Chapter 7: 7

Chapter 7: The Incompetent Prince and the General Imperial Prince – Part 3

　A race called heroes. That was the impression that Klaus and Lambert had of Lute.

　The atmosphere in which he was clad was clearly exceptional, more so than any of the high-ranking officials in the Imperial Army participating in this war.

　At first glance, he appears to be a boy with only a few characteristics, such as azure-tinged black hair and a well-developed but still childlike face, but he wears a “class” that instantly erases this perception.

　It is a level comparable to that of the heads of the great noble families who rule vast territories in the empire.

　If they knew this and gave him a rating of [incompetence], Klaus seriously thought that he would move all the people from the Foreign Ministry and the Intelligence Ministry who were involved.

“……This would explain why His Highness’s intuition is so excited. He is an outstanding person, frighteningly so.”

“Yeah. I can understand even if we haven’t crossed swords. If the troops were under different command, our army might have struggled.”

　That was Klaus’s true intentions, without any falsehood. This is because the race called heroes has such terrifying power.

　First of all, an army can be greatly transformed by the person who commands it. Even an elite force equipped with the latest equipment will become a weak force if commanded by an incompetent person, and demonstrate power beyond its capabilities if commanded by a capable person.

　The quality of those who lead is such an important factor for the military. So, how much of a race of people are called heroes as commanders? It is the highest of all, no need to worry about that.

　The mere presence of a hero strengthens an army. This is because the hero’s overflowing charisma transforms ordinary soldiers into powerful soldiers.

　And frighteningly, the enthusiasm spreads. The roar of the soldiers who became strong gradually spreads, and fear turns into exhilaration.

　Then, the heat gradually spreads, and the entire army eventually transforms into a powerful force. Once that happens, there is no stopping.

　It doesn’t matter the quality of the equipment or the number of soldiers. Armed with the charisma of a hero, the frenzy always makes them stronger than they actually are.

　Unless one can somehow throw cold water on them and bring them back to their senses, an army of a  hero is extremely troublesome.

“Now then. The question is, what kind of a hero is this prince? If he was a great hero, he would have no problem leading his troops. The only problem is ……”

“It’s a case of being a hero with superior intelligence. Such a person will come up with ideas that easily exceed our expectations. Of course, when it comes to battle, there is no way we can make use of our wits with this gap in forces. Unfortunately, what we are going to do is negotiate. If that happens, it will be very troublesome.”

　Heroes, or those with talents that surpass those of ordinary people, are classified into several categories.

　Most of them are classified according to the talent they possess, but in the current situation, it would be troublesome if Lute was a hero who excelled in wisdom and strategy, in other words, a race called a great military strategist.

　The essence of negotiations is “how to make the other side accept conditions that are favourable to your own faction”.

　For this purpose, not only pure discussions, but also fraudulent things using speech techniques are tolerated.

　It is out of the question to tell a lie, but conversely, if you mislead the other party without giving a commitment, there is no problem at all.

　Especially in negotiations between nations, such as this one, once the agreement is signed, it cannot be easily overturned because national trust is also involved.

　In such a situation, an intelligent hero is extremely strong, with ideas that leap beyond ordinary people’s expectations and a different perspective from the norm.

　If they were not careful, it would become a monopoly, and before they knew it, they could be forced to sign a treaty that would be detrimental to the empire.

　The empire has the initiative in the situation, but even so, they can’t let their guard down at all.

“… That said, I have to do it. Let’s go.”

“Ha”

　Klaus and Lambert start walking without letting their guard down.

　As if to match them, Lute and his trusted subordinate, Heinrich, came forward from the Land Kingdom side.

　And so, the representatives of both camps confronted each other, with the one leading the other at his back.

“My name is Klaus Julius Froysel! I am the commander-in-chief of the Land Kingdom invasion force this time. I take it that you are the representative of this force, the fourth prince, Lute, is that correct?”

“There is no doubt about it. … Even so, I never thought that the second prince of the empire, known as the ‘Roaring Dragon’, would travel to a country like ours. It seems that you hold our country in very high esteem.”

“Hmph. I just happened to be the one who was available. I didn’t know there was such an outstanding person as you, even though you are from…As it turned out, it was fortuitous that the commanding officer’s position was assigned to me.”

“Well, well, well. His Highness Klaus seems to be quite good at pleasing people. I did not expect such words for an [incompetent prince] like me.”

　The conversation got off to a very relaxed start.

　Klaus gives honest praise. Lute responds with a mixture of sarcasm and self-deprecation, which shows the difference in their personalities, but they are still loose enough to smile at each other.

　It was so bizarre that it was exchanged by representatives of the warring factions.

　But these are just preliminaries. They are mere greetings that are nothing more than diplomatic protocol.

　Although this place is temporarily a non-combat zone, it’s still a legitimate battlefield.

　It’s just that words and letters are employed in place of a multitude of methods of killing, but the essence is always conflict.

　Therefore, both sides are not to let their guard down. Klaus, of course, would stick a sword, no, a pen, into his throat if necessary, even for Lute, who is supposed to be in the position of the weak.

“Now then, let’s leave the preface here and get down to business. I heard that your country has offered a ceasefire, is this true?”

“Yes, that’s right. We offer to negotiate a ceasefire against the Froysel Empire.”

“…Huh? Just to be sure, are you sure you want to negotiate a ‘ceasefire’ and not a ‘surrender’?”

“Oh. I’ll say it again and again. What we are offering to your country is a cease-fire.”

“……I see.”

　Klaus raised his alert level in his heart against Lute, who asserted without any hesitation.

　The previous information about his reputation for incompetence had already been discarded from his mind.

　Lute is clearly a hero of his race. There is no reason why such an outstanding person should not be aware of the situation in which his country finds itself.

　Even so, emphasising “truce negotiations” meant that Lute held a card that would be enough to stop the empire’s advance.

“What exactly is it that compels you to offer our army a ceasefire? Even in the situation in your country, there shouldn’t be anything that will force our army to stop the invasion, right?”

“Isn’t it premature to ask for that here? This is supposed to be a place to tell me whether your country will accept our offer or not. We do not bother to reveal our cards to a party with whom we do not know whether or not they will sit down to negotiate.”

“No…”

　Klaus furrowed his eyebrows slightly because Lute had cut off his question so bluntly.

　Indeed, Lute is right, what is taking place here is not officially a ‘ceasefire negotiation’, but a response to whether or not to take the ‘negotiating table’.

　Therefore, Lute’s point that he was getting ahead of himself was not wrong.

　It is not wrong, but it is still problematic.

“I see. Your words are justifiable.…However, in the current situation, there is no reason for our military to be at the negotiating table under the current circumstances. There must be a good reason to overturn it. Unless that is presented to me, I have no way of making a decision.”

　As I have said many times, the empire is already in a state of thrusting a sword to the Land Kingdom’s throat.

　It is Lute and his team who are trying to overturn it, and it is their duty to present materials of persuasion to make them put back their swords.

　From the imperial point of view, it would be no problem to slit their throats.

“It’s all well and good to be cautious, but it depends, Prince Lute. You should consider the difference in position.”

“……I was hoping to move quickly to a place where the use of force was not permitted if possible. As expected, it will not work so well.”

　Klaus was stunned at the sight of Lute shrugging his shoulders as if he had no choice.

　The information that the fourth prince was incompetent was wrong, but it seems that the information that he had an arrogant personality was correct.

　To have confessed without hesitation that he was a convicted culprit, he has a very good personality.

　With Klaus’s inner thoughts elsewhere, Lute spun his words in a terrifyingly natural way.

“Then, as you wish, I will tell you what we will offer at the time of ceasefire negotiations. If your country agrees to a ceasefire, I, Lute Land, and fifty-three of my men will surrender immediately and be taken prisoner without resistance.”

　It was a word so out of the blue that no one present could have even anticipated it.

“””……what?”””

　After a moment of silence, everyone present except for Lute, shouted dumbly. For some reason, the man who was supposed to be Lute’s subordinate was also stunned, but Klaus quickly brushed that question aside.

　After all, Klaus’ thoughts were so confused that such a question seemed trivial.

“… what kind of joke is this? This is a diplomatic forum, albeit a rather simplified one. That kind of joke is not very complimentary, Prince Lute.”

　What Klaus managed to squeeze out were such words of advice.

　According to Lambert, the prince in front of him rarely attended diplomatic occasions, or even social circles.

　Therefore, he had little experience in conversing on such occasions, and as a result, he might have made a problematic joke like the one he just made. Klaus thought so.

　After all, the prince before him is a masterpiece with the personality of a hero. Klaus couldn’t believe that such a person would declare such a foolish thing, no, he didn’t want to.

“Ha. You’re being very funny again. Do you really think I would make such a laughable joke in a diplomatic setting?”

　However, the words mixed with a wry smile returned by Lute splendidly shatter Klaus’s hopes.

　Now that he knew that Lute meant what he said, Klaus, as the commander-in-chief of the invasion forces and above all as the second prince of the Froysel Empire, could no longer overlook it.

“…Then are you making fun of me? Are you saying that you are worth that much? Your king seems to want your country to be destroyed!”

　Klaus roars with a fury.

　What little reason he had left kept him from pulling out his weapon in front of the negotiating banner, but his gut was churning to the point that he might otherwise have exterminated Lute right then and there.

　In fact, his fury shook the atmosphere, so much so that even the mighty Lute loyalists and the imperial soldiers who had formed a line behind Klaus fought back.

　……Only one person, however, the [incompetent] Lute, who was supposed to be facing the raging dragon head-on, did not appear upset at all, but rather appeared more aloof.

“Hmm? Why does His Majesty, my father, the King, come out here?”

“Of course it’s because the foolish king of your place has set up such a joke of a negotiation!!!”

“… Oh. I see. That would be normal.”

　In response to Klaus’s angry voice, Lute clapped his hands in a very deliberate way. That act irritated Klaus’s nerves even more.

“It seems that His Highness Klaus has misunderstood. I must correct you that this cease-fire negotiation was done on my own initiative. No royal order was given. As a matter of fact, I have never said ‘my country’ or ‘my army,’ although I have used the word ‘we’, I was referring to those present here.”

　The words that followed made Klaus calm at once.

　Even so, it doesn’t mean that the anger has subsided. It’s just that his frustration has gone beyond the critical point and his thinking has cooled down in a roundabout way.

　As a matter of fact, the words spewed out by Klaus were indifferent.

　He does not raise his voice as he did a moment ago. However, there is a coldness in his words that seems to send a chill down the spine.

“…… So you, on your own initiative and without a royal order, asked the empire to negotiate with you, a mere bastard prince. It was not a surrender, but a cease-fire. You, a mere individual, asked for a treaty that should have been concluded between nations. You asked the Empire to conclude a ceasefire treaty with an individual. Is that what you are saying?”

“Correct.”

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“…… I see. You are indeed an outstanding person. I’ve never seen such a big man…or such an appalling fool.”

　Klaus again changed his perception. Lute in front of him would definitely be a hero. That assessment remains unchanged.

　Because the atmosphere he wears and his bold personality never fit into the framework of an ordinary person.

　I was convinced that the bottomless confidence emanating from the boy in front of me would certainly drive ordinary people crazy.

　I understood Lute’s nature as a hero. Lute is an agitator. Like a mad priest, he spreads his ideas like a contagion and infects the people, a hero but also a bringer of misfortune.

　These people are very troublesome. They are absolutely confident in their ideas and beliefs. Even though “it” is often wrong, they do not admit any mistakes and bring others down with them.

　I see. Apparently, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Intelligence Department of the Empire was entirely wrong.

　Lute Land is indeed a fearsome hero, but he has turned out to be an irredeemable [incompetent] sort.

　And now that this has happened, it was decided what steps Klaus should take.

“I am sorry, but I must decline to negotiate a ceasefire. I have no desire to take you prisoner. I will kill you. You will lose your head, and you will destroy this country. I’m going back, Lambert.”

“Ha!”

　Lute’s words and deeds were a stain on the face of the Froysel Empire.

　He asked him to settle the matter with a bastard prince who was about to be destroyed and a force of fifty soldiers. There was no way they would keep alive the man who had made such a shameless offer.

　After being insulted to such an extent, we must put our national pride on the line and crush not only Lute and his people, but also the Kingdom of Land, or we will lose face.

　And apart from that, Klaus swore that he had to kill Lute no matter what.

　The mere existence of a provocative hero would throw the world into chaos. It would be really troublesome if he got mixed up with the common people in the empire.

　It is necessary to crush the buds of disaster early.

“That’s enough. I will give you ten minutes according to the customs. By then, be ready to fight back with all your might.”

“…… So you’re telling me that negotiations have broken down? That your country will fight us without even having a seat at the table?”

“Hmph. Declaring that as a ceasefire negotiation is ridiculous. It was just a declaration of war, Prince Incompetent.”

　After daring to use Lute’s derogatory term, Klaus glared at Lute with a look of great contempt.

“… Huh? If that happens, it would have really unfortunate consequences for both of us, are you sure about that?”

“Tch”

　──And for some reason, I felt pressure. The look on Lute’s face. It was like a hunter confirming that his prey had been caught in a trap.

“… What are you trying to say! What kind of misfortune will befall us if we destroy you!”

“I can’t do that.”

　Klaus raised his voice to cover up the fact that he had been pressured, but his resistance was cut short in an instant by Lute’s words.

“…… what?”

“If, and this is just a hypothetical. If we enter into a state of war, …… I will be forced to overrun you and your imperial army, with great regret, to protect the lives and honour of my loyal subjects who are waiting behind me. And you will be helplessly annihilated and die in vain in this foreign land. That would be truly unfortunate for both of us. Don’t you think so?”

“T-, stop making fun of me!!! You’re going to annihilate our army with less than 100 soldiers dressed in poor equipment!? You seem to want to die a miserable death, you!!”

　Klaus finally pulled out the sword at his waist, following Lute’s theatrical dialogue.

　As if in response, Lambert also raised his gun. This is still a place for diplomacy, but after being insulted to this point, they cannot back down quietly.

　Most of all, Lute’s words and actions up until now were so cruel that even in the international community, the use of force was tolerated.

　Lute, on the other hand, remained steadfast. Heinrich, who had been waiting one step behind Lute, quickly tried to move to shield the lord, but Lute even managed to stop him with one hand.

　He was simply majestically staring at Klaus and the others who were showing their anger.

“Why are you so angry? I was just stating a fact.”

“You still say that!! Who would believe such delusions!!”

“I see. You don’t believe me? ─ ─ then, shall I prove it to you?”

“……What did you say?”

　With these words of Lute, Klaus once again had a vision of the cunning hunter’s smile.

　Wait. Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! What the hell am I up against!? No, what the hell is this guy in the first place!? Why hasn’t he lost his composure in this situation!? Is he really an agitating hero in the first place!?

　Confusion dominates Klaus’ thoughts. Every word Lute spits out is a delusion. They are delusions that could never happen in reality.

　This is because there is an overwhelming difference in strength. The advancing army led by Klaus has a strength that surpasses even the total strength of the Kingdom of Land.

　But even so, Lute said he would prove it. He did so with dignity. Just like water flowing from high to low, he declared as if he were just talking about the obvious.

　It was so eerie to Klaus that his own intuition was also doing its best to warn him.

“Be careful, this moment is the tide of war.”

“Don’t worry. Negotiations are still going on in my mind. Therefore, no harm will come to you. Well, some of you will be surprised and get hurt, but if it happens, it will only be a minor accident. If you don’t mind, I’ll prove it to you. …… What do you say?”

　Klaus hesitated for a moment as Lute smiled wryly at him. But he quickly makes a decision.

“… try it”

“Your Highness!? Why do you want to be insulted so far!?”

“Shut up, Lambert! I will not allow you to interrupt me in this situation!!…… Now, try it, Prince Lute. If this turns out to be a trifle, I’ll cut you down at that moment!”

“Oh, I don’t mind. If you can do it.”

　Klaus barked at him with some devilish vigour, and Lute maintained his aloof attitude.

　The power relations are clearly opposite. Even though it was supposed to be, for some reason it was a scene that seemed natural.

“Oh, but first of all, I want you to tell your soldiers to be very careful. There is going to be a little surprise, but it’s not an attack, so don’t do anything. It would be really stupid to start an attack in a moment of surprise and then engage without warning.”

“…..Lambert. Tell the whole army not to do anything, no matter what happens. When you have finished informing the whole army, give the signal.”

“…………Understood”

　After some pause, Lambert follows Klaus’ instruction and steps back.

　Lute shrugged his shoulders.

“Apparently, I put a crack in the master-servant relationship. I’m sorry.”

“Shut up. I won’t allow you to open your mouth unnecessarily until you finish the proof.”

“Oh scary scary”

　Despite the words, Lute showed no fear at all.

　Seeing Lute like that, Klaus no longer felt angry. To be precise, he could not afford to be.

　──Because he was not sure what to expect, because he had come up with a worst-case scenario, however improbable it was.

“Oh, that’s the signal.”

　Seeing Klaus in such a state, a single fireball rose from the invading army. It’s a simple signal bullet that uses flame magic.

　This informed Lute that Klaus’s instructions had been passed on to the entire army.

“Then–“

　And at that moment, the atmosphere surrounding Lute completely changed.

“T-……!!”

　At the same time, Klaus felt a strange sensation running through his body. A feeling of restraint suddenly appeared around his feet.

　When he looked at it at once, he saw that both of his legs had frozen before he knew it.

“………… Damn it!”

　Swearing naturally leaked from Klaus’ mouth. Because both of his legs were sealed by ice magic without him noticing it – no.

　From the rear, similar murmurs could be heard from the entire invasion force.

“Now we have proof, don’t we?”

“…………This is the worst. I’ve never been in a nightmare like this before!!!!”

　Releasing a cry of hatred toward the irrepressible unreasonableness, Klaus turned his gaze from his own frozen feet back to Lute.

　There was Lute, who looked different from earlier.

　The bluish black hair turns blue like the azure sky.

　His eyes, which had been steeple-pink, had changed to azure, jewel-like eyes.

　Above all, he was clothed in a form of supremacy that was absolutely powerful and difficult to resist as a living creature.

　Klaus knows this feature.

　The fearsome flame user that the empire is proud of. A sorcerer of the divine realm whose body has been stained with the concepts he manipulates.

　Klaus knew of a magician who was clad in terrifying pressure, which was different from the ruler’s peculiar ambition possessed by an excellent ruler, and who thrust a difference in [rank] as a simple creature.

“I thought it was impossible, but I didn’t think you were really a magician of the same magical status as [Flame god]-dono……!!!”

　A strategic-class magician who alone has the power to destroy a battlefield and even a country. Along with [Flame god] and [Apostle], a new demi-god appeared on the continent.

　This is one of the trump cards Lute intended to keep hidden for the rest of his life. It was the strongest powerful drug that could even upset the balance of power on the continent.

“…… Well. Let me ask you again, Your Highness Klaus. Will you sit down to negotiate? Or do we kick off negotiations and let the entire advancing army be iced to death?”

　The question was posed again. Klaus’ response to this was obvious.

　If a sorcerer with the power of a demi-god appears on the battlefield, the heap of corpses will only increase when the soldiers gather together.

　The same is true for Klaus, who is counted as one of the strongest in the empire, except for [Fire god].

　Only demi-gods of the same character can fight with each other. That is the absolute law on this continent.

　The situation has already reversed. From hunters, the Imperial army was transformed into prey to be hunted.

　Therefore, the response is obvious.

“… let’s sit down at the negotiation table…!!”

“I see. That’s good to hear.”

　Thus, the Kingdom of Land……No. The truce negotiations between the demi-god Lute and the Froysel Empire began.

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