Chapter 84

Neutral Nation Conference (4)

King Kasol was at a loss for words.

The 7th Lord, what in the world is this guy talking about?

'...He’s saying he will fight alone on Earthhill’s side if a war breaks out?'

It’s an absurd statement.

No, it’s not just absurd; it’s so ridiculous that it doesn’t even elicit a laugh.

However, if the one making this statement is none other than the Lord of Calethric, it can no longer be dismissed as mere empty words or nonsense.

He had ruled as the king of a neutral nation caught between the two giants, Calethric and Sainthea, for a long time. Therefore, he knew better than anyone else.

The power of a true transcender, not just a mediocre strongman, is something that defies common sense.

The power that the Lords of Calethric possess is such that they can easily overwhelm an entire nation on their own.

"..."

Longford and Teyr also stared at the 7th Lord, half in a daze, as did the others.

"Isn’t that... a bit strange?"

King Kasol almost called it a sophistry but managed to tone it down.

"The Lord is still a significant part of Calethric’s military strength. Saying that you will participate alone... "

The 7th Lord interrupted.

"Calethric is not a single nation but a federation of ten lordships. The Grand Lord’s will does not encompass the wills of the other lords."

The lords are independent forces in a cooperative relationship, not subordinates to the Grand Lord.

The Grand Lord also chuckled and added.

"Calethric’s statement about non-interference might have been misunderstood. Just take it as my personal stance."

King Kasol clenched his teeth, feeling something rising within him.

While it’s true in a formal sense, the 7th Lord’s and the Grand Lord’s statements were still sophistry.

However, he couldn’t refute them.

Ultimately, everything in this conference would be decided under the will of Calethric and Sainthea, and the neutral nations would merely look for opportunities to secure their interests under the tacit approval of the two powers.

If one side decided to act, there was no resisting their will, regardless of the pretext or reason.

Just as Kasol had mentioned the war to Earthhill, what mattered was not the pretext but sheer power.

'Sainthea...'

So, King Kasol turned to the Emperor.

Since Calethric had decided to step in, only Sainthea could stand against them.

However, the Emperor merely looked at the 7th Lord with an indifferent expression.

Soon, he spoke.

"What is your reason for supporting the Kingdom of Earthhill, 7th Lord?"

The 7th Lord replied.

"Is it right to cause chaos like a war over mere territorial disputes at a time like this?"

"..."

"I only wish for the continent’s stability. And I believe the hero feels the same, Emperor. Seeing how you are content to be a mere observer, it seems the hero is still focused on recovery. Can you handle the aftermath?"

The Emperor’s eyes twitched slightly at this.

The Grand Lord, who had been watching the Emperor with a smirk, spoke.

"It seems the 7th Lord is really going to participate. What do you think?"

The Emperor, who had been silent for a moment, shook his head.

"Sainthea’s stance remains unchanged."

"..."

"Suppressing unresolved conflicts by force is not the best way to achieve peace on the continent. I merely thought that interfering in the conflict between the two nations was not the best course of action. However, if the 7th Lord is determined, I will respect that will. It is his decision to make."

In the end, even if the 7th Lord were to get involved, Sainthea would not intervene.

King Kasol let out a small, bitter laugh.

The 7th Lord asked him.

"King Kasol, are you still resolved to wage war against Earthhill?"

"..."

"If you are, you can declare war officially right here."

Saying this, the 7th Lord leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, his arrogant demeanor causing King Kasol to clench his fists.

It’s like an ogre suddenly deciding to join a war between goblins.

If just one of them steps in, the kingdom’s very existence would be in jeopardy. How could he declare war in such a situation?

"..."

"It seems my decision was hasty. I will retract all my previous statements. Kasol has no intention of waging war against Earthhill."

He had no choice but to raise his hands in surrender.

The other kings inwardly sighed at King Kasol’s quick retraction.

But it was a situation where he had no choice.

If Sainthea did not step in, there was no way out.

"Since this issue still requires further discussion, I suggest we move on to the next agenda."

Longford, who had been watching King Kasol’s compliant attitude, shifted his gaze to the 7th Lord.

The 7th Lord, who had easily made Kasol back down with just a few words, seemed unperturbed, as if this was the expected outcome.

It was impossible not to be in awe of Calethric’s standing.

'But why...'

Why is the 7th Lord helping Earthhill?

There was still a lingering sense of doubt and unease, so the relief was only temporary.

Throughout the ongoing conference, Longford could not take his mind off the 7th Lord.

***

After the long conference ended, I watched King Kasol and the prince hurriedly leave the conference room with weary faces, inwardly smirking.

'At least this way, the war is averted.'

Since I have clearly stated my support for Earthhill, Kasol will not attack Earthhill in the future.

Even if he were to go back on his word and invade Earthhill, it wouldn’t be a problem.

If that happens, I would simply join the war and support Earthhill.

Given my abilities, there’s no one better suited for large-scale slaughter in war.

Of course, I have no desire to do such a thing, so it was a good move to prevent the war with just a few words.

'And the Emperor is truly...'

He is as cunning as he was in the game.

Actually, the biggest reason Kasol could openly declare war on Earthhill this time was something else.

The absence of the hero.

I confirmed this when I probed the Emperor earlier.

'Kasol’s aggressive stance and his absence from this conference... I had a rough idea, but...'

It seems the hero is currently in 'Seongdong.'

Whether Kasol knew this from Sainthea or decided based on the reaction during the conference, it doesn’t really matter.

The war with the demons was a long time ago, but the aftereffects of the battle with the Demon King continue to plague her.

Therefore, she occasionally needs to focus on recovery, during which she cannot interfere with worldly affairs.

If the hero were active in the world, the Emperor would not have been able to remain indifferent to the war issue during today’s conference.

'I wish I had met the hero at this conference.'

Although I haven’t found a successor yet, it would have been good to meet her and have a conversation, regardless of the order.

I stood up with a slight sense of regret.

At that moment, the King of Earthhill and Teyr, who were still in their seats, slowly approached.

After looking at me and the Grand Lord in turn, the King of Earthhill bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your support, 7th Lord."

It was a gesture of gratitude.

Since there was nothing much to say, I simply nodded.

Teyr, standing beside him, asked me.

"7th Lord, may I ask one question?"

"Go ahead."

"I can’t understand why you are helping Earthhill to this extent."

The King of Earthhill was taken aback by Teyr’s directness and looked at him.

I pondered how to respond, looking at Teyr, who was waiting for an answer with a tense expression.

From their perspective, it must be incomprehensible.

What benefit does Calethric gain by having a Lord step in to prevent Kasol’s declaration of war?

In fact, even if I hadn’t met Teyr in the 5th Lordship, I would have likely helped Earthhill.

The main reason I helped them was not because of the debt to Teyr but because of the main storyline of the game.

Meeting Teyr and forming a minor connection just made the reason to help them clearer.

I considered expressing my gratitude for the map but decided against it.

I didn’t feel like bringing up various stories with the Grand Lord listening nearby.

"As a Lord of Calethric, I swear on my honor that I have no ulterior motives. You can rest assured about that."

I said this to the King of Earthhill.

After the Kasol issue was resolved, he had been watching me nervously, looking troubled.

He seemed to suspect that I had some hidden agenda, so I needed to reassure him a bit.

He shook his head, looking flustered, as if I had hit a nerve.

"I didn’t think that."

I turned to Teyr and said.

"The reason I helped Earthhill is as I said earlier. I do not want unnecessary chaos on the continent. That’s all."

Especially given the timing.

Although few people are aware of the shadow quietly spreading across the continent, I know it very well.

The main storyline. The demons’ major activities won’t start for a few years, but there are already dangerous movements in various parts of the continent.

Given my position, I often hear about significant events without even trying.

Recently, there was a village in Sainthea that was massacred, and there were traces of a demon, suspected to be one of the 'One Horses.'

Even though there is still time, there is no room for complacency.

I don’t know how my existence will affect the flow of the main storyline.

Therefore, I must control the variables I can and continue to move towards my goal without rest.

"Tha... That’s all."

Teyr and the King of Earthhill didn’t seem to fully believe me, but it didn’t matter.

A Lord of Calethric wishing for the continent’s peace.

If someone like the deceased Tyrant or the Black Sea Empress had said that, it would have been so absurd that it wouldn’t even elicit a laugh.

I met Teyr’s gaze and said.

"Returning to the kingdom was a good decision."

"..."

"Nothing can be solved by running away. Remember what I said back then and do your best in the position you should be in."

Teyr nodded, looking bewildered.

The Grand Lord, who had been listening to the conversation with interest, looked at me, but I ignored him.

I bowed to the King of Earthhill and left the conference room with the Grand Lord.

For a long time, I could feel Teyr’s gaze on my back as we walked away.