Chapter 458 – At the Border -2-

Characters who make it their business to wield blades and survive have a curiosity that is difficult to control.

Subconsciously, the legs of Majella, who was observing the dragon race called Theodor Spenta with interest, and the knights who were standing guard began to shake.

“···!”

Theodor Spenta is the exact opposite of Roman and has the tendency not to hide his capabilities when others try to judge him.

If you want to see it, he doesn’t hide the power he has.

Most people can observe the lump of transcendental power within him.

Even if it just exists without intention, it exerts extremely strong mental pressure on creatures below a certain level.

“It’s a good thing you came as expected.”

Theodore’s quietly recited voice rang through the conference room with unique power.

In the eyes of emperors and prime ministers who have no experience holding a sword and rolling around on the dirt floor, the Vulcan Rockhead, with its size like a mountain, may be a symbol of fear that creates tension.

Those on the side of the empire who value military force feel it.

There were a lot of rumors about Theodor Spenta’s insane power.

Why are races other than the dragon people so crumpled and unable to straighten their spirits?

When Theodore saw Roman and Duke Primiller, his eyes began to burn with fighting spirit.

Vulcan called to him with a clicking sound from his jaw.

“Theo.”

“!”

“We are about to begin, so take a seat.”

“Tch… I know even if you don’t say it.”

A face dissatisfied with the heat that has to be forcibly cooled.

Still, as Vulcan has repeatedly urged, not now. I guess he came here because he was convinced by those words.

“Theodore. Here.”

Theodore, guided by Varian, moved to Vulcan’s side and lay down on his chair.

After finishing the tour, Varian took a seat with a stack of documents. The emperor looked towards Vulcan and opened his mouth.

“It is an honor to meet the legendary great people of the Federation. I grew up hearing anecdotes about the people of the Federation from my ancestors as well.”

“Hmm… I feel ashamed that my youthful energy has leaked out.”

“A shameful past belongs to an old man who spent the rest of his life sitting like me. The anecdote I heard about the Commonwealth was a story that would make any man’s blood boil and yearn for him before he was a member of the royal family.”

Even though the emperor was spouting flashy words, he was turning a blind eye.

The situation is no different for the prime minister sitting next to the emperor.

‘It doesn’t look happy… Isn’t it also unpleasant? I just can’t figure it out.’

Vulcan’s face is made up of more than half of its shell, and its appearance is really close to that of a dragon, so it is not easy to read its expression from a human perspective.

It is equally difficult to tell whether something is a joke or seriousness, even for emperors and prime ministers who have reached the peak of political experience.

Vulcan’s voice had little pitch, so most situations had to be judged based on the sentences he heard.

While the Emperor and Vulcan were talking, the promised time arrived.

Vulcan moved his thick chin as if he had been waiting and openly stated his agenda.

“Now that we have set up this place, is it okay to think that we will see the conclusion of the ceasefire today?”

“That’s right.”

“I heard that the emperor of this empire is a very cautious person, but he seems to be making some pretty smart decisions.”

Intuition that the other person wants to honestly hear a reason or answer.

When the Prime Minister sitting next to him made a move to give a formal answer. The emperor who stopped it was the first to show his true intentions.

“I think it would be quite an embarrassing story for the ruler of the empire.”

“We, the dragon people, prefer words that touch our hearts intuitively rather than fancy sentences. That would be similar to words that are considered honest in the empire.”

When the emperor showed his determination to show shame, Vulcan nodded his head and showed his most positive mood.

A conversation between rulers who listen without anyone interfering.

The emperor of the empire smiled wryly on his wrinkled face.

“It was true that Nema Natas had a great influence on the empire for several generations, but since most of the current status of the emperor was transmitted in print, the old man did not seem to realize the danger of the situation.”

“It’s a common thing that happens to anyone who holds an important position, regardless of race. But it’s truly amazing to realize that there’s a problem there.”

“Thank you for telling me such a foolish mistake…”

Falkoz Lancaster still couldn’t believe that the hideous demon was Jurgena di Venta.

No, it’s a cruel reality that I still don’t want to believe.

The saint of the church came in person and completed the verification, saying that the devil was indeed Jurgena di Venta, and the mansion in the Three Knights’ Domain was turned upside down to the point where it was difficult to find any traces.

Beneath the land where the mansion was located, many Jurgena’s blood relatives, employees, and unknown bodies were buried.

According to Roman’s short explanation, 4 Knight Cedric Floyd followed the same path as his child.

If things continued like this, it would not be enough to pass on a sick empire to future generations; the immediate future was bleak.

Nema Natas, a parasite on the empire for generations. How many nobles and merchants are suspected of being connected to that group?

Believing in Duke Primiller’s willingness to step forward, he has stirred up the hive of Nema Natas by declaring war and proceeding with a ceasefire.

What if there are more such terrible demons?

The thought that the emperor might be wearing a human shell and blending in with those around him makes him sleepless at night.

“I hope that the rotten root called Nema Natas can be pulled out as soon as possible.”

These words alone contained the emperor’s earnest sincerity.

It was only now that the emperor realized how dangerous and urgent it was to eradicate Nema Natas, which he considered important in his own right.

When the satisfactory results and appeal were felt, Theodore, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.

“If we reach an agreement, let’s stamp it and move right away.”

“Theo. It’s not that simple.”

“?”

Now that we have confirmed that the two countries have the same intentions, the talks begin now.

Even if there is a deadline for inviolability and a cease-fire, where and how will each country allow passage or exchanges, and will soldiers from areas where the border meets be withdrawn or allowed to remain there?

There are dozens of agenda items that require in-depth conversation.

There are many issues that need to be addressed in order to confirm the ceasefire here today.

“It doesn’t matter if you go out and rest. I will ask for your understanding and proceed with Varian.”

“Haa…”

Theodore does not have the confidence to endure boring verbal exchanges for a long time.

In a way, this is cruel torture to him.

“It’s not a place where you can force anything. You can do whatever you feel comfortable with.”

The emperor showed a gesture that it did not matter to Theodore, who had a disgusted look on his face.

Since there is a tendency to have already heard about it and researched it in advance, this is also not within the expected range of the empire.

When the emperor’s approval was given, Vulcan moved his eyes and looked at Roman.

“We’ll just discuss a few things and then take a break. Until then, can you hang out with Theo for a while?”

“You mean me?”

With a clatter, Vulcan nodded his head, and a spark of interest lit up in Theodore’s eyes.

“Of course, I don’t mean to ask you to spar with me or to do anything like that. Just having a conversation with Theo is enough.”

Before hearing Roman’s answer, Theodore jumped up from his seat, saying he was satisfied with that, opened the door, and left.

Let the emperor, prime ministers, knights and wizards stare at themselves.

Roman got up from his seat with a sigh and headed towards the door where Theodore left.

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Unlike the Empire, the hallways created by the Federal Bureau do not have archaic patterns.

Instead, the wall leading to the hallway is open, allowing a view of the outside. Roman’s personal preference was that he liked this one better.

“Here.”

Theodore, who was sitting in the open space, called out to Roman.

Roman took long strides and opened his mouth to express his impressions.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to be here.”

“There was news that you were coming, and who is he…?”

Theodore squinted as if he couldn’t remember someone’s name.

“Are you talking about Sir Asen Premiller?”

“Yes! That human being. If you pretend, you are pretending.”

As Roman smiled, Theodore continued to complain.

“It’s hard to remember this person’s name because it sounds like the name of a demon. Anyway, I heard that person was coming, so I came to see him.”

“I’m curious about Theodore’s feelings after meeting the empire’s strongest knight.”

“It’s not the first time I’ve encountered that person. I saw that person once when he was young. This is probably the second time. I admit he’s strong, but…”

I know what Theodore swallowed. Roman also shook hands and assured Duke Primiller of his health.

“I saw it for the first time today.”

“Still, you figured out the problem, right? Even if you fight to the death with that type of person, you’re bound to get unpleasant results. Even if you kill him, you’ll definitely feel like you’ve been tormented rather than victorious.”

The attitude toward struggle is infinitely pure. When Roman laughed at that sight, Theodore tapped the floor with his tail.

Having someone watching the same view completely eliminates boredom.

I feel like this person is fun just to meet him.

Widely! Widely! Widely! Tak!

The sound of footsteps echoing in a hallway that should be quiet. Someone runs in with a disorganized beat.

Roman and Theodore simultaneously turned their heads toward the end of the hallway.

An elf, soaked with fear and looking on the verge of fainting, jumped out from the corner.

“That’s it…! Wow! Wow!”

The elf who ran to the point of nausea was dressed in black clothes and bright yellow gold blossoms, something Roman had seen before.

They were dressed in the attire of a group worshiping the saint Juberoa Blanc.

“Perhaps the saint is inside…”

“What are you?”

Theodore, interrupted in conversation, stiffens his expression and snaps his fingers.

The elf, who finally realized that the dragon in front of him was Theodore, put his head down on the floor.

“Ah, I’m sorry! There’s a problem with the monastery…!”

“Oh, were we attacked?”

It wasn’t surprising.

There are things that Vulcan and Varian predicted and hinted at.

In order to disrupt the truce, Nema Natas may cause trouble to the Empire or the Federation and shake up the talks.

“That… That, Sarah… Lost.”

“The church exploded and disappeared? Then build it again.”

The elf was momentarily entranced by Theodore’s carefree attitude as he asked if there was any problem.

He came to his senses again and reported what he saw.

“No…! Suddenly, a huge hand rose from the ground and swallowed the church…”

“By swallowing?”

Hearing Theodore’s voice urging him to speak, the elf trembled his lips and conveyed what he had seen.

“The church has disappeared to the ground…”