Chapter 76: Ivern’s First Negotiation

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“A messenger from Weimar?”

“Yes. It seems they have spoken with Kenta Maya and have stated that they cannot comply with an investigation, but they are open to discussions.”

In a large tent within the Demon Kingdom, located near the border of the Weimar Kingdom, King Mekido of the Demon Kingdom was receiving the report.

“Your Majesty, what shall we do?”

The person who asked was one of Mekido’s most trusted allies—one of the key figures who had joined him in rebelling against Meyleen. He had been a close ally since Mekido fought on the front lines and was an influential person in 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 will 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 been with him for a long time, it was rare to see Mekido tense, except when he faced the previous king. His trusted ally looked at him with curiosity.

“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, but his trusted ally thought to himself (Isn’t this action already a bad move?).

Indeed, the possibility that Mona was under Kenta’s command suggested that Meyleen might still be alive, and if that were the case, Meyleen’s child, a potential bomb for the Demon Kingdom, could be lurking, so it’s understandable that an investigation would be necessary.

However, the action taken—Mekido personally leading the military to the Weimar Kingdom, 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 Weimar Kingdom managed to withstand it.

(We should have sent a messenger, negotiated, and then judged whether an investigation would be possible, but this person…)

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 tendency to want to fight on the front lines meant that even after rising in rank, Snail was always stuck in the battlefield. Snail, who cared for his own well-being, had tried to distance Mekido from the front lines and had incited 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 in wars, likely because he could no longer directly command, and some people had begun openly expressing distrust in King Mekido.

Snail felt that things were heading in the wrong direction. Then came the possible existence of Meir 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 go to Weimar without prior notice… no matter how many times I’ve advised 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 when it comes to Kenta. That’s why I volunteered to take his place. By the way, Kenta has given me full authority, so whatever I say, you should consider as if Kenta himself is saying it.”

“Huh? Why should I listen to some low-ranking guy 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 up and made 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 energy.

Ivern, seeing this, responded with a similar tone.

“Do you even know who I am? I am Kenta’s ‘representative.’ If you harm me, it would be seen as an act of hostility toward Kenta.”

“Tch…!”

“By the way, if you harm me, Kenta has said he will wage war against the Demon Kingdom, so be aware of that.”

“?!”

Upon hearing Ivern’s words, Mekido quickly quelled his magic energy, raising 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.

“…Are you saying that if I refuse, you’ll resort to more forceful methods?”

Ivern let out a small chuckle.

“Even if you say so, you know exactly what will happen if you take 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 Weimar Kingdom, 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?”

At this question, Ivern was oddly impressed, thinking, So, people still think of him like that.

“He has no such intention. Kenta simply wants to live quietly there. He won’t jump into the midst of things just for the sake of it.”

Ivern judged that Mekido had likely already predicted 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.

Thus, the Demon Kingdom’s military began to retreat from the vicinity of the Weimar Kingdom’s border, but during this time, Snail cast a doubtful gaze at Mekido.

“Even though it’s clear that a spark has been ignited, he doesn’t push Kenta Maya? Since ascending to the throne, His Majesty seems to have become much weaker.”

Snail, feeling uneasy about how Mekido became so hesitant during negotiations, started to worry that if things continued this way, the future of the Demon Kingdom would become uncertain.

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