The Story of Hero Among Heroes ~The Founding Chronicles of Arestia - Chapter 164 – Irene Istrea

The center of Istrea Royal Palace, the Royal Court.

The people who govern Istrea gather here to discuss the direction the country would take.

And right now, the many aristocrats standing at the left and right of the throne were in the middle of arguments, their opinions collided with each other.

[Dormadia is already upon us! If we don’t do anything, we’ll be finished!]

[No, I heard that Byzerd has crossed over Toronto and approached from the east. It’s only a matter of time before they reach the nearest village to the border.]

[Isn’t it about time for us to just surrender?]

[No, it’s too late to take any action… Even if we surrender now to any of the two, we would still be swallowed by them whole…]

Alfredo, standing the nearest to the throne as the Head Diplomat, looked at this cacophony with a cold stare. Then he suddenly noticed that two gazes were directed at him instead.

The first belonged to Queen Irene Istrea who was sitting on the throne, and the other one belonged to lord Eldan Oxford, Queen Irene’s uncle and the long time chancellor.

When Alfredo turned his stare to meet theirs one by one, Queen Irene visibly loosened her previously grim expression.

Also noticing these small bits, the discussion also took a turn. This time blaming Alfredo for failing to forge an alliance with the two countries.

[This is all Alfredo’s fault! It’s because he couldn’t negotiate well with those two countries!]

[Th-that’s right! Have you forgotten Her Majesty’s kindness in picking you to become the head diplomat? Now it seems to us that you’re not up for the task…]

[After all, he’s just a low ranking aristocrat who rose to the position due to Her Majesty’s grace. It was not a task that can be entrusted to someone with such a low aptitude…]

[That is enough.]

Irene couldn’t stand hearing the abusive words that the aristocrats directed toward Alfredo.

The court room instantly went quiet. It was Chancellor Eldan who broke the silence.

[…All of us know that it was Alfredo who travelled around the land to gather all the important information for us. It was also Alfredo who negotiated with Toronto and Horus to act as our lines of defense. Do you honestly think his achievements are not great enough? If any of you feel that he is insufficient, are you willing to go meet those two countries to negotiate in his place instead?]

[………..]

[……no……]

All of the bickering aristocrats turned pale.

[Then would you please shut your mouths? In any case… They will come no matter what. To argue here is but a waste of air.]

Eldan said so and declared the end of the meeting. The council was dismissed without any decision.

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The aristocrats left with a bitter look on their face, leaving only Irene, Eldan, and Alfredo in the courtroom.

After the last aristocrat left, now that the tension had broken, the three exhaled deeply.

[Good grief… peacetime really have made them to grow dumb. I’ll remember their faces… I’m willing to bet my own neck if I don’t punish them later.]

Eldan complained resentfully.

[…. well, that is if there is still a『later』for us. So Alfredo, I believe you have acted already?]

[Yes. I have evacuated the citizens of the border village, placed a good amount of food and goods in their place. That should slow the enemy down for a bit.]

Alfredo turned to Irene before continuing.

[And… one of his spies contacted me. His army has already left the frontier area.]

[…..!? Is he heading here as we speak?]

[Yes. It’s actually been a few days since they contacted me. And the idea to leave behind goods and foods was also his instruction, communicated through the spies.]

Both Irene and Eldan went silent after hearing all that.

[However… entrusting our country’s fate to another… it feels complicated…]

[Even so… this is the only way. No matter which one we surrender to, Dormadia and Byzerd will still plunder our country clean. On the other hand, His Excellency, the Lord of the Frontier… is a heroic man. He’ll come to help us, not to conquer us.]

Irene carefully considered Alfredo’s words… Then replied with a determined look.

[Alfredo… I have entrusted the fate of Istrea upon your hand on『that day』a few years back… it was though my own free will that I decided to do so. Hopefully, this will truly do us good.]

Hearing the Queen’s response, Alfredo bowed deeply to his beloved master.

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[Alfredo, a moment please.]

When Alfredo and Eldan were about to leave the courtroom, Irene called out.

[…is there anything else, Your Majesty?]

[Are you truly sure that it will be just fine?]

Alfredo tilted his head.

[Did you negotiate with the frontier area because you want to protect me? Even if he truly protects Istrea, you will be despised forever as someone who sold your own country to another…]

Irene was worried that Istrean aristocrats would put the blame on Alfredo.

[Alfredo. I have resolved myself. I am willing to become either Zackard’s or Dormaghest’ sex slave if it will save the country…]

[Your Majesty…]

[I know you were hiding this information from us all. That their terms for our surrender is for me to become their sex slave. If the body of an old woman like me could save countless lives, then…]

[Your Majesty, I beg you to stop right there.]

Alfredo interrupted Irene’s resoluteness with an equally strong voice.

[They will still gobble up this country after they do away with Your Majesty anyway. It is a waste of time to put any ounce of belief in their words.]

Alfredo showed a complicated look afterward. Seeing this, Irene prompted him to speak up his mind.

[Alfredo…you must have a plan in mind already, have you not? Please, feel free to speak it up, no matter how harsh it will be.]

After a short moment of silence, Alfredo finally spoke up.

[Your Majesty… you spoke of『resoluteness』earlier… did you not?]

[……yes. I will gladly offer my body if it will save this country.]

[If Your Majesty is truly prepared, then I would like to ask you to use that resolve for something else instead.]

Still with a complicated look on his face, Alfredo spoke of a shocking offer.

[Please embrace the Lord of Frontier Ares Schwarzer.]

[…..!?]

[And if it’s possible, please have a child as well.]

Irene was utterly disappointed.

Alfredo closed his eyes for a moment, then continued.

[Istrea Kingdom… no, the entire eastern region will crumble one way or another during this conflict. Lord of Frontier Ares Schwarzer… I believe this man can change that grim fate.]

Irene decided to listen once more.

[He will liberate all the conquered countries, but taking them under his control from within peacefully…. At that time, even our Istrea will also become a part of his『country』. However, before that time comes, I’d like to secure a better position in his court for Your Majesty.]

Alfredo opened his eyes and gave Irene a look.

[By tying a knot with him… Your Majesty will certainly gain a strong position within this eastern part of the continent.]

[….but, will the Lord of Frontier desire me? He is much younger than I, and… I heard he already has many wives.]

[Certainly, he might refuse due to his conscience. But at the same time, he is still a politician with capability to discern benefits.]

Alfredo continued after taking a short breather.

[To take over this eastern land… having a relation to a kingdom with a long history like Istrea will certainly help. It’ll make governing a lot easier. There is no reason he isn’t aware of this.]

Irene put some thought into Alfredo’s explanation, then asked.

[Why do we not send my daughter instead?]

[I did consider that… But I’m afraid it’ll take too long. No matter how beneficial this transaction is for both sides, convincing His Excellency may take some time.]

Irene nodded at this part.

This isn’t a love affair. It’s a strategic move to allow Istrea to survive.

If she were to seduce the Lord of Frontier and bear his child, that child could become a『means』for Istrea to gain position within the frontier.

To that end, however, there is no way that wild mare daughter of hers would be willing to sleep with a man she didn’t have a feeling for.

But Irene is different.

To secure her『house』, she married the former King and bore his children.

This time around, the『house』she’s trying to protect has changed into a『country』. That’s why Alfredo dared to bring this up, knowing that the queen would be able to see the benefits.

Also…the Queen’s calm judgment, her willingness to accompany the former king for the rest of his life and her own capability in politics, she was able to bring Istrea to prosperity when she had to take over the government.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her the best female ruler of the generation.

[Still, I wonder if I am up for this task.]

Alfredo could only smile, seeing Irene leaning her head sullenly. This woman really doesn’t understand her own self, does she?

Her daughter entered the marriageable age this year. If anyone wants to make a connection with Istrea Kingdom, normally they would propose a marriage with the Princess. But they didn’t. Instead… they kept sending marriage proposals for her instead.

Both from within and outside the country.

Irene is beautiful. She also has this figure any man would love and a graceful personality. However…..

She’s not aware of any of that.

For example, didn’t she worry that she doesn’t have the『charm to attract a man』?

Alfredo thought so.

[Your Majesty is underestimating your own value. After all, both Dormadia and Byzerd are attacking Istrea mainly for Your Majesty, aren’t they?]

Alfredo bowed deeply before continuing.

[…..Your Majesty. To be honest, I didn’t intend to talk about this. If Your Majesty is not willing, then please tell me. There is still a possibility that the Lord of Frontier would still take care of us even if you don’t do this. I simply want insurance, so to speak.]

[It is alright, Alfredo.]

Irene replied flatly to Alfredo’s apology.

[As I said earlier, I have resolved myself. If it is for Istrea… then please use me any way you can.]