Spartia's Warrior Commander

Princess Yupe left the room to freshen up her appearance.

While waiting for her, we decided to have the dignitaries from each nation gather in the conference room.

They had delayed their return home specifically for this explanation, so if we couldn't handle things properly here, it would affect our foreign relations.

"Everyone has assembled."

"Thank you. And Yupe-nee-san?"

"She's finished preparing. She should be here shortly."

The maid reported to Her Majesty Tianis.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

With those words, Princess Yupe entered.

With natural makeup that enhanced her features and dressed up elegantly, she radiated a beauty that could indeed be called symbolic of the Kingdom.

A white dress with gold-worked hair accessories.

Ruby earrings.

Even the black choker hiding the scar on her neck served as an accent piece.

Her Majesty Tianis and Anatia-san were also dressed beautifully in their formal attire, yet she appeared to be the main attraction.

She clicked her heels against the floor, making a sharp sound.

She looked just like the star of the show.

"Well then, shall we go?"

"Why are you the one leading, Yupe-nee-san…?"

We moved to the conference room, and when the doors opened, the envoys seated in their chairs all looked our way at once.

I felt such pressure that I involuntarily swallowed.

I could feel their appraising gazes.

I glanced to the side. Her Majesty Tianis was somewhat nervous, but Anatia-san and Princess Yupe appeared their usual selves.

They must be accustomed to these situations.

"Thank you for waiting. I am grateful you came all this way."

At Her Majesty Tianis's voice, the envoys from each nation rose from their seats and bowed.

No matter how young she was or how recent her accession, Her Majesty Tianis was the queen of Deianclure.

Her position was above theirs as mere envoys.

This showed their acknowledgment of that.

Everyone took their seats again, and the conference began.

"If possible, I'd like to finish quickly and be sent home. I'm quite busy, you see."

Those were the words of Ideri, who had come again as the Empire's envoy.

"That's our intention as well. Once this discussion is finished, we have no intention of detaining you further."

"That's good to hear, Your Majesty."

Her Majesty Tianis, Anatia-san, and Princess Yupe took their seats.

… Some were indeed directing their gazes toward Princess Yupe.

Was she really that popular?

The lady herself was simply smiling, but apparently even that was effective.

"The chancellor was replaced yesterday, so I would like to inform everyone. From now on, I, Anatia Deiancle, will serve as chancellor and handle proceedings. Please treat me well."

Anatia-san explained the Church of the Sun God's attack from the other day.

Along with that, she stated that the use of the magical artifact had been appropriate.

"If they had reached the Royal Capital, everyone's safety would have been at risk, so we used it. This was necessary for our nation's security, and we would like everyone to understand."

"So that's the Kingdom's treasure. I'd heard rumors, but it seems it hadn't been used for many years. Was there a reason?"

"It simply wasn't used at the royal family's discretion until now. There are no restrictions on its use to protect the nation."

"Is there proof that the attackers were from the Church of the Sun God?"

"We determined this from their armor and belongings."

"Any prisoners? In our nation, the Church of the Sun God still holds great influence. I'd like to question them directly if possible."

"… There are no prisoners. According to reports, they refused to surrender and quite literally attacked until death."

Murmurs spread through the conference room.

In nations where the Church of the Sun God still held strong influence, they remained in cooperative relationships.

This was hard to believe at first glance.

"We understand that there are various perspectives on the Church of the Sun God. However, it has become clear that, within the Kingdom, they were kidnapping people under the guise of pilgrimages, primarily targeting the impoverished, and the numbers are substantial. Perhaps you've experienced something similar in your own nations?"

"They were certainly enthusiastic about supporting slums and the impoverished, but…"

"Hmm."

The Church of the Sun God had provided free soup kitchens and medical treatment for many years.

The ones who benefited most were the poor.

Many nations had been happy to have their work done for them and had pushed these responsibilities onto the church.

The Kingdom was the same. Until the church revealed its true nature, we had heavily relied on them.

"I recommend investigating when you return to your nations. The Church of the Sun God has become our enemy. And likely yours as well."

"But still…"

"We're not asking you to cooperate. But we would like you to understand."

If any nation allied with the Church of the Sun God and attacked us from behind, the Kingdom would be finished.

That had to be prevented.

"The Empire will support the Kingdom. After all, the Church of the Sun God even plotted to assassinate His Majesty the Emperor. If we shared a border with them, we would have destroyed them ourselves. Most regrettable. In exchange for entrusting the front lines to you, leave the rear and support to us."

"We are grateful for Ambassador Ideri's understanding."

As discussed before, when the Empire announced its cooperation, murmurs spread again.

Many nations would follow the lead of the Empire, the continent's largest and strongest.

At the very least, none would want to make an enemy of them.

Many must have decided to investigate the Church of the Sun God after those words.

If only we could establish a proper joint front…

"May I speak?"

A figure who had been silent in the back raised their hand.

"Please do. Warrior Commander Darz Alanee of Spartia."

The Spartian warrior commander I had met when we traveled to Spartia for the Colosseum was there.

I hadn't noticed because his attire was different from back then, but there was no mistaking him.

Standing up made it clear. His build was clearly larger than the other envoys.

In Spartia, the stronger the warrior, the more respect they commanded.

So the warrior commander also served as a national dignitary.

"As you may know, we Spartians have not embraced the Church of the Sun God. This is because of our god, Barbaroi. Barbaroi once fought against the Sun God alongside his ally, the god Oscar. To suppress the Monster Pit that emerged from that battle, Barbaroi rests in the land of Spartia."

"Spartian mythology, yes. I've heard of it. Before all this, I thought it was just a fairy tale, but…"

"It is fact. The Deianclure royal family has had a succession of spineless kings since King Izard, so I honestly had no interest, but Her Majesty Tianis's strike was magnificent. That action, taken without regard for her own safety, is worthy of praise."

"That's… thank you."

Her Majesty Tianis replied somewhat bashfully to his sincere praise.

"We pay respect to those who take the fight upon themselves. If you ever need our nation's strength, we will certainly cooperate. Consider these the words of Spartia's king."

"Having the nation of the finest warriors say that is reassuring. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for this offer."

"That is all."

Warrior Commander Darz sat back down.

As he did, our eyes met.

He gave a slight smile, so he remembered meeting me.