I'm sorry to bother you, Bartolomeus.

　The emperor apologized to Val for his opening.
　Perhaps because there was only one other vizier here, he bowed lightly to his subjects.
　This is something that a monarch of a country should not do, but knowing his personality, Baru was not surprised.

'I asked the man from Beate because he was unusually eager to get on board, but the elves have a huge difference in senses from us. I thought I'd gotten used to it to some extent in Vilhemina, but I was naive.

I suppose different life spans mean different experience times.

　Val said, and accepted his lord's apology.

'The envoy was decided by His Highness Beate?

　He asked to make sure no one else really raised their hands.

'Hmm. 'Sadly, the only person who wanted to do so was Adrienne. Friendship with foreign countries is one of the most important duties of the royal family.'

　The Emperor blurted out, "Did you fail to raise your children?

'There's an alternative, His Highness Adrienne.

　When Val said this, the Emperor wondered.

'If we were dealing with a human, we could show our country's seriousness by sending Adrienne, but would it work against an elf?'

'It's difficult. I'm sure with Meena, you'll get the idea.

　He chose his words carefully.
　Meena didn't even use respectful words for the elf he called the chief.
　It was almost certain that he was very special.
　The Emperor did not nod in response to his statement.

''I understand what you are saying. But I wonder what they will think of the use of Vilhemina. If they feel they are being used by the Empire, they might be uncomfortable.

　It is a manly worry, a manly worry, as they say, of a coward.

'As far as I've been there and seen and heard, I don't think there's anything special about it. The atmosphere was friendly from start to finish.

　Val testified, reflecting on the past.

'And if the elves aren't friendly, I'm sure Meena will disagree.

　He put that much trust in her.

'Mmmm, yes. ......

　The Emperor, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be so sure.
　She is only wondering if respecting Val's will is not the top priority.
　He himself believes that neither the Empire nor Beate will do anything wrong, so he indirectly believes in Meena as well.

'In the meantime, let's get Meena to urge the matter of the envoy.

Yeah. 'I'll take Beate as ambassador. We'll think about Adrienne when things settle down at the Academy.

　The emperor's words were plausible, so Val gave a small nod.
　After seeing his reaction, the Emperor speaks up to continue.

'I would be grateful if you would take on Vilhemina as my second-in-command.

　Val almost pouted at this.

'Meena is your second-in-command?'

　I stare at the Emperor intently and ask back.

''And if we place Sidonier as a guard, we can send two of the Eight Divine Lights.

　'I don't know,' said the Emperor, and Val finally understood his aim.

'With Sydonier and Meena around, there's no way we can make a mistake. Besides, it's easier to convey how serious they are.'

　If you don't get the message, you can ask Meena to tell her.
　The emperor nods and then says.

'I will also have about six maidservants to look after you and about twenty female knights to guard you.

　It was going to be a glamorous group of members, all women.

'If they're all women, though, it's likely that some of them will be undeserving.

　Val says with a laugh, and the Emperor replies sincerely.

'In that case, I am very sorry for you. If you were to attack Sidonier and Vilhemina.

　It was a strange development that the bandits were more sympathetic to the bandits.
　For those who stand on the side of system and order, bandits and criminals can never be tolerated.
　Still, there were times when I felt compassion for them.