Chapter 68
Seraphim’s cold declaration of refusal.
Despite their noble status and willingness to kneel, Seraphim’s outright rejection filled Aten with sudden, overwhelming frustration.
Although she managed to hold back her words with her last ounce of patience, she nearly let her anger slip.
Trembling with rage, Aten and the other dragons faced Seraphim, who spoke in a cold voice.
[Indeed, the actions of the demons are certainly bothersome to me. They pose a significant threat to us as well.]
# Bu… But then why…?
[However, that does not give me any reason to help you. After all, as a result of the recent war, many gods, including Baal, have died, and even the restoration of the Pantheon has been far from smooth. In such a situation, we cannot afford to extend our help without compensation.]
# Hmm…
Amidst the atmosphere growing increasingly frigid, Arakane was left speechless.
Aten, too, could barely keep her anger in check and could not find anything more to say.
Deep down, she wanted nothing more than to sever the head of that arrogant, monstrous creature right then and there.
Yet, knowing what might happen if she did, she forced herself to hold back.
As the chilling silence lingered for a moment,
# Then… Seraphim, my lord.
# !
‘Oh no, that girl again…’
The bold girl began to speak up again.
Aten briefly considered striking her down right then and there… but given the current situation, she barely managed to restrain herself.
Meanwhile,
Without any regard for her half-sister’s thoughts, Ar calmly analysed the situation and began to speak.
Seraphim had refused their request, stating he could not extend help without compensation.
However, this also meant that if they were to offer a reasonable price, he might reconsider their request.
Though uncertain of what that price might be, they were in no position to be picky.
With this conclusion, Ar suppressed her anxiety as much as possible and asked calmly.
# What must we do? What would it take for you to consider our request?
# Ar! What are you thinking…
# Hush! Aten, please remember who you stand before.
# Ugh…
Aten’s sharp voice was interrupted by Arakane, who intervened, allowing Ar to continue speaking in a calm tone as she faced Seraphim.
# As you’ve heard, we dragons and elves are in grave danger. If there is anything you desire, please tell us. With your help, we would be able to drive the demons away, and we are prepared to meet your demands to the best of our ability.
[Hmm… What I desire…]
Seraphim, showing more interest than before, responded to Ar’s words.
Noticing his change in demeanour and sensing a possibility for negotiation, Ar felt a faint glimmer of hope mixed with worry.
While she had said they would meet any demand, there were obvious limits to what they could accept.
She could only hope that Seraphim’s demands would be within their reach as she awaited his response with a sense of unease.
And after a brief pause, he spoke.
[There is one thing I desire from you.]
# Please, tell us. Is it wealth? Or perhaps territory?
Ar braced herself for what might come—treasures, live sacrifices like elves, land, or perhaps even strategic marriage alliances. She anxiously awaited Seraphim’s reply.
But then,
The words that came from Seraphim were beyond her expectations.
[What I want is simple: I ask that you allow my religion to be practiced within your Elven Kingdom.]
# Wh… What? You mean… religion?
# You insolent being! How dare you…!
# Aten, please, control yourself!
Ar’s astonishment and Aten’s anger burst forth simultaneously.
Had Arakane not held her back with all her strength, the situation might have spiralled out of control.
To be honest, there was plenty of reason for Aten to react so furiously to Seraphim’s request.
In this world, religion was synonymous with power and the control of a nation’s vital interests.
Allowing a foreign religion and deity to enter one’s own country was akin to ceding a nation’s critical authority, comparable to the right to mint currency in importance.
Yet,
In the midst of this tense atmosphere, Seraphim spoke in a composed voice.
[I understand well that this is a heavy request. But think carefully. With the Dragon King gone…]
# The Dragon King is not dead… ugh… He is merely missing! Please refrain from such remarks!
[…I apologize. In a situation where the Dragon King’s life or death remains uncertain, your chances of winning this war are very slim. Furthermore, you are up against the demons, who hold a deep grudge against you, and the Dark Races themselves. You know well that there is no room for normal negotiations with them. In such a situation, do you truly have the luxury of holding back anything?]
# Th… that’s…
# That is… Seraphim’s words are correct.
Ar reluctantly agreed with Seraphim’s words.
Aten, too, felt deep anger but ultimately could not refute it.
It was a humiliating and shameful situation, but even Aten had to admit it.
With their home currently engulfed in flames, clinging to a burning safe while losing everything else was not an option.
Moreover, considering the citizens and kin who were dying even now, there was no room left to seek help elsewhere.
‘Damn it… Is there really no other way…’
No matter how much she racked her brain, she could not see a way out.
In the end, she had no choice but to take this cup, which might contain a poison more deadly than she could imagine.
‘Just wait… Once this is over, somehow, I will…’
Suppressing her anger with great difficulty.
Aten forced herself to respond with as much courtesy as she could muster.
# Fine… we will agree to your demand. But… you must… you must defeat the demons.
[Very well. I promise.]
Thus, the negotiation was concluded.
No… with her teeth clenched in rage, Aten bowed her head, trembling at the shame of this humiliating treaty.
***
Despite some commotion, the negotiation ultimately ended as we wanted.
As soon as the dragons disappeared from sight,
Isera, who was beside me, smiled warmly and spoke.
{It went just as planned. You did well, Seraphim.}
[No, it was all thanks to the plan you drafted. I want to thank you once again.]
{It is only natural to assist the man who will become my partner in the future. Please, don’t give it a second thought.}
[Hmm…]
Isera subtly inserted a comment with hidden meaning.
Seeing her like this, I couldn’t help but feel slightly embarrassed, thinking she had a sly side after all.
Just then,
{Ahem… Then, from this point onward, I will take charge as planned. The journey to the Elven Kingdom is quite long, so we should hurry.}
[Understood. Let’s proceed.]
Grabbing me by the arm, Isiris spoke with a peculiar urgency.
Seeing her eager to hurry into battle, I thought she might have a surprising inclination for combat.
I also noticed Isera giving me a strange look, which left me slightly puzzled.
***
# You wretched girl!
-Bang!!!
# Ugh!!!
Ar groaned in agony as she was struck.
Aten, standing over her and stomping on her head, shouted in a voice filled with rage.
# What on earth were you thinking, acting without orders? Because of your actions, this situation has become a disaster!
# Please, Aten, calm yourself. Thanks to Ar, the negotiation concluded successfully, didn’t it?
# A negotiation? You dare call that wretched treaty a negotiation? Do you even understand what it means for followers of that Seraphim to spread throughout our nation? Why did you act on your own without orders?
# K…ugh!!
Shoving aside Arakane, who was trying to restrain her, Aten kicked Ar in the abdomen with her forefoot.
Rolling on the floor in pain, Ar struggled to suppress her emotions and spoke in a trembling voice.
# I’m… sorry, but… I had no choice back there. If we couldn’t secure Seraphim’s help, our nation would…
# This insolent…!
# Aten, now is not the time for us to fight among ourselves! We must prepare to leave quickly! Even now, countless of our kin are dying! Remember that!
# …Ugh…
Aten struggled to regain her composure at Arakane’s words.
But still, with a gaze burning with fury, she spoke to Ar, who was struggling to rise from the floor.
# Listen carefully. If this happens again, I will not let you go unpunished. From now on, do as you are told.
# …Yes. I understand.
Ar swallowed down the words that nearly escaped her lips, words about how if Aten had done her part properly, she wouldn’t have needed to step in.
Knowing that saying such things would only fuel Aten’s anger further, she had no choice but to keep her mouth shut.
But then…
# Oh, and until this situation is resolved, you will serve as that Seraphim’s attendant.
# W… What? Me…?
# Aten, if it’s about that, I could…
# Arakane, you are supposed to assist me. Besides, considering that we are dealing with the great deity who is helping us, it’s only appropriate for someone of elder status to serve. Even if it means tending to him at night if necessary.
# …
Aten flashed a vicious smile.
Ar could only stare at her half-sister with a pale, stricken expression, unable to say anything.
—
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