Kays Translations

Chapter 47: Round Table

The Royal Capital, Room of the Round Table.

Seated in the centre is the king, Rathbald Walscheid. Twelve other great nobles were gathered for a meeting.

The king has hardly opened his mouth since the meeting began. He looks around, stroking his beard, which is beginning to be mixed with white.

If the king speaks, it will be considered correct to follow it no matter what. Then there's no point in having a meeting. It was his way of making the final decision after everyone's opinion was exhausted.

Among the Twelve Nobles was Marquis Beowulf Eldenberger, who had exchanged swords with Maximilian. He, like the king, did not say much and watched the proceedings.

The day's agenda was about peace negotiations with the barbarians. The Count, the negotiator, stood up and gave his report with a bloodthirsty face that looked as if he was about to collapse.

"The gift they prepared, a gem called the 'Eyes of the High King', was a pink diamond the size of a clenched fist."

A murmur and uproar spread through the round table. Pink diamonds alone are rare and valuable, but even the size is out of the ordinary. It is truly a unique treasure.

"Nonsense, aren't you just exaggerating?"

Such voices are raised, but it is like saying that they do not trust the negotiator. The Count replied a little exasperated.

"I've seen it with my own eyes, it's definitely real."

There is no way they could have prepared anything to match such valuables. The peace negotiations would fail, and the only result would be that the kingdom would be defeated and humiliated, which would be conveyed to the surrounding countries.

"That's right, in the royal castle's underground treasury, there is a treasured sword enchanted with five letters of magic. If so..."

The aristocrat insisted, but the king quietly shook his head.

"Such things have already been sold and exchanged for money."

Everyone was disappointed, but they didn't complain. The kingdom's finances are tight. And it was the endless skirmishes with the barbarians that continued to burden them.

They sold the treasure because the battle continued.

We need treasure to stop the fight.

It is an untenable contradiction, but there is no point in saying that now.

"Um, there's more to the story of the messenger from the other side.."

The Count looked much more reluctant to say than he had earlier. Accusatory stares were drawn to him, as if he were the enemy.

"What, say it quickly. What could be more unpleasant to talk about than this?"

“According to the messenger, there should be a wonderful treasure in the kingdom as well. As proof of the friendship between our two countries, I would like to welcome the third princess, Listil-sama, as the fifth wife for my king."

Again, turmoil spread between the round tables, but this time everyone reacted differently.

Those who express their anger at what a rude barbarian-like person they are.

Those who passively agree that political marriages are a duty of the royal family.

Those who think that if peace is established and treasure is obtained, it will be cheap. Even if it was a royal family, it didn't matter what happened to the daughter of someone else's house.

Against, neutral or in favour, Beowulf judged from each person's demeanour and complexion. There was a slight majority in favour, or the decision would be made if he did not say anything.

I glanced sideways at the king and his face was tense. Yet he still said nothing. He thought that the whole kingdom should not be put at risk for the sake of his daughter's love.

……Your Majesty, you owe me one.

After signalling the king with his eyes, Beowulf made a deliberate coughing gesture.

"This story is a trap set by the barbarians."

"Trap, you say...?"

The Marquise of Eldenberger had a strong presence among the Twelve Noble Families and could not be ignored.

"To offer the princess is to offer a hostage."

"That's a malicious interpretation. It's true that marriage will deepen the relationship between the two countries."

Beowulf memorised the faces and names of the nobles who had opposed him. He would have to find out if they had anything to gain by weakening the kingdom, or if they were friends.

"Listil-sama is thirteen years old. How old is their king, by contrast?"

Turning to the Count, the negotiator, he replied hurriedly but firmly.

"I hear he'll be seventy this year."

They have the profiles of the main players in mind. Excellent, it's just bad luck to be forced into a mission like this and then have everyone look at you reproachfully.

“There is no way you can have a proper marriage. You hear a lot about the difference between a parent and a child, but this time it goes beyond parent and child, it's like a grandfather and a grandson, or an ancestor."

It was impossible for them to love each other seriously and for Princess Listil to give birth to the next generation of kings. No one argued against it because it was indeed impossible.

“In addition, as the fifth wife. I can already see that she's going to be tormented by the seniors who already have their menstrual periods. Who amongst us is lucky enough not to have had any difficulties with women? We are comrades."

A light laugh was heard, even at a time like this. Beowulf, who had caught the mood, continued.

“If Listyl-sama were to be treated as a slave by barbarians, the kingdom would have to protest. They would dismiss it as interference in internal affairs. Naturally, we can't back down from such a situation, so we will repeat the process ......, and finally it will lead to an armed conflict. That means they can restart the war at any time."

"But it doesn't mean they've decided to do such a vicious thing ......"

"It's too late once it's decided. Diplomacy is about showing courtesy and despising the other person from the bottom of your heart. They are barbarians who believe in heresy, so you can't trust them. Always the worst case should be assumed!"

Beowulf's impassioned speech caused those who had been neutral to question the princess's carrying on and, more to the point, her peddling.

This has prevented a majority vote from being pushed through, but in the end the story has just gone back to the drawing board.

"What are we going to do about the gift for the barbarians...?"

Someone muttered. No one had a solution and looked around, waiting for someone to say something.

At this rate, we could go back to talking about giving away the princess.

Before long, all eyes were on Beowulf. You messed up the conversation, so do something about it. That's what the cowardly eyes said.

...... I'm sorry, Sir Maximilian. Let me use that.

Beowulf rang the handbell on the table, and a squire entered with a sword, perhaps arranged in advance.

"Gentlemen, here is a sword enchanted with five letters."

“What, is that the treasured sword that was in the treasure room!?”

"No, it's a completely different thing. I obtained it independently."

Beowulf stood up and reverently presented the Demon Wailing Sword to the king. When the king drew the sword, everyone was fascinated by the beauty of the blade.

"Oh, how wonderful..."

“Marquis Eldenberger, how much would you sell it for!?”

We were talking about gifts, and there was even a hectic man who wanted it.

The king looked at the blade for a moment, then sheathed it and said,

"Wonderful, this is the first time I've seen such a treasured sword. But..."

A dark shadow was cast over his expression.

“Do you think it would be worth a fist-sized pink diamond?'

"I don't know, it depends on the other party's discernment. If they are not convinced, I would like to settle the matter by saying that I will make something as fine as this sword to suit the tastes of the barbarian king."

"Is the author of the sword still alive? Where and who is he?!"

The man who had just offered to buy the sword from me got excited again.

"Hahaha, I'm sorry, but this guy is the seed of my food. I can't teach craftsmen that easily."

Beowulf refused with a laugh, but in fact he was wary of the craftsmen turning assassins on him or kidnapping him. Beowulf himself did not know specifically who the artisans were, but he would not tell them about his connection to Maximilian.

Pan, a loud clapping sound. It is the signal for the king to draw a conclusion. The round table is quiet and everyone turns to look at the king.

“From now on, I leave negotiations with the barbarians to the Marquis of Eldenberger. You will be allowed access to the treasury, and you may take whatever you need with you."

"Ha, leave it to me!"

The moment I raised my head, my eyes met with the king. It was not a strict king's eyes, but his father's eyes full of compassion and sorrow.

...... I don't want my daughter to be sacrificed. I want her to be saved.

Was it my imagination that he seemed to be saying that?

"I, Beowulf Eldenberger, I will definitely meet His Majesty's expectations."

Wanting to reassure the king, he declared emphatically.

It doesn't matter if it's a mistake or not. I felt that, that's enough reason for a man to take action.

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