What's going on?

　When I said that, Dukel and the others nodded deeply.

''Honestly, if Taiki-dono says he's serious about opposing the Atul Kingdom, the kingdom has no choice but to surrender.

Perhaps it's the same for the mighty Blau Empire.

　Dukel and Heilert said something like that in front of me.

''........So if I tell them that I kidnapped Eira, the princess of the Atul Kingdom......''

　They nodded again as he said this.

''Both of them would try to make some kind of contact if a person from this flying island was sent out. Therefore, a letter stating that you have kidnapped Princess Letizia is all that is needed. If you only send the letter unilaterally, Lord Taiki will have no further trouble.

　Heilert explains that, and Dukel agrees.

'After all, you can't come to this place, can you? You can't even complain about it.'

　As I was groaning after hearing such a dialogue between the two of them, Eira raised her eyebrows and opened her mouth.

''Oh no.......I can't sully the name of Taiki-sama, the Great Magician, for me.......''

　Dukel and the others look at each other at Eira's words, but I chuckle and shake my head from side to side.

'It's not really a big name,'

No. That's not how it works. He should be treated better than a king of a great nation. And yet, because of me...

"No, no, Princess, I'm here courtesy of Lord Taiki...

　You're going to kidnap a lunatic for your kindness, I am.

　As I was tsking in my mind at Heilert's words to quiet Eira, Dukel said, "Oh! He clapped his hands in a mysterious voice.

　When everyone's attention was drawn to him, Dukel cleared his throat and straightened his residence.

''........Lord Taiki, I have an odd idea for me.......''

　I felt my face twitch as he said that with an extremely serious face.

''I have a bad feeling about this...''






[Atul Kingdom]

Letter....?

　A man in a luxurious robe nodded at the paper in his hand as Leitend shouted in astonishment. The man moved his gaze from the paper to Dukel, who stood at the entrance to the hall.

Something like that is written on it.

　At the man's words mixed with confusion, Leitend snorted with an impatient face.

''Oh, you're a king on that flying island...? So, it is the legendary Great Magician, after all. But what kind of sentence does such an uncommon being pass on to our country, Minister.... What does the letter say?

　With a lifeless expression on his face like a sinner awaiting the verdict, the man who was called the minister let out a sigh and glared at Dukel.

''What in the world has the general told you.......................The letter says that I will receive Princess Letizia.

'Princess! Do you mean to tell me that Letitia is on that flying island!

　Reicent, who had been sitting in the chair, raised his voice as he stood up, and Dukel, who had been silent until then, replied in the affirmative.

'Indeed, I have seen it with my own eyes.

　At Dukel's words, Reicent does not hide his irritation.

'Tell me all that you have seen in detail. The flying island, the castle in the sky, its people if there is a king ... and what kind of person is this Taiki? Is he, after all, an old man like a withered branch, a figure worthy of having lived hundreds of years, like the legendary great magician depicted in the paintings?

　Leitend asked a series of questions, but none of them were directed at the princess, and Dukel's eyebrows rose.

''The ... flying island is as big as a large city and as high as the clouds. The castle in the sky is the most luxurious and gorgeous thing I've ever seen. It's also built by magic, or maybe it's a magical thing, but there are many things that are beyond the scope of our understanding. The people didn't see much, but there were a lot of white houses lined up. Perhaps they are taking shelter inside the houses while they are intervening in the war.

　Dukel explained that much briefly and then pinched his chin with his finger as if he were thinking.

'The rest is about Taiki, the king, but ... what can I say?

Good. Just say what you think and feel.

　As Dukel snorted, Reicent rushed ahead.

However, he only looks like he's in his late teens. Even his clothes are something I've never seen before.

'Teenagers ... no, does that mean you're never going to get old? Don't tell me you're not an immortal being.

You haven't told me that much, sir.

　As Dukel shook his head from side to side, Reicent clicked his tongue and sat down in his chair in a slump.

''Well it may be a better bride than the fourth prince of the empire, but the problem is the reaction of the empire. They wouldn't believe it if I told them that a princess married into that flying island.''

　When he muttered that, the minister stared at Dukel.

''Utterly.......why did you imitate the messenger on your own? If I go, I'll negotiate in favor of the Atul Kingdom.......

　As the minister was mumbling and complaining, Dukel's eyes narrowed and the corners of his mouth lifted.

''What kind of negotiations are you planning to make with someone who can destroy your country if you order a single word to the golem? And I'll have you know that this Dukel Klein is not only a warrior, but a diplomat as well.

　When Dukel said this, the minister's eyes peeled back and his cheeks twitched, and Reicent opened his mouth instead.

''Well I'm not sure, but does that mean you've passed something we requested?''

　Dukel looks up as Leitend asks that, his expression tightening.

''Ha! This Dukel Klein, the King of the Sky has asked you to form a temporary alliance with the Kingdom of Atul!

　When Dukel told him that, not only Leitend but also the minister stopped with his eyes peeled away.

　Dukel, who has a somewhat good look on his face, opens his mouth with his index finger in response to the two who are not moving.

'The messenger from the kingdom of Atul is to be always this Dukel Klein or General Hylert. And once every six months to a year, he will send a golem to take the messenger from the castle in the sky. The rest is that if the kingdom of Athur does not take hostile action, then the King of the Sky is a friend of the kingdom of Athur.

'Well, wait, wait, wait! Wait a minute, Dukel!

　Dukel held up his fingers as he talked about the details of the alliance, which Leicestershire couldn't resist.

It's a very important alliance that is signed by representatives of a country. Such a verbal agreement...

Yeah, that's right! And why the name of General Heilert...!

　When the minister tried to denounce Dukel at the butt of Reicent's words, Dukel blurted out an 'Ah' with a bland face.

''I forgot to report it, but I have heard from Heilert that a large army of golems descended from the Castle in the Sky from Falbe, just like this royal capital, and the imperial army was forced to retreat.

Huh!

　As the minister's exclamations echoed through the hall, Reicent leaned back in his chair.

　He exhaled deeply with a tired look on his face and turned his eyes to the ceiling.

'What a day,' he said, 'what a day. One after the other, I'm getting reports that exceed my expectations.'

　Leicent's face as he said this was tinged with fatigue, but his blood was better than it was earlier.

　Leitendt laughed with a face that said no matter how bitter it was, and looked at Dukel.

''........Good, I understand. For now, there's no more worry about this Atul Kingdom being trampled by the Blau Empire. The next time the King of the Sky and his generals can meet, I'll let them have a letter from me. General Dukel. It was a pleasure to negotiate with the King in the Sky.

Ha!

　Thus, the kingdom of Atul became the first country in history to form an alliance with the Castle in the Sky.