Kays Translations

Chapter 42: Secret Agreement Under the Moonlight

The two of us slip out of the dance hall and are alone on the moonlit balcony. It would be romantic if this was with a beautiful woman, but alas, what awaited me was a stern-looking man.

Beowulf glared at Maximilian as if there was no longer any need for an amiable smile.

“What I am about to tell you must be kept secret.”

How much easier it would have been if I could have said, ‘Then I don’t want to hear it’.

“Peace talks with barbarians are underway behind the scenes.”

“Should I say congratulations on that?”

“If it saves us from wasting money, then fine.”

We’ve been skirmishing with a heathen country for about ten years on the southern border. Even though it never escalated into a major conflict, it was putting a heavy burden on the treasury to keep the army on the ground all the time.

The surrounding villages were also in ruins, and there was even a joint effort between the two countries to exterminate the overabundant wild dogs.

They don’t gain territory, they don’t get spoils or reparations. And yet money and food are consumed, and sometimes people die. Is there justice or evil in war? At least for this war, there is only one word: waste.

“The churchmen, after much agitation to take over the infidels’ lands and convert them, backed off when they realised the war was going to be prolonged.”

“Sir, I think we should refrain from making statements that could be misinterpreted as an accusation against the Church.”

“… Right. I don’t want to be misunderstood or misrepresented. I am only a devout follower of God who is concerned about the fate of the nation.”

Beowulf said it as if he was spitting out something bitter. Then Maximilian understood why the peace negotiations had to be done secretly. He is wary of being sidetracked by the Church.

From the point of view of profit and loss, it would be better to quickly end a battle that no one would win. It would be much more constructive to channel the energy of the war into the development of the territory.

The priests of the church should be well aware of this, but some of them seriously believe that it is for God’s sake to exterminate the heretics.

Such people are the most troublesome. No matter how much they preach about such issues as funding, human resources and the difficulty of managing occupied territories, they do not listen. God’s will takes precedence over everything else.

“They’ve got faith stuck in their ears.”

Beowulf said with hatred, and Maximilian looked around frantically. No one seems to be there in particular.

Count Zander’s territory is far from the southern border and does not take part in skirmishes. It was only occasionally tongue-tied when the royal family demanded money for cooperation. Maximilian thought it was someone else’s problem.

It seems that they are fighting a war on the border. It costs money, oh yeah. Shouldn’t we just stop?

And that’s someone else’s business. It was not clear to me how difficult it would be to negotiate peace in a situation where face and face, interests and hatreds are intertwined.

“Here’s the problem. ‘It’s customary with the barbarians that when you make a bargain, you have to give each other a gift. I got one of their leaders with money, and he told me that they have prepared a special diamond called the ‘Eye of the High King’.”

“A special diamond? That’s really quite something, isn’t it?”

“……That’s easy for you to say. We have to provide the same or better. Otherwise, they will consider us inferior as a nation. Can you believe it, we are considered by the barbarians to be apes with an inferior culture?”

If the peace talks just break down, it’s still better. The result of not being able to prepare a gift will probably be conveyed to the surrounding nations. And they will be punished.

This meeting could become an ant hole for national collapse.

“How big is the diamond, exactly?”

“I don’t know that, so I’m also worried about what I should prepare. Should we just use a suitable vase or carving, should we give them an existing treasure sword, or should we even tell them that we will make it to the barbarian king’s liking?”

Even Maximilian could see the story, albeit vaguely. The peace must have come from the Kingdom, as they had to adapt to the customs of the other side.

Perhaps the barbarians are good at diplomacy, crushing the opponent with the value of the gift. It is a country that was created through repeated mergers and absorptions.

… Barbarians, yes. It is wrong to call them barbarians.

We have looked down on them and not tried to get to know them because they are pagans or barbarians or just because they don’t believe in the same God. The bill for this has come due.

The Church would never admit that it was a blunder. If they admit it, it will lead to a decline in their control.

There is only one God in this world. All others are heresy,  and the priests who worship the only God are the most exalted. They would be in trouble if they were not.

It’s a troublesome situation that I never imagined until I came here. There are those who want the peace negotiations to succeed and those who want them to fail in each camp.

“Sir Maximilian, I’m sorry, but depending on the situation, I will have to take the Demon Wailing Sword.”

“… What do I get in return?”

Beowulf smiled thinly and took Maximilian’s assessment up a notch. He didn’t say why or that he didn’t like it. That means he understands the situation correctly.

If I can’t turn it down anyway, I want to draw out conditions that will be even a little more advantageous.

Beowulf was more appreciative of the fact that Maximilian asked for something in return than how quickly he understood.

……Nobles must be like that.

If all you do is rub your forehead on the floor for fear of the Marquis’ prestige, you are neither a partner nor an accomplice.

“I will arrange for you to have free access to the palace. Also, I will be personally indebted to you.”

“The second one seems to have a bigger advantage.”

“Don’t be too scared to tell me. I’d like to pay you back as soon as possible.”

And then they laughed at each other. Perhaps sharing a secret has helped them to open up a little.

“And while I’m at it, let me apologise for one more thing. I can’t leave this promise in writing.”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s not a document. Can you give me something to prove it instead?”

Maximilian bites back.

Beowulf could get rid of him here by blackmailing him and telling him he can’t trust him, but trust would be lost.

Nothing is further from trust than forcing people to believe you.

Beowulf thought as he stroked the sword at his waist with his left hand. This would be a good enough quality. What is the meaning of handing over this sword? To what extent can I trust a person with whom I have not spoken at length until today?

……Sometimes you have to take a gamble somewhere.

He drew the sword from his waist, along with its scabbard, and presented it to Maximilian.

“Many people on the battlefield must have seen me wielding this sword.”

It is instantly recognisable to the onlooker as the sword worn by Beowulf. If Beowulf had made a mistake in his promise, it would be a considerable, if not fatal, damage to his image if he took it to his political opponents and sued him.

Even if he insists that Maximilian’s allegations are groundless, he will not be able to explain why Maximilian has this sword.

I was offered that much.

Having said all this himself, Maximilian could no longer leave for free.

……I see, it would be disrespectful if I didn’t give the equivalent as a gift. It’s quite difficult.

Maximilian, with a will, held out the Demon Wailing Sword. Beowulf looked on in silence, then took it.

“Is it okay if I take it now?”

“Let’s exchange it again when everything is finished safely.”

“Okay, I will keep it safe. If there is any movement, I will contact you.”

Beowulf traced his chin with his fingertips and watched with interest as Maximilian left with a deep bow.

……The bargain could have been him himself.

Perhaps because Beowulf’s sword was heavy, he pretended not to have seen Maximilian’s body drift a little to the left.

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