29. Unprofessional Team

On the surface, my task with Kephiel was to follow Nilu and act as bait, so I naturally had no reason to refuse Nilu’s invitation.

During the time we spent heading to the town within the Rodmar Empire, Nilu, likely due to my presence, openly expressed her current “slight worries.” In Nilu’s words, it could be summarized in one phrase: the fatty meat has attracted the filthy hyenas.

At this moment, in the town of the Rodmar Empire, we were in the makeshift reception room of the lord. The nominal lord of the Rodmar Empire’s town was the purple fairy Claudilus, who was by Nilu’s side. However, with Nilu’s presence as the host, she naturally took the lead, and we were about to meet the envoys sent by several small countries that might require a magnifying glass to be seen on the continental map from the previous summit of various nations.

As I watched them enter one after another, each wearing expressions of cunning and greed, the script in my mind informed me of their intentions behind those expressions that seemed to be coming to snatch the meat.

【The envoys from various countries are attempting to demand benefits from the Rodmar Empire!】

Sure enough, these supporting characters seemed to want to take advantage of the convenience gained from the previous summit and the chaos within the Rodmar Empire to request some benefits. It was one thing for a massive empire like Louis IV to do so, but for you small countries to come and try to snatch something was just disgusting and beyond your means, right? However, although I was unhappy inside, I had to hold back and not speak due to my identity.

When everyone had arrived, Nilu, fully aware of what this group was here for, did not get angry but instead smiled and spoke.

“Welcome, guests, to come from afar. On behalf of Lord Oujilide of the Rodmar Empire, I extend my sincere greetings to you all, and I hope you can enjoy your time here in the Rodmar Empire.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

“Oh, I thought it would be a wasteland, but I didn’t expect it to actually look quite decent.”

Looking over these envoys, the script reminded me that they were mostly envoys from small countries. Although some of them seemed a bit “cowardly” upon seeing me and Kephiel, they quickly regained their motivation as if following a prearranged plan, using polite words to gloss over their true intentions.

“Isn’t that so? With this, it can barely be considered a country.”

“Miss Nilu, you should thank us for our insistence on reason from various countries~”

These envoys pretended to congratulate, likely unaware due to their status as envoys that their rulers had no insistence on reason, but had agreed only because Nilu had threatened them.

“That’s only right. Lord Oujilide is also very grateful for everyone’s prior assistance to the Rodmar Empire. Without your support, the royal authority of the Rodmar Empire would not have been established at all.”

Nilu’s response was still ordinary to the point of feeling a bit humble. Clearly, if she were displeased, she could easily turn this group to ashes, yet she held back at this moment!?

The script did not clarify Nilu’s thoughts, so I could only sit silently with Kephiel, pretending to be dead. The next moment, Nilu finally responded.

“I was just communicating with the two envoys from the Great Yeng Empire when I was informed that you envoys also wished to meet. Lord Oujilide could not come, so I am here to receive you instead. I wonder why you envoys hurried to the Rodmar Empire and wanted to meet with me?”

This was clearly giving the other side an opportunity to speak.

Naturally, when I looked at those supporting characters, they were all subtly signaling each other as if to unify their stance, then carefully observing my and Kephiel’s reactions. After confirming that we had nothing to say, they boldly began their plan to “extort benefits .”

“Since Miss Nilu can represent the king here in answering, we’ll speak plainly. Each of our countries has contributed to the establishment of the Rodmar Empire. Now that we see the Rodmar Empire developing well, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for us , having come from afar, to receive some benefits in return for our past contributions, right?”

【The envoys from various countries want to gain benefits from the Rodmar Empire!】

It seems this is the “little trouble” that Nilu mentioned to me earlier regarding Kfeier. Indeed, although the Rodmar Empire has been established, the announcement of such news at the previous summit of nations represents continuous harassment. Those small nations that believe Nilu’s Rodmar Empire is easy to bully and will naturally come to reap some benefits.

“As for returns, right now in the Rodmar Empire, all we have are buildings still under construction.”

“That’s not a problem! We’ve already thought of a solution!”

The other party was clearly a “professional team” and had come prepared. As soon as Nilu finished speaking, they began to chime in with “thoughtful” suggestions for her!

“We just need the Rodmar Empire to designate some areas within the city and rent those regions to us.”

“Exactly! We’ll handle the management and construction ourselves afterward, and it would still count as helping you out, Rodmar Empire, haha~”

This is clearly coveting their land, right? To expose their true intentions over a little piece of land, it makes one wonder just how much higher Queen Louise IV’s ability to investigate the Rodmar’s secrets is compared to these foolish kings of small nations.

“Renting out land is a bit difficult, you know~”

Nilu forced a bitter smile, but the other party was well-prepared.

“Miss Nilu, you’ll need to think this over again. After all, all the nations contributed to the establishment of your Rodmar Empire.”

“Now that a nation has been established, you want to sever ties with us? You can’t just treat us as tools, can you? We helped you establish your Rodmar Empire, and we can certainly mention at the next summit what the consequences would be if you refuse to communicate with us…”

The other party’s expressions darkened instantly, subtly threatening Nilu, which left me feeling somewhat conflicted.

Even knowing that Nilu could easily overpower this group of oblivious small fries with a wave of her hand, she now had to consider the Rodmar Empire and could only respond with a somewhat heavy smile.

Kfeier beside her remained silent, but her expression was somewhat grim, clearly displeased with the actions of these small nations. At this moment, pretending I understood nothing and sitting here was indeed the best course of action. It wouldn’t help Kfeier’s enemies, nor would it directly involve me in the threats against Nilu, thus avoiding any hostility from her towards us.

However, doing so left me with an uneasy feeling—was I… a bit sorry for them?

As I lamented why I had such unhelpful thoughts, I glanced at the script, but upon looking…

I was startled all over! I didn’t even catch what these small fries had just said!

“What’s wrong, Miss Nilu! If you can’t decide, then don’t! Let your king, Oujilide, respond!”

“Exactly! Wasn’t it said that Oujilide is the king? Now that the empire is established, he’s still acting aloof and ignoring us, his benefactors?”

【Nilu is very happy!】

【Nilu is very much looking forward to Oujilide’s performance!】

【Nilu plans to…】

Could it be that Nilu wants to…

I didn’t dare to look further into the script! Instead, I immediately slammed the table, the sound “bang” attracting the attention of these reckless small fries who loved to court disaster and drag others down with them!

Then, lowering my voice, I glared at them!

“Hey, you little envoy from those tiny countries, can you shut your mouths?”

“You’re quite familiar for someone who considers themselves a benefactor.”

“Don’t think too highly of yourselves!”