Chapter 76

"Long time no see, Queen Reifa of Lateswood."

The meeting began with those words.

The location was a small castle at the center of Lateswood's capital, in its reception room. As a meeting to celebrate the victory, Helian from Alkymaira had come to visit.

Facing her were Reifa, dressed in formal attire of white and green, and a few of her attendants standing behind her. Behind Helian, the attendants of the First Legion stood quietly. Given the busy post-war situation, a grand meeting was not feasible, so the participants were kept to a minimum.

"First, I would like to congratulate you on this victory. I have already heard of the valor of your warriors. Their achievements, after just a little over a month of training, are truly commendable, and I cannot help but praise them."

"Your words are too kind, and I am deeply honored. If the warriors receive such praise from none other than Helian, they will surely be delighted."

Reifa bowed slightly and replied with composed words.

For a while, they exchanged formal compliments and responses, and then the conversation gradually shifted to more substantial matters. This was a necessary process, given that their attendants were present.

"By the way, I heard that you were unwell, Helian... How are you feeling now?"

"I was involved in some trouble while on a mission, but as you can see, I am fine. I am in perfect health."

However, this was true only at this moment.

In fact, or rather, in this case, she had nearly died during the recent incident.

However, it was not because she had been involved in combat. She had been waiting with a backup force in case of an emergency, but the battle ended without any need for her to engage. Therefore, the moment she thought she might die was the night before the battle, when she activated the secret art in the Large Box.

That day, Helian activated the secret art "Awaken, Dain's Legacy" against Reeve's objections, and managed to manifest the magic sword, the final piece of Fafnir. However, she fainted before she could see the results.

Reeve, who was with her, apparently turned pale at that point. She caught the collapsing Helian, exercised her authority as the commander of the First Legion, took control of the scene, and had Helian urgently transported to the royal bedroom. The next morning, Helian regained consciousness, received a brief examination, and arrived at the scene just before the battle began.

(To nearly die without even fighting... How pathetic.)

Honestly, she had a sense of crisis, thinking "Maybe it's dangerous." She had not fully recovered from the exhaustion caused by the consecutive activation of the secret arts and was prepared for a stronger feedback than usual. However, she did not expect to lose consciousness from just one activation of the secret art.

There was no way to verify it, so she had based her predictions on the knowledge from [Tactics Chronicle], but it seemed that her current body was weaker than she had imagined.

However, if asked whether the activation of the secret art was a rash decision, she would say no. Because it was something she had promised Reifa. When supernatural forces that should not be used in war were deployed, Alkymaira had taken on the responsibility, and they had made a firm promise. Therefore, there was no option but to use the secret art in that situation.

She always kept her promises.

If she couldn't even do that, who would recognize her as the king of Mimas?

"Rather than me, how is your health? I heard that you not only commanded the troops but also played a crucial role in the great magic during this battle..."

"I appreciate your concern, but there is no significant issue with my health."

Reifa smiled and replied.

Considering her strong character, it was difficult to take her words at face value. The burden of the group incantation was unknown, but she had been commanding on the front lines. Given her busy schedule as a queen before the battle, it was hard to say that her condition was perfect.

However, in this situation with others present, it was meaningless to press the issue. She decided to avoid unnecessary talk and move on to practical matters.

"Let's move on. Regarding the various achievements from this incident... I believe things have progressed as expected. Is there anything particularly noteworthy on your side?"

"There is nothing in particular. The capital was unscathed, and the post-war processing is proceeding smoothly."

"That's a relief. I have also received reports that the adventurers who were staying in the village have been dealt with without any issues. This can also be attributed to the efforts of your warriors."

After all, the powerful Elven nation of Noblewood had fallen, and Lateswood, a small nation, had been involved in its demise. While it might be strange for a layperson who is uninterested in the Great Tree Sea, it was not unusual for some skeptics to emerge. At the very least, Lateswood's weak army would have lacked credibility.

However, Lateswood's warriors had gained considerable strength. They had obtained abyssal forest equipment from a mysterious 'traveler' and formed a small but elite force.

While it was indeed due to their own abilities, the 'abyssal forest equipment' was a clear and understandable explanation, as confirmed by the adventurers in the border city. It was difficult to make people believe that white was black, but it was much easier to make them believe that gray was white. The fact that the warriors demonstrated their strength made Kamila's work easier, which was undeniable.

Moreover,

"This incident benefits everyone. Not only the adventurers who were exploring the abyssal forest, but also the shrewd merchants will show interest in Lateswood. The fact that Noblewood was an extremist Elven supremacist nation will work in our favor this time."

Ignoring the danger, the abyssal forest was a very attractive resource area.

With the extremist Elven faction gone from the Great Tree Sea and the presence of skilled craftsmen in Lateswood who could process abyssal forest materials, this was a welcome situation for adventurers, especially abyssal explorers, and the surrounding nations.

Furthermore, as the term 'confirmation bias' in social psychology suggests, humans tend to believe information that is convenient for them. If there is no benefit in doubting and a benefit in believing, the urge to doubt does not arise.

Moreover, the Sixth Legion, led by Kamila, specialized in information warfare. Given the groundwork they had laid, it was unlikely that they would fail. Of course, a long journey would be necessary for Lateswood to be accepted in the international community, but this was a sufficient first step.

In any case,

"Before long, there will be an increase in the flow of people. I believe that Lateswood will inevitably be required to change as a result..."

"I am prepared. The elimination of the threat of Noblewood was an unavoidable issue for our country. I am deeply grateful for your support."

"...We provided military support only for the fairy dragon. There is no doubt that this victory was achieved by your country's own strength. There is no reason to accept your words of gratitude."

Alkymaira was using Lateswood as a cover. Considering this, the battle was fought for Alkymaira's convenience, and it was not in a position to accept pure gratitude.

Unable to withstand the straightforward emotions directed at her by Reifa, Helian averted her emerald eyes.

However, when she returned her gaze, Reifa, sitting opposite her, had a somewhat troubled smile on her face. It was a wry smile, one that seemed somewhat mysterious.

After a cough, she continued.

"By the way, I have received various reports from those I sent to your country. I would like to exchange frank opinions on this matter... Is that acceptable?"

She glanced at the attendants standing behind Reifa.

Reifa then nodded and gave a quiet instruction to her attendants. Helian also lightly waved her right hand, sending an 'instruction' to the guards behind her through the 'compression key' linked to the gesture.

The attendants from Alkymaira immediately took action, and the attendants from Lateswood, after a brief hesitation, also left. Thus, only Reifa and Helian remained in the room.

"I appreciate your consideration. Let's move on to the main topic."

After a moment, Reifa's posture stiffened.

"The topic is none other than the issues in the exchange between our countries, as identified through our activities. Since the opportunity to have a face-to-face discussion with you is rare, I have taken the time to do so."

Reifa's eyebrows twitched at the mention of the issues. She was surely thinking deeply in her intelligent mind.

Helian moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and continued.

"I sincerely hope that our friendly relationship with your country will continue. Looking to the future, I believe that the issues that have come to light this time, such as the significant differences in the common sense of our countries and, by extension, the common sense of humans, are unavoidable."

There had been no reports of major issues so far.

However, this was a superficial calm due to the careful selection of personnel who interacted with Lateswood. If they had not been repeatedly instructed not to use violence, no matter the provocation, there would have been friction.

She was certain of this, and the reason was—

"As you know, all the people in our country are monsters. Due to their nature, when conflicts or minor frictions arise, they tend to prefer to resolve them through 'physical language'."

"Physical language... you mean, that is..."

"To put it bluntly, it means fighting or its extension, combat... in other words, 'resolving through violence'. However, if this explanation is taken literally, it would be misleading. Since there are no appropriate words, I can only express it as 'physical language'."

This term 'physical language' was a representative example of the cultural and common sense differences between the two countries.

For Alkymaira, this term alone was sufficient for mutual understanding. Physical language was recognized as a form of dialogue, not violence, and the residents accepted it as a matter of course.

Since it was common sense, it was not questioned whether it was right or wrong, and it was a 'culture' that everyone shared.

On the other hand, for Lateswood, this was nothing but 'violence'. Resorting to physical force when opinions clashed was, from their perspective, a form of coercion, threat, or assault, which were criminal acts.

There might be a culture of duels, but they were a last resort when mediation through discussion or third-party intervention failed, and certainly not a first choice.

"Of course, we have no intention of imposing our culture and common sense unilaterally. Even this 'physical language' culture, if applied to your country, could easily be seen as a military invasion."

"I respectfully agree. If the people of our country were to be challenged to a physical contest by the people of your country, it would undoubtedly end in a tragic outcome."

"I completely agree. No one, including the parties involved, would benefit, and it would end in mutual unhappiness. Therefore, I believe that careful attention must be paid to our interactions. ...It is difficult to admit, but the people of our country, the monsters of Alkymaira, are often insensitive to such nuances."

To be frank, there were too many brainless individuals who thought that a fight was fine if it was troublesome. Even Reeve, who had engaged in a fistfight with the dragon species of the Eighth Legion, let alone the lower-ranking monsters, would not have thought twice about it.

"However, the current environment does not