Persuasion and Negotiation (11)

The king’s direct order of knights.

A similar position to the knights in the capital, such as Max and the knights in the central battlefield.

It was certainly a good location in name.

Julia and I were in a position we didn’t deserve.

It was natural, considering the position of the knights in the capital.

It was immediately proven that Max was treated worse than me.

“I know what you are concerned about. “I am also aware of how the Knights are treated.”

The king must have noticed my complexion and quickly changed his tune.

And then he tried to appease us by saying he would give us special treatment.

Rather, it was a situation I did not want.

After defeating the Demon King, I wanted to live a peaceful life in the capital.

However, it was obvious that if he became a knight commander under the king’s direct command, many political issues would be involved.

There was no way Julia didn’t know that fact, so she bowed her head politely.

“Your Majesty. Thank you for overestimating us.”

“…”

“We just serve our country. However, I think the position of knight commander is too much.”

The king’s expression hardened slightly at the clear refusal.

In effect, it means denying the king’s favor.

At the same time, the surrounding atmosphere sank deeply.

So many eyes looking at us.

Catalina looked around to see if she was satisfied.

Her gaze was aimed precisely at the place where people were hiding.

Before the atmosphere got any weirder, I stepped out.

“Your Majesty. Yulia and I want to maintain the Adventurer’s Alliance.”

Why did Yulia create the Adventurer’s League?

Because the country treats the knights poorly and does not treat them properly.

Yulia planned to take the initiative herself and grow the armed forces.

In that part, the will of Yuria and the king were in conflict.

Julia wanted to grow her own power while avoiding the pressure and orders of the kingdom.

On the contrary, the king wanted me, Julia, and Catalina to become knights under his direct command.

Like so many people staring at us right now.

I wanted them to be people who completely followed the king’s orders.

“Julia has no intention of leaving her position as head of the commissioning center. The same goes for me.”

“Does this mean that you want to remain an adventurer rather than a knight leader?”

“Yes. “I don’t want to be a knight commander.”

“…Can you tell me the reason?”

“After defeating the Demon King, I want to lay down my sword.”

The king was not the only one surprised by my remarks.

Both Julia and Catalina looked at me with surprising eyes.

Even though Julia frowned as if she felt betrayed.

I continued talking without paying any heed.

“Of course, unless monsters disappear from the world, my wish will not come true.”

“…”

“But I am tired of battlefields and fighting. “I want to live a peaceful life with my colleagues.”

After falling into this world, I swung a sword that was not even in my arms and killed my enemy.

At first to survive, and at some point to reach the ending.

But after reaching the ending, how will I live?

To be honest, I was sick of the battlefield.

Going to the battlefield every day to fight against monsters while leading your comrades.

No matter what we did up to now, it was impossible to go any further than this.

“I don’t want to lead countless knights and have to head to the battlefield every day.”

“…I see.”

“Sorry. King.”

Fortunately, the king seemed to be somewhat convinced and quietly agreed.

Julia also kept her mouth shut, looking at the others.

Catalina sighed, resting on her left leg as if she was feeling a bit sore.

“Honestly, I don’t know. “The king gave me a good opportunity, but I wasn’t very happy about it.”

Unlike me, Catalina openly refused.

I thought she might have said too much, but she didn’t have the knack of talking back.

“I see… I understand. “I asked an unreasonable request.”

Although he seemed quite disappointed, the king did not catch us.

Fortunately, those watching us didn’t move either.

She also seemed to have no intention of continuing the recommendation.

“We’ll just leave now.”

There was nothing more I could say.

The king didn’t stop us either and just turned around and walked away.

When we came out, the man who guided us was waiting.

He lowered his head with a bitter expression, as if he knew what was being said inside.

“I will guide you to the entrance.”

I left the palace with only an uneasy feeling.

***

“What on earth happened?”

Max looked at Julia with a heavy voice.

On the other hand, Julia was just shaking her glass with a sour expression.

Julia looks the other way while resting her chin on her arm.

Looking at her, Max bit his lip as if he was frustrated.

“What if I just keep my mouth shut?”

“Nothing happened.”

Julia’s blunt tone only made the atmosphere more and more depressed.

At least Eric and Malcolm were keeping the mood going.

Catalina seemed not to care and was drinking alcohol.

The atmosphere wasn’t that bad, but maybe it was because Julia was in a bad mood.

Neither I nor the people around me enjoyed the party at all.

“Seohyun. Are you okay?”

“Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“…Your complexion is not good. “What happened?”

As expected, Celica was quick-witted.

I tried to pretend like nothing was wrong by enjoying food and alcohol as usual.

As always, Celica seems to have noticed.

Also, Kayla was also examining my complexion as she spoke.

I didn’t say anything because I was afraid something like this would happen.

“Surely something happened with the King?”

“Nothing happened. “Don’t worry.”

There was no problem because the king’s proposal was accepted without any problem.

But while I was rejecting the offer, I thought back on what I had said.

I didn’t want to become a knight commander.

After killing the Demon King, I wanted to spend my life in a peaceful world.

However, if I become a knight commander as the king suggests.

He will lead numerous knights and be driven into battle.

I could have continued to put my colleagues at risk.

Probably my colleagues would follow me without saying anything.

At least I didn’t want them to spend their lives with threats.

Also, the moment you become a member of the King’s Order of Knights, you will become politically involved.

I sincerely wanted to avoid that.

“Cerica. “What would you like to do if you defeat the devil?”

“Yes? Umm… “

Even with sudden questions, Celica answered sincerely.

“First of all, I want to continue to be with my children.”

“But that doesn’t mean I can live with my children forever.”

“Yes. After the children become independent… I want to continue to be with Seohyun until her wounds are healed.”

“Cerica. You don’t have to feel responsible.”

“No. I will definitely fix it.”

Surprisingly, Celica pledged in a serious voice.

Before I knew it, she was putting all her heart into healing my wounds.

I was actually giving up halfway, but Celica didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so.

If the wound doesn’t heal, does that mean you will continue to stay by my side?

“Tyria. “What do you plan to do?”

“Well, I… ? I…”

Tyria secretly looked at those around her and opened her mouth.

“First, we must return to Hellwood Forest. Because my sister and friends are waiting for me.”

“And then… ?”

“Uhm…”

Tyria wanted to continue friendly relations between elves and humans.

To that end, he said he would like to personally act as an envoy.

In other words, he wants to leave his hometown and settle in a human village.

In fact, it sounded like he didn’t want to leave my side.

“Seohyun. “Can you help me…” ” ?”

He even went so far as to get my permission under the pretense of helping me.

How could I kick her out in a situation like this?

Kayla, who was listening to the story, even held Tyria’s hand.

“Tyria. “It’s a good choice.”

“Ugh…”

“And so do I. I’m sure you can do it.”

Previously, Kayla had told me a wish.

A world where she walks out on the streets with her robe off.

Dragons who live in friendly relations with the human world.

Kayla seems to have thoughts of Tyria as a colleague with similar goals to herself.

“Ugh. Thank you.”

In fact, Tyria smiled nervously so as not to reveal her true feelings.

Kayla had already told me when we were alone, so there was no need to ask again.

Therefore, the last person left is Erina.

“Erina. “What about you?”

“…”

“After defeating the Demon King. “What should I do?”

What will she say?

This is a question that cannot be asked carelessly.

Right now, I could at least try to think of her mind.

Surprisingly, Erina didn’t look embarrassed.

Rather, it didn’t take long for the answer to come out.

“I want to be with you forever.”

“…I see.”

It could be said that it was a truly Erina-like answer.

He even said this in a confident voice.

“Because you can’t do it without me.”

For a moment, Kayla looked displeased, but did nothing.

Because there was no one who could refute her words.

The drinking party ended in such a chaotic atmosphere.

Catalina headed home drunk and making noise.

Julia woke up with a red face, as if she wasn’t drunk.

Max and Eric also staggered out of the store, probably because they had drank too much.

Just as we were about to leave the store, the owner of the store stopped me.

“You. “Do you know what happened to Julia?”

“Nothing much happened. There are just more things to worry about.”

“Uhm… I guess it’s not a normal thing.”

It is said that Julia often expressed her dissatisfaction.

Even if it was something he couldn’t say as the head of the request, he said it without hesitation in front of the owner.

I just told the owner that I am keeping my mouth shut for now.

‘Julia must be going through a lot of emotional distress, too.’

She also started out as an ordinary commoner and rose to the position of head of the commission.

Of course, he would have been unfamiliar with and had no experience with the kingdom’s politics or power struggles.

In the meantime, I couldn’t help but feel stressed because the king caught my eye.

It must be frustrating because you can’t tell anyone about it.

“I don’t know much about Julia’s situation. But not you.”

“…”

“I don’t know what it is, but help her.”

Did you say it was a relationship you had seen since childhood?

Usually, he seemed to nag Julia often and treat her harshly.

Naturally, the owner cared a lot about Julia.

“Don’t worry too much. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Okay. “I have to ask you a favor.”

I said hello to the owner and walked out of the store.

Is it because of what the owner said? I also wasn’t in a very good mood.

As I walked down the street shaking off my dizzy thoughts, my colleagues followed me.

“My lord. “Let’s go in and rest.”

“Okay. “I guess I should go to bed early today.”

With Kayla’s words, I hurried my steps towards the mansion.