868 – Is this the land of the one-eyed? – 2

Relations between the Empire and Armenia were not very good.

It is rare for countries with borders to be on good terms, and if those countries are both the first and second largest powers on the continent, their relationship is bound to be even more hostile. The Empire must suppress the second largest power right next to it in order to reign as a continental superpower, and Armenia would be too proud to bow to the Empire, so it is only natural.

‘When you say pride, it seems a bit lacking.’

However, in terms of running a country, pride is a crucial matter. Whether objectively or subjectively, Armenia is a country that can boast loudly, and is a country that boasts a powerful knight force and has earned the honorable nickname of the Knight Kingdom. If so, the Armenian people will support the royal family and the country with pride in their homeland.

In other words, if Armenians show their ugliness and their pride collapses, the Robbens dynasty and the Armenian nation itself will be in danger. That is why Armenians had to confront the empire in order to preserve their national identity.

Besides, someone of Armenian weight class could act as a gangster anywhere on the continent, but he couldn’t do that because he was right next to the Empire. How unfair and resentful that must be. So he would have hated to just give in.

‘The emperors of the past were not very conciliatory towards Armenians.’

Since the border between the Empire and Armenia was established, the Emperors of the Empire have consistently maintained a hard-line stance in their diplomacy with Armenia.

The person who is in first place can get along well with the third or fourth place, and even the last place. However, he can never smile and shake hands with the second place, who threatens his throne. He is a lynx who will take his place as soon as he makes a mistake.

Second place like Armenia also cannot laugh with the first place. If the throne is far away, they would rather give up, but if it is right in front of their eyes, they want to drive out the first place. That is why the empire and Armenia have been enemies in reality.

‘Times have changed now.’

Unlike the past, the present is a time when the Empire and Armenians have resolved their hostilities and chosen to coexist. This is surprising considering that when the Eastern Kingdoms were targeting the Empire, Armenians also tried to join in.

And what’s even more surprising is that one of the main characters of this new era is Ryutis.

‘Ryutis, the protagonist of the era.’

Even when I think about it, it’s such a strange expression that I can’t help but laugh, but apart from the fact that it’s funny, that expression isn’t wrong.

First, the king of Armenia was active in the war with the Eastern Kingdom, raising the status of the empire. The current king of Armenia was seeking to strengthen internal stability rather than confront the empire. The kingdom of Armenia was beginning to adopt a hard-line diplomacy due to the rise of the hawkish faction within the country known as the Fifth Empire. In this situation, the atmosphere changed strangely when Prince Ryutis of Armenia entered the Imperial Academy.

‘The ball went into the goal without a second thought.’

No matter how much I think about it, it is true that Ryutis himself entered the school without much thought. This was a cruel truth that I could not deny even if I interpreted Ryutis in the most positive way possible.

However, Rutis’s study abroad in the Empire gave Armenians the idea, ‘Can we also coexist peacefully with the Empire?’ Honestly, would Armenians want to continue a hundred-year conflict with other countries? Even the Empire, which seemed to be faltering, became strong again after the enthronement of the current situation.

Of course, if the empire had lost to Khagan, the story would have been different, but the empire won anyway. After that, it completely swallowed up the north. It would not have been strange for the mainstream public opinion in Armenia to lean toward a declaration of giving up the power game, saying, “We’ve done enough, so let’s rest now.” It was as if Ryutis had poured oil on the embers of peace that were slowly burning.

So I thought that if Fine and I entered Armenia, there would be a high possibility that various nobles would approach us. I am an acquaintance of Ryutis, the main character of the new era. If I could give Ryutis a positive image, it would likely be conveyed well to him.

“Welcome, Your Excellency the Count! The Kingdom of Armenia warmly welcomes your visit!”

But this was unexpected.

“It is an unparalleled honor to meet the greatest swordsman on the continent in person!”

“His Majesty the King also congratulated Your Excellency on your visit and wished you a pleasant journey in Armenia! He also said that he regrets not being able to personally greet you as the royal family is busy with preparations for the wedding of His Majesty Ryutis─”

I had no idea that the welcoming crowd would be so enthusiastic and beyond my expectations.

‘what’s this.’

It’s embarrassing. I could have easily traveled via teleportation, but since Armenia is connected to the Empire by land, I took a carriage to Armenia. Since I had to cross the border by road, I had already told the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which route to take, when to enter which city, and so on.

But as soon as I entered the city, I was met with a splendid crowd. And a crowd that had come running from the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

‘They treat us this well, even in a border city?’

I feel like I’m sweating. I didn’t think he would be unwelcome, since he is the representative power holder of the empire and the best swordsman on the continent. It’s natural for the Armenian officials to welcome him warmly, since he has a personal relationship with Prince Ryutis. Or else, it would be even stranger.

But who would have thought that they would be welcomed only when they arrived in the capital of Armenia? Who would have thought that they would be greeted with such a warm welcome as soon as they entered the country?

‘Aren’t they busy?’

It was so bad that I even had that thought. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in our town is so busy with work that they can’t even leave the office building, but does this local Ministry of Foreign Affairs have the luxury of leaving the capital?

Is it possible that the status of Ryutis in Armenia has risen higher than I expected? Especially from the perspective of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the power game with the Empire ended thanks to Ryutis, so it is understandable that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sheds tears and admires him.

“It is truly an honor…! To have met Your Majesty before retirement!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you for coming!”

“The hero of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs! Our hero!”

‘What the fuck.’

No, no. This is not about Ryutis’s high status. No matter how hard you try to deny it, this is not about respect for Ryutis or consideration for Ryutis’ acquaintances.

‘It’s me.’

Their respect and cheers are directed solely at me. They don’t simply treat me as a precious guest, but they sincerely support me.

“Your Majesty, first, let’s have a cup of tea. Unfortunately, this is just a town on the border of Armenia, so we cannot afford to entertain you with much fanfare, but it will be enough to relieve the fatigue of the long carriage journey!”

“Yes! I’ll have to check the carriage’s condition for a moment, so how about resting for a while?”

“Oh, um. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Hospitality! That is too kind of you!”

The officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shook their hands and heads furiously in response to my thanks.

I felt complicated because of the genuinely sorry response.

Tea time was over quickly. Just as the Foreign Ministry group said, we spent just enough time checking the carriage and relieving our tired bodies. Isn’t it wrong to keep the steps of distinguished guests for too long?

It was a kind consideration, but at the same time scary. Now, they even directly used the word “precious person.” And every word and action of these Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials was like a deliberate production.

‘It’s the best sword… is that so?’

Eventually, I thought of the most likely cause of this strange situation. The fact that I am called the greatest swordsman on the continent. That seems to be the most likely cause.

Of course, it is not simply a reason like, ‘He is the best unmanned person on the continent, so he should be respected and served!’ That may be the reason for the unmanned people’s actions, but it cannot be the reason for the officials’ actions.

Still, the reason why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regards me as a god descended to earth is because I am the best swordsman on the continent, and I am the pinnacle of martial arts that even Armenians cannot help but acknowledge.

The appearance of the continent’s best sword in the Empire is proof that the Empire has a clear upper hand over the Armenians. It is a symbol that even the Armenians, who are proud of being a kingdom of knights, have no choice but to submit to the Empire. Perhaps my existence, along with Rutis’s study abroad, has influenced the Armenians to give up their power game.

‘That’s why it’s like that.’

I sighed without realizing it. From the perspective of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I am a savior who prevented my country from pursuing hardline diplomacy against the continent’s most powerful country, and furthermore, helped establish peaceful relations. If you think about it that way, you can fully understand this situation.

‘Was I also a leading figure of the new era?’

It’s driving me crazy. I thought it was a title that was given to Ryuus, but it’s also a title that’s given to me. In some ways, it’s a clearer and bigger title.

“Hoo…”

“Why are you doing that?”

As I sighed again, Fine, who was sitting across from me, tilted her head.

Only then did I come to my senses. This trip was more like a honeymoon with Fine than attending Rutis’ wedding. What was important to me now was spending quality time with Fine, not guessing the inner workings of the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

“I’m sorry. I’m a little embarrassed to be receiving such unimaginable treatment. There’s no such thing as unmerited favor among nobles.”

That’s why I made a good excuse.

The warm hospitality of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not an unmerited favor, but I am not in a position to give a reward. I have already given it. And it is a huge reward in the form of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s work relief and the gift of peace. So I do not need to sigh at this hospitality. Since I have nothing more to give, it is also a way to enjoy it with peace of mind.

But to tell the truth, I have to say, ‘I brought peace to Armenia, so the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is supporting me. That’s a bit burdensome.’ It’s hard for anyone who isn’t quite narcissistic to dare say it.

“This is the treatment you deserve.”

“uh?”

“He was the best swordsman on the continent, the prince’s advisor, and the second-in-command of the empire, so this is what he should do. If they are truly part of the Knight Kingdom, then it is right for them to bow their heads just for the fact that he is the best swordsman on the continent, more than anything else.”

I nodded quietly at Fine’s proud voice.

I had forgotten for a moment that Fine was my number one follower. More so than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but never less so.