Esther de Baronia - Chapter 7.2

“Here are the commanders of the Esther de Baronia army. We have come to receive your words.”

 

Karon can’t raise his head to the stares that are piercing him without reservation from the people around him.

 

The first group guarding the king’s residence, the seven chimeras, are all in full alert. That lets you know just how much significance this place has.

 

Rushka’s hands on the floor shake with tension, and she feels like she’s going to lose her posture.

 

She doesn’t even know if she’s breathing, she feels like she’s losing her balance. There is only one person who can make it right.

 

“Thank you for coming. I hope you’ll forgive me for being so selfish.”

 

Karon’s voice is calm.

 

The pressure in the room eases strangely, and Rushka feels her shoulders relax naturally.

 

The king’s apologetic voice made Rushka look up reflexively, but she’s unable to speak due to the glare of the chimeras at his side.

 

It would be rude to speak without permission. Under the silent pressure of the chimeras who are in charge of this place, Rushka quietly lowers her head.

 

“The throne room would normally be sufficient, but there is no guarantee that we will have the opportunity to use this room in the future. I thought it would be a good idea, but …… it seems to be an unnecessary burden.”

 

“No, no! No, not at all! I’m just ashamed that I only understood the magnificence of the king in my head!”

 

Even though she is not good at honorifics, Gladora’s answer was based on spinal reflex, and she made an obvious mistake.

 

She doesn’t know how to say “only in my head”. It’s not the right word. In addition, she made the statement without permission. That’s the worst.

 

The chimera’s gaze pierces Gladora with obvious murderous intent.

 

She looks around for help, but they all look away and pretend not to know.

 

She’s not sure if she’s going to be able to complain, but if she causes any more problems, she could be disqualified from being a commander, stripped of the national seal, or even expelled from the army.

 

The sweat that broke out ran through her hair and fell in drops on the carpet. The three chimeras on the right are about to make a move at once, but a hand raised soundlessly stops them.

 

“Royentale, Talfimas, Phildrate.Your father didn’t instruct you to do anything. So, no.

 

The three of them glanced at the king as Haldrogia, who was sitting at the king’s feet, instructed them.

 

“………… Gladora is an important vassal. I can’t afford to lose her. You are acting out of consideration for her, aren’t you? Thank you, all three of you.”

 

There’s a long silence, but Haldrogia stops the chimera with a tone that makes Karon smile even though he can’t see his face due to the backlight.

 

The three of them seem strangely buoyant as they return to their original positions, perhaps because they’re being worked on at the same time, but for now the king’s words are more important.

 

“Now, let’s talk about what happened.”

 

When the real purpose of the meeting is mentioned, Karon feels tense again.

 

The king mumbles something in a low voice and then looks up with determination.

 

He’s nervous.

 

He’s nervous because he had said he was going to explain on the spur of the moment, and he couldn’t run away and see if his excuses, which he had spent two hours thinking through, would work.

 

“First of all, I’m not interested in showing off. This country has been built not on violence and oppression, but on peace and security. When we invade other countries or expand our territories, we do it for the sake of our people and, by extension, our country. Isn’t that right?”

 

Rushka and the others feel that they’re being asked and they reply in unison, “Right.”

 

“Umm. Therefore, I did not make any demonstration. I didn’t mean to alarm the people…….”

 

The end of his words sounds depressing.

 

He feels as if he was grabbed by his chest.

 

The king is still a king.

 

He’s always thinking about his people, and he always cares about them.

 

Nevertheless, there were voices in the city and in the army that were scared of the king’s actions, and the commanders of the army were anxious.

 

But what about the reality? The king is heartbroken by the reaction of the people.

 

How could the king not be saddened by the people, the soldiers, and the subjects who had believed in him?

 

Someone is sobbing out of regret. It’s unknown who it is. It could be anyone.

 

“My Lord. I’m sorry. I’ve always believed in you, and yet I’ve been so rude to you…….”

 

“I’m sorry too, King! I’m really sorry for thinking that I doubted you when I knew you were so kind!”

 

“Yeah, yeah. I’m really sorry. It’s my fault for not explaining it well enough. It’s nothing for you to worry about.” Karon said.

 

 

He’s depressed to think that he might have frightened the people and antagonized them, but when he, himself suddenly started crying, he couldn’t help but show his true colors, but he cleared his throat and spoke again in a low, dignified voice.

 

“It was a warning.”

 

“A …… warning?”

 

“Yes. Look at this.”

 

The king nods hawkishly and signals to one of the chimeras.

 

The commanders looked up and saw a large sheet of paper that the chimera just unfolds.

 

A circle is drawn in the center of the paper and the words “Esther de Baronia “ are written on it. Surrounding it are several dots with the word “Unknown” written on them. In addition, there are many other small dots.

 

It’s a rough drawing, but with rivers and mountains drawn on it, it works as a map.

 

“What’s this?”

 

“I have the ability to see the land that you have surveyed from a bird’s eye view. I’ve made a map based on it.”

 

“Oh, you have such power. How wonderful. That’s our king.”

 

“Oh, yes. Thank you.”

 

The demons are very impressed, but Karon thinks he’s rather impressed that there has never been a map before.

 

This is a map drawn by the king’s power that allows people to see the entire area they’ve explored. It’s a bit random, but it’s decipherable.

 

“You know there are civilizations in other worlds. Veios has confirmed that there are currently four countries and 31 towns and villages. All of them are human countries, according to information from Myalko.”

 

Veios, an ancient dragon species that constantly flies around in the sky, and Myalko, the master of cats, are excellent at gathering information, and they have even found out about areas that have not even been identified.

 

“These countries. I don’t know how strong they are, but I think they are capable of clashing with each other. I’ve been forcibly conquering some of the land to secure it for the demons.”

 

Fortunately, Veios and Myalko didn’t run into any humans, but they will be exposed sooner or later.

 

If humans knew about the existence of demons, they would probably attack them. It is obvious that there are no people who think that humans and demons should go hand in hand and get along.

 

After all, this is the country of demons.

 

“We, Esther de Baronia, will soon be able to see humans again. Before that happens, we need to show them the horror of our country. We need to show them that they cannot mock us because we are demons. Therefore….!”

 

Boom. Karon slams hard on the throne’s armrests, and the room falls silent.

 

This is the moment when the acting skills of a man nearing 30 are put to the test.

 

“Therefore, I have performed a showy and conspicuous act, a summoning. We are not savages. We are not ignorant. We never attack out of selfishness. But if our enemies bare their fangs, if they wish to harm our people, we will show no mercy.”

 

The coldness fills the room.

 

The king’s eyes, floating suspiciously in the darkness, tell of the strength of his will.

 

It’s cold, cruel, but with a kindness that gives warmth.

 

“This is the reason why the king used the mysterious technique in front of us….No. By showing an overwhelmed appearance, so that the opponent does not feel like attacking.”

 

“I didn’t expect that you all would be in that place at that time. Well, that warning may be meaningless after all. No matter what I do, there will always be people who will attack us.”

 

There was no point in the flashy summoning of a foregone conclusion, so Karon puts up a precautionary line. Morizen seems to be convinced.

 

“So, why did you summon the dragon zombie?”

 

The king’s movements suddenly stop.

 

He can’t see it clearly from below, but he catches Albert wandering around with his gaze and making remarks, he mumbles something and then looks up again.

 

“…… No. I was wondering if I could make a daylight walker like you. I’m afraid I can’t do it. I’m embarrassed to admit it.”

 

“No, that’s something I could never have been able to create without using the carcass of a dragon. I’m honored to be able to see it.” Albert said.

 

“I’m glad you said that. Really.”

 

In the end, the king’s true intentions did not change in any way.

 

They feel embarrassed that they foolishly guessed and realized once again that the king is a kind man. They let out a breath of relief at the usual atmosphere that’s finally regained.

 

As the king quietly gets up from his throne, the chimeras and the others take their vassal’s bow.

 

“Listen carefully. Esther de Baronia is not an invading nation. We only seek what we need to live. We will never show our fangs. But if they bite, don’t let them get away with it! Let the humans know their place! Make sure they know it and remember what happens to those who stand against Esther de Baronia!”

 

“Ha! We are the king’s servants! That’s what we’ve been ordered to do!”

 

The words of allegiance aligned word for word. A shock ran down the king’s spine.

 

It’s not so much the emotion as it is the weirdness of how it all came together.

 

“Well, that’s the end of the meeting. Is there anyone who has anything to say? I’ll allow you to speak.”

 

Contrary to his words, Karon hopes no one would say anything. So he can easily leave the place and escape.

 

However, the people present are not so naive.

 

The elder chimera, known as Royentere, raises her hand and stands up.

 

The pony-tailed woman glares at Karon with an even tighter look in her eyes, as if she’s unhappy with the way the conversation had gone so far.

 

Karon screams inwardly.

 

“It seems that the meeting is over, so I would like to say a few words to the commanders of the army. Whose permission do you have to speak? The king has only given his permission for the incident with Gladora earlier, but he has not said that we are free to speak freely.”

 

Karon doesn’t want to be presumptuous, but the way she spoke was completely preachy.

 

It’s annoying to be warned by a demon who isn’t even a legion leader, but when she says that, the demons understand that she is right and keep quiet. It’s clearly against the rules of etiquette.

 

Rushka, who is in charge of the army, is angry with a gaze that seems to be blamed for some reason, but she tries to restrain herself in front of the king and calmly returns her words.

 

“I’m sorry about that. But how about the fact that your chief, Haldrogia, is always touching the king! It’s rude to be sticky and envious …… all the time!”

 

“This is …… I understand how you feel, but the king allows it.”

 

“I’m saying that the behavior itself is not appropriate for the occasion! Even if the king allows it, it’s unacceptable to take advantage of it!”

 

“Yes, yes! Let me take your place!”

 

“Jeremiah, shut up! I’m talking to Royentere now!”

 

“I won’t shut up!  I’ve finally met the king and I deserve a pat on the head!”

 

“That’s not what I’m talking about, Jeremiah.”

 

“Yes, yes, yes! I want to be petted too!”

 

“Shut your mouth, Gorobei.”

 

The audience hall became noisy after Royentere’s comment. There is no longer any question of dignity.

 

It’s supposed to be a solemn affair, but it turns out to be Chimeras vs the female legion leader’s war of words.

 

And before long, Haldrogia is standing behind the Chimeras and the others, and Gladora doesn’t look up because she doesn’t want to get involved, and Gorobei has his face buried in the ground by Morizen, and Albert is laughing his head off in amusement.

 

Follow the strongest monsters! Was the slogan of Apocalypse, but the person (Karon) who was following the strongest monsters is leaning toward the corner of the throne and shrinking.

 

“It’s weird … it’s not a cool ending … here … I thought it would end without incident …”

 

The words of the feeble king fell on deaf ears, and the argument continued until Gladora grew numb, and by the time everyone realized what had happened, the king had shifted and disappeared.

 

For a while after that day, the commanders and the chimeras spend their days in fear that the king might have lost interest in them.

 

It is said that the king is so frightened by the animal-like behavior of the smiling people that he never steps out of his private room.

 

What a vicious circle they are in, and it will be long before they are back to normal.

 

****End of chapter 1*****