Chapter 431: Kings


    [[I never thought there would be a call for Summit of the Wise Kings during my reign]]


    The first king to appear was a gray-haired old man. He has a long white beard, and a face full of wrinkles that indicate his advanced age.


    His name is Mikhail  Sokal.


    As he is already over 80 years old, he is the oldest monarch on this continent.


    The Emperor of Sokal empire.


    We thank you for your swift response, Your Majesty.


    [[Its only natural to respond swiftly to a continental crisis. That being said, its been a while, Emperor Johannes.]]


    [[Must have been since I was still a crown prince huh? You sure have a long life to rule over your country this long, Emperor Mikhail.]]


    The Sokal empire has always been a rival of the Adracia Empire.


    Sokal was an empire that controlled most of the eastern part of the continent while Adracia was an Empire that ruled over the central part.


    The two countries have always collided with each other so it is rare for their rulers to meet like this. Normally only their representatives would attend the meetings in their ces.


    However, that is not the case for a Summit.


    [[I do live long. But doesnt it seem like you are having quite a hard time with your session war? If you lowered your head, its not like I am not willing to lend you a hand you know?]]


    [[That would be a big help. But I heard that Sokal was recently devastated by a giant monster, no? If you lowered your head, I see no reason why I should not send you some aid you know? My Empire still has plenty of resources to spare after all.]]


    The two never took their eyes off each other. Its an atmosphere where it would be hopeless if you want to see them shake hands.


    Meanwhile, another person appeared.


    [[To think that both Emperors have already arrived. As a younger man, I must apologize for my tardiness.]]


    Said a young man with tinum blonde hair and pale purple eyes.


    He has a faint smile on his face but there was only coldness behind his eyes.


    One could describe his appearance as a mysterious handsome young man.


    However, he is someone that doesnt belong in this meeting.


    This is a Summit. What happened to His Majesty the King? Your Highness the First Prince.


    [[I am already a crown prince. Father is still asleep due to his illness. I am attending this meeting on his behalf.]]


    [[Did you not imprison him after you took power? Prince Lucian.]]


    Father put him in check.


    This young mans name is Lucian Do Pen.


    The Firstborn Son of the current king of Pen and their Crown Prince.


    He is the de facto leader of the anti-imperial faction in Pen and the one who holds real power there.


    [[Hahaha, surely you jest. My father and I are on good terms. It is not our country that a prince started a rebellion. You would not find such unsightliness in my country.]]


    Lucian jabbed back with a smile.


    On the other hand, Father who was insulted by the word unsightliness did not show his anger, he simply narrowed his eyes at Lucian.


    It seems that he is truly irritated now.


    [[How young, Crown Prince. You are truly full of vigor.]]


    [[My apology, Your Imperial Majesty. I am a little too full of vigor right now.]]


    [[Did you not ally yourself with another country and attacked the Empire? You are not so foolish as to mistake bravery for recklessness do you?]]


    [[You are saying that my country was reckless.]]


    [[Is that not appear to be the case right now?]]


    [[Well, certainly. We were not blessed with a good ally after all.]]


    [[Since your country did not have the resolve to fight this war alone from the start, you will lose.]]


    [[I see. This has been a valuable lesson. As expected from a country that single-handedly fighting off the Princess General.]]


    Lucian tried to provoke Emperor Mikhail by implying that his country couldnt even handle Lize-aneue alone.


    However, Emperor Mikhail nonchntly brushed that off.


    [[That would still be better than a country that couldnt even breach the border with an alliance. At the very least, the Dominion and the United Kingdom managed to break through. One must certainly choose their ally well it seems.]]


    [[It seems that I have to concede that point. I really cant beat Your Majesty through words.]]


    Lucian said that and turned his eyes to Father.


    Father didnt say anything.


    He then tried to speak to Father.


    However,


    [[You better not look down on the Adlers too much.]]


    No wordse out from Lucians mouth.


    He is being seriously red at by Father after all.


    His expression was unmistakably one that if Lucian was within his reach, he would pull out his sword and cut him down immediately.


    Its a vow that Father will absolutely kill him.


    As expected, Lucian didnt seem to want to provoke Father in this condition so he quietly lowered his head.


    [[Excuse my rudeness.]]


    [[Forgive us, Guild Chief. It seems that we got a little too heated up.]]


    I think that it is natural given that this is a meeting between rulers of two warring nations, Your Majesty.


    Clyde gave a safe reply.


    Here we have the heads of the three strongest nations on the continent.


    If you bring them face-to-face and they have such a tongue-in-cheek battle then of course he would choose to stay safe.


    While that was going on, the kings of other countries started to appear one after another.


    The kings of Albatro and Rondine are here as well.


    And.


    [[Mu Mu!!? Theres suddenly a lot of faces?]]


    .Celestial Princess-dono. What happened to the king?


    It seems that he is leaving it to me! Its only natural! If its a continental crisis then the one who has to go out would be me after all!


    Said Orihime, the Celestial Princess of Mizuho.


    Unlike with Lucian, no one raises anyints.


    The Celestial Princess is the guardian of Mizuho. One could say that a Celestial Princess is even more suitable as their representative in this meeting than their king.


    It is an entirely different matter whether the person herself is suitable or not though.


    [[But a meeting between kings really is a stiff ce to be huh! Moreover, the old geezer from Sokal is here too!]]


    [[Of course, I would be here.]]


    [[So you are still alive. Well, it does seem like you are already all wobbly though. Looks like you wont be able to get through my barrier during your lifetime eh. You did great, you can rest in peace now.]]


    [[Dont just kill me off so easily.]]


    She said whatever she wants huh.


    This attitude of hers that doesnt change even in the face of kings, I dont really know if I should call it a virtue or a drawback.


    Some kings are certainly frowning at her but my father is only smiling lightly at her attitude.


    [[Its been a long time, Celestial Princess-dono.]]


    [[Oh! Its been a while! Hows Arnold?]]


    [[Hes doing fine. He got all flustered since talks of marriage came up to him recently though.]]


    [[What? Arnold is getting married? Dont be reserved. I am willing to take him in you know? Feel free to send him over with some gold coins.]]


    [[Im happy to hear that. Still, it seems that he has no intention to marry anyone at the moment.]]


    [[That sure sounds like Arnold! Dont you think so? Silver.]]


    Orihime directed the talk to me with a smile.


    I can only sigh in response.


    I wonder about that. I am not that close with him after all.


    [[What a boring answer.]]


    [[I have no obligation to make it interesting. Is it about time we start?]]


    The representative from the United Kingdom still isnt here yet.


    [[What happened to their king?]]


    [[It appears that the king is absent, Your Majesty. That country is not stable yet, thats why I informed them that they can send a representative instead.]]


    Clyde responds to Emperor Mikhails question.


    That is probably the best lie he cane up with.


    If he only says that their king is currently away from their castle then the other kings will have no choice but to acknowledge that.


    Still, that would work well for any other country, but that is a country that is famous for its Flying Dragons.


    The distance they can cover is iparable to horses.


    After a while, a man appeared from the crystal at the seat reserved for the United Kingdom.


    [[Forgive me for representing my king on this asion. I am Roger, the Captain of the ck Dragon Knight Order of the United Kingdom.]]


    [[The strongest Dragon Knight huh. Theres no shortage of interesting people today.]]


    [[I am honored by your praise, Emperor Sokal. However, I have already lost that title in the sky of Adracia.]]


    Roger said with a smile.


    Somehow, his smile looks refreshing.


    Thats probably how much he recognizes Finns ability.


    Now that we have all the participants, let us begin the Summit.


    At Clydes deration, the meeting finally started.


    TLN: Reminder, Adracia Empire was inspired by the German Empire, and Sokal empire was inspired by Russia. Though the kanji for Sokal empire was the one for the Japanese Empire.


    Also, suddenly Sokol turned to Sokal, either I was wrong from the start or it was edited that way. Either way I will edit every mention of it to conform with thetest chapter