Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 76: Ivern’s First Negotiation
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“A messenger from Weimar?”
“Yes. It seems they’ve spoken with Kenta Maya and have stated that they can’t comply with an investigation, but they’re open to discussions.”
In a large tent within the Demon Kingdom, located near the border of the Kingdom of Weimar, King Mekido of the Demon Kingdom was receiving the report.
“Your Majesty, what shall we do?”
The speaker was one of Mekido’s most trusted allies—a key figure who had joined his rebellion against Meyleen. He had been close to Mekido since their days fighting on the front lines and now held considerable influence within the Demon Kingdom.
Upon hearing his trusted ally’s question, Mekido sat in a chair inside the tent, crossed his legs, and thought for a while before deciding on his response.
“I understand. Tell them we’ll comply as well.”
“Understood.”
After the soldier who brought the report left the tent, Mekido let out a small sigh.
“Oh? What’s wrong? You seem unusually tense.”
Even for someone who had known him for years, it was rare to see Mekido tense except when he faced the king before last. His trusted ally watched him curiously.
“Hah? Well, of course. The other party is Kenta Maya, right? What if we say something wrong and it turns into a war?”
Mekido said this with a disgruntled expression, while his trusted ally thought, Isn’t coming here with an army already a bad move?
The possibility that Mona served Kenta suggested that Meyleen might still be alive. If so, her child could become a spark of conflict within the Demon Kingdom. An investigation was therefore understandable.
However, the action taken—Mekido personally leading the military to the Kingdom of Weimar, where Kenta was hiding—was hard for his trusted ally to understand.
This was no different from military pressure, and just this action could easily lead to war.
He couldn’t help but feel impressed at how the Kingdom of Weimar managed to withstand it.
We should have sent a messenger, negotiated first, and only then decided whether an investigation was possible. But His Majesty…
This trusted ally had pale skin, pointed ears, and snake-like sharp eyes, which led others to call him “the snake.” His name was Snail, and he had a cunning nature. He had followed Mekido since his military days, believing that staying close to him would lead to his own promotion.
Snail’s plan worked well, and he rose through the military ranks to a prominent position.
However, even he had complaints.
Mekido’s insistence on fighting at the front meant that, even after Snail rose through the ranks, he kept being dragged onto the battlefield. Concerned above all with his own safety, Snail had tried to remove Mekido from the front lines and had encouraged him to seize the throne.
As a result, Mekido became king, and Snail rose to a higher position than he had expected, which he found very satisfying… but.
Since Mekido had become king, Snail had begun to question his actions more and more.
While Mekido had shone brilliantly on the battlefield, his leadership in the palace lacked sharpness.
Recently, Mekido had suffered several defeats, probably because he could no longer command directly from the front lines, and some people had begun openly questioning his fitness to rule.
Snail felt that things were heading in the wrong direction. Then came the possible existence of Meyleen and her child.
If the public learned of it, there might be calls to restore Meyleen to the throne.
So, Snail wanted Mekido to be cautious in his actions…
But to think he would march into Weimar without warning… No matter how often I advise him, he never listens.
As he watched Mekido, who was deep in thought, Snail realized that his once strong loyalty was starting to waver.
Then came the day of the meeting with Kenta’s side.
“Huh? Who are you?!”
Mekido exclaimed as he saw Ivern enter the meeting room.
Ivern’s eyes widened at the comment, and Snail clicked his tongue, trying not to let Mekido notice.
“Who am I, you ask? Quite the greeting. My name is Ivern, Kenta’s representative.”
“Representative? Why isn’t Kenta Maya himself here!? Are you mocking me?!”
Mekido’s words made Snail’s spine freeze.
Ivern had just said that he was Kenta’s representative, which meant that the Demon Kingdom was supposed to treat him as if he were Kenta himself.
Yet, Mekido had just insulted him so directly.
Ivern shrugged and began speaking.
“You tend to get heated whenever Kenta is involved. That’s why I volunteered to take his place. Kenta has given me full authority, so you should treat my words as his own.”
“Huh? Why should I listen to an underling like you?”
It seemed Mekido didn’t understand the meaning of “representative.” Ivern gave a concerned glance toward Snail, but Snail just shrugged, unsure of how to respond to the look.
Sighing, Ivern decided to move on.
“Fine, let’s get this over with. Why does the Demon Kingdom want to investigate the forest where Kenta is?”
There was so much more Ivern wanted to say, but he decided to push the conversation forward.
Upon hearing the question, Mekido still wasn’t satisfied that Ivern had come instead of Kenta himself, and responded with a scowl.
“I can’t tell you that. It’s a state secret.”
“I see. Then, this conversation is over. Thank you for your time.”
With that, Ivern stood and turned to leave.
“Wait, wait, wait! Why are you leaving?!”
“Why, you ask? Are you telling me to accept your demands without revealing your purpose? There’s no way I could accept such a request.”
“Y-You… Do you even know who I am?!”
As Mekido spoke, he began gathering magic power.
Ivern met his hostility without flinching.
“Do you even know who I am? I’m Kenta’s ‘representative.’ If you harm me, it would be seen as an act of hostility toward Kenta.”
“Tch…!”
“By the way, Kenta said that if you harm me, he’ll wage war against the Demon Kingdom. Keep that in mind.”
“?!”
At Ivern’s words, Mekido immediately dispersed the magic power he had gathered and raised his hands to show that he meant no harm.
“Wait, wait, I just got a little heated. I don’t actually plan to get into a conflict with Kenta Maya.”
“I see. Well, that’s a relief. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait, just a moment!”
As Ivern tried to leave, Mekido desperately tried to stop him. He then reluctantly began speaking.
“I want you to allow me to investigate whether my sister is there.”
Upon hearing this, Ivern nodded, understanding immediately what Mekido wanted.
After a brief pause, he replied, “I refuse.”
Mekido’s face turned red with anger at that response.
However, he didn’t immediately attack Ivern. Instead, he swallowed his rage for the moment.
“…Then what if I resort to force?”
Ivern let out a small chuckle.
“You already know what will happen if you choose that path, don’t you?”
“…”
Mekido was quick to think when it came to matters of combat.
If he attacked the forest where Kenta resided, Kenta would retaliate.
And since the forest was within the Kingdom of Weimar, it would also lead to war with Weimar.
In the end, the Demon Kingdom would suffer significant losses.
After considering this scenario, Mekido clicked his tongue loudly.
He then crossed his arms and thought for a while before glaring at Ivern.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“I have a question.”
“What’s that?”
“What does Kenta Maya intend to do from now on? Does he plan to conquer this world?”
Ivern was oddly impressed by the question. So people still think of him that way.
“He has no such intention. Kenta simply wants to live quietly there. He won’t deliberately involve himself in trouble.”
Ivern judged that Mekido had probably already guessed that Kenta and Meyleen might have a child.
Therefore, Ivern made it clear that Kenta had no intention of participating in the Demon Kingdom’s power struggle.
Mekido stared at Ivern for a while, but seeing that Ivern didn’t look away, he finally concluded that he was being sincere.
“I see… I understand. If you can promise that, then I’ll retreat for now.”
Mekido said this and stood up from his seat.
“However, if you break that promise… be prepared.”
“Haha. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Tch!”
Mekido, thinking he had made a strong threat, was frustrated to see that it had no effect on Ivern. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and left the meeting room.
The Demon Kingdom’s army withdrew from Weimar’s border. Snail watched Mekido with growing doubt.
“A spark of conflict is already burning, yet he refuses to pressure Kenta Maya. His Majesty has grown weak since taking the throne.” Snail feared for the Demon Kingdom’s future.