[Atul Kingdom]

　Southeast across the Leelabras Mountains from the Blau Empire. Beyond the deep forest, the Atul Kingdom was located beyond the deep forest.

　It's only one of the smaller countries, and the country is small. It's a small country with a small land area and a small population that is suffering from a chronic labor shortage, although economically it is getting around.

　A great deal of confusion is now ruling the capital of such a small country.

　The normally busy main street was devoid of vitality, and instead, a hubbub had been created around the royal castle by the shouting people.

''Bring out the princess!''

'What will you do if the Empire invades?

　When the people shouted such things from their mouths, the guards guarding the castle shouted at them while holding their shields.

''Bah, you fool! Where do you think we are!

I'll put us all in the dungeon if you don't come up with a plan!

　At such a line, the people's anger flared up even more. A man let out a sigh at the sight of the people and the soldiers shouting at each other in a tense situation.

　He was a short, small, fat man. He was probably in his fifties or so in age, but now, with his rounded back and melancholy expression, he looked comfortable even if he was said to be sixty years old.

　Dressed in luxurious clothes and a cloak, the man had a small crown on his red hair.

　King of the Kingdom of Atul, Leitend Torte Atul. That was this man's name and title.

　However, Leizent is gently looking out the window with a tired face that doesn't show the slightest hint of such dignity as a king.

''........I've been beaten.

　Reicent mumbles to himself in a snatched voice.

　Then there is a knock on the door from outside. Frowning at the violent sound of a fist pounding on the door, Reicent looks up.

　As soon as you give your permission to enter, the door opens and a tall man appears from the back. He is not wearing a helmet, but he is wearing white armor.

''Excuse me. ''Your Majesty, a messenger from the Blau Empire...''

Again.

　Interrupting the man's report, Leitend looked up to the heavens. At Leitend's irritation, the man closed his mouth and hardened his expression.

''There's no way I'm going to divulge my inner feelings to the outside world, but the people's grasses are accusing me of attacking the imperial soldiers for the princess's cuteness and hiding the princess inside the castle... and the word from the messenger is to give up the princess quickly every time. If you do not, the Empire will bring down the hammer mercilessly on the kingdom.

　He uttered that with a half-smile, and Leitend slapped the wall noisily.

'Talk about a fool! I saw my daughter crying out in front of me, with the slave seal on her shoulder! It was the Empire that made you lose your princess as a slave and lose your place of return! How dare you act like a victim!

　The man who had come to report to him straightened up and opened his mouth at the shouting of an angry Reicent.

'Ha, ha! All of our soldiers understand your deepest sorrow and the readiness with which you presented the princess to defend your kingdom! But the Imperial side...

I know! Either way, if the Imperial messengers come, we must meet them! Tell him I'm on my way!

　The man replied to Leitend's reply, bowed, and left in a hurry.




　When Reicent went to the hall, there were already two soldiers and one man who looked like a knight.

　The knightly man turns to look at Leicent and bids him farewell.

'Good to see you. We are delighted to have you here.

　Leithend gave a subtle smile and said this, and the man turned a grim expression on him.

I am sorry to trouble you. I should like to ask you to return the princess that you presented to our country.

　Being told that at the opening, Leitend's eyebrows also jumped up.

''........Messenger-dono. I can understand what you have to say, but I'd really like you to listen to what we have to say as well. As we've explained from the beginning, there is no princess in our castle, nor is there a princess hiding somewhere. I think it's more unreasonable to say that the princess has run away, as you say.

'Your Majesty. That would be the same as saying we're lying...

'No, I did not say that. But this is all too convenient for the Empire. I can't tell you that I made my daughter receive a slave mark, and there is no way for me to find out if the princess has run away. But even I don't know what happened to the princess, and the people of King's Landing are crying out that I've hidden her from them.

　The messenger lifted his eyes at Reicent's line, which was said in frustration.

As you know, our Blau Empire has developed rapidly in recent years and expanded its land, and we are proud to be one of the world's great powers now. Do you really think that that empire is going to this extent to obtain the kingdom of Atul?

''If we get the Atul Kingdom, we can put pressure on the Frieder Imperial Kingdom in the east from two directions. On the other hand, if we were to open a war with the imperial kingdom without taking any action against us, then perhaps our kingdom could take the side of the imperial kingdom... there's no surprise in thinking that.

　As Leitend announced this, a hush fell over the hall.

　As the soldiers standing around him were watching the exchange between the two men with a harried look on their faces, there was a knock on the door in the hall.

　The sound startled them aloud, but one of the soldiers opened the door and heard the requirement.

　He then turned his head to look at Reicent with a very complicated face.

'What?'

　The soldier opened his mouth as if he was having trouble saying it when Leitend asked him that sullenly.

"Heh, Your Majesty. What is it? A mysterious flying object has appeared in the sky...

　At the soldier's report, not only Leitend, but the Imperial envoy as well, blinked, forgetting his anger.