Heavenly Castle - Chapter 54

Chapter 54 – What is the Empire’s intention?

In contrast to the two people of the Empire who are wary of the surroundings when they enter the castle or get on the elevator, Ditzen, who was already familiar with my castle, has the leeway to enjoy the scenery.

As soon as we arrived in the fourth floor, he walked towards the window and raised a cheer.

“A cloudless blue sky and a beautiful flying island! I came back to the Heavenly Country that I saw even in my dreams!”

Yuri, who was sitting in the chair and waiting, smiled kindly to Ditzen who shouted that with his arms wide open and started to laugh loudly.

“Ditzen-sama, could you please calm down?”

“Uoh!? Your Highness Yuri!?”

“I was in the middle of the hall, but you just noticed me, huh? However, I believe that I sent the letter to Yanual-niisama, but……”

When Yuri muttered that, Ditzen nodded solemnly.

“Actually…… a serious problem seems to have occurred…… His Majesty Yanual was left crying in the castle. At that time, he ask me to be a substitute……”

When Ditzen answered that, Yuri covers her hand on her mouth with her brows in ハ character.

“Oh my…… It is surprising that Yanual-niisama is doing such a diligent thing.”

Seeing Yuri who looked completely surprised, Ditzen diverted his eyes. It was obviously suspicious behavior, but Yuri didn’t seem to notice it.

Aifa and Violette walked towards the window. While they are looking out the window, Violette speaks with a puzzled look.

“…… This is a wider island than I expected, but I can’t see any humans at all.”

“I knew it, they are probably being cautious towards us and have been ordered not to come out. It’s a well maintained garden to that extent. It definitely needs quite a lot of people.”

And, I laughed while looking at the back of the two who read too much into things and pointed at the table where Yuri is.

“Alright, everyone. You should be tired from your air travel, so please have a seat first.”

When I announced that, Aifa and Violette looked at each other, nodded and sat in the chair in front of Yuri. Ditzen sits next to Yuri.

The table is round, so it inevitably turned into me sitting between them. By the way, the robots, which are guarding around me, are arranged in two groups on my left and right as if to surround the table. The rest is next to the elevator, Yuri and Mea.

And A1 is the guard of Ayla who’s hiding behind the pillar of the hall.

The glamorous hall had a bit of a heavy atmosphere, but it can’t be helped if I think that it’s for our safety.

When everyone was seated, Mea and Torraine pushed the serving cart as if they had arranged it beforehand, and lined up the teacups with black tea one by one.

It seems that Torraine had learned the conduct in that field from Yuri and although they only arranged the teacups, both of them had elegant movements in some respect.

“Oh, Itadakimasu!”

When Ditzen was the first one to reach out his hand to his cup, Yuri bowed at me and also picked up her cup.

“Mhn, delicious.”

“It really is delicious isn’t it?”

While the two, who drank the black tea and expressed their impressions, Aifa and Violette also took their cups and put it on their mouths.

They don’t seem to be worried about poison.

Well, I’m not foolish enough to poison the envoys of another country without even hearing their business.

While I’m thinking such things, I look at Aifa and Violette with a smile on my face.

“Well then, I’m sorry for immediately getting down to the main topic, but I heard that both of you came to investigate this country. So, please tell me about the rest.”

When I asked in a vague way of speaking, Violette smiled thinly.

“…… Are you saying that you want to know what kind of response the empire will make after we investigated this country? Does it mean that the power of the Empire cannot be ignored even if you are above the sky?”

Hearing Violette who shows a chilly bewitching smile, Aifa breathes a deep sigh and speaks.

“It’s unnecessary to make a feint, General Violette. To be frank, if this country ignores the Empire, there is no way we can meddle with them.”

“A, Aifa……! You…..!?”

Hearing the overly honest words of Aifa, Violette became red in anger and stood up. She tried to refute him, but Aifa makes her silent with a glare.

And, he calmly opened his mouth.

“…… To tell you honestly, the Empire…… no, the Emperor is thinking of stealing this country. He’s a greedy man who has always got what he wants. He will not withdraw with only observing what kind of country this is.”

“Hold, hold on, Aifa……”

Violette was bewildered. Her face appears to be more surprised rather than angry. Aifa’s words were so critical, but she doesn’t seem to be angry about it.

Aifa took a glance at Violette and lightly shook his head.

“It’s pointless even if we hide it. If it’s true that they have formed an alliance with the Azul Kingdom, they will hear the rumor immediately.”

He said that and I nodded with ‘That’s right.”

“I certainly have formed an alliance with the Azul Kingdom. I really want the Emperor to build a peaceful relationship with the Azul Kingdom…… but if the Emperor wants the Azul Kingdom, maybe it is difficult to persuade him?”

When I said that with a bitter smile, Aifa furrowed his brows.

“No…… The Emperor has already lost interest in the Azul Kingdom. The Emperor’s aim would only be this Heavenly Country. It’s because if he were to invade on other countries, it’s necessary to steal this country.”

Hearing Aifa who asserts that, I can’t help but groan and I lean my body on the backrest.

The Emperor seems to be a more troublesome person than I thought. Well, as far as I can see, he looked like an elderly, so there’s also a possibility that the Emperor will be replaced while I’m enjoying my air travel, but…

“I wanted to see the townscape of the Empire that is currently gaining the most influence, but it is likely to become a provocation if I were to get close, isn’t it? I don’t want to incite them poorly and result in aggression on the Azul Kingdom again, so….”

Is it safer to stay away from the Empire for a while?

When I said that, Yuri tilted her head.

“Does that mean they will attack the ally and lure out the Heavenly Country? However, how could the Blau Empire fight against the Heavenly Country? When the opponent is in the sky.”

To such a very reasonable question, Violette snorted and raised the corner of her mouth.

“It would be better not to take His Majesty lightly. Rather than to give up on this country, he will not hesitate to destroy the Azul Kingdom, the vassal states of the Empire, and even the Empire itself.”

Violette said that and laughed as if relishing the joy for some reason. What a bad general and a vicious Emperor.

While I was knitting my brow and watching the smile of Violette, I suddenly turned towards Aifa.

“…… Perhaps, you received an order from the Emperor to take control of the island together?”

When I asked that, Aifa closed his eyes in silence and grabbed the teacup.

He didn’t answer, but it seems to be correct.

Even if this is a small country, it is unthinkable that this land can be taken away by only two people. However, in this world where individuals can have mighty powers, maybe it is also possible.

However, although it is the other country which my ally was in war with, it is also rude to make the people, who appeared as an envoy, evil.

Since I’ve invited them to this castle, I should try to make a proper reception.

Having decided that, I turned towards Torraine and Mea.

“I’m sorry. Please prepare a meal.”

“Huh!?”

Mea raises a loud voice unintentionally at my words. I laughed at her expression and continued my words.

“Ah, please prepare the sake as well.”

“Eh, Ah, ye, yes…… Then, we will prepare it right away.”

Even though she was confused, Mea bowed politely and turned back to the elevator with Torraine.

Well, she will probably be confused.

When I turn around while thinking that, Aifa and Violette were looking at me with eyes as if looking at something strange.

“…… Right now at this moment, a war might begin. How can you think of doing that?”

When Aifa said that, before I can answer, Violette nods and opens her mouth.

“I can’t think of it as nothing but crazy…… Are you willing to share a meal with someone who might be an assassin?”

I laughed brightly and nodded at the two who said that.

“The two of you are envoys of the Empire, right? Even if the Emperor says he will declare a war, I should treat you as a guest until I actually receive a declaration of war. So, would you like to eat a delicious meal even if we get into war? It is delicious enough that you will regret it if you don’t eat it, you know? ”

When I said that, the two froze with a dumbfounded face.

It appears that, there is no international law in time of war in this world. Is it natural?