CH 133

Cheat Magician (Hazure Hantei) Chapter 133

Meeting with the Count

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The meeting with Count Gleisner would be held in Camilla's room.

Some of the knights seemed to have argued that it should be done in the commander's office, but it seemed that Camilla herself made the decision in consideration of future relationships.

In addition to Camilla and Zephalos, Levic and Walter were seated as assistants.

And, at first, I was only going to watch from the shadows, but at Camilla's request, Reinhardt and I also attended.

"Hmm, the knight who served the Wise King Arthur-sama, huh ..."

Upon hearing from Camilla that I was being followed by Reinhardt, Basten, and Fred, Count Gleisner seemed to be deeply impressed.

"I believe that Maou-sama is the reincarnation of Wise King Arthur-sama."

"Hohou, then Camilla-sama got the backing of the Wise King."

"I'm the one who has devoted my allegiance to Maou-sama ..."

"Are you serious about that loyalty!"

"Stop it, Walter."

Zephalos restrained Walter, who stood up at Camilla's words, but Camilla continued her words indifferently.

"Of course, I'm serious. When the Minotaurs attacked, without the help of Maou-sama, we couldn't even protect the people of Lastock."

When Walter turned his gaze to Levic, he affirmed Camilla's words by nodding with a sour expression on his face.

"Then, is it okay to think that Camilla-sama's policy from now on will be up to the Maou-dono?"

"I don't mind if you think so."

After hearing Camilla's reply, Zephalos and Walter turned their gazes to me.

"Then, Maou-dono, what do you plan to do with Resenburg?"

"Before I answer that question, may I ask you one question?"

"Hmm, what is it?"

"Why did Count Gleisner support Second Prince Bernst?"

"That, why was the First Prince Alphonse-sama not good enough? Is that the question?"

"Yes, that's right. Can you answer?"

"It's not a difficult story. Because I saw that Alphonse-sama lacked willpower."

"Willpower ... is it?"

It was said that the nobles of Resenburg had been probing the Prince since he was a child, in order to determine who the royal family would entrust their fate to in the future.

"Alphonse-sama isn't a bad person. He doesn't have any outstanding talent, but he can't be called stupid. However, his willpower to decide things is weak, and he is too influenced by the opinions of others."

In front of Camilla, who belonged to the same royal family, that criticism probably shouldn't have been made, but Camilla nodded, perhaps because it was a pointless remark.

"Certainly, in terms of willpower, I felt that Bernst was stronger, but even so, didn't you think that his behavior was a problem?"

"That's right, a commoner ... no, excuse me, it may have looked like that to the eyes of Maou-dono, but when the royal family was young, it wasn't that much of a surprise. I thought it would be fine if I just held the reins, but it seems my expectations were a bit naive."

It's tempting to say that it's not just a little naive, but the sensibilities of royalty and aristocrats may be a little different from ours.

"After the death of both Bernst and Christoph, the Count Gleisner Family wants to secure the territory under Alphonse with Camilla as the backing. Is that what you think?"

"Exactly. We have no right to execute Alphonse-sama at this point, so we will only be loyal and protect the people."

To be precise, it's probably to protect his house, but now isn't the time to rush.

"Is Camilla also okay with that policy?"

"I intend to follow Maou-sama's policy. However ..."

Camilla, who kept her mouth shut, stared at me and then connected her words as if she made up her mind.

"However, if Maou-sama allows it, I want to become the King of Resenburg! Now that Barshania is scheming, Alphonse-gikei and Diethelm are unreliable. I want to protect the people and make this country rich!"

Perhaps because Bernst no longer existed, Camilla spoke clearly about her feelings for the throne.

"That seems to be the case, but what do you think, Count Gleisner?"

"Fumu, what do you think, Maou-dono, who has only been asking me since a while ago and doesn't reveal his hand?"

"That's right, huh ... I haven't been to this world for very long, and to be honest, I don't even know the personalities of Alphonse and Diethelm. I think that those who continue to neglect the problem of desertification in the west while being cornered by the world do not deserve to be royalty."

"Then, Maou-dono, do you think you will be able to put Camilla-sama on the throne?"

"I warn you, and if it still doesn't change, I have no choice but to reject you ..."

"Is that something that can be said of the current King?"

Zephalos asked me with a smile on his face, but his eyes weren't smiling at all, which was rather scary.

"In the case of the current King, is it more like pressing for abdication rather than execution?"

"If you make a deal with the current King, there is a possibility that it will be considered a rebellion. Do you have any interest in doing that?"

That is probably what Klaus-san meant about gambling with his life.

By weighing risks and profits, they are looking for a partner to bet on.

"If Camilla becomes the King, then we have to leave the rule of Lastock to someone else, right?"

"I see, what else ...?"

"Huh? What else?"

I thought he would nod his head if I dangled the sovereignty of Lastock, is the skin of greed sticking out more than I thought.

While I was at a loss for an answer, Camilla answered instead.

"I promise that when I become King, the possessions of those who were in the Second Prince factions will be recognized, except for the Margrave Calvine Earldom."

"Are there any lies in your words?"

"Of course, those who set up bad governments that make the people suffer must be reconsidered."

"Can you promise not to suddenly change the tax rate, change the territory, or destroy it?"

"I promise."

When Camilla answered firmly, Zephalos closed his eyes for a moment and seemed to be thinking.

FIrst, the recognition of your own territory, then the treatment of your fellow faction members as leaders of the faction, and new profits after that.

If he was a person who could easily move just by gaining a new territory, he might have followed the Second Prince and carried out a massacre in Lastock.

"Understood, I'll help Camilla-sama. However, we need a cause to move. As Maou-dono said earlier, I would like to admonish them, and if they still don't change their mind, is it okay to ask them to withdraw?"

"Of course, I have no intention of recklessly executing my relatives. If Alphonse-gikei works for the people, I will support him ... Well, it will be difficult ..."

Camilla had already pointed out the problem of advancing desertification many times and urged them to deal with it, so she probably has no hope for the First Prince.

He warns the current King to change his attitude, and if he still doesn't listen, he presses him to abdicate, and if that doesn't work, he executes him.

As for the First Prince, he was asked to behave in a way befitting the next King.

The next thing to decide was the content of the news of the Second Prince's death that would be sent to various places.

That was already decided by Camilla.

"I intend to send news to various places that my half brothers lost their lives during the battle with the hordes of Orcs. On top of that, I will add that I will follow the will of my half brothers, protect the country, and devote myself to protecting the people."

"It is unavoidable to take it as a declaration that you will take over the faction of the Second Prince and aim for the throne, but is that okay?"

"With that in mind, I plan to admonish my father and Alphonse-gikei."

"That's fine. Is Maou-dono fine with that?"

"What about Margrave Calvine? Ware you going to do the same thing as with everyone else, or are you going to warn him?"

As if to control Camilla, Zephalos presented his thoughts first.

"The wording of the letter that Camilla-sama sends should be the same as the others."

"Why is that?"

"Like the other day, Camilla-sama will use letter paper, envelopes, and sealing wax with the royal crest on it. In other words, it remains as evidence, and blatant intimidation should be avoided."

"On the other hand, are you saying that it doesn't matter if it's not overt threats?"

Zephalos smiled widely before answering.

"As expected of Maou-dono. However, in this case, asking for loyalty to the country and mercy for the people without any trickery would be a threat to the dark-hearted."

"I see, so those who aim for the royal road don't need small tricks."

"Exactly ... But that man named Havre Calvine is going to be a no-brainer."

"Is he that kind of person?"

"Otherwise, that mining town could not be ruled."

Calvine's mines were not like dungeons, where ores were suddenly produced, but they were the same as Earth's mines. It seemed to be that sort of thing.

Earth-attribute magic was used in the mining process, but there was always the risk of accidents such as cave-ins.

If you hit a rich deposit, you'll get rich quickly, but if you get involved in a single accident, that's it.

It seemed that the men involved in the mining had a rough temperament.

Havre Calvine was the boss of such a group, and it feels like the boss of such a group was not a position for an average person.

"He has a strong physique and strong arms, but he also has a sharp mind. It's a scaled-up version of that follower Ryzas."

"Why did such a man pick up the Second Prince drowning in drugs? Maybe it was connected to the First Prince behind the scenes?"

"I don't know, it shouldn't have been difficult for Havre to manipulate Bernst-sama-tachi. That's why I don't understand the reason why he had him addicted to drugs."

"Is there any suspicion that it's a request from Barshania?"

"There are many doubts, but there is no evidence."

Zephalos belonged to the same faction as Havre, but it seemed they weren't close enough to talk to each other.

That being said, if they were able to cooperate to such an extent, Bernst and the others would not have become addicted to drugs.

"What is Havre Calvine's ultimate goal?"

"Ultimate goal, is it ... His territory is blessed as a mine, but it can be said that it has zero value as a granary. Therefore, there is no situation where the economy can be established independently, so there is no idea of starting an independent country."

"What about the desire to acquire fiefdoms in the breadbasket?"

"Between the Calvine territory and the breadbasket there are forestry mountains and dairy farming areas, so even if you get the breadbasket, it will be an enclave. There is only one place to manage the territory. It's quite troublesome just to rule over, I guess he wants to get a granary even if he becomes an enclave."

The Calvine territory is rich in mines, enough to supply most of Resenburg's mineral resources, and it seems that the income as a lord is higher than in the granaries.

"Maybe I should ask Maou-dono to investigate that?"

"Me, is it?"

"I heard that Maou-dono can freely come and go anywhere. Could you find out what kind of reaction Havre would have after receiving the news that Bernst-sama and the others had passed away?"

"Okay. Basten, can you find Havre Calvine?"

[ Understood, I'll go ahead and search. ]

"I have sent my genus, so I will contact you as soon as there is movement."

After giving a big nod, Zephalos turned his attention to Camilla.

"Now then, Camilla-sama, what are you going to say to Alphonse-sama?"

"In order to deal with the maximum outbreak, I will deal with it with the former Second Prince faction, and I plan to advise my half brother to proceed with the countermeasures against desertification."

"Alphonse-sama, do you think that he will take Camilla-sama's advice into consideration?"

"Hmm ... That's up to Torvil."

"I guess ..."

Both Camilla and Zephalos seemed to be thinking more about Torvil's movements than Alphonse himself.

"Does that man Torvil want to rule Resenburg as Prime Minister?"

"Hohou, do you even know Torvil, Maou-dono? As you say, that man's wish is to put Alphonse-sama on the throne and control the country from behind the scenes as Prime Minister."

"That means that if Camilla were to aim to be King, she would naturally get in the way, right?"

"I guess so. If you simply compare the qualities of the King, there is no need to argue about who is superior."

"How do you think it will work?"

"Now then, the First Prince's faction is probably gathering its military strength. The soldiers have gathered, but there is no one to avenge them. Will it come, or will it be used as a countermeasure against desertification ... Even if Torvil plans, will Alphonse-sama be able to make a decision, and will he be able to persuade the faction ... this will also depend on the actions of the other side."

In the case of Havre Calvine, the decision is up to him, but in Torvil's case, he must persuade Alphonse and even sonsolidate the opinions of the faction's nobles.

If I were to use an analogy, it would be like Mitsunari Ishida in the Battle of Sekigahara.

"Fred, investigate the movement of the First Prince's faction, bring the Kobold Corps, and let them watch over Barshania for any invasion."

[ Understood ... Leave it to me ... ]

"Fumu ... It seems appropriate to call him a Maou to be able to monitor the movements of Alphonse-sama, Havre, or even Barshania while staying in Lastock."

"Well, if Resenburg is going to be peaceful, you can use the name of the Maou."

"Isn't that going to be expensive for Resenburg later on?"

"No matter how expensive it is, I have to get Resenburg to pay compensation."

"Compensation? What do you mean by that?"

"Well, I told you that we were summoned, but I didn't tell you what happened in the world I am from at that time."

I told Count Gleisner that the school building collapsed due to the summoning, 48 people lost their lives, and that Funayama died after coming here.

"Then, is Maou-dono supporting Camilla-sama in order to collect compensation?"

"That's one of the reasons, but it's also true that I don't like the current situation of neglecting the progress of desertification and continuing power struggles."

"Are your interests aligned?"

"My wish is for the stability of Resenburg. For that reason, who would be the best to be King ..."

"There is no element of hostility. By the way, how much will the compensation be?"

"That's the problem, the value of things here and the value of things in the world I'm from aren't necessarily the same, but roughly speaking, 500 million Helts ... Burg here."

"500 million Burg ..."

"Don't screw around! Can we pay such an exorbitant amount!"

"Stop it, Levic!"

"Camilla-sama, but the amount is ..."

"Since it's fine, sit down ..."

Levic stood up and raised his voice in protest at the amount of money that even Zephalos was at a loss for words, but Camilla stopped him and he reluctantly sat down.

"As I said earlier, the values in this world and mine are different. The same is true for the price of human life. You may think it's an exorbitant amount, but that doesn't mean there aren't ways to deal with it."

"Hohou, it seems that Maou-dono has something in mind when you say that."

"Yes, magic essence doesn't exist in our world."

"What, if magic essence doesn't exist, can you not use magic?"

"As you say, there are no people who can use magic, there are no magic tools, and there are no magic stones."

"Fumu, it doesn't exist ... Does that mean it has scarcity value?"

"That's right."

I talked about how there is no magic in our world, instead it is a world where science and technology have progressed, and as a hint for technological innovation, the demand for magic tools and powering magic stones, which were unknown theories.

"It is difficult to substitute magic tools for daily necessities, but it seems that magic stones and materials necessary for making magic tools can be used as substitutes."

"But, is it okay for you to reveal your hand like that?"

"Why is that? Is Resenburg still hostile to our world?"

"No, there's no need to be."

"Then, I think it's only natural for both sides to think of ways to repair the relationship ..."

"Fumu, it seems that this Maou-dono doesn't look like a Maou."

Zephalos opened his mouth with a grin which gave him a look like a child who found a new toy.

If an old man likes me, I'm afraid of the consequences, so if possible, I'd like a beautiful woman to like me, but ...

"Then, should we prepare magic stones and materials?"

"No, I'm thinking of arranging that as well."

"What do you mean. Then it won't be compensation."

"Camilla doesn't have that many magic stones or materials, and it will be difficult to collect them from the former Second Prince faction nobles who support each other from now on."

"Certainly, even though it costs money to move soldiers to deal with the maximum outbreak, some people will be dissatisfied if it becomes an additional burden."

"On the other hand, if I postpone the compensation, the impression of Resenburg in my country could get worse."

"But, even if you say that Maou-dono will prepare it ... I see, this time's Orc magic stones."

"Yes, and the horns of the Minotaurs. I will ask the Resenburg side to contribute these."

"But, in that case, wouldn't it be enough if Maou-dono says that he received it and submitted it to the other world?"

"No, no, there are skeptical people in any world, so I would like to ask for your cooperation in the form of a video."

"By video, you mean moving pictures, right. Not only Camilla-sama, but also me?"

How troublesome, even though he's pretending that it's a nuisance, I feel like Zephalos is full of desire to be displayed.(TN:Something like he's happy to be on video or something.)

Behind his face as a heavyweight of the nobility, he can't hide his curiosity.

After that, I filmed the handover of the compensation and Camilla's apology video, with Zephalos also appearing.

Regarding Camilla's apology, Walter and Levic complained, but Camilla herself suppressed them and filmed her apology with her head lowered.

This time, Resenburg provided 20 Minotaur horns and 200 Orc magic stones.

If we submit this to the Japanese government along with Camilla's letter, it won't be enough to cover the full amount of compensation, but it should be recognized as a small achievement.

The meeting and the shooting were over, so I was thinking about returning to Volzard or showing up at the Investigation Headquarters when Zephalos suddenly asked Camilla a question.

"By the way, Camilla-sama, you have made the decision to become King, but what are you going to do about your spouse?"

"I can't think of a spouse at this point. I can't reach the throne of the King with such a frivolous feeling."

Camilla answered Zephalos' question without showing any hesitation.

"I see ... In Camilla-sama's case, there is also the option of handing over the throne to His Highness Diethelm, so there is no need to rush, but marriage and childbirth are also happiness as a woman. I think it would be fine if you would, but ..."

"In my base, even if I am on the throne, I have no right to pursue happiness as a woman unless I am forgiven by apologizing and compensating."

"Hmm ... Is that an instruction from Maou-dono?"

Camilla looked at me and blushed a little before answering Zephalos.

"That's right. Otherwise, my heart won't reach Maou-sama ..."

"Isn't Camilla-sama aiming for the throne to quickly finish her apology and compensation and marry Maou-dono?"

"What are you talking about, I am to become King for the sake of the stability and development of Resenburg, and for the sake of the people!"

"That's true, I apologize for that."

By the way, Camilla is staring at me, Zephalos is grinning, Walter and Levic are glaring at me like they've swallowed a bitter bug ... What should I do?"

After that, Zephalos invited me to have dinner with him, and even at that time, I was thoroughly questioned.

After all, it's exhausting when an old man likes you.