第９３８堀：皇帝との謁見 (Part2)
Saying this, she let out a laugh that was purely joyful, quite unlike the sneer she had worn moments before.
She really is quite different from her appearance.
She is observing us intently.
Then, just as abruptly as she had finished laughing, her gaze sharpened in an instant...
"I never imagined that the 80,000 troops of the Second Army would be wiped out. Vol, I shall ask you again. How did you come to suffer such a defeat, and how did you end up bringing these people here?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. It happened just as we were approaching the port of Aurelia..."
Vol began to recount, once again, how they had been routed.
"In a single night, in the blink of an eye, you say? Hmm. Vol, I do not believe a man like you would lie. Furthermore, the remnants of the magic corps who fled from the collapsing Second Army have given the same testimony, but you understand that it is impossible to believe such an absurd story based on words alone, do you not?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
That is only natural. Vol’s account—that an army of 80,000 was ambushed and annihilated in an instant, even at night—is the sort of tall tale that no one would normally believe.
"Therefore, you must provide proof. Otherwise, I shall have to punish these people from Weed for attempting to deceive me."
As the Emperor Yopia said this, the soldiers standing guard immediately leveled their spear tips toward us in unison.
However, there was absolutely no killing intent, so we didn't even bother to take a defensive stance.
"Personally, I would prefer not to do such a thing. You are the first ones who, upon seeing me, did not underestimate me despite your surprise. Most people, upon seeing my form, simply bark at me to bring out the 'real' Emperor. Besides, you remain calm and composed even while being threatened with spears. To think that such people still exist in this world."
As she said this, she looked at us and smiled happily.
"People of Weed. I do not believe for a single moment that you are lying. And the same goes for Vol. However, this is simply too difficult for us to believe. Until the truth is made clear, I cannot treat you as honored guests from Weed. Therefore, I apologize, but I must ask you to accept this treatment until your innocence is proven."
By the time she finished speaking, her eyebrows were slanted in a way that showed she was truly apologetic.
"No, we understand that this response is perfectly reasonable. We have come prepared to prove our claims. If you grant us the opportunity to show you, we will clear away any doubts or suspicions you may have."
"Hmm. I am glad to hear you say that. I, too, would not want to lose a country that is willing to accept me over something like this. Very well, let us see it at once! Or so I would like to say, but first, I would like to see something of my choosing."
"And that would be?"
"Well, it may be rude to test your strength, but the stories from Vol and the others who fled are simply too preposterous. First, let us see something that we can actually comprehend."
This, too, is a reasonable request.
Since they cannot understand the situation, they want to start with something they *can* grasp.
"Do not worry, I am not particularly concerned with winning or losing. You have brought skilled escorts with you, have you not? First, show me the skill of one of them. That is the first step."
I see.
So, a light sparring match.
Which means, for me...
"I have no chance to shine, so I will go."
Saying this, it was somehow Quar who walked toward the center of the castle's training grounds.
"Hey! This should be my turn!"
"No, no matter how you look at it, it has to be Quar."
"Yes, yes. Let’s calm down, Seraria. If you keep being so selfish, you’ll get scolded by your brother, you know?"
With Deryu and Ratz holding me by both arms, and being told something like that, I couldn't find a retort.
But I wanted to show off my cool side! I wanted to let loose!
It would have been a good way to blow off some steam, and if I had just pulled off one spectacular move, the people of the Zlabul Empire would have been convinced, right?
Why is it Quar and not me in such a prime spot?
Hey, you!
As I shot a glare filled with resentment, my husband seemed to sense my feelings and turned toward me...
"Well, Quar probably wants to have her moment too, so just let her have this one. You’ve been making her do all the behind-the-scenes work lately, after all."
"...Ngh."
Once he said that, I really couldn't say anything more.
It’s true that Quar has had to endure much more than I have.
...As a superior, yielding this spot is the right thing to do. It’s the right thing to do, but...
Ah, geez!!
I don't think I'm wrong for wanting to say that.
Well, I’m sure there will be other opportunities to let loose... I mean, to show off my skills.
The child Emperor appears without hiding anything.
What is her true intention?
Can Quar win?
Will Seraria get her turn!?
There were comments about "Long live the child Emperor," but hey, that’s fine too!