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As the thought of someone possibly plotting something slithered into my mind.

“Surely, your words are a bit concerning. But without evidence…”

I returned to the words tossed by the Elf Representative, who seemed to notice my wandering thoughts.

Indeed, there wasn’t proper evidence… just wild speculation.

For now, I could only leave things at a mere suspicion.

Later… perhaps if I confirmed things a bit more calmly, but for now, I had to focus on the tasks at hand.

“Isn’t deciding the Emperor’s treatment the priority here?”

I nodded at the Dwarf Representative’s words.

Even though I had an uneasy feeling about that Emperor, I couldn’t keep the messenger waiting indefinitely.

The Emperor’s treatment was the top priority.

“So… what should we do?”

I glanced at the two representatives, and the Elf and Dwarf representatives paused to think before responding.

“There’s nothing more to see. The nobility of North Romania is already watching, so we should just cleanly behead him and be done with it, right?”

The Dwarf Representative coldly let out those words. It was a statement true to his nature, even showing discontent at the thought of keeping the Emperor alive.

“While it might be best to kill him as he says… giving in to what those humans want doesn’t sit well with me.”

The Elf Representative seemed close to the idea of killing him but exhibited a somewhat twisted mindset of wanting to do what the humans wished.

No matter whose opinion was heard, the direction toward death remained unchanged.

“Looks like killing him is a definite thing then. I was just thinking of cutting the muscles of his limbs and leaving him deep in the mountains.”

It would essentially count as indirect murder, leaving him to die at the hands of monsters or beasts, after all.

“That would still be murder, wouldn’t it?”

“Well, that’s true.”

On well-traveled paths or roads managed by the Church of Life’s pilgrims, monsters are rare, but just stepping slightly off those paths would invite beasts or monsters.

There would be no way for an Emperor, whose limbs were cut, to survive.

“If you’re worried about the burden on the Elves or Dwarves, there’s no need to. We can gladly endure anything that arises from protecting Betelgeuse.”

It’s not that I was genuinely worried about that…

But then again, does it really matter?

“Then let’s decide on killing the Emperor for now, but let’s question him a bit before we do.”

“Questions… you’re thinking of asking about the things that were concerning you.”

“Yes. He might not respond honestly… but if I rummage through his head, I should be able to extract some information somehow.”

Of course, the head rummaged for needed information wouldn’t exactly emerge unscathed. But if he’s going to die, it wouldn’t hurt to extract the vital information, would it?

As for the chaos that would arise from the Emperor’s death… well, the nobility of North Romania had already prepared for some of it, so it might not be such a bad idea to go ahead with it.

Perhaps they already secured the next candidate for Emperor. Just that kind of feeling. They should have had some degree of preparation in place.

“Then let’s relay our intentions through the messenger. We’ll deal with the root cause of all the problems—the Emperor—on our end.”

At the Elf Representative’s words, the Dwarf Representative laughed heartily, rolling up his sleeves.

“What a chance to take off that nasty head! I couldn’t be happier! I just hope I get that chance!”

“Just remember, priority is to extract information. Executing him is secondary.”

The Dwarf Representative, who had taken on the role of executioner, checked the blade of the axe resting on his back, while the Elf Representative calmly scolded him.

Hmm… even amidst their bickering, they seemed to blend well together, so I could entrust the matters of Betelgeuse to these two races.

“Then… let’s send a letter through the messenger.”

“Yes.”

The Elf Representative took out parchment, a quill, and an ink pouch from his robe.

“I’ll fill in the letter roughly. It’ll state that we’ll handle the Emperor on our side and that our relationship with the North Romanian Empire remains unchanged…”

“Oh, it can’t remain unchanged. Given we suffered damages, it’s only right for them to provide appropriate compensation, isn’t it?”

At my words, both the Elf and Dwarf representatives nodded slightly.

“That’s true. But what kind of compensation would be appropriate…?”

“That part should be discussed separately. We won’t directly handle such administrative work, so it would be best to leave it with those involved in the tasks,” I suggested.

“Certainly, that makes sense.”

The Elf and Dwarf representatives were the strongest among those in Betelgeuse, yet they weren’t particularly relevant to such matters.

Thus, related tasks should be assigned to those most capable, to the experts.

“Understood. I will note that we will have a separate discussion on that.”

“And one more thing to add. The ownership of Betelgeuse will be guaranteed by the Church of Life to the race that prevails in the racial war.”

Though it passed now, there might be others who covet Betelgeuse again.

Even if it’s the city blessed by the Goddess of Life, it wouldn’t be surprising for others to wish to seize it as the two races are in a prideful struggle.

So let’s assure ownership of Betelgeuse in the name of the Church of Life. If you want it, participate in the racial war and win.

Of course, only the Elves and Dwarves will be participating, so it means one side will end up owning it.

“Alright… understood. I’ll add that detail too.”

With that, the Elf Representative skillfully wrote on the parchment, and soon a splendidly crafted letter was completed.

The letter stated that we would handle the Emperor’s affairs and guaranteed Betelgeuse’s independence in the name of the Church of Life, adorned with various embellishments.

Once the ink dried, it was neatly rolled up and tied with a small leather strap.

“Now, I’ll call the messenger waiting outside.”

“No, there’s no need for that.”

I lightly snapped my fingers, and the messenger waiting outside was summoned.

The messenger, momentarily stunned as he was teleported beyond the door, quickly regained his composure.

“It seems the Dragon Priestess has summoned me.”

“Yes, the letter for the nobility of North Romania has been completed.”

The parchment held by the Elf Representative floated lightly, carried by a wind spirit, and was delivered to the messenger.

“Further detailed discussions need to be done later, but the rough outline has been decided, so please take care of delivering the letter.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

With that, the messenger accepted the letter and exited the room.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“This way.”

After delivering the letter to the nobility of North Romania and taking a brief break, we headed towards the room where the Emperor was confined.

We had tasks to fulfill, after all.

“By the way, rummaging through someone’s head… can magic really allow such things?”

The Dwarf Representative stared at me with a slightly dubious gaze.

Well, typically, a normal mage wouldn’t be able to do that. The human brain is quite delicate, after all.

“It’s not easy, but it is possible. Ah, if someone tries to attempt it, please stop them. If they were to fumble and try to read someone’s mind awkwardly, it might turn their brain into mush, or the caster’s head might explode from an overload of information.”

Though a bit of exaggeration was mixed in, the Elf and Dwarf representatives paled at my words.

“Such a dangerous magic… Wouldn’t it be better to just kill him now?”

“Don’t worry. I won’t fail.”

As if rummaging through some fool’s head would lead to any mishap for me.

That aside…

“Is this the room?”

“Yes.”

We arrived in front of the room under strict surveillance.

A hastily arranged place in the basement of Betelgeuse’s central office. No, it was a prison.

Aside from the entrance, there was no contact with the outside… a small room.

At the doorway stood an Elf Swordsman and a Dwarf Warrior, one of each, guarding the entrance.

But…

“Is he really in this room?”

“Yes, I checked myself.”

“Then…”

I quietly approached the door and swung it open wide.

A room furnished with luxurious furniture. A room prepared to confine the Emperor.

Yet, inside the room, there was no one.

“Why is no one here?”

“What…?”

“No…”

Both representatives of the two races, along with those guarding the door, were aghast at the empty sight within the room.

“I’m sure he was here when we delivered breakfast this morning…”

“This morning…?”

I subtly entered the room and examined the disheveled blankets and bed.

There were definite signs that someone had been there, but there was no escape route; the Emperor had vanished.

It was as if he had evaporated like mist.

 

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