Chapter 185: A Battle of Wits (5)

Perhaps it was a matter of pride depending on each country’s position. Just as it existed among nobles, there was no way it wouldn’t exist between nations.

Their pride would not allow them to arrive earlier than the delegation of the Canel Kingdom.

―The delegation of the Bachenan Holy Kingdom is entering!

―The delegation of the Danas Federation is entering!

―The delegation of the Dior Empire is entering!

As people entered one after another, the banquet hall gradually filled up.

Each brought three to four knights or mages as escorts.

Of course, since this was a banquet hall, weapons were not allowed inside, so everyone was empty-handed.

Even though there had not yet been any exchanges between the nations, a strange current flowed through the air.

I thought all the delegations had entered.

Just as everyone was beginning to blend into the banquet……, the mouths of the doorkeepers who had been calling out guests’ names opened again.

―Princess Diana Omtia of the Danas Federation is entering!

At that cry, many people stirred.

Diana Omtia.

There were many rumors spread across the continent from that name alone.

“Is it really Princess Diana Omtia?”

“Really? That princess?”

“It’s Lady Saphtia! Exactly!”

When Blue Winter was rendered into the continental common language, it became Saphtia.

True to that name, Princess Diana Omtia had pale blue hair, eyebrows, and eyes.

In a way, it was a color that felt completely opposite to Raion’s.

The young ladies looked on with eyes full of admiration.

The young nobles seemed to be pondering how they might strike up a conversation with her.

However, Princess Diana Omtia, once inside, moved her steps as if it had already been decided.

“Nice to meet you. Crown Prince Raion Canel. I am Princess Diana Omtia of the Danas Federation. It is an honor to meet you like this.”

For a greeting from such a beautiful woman, it was extremely polite yet brimming with confidence.

At that sight, Raion felt a little taken aback, but he continued with a reply.

“I am pleased to meet you as well, Princess Omtia.”

“I have long heard of the Crown Prince’s reputation. I had been eagerly awaiting the day I could meet you, but I truly never imagined I would meet you here in the Mineta Kingdom.”

From beneath her blue eyebrows, her eyes curved into a gentle smile.

‘So she was the owner of that gaze at the city gate.’

Raion had sensed that look from the very beginning. And while heading toward the royal palace, he had already confirmed who she was through Specific Analysis.

Of course, he could not know what intention she had in coming to Mineta.

And only now did he roughly begin to guess.

‘Did she come here because of me?’

It seemed as though the arrangements he had made to create an official reason for her visit had become useless.

While Raion was thinking that, Diana Omtia did not allow the conversation to lapse.

“I have also heard rumors that Your Highness uncovered the scheme of Duke Alito Kright. Could you tell me about what happened back then?”

“It seems you know more than I expected.”

Raion had externally minimized his own contributions as much as possible.

That way, it would lend greater strength to his father Laskan Canel’s rule.

For Raion, who did not wish to inherit the throne immediately, that was the best course.

Yet Diana Omtia seemed to know the events of that time in detail.

“We are neighboring countries, separated by a small mountain range. How could we not know?”

“The Danas Federation’s intelligence network feels quite impressive.”

“Hohoho, intelligence network, you say. We merely hear rumors a little faster than other places.”

Her etiquette, which appeared both shrewd and humble, felt cold enough to be unsettling.

“Since we are also a ‘neighboring country’ of the Danas Federation, we hear various stories as well. I heard that you have an important matter ahead of you soon.”

For a moment, the brow of the previously serene Diana Omtia twitched slightly.

Had she noticed something? Or had she known from the start?

Could it be that from the very beginning—

All kinds of thoughts spun through her mind.

Of course, she could not express them outwardly.

“It is regrettable that we were unable to meet before. From now on, I hope we can meet often, even as ‘neighboring countries.’”

“How could a small country like ours possibly stand on equal footing with a federation?”

“A small country? You truly have nothing you cannot say, considering you are someone who holds the continent in your grasp.”

‘Just how much does she know? Seeing how she came straight to me as soon as she entered the banquet hall, was I her objective from the very start?’

Her remarkably proactive behavior stood out.

After all, it was not just any kingdom’s princess, but a princess of the Danas Federation showing interest in a kingdom called Canel.

Thus, a subtle tension lingered between the two.

“If you require assistance in accomplishing great deeds, we of the Canel Kingdom would like to provide it. You may speak to us at any time.”

“Really? I hope you truly mean it.”

“Of course I do. Weren’t you Saphtia, who once roamed the battlefield? If the opportunity arises, I would also like to see the ice-type magic that only Your Highness is said to be able to use, even within the Danas Federation.”

The blue winter that came to the battlefield.

Diana Omtia was not the kind of princess who came to banquets merely for socializing, or who, like ordinary young ladies, sought only chatter and dresses.

From childhood, when she had been called a prodigy of magic, she had even personally taken part in monster subjugations.

그 anecdote had become so famous that Diana Omtia became an object of admiration among the noble young ladies of many kingdoms.

“Given the chance, I would like to see the Crown Prince’s swordsmanship in person as well. I hear its speed is like lightning.”

“Someday, there will be an opportunity for both of us. As long as neither of us dies first, that is. Especially as the weather grows colder, it would be unfortunate if someone were to freeze to death.”

Once again, the words they exchanged carried layered meanings.

However, Diana Omtia’s expression, which had not changed until now, stiffened for the first time.

She was unable to say anything further and hastily steadied herself.

Signaling the end of the conversation, they each bowed their heads slightly to one another.

Diana Omtia moved along with her escort, only to be surrounded by the noble young ladies of the Mineta Kingdom.

Watching that scene together, Caldein Flavan quietly approached my side.

“Ice, you say…… she truly possesses a most peculiar kind of mana.”

Caldein Flavan had sensed her mana as well.

“It’s fascinating, but that’s also the problem.”

“Yes……?”

“There are things like that. If that woman comes to the annex palace after the banquet, let her in.”

“Understood.”

Despite being full of questions, he did not ask any.

In the meantime, the banquet continued.

While meeting various people, High Priestess Marianne and Helion came looking for Raion.

By their side was also Rasen, the Holy Knight Commander.

“May Zigasis’s blessing be upon you…… I apologize for greeting you so late, Crown Prince.”

“You must have gone through much hardship. High Priestess, Commander.”

“Did we truly suffer such hardship? It was all thanks to the Crown Prince. If not for you, we might have returned to the Goddess’s embrace far too early.”

“That sounds rather frightening.”

“How could humans not know fear? One cannot be without fear. Instead, we offer prayers to the Goddess and hope it fades quickly.”

It seemed there was a reason she had not become High Priestess for nothing.

Then Rasen, the Holy Knight Commander, opened his mouth.

“We are deeply grateful for the help we received. And regarding the item we received previously, how should we return it to you?”

He was referring to the uncut garments and the highly durable sword that had been delivered through Jade.

They had kept them since they needed to protect the priests.

After the situation in the Mineta Kingdom was resolved, there had been no opportunity to return them.

“You may keep them.”

“It was a very unusual fabric. What if we take it back, discover the materials, and imitate it?”

“That would be fine as well. If you are capable of it.”

The stab-resistant clothing I had made based on my experience as a mercenary used a weed called Kevraph.

Of course, that weed alone had not been used. Its durability had been greatly enhanced by synthesizing it with components extracted from Steeloud through an arcane sorcerer’s abilities.

Without that capability, anyone attempting to recreate it would require an enormous amount of time.

“It seems quite difficult.”

“A little.”

“Since you are giving it to us, we will gratefully accept it. To be honest, not only I but also the members like the sword and that garment very much.”

“Thank you for thinking so highly of them.”

“If possible, the Holy Kingdom would also like to order priestly robes made from that cloth. It seems especially necessary when one must travel alone during the trials to become a priest.”

“I will look into it and let you know.”

“Thank you. And if you ever need the Holy Kingdom’s assistance, please speak at any time. Not only the High Priestess, but even His Holiness will personally step forward.”

Raion was already a benefactor to the Holy Kingdom.

As a nation, the Holy Kingdom wished to help Raion in any way it could.

“Since there are also members of this delegation present, I would like to speak together in a quiet place sometime.”

“My name is Helion. As long as we remain here, any time is fine, so please just say the word. I, too, wished to speak with the Crown Prince about various matters.”

His eyes were filled with curiosity toward Raion.

As the banquet atmosphere ripened, the musicians’ music gradually grew louder.

Then, a commotion was heard.

Clang—!

A glass filled with liquor fell to the floor.

People’s gazes gathered toward the center of the banquet hall.

There stood Deborah, wearing a classic dress, and Marquis Keigaden Digargo of the Dior Empire delegation.

“By nature, a woman need only remain at home, bear an heir, and tend well to domestic affairs. As a marquis of the Empire, I merely sought to offer advice regarding women, yet you cannot even distinguish reason nor uphold etiquette to this extent?”

Every word and gesture was irritating.

As the tension rose, the crowd stirred.

Then Deborah, deeply furrowing her brow, shouted.

“No matter that you are a marquis of the Empire, you must observe proper boundaries. I am the monarch of a nation. Do you truly believe that attempting to instruct me in so-called womanly conduct is not a breach of etiquette?”

“I am merely stating the natural order. Where is the king, and where is the woman in that? I have only spoken my words.”

His arrogance seemed to pierce the heavens.

Of course, the knights of Mineta standing nearby wanted to strike down Marquis Digargo on the spot.

However, there was the position of nation versus nation.

If they acted rashly, they could give the Dior Empire a pretext to attack.

“For what reason did you speak such words to me, a woman who is also a king?”

“I merely stated the proper conduct. Does something trouble you?”

As expected of a marquis of the Empire, his three-inch tongue was truly sly.

Though Deborah’s anger had reached the top of her head, she endured it with great effort.

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