The rattling and carriage goes through the streets of Curay, the capital of the Sandra Kingdom. The hardened roads are not flattering, but the suspension of the Rosetta's specially made carriage seems to absorb the impact reasonably well.
　The city seen from the carriage window is honestly old-fashioned. I can see peeling walls and crumbling roofs in places. Among the reddish-brown brick houses, there are also wooden houses that look like shacks.
　It seems that this is what is known as a lower-class residential area, where second-class citizens live.

'The people don't look very happy,'
Well, it's not like we're living in a...

　Lantz, the new knight who was sitting across from me, looked out the window as well and expressed his thoughts.
　When I told Takasaka-san, the Prime Minister, that I was heading to Sandra as an emissary, he told me to take him as a chaperone. I don't trust him........ As long as the other side doesn't try to pick a fight with me, I won't do anything out of line.
　In fact, they wanted to appoint a deputy commander, Nicola-san, but it was impossible for the deputy commander, who is higher in rank than the messenger, to be the bodyguard, so he was chosen.
　There are about four others, but they are all riding in another carriage that follows behind.
　We could have gone by "fly" or something like that all at once, but in the meantime, I've become "a messenger of Brunhild, who has been entrusted with a letter of protest from the Tree King's tribe", so I came here as normal.
　I took the "gate" to get outside the capital, though.
　Pam, who entrusted us with a letter of protest, is unconcerned, so go slap King Sandra on the side of his head! But it was a terrible show. If those tribesmen from the other side of the world rode in, there would be a war for sure. I'm sure Pam personally wants to get in, but she has her own position as chief.

''There are many slaves, after all. As His Majesty said, many of them are not even fed satisfactorily or are emaciated. The combat slaves seem to be fed reasonably well, though.''
'Well, I'm a slave to fight. And if you're too hungry to fight when it comes down to it, there's no point. So they'll use you as a shield for your life instead.

　It seemed that even second class citizens could own slaves, and they could be seen here and there in the city. The strong-looking slaves were probably shop bouncers and other combat slaves.
　Among the slaves, there were also beastmen and other subhumans. They could possibly have been kidnapped from somewhere as well. They were all dressed in crude, tattered clothes, and the limbs peeking out of them were emaciated and wasted.

'Well, Lantz, "Your Majesty" is a bad idea. You never know where you're going to be asked.'
I'm sorry. What can I call you then...

　I asked Lantz in horror, and how I realized I hadn't decided whether to say my name. 'Ummm.

'Maybe I'll call myself Doran. It's Micah's father's name, though.
Wait, Your Majesty! Apart from me and Mika!

　Lanz turns red and raises his voice. Hmph, I can see that you're still going to the 'Silver Moon' as usual! Mainly via my sister Hanakoi.
　Well, so much for teasing, I thought. Well.........


Robin Loxley? Then you're with Ambassador Loxley?
'Yes. I'm not much of a bow guy.
?

　The messenger's clothes that I'm wearing right now are light green, so it just kind of came out of my mouth.
　By the way, I don't cover my entire body with illusions in Mirage. I just changed my hair and hair color and eye color a little. It's because just by doing that, the impression changes a lot. Well, I don't think there are many people around here who know me, though.
　The carriage drove through the second class city and arrived at the gate of the first class city.
　A group of soldiers wearing fine leather armor stood in front of it and stopped the carriage.

''Only those with permission can pass through from here! Where are you from, identify yourself!
Well, well. We have come from Brunhild. You were informed in advance of our arrival.
'Brunhild...? Tsk, wait here, I'll check.

　The soldier who peered at me through the window and called out to me with authority disappears behind the gate, clicking his tongue.

"That attitude to an emissary of a country........ I wonder what kind of education they are giving him?''
'Sandra has had very little interaction with other countries. Maybe she's just unfamiliar with these things, but...

　It's a bit annoying when people just act like it's more trouble than it's worth.
　Then I had to wait a long time before I was allowed to go in.

"Come on through. Don't make a scene.

　This attitude even though you know it's an official messenger. They've been completely licked. Sandra has never been invaded by another country until now, partly because of its geographically isolated land. If you say it's because they haven't had relations with other countries for many years, that's up to you, but don't they ever think about what kind of impression that attitude will give to the emissaries of other countries?
　When the carriage starts to drive, I am surprised at the change in the city. In sharp contrast to the second class city of earlier, the streets are well maintained and paved with cobblestone, and the houses have dazzling white walls. Well-dressed residents wearing lavish ornaments walked around with their slaves in tow.
　Unlike the slaves I saw earlier in the second class city, their clothes weren't ragged, but they still don't look happy.

''I heard that the disparity was terrible, but I didn't expect it to go this far...''

　Lantz murmured while looking out the window. It's true that there's a big difference between the first and second class cities.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. The square shape of the castle has cylindrical towers on all sides of the walls, creating a majestic atmosphere.
　I wondered if the castle had been built by slaves.
　When I arrived at the castle gates, this time I was let in easily, as if the call had been received. Still, the gatekeepers stared at me with a frown.
　I got out of the carriage and was led by a grumpy looking robed man who came out of the castle and proceeded down the corridor of the royal palace. The five knights, including me and Lantz following behind, had their weapons, other than daggers, taken away from them in front of the audience chamber.
　By being cautious. Well, I don't understand, since I'm about to meet the king now.
　I was ushered into the audience chamber and made to kneel. All around us were probably Sandra's chief ministers and generals, plus the slave soldiers who were guarding her. If there were so many of them, they wouldn't have bothered with a sword or two. Well, I guess it's just in case.

So that's the messenger that comes from Brunhild. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what the people of the Tree Sea want from me. Thank you.

　A balding man in a red and black robe, who appears to be the Prime Minister, opens his mouth. He has a sarcastic tone.
　Behind him, on a gleaming throne, sits a fat man with sleepy eyes, puffing on a smoking pipe. For a moment I thought he was an orc....
　Next to the throne, a slave woman, almost half-naked, with a thin robe and 'enslavement collar', was kneeling next to the throne, holding an ashtray.
　A crown of pure gold was placed on the head of the thin, orc-like hair. This is King of the Sandra Kingdom, Abdal Jabba Sandra III. He doesn't look like a great monarch by any means. I guess we shouldn't judge him by his appearance, though.
　On both sides of the throne, there is another Kinkira helmet and sword. The sword was also studded with jewels, but it seems to be a real battle sword for a change. I mean, this orc definitely can't wear that armor, right? Size wise.
　Without giving such a rude thought to the idea, I begin to speak to King Sandra.

My name is Robin Loxley. I'd like to begin by saying that the people of the Sea of Trees request that the tribesmen brought in by this group of hexenbiest warriors be returned to them immediately.
"No.

　As I began to state my business, the king interrupted me and tapped the flue on the slave's ashtray. Then he had the slave woman refill her cigarette leaf, and then he took the lit flue again and let out another pukari of smoke.
　After stroking the young female slave's cheek with a disgusting hand, she smiles a thin, grinning smile and opens her mouth without even looking at us.

'We don't have enough slaves. Don't give them back.''
...you attacked the Tree Sea Tribes to capture them as slaves?
So what? We don't have to take orders from other countries. Well, I don't care what other countries think, as long as it's not a new country that's barging in.

　With a smirk, King Sandra throws in a few words.
　A conviction. As I thought, you invaded the Tree Sea on the orders of the state.

''........You want to go to war with the tribes of the Tree Sea?
War? There's no way we're going to war. They are nothing more than a small tribe. They're no match for our beast warriors.
"The Tree King's tribe has formed a friendship with my Brünnhild. Do you wish to establish a relationship with us?

　The king, whose eyebrows bounced up and down with a twitch, leaned forward in his chair.

'Don't get carried away, eh? Your king may be mistaken, but it doesn't matter how many Titan soldiers he has. If you plan to fight against Sandra, the best you can do is to make sure he doesn't cut you in your sleep. We have every conceivable assassin on our side. We can kill your king at any time.

　A chuckle escapes from those around me at King Sandra's words. It's no good, these guys. They're all idiots. They've been trying to antagonize us from the start. You can't help but wonder where that confidence comes from. The only thing I can think of is that they don't see the world situation at all.
　King Sandra snapped his fingers. The slave soldiers around us draw their swords in unison.
　We stand up too, and Lanz and the other guard knights also draw their only weapon, a dagger.

''What is this imitation?''
That's because no messenger has ever come to the castle. We have not had enough slaves since the fall of Astar City. We've been collecting them from other countries, but in a month you'll be an obedient slave. We have excellent trainers in our country.

　The king laughing at the kukukukukuku, is indeed so dumbfounded that he can't even speak. It seems that these guys have been kidnapping people in other countries as well. As far as the other kings are concerned, this is a country that's as far as the other kings are concerned. I was foolish to expect that even a little bit of this, no matter how much.......
　I didn't lose my temper, but I was tired of being made fun of to this extent and kneeling meekly. If he's acting like that, there's no need to hold back.
　I was expecting a bit more of a gut-wrenching kind of thing, but the other party was dumber than I thought.

''........stupid.''
What?

　Sighing, he pulled out a couch from "storage" that was as good as the throne on which King Sandra sat.
　He sat down on it and turned toward the king, crossed his legs and rested his elbows on the armrests.

"It's a bit silly of me to have to deal with all these idiots. Oh, enough of this, guys. I think we're done with the charade. I think they want a war.
Are you ... are you aware of the situation?

　The king stands up and glares at me. Oh dear, are you angry, by any chance? You're getting red in the face.

The situation is not what it seems. It's good to see the true nature of this country. The King is too stupid, and his stupid vassals are too stupid. Hey, you know what they say, "a frog in a well doesn't know the ocean"? The frog in the well means you don't know the wide ocean.
Kill them!
Listen to me.

　The slave-soldiers are cut off by an invisible wall two meters in front of us. I'll just shield you from them. Sure.

What? You said, "You, Robin," or something like that! Who are you?!
Oh, that's a fake name. My real name is Fuyao Mochizuki. He's the Lord of Brunhild, the one you said you could kill at any time. Nice to meet you, Your Majesty King Sandra.

　Unlock the Mirage and restore the color of your hair and eyes. If the other side is completely hostile, there's no need to hide it anymore.

"The Lord of Brunhild! Foolishly, how could the king of a country get to this point...!
I'm an adventurer by nature, my footwork is light. You might want to get some exercise, too, don't you think? You're obviously overweight.

　A slave woman backs away from the Orc king, who is clutching a smoking pipe and snapping his teeth just in time, with a look of horror on her face.

''What are you doing! If he really is the Lord of Brunhild, then good for him! Get it done!

　At the words of the bald vizier who gave the order, the slave soldiers and generals come towards them again, but the 'shield' prevents all half-hearted physical attacks.

'Come on, flame, red barrage, Fire Arrow!

　Seeing that the physical attacks were ineffective, Sandra's sorcerer sent flaming arrows flying while casting a fire spell.

''Reflection.''

　 He carefully returned it with reflective magic. The three flaming arrows that ricocheted off hit the magician who released the magic and the vassals on either side of him and were blown away.

''An attack after knowing that you are the king of a country. Can we see that you completely blew the war from that side?
You are a fool. If I kill you here and bury you in the dark, it will be nothing. How could the Lord of Brunhild be in this place?

　With a drawn-out laugh, King Sandra tells him so. Is this guy an idiot? You don't even know I can use the Gate. I can't escape from a place like this. But I'm not going to.

I'm gonna say it again. You want a war?
"We have a bunch of Hexenbiest warriors and a bunch of slave soldiers. We have both the Beast Warriors and the Slavers, who are willing to fight to the death. You don't think you can make an enemy of us, Sandra, and get away with it?

　Good grief, it seems to be a really stupid bastard.

'I'm sorry, but Brunhild doesn't want to deal with Sandra. Or, more accurately, he doesn't even have to deal with her.
What did you say?

　Quizzically, King Sandra raised his eyebrows.
　I sat down on the couch and held my palm toward King Sandra, activating an attributeless magic.

''Apports.''

　The Collar of Enslavement appears in her hand. The slave woman, who had been hiding behind Kinkila's armor, away from King Sandra, is suddenly surprised at the sensation of the collar's disappearance. When the king sees it, he peels his eyes away and is surprised.

''Huh?''
''This collar of enslavement, I found out that in fact, other than the master memorized in the collar, a magic wave that could be considered the highest master is stored in the collar. In other words, King Sandra, it's your magic waves.

　I explain as I spin the collar around. Mainly to the slave soldiers who surround us.
　If you think about it, it's only natural. Slaves are in absolute obedience to their masters. If a person who has acquired many such slaves rebels against the king, it's a disaster.
　As a higher orderly than their masters, he had given all of the "enslavement collars" a special magical wave of power.
　Perhaps that magic wave was some kind of magic tool, an "artifact," which was passed down to the kings from generation to generation.
　Otherwise, when the king was replaced, the new king would not be able to control his slaves, and if he was remembered only by blood, he could control them as long as they were of the royal blood.
　Probably the magic wave of the royal family and the magic tool "artifact" that can give orders to slaves, the power that is called the secret art of the Sandra royal family that only works when the two are combined.

In other words, you are the Slave Master, the one who can give orders to all of your slaves.
Yes. All the slaves will turn on you at my command. So it's over.

　It is indeed a terrible power. It's a good thing that the "collar of enslavement" hasn't been mass produced until now, but if it is mass produced and spread out to other countries.
　People enslave people as they desire. That would be nothing less than the creation of new slaves for King Sandra. It would be the birth of a global slave kingdom.
　But I won't let it happen.

''Then what happens if that master authority is hijacked?
What?

　I've been using my phone's "multiple" to capture all the targets in Sandra's royal city since a while ago, but there were so many of them that it took me a while. Okay, we're ready, let's activate it.

Cracking.