“What do you mean by that…?”
Reflecting the confusion within his heart, beads of sweat began to tickle down the bald head of Jordan Marlince, the envoy from the Liberty Kingdom.
Glancing to his side, he saw that the Foreign Minister of Teronan, Bred, couldn’t hide his flustered expression, unusual for someone of his age and experience.
However, Logan, the one who had unsettled them, continued his speech with calm composure.
“Is there a need to feign ignorance? Once we form a non-aggression pact, the mighty three nations of the alliance will surely subdue the remaining four kingdoms that now dominate the mainstream, won’t they? You mean to say that you would directly assist in that predestined war?”
Witnessing Logan tilt his head innocently as if asking, ‘Why don’t you understand my intentions?’, the envoys bit their lips in frustration.
In the midst of this tension, Bred stepped forward with a solemn expression.
“While it is true that we’ve come here representing our kingdoms, we lack the authority to speak about future national policies. We appreciate Your Majesty’s words, but perhaps we could revisit this discussion later on…”
“No, no, that’s not it. You’re afraid of what I might ask for in exchange for helping you in the war, aren’t you?”
Jordan’s complexion hardened at Logan’s blunt statement, as it was indeed the truth.The Kingdom of Macline, especially after having recently reorganized all its military forces directly under the king’s command, had undoubtedly become stronger than the Grandia Kingdom of the past.
It was a powerful nation that the coalition of all seven kingdoms would barely manage to oppose. It was imperative to prevent Macline from invading the alliance’s territory under the guise of supporting allies in a war.
As Jordan found himself speechless, it was Bred who lifted his head with a determined look.
“Your Majesty. Although it may seem presumptuous, we cannot accept that proposal.”
Jordan’s head snapped towards him in alarm.
To decline a proposition straight to one’s face in such a manner?
Despite Jordan’s shocked look, Bred gazed steadfastly at Logan, unshaken.
“The very reason we seek a non-aggression pact is to avoid intervention from Macline. If you still insist on entering the fray, wouldn’t that render this entire meeting meaningless?”
“Bred… sir…”
A groan leaked from Jordan’s mouth, accompanying his statement.
Although roundaboutly phrased, the underlying message was clear.
We don’t trust you.
You offer aid only to swallow us whole later.
Even for foreign envoys, it was a harsh truth to voice.
Yet, the very person addressed by this candid speech burst into laughter instead.
“Hahahaha. Have you seen me as such a barbaric person? You worry too much. Our kingdom is too preoccupied with maintaining its own security to send our forces abroad unnecessarily.”
The envoys were perplexed by the statement that he would help in the war but not send troops.
What kind of nonsense is this?
Observing their bafflement, Logan chuckled faintly.
“Had I meant to deploy troops openly, I would have called Richard Blayer here as well.”
At this, the envoys’ faces brightened drastically.
“Does that mean…?”
“You intend to assist in some capacity other than military force?”
“If that is the case, we would be grateful.”
Now smiling, Jordan Marlince, who had earlier claimed to be ignorant of national policy matters, eagerly awaited Logan’s addition.
“Rest assured, the support will be satisfactory to you all. But there is a favor I would like to ask of you first.”
“…Yes?”
“Do you have any connections to the Empire within your kingdoms? I have been considering establishing a connection with the high ranks of the Empire. Ah, it’s just a favor, you’re not obliged to comply, but the nature of the support might vary depending on it.”
Logan’s insinuating smile implied that if they had ties to the Empire, they should establish a connection, and in return, he would pay handsomely.
At his words, the startled envoys glanced at each other before sighing simultaneously.
“We apologize, Your Majesty. If that is the case, we might need to call upon Sir Richard again.”
“The Tria Kingdom?”
“Traditionally, the Tria Kingdom was responsible for receiving the envoys from the Empire on behalf of the alliance…”
As the envoys continued with a grave tone, Logan’s gaze subtly shifted, unnoticed by them.
“Yes. Especially over the past decade, the Tria Kingdom has been the chairing nation, which is why the Empire’s envoys stayed exclusively in the royal palace of Tria.”
“If what you desire in exchange for your support is that connection, then our kingdom could also…”
Watching the two envoys shaking their heads disappointedly, Logan keenly, almost viscerally, observed them.
‘Heartbeats and blood flow are all slowing down. Their words are true.’
While Logan, who had reached the senior levels of Aura Users, could use his newfound senses in this way, his master surely would have had words for him. But Logan thought there could hardly be a better use for it.
‘Of course, it’s not perfect.’
Being sent here on behalf of one’s country implied having considerable influence there.
Considering their response to the proposal of war support, it seemed that, unlike Tria, they could be trusted for now.
Snap.
“Fine. I’ll take your word that you have no connections with the Empire. I will extend ‘my’ support to ‘both’ your kingdoms.”
Logan clapped his hands lightly and smiled, prompting the two envoys to look at each other again with realization dawning on their faces.
“Your Majesty? What do you mean by…?”
“You’re testing us…”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard the recent rumors, but I was attacked within my kingdom. And I’m suspecting that it was the Empire’s doing.”
“Ah…!”
“That rumor is really… ah, my apologies.”
It was a moment of indiscretion for Bred to doubt the words openly stated by a sovereign, and Jordan quickly tried to manage his mistake. However, Logan merely grinned, not blaming him.
“And I’ve had a feeling that Tria Kingdom might have its own ulterior motives, which is why I’ve called the two of you separately.”
The expressions on the envoys’ faces turned grave.
Liberty and Teronan had a secret pact to dominate the alliance along with Tria.
Now, the central nation in that pact harbored different designs?
“Your Majesty. Can we presume to know the meaning behind your words, the reason behind them?”
Upon their troubled inquiry, Logan chuckled and replied.
“There are suspicions, but all are merely conjectures, lacking concrete evidence. Even if I were to say anything, could you really persuade your monarchs?”
The further a word travels from its source, the lower its credibility sinks. Even if the first person who spoke or heard it feels absolute empathy, without solid evidence it’s hard to convince another.
Especially so in the realm of international relations.
Understanding Logan’s intent, the envoys’ faces darkened, but he continued.
“Don’t worry too much. This is exactly why I’ll support you. We’ll eliminate any and all uncertainties.”
Hearing this, a noticeable brightness returned to the envoys’ expressions.
They had lived a good long life and gathered plenty of experience, but it was humorous to see how they were now riding high on every word. However, it didn’t seem so bad to Logan.
‘They must love their homelands that much.’
They were countries that had broken hundreds of years of tradition for a new leap forward. The weight on the envoys’ shoulders was natural.
With an expression mingling complexity and caution, Bred asked softly,
“In exchange for this support, what would you have us do…?”
“There is no such thing. Simply put, the faster you end your wars, the more it benefits me.”
The two envoys locked eyes once more.
‘What does he mean?’
‘I have no idea.’
Communicating silently, they were utterly confused by Logan’s words but didn’t feel the need to press for reasons in this situation.
“Then what sort of support do you plan to offer?”
“If it’s not military force, perhaps resources like food…”
Anticipation shone on their faces.
However, as Logan’s next words were spoken so casually, the smiles vanished from their faces in just one second.
“No, I might send troops after all.”
Are you joking!?
Both envoys’ faces flared up in unison, clearly on the verge of exploding in anger, but fortunately, they remembered their duty as envoys.
“Hmm…”
Jordan swallowed the swear with a forced cough.
“… Perhaps I misunderstood Your Majesty’s joke. Haha.”
Whereas the elderly Bred forced a laugh, awkwardly trying to match the mood, and Logan nodded in response, continuing nonchalantly,
“Ah, it’s not a joke. The support I intend to offer might seem minor for now, just for two people, so calling it a ‘military force’ might overstate it.”
The teasing nature of his speech, as if toying with their anxiety, further hardened their expressions.
“Two unknown Aura Users, in other words, superhumans, will temporarily become part of your kingdoms’ forces. How does that sound?”
“How so?”
Dwayne opened an eye, half-dubious, half-curious upon hearing the king’s claim of producing superhumans.
“Let’s start with Eileen.”
“… The queen?”
“She’s only known to have awakened as a superhuman by those closest to us, like you and me. If we disguise her with magic and send her to the battlefield…”
“The queen?!”
Dwayne’s voice rose abruptly.
To Logan, it was a perfect plan, but Dwayne’s expression was far from agreeable.
A bit flustered, Logan added an explanation.
“As I said, it’s a secret that she became a superhuman. So, if the disguise is perfect…”
But before he could finish, Dwayne interrupted with a roar,
“Do you have any sense at all?! How can you even consider sending your wife, the queen of a country, to risk her life?!”
Ah. That’s what he meant.
Understanding Dwayne’s anger only then, Logan laughed weakly in response.
“She’s actually excited.”
“Excuse me?”
“The queen.”
“Excited? About what?”
“She’s been eager to go to the battlefield since her awakening. Says she’s restless and suffocating from staying idle.”
Stunned for a moment by Logan’s words, Dwayne collapsed right there.
“… I should just quit. This insane Macline…”
As he muttered to himself, sitting on the ground in distress, Logan hesitated to say more, worrying it would further shock his steward. Then, Dwayne abruptly looked up with haggard eyes.
“Why?”
“Suddenly feel uneasy. So, who’s the other person?”
“… Ahem. Well. The other person is also suitably chosen.”
“Please don’t beat around the bush. Who is it?”
Dwayne, looking utterly pale, pushed for an answer.
“Well, there’s one superhuman who’s publicly known to be grievously wounded and convalescing.”
Realizing who Logan meant, Dwayne’s chubby cheeks spasmed.
“You don’t mean… Your Majesty?”
“That’s right. I’ve gone undercover before. Just change the color of my eyes and hair, and no one will recognize me.”
“So, will Rick take Your Majesty’s place again!?”
‘It’s tough to keep the rhythm.’
Logan inwardly grumbled at Dwayne’s sudden outburst. But this time, faced with the look of someone about to faint, Logan softened his voice to reassure him.
“Laila will play the role of the queen. It fits perfectly, right? A seriously wounded king and his caretaking queen wouldn’t leave the royal chamber. It’s a plausible excuse, isn’t it?”
“No! Absolutely not! I’m totally against it!”
Dwayne, excessively agitated for some reason, was adamant in his refusal. Despite feeling slightly sorry for troubling his retainer so much, Logan had no choice.
“Sorry. The decision is already made.”
To quickly resolve the war of the alliance.
‘And if there are any imperial schemes, we’ll crush them too.’
As always, Logan did not bend to opposition.