Chapter 655 – The Queen and the Chieftain

—Well then, today was the day when Eldorene, the Queen of Grantios, and Vera, the Harpy chieftain, would meet face to face at the Royal Castle.

Our group, the Adventurer Guild members, Dominique and her family were all together, and since Marion and the others from Grantios were also coming, Justia accompanied us as well.

As for the Spirit Kings, we would arrange a meeting with them later.

It was quite a large group, but since the venue was the Royal Castle, there were no problems. As we were finishing up various preparations, Auria and the others arrived at our house, so we waited for the right moment and headed to the Royal Castle by carriage.

Upon arriving at the Royal Castle and getting out of the carriage, we were immediately shown to the VIP room in the Guesthouse.

“Ah, Theodore-dono.”

“Good day to both of you.”

I greeted Vera and Ramona who were there. The Harpies had stayed at the Royal Castle last night, so naturally they had already been shown to a room in the Guesthouse.

We had arrived a bit early, so it seemed King Melvin and Queen Eldorene hadn’t arrived yet. Well then, first I should introduce Auria and the others who came with me to Vera and her group.

“I’m Auria, the Adventurer Guild Master. Pleased to meet you.”

“I’m Oswald, the Vice-Commander.”

“I’m Heather, representing the staff members.”

In response to Auria and the others’ greetings, Vera and her group also introduced themselves.

“I’m Vera, the chieftain of the Harpy tribe.”

“I’m Ramona.”

“First of all… I’d like to thank you for saving our tribe’s daughter, Dominique.”

As Vera said this and bowed her head quietly, the Adventurer Guild members nodded.

“It makes us happy to hear you say that. We hope to maintain a good relationship for a long time.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

When Auria offered a handshake, Vera accepted it.

“Well, while I’m speaking as the representative here, I was actually away from Termwills at that time. So I think Oswald’s instructions and Heather and the others’ responses played a big role.”

“No, I only gave instructions based on reports, so I didn’t do much. If Dominique and the others are expressing gratitude, it must be because the staff’s response was good.”

“We couldn’t really do much for Dominique-san and the others either. And if Theodore-san hadn’t been there…”

Heather shook her head as she said this.

“Well, I had just arrived in Termwills back then and had no official position. I still believe it was thanks to everyone at the Adventurer Guild cooperating. Now that I can say it, if I hadn’t met Sheila who was worried about her friend and searching for her, things wouldn’t have turned out this way.”

“Hmm. So then, who should I express the most heartfelt gratitude to?”

When Vera said this jokingly while tilting her head, cheerful laughter spilled from those around. Even so, Vera then politely offered handshakes and thanked each person one by one, including Sheila.

“Mmm. Being able to resolve that situation immediately was thanks to Theodore.”

Sheila answered without much hesitation like that. Well, Caduceus and I had already received our thanks.

“Somehow, this reminds me of the story about King Anzerf and Lady Claudia yesterday.”

Lily said this while smiling as she watched. Probably meaning how goodwill circulates and leads to the present.

“King Anzerf… wasn’t he the one who founded the Adventurer Guild?”

“Yes, Lady Vera. Actually, last night something like this—”

Dominique told Vera and the others about what happened after the reading reached a stopping point last night.

“Connections… you never know where or how they’ll form, do you?”

“Indeed. We too wish to treasure this connection.”

When Ramona spoke with admiration, Vera nodded.

In such a pleasant atmosphere, the door to the VIP room was knocked.

When we responded, a maid opened the door and King Melvin, Queen Eldorene, Princess Stephania and the others, along with Marion appeared. We all stood up to welcome King Melvin and the others into the room.

“Hmm. It seems everyone is gathered.”

“Oh. Theodore. I’m glad to see everyone looking well too.”

Queen Eldorene smiled when she saw us.

It hadn’t been that long since we last met, but Queen Eldorene had apparently been busy with various matters including the restoration of Grantios’ royal capital. She laughed saying she’d like to visit Termwills more casually.

After greeting King Melvin and Queen Eldorene, everyone settled down.

Perhaps because it was a formal setting, Marion and Justia’s reunion greeting was relatively brief, but they smiled at each other and sat side by side, making their good sisterly relationship apparent even to onlookers.

Once everyone had settled down and tea had been served to each person, Queen Eldorene and Vera exchanged greetings and handshakes.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Vera, chieftain of the Harpies.”

“I’m Eldorene, entrusted with the people of Grantios.”

After witnessing their greetings and handshake, King Melvin spoke.

“Now then. I have already said what needed to be said. As Stephania mentioned, we would be delighted to welcome you into the Anti-Demon Alliance.”

“Of course, I too welcome our cooperation with both hands raised. Because Grantios is a country that has formed friendships with various races and walked together with those who share our ideals. Though our living places may differ, I wish to walk together as friends who share the same aspirations.”

“Though we are but one tribe, we wish to repay the kindness we received and treasure this connection that the Ambassador and our daughters have forged. The threat of the Demons is not someone else’s problem to us either. We cannot overlook it.”

This was essentially confirming each party’s intentions. Regarding King Eberhart and King Farid who weren’t present, it was said that letters had been sent from Princess Adriana and Princess Elham respectively as their representatives.

“I thought we would need to confirm His Majesty Melvin’s intentions, but I believe it would also be possible to reveal the Demons’ schemes to our companions in other settlements and request their cooperation. The Demons are a threat to our tribe as well.”

Vera said this. The Harpies have several settlements scattered here and there, which could be said to be like relatives living apart, and they apparently have proper blood relations. Vera’s settlement is among the larger ones, with a considerable population.

Well, even so, other settlements are other settlements. Vera says that if they hear about the Dominique incident and the Demons’ covert activities, everyone would rise up too, but when calling for cooperation, it’s important to first discuss with King Melvin and the others whether it’s acceptable to reveal various circumstances to other settlements.

“That would be most welcome, but…”

King Melvin said while pondering.

“If we were to choose not to cooperate here, we would likely face being defeated individually or being forced to submit to the Demons. This concerns our entire tribe’s independence, fate, and pride. There should be no need for you to worry about that aspect.”

Vera’s logic was clear. At her words, both King Melvin and Queen Eldorene nodded with serious expressions.

“Hmm. Indeed… Even if we were to submit to the Demons, considering what happened when we Grantios fought the Sea King, it’s conceivable that under Demon rule, more children would fall to darkness. Otherwise, we would be subjugated as Subordinates and become altered…”

Ah. Indeed, that’s how it would be for monsters. Since there are actual examples of what happens when submitting to Demons, it’s easy to understand.

“Generally speaking, races called monsters possess something within their bodies that becomes the basis for Magic Stones. This helps monster activity by absorbing Environmental Magic Power, but… it’s speculated that depending on the quality of Environmental Magic Power during childhood, some may fall to darkness.”

When I explained such circumstances, Vera’s eyes widened, and she showed a gesture of crossing her arms and pondering.

“I see. There are many aspects of this story that make sense. Then all the more so. The situation could be said to be urgent.”

Seeing Vera’s gesture, Queen Eldorene began to speak.

“I’ve heard that you determine settlement locations by listening to the voices of Spirits. If we use techniques to dispel corrupted Magical Energy Pools and purify Evil Energy and Miasma, I believe you could further expand your activity range.”

“Are you saying such secret techniques exist?”

Vera and Ramona showed surprised expressions. Queen Eldorene nodded while looking straight at the two of them.

“I wouldn’t call them secret techniques. Because Grantios is an underwater nation, we necessarily had to develop such techniques. If we are comrades who fight together and walk together, then this technique is something everyone can benefit from – this is the will I inherited from the previous generation along with the technique. This is none other than the wish of Grantios’ benevolent mother and the duty that successive queens have continuously carried on.”

“That is… no, but…”

“Moreover, we have received more kindness from Theodore and King Melvin than we can ever repay. If these techniques can be useful for those who fight alongside Verdgar, then all the people of Grantios would surely agree. Please, make use of our techniques.”

At Queen Eldorene’s words, Vera’s eyes widened, but eventually she bowed her head deeply.