Book Eater

Chapter 212: Upcoming Battle (3)

The room fell into a dumbfounded silence. A letter from Prince Elsid? Moreover, the guest who came to visit Theo was the courier? The meeting room in Meltor’s royal palace was silent.

No, a letter from Prince Elsid at this time...

It is certainly good if it is true, but is it good that the prince predicted the timing? It is strange.

I want to question Sir Theo, but my position...

Everyone had different reactions. Some of them were too confused to accept the situation, and others just doubted their ears. There were also people who turned red with excitement, and more who were worried about asking for the authenticity of the words...

The situation was too perfect to simply accept, but it didn’t look good to question the kingdom’s hero. So, it was natural for them to stay silent. Therefore, it was up to Kurt III to break this silence.

He reviewed Theo’s words several times before speaking, “Quattro’s Captain.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I don’t mean to doubt you, but this timing is too perfect. How did you form a relationship with Prince Elsid, and who brought this letter to you? Can you explain the events that lead to this?”

“I will follow Your Majesty’s will.”

They were valid doubts, so Theo paused before picking what words to say.

Theo had spent a while in the Soldun Kingdom, but he needed to explain it so that people didn’t misunderstand. He would talk about the time he’d bought the mansion after arriving in the Soldun Kingdom from the Pirate Archipelago.

Theo arranged his thoughts and opened his mouth, “After leaving the Pirate Archipelago, I moved to the port city, Piris, in the Soldun Kingdom...”

He didn’t mention Randolph, who had accompanied him. Randolph’s heart didn’t belong to Andras, but the fact that the sword master was from Andras could be interpreted as something else. It would be natural to doubt Theo’s information if they found out Randolph had accompanied him for more than a year. He would be naturalized when he escaped from the empire, so there was no need to reveal Randolph’s identity right now.

Theo’s life in Piris...

The arrival of the Baek Family and the spar with Baek Jongmyung...

The unexpected meeting with Crown Prince Elsid...

And Theo’s connection with the boy called Baek Dongil.

It was a long story, but it wasn’t hard for people to understand. There were some who started sweating nervously when they heard about the spar with Baek Jongmyung, and others who pitied Baek Dongil’s circumstances. However, they had one consistent reaction.

At the end of Theo’s story, they all exhaled at the same time, “Hoo...”

It was a ridiculous sight, but no one smiled. Kurt III understood the circumstances and spoke with a voice which carried an unknown weight, “It’s a good explanation. It also explains why he sent a letter through the boy called Baek Dongil.”

“That’s right, Your Majesty.”

“This timing is so perfect that it can be said that the heavens are helping Meltor. If the boy had arrived even three days later, he would’ve missed the timing,” Kurt was talking to himself. However, he glanced at Theo with sunken eyes and held out a hand.

Kurt could listen to the letter, but he wanted to read it himself.

“Show me the letter sent by the crown prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Theo used simple wind magic at Kurt’s request. A gentle breeze carried the letter into the king’s hands, and people watched silently. Kurt’s purple eyes scanned the letter slowly from the top to the bottom.

He read the contents with a strange expression in his eyes before muttering, “... How interesting. Crown Prince Elsid was a vulnerable boy when I last saw him. Now he wants to talk about a new monarch? What a bold and reckless plot.”

The minister of foreign affairs asked carefully, “Your Majesty, do you mind if I ask about the contents?”

“Of course.” Kurt nodded with a smile and raised his head from the letter. “It’s essentially a request for our support. He also wrote down the size of the troops that Lairon sent, a map of the area where a battle is expected to occur, and a route to use to enter secretly.”

“Ohh! That means...!”

“It means the royal family has accepted Meltor’s involvement in Soldun’s civil war. The letter is also stamped by their royal seal, so there is no need to worry about any accusations of interference.”

The justification to interfere in international conflicts was an important matter, and it was more strictly applied to the stronger powers like Andras and Meltor. Without justification, there was a chance the whole Central Continent would unite in a war against the northern powers.

However, the situation was reversed with this letter. Unlike Andras, Meltor had just received permission to move a large number of troops into Soldun Kingdom. The Lairon Kingdom would only be able to send covert support, so the balance would tilt to the side of the royal party.

Kurt was excited by the contents of the letter and immediately started planning. “Prince Elsid has presented two paths of entry. There is an overland route that goes through the Sipoto wilderness on the outskirts of Kargas, and a sea route that goes through the eastern waters toward Piris. Let’s discuss which method will be more efficient.”

His words were spoken lightly, but there was a weight to them. Depending on their choice of entry, the timing of the troops’ arrival and their strategic efficiency would vary greatly. The best way was to get there as quickly and secretly as possible.

It would also be advantageous to take the path that allowed them to muster the most troops. While a soldier’s level was important in war, numerical superiority was also a factor to consider.

However, there was one person who put a brake on Kurt’s thoughts.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. But perhaps we can’t use the sea route this year.”

“Blundell?”

The Blue Tower Master, Blundell, said grimly, “The south wind is very intense at the eastern waters in this period. I expect it will take three times as long and more manpower than usual to get to Piris from the north.”

“Three times... White Tower Master, can the White Tower’s newest invention be used?”

Orta replied, “If we use the balloons, we can reduce it to twice as long; however, further reduction isn’t possible.”

“Two or three times as long is too slow,” Kurt grumbled and shook his head when he realized it was pointless.

There was no point harassing his people about things which couldn’t be changed. Anyway, something bad would always pop up when something good occurred. Elsid’s letter had arrived on time, but now the paths were causing trouble.

Just when Kurt was about to give up on the sea route...

“Excuse me, Your Majesty. I have something to say.”

“Something? Go ahead, Quattro’s Captain.”

Theo made a subtle expression as he glanced at Blundell before speaking, “I might have a way. Then we can arrive there more quickly than usual.”

“... What?”

“Is that true?”

The eyes of the people present widened with surprise. Theo continued speaking, “In the past, I received the Sea Dragon’s Blessing from Aquilo. That blessing can be used to overcome the wind.”

“T-That’s right...!”

“Indeed, a sea dragon rules the water!”

“Then the reasons for not being able to use the sea route are gone!”

As their astonishment and excitement grew, one person spoke their mind without thinking, “Sir Theo, what if you are accompanied by the sea dragon? Won’t her power be a great help?”

However, Theo smiled bitterly and shook his head. “She won’t go. She has no interest in being involved in anything else and is currently fixing Austen. If we want her help, we have to pay a corresponding price or give up the covenant with Austen.”

“T-That’s right... I’m sorry for bringing it up.”

It was much too tempting to use the power of the dragon. They would be able to crush all the soldiers in the civil war, the Lairon Kingdom’s troops and Andras’ shadows if they were accompanied by Aquilo. However, too much greed causes disaster. The people abandoned their foolish thoughts and focused on the next agenda. Obviously, there was only one thing remaining.

“Then let’s discuss who will be dispatched to the Soldun Kingdom.”

The meeting continued for a long time.

***

Theo had arrived at the meeting around noon and only left in the middle of the night when the stars and moon were shining. He hadn’t even been able to snatch a proper meal. Simple sandwiches had been placed before everyone, but they had barely eaten. Most people had been too busy brainstorming to eat properly. It had been the same for Theo, who had sent the meeting into overdrive with his news.

“... Hah, I’m tired.”

Still, even after the meeting ended, he didn’t return to his bedroom. Instead, he walked tiredly through the palace to find someone. It was around midnight, so under normal circumstances, they should be asleep. However, he was convinced they wouldn’t be.

Unsurprisingly, he was right.

“... Theo?”

Theo had come to where the delegation from Elvenheim was staying. She seemed like a fairy walking through the lush garden as the moonlight shone on her green hair. She was Mother Nature’s beloved daughter, and buds sprouted under her feet, filling this place with vitality.

Theo nearly swallowed his tongue as he looked at her. He was accustomed to seeing beauty, but Ellenoa was an exception to his common sense.

Ellenoa was worried when he froze, so she hastily approached and placed a hand on his forehead. “Theo, are you feeling well? Your complexion looks bad.”

“N-No, I’m okay.”

“I’m glad to see you, but... what is so urgent that you came so late at night?”

Theo took a moment to think. He had lost his train of thought, and the words he had thought up during his walk over were now scattered.

Theo somehow gathered his wits and opened his mouth, “Ellenoa.”

“Yes.”

“I have to participate in an important mission starting from tomorrow. I may not be able to see you again before you return to Elvenheim. So, even though it’s late, I came to see you today.”

“Ah...” Ellenoa was dismayed that she wouldn’t be able to see him anymore, and blushed at his last words. She was acutely aware of the atmosphere that was developing.

Theo didn’t confirm or deny anything as he gazed at her with a serious expression. “I’ve thought a lot about it.”

“... Yes.” In contrast, Ellenoa lowered her face with a red expression.

“Ellenoa, you were right. I don’t know if my answer right now comes from sincerity or a sense of responsibility. I didn’t come to see you before because I couldn’t answer, but I thought it would be cowardly to leave without saying anything.”

Theo hooked his little finger around Ellenoa’s. Even elves who didn’t know human culture were aware that this meant a promise. Ellenoa looked up with wide eyes.

“Please wait for a little bit.”

“......”

“I have to go to the world tree again. For Mitra, Myrdal, and various other reasons. But I won’t use that as an excuse.”

“... Then?”

As he felt her shivering hand and heard her trembling voice, Theo swore firmly to himself as well as to her, “On that day, I will give you an answer on the branch of the world tree that we walked together.”

With that, his preparations were finished.