"The Hero of the Empire, Eugene Santafield. The Dragon Kingdom welcomes you."
The audience chamber stirred slightly at the words of His Majesty.
But that was all.
The dreaded words, "Seize the imperial spies!" never came.
The king turned to the dragon knight standing beside him and spoke.
"Claude, First Knight of our nation. These individuals are your acquaintances, are they not? Share your opinion."
"Your Majesty. Three years ago, they saved my life. And thanks to him, many citizens of the Blue Waters Federation were able to keep their homes. I would like to repay that debt." (Claude)
"Very well. Claude is permitted to act with these people. Prepare rooms for the guests. Treat them as my honored guests. That is all for this audience."
"Yes!"
The people of the Dragon Kingdom all bowed their heads.
We followed their example.
◇◇
"Eugene! When did you get back!? And Sumire-chan, you could've at least sent a letter before suddenly showing up!" (Claude)
As soon as we were shown to a room and it was just us close friends, Claude slapped my shoulder with a cheerful smile.
Claude guided us to the guest room. Here with us were me, Sumire, Miguel, and Claude.
"We returned from the Zenith Tower just a few days ago. Even if we did send a letter, it probably would've been delayed by inspections. We could get here faster in person." (Eugene)
When I said that, Claude's expression turned a bit uneasy.
"You were locked up in the Zenith Tower for about three years, right? Don't you need more time to rest…? Sumire-chan, you didn't stop him?"
"Well, it's Eugy-kun after all…" (Sumire)
"I was surprised too…" (Miguel)
Sumire and Miguel both smiled wryly.
"I was able to train while sealed in the Zenith Tower, so it's fine. More importantly, Claude, I have a favor to ask…" (Eugene)
Just as I was about to speak…
Knock knock
A knock came at the door.
"I don't recall calling for anyone…"
Claude tilted his head and approached the door, opening it.
"Forgive the intrusion."
—The person who entered was none other than His Majesty the King of the Dragon Kingdom, whom we had just seen in the audience chamber.
"!? !? !? !?"
Tension ran through all of us.
"No need to be so on guard. This is an informal visit."
Saying that, he boldly stepped into the room.
(No guards…?) (Eugene)
It seemed careless, but with Claude -apparently the Dragon Kingdom's top knight- here, and the Aura the king exuded, I could tell he was a formidable warrior himself.
"Relax."
The king dropped himself onto the sofa in the center of the room.
"...…"
Sumire and Miguel looked at me.
Since my name had already been revealed, I figured I should respond properly.
I straightened my posture and sat on the sofa across from His Majesty.
"What may be your business, Your Majesty?" (Eugene)
When I asked…
"Hahaha! No need to be so formal. I just came to thank the man who saved my son's life. There were too many people earlier to say it."
"Your son…?" (Eugene)
I don't remember knowing any princes of the Dragon Kingdom…
I looked closely at the king's face again.
His features were sharp, and while his expression had been stern earlier during the audience, now it was calm.
He looked slightly older than my father.
From his refined appearance, I figured he must've been quite the looker in his youth. As that thought crossed my mind, I glanced at a certain friend in the room.
"Claude, don't tell me…" (Eugene)
"Ah, sorry, Eugene. I've been keeping it quiet until now." (Claude)
"So Claude-kun was a prince!" (Sumire)
"What!? Really!?" (Miguel)
Sumire and Miguel gaped in surprise.
I did hear Claude was from a prestigious family in the Dragon Kingdom…but he was royalty?
"Claude is my son. Born from a concubine, so it's not public knowledge outside the country, but many within know."
"I see." (Eugene)
The king himself admitted it.
Claude is royalty.
(Thinking back…was I too casual with him at the Lykeion Magic Academy?) (Eugene)
Apparently that thought showed on my face.
"Don't change how you act all of a sudden, okay? Best friend." (Claude)
He lightly tapped my chest.
"Alright, I won't overthink it." (Eugene)
I replied.
"By the way, Eugene. There's something I want to ask: what exactly do you plan to do with the aid of Claude, our nation's First Knight? I don't intend to oppose you, but I'd like to hear the details."
The king's gaze turned serious as he looked at me.
"Yes. But first, have you read the sealed letter from the First Knight?" (Eugene)
I had something to confirm before answering.
"Yeah, I have. It spoke of resuming exports of dungeon-made weapons and magical tools now that the seal on the Zenith Tower is broken…but that likely wasn't the main point. The real message was a request to arrange a meeting between Claude and an envoy from the Dungeon City."
"That's right. I asked the First Knight to write that on my behalf." (Eugene)
"Claire Lancelot-dono helped the Blue Waters Federation during the Great Demonic Beast subjugation plan. We owe her a debt… though not as great as the one we owe you."
The king chuckled lightly.
Then his face turned serious again.
"Eugene, hero who repelled the Darkness Dragon. What is your true aim?"
"We are heading to the Holy Union. There, I intend to meet with the Destiny Oracle, Orianne-sama." (Eugene)
When I answered, the king's eyes widened, and Claude murmured, "I thought so."
"The leader of the Eight Holy Maidens!? No, technically there's no hierarchy among the Eight Holy Maidens… Still, that will be difficult. The current Holy Union would never accept an imperial-born like you…unless…that's why you need Claude?"
"Yes. Even Sumire, who is close with the Holy Maiden Sara, couldn't get through alone. But if the Dragon Kingdom's First Knight acts as our envoy, and if we offer to export weapons and magic tools from the Zenith Tower -still largely unknown on the continent- the Holy Union will have no choice but to listen." (Eugene)
I explained to the king.
"The magic tools from the Zenith Tower are on another level from mass-produced goods… Many weapons were lost in this war. The Holy Union, currently at a disadvantage, would want to avoid having weapons from the Last Dungeon end up in the Empire. An envoy would surely be granted an audience. If you ask to see the Destiny Oracle, she's likely to accept."
"Eugene, was this your idea?" (Claude)
From Claude's tone, I could tell he was really asking, "Who's backing this?"
"Yeah, it was mine." (Eugene)
I answered.
"I see." (Claude)
He didn't press further.
"But then, what will you do when you meet her? I still haven't heard your ultimate goal."
The king's gaze remained stern.
This might put his son in danger.
I couldn't dodge the question with vague words.
"There are two things I want to ask of the Destiny Oracle. First, to obtain the cooperation of the Holy Maiden Sara." (Eugene)
"She was your comrade from the Lykeion Magic Academy. You need her strength. And the second?"
"To have the war halted…temporarily." (Eugene)
"...…"
The king fell silent at my words.
But I could tell by his eyes that he didn't take them seriously.
"You think the Destiny Oracle would accept such nonsense? Over 500,000 lives have been lost on both sides in this war. The largest and bloodiest conflict in the South Continent's history. Perhaps you don't grasp the scale, having been sealed in the Zenith Tower…"
He said bitterly.
Claude and Miguel looked grim.
"!?"
Sumire covered her mouth in shock.
She probably hadn't received accurate information while living in the Dungeon City.
That city is a neutral nation, unaffiliated with either the Empire or the Holy Union.
It's impossible she'd know the true number of casualties.
…But I heard it from my mother, so I already knew.
Currently, the Empire's army has occupied many of the Holy Union's nations and is closing in on the capital.
However, due to the natural fortress of the Tarsis Mountains and the Dark Bird, whose habitat keeps shifting, the Empire's invasion has stalled.
In addition, rebellions have broken out in the occupied territories, forcing the Empire to spread its forces thin.
However, the situation in the Holy Union is even worse.
It seems that the Holy Knights have had almost their entire main force wiped out, and they're barely managing to maintain the organization with only young knights.
They're somehow holding back the Empire's invasion by relying on reinforcements and mercenaries from the Blue Waters Federation.
(There's no way a war would stop just because I said something…) (Eugene)
The king's words were completely reasonable.
So, I said the next thing.
"I will propose this to Orianne-sama: that the next place I head to after the Holy Union will be the Empire." (Eugene)
The king frowned deeply at my words.
"I know about your relationship with Empress Airi… I heard it from Claude. But that was three years ago. Her father, the former Emperor, was assassinated, and now she's the one commanding this war. Can you really persuade her? No, can you even meet with her?"
The king asked in a harsh tone.
And of course he did.
Even I don't think I can persuade Airi.
That girl doesn't listen to what people say.
"That's not it, Your Majesty. I won't try to persuade her." (Eugene)
"What? Then what will you do?"
"I'll abduct her." (Eugene)
"..................What did you just say?"
The king's eyes opened wide at my words.
"I'll abduct Empress Airi from the imperial capital. That's why the war will come to a temporary halt. That's the proposal I'll make to Orianne-sama, the Destiny Oracle." (Eugene)
"Ahahahahaha! Hey, Eugene! This plan really is your idea! Only an idiot would come up with something like this!" (Claude)
Claude, who had been silent until now, burst out laughing.
"Hey, that's rude. I actually put effort into thinking this through, you know." (Eugene)
I said that, and Claude laughed even harder.
By the way, Sumire and Miguel were frozen in place, their faces pale.
Come to think of it, I never told Sumire the details either. It was hard to talk about with so many ears around.
"S-Such nonsense! There's no way the Destiny Oracle-dono would believe something like that…!"
The king tried to object in a flustered voice.
"It's fine. Orianne-sama can see the future. She'll judge for herself right then and there." (Eugene)
When I said that, the king was at a loss for words.
"…Are you saying you actually believe this absurd plan will work?"
"If Claude gets me to the imperial capital, I'll handle the rest alone. This is an easier job compared to fighting the Darkness Dragon or a Demon Lord." (Eugene)
"You hear that, Father? My best friend is a complete idiot, isn't he?" (Claude)
Claude added to my statement.
Even though I said it myself, I do think it's a pretty terrible plan…
But it seems Claude is on board with it.
"I thought you were a smarter man from your appearance… But as Claude said, you really are a hero of reckless bravery…"
The king let out a deep sigh.
I quietly waited for his next words.
"Very well. These are the words of a hero who performed the miracle of repelling the Darkness Dragon. I can't completely believe you just yet, but if there's even a slight chance to stop the war, that is the heartfelt wish of all the people of the South Continent. Very well. Go and stop the war with Claude."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." (Eugene)
I bowed my head in gratitude.
And thus, I gained the support of Claude, the first knight of the Dragon Kingdom.