Chapter 224 |
The continent stirred once again.
The dramatic meeting between ‘Demon King Sidriel’ and ‘King Mollin Del Chersi’.
They officially declared an end to the war that had lasted for over 500 years.
And they signed a non-aggression treaty between both sides.
This historic event had an even greater ripple effect than when Sidriel previously declared peace.
“The Demon King personally signing a peace treaty! Is that really true!?”
“The war is finally over! Only peace remains now!”
“A non-aggression treaty with demon-kind? Is such a thing possible?”
The majority of people welcomed this event.
“Should we continue the war in this situation? The demon-kind wants peace!”
“That’s right. We’ve already achieved the holy war’s purpose. Continuing the war now can only be seen as Gatren wanting to wield military power.”
The tug of war between the moderates and hardliners, which had been neck and neck, tilted dramatically.
After the treaty, the moderates became triumphant as if to say ‘I told you so’.
Voices calling for an end to the war grew louder throughout the streets.
In contrast, the hardliners could only keep their mouths shut.
“There is no such thing as a peace declaration. It’s all just demon-kind’s deceptive tactics.”
The hardliners had been saying this all along.
That peace with demon-kind was impossible.
However, the situation had changed.
Now that the Demon King had taken the risk of entering human territory to sign an official treaty,
It lacked convincing power to dismiss this event as mere deceptive tactics.
In the case of the Chersi Kingdom, the hardliners’ position became particularly narrow.
Thanks to those who directly witnessed Sidriel in the capital spreading word of her sincerity.
Sidriel’s performance also played a part in this.
When the priest swung his staff,
She deliberately disabled her demonic energy to get wounded.
She intentionally shed blood.
In that situation, she acted maturely without harming the priest.
It showed that contrary to common belief, demon-kind could also be patient and engage in dialogue.
Thanks to this, even those who had been watching the situation from a distance all joined the moderate faction.
The hardliner forces within the Chersi Kingdom had no choice but to dissolve more quickly.
“Hahaha!”
At the center of all these events,
King Mollin Del Chersi, who had suddenly become the most famous figure on the continent, laughed heartily.
“To think the Demon King would come personally. The gods must be helping us!”
He was enjoying this situation that had become the continent’s hot potato.
The Holy Empire of Gatren could no longer freely extend its claws toward the Chersi Kingdom.
Because they didn’t know what kind of backlash would come if they touched the Chersi Kingdom now.
“To think things would be resolved like this right after Lord Polkil left. It’s truly baffling.”
“Indeed it is.”
Choi Hyun-seok kept his distance thoroughly from this incident.
This matter had to be Sidriel’s independent action all the way.
It wouldn’t be good if it became known that an outsider like Choi Hyun-seok, or rather Dugal Polkil, is involved.
“What will you do about Lord Polkil now?”
“What do you mean, what will I do?”
“Anyway, Gatren can’t touch us now. Then there’s no need for Lord Polkil to step up, right?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
The purpose of the character Dugal Polkil was to lead the moderates to victory and nullify Gatren’s schemes.
Since that goal has essentially been achieved with the Demon King treaty, there’s no need to remain in the Chersi Kingdom.
King Mollin looked at Choi Hyun-seok with a subtle gaze.
“If Lord Polkil wishes, you may remain in our Chersi Kingdom. If you need a place to train, I will meet all your conditions.”
“I would be grateful for that. I was actually thinking of staying in the Chersi Kingdom a bit longer.”
“Oh! Is that so?”
King Mollin didn’t hide his joy.
Choi Hyun-seok, that is, Dugal Polkil, is a legendary-class warrior without affiliation.
If things go well, the Chersi Kingdom might gain a legend.
The excited King Mollin grabbed Choi Hyun-seok’s hand firmly.
“Don’t worry, I will give you the best treatment.”
“For now, I’d like to rest in the palace.”
“Of course! Please tell me if you need anything.”
***
After the conversation with King Mollin.
Choi Hyun-seok returned to his room and let out a deep sigh.
“Phew, that man was about to barge into my quarters.”
King Mollin put his all into trying to keep Choi Hyun-seok.
To what extent?
He seemed ready to even share a bed if Choi Hyun-seok would allow it.
“If it’s alright, why don’t we have dinner together? I have some wine I’ve been saving.”
“Our palace bathhouse is famous throughout the continent. Distinguished guests always use it. Lord Polkil must be tired too, so why don’t we take a bath together…”
Choi Hyun-seok broke out in a cold sweat trying to shake off the persistently clingy King Mollin.
“I’m completely drained…”
A cozy hour with King Mollin.
Or a frenzied hour of bloodshed fighting thousands of demon beasts.
If asked to choose between the two, Choi Hyun-seok would pick the latter without a second hesitation.
That’s how persistent King Mollin’s advances(?) were.
‘Ah, he doesn’t seem like a bad person… And appears quite intelligent.’
Although annoying, Choi Hyun-seok held King Mollin in high regard.
In many ways, his actions deserved high marks.
Using diplomatic methods to shake off Gatren’s claws.
When Sidriel came, boldly moved to stabilize the chaotic situation.
Despite having suspicions about Choi Hyun-seok’s behavior, manner of speech, and identity, covering it up and focusing only on recruitment.
Even plans to pass the throne to his daughter Ian based solely on ability.
Everything was the result of moving in a direction beneficial to the nation after a thorough cost-benefit analysis.
Though he appeared to laugh frivolously on the outside, he is clearly someone with deep thoughts inside.
“Still, that’s that, and being tired is being tired…”
Just as the exhausted Choi Hyun-seok flopped onto the bed.
“Hero!”
Looking up, Rachel was standing on his stomach.
Choi Hyun-seok looked at his dedicated fairy with indifferent eyes.
“What are you unsatisfied about?”
He could tell just by looking at her face.
Her cheeks were so puffed up, they were clearly full of complaints.
“You’ve completely fallen for that King Holy-Molly or whatever!?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Otherwise why would you purposely stay in the Chersi Kingdom!?”
“I don’t know what you’re going on about.”
Choi Hyun-seok waved his hand dismissively and closed his eyes.
“I have my deep reasons, so don’t worry about it. I’m sleeping.”
“Hero!!!”
Rachel jumped up and down on his stomach.
Even so, she was so light it didn’t even tickle.
Choi Hyun-seok opened his eyes slightly and looked at Rachel again.
“Why do you keep bothering me?”
“Explain quickly! If not the king, then? It’s because of that blue fox, isn’t it? You’re staying because you want to see that woman called Ian or whatever!? Right!?”
“…It’s not like that.”
This time his response was delayed by a beat.
“Your response is slow! I knew my thoughts were right! You’ve completely fallen for her!”
“What do you mean fallen!”
To be honest, it’s not that he doesn’t want to see Ian.
No, he does want to see Ian.
He swears to heaven that’s not why he stayed in the Chersi Kingdom.
“I have a bad feeling.”
“What feeling all of a sudden?”
“Gatren is giving up too easily.”
Choi Hyun-seok was concerned about Gatren’s response.
Gatren had been maintaining complete silence since the peace treaty was signed.
“Do you think they’ll quietly back down like this? That’s impossible.”
How deeply had they been entangled with Gatren until now?
They never give up easily.
And they thoroughly create stages that are advantageous to them.
Though it might seem like they’ve admitted defeat with their silence, it was obvious they were busily moving under the surface to create a new stage.
“Hero, you’re really worrying unnecessarily. The flow has already turned in our favor. Gatren can’t do anything right now.”
“Well, we’ll see.”
Anyway, this is just Choi Hyun-seok’s prediction.
In reality, Gatren might not be doing anything at all.
They might have given up on the war.
“Let’s stay for about two weeks and observe. While also doing the training I’ve been putting off.”
If there’s still no movement from Gatren after two weeks, then he can decide on a new residence then.
***
Early morning.
King Mollin Del Chersi headed to his office.
Every morning he checks the day’s schedule and makes detailed plans.
It was how he had started his days for over 20 years.
Now it was as natural as breathing.
But this morning was a little different from usual.
King Mollin frowned as he entered his office.
There were unfamiliar documents piled up on his desk.
“Is it that day again?”
“Yes.”
The aide beside him answered the king’s words.
“There are particularly many this time.”
“Isn’t it a joyous occasion? It’s proof that the kingdom’s name has risen high.”
“Joyous… Yes…”
These were all marriage-related documents, essentially marriage proposals for Princess Ian Del Chersi.
Requests to arrange marriages between their sons and the princess.
The palace department periodically collected such letters and delivered them to the king, and today seemed to be that day.
“Where are they from?”
“This time there are notably many applications from other kingdoms. The one you should pay particular attention to is from King Domis…”
The excited aide’s explanation continues.
The king nodded while letting the words go in one ear and out the other.
“I understand. Have all of these delivered to the princess.”
“Won’t you check them yourself?”
“Isn’t it more important that the princess meets a man she likes? Hahaha.”
Though he laughs while saying this, inside he’s aching.
In truth, the king knows.
Princess Ian will reject all these requests.
It’s obvious she’ll burn them all without even looking at them.
She’s been doing this for 10 years since she became an adult at 15.
Still, the king has no choice but to do this.
‘We can’t keep going like this forever…’
King Mollin hasn’t yet decided on a successor.
Because of this, the kingdom’s internal affairs are in various states of disorder.
People blamed his indecisiveness, but in reality, it was all about buying time to pass the throne to Ian.
‘The ministers’ pressure is growing stronger. Just continuing to postpone won’t solve anything.’
The Chersi Kingdom wasn’t very stable internally at present.
The nobility was divided into two factions.
First Prince Kian. Second Prince Logan.
The nobility was split over which prince should be named successor.
This fight between the two factions has been going on for over 5 years already.
But this was just the surface appearance.
Digging deeper inside, it’s a bit different.
‘Rather than supporting the princes, they’re supporting the two empires.’
First Prince Kian receives support from the Holy Empire of Gatren.
Second Prince Logan received support from the Drason Empire.
The same goes for the nobles supporting each prince.
Though this was an internal matter of the Chersi Kingdom, it was essentially no different from a power struggle between the two empires.
In this succession structure, there was no place for Ian.
The reality is she’s not even mentioned.
No matter how clever Ian is or what excellent results she achieves, the ministers shake their heads.
“If only Princess Ian had been born a man.”
“No matter what, a woman cannot discuss state affairs.”
In this situation, he couldn’t recklessly name Ian as successor.
Therefore, the king had been agonizing for a long time, but no answer came forth and time just kept passing.
Then Choi Hyun-seok appeared.
‘Dugal Polkil. If that man forms a connection with Ian, she’ll gain power.’
Having a legendary figure as backup would be more reassuring than anything else.
“What did Lord Polkil say he’s doing today?”
“Morning training followed by lunch. Afterwards he plans to tour the capital.”
“Oh! Then I should have lunch with him! Tell Ian to join us too if she has no other plans!”
“Yes.”
For a small kingdom like the Chersi Kingdom to survive, it must move cleverly.
Honestly, his two sons aren’t very bright.
It would be best if Ian inherited the throne.
For that to happen, they must secure Dugal Polkil.
“Ah, while you’re at it, it would be good to ask if he’d like to go to the bathhouse together this evening!”
Of course, not knowing these circumstances, the aide could only see the king’s behavior as strange.
“Your Majesty… I apologize, but your dignity might be lowered if you’re not careful. The reason you’re so fixated on that man is…?”
“Men need to have honest conversations with each other.”
The king said with a grin.
The aide could only silently nod.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you would like to support me or read advanced chapters, you can do so by unlocking chapters. [br][/br] Full novel is available for purchase @ patreon.com/IppoTranslations.
https://ko-fi.com/ippostranslations