CH 148

-Edetrok (Prime Minister of Marihect) Side-

Immediately after handing over the declaration of war documents, a letter of war withdrawal arrived from Kisetoa.

They have abandoned their alliance with Sievert and stated that they will not attack Marihect.

They even wanted to apologize for presenting the declaration of war.

(What did Ko do?)

It’s unheard of to withdraw a declaration of war.

There must have been something significant for Kisetoa to make such a choice.

Should they accept Kisetoa’s apology and agree to continue diplomatic relations?

…However, such a conversation was not mentioned in the apology letter.

There’s no mention of Ko using force against anyone either.

…in other words, it was through negotiation?

Being a mage with immense magical power and a healer capable of using healing magic similar to regeneration…can Ko also handle diplomacy?

We still don’t know what race Ko belongs to, but was it possible for children with similar powers to be born like Ko?

Currently, Ko is pregnant with his fourth child, and the child in his womb possessed an extraordinary amount of magical power for an Akinist.

However, there’s a clear difference compared to Ko.

The child, although weaker than the other children, has magic that could be sensed, which meant they have inherited half of each of their parents’ powers…

Is it difficult for a child to inherit most of Ko’s powers?

Since Ko easily gave birth to an Akinist child which should have been difficult to conceive, there’s now hope that a child inheriting Ko’s power will be born.

…even if such a child is born, they would be referred to as “half-Akinist” due to the uncertainty of Ko’s race.

There had been discussions about giving a name to Ko’s race…but that seemed to be a matter for the distant future.

Currently, there were only discussions about naming the child he’s currently pregnant with.

So many meetings were held to decide the name of the unborn child.

There had been no instance of Akinist bloodlines being born in succession like this.

In general, Akinists, who are inherently free-spirited, rarely stay in one country for their entire lives.

Even the King’s orders were whimsically obeyed.

They have no sense of guilt for harming others and simply think, “if you don’t want to die, don’t pick a fight with me.”

They are indifferent to others, their families, and even themselves, and believe that it was better to be on the front lines of battle than to protect someone.

(Perhaps I have no choice but to name the child after an Akinist who has stayed in Marihect for a long time.)

There are no longer any Akinists who have stayed in one country for their entire lives.

Even the male name candidates from Diadora’s time were names of Akinists who have lived in two countries.

Lord Saribatos and Lady Arteamiya did not settle until Captain Rodokiaus was conceived.

Generally speaking, Akinists behave in such a manner.

In other words, it’s rare for them to stay in one country.

If Ko intends to have more children, the naming will take even more time.

…it’s a joyous occasion, though.

—-

—

On the morning of the day stated in the declaration of war, Ko and Captain Rodokiaus arrived at the castle.

They had mentioned that they would come to return the declaration of war, but…

While a retraction of the declaration and an apology were received from Kisetoa, nothing was received from Sievert.

Will the war between Sievert and Marihect proceed as planned?

I won’t know until I hear the report from Ko.

The preparations for war have been proceeding smoothly, though.

“I apologize for coming early in the morning, Your Majesty. I have come to return the declarations of war from the two nations.”

Ko was held up in Captain Rodokiaus’ arms.

There was no one else accompanying them.

It seems that Lord Saribatos and the children are staying behind.

“How did it go?”

“Kisetoa stated that they will stop their alliance with Sievert and will retract the declaration of war. Sievert…is a lost cause. They did not believe Kisetoa’s decision and kept boasting about how they will ‘obtain the Akinists and gain ownership over the half-Akinists’. I was tempted to kill them right then and there, but I managed to restrain myself.”

I can only listen to the conversation between His Majesty and Ko.

Nevertheless, Sievert’s king is audacious.

To say such things in front of Captain Rodokiaus and Ko…

“I’ll kill them! They insulted Ko. I can’t keep them alive.”

What did Sievert’s King say?

…actually, if he was feeling such strong anger, given his tendencies, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had already killed them.

Did Ko stop him?

…why did Ko stop him?

Either way, it seems he intended to kill them…

And Ko didn’t seem to show any signs of stopping him either.

“…in any case, the war will start now, right? Since it will practically be a war between Marihect and Sievert, will you allow the two of us to go to the front lines?” Captain Rodokiaus asked.

“I would like to entrust that to you, Captain Rodokiaus, but Ko is pregnant. We cannot guarantee that his health won’t deteriorate. Please don’t push him too hard…”

“Against those idiots who laid their hands on my family, there’s no reason to send Rodo alone, right?”

“Understood.”

His Majesty nodded in agreement, but Ko seems to be the only one who is concerned about the Akinists to this extent.

Besides, we have no intention of sending only Captain Rodokiaus.

There are capable soldiers who may not match Captain Rodokiaus, and although they may not possess unique powers like Ko, there are also many magicians.

And yet…

“I sympathize with the soldiers and magicians of Sievert who have no choice but to follow the foolish king, but I won’t show any mercy to those who assist in harming my family. Did they not understand even after erasing the memory of one minister? They are such fools, it’s beyond belief.”

Ko said, his mouth forming an arc.

Despite appearing to be a smile, it’s incredibly frightening.

…I have lived ten times longer than Ko.

It’s inconceivable for me to make an enemy out of someone like Ko.

Sievert could only be described as “foolish”.

“I wouldn’t mind wiping out their entire castle, but this time, I’ll leave it to Rodo. I’ll neutralize the soldiers and magicians. …I hope the others can take care of the ones I incapacitate.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you.”

Ko smiled at His Majesty.

Unlike before, it’s a smile that captures attention.

Every single smile can make such a huge difference.

I didn’t realize that until I saw Ko.

I think it’s fine now, but as he got older and his words become more persuasive, it looked like he’d be a prime minister who can roll the king of any country in his palm.

…I would like to see such a Ko, would it look scary then?

“Our children are being looked after by my father-in-law, so I hope we can finish this quickly.”

“!? Y-Yes, indeed.”

Since it’s a war, it’s uncertain how long it will drag on.

However, the way Ko speaks gave the impression that he meant “finish quickly and return”.

I haven’t witnessed Ko in a full-fledged battle yet, and I don’t know how much his power has increased.

…did he have the confidence that it can be finished in a short amount of time?

My awe and fear towards Ko continued to increase…

If this continues, it won’t be long before people bow down not to His Majesty, but to Ko.

…but Ko seems to dislike being revered.