Vol. 9 - Chapter 458 - Participation and resignation
Ignomas was carrying the water tank alone, bringing Rapsonile to the meeting room.
"That\'s enough, Ignomas. Place me down here."
"Right."
Ignomas slowly lowered the water tank.
(I believe they rehearsed this many times.)
Rapsonile had made Ignomas practice their entrance countless times.
Rapsonile\'s upper body stood above the water tank, with the tip of her tail poking out as well. Rosalina and various other ministers accompanied her.
Rosalina\'s duty was done, so while everyone looked at Rapsonile she went to sit with Allen.
"Please excuse the racket, there\'s little I can do about my body."
Now that she was on the surface, Rapsonile\'s voice rang crystal clear.
"Ohh, what a beautiful appearance and voice. This is so wondrous…"
"Hey! Stop staring at her like that!!"
"Zip it, Ignomas!"
Slam!
One of the representatives was staring a bit too intensely. Ignomas was about to jump out, so Rapsonile smacked him with her tail.
"Prostia\'s Empress Rapsonile is with us today. Everyone please remain silent so the meeting can start."
The murmurs were getting louder, so Inbuel had to reign in the meeting.
"Thank you, King Inbuel. I\'ll be brief and state the position of my country. Prostia wishes to participate in the Five Continents\' Alliance."
All the representatives were lost for words. History was being made in front of them.
Prostia\'s empress wanted to join the alliance.
All the alliance members, even the leaders, were relieved to finally hear a response. Prostia had always been a large country that neither Giamut or Baukis could contact.
Demon Great Generals had defeated Allen\'s summons in the Central Continent, stopping Allen\'s progress with liberating it. Now after many decades, Prostia was joining the fight.
"Hohoh. Before you spoke to Clebeur exclusively, what caused this change of heart?"
Baukis\' emperor spoke, breaking the silence. Only the alliance\'s leaders could speak there. Everyone else had to raise their hands to ask for permission before saying anything.
"We were attacked by the Demon King\'s Army a month ago. At this point we have no choice but to get involved."
Rapsonile truthfully told the reason why she was there joining the alliance now.
"The Demon King\'s Army did?!"
Baukis\' emperor looked at the other leaders of the alliance. Rosenheim\'s queen and Clebeur\'s king nodded. Those two were aware of that, and he turned to look at Giamut\'s emperor, who also knew.
"That\'s not something that can be discussed openly."
Giamut\'s emperor had also known, but remained silent about it. Merle and the other dwarves in Allen\'s Army were in no position to leak that information.
"I apologize for not informing you earlier, Emperor Pupun III."
Pupun looked distraught, so Rapsonile apologized to him.
"It-it\'s fine, no need to apologize."
(I guess everyone is getting charmed by her.)
That was something that happened often, even amongst her own subjects. She had no effect whatsoever on Allen, but it was common with others, including Ignomas.
Rapsonile had started to lose confidence when Allen seemed to not pay any attention to her, but that had recovered today as she felt everyone\'s gazes.
Rosalina was also wearing a gaudy dress and threw flirtatious looks at the representatives. Mermen were skilled in the fine arts and charming others.
"A large number of monsters attacked our capital, but Allen\'s Army\'s golem unit protected us preemptively. I\'m aware that the golem unit came from Baukis, so you have our thanks as well."
It was true that the golem\'s unit had also been essential, as well as the rest of the armies.
"I see, I see."
He looked satisfied being thanked like that. Rosenheim\'s queen, the only woman amongst the leaders, looked troubled.
"While I\'m joining the alliance, I\'m also giving Ignomas and Rosalina to Allen\'s Army."
Rapsonile started talking about how Prostia would help them. One was through Ignomas, Prostia\'s strongest spearman. The second was the Diva Rosalina, the sole winner of last year\'s Songstress Contest.
The representatives were speechless hearing that, and all their eyes focused on the two. But the two did not flinch, they understood they would gather a lot of attention there.
Rapsonile also revealed that Kasagoma and 2000 soldiers were also joining Allen\'s Army.
"Hohoh, that\'s quite a lot of help. Though I\'m curious to know why it\'s all going to Allen\'s Army."
"I\'ll obviously help the alliance directly as well. I\'m willing to offer tens of thousands of soldiers, as well as material aid and support."
The ministers and other mermen that came with Rapsonile nodded with her.
"Th-that\'s quite a generous offer. What kind of position are you seeking from us then?"
Baukis\' emperor was a bit startled by the amount of support she was willing to give.
"Well, I just want a seat befitting that donation."
They had understood just how much she wanted to help. Giamut\'s emperor answered to that.
"In other words, you want to become a new leader of the alliance?"
"I believe all of you are quite experienced with fighting the Demon King\'s Army, I lack that experience.."
"What do you mean?"
Her charms were not working on Giamut\'s emperor.
"I just want to be able to discuss matters on an equal footing as you, emperor of Giamut."
"I see, so you don\'t seek a title, but a position. That sounds like quite a good compromise."
"I\'m glad you can see that."
The two smiled, coming to an understanding with each other.
(So she\'ll be like an extra leader of the Five Continents\' Alliance.)
Rapsonile wanted a good position, even if it meant not having a proper title with it.
"I approve of that. It wouldn\'t feel just for her to sit alongside the other countries after offering so much help."
Baukis\' emperor was also on board. Or maybe he just wanted to sit next to Rapsonile.
"That is true."
Giamut\'s emperor was not exactly against it either. Everyone agreed to let her join.
(The Beast King didn\'t say anything…wait, huh?)
Allen watched the meeting unfold while continuously spending Mana with his Grimoire. All the alliance\'s leaders were present, including the Beast King. He had been silent, only nodding in approval to Prostia\'s addition to the alliance.
But now he slowly opened his eyes and looked at Rapsonile.
"Thank you for bringing back my foolish son."
"I don\'t believe he was foolish. I heard he gave his life to stop the Demon King\'s Army."
Bek\'s crystalized body had been returned from Prostia to Albahar. Rapsonile did not agree with the way Beast King Muza spoke of Bek.
"I see."
"It was his sacrifice that saved my country. Thank you again."
"I see, you may have a point."
Rapsonile\'s insistence finally got through.
Allen raised his hand looking at Latash\'s king, the organizer of the meeting. He wanted to say something.
"Huh?! Allen, you want to say something?"
"Hm, you seem close, Inbuel."
Giamut\'s emperor constantly studied how Latash\'s king spoke with Allen.
"N-not at all. He raised his hand, so I assumed there was something he wanted to say."
(He\'s being completely dominated.)
Princess Leirana had been glaring all that time at her father.
"Allen, you may speak."
"I would like to give an update on Allen\'s Army\'s activities. It has become possible for our base of operations to move freely. I\'d like permission to fly above all of your countries."
Allen spoke into the magic device in front of him.
He wanted permission for Heavy User Island to fly above other countries.
"Hohoh, a stronghold that travels through the sky. I\'d love to see that one day."
Baukis\' emperor\'s eyes twinkled with excitement as he said that.
Since magic ships already existed, airspace regulations were also a thing. They were not as severe as those in Allen\'s past life, but one could not be reckless.
So far Allen had been careless to not step into another country\'s airspace.
"Hmm, I\'d be worried if such a large object fell over my cities though."
Giamut\'s emperor did not look as convinced, thinking of possible accidents.
"While it\'s only the size of a stronghold, I can understand those worries. I\'ll make sure to avoid flying directly above any large cities or populated areas."
Allen held his arms out, claiming the island was only as big as a stronghold, and that they flew at higher altitudes than magic ships, so mid-air collisions were impossible. In reality it was as big as Hachijo Island, and its shadow could plunge a city into darkness.
Allen had not brought Heavy User Island there, it was traveling to the Dragon God\'s Village. If he showed the truth of the matter, he knew they would try to restrain his freedom to act.
It was best to obtain permission now, and then be careful with where he traveled. Allen always chose efficiency above fame or political power.
"That sounds reasonable, wouldn\'t you say so, Regalfares? We\'ll eventually need his help."
Rosenheim\'s queen knew the true size of the island, but she hid that fact. Baukis\' emperor was also in agreement, while the Beast King remained silent.
"Hmph, alright. Just keep away from my capital city."
"Thank you for your cooperation. That\'s all I had to say, but Shea has an announcement too."
"I-I see, so there\'s more. Please try to hurry though, the representatives won\'t be here forever."
Latash\'s king gave Shea permission to speak.
(I\'m curious to see if Prince Zew will also say something.)
Prince Zew was also present. There were various other beastmen from other countries too.
Albahar was the strongest country in their continent, and Shea was about to talk so everyone looked at her.
"Thank you for giving me permission to talk in such an important meeting as this. I\'m Shea Von Albahar."
Everyone\'s eyes turned to the Beast King. They all remembered how he had beaten her mercilessly a year ago.
Shea was standing in front of everyone again.
"I don\'t know what you want to say, but hurry it. Also, return the Beast King\'s Emblem Bek stole already."
The Beast King\'s discomfort with Shea\'s attitude was clear. He also wanted the three pieces of equipment that formed the Beast King\'s Emblem back. Shea bowed to him, and then faced the representatives to continue talking.
She was currently wearing the Beast King\'s Emblem.
"I\'m stepping down from the race for Albahar\'s throne. I\'ve decided to dedicate fully to fighting with Allen\'s Army, and defeat the Demon King\'s Army. I\'ll take the Beast King\'s Emblem as a departing gift."
"Wha-?! Y-you fool!!"
Crack crack
Hearing Shea, the Beast King\'s claws dug into the table in front of him, cracking it. His voice rang loud through the meeting room.