerless... I...
Shabon pounded the bed as she sobbed. How vexing and mortifying her own powerlessness must have felt. Kishun watched Princess Shabon with a pained look in his eyes.
Lady Shabon... If this is too painful for you, should we return to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago?
...Ngh, we cannot do that. She looked up at him with her tearstained face. There is not a mont left to lose. We ca here to prevent the worst outco, after all.
In that case, all we can do is et with King Souma and speak with him once more.
Do you... think he will be willing to et us?
That will likely depend on how angry he is. Do you understand why King Souma was angry, Lady Shabon? Kishun asked, and Shabon shook her head limply.
It embarrasses to admit it, but I do not know why he was so angered. I know that I said sothing inappropriate, and it was in reference to Lady Roroa.
I have heard that after the war with the Principality of Amidonia, Queen Roroa betrothed herself to Sir Souma along with her country in order to protect her people. This is just a rumor, but they also say King Souma is lustful, and invaded the Principality out of his desire for her. Though, from the way he reacted, I suspect that rumor is nothing but aningless gossip.
...I must have shown too little understanding of his feelings. The Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago is a secluded country. I let the rumors I heard lead astray. And that angered Sir Souma... I am truly... a fool.
Shabon lowered her face and clenched the sheets tightly. Seeing her look so weak, Kishun felt driven to do sothing, anything to help.
...I will head to Parnam Castle, and seek another audience with King Souma, no matter what it takes. Lady Shabon, please wait here.
Kishun! Hearing the resolve in his voice, Shabon shot to her feet and grabbed him by the clothing. Youre not going to risk your life, are you? You cant die for !
If I could show our contrition through my death, and so grant your wish, I would do it. However, I doubt that would quell Sir Soumas anger. If anything, it would worsen your position. I can only make a sincere request that he hear us.
Kishun...
I... know your resolve, Lady Shabon. Kishun placed his hand on Shabons, which quivered with unease. And I have sworn to protect you. I will bring you before King Souma again, without fail.
With that, Kishun left Shabons room. All Shabon could do was clasp her hands in front of her chest and pray.
Kishun left the inn and headed towards Parnam Castle once more, but as Shabons attendant who had co to the country in secret with her, he obviously had no contacts in the Kingdom. That left him with nothing to do but throw himself on the rcy of Souma and his retainers.
He sat down on the side of the road and pressed his hand to the ground, bowing his head towards the direction of the castle. He stopped in that position, as if frozen solid. The people going to the castle glanced at him as they went by, but Kishun did not move in the slightest. Obviously, if a suspicious individual was near the gates, the guards couldnt just leave him alone. First, they would speak to him gently, and if that failed, they would resort to force. The guards approached Kishun to tell him to remove himself.
If you have business in the castle, you are to submit a request, and then leave for the day. You may return if permission is granted.
However, Kishun did not listen.
I co out of a desire to apologize to His Majesty! Please! Please allow to see him just once! I am resolved to stay here until the day that I am allowed to!
He could say that, but it was the guards job to protect the gates. Normally, soone like this would be removed, no questions asked, but the guards apparently had orders from above. One of them went inside the castle to check, and returned so ti later with another person.
That person bowed his head and spoke to Kishun, This is not going to do anything to improve his impression of you.
...Pri Minister.
Kishun looked up to see Hakuya, the Black-robed Pri Minister. Kishun promptly slamd his palms on the ground again, and lowered his forehead to the dirt.
I wish to profusely apologize for the offense Lady Shabon has caused! Lady Shabon also feels sha for her carelessness! If you wish us to take responsibility for what we did, let offer up my head! So, please... allow her just one more opportunity to speak with Sir Souma! Kishun pleaded desperately.
Taking your head would be of no benefit to us, you realize, Hakuya said with a sigh. Besides, do you even understand why His Majesty was so upset?
Well...
An apology is aningless if its only surface level, Hakuya told him quietly. However, Kishun was not going to back down.
Despite that, Lady Shabons resolve is genuine. She truly is prepared to offer herself to Sir Souma to protect the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago and its people, Kishun pleaded sincerely, clutching the dirt with his hands.
It was probably true. Hakuya shook his head in dismay.
That spirit of self-sacrifice... may be beautiful. However, I think self-sacrifice on the part of one who stands above others can also, at the sa ti, be a dereliction of duty. I would also say that is the definitive difference between Her Majesty, Queen Roroa, and Madam Shabon.
Huh?! What do you an...?
As Kishun remained on his knees, pleading to learn more, Hakuya said quietly, ...There are too many eyes here. Please, co to my room first.
I will. Thank you very much.
The two of them relocated to Hakuyas room.
Please, try it.
Oh, how kind of you... I will.
Hakuya offered tea, and Kishun politely accepted it. Hakuya took a seat, and once he had relaxed a mont, said, Now, as to what I was saying before... and began to explain.
I believe its fair to say that both of them have put their lives on the line for their country. However, it looks to as if Madam Shabon is in no position to do anything about the situation, and is rely clinging to His Majesty. To put it briefly, she has given up on solving the problem herself. Could we not say that she has run away from her responsibility as the daughter of the Nine-Headed Dragon King?
...!
Kishun wanted to shout Youre wrong! but the words would not co out. That was because he thought, If I change my perspective, I can see how it might look that way. He hung his head limply, gazing down at the ripples on the tea in his cup.
Hakuya continued in an admonishing tone.
Roroa, on the other hand, was incredible. The Kingdom had won the war with the Principality of Amidonia, and held an overwhelming advantage. Yet, despite that, Roroa used her own connections to drive her political opponent and brother, Julius, out of the country, and requested the complete annexation of the Principality.
Thats... incredible leadership. Its as if she were commanding an army.
Yes. The Kingdom was attempting to absorb Van, the Principalitys capital, without violating the Mankind Declaration at the ti, so we were in no position to reject her request. If we refused, we would be condemned for the inconsistency with how wed handled the annexation of Van. Her Majesty, Queen Roroa, appeared before Sir Souma just after the complete annexation of the Principality. To ask His Majesty to take her as his queen.
There was a bitter smile on Hakuyas face as he rembered it.
...She sure got us. If he had refused at that point, the people of the recently acquired Principality were sure to get violent. She upended the ga board. The Kingdom, which had been set to profit at the Principalitys expense, instead had to guarantee their protection. His Majesty himself said, I thought Id beaten the Principality, but then, at the very end, I lost to Roroa.
Hakuya set down his cup and looked Kishun in the eye.
That is the difference between Queen Roroa and Madam Shabon. Madam Shabon gave up on everything. Queen Roroa did the opposite. She risked her life to win. Yet Madam Shabon said, just as Lady Roroa once did. His Majesty cares deeply for his family. Madam Shabons words felt like an insult to Roroa, who defeated the Kingdom all on her own. That was what got him so angry.
Once he heard everything Hakuya had to say, Kishun clenched his teacup.
Dont you dare make light of my wife.
He had co to learn what had made Souma so upset. It was true, Shabon and Roroas resolve had been different. He couldnt bla him for being angry when she equated the two.
Seeing Kishun completely deflated, Hakuya told him, His Majesty said, If Shabon will not return to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago, I am prepared to et her just once more tomorrow.
...?! Kishun looked up in surprise, and Hakuya stared straight back into his eyes.
He also said, If she cos to the eting without the proper resolve again, I will have her deported this ti. Please, impress what I just told you upon Madam Shabon.
...Yes, sir! It will be my pleasure! Kishun bowed repeatedly, and then the guards led him out of the castle.
Having seen Kishun off outside the door to his room, Hakuya sighed.
I cant see them packing up and going ho quietly. Its troubleso, but we may need to rework our plans to take Madam Shabon and Sir Kishun into consideration...
This was going to take a lot of contemplation. Hakuya felt daunted by what was to co.
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