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Side Story Chapter 64

“It’s kind of embarrassing, so let’s stick to the old way when we’re alone.”

“Okay, master, but are you really going to fight the entire continent?”

“It depends on Hubalt’s response,” Joshua answered.

“I really don’t understand. You weren’t exactly the type of person whose ambition is to conquer more land. You usually taught them a lesson so they won’t do it again.”

Joshua shrugged. “Tell me about Hubalt in detail first. From what I heard, the God’s Knight has already died, and Christian is severely injured.”

“It’s exactly what you heard.”

“The God’s Knight was irreversibly injured after the Martial Emperor had captured him decades ago, so I can understand his death. But what about Christian? He’s the White Lion, like how you’re the Black Lion.”

“…It’s all because of her.” Cain’s face darkened.

“Her?”

“I’m talking about your friend, Lilith Aphrodite.”

Joshua’s eyes widened for a moment, but he quickly gained his composure. “I think I have a rough idea of what happened, but summarize it for me.”

“The cardinal’s daughter manifested the authority of a demon king, so the Hubalt Empire immediately branded her as a witch to be killed. Thus, she became a fugitive. While aiding her escape, Christian lost one of his legs to the Four Paladins.”

“…I see he’s done as a swordsman.”

“Right.” Cain took a deep breath, trying to suppress a surge of emotions. “And I lost a friend and a comrade of many battles.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I also enjoyed talking to him.”

“There was nothing I could do to help him. Finding you was my priority, but I couldn’t wage a war against an entire empire for one friend anyway.”

Joshua’s face darkened, realizing what Cain was trying to say.

“Even if I could return to that moment, my choice would remain the same,” Cain stated.

“I’m sorry.”

“Pardon?”

“You couldn’t help him because of my people. You would not have wanted your master’s family to be in danger for the sake of your friend.”

“…Yes. Since you understand what I was going through, I’ll be straightforward with you: my thoughts remain the same.”

“Cain.”

“Nothing you say will make me change my thoughts. Lilith Aphrodite is technically a stranger, so are you seriously willing to wage a war against the entire continent just for her?”

“There is something you can’t buy with a million coins,” Joshua abruptly said.

Cain had spent half of his life serving Joshua, so he knew Joshua as well as Joshua knew him.

“I assume you’re talking about people. I agree with you on some level, but not entirely. People matter, of course, but in this world, a million coins can buy those people. Think of mercenaries and free knights.”

Joshua quietly shook his head. “You may be able to buy people with money, but no amount of treasures will be enough to buy their trust.”

“…Master.”

“Do you know what happened to me on my way back to the Palace?”

“Pardon?” Cain tilted his head.

“I ran into the assassins of the Hashashin Guild, one of the three assassin guilds.”

““Wait…” Cain oozed with murderous energy. “Did those scumbags harm you?”

“Stop that. Even if they did try, do you think they’d be able to hurt me?”

“…Well, that’s true…”

“Anyhow, their loyalty belongs to whoever offers the most money. They take reverse-hit requests without hesitation.”

“The Hashashin Guild’s assassins are famous all over the continent for not giving a shit about loyalty.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. That’s all a relationship based on money is. Waging a war against the continent for one friend? What is wrong with that?” Joshua stood up from his throne with a confident look. “It might be reckless bravado for people who don’t have a squeak of power, but didn’t we train ourselves for this kind of moment?

“…The master I know isn’t this sentimental.”

“I’m not saying I’m going to use my power just to help my friend. The reason why it’s difficult to earn someone’s trust is that you can’t get it without opportunity no matter how hard you want it.”

“Is Lilith Aphrodite that valuable to you?” Cain asked.

“Yeah,” Joshua answered without hesitating for a second, cutting out any retort from Cain. “It’s not just her. Actually, I only decided after I came back to the Palace.”

“What are you talking about…?”

“The man in front of me is the same. His only master neglected him for over a decade, but the poor, foolish knight was never able to leave his master.”

Cain stared at him, speechless..

“That is what you receive from gaining someone’s trust.”

* * *

“Your Majesty, is it really okay for you to not attend this royal conference?”

“It’s fine. It must be over by now,” Iceline answered. She’d remained in one of the annexes during the conference.

“...Pardon?” Zero asked, obviously confused. “But it has been less than an hour since the conference began…”

A royal conference in the Hubalt Empire would take at least three hours, although it was inevitable given the polarized state of Hubalt’s politics. Supposing the emperor’s faction and the pope’s faction only presented one opinion each for a given agenda, it took them half a day to reach an agreement. The other countries might not have a papal faction, but many factions existed which opposed their emperors and kings, like aristocratic and archduke factions.

“It might have taken longer before, but His Majesty is back,” Iceline explained.

“Ah…” Zero finally nodded. Indeed, a clear difference from other countries. It was no exaggeration to say that the Martial God had absolute influence over the Avalon Empire.

“Your Majesty,” Lilith interrupted, breaking her silence.

“Go ahead.”

“It seems it’s better for us to leave the Palace.”

“…Do you find your stay in the Palace uncomfortable?” Iceline cautiously asked.

“No way. We decided to help each other out, and the news will probably spread. But I don’t think there is any need to get on the nerves of Avalon’s nobles by staying in the Palace.”

Iceline turned her pale blue eyes to Lilith. “It’s okay, so stay.”

“But…”

“It’s obvious. His Majesty’s threat must have left the nobles speechless.”

“…Don’t you think Avalon is suffering too much loss?” Lilith asked.

A faint smile spread on Iceline’s face. “If this is His Majesty’s decision, we should follow.”

“…I’ll repay this favor no matter what.”

“Anyhow, it’s safe to assume that another Continental War will start once the news becomes known, isn’t it?”

Lilith nodded. “Definitely.”

“Then how long do you think it’ll take for the Hubalt Empire to start invading Avalon?”

“Two months at maximum. The Hubalt Empire will definitely raise an army within that time.”

“…That’s much faster than I originally expected,” Iceline murmured, surprised.

“The warhawks have gained complete power in the Hubalt Empire,” Lilith said with a bitter smile.

After pondering for a moment, Iceline let out a sigh. “There is no other choice but to contact them in the north. No matter how hard I think about it, I can’t come up with a way to stabilize the country and prepare to fight Hubalt within two months.”

“I’m sorry. I have no excuse. I’m a nuisance to everyone—”

“I told you it’s fine. His Majesty is with us now, and if I can contact those in the north, I’m honestly not scared, even if everyone in the Hubalt Empire attacks us.”

“…Your Majesty, it’s really awkward for me to say this, but the current Hubalt Empire is undeniably the strongest empire on the continent. With the Four Paladins, the Empire is way stronger than it was when the Martial Emperor, a man they called a Celestial, was around.”

“My answer remains the same.” Iceline’s eyes sparkled. “Hubalt is not the only country who has become stronger than before. Besides, Avalon’s smartest brains are in the north too.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Kireua returned to Marquess Turtler’s headquarters, the castle on the mountain, in the western Avalon. The place looked haunted now. It hadn’t been hard to spot guards roaming around the mountain, but not a single creature could be seen.

“I seriously didn’t think we wouldn’t run into anybody until we got to the top. Things are too quiet…” Kireua frowned.

He wasn’t even covering his face.

Anna had closed her eyes for a moment, but she opened them now. “I can’t detect a single presence within a one-kilometer radius.”

“…Is that so? Then it’ll definitely be better to go into the castle on my own.”

“What? What the heck are you saying right now! Hell no!”

“You saw those demonkin, Anna. I was fine because of my authority, but it isn’t the same for you. You’d be putting your life at risk.”

“You’ve manifested a demonic authority, haven\'t you.” Anna narrowed her eyes.

Ever since Kireua had met the so-called demon king, Coal had been silent, but Kireua didn’t think he could hide his authority forever. He was already half certain that Coal was related to a demon king.

Kireua shrugged. “Since you figured that out, go back—unless you want to get eaten by an evil demon king.”

“You, eat me?” Anna chuckled and then opened her arms. “Do it.”

“…Aren’t you scared of me?”

“Scared, my ass. Besides, you’re a baby. Why are you worried about me?”

Kireua grunted quietly. Although they had formed a pact, Kireua had said that Anna could go, so she wouldn’t be in violation of her oath even if she actually left. So why was Anna voluntarily risking her life?

“…I know His Majesty returned, so if you’re doing this because you’re worried about the Emperor, don’t worry. I already made the necessary arrangements so that you won’t be adversely affected even if something happens to me.”

Kireua was telling the truth. He had actually asked Cain about that just in case.

Nevertheless, Anna didn’t change her mind.

“I told you I won’t,” she insisted. “I don’t want to see my people die in front of me anymore.”

“Y-Your people…?” Kireua blankly repeated.

Anna’s face reddened slightly. “A-Anyhow! I decided just now! I’m going to chop off Marquess Turtler’s face—the treasonous bastard— an accomplishment the Emperor of Avalon will have to acknowledge! So don’t fall in love while you watch me work, you little baby. Think about it from the Emperor’s perspective. His immature child throws a tantrum abouting marrying a woman who’s as old as his aunt after I went through so much to earn the Emperor’s recognition. Phew, I’m already getting a headache.”

Anna shook her head disparagingly, drawing a quiet burst of laughter from Kireua.

“Stop trying to provoke me. It’s not going to work.”

After a moment of silence, Anna shrugged. “I can’t believe it didn’t work.”