Chapter 278: As a Foreign Entity of this World

<Author’s Notes>

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[I give you my gratitude, your Majesty.]

[No matter. Now that we’re on the same page…… May I assume that your country is willing to form an alliance with our country?]

[We are currently looking positively at such an alliance.]

“In other words……”, resting his chin on his hand, the Mad Emperor continued.

[That depends on the conditions?]

[Yes.]

[Let’s hear it.]

I told him the conditions we had agreed to ask him beforehand.

If necessary, we will provide forces as reinforcements.

But in that case, we wouldn’t leave the command of our troops to Mira’s side.

We’ll also have them handle the prisoners of war in this battle.

Then, there’s the continuous food aid, etc……

I had learned a lot about diplomacy from Seras.

I was just a student back in my previous world.

There’s no way I would have any diplomatic skills.

It would have been difficult for me to take on this role without Seras.

Incidentally, I heard that the origin of her teachings to me can be traced back to Princess Cattleya.

Being a diligent person, Seras also learned a lot about diplomacy when she was there.

……From all the things I’ve heard though, I’m inclined to think that Neia’s Princess was trying to raise Seras into something more than just a Knight Commander.

While I was speaking, the Mad Emperor silently listened with a relaxed posture.

It’s hard to read the changes in his emotions.

The men who seemed to be his counselors kept looking at him.

They seemed to be mindful of each of his reactions.

As for Wright, he too was listening prudently and attentively.

However, his expression seemed to be easier to read than that of the Mad Emperor.

It looked as if he was making a quick profit and loss calculation in his head.

When I finished speaking all our conditions……

[I see.]

—-said the Mad Emperor, playing with the tips of his bangs.

[They don’t seem to be unreasonable requests. As for the food provisions, do you urgently need them?]

[It would be troubling if you take quite a long time to fulfill that, but we aren’t that much in a hurry that we needed them sent immediately. It’s not as if we don’t have the connections Seras Ashrain had after all.]

This food situation.

I’m thinking of talking to the Holy Kingdom of Neia as a last resort.

However, with Urza and the Demon Zone in between, the difficulty of doing this is high.

We’ll try this, even considering the relationship between Alion and Neia.

Thus, I will try giving him a hint that “we have other connections out there”.

If Mira thinks that we can only rely on them, they might try to take advantage of us.

[However, I believe it would be best to use the continuous food provisions as a means to bind the alliance of our countries.]

With his chin still propped on his hand, the Mad Emperor obviously formed “a smile”.

[You do not desire to be provided land? You should have heard from Neia’s Holy Knight Commander that our country has many fertile lands.]

It came out huh.

This question was probably a test.

He would be testing what I will say in response to this question.

[Of course, we understand that we haven’t completely gained your trust at the moment. Even if we were to win the trust of those in here…… It’s inevitable that some of your citizens wouldn’t find it amusing if you suddenly gave land to another country with whom you had just made an alliance yesterday……]

I have a pretty good grasp of the situation from learning about this from Seras.

I don’t know all the ins and outs of this world’s nobility.

This also includes those among Mira’s citizens.

However, I guess that’s just the way people’s minds work.

I continue.

[This is just a starting point, so to speak…… I believe that there is no need to go impetuous here and lower the impression of your country’s nobles and citizens. It’s also not in our Majesty’s interest to be saddled with the useless complaints of our allies…… Presumptuous I may be to think as such, that’s how I see it.]

[……Fumu.]

Saying this, his cheek rested on his fist and elbow on the table.

With a hint of a teasing tone, the Mad Emperor spoke.

[You sure are modest.]

[We’re just trying to be realistic.]

[However———— For all your rationality, your imagination in regards to people’s sentiments is strangely effective.]

[No, it was just that the movements of people’s sentiments were always incorporated into rationality. They always think of how they could achieve maximum profit.]

Back in my previous world, I read a book that said something like that.

It sounded like a saying.

So, what I’m saying now is just second-hand knowledge.

However, the Emperor seemed to like my response.

The thin smile on his face had changed to a more natural one.

[Fly King…… If you don’t mind me asking……]

I silently nodded.

There was this peculiar tension in the air.

Within this silence, the Mad Emperor asked.

[Are you———– a good person?]

In response to his question, I put my hand on my chest and bowed.

[I am as you judge me.]

Thereupon————- The Mad Emperor’s eyes opened wide and he paused for a few seconds.

However, he quickly regained his composure, bringing a hand on his cheek, he slightly smiled.

[Fufu, Fly King Belzegia huh. It seems like you aren’t just someone who makes use of the strange power, Sorcery. I like you.]

Closing his eyes, the Mad Emperor leaned back on his chair.

Strangely, that was the only part of his movements that seemed appropriate for his age.

[Very well.]

I wonder if it was from the sound of the Emperor’s voice.

Wraith straightened his posture, raising the tendrils of his glasses.

The air around them feels like they already think that this matter is settled.

[My Mira Empire———– accepts the terms you have offered.]

Hearing his declaration, Liese and Niko exchanged glances at each other.

They seemed to be silently cheering at the safe achievement of the alliance.

However……

[……I understand that you accept the terms we offered————- Does that include everything that has been brought up so far?]

I asked.

Hearing my question, Liese and Niko quickly realized what I meant.

Incidentally, Gio’s expression didn’t change, as he remained silent with his arms crossed.

Like me, he might have sensed that Mira still had some conditions they wanted to bring up.

[Our Mira Empire————-]

The Mad Emperor begins to speak.

[To put it simply, we question the existence of the Goddess.]

Question. His tone sounds more like he doubts her existence rather than asking why she exists.

This was their reason for turning against her.

He had come to reveal it here.

[There are several countries on this continent. However, reality is it that Alion holds dominion over the other countries. And as anyone knows, the one who really controls the power in Alion is Goddess Vysis.]

Snorting, the Mad Emperor shrugged, looking like he’s acting.

Even the way he shrugs seems elegant.

[Each country had at least one of Vysis’ disciples, her watchdogs watching over them, and each country must operate under the constant gaze of Goddess Vysis’ “eyes”. You can say that everyone is at Vysis’ mercy. This state of affairs…… is really morbid, don’t you think?]

The signal Seras sent to me upon his words———– tells me that his words were true.

It seems like this is what he really thinks.

However, it didn’t mean that he hadn’t obscured anything.

……I guess I’ll shake things up a bit.

[I’ve heard that Mira is a prosperous country. Wouldn’t many people be already satisfied with their current situation?]

[You may not know it, but even when our country’s like that, there are still many who have been killed behind and many who have met a tragic end———— By the will of the Goddess. The Goddess is working behind the scenes to get rid of those who don’t conform to her will and take away the “freedom” of us humans. In other words, it’s really as if we’re under God’s rule.]

……Upon his words, a question surfaced in my mind again.

This is a question I’ve had for a long time.

That sh*tty goddess has been reigning over this world for a long time.

And yet, Alion still hasn’t achieved the unification of the continent.

I also question how she deals with those she deem hindrances.

For example, the existence of the Disposal Ruin……

If she sent them there, they would be dismissed as “missing”.

Making this move did have the advantage of leaving no bodies behind.

However———— Couldn’t Vysis just directly deal with them herself?

No matter how I look at this……That sh*tty goddess’ means is just too roundabout.

I have a theory regarding this matter.

To put it simply…… Isn’t there some reason why she can’t take direct action?

Being the Goddess she proclaims she is, she can just crush anyone who stands in the way of her country or the hegemony she had built up behind the scenes.

However, she seldom takes direct action herself.

No.

——–It’s more likely that she couldn’t.

It seems more natural to think that there must be some kind of reason why.

For example———- Some kind of circumstances specific to the still mysterious existence of the “Deities”.

[In other words, his Majesty’s goal is to free yourself from the Goddess’ control?]

[The world is distorted right now.]

Saying this, the Mad Emperor glanced in Alion’s direction……

[The history of this continent should be spun by those who were born and lived in this continent. A history spun under the control of foreign entities such as Deities couldn’t be called “history” at all. Such a history isn’t true at all, but a false history——— In other words, our life in itself is a lie. We believe…… that those who live in this world should live a real life, and die having such a life.]

“In other words……”, I ask.

[The Goddess Vysis is only an impurity in obtaining that “real life”———— That is what his Majesty thinks?]

He grinned.

His eyes narrowing——— The Mad Emperor smiled.

[Indeed.]

Some of the people in the meeting room gasped.

That smile of his just now befits his age———- No, rather, he looks like a youthful young man.

It was a smile with a hint of innocence.

Some of them clearly looked fascinated by him.

However, my heart wasn’t moved.

For me, Seras’ usual smile is much more fascinating than that.

[………………………]

Seras’ signal.

He isn’t lying.

However———— He isn’t being entirely truthful either.

He has been “thinking” about this, but that doesn’t mean this is his true intentions.

It may just be my hunch overthinking the situation.

However, that’s how I feel.

What he said just now were words with the “whole world” in mind.

But from what I see, it seems to me that his true intentions were more “personal”.

Looking at the Mad Emperor, I can’t help but feel as such.

[…………………..]

Well, that isn’t really important right now.

Knowing that his perception towards the Goddess is his “true feelings” is already enough for me.

I have a decision to make.

Having these in mind, I interlocked my hands together.

[I may be repeating myself…… But to put it simply, it isn’t that you hate Alion and the other countries within the Holy Alliance———-]

In any case, this Mad Emperor———-

[You wish to rid Goddess Vysis from this world, right?]

[Hence, it was necessary————- The Forbidden Curses.]

That name.

The Mad Emperor uttered that name.

Not responding to his words, I waited.

I will not give him any information about the Forbidden Curses here.

Whether it’s telling him about its existence……

Or perhaps, telling him that I do not know what he’s talking about……

I will not say anything.

[The Forbidden Curses, said to have the power to bring down the Deities…… I’m thinking of wagering my life on its power.]

[Do you know what the nature of this “power” is?]

Leaning his weight on the back of his chair, the Mad Emperor glaringly answered.

[The power to change the very nature of this world, I would say.]

“The very nature of this world”

Indeed, the ability to nullify the effect of <Dispel Bubble> can be called powerful.

(T/N: Goddess’ Spell Breaker / Dispel Bubble)

However, with just that alone……

Can it really be called “a power that changes the very nature of the world”?

Yes.

There isn’t just a single Forbidden Curse’s Spellbook of Incantations.

In other words, what the Mad Emperor possesses isn’t a Forbidden Curse that nullifies the <Dispel Bubble>————

[…………..Don’t tell me……]

Semi-unconsciously, I muttered in a voice that no one should be able to hear.

The power that could change the world——————————— I feel like that ability should also be one of them.

The Mad Emperor’s plan.

The reason why they are “on his side”.

Indeed, it’s highly likely that would be the case.

If it’s really that————

If he really has that————

As if to answer these questions I had in mind, the Mad Emperor spoke.

[The power to summon Heroes from a different world without relying on the Goddess———— and the ability to return them to their former world.]

(T/N: I’m starting to think that Forbidden Curses were actually Forbidden Spells. Well, I can’t really change the previous chapters anymore…… No, I could, but I’m too lazy to do that.)</i>

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