The gazes of Ryoma and Queen Lupis, who looked up, collided with each other.
　At that moment, the surrounding nobles saw red sparks in their eyes.
　Of course, it was only an illusion.
　I'm not sure if this is an illusion or not, but it's an illusion caused by the unusually tense air swirling between the two.
　But there is no doubt that the aristocrats were able to see this scene.
　I'm sure you'll be able to get a good idea of what to expect.
　A pressure so heavy that you can't even breathe is covering this hall.
　Moreover, they don't seem to have any intention of averting their gaze from each other.
(I see.
　Ryouma honestly acknowledged the growth of the benefactor named Lupis Roselianus.
　The moment he could deflect it, the rating of both of them would be determined.
　This was not a matter of status.
　This is a rating as a pure creature, or as a human being.
　And once a person's status as a human being is determined, it cannot be easily reversed.
　That's how determined they are to be here.
　But the expressions on their faces are contrasting.
　One is a bold smile.
　However, the other is a hatred and anger that makes the normally beautiful face look severely distorted.
　Of course, the former is Mikoshiba Ryoma and the latter is the king of this country.

　Originally, there was no need for Queen Lupis to show up here.
　No, it would be more accurate to say that she shouldn't be there.
　The people want a hero in turbulent times.
　And Mikoshiba Ryoma, who had brought the recent civil war to an end and had shown that he could protect the Kingdom of Zaruda from the invasion of the Oltmere Empire, even if only temporarily, was both an object of awe and a hero to the people of the Roseria Kingdom.
　It was too unreasonable for the king himself to take the initiative in executing such a hero.
　Of course, the person who makes the final decision is the king, Queen Lupis, but it would definitely be better to follow the decision of the House of Lords.
　And I'm sure Queen Lupis herself understands this better than anyone else.
　That's why, even after the hearing had begun, she had been sitting in another room just watching the proceedings.
　I'm sure that if Queen Lupis didn't understand, her close associate, Mertina, wouldn't stop her.
　Nevertheless, if he had appeared here, there was only one meaning to it.　
Well, as expected........ (Since I dared to show an opening so that it would happen, I had to get them to bite on it.　
　Ryouma could accurately see from Queen Lupis' expression the conflict swirling underneath the mask of anger and hatred.
　If one were to ask where the roots in the current turmoil lie, it would undoubtedly be from the day Queen Lupis made the decision to move Ryoma to the left to the frontier called the Woltenia Peninsula and tame him.
　It's a good thing that you're able to find out what's going on in the world, because it's Lupis Roserian himself who made the decision to forcibly give Ryoma, who was planning to leave the Roserian Kingdom after the civil war was over, the title of nobility and territory under the guise of a reward to keep him there.
　From the perspective of right and wrong, it can be said that Queen Lupis is the perpetrator who created the cause, and Ryoma is the victim who was only trying to protect himself.
　And if it was the Queen until now, she would not have been able to shake off her guilt and take a bold step.
　Even if she had kept her personal hatred in her heart.
　Nevertheless, the reason why Queen Lupis appeared here, even though she was provoked by Ryoma, is because she was prepared to make a tragic decision for the sake of her and the country's peace of mind.
(Ruling a country is not a pretty sight. I'm not saying you shouldn't talk about pretty things, but you don't understand that it takes overwhelming power to do it... or should I say you didn't understand?)
　A person in the position of a king or leader who rules a country, or who decides the course of a country, must not be confused about his own decisions.
　To be more precise, they should not let the people around them see them wavering.
　Of course, kings are human beings, and they are not immune to regret and remorse.
　But the king's job is to make decisions.
　If the king's decisions and instructions are wavering, the people below him won't be able to decide what they should do.
　Queen Lupis must have finally understood that.
　Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that she had no choice but to understand.
　There's a saying that status breeds people.
　After many hardships, Lupis Roselianus must have finally awakened to the awareness of being a politician.
(It's a shame ... if it were this woman now, or ...)
　That's Ryouma's untrue and true intentions.
　However, it's a meaningless assumption to say now.
　The roll has already been rolled.
　The first to break the silence was Queen Lupis.
''Let me ask you one question ... why?''
　It was a question that was subtly lacking in content as a question.
　However, for the two people involved, it would be enough.
'Why?　So.........do I need to answer that question now?
　At those words, Queen Lupis lightly lowered her eyes.
　I'm sure you understand that there is no point in doing that now.
　And even though she understands that, she is asking herself again the meaning of the question she has asked.
　Mertina, standing by the side, turns her uneasy gaze towards Queen Lupis.
　Queen Lupis, feeling that gaze, lightly shook her head towards Mertina and turned her face towards Ryoma.
　The light of will like hard steel resides in her eyes.
I know that this question is nothing more than sentimentality. But I want to ask you one last question. I am the king of this country.
　Those are the true words of Queen Lupis.
　Is it like a final offer to the heroes who will be judged as sinners from now on?
　Because he knows that, Ryoma also reveals his honest heart.
"Well, to put it simply, it's because it's necessary for survival........
Do you need it to survive?
　Queen Lupis tilted her head at Liangzhen's answer.
　That must be a very passive word for a man who is considered a young hero.
　I'm sure that "to become the king of a country" would be a better fit for Mikoshiba Ryoma.
　In fact, the aristocrats who had been watching the proceedings in silence were also looking doubtful.
　They, too, may have thought that the recent battle was an outgrowth of an upstart's undeserved ambition.
　With the gaze of those around him, Ryoma spoke his mind.
It's a long story to explain in detail, and since the aristocrats present here are bound by old-fashioned stereotypes, it's unlikely that they will understand anyway, so let me just conclude. To put it bluntly, I don't want to die being caught up in your inefficient and foolish rule. And for better or worse, I don't even have that much attachment to this country.
　Saying that, Ryoma showed a gentle smile.
　I'm sure that if you think of it as a country, you'll sound like a traitor or a piece of trash who only thinks of protecting yourself.
　However, if you think of it as a company and not a country, Ryoma's argument is not so far-fetched.
　Ryoma is like a mid-career employee hired by a company called the Roselia Kingdom, so to speak.
　However, no matter how big the company is, there is no future for such a company if the kind of employees involved in its management policies are repeatedly bribed and its assets are repeatedly misappropriated.
　It is easy to imagine a company going bankrupt under the guidance of the government, or being acquired or merged with another company.
　And even if mid-career employees who are not yet a part of the corporate culture advocate reform, there is no way to do so if the company is so caught up in the past that there is no room for their ideas.
　And there is no point in talking about it if the policies of the head of the company, Lupus Roserian, are wobbly.
　I'm not saying that a dictatorship is a good thing, but if the person who can't make decisions is the head of the organization, everything will be distorted.
　When that happens, there are two paths a mid-career employee can take.
　They can either run away or fight.
　That's an extremely natural thing to do.
　But that kind of reasoning of Liangzhen was not conveyed to the nobles, who were so entrenched in their sense of privilege that they did not pay any attention to their own actions.
　A shout of rage flew from the mouths of the nobles who had been keeping silence.
　It was so loud that it shook the entire duration of this inquisition.
　However, such surrounding voices were of no value to Ryojin.
　And he continues to speak without breaking the smile on his face.
''Ah, I don't want you to misunderstand me, but I don't mean to condemn your methods of governance. I think it's foolish and inefficient, but if you say that's the way of this world, then I have no right to deny or condemn it. I don't care how much my people resent me for my tyranny, as long as it's done in a place that has nothing to do with me, that's fine, and I have no desire to complain about it, but if the life and property of me, my friends, and my fellow countrymen could be violated because of it That's a different story.
　It's a calm voice.
　But at the same time, it hides the strength of steel.
　He is convinced of justice and justice in his actions.
　At the same time, he is also prepared for the fact that his thoughts will not be understood by those around him, and he is prepared to face opposition.
'Is that why you fought against the Counts of Salzberg?
Yes, he was consumed by his own greed and the people of his domain were suffering from tyranny. With the help of Lady Julia's political skills and the Federation of Societies of Commerce, which holds the economy of Iphiroth in its hands, they have managed to keep the balance intact, but if a little force is applied from the outside, it is a castle in the sand that could easily collapse. As an adjoining territory, it was impossible for me to overlook it. It's true that the Woltenia Peninsula is an uncivilized land and the number of territorial residents is small, but that doesn't mean we can't abandon our duties as lords.
　At those words, Queen Lupis choked out.
'Is that why you started the war?　It is indeed a nobleman's duty to protect his estate. I admit that. But if you knew that the Countess of Salzberg's rule was so terrible, why didn't you go to the House of Lords?　It's supposed to be the law of the land that the House of Lords decides disputes between the nobles and the King passes judgment on them!
　At those words, the surrounding nobles also cursed at Ryojin.
''That's right!　Why didn't you report this to the House of Lords!
"You want the Countess of Salzberg's estate, and you're just saying that to make excuses!
　Confirming the reaction of those around him, the Marquis Halcyon, who has been silent until now, said with an easy voice.
It's just as you say. If your actions were really for your people, why didn't you inform us of Count Salzberg's atrocities and attack him on your own accord?　Isn't this proof that this war was caused by your ambition?
　Obeying the law is a natural part of being a member of a nation.
　At the very least, you should make an effort to follow the law.
　However, even when receiving such a deserved rebuke, Ryoma did not seem to be fazed in the slightest.　
''No, no, the reason I didn't report this to the House of Lords is simply because it's useless to talk to you all. After all, you are all badgers of the same hole.
　As he said that, Ryoma took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and called out to Mertina.
''I'm sorry, but could you please show this to His Majesty?''
　Mertina silently accepts the paper presented to her with a probing expression while saying so.
　It seems that even though he was emitting a killing spirit, there was no choice not to receive it from the atmosphere of this place.
　However, it seems that Queen Lupis is also interested in the content written on the paper that Ryoma took out.
　Receiving the folded paper from Mertina, Queen Lupis quickly unfolded it.
　On it are the names and countless numbers of the nobles belonging to the House of Lords.
　At first, Queen Lupis didn't understand the meaning of the numbers and letters written on this paper.
　Looking at Liangma's face, which didn't break into a smile of leisure, Queen Lupis tried desperately to find out its intentions.
(The people written on this paper are all those who belong to the House of Lords, including the Marquis of Halcyon.......and the numbers assigned to each month.......as a noble who doesn't belong to the House of Lords.... It's just the name of the Count Salzberg at the top of the page but that doesn't make any sense in itself but what does it mean? (If there is one, I don't think this guy is going to do anything meaningful.
　The numbers written on this paper are supposed to support the legitimacy of Ryojin's actions.
　At the very least, it should be something that can be used as a basis for that.
　Various assumptions floated in and out of Queen Lupis' mind.
　And one assumption remained.
''No way... this is...''
　The moment he arrived at that assumption, Queen Lupis's beautiful face tightened up.
　Towards such Queen Lupis, Ryouma nodded leisurely and showed it to her.
''As you can imagine, Your Majesty. This is the amount of monthly support paid by the Count family of Salzberg to the House of Lords and the nobles belonging to it. Well, to put it simply, it's under my sleeve.''
　Ryouma's voice sounded unnaturally loud during the inquisition.