The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 496

The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I’m a “Farmer”, Not a Demon King! ~

Chapter 496   Holy Maiden: Talk after the meeting

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・Canon

Just now, the meeting between the Demon King brought by me—rather, the Hero—and the King of the Holy Land has concluded.

Normally, discussions between kings should be more… subdued, I suppose. I had expected it to be something along those lines, but the outcome unfolded in a different manner.

I understood that the Demon King was the type to wield force and forcefully push the conversation, but I also believed that depending on the circumstances, he could be a person capable of reasonable dialogue. So, I thought this meeting would involve a reasonable discussion. However, that was a mistake.

It was likely intentional. By deliberately showing a hostile attitude, they might have aimed to make it seem like we were dealing with an unreasonable opponent. However, I never expected him to display such a violent attitude.

“A king behaving in such a manner?”

“Completely rude.”

“Yes, indeed. Perhaps because they are gathering criminals, they’re feeling self-important.”

“To gather those criminals and become a king, how much of that can be believed? Isn’t it possible that he’s just a figurehead?”

“Certainly, when it comes to the important negotiation of buying and selling food, he said he’d leave it to his subordinates and refused to participate in the discussion. There is a high possibility of that.”

The nobles are uttering disparaging words about that individual, but from my perspective, they both seem quite similar. Rather, I find that the person who acts based on their own thoughts, as opposed to the incompetent one who only spews malice behind the scenes, appears superior.

…However, considering their utility, it’s hard to definitively say which one is better, isn’t it?

Moreover, while it’s just speculation, I can’t help but think that what the nobles are saying may not be entirely wrong.

The Demon King does articulate general policies and expresses thoughts and opinions. However, when it comes to details, they delay or let their subordinates speak. While it’s a common behavior for a king, it feels somewhat uneasy.

However, even if we recognize this, there’s probably not much we can do about it. If they can decide on policies with their own will, they shouldn’t display the awkwardness of being unable to act even if there’s something abnormal.

The best we can do is perhaps try to influence the negotiation envoy rather than the Demon King himself, but even that seems challenging. Otherwise, the bespectacled man who was close to the Demon King wouldn’t have chosen such a young person as a negotiator.

According to the information I gathered in Karakas, that man was originally one of the Five Emperors, a person named Edward, who is said to favor money above all else. Such a person wouldn’t choose someone who would give up opportunities to make money.

Rather, looking at the attitude of the nobles gathered here, we should be concerned about the possibility of them being influenced.

Thinking that way, I glanced briefly at the nobles gathered there.

“By the way, those people you brought were quite flashy.”

“Yeah… But what was the intention of bringing such individuals? Half of them were women, and they didn’t seem like capable fighters.”

“Moreover, they didn’t give off the vibe of civil officials. Even their clothing… Overall, it didn’t seem suitable for a journey.”

“In addition, it didn’t seem like any of them were courtiers. Could they be the concubines of the boy claiming to be the Demon King?”

“If that’s the case, he must be quite fond of them.”

… It’s so foolish that not even a sigh comes out. Just watching with a sense of contempt.

“However, in terms of what they were saying, it was reasonable.”

With that, the conversation of the nobles paused, and the king slowly began to speak.

“Your Majesty, do you intend to defend that individual?”

The Pope, perhaps triggered by the king’s words favoring the Demon King, asked with a calm smile, but his voice carried an underlying tension.

The reason for that tone could be the king’s statement, but it might also stem from the fact that his pawn had been crushed.

The noble who was dealt with for speaking rudely to the Demon King belonged to the Church faction. That individual was one of the pieces infiltrated into the king’s faction, maneuvering in our favor and serving as one of the surveillance agents.

Even though the infiltration was a well-known fact, the individual being affiliated with the Church, it was something I, who had been away from the Holy City on a journey, was aware of. The king would naturally know as well.

The king likely intentionally dealt with that person in that situation. If he wanted, he could have defended him, and it would have been better to shield him if he intended to gauge the favor of the Church.

However, the king didn’t just defend him; he swiftly allowed his execution. This act could be seen as an expression of defiance towards the Church. While it might be a bit odd to say there was ‘defiance’ since, outwardly, the king held a superior position, in reality, it wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

That’s why the Pope was asking in this manner, to show an attitude of concern, asking, “Are you going to defend the evil called the Demon King?” The true intent was to question, “Do you intend to betray us?”

“I don’t have such intentions. However, I thought a straightforward approach wouldn’t work. At the very least, we can’t be deceived by appearances and actions.”

Yet, the king, unperturbed or hesitant by the Pope’s words, calmly responded, gazing back at the Pope. While his answer displayed a confident demeanor, it felt as if he were mocking him, and I couldn’t help but feel that way.

“Indeed, being able to behave confidently in this situation might be commendable. We, too, feel the need to reassess our recognition to some extent. However, after all, he is still a young person. The matter of passing the negotiation of the food earlier to others. Originally, even if you delegate it to subordinates, you should at least decide the main points and general direction beforehand. However, judging from the fact that there wasn’t even that, it seems he’s just putting on airs to avoid being underestimated.”

It seems that the Pope has also realized that the Demon King is not particularly skilled in debates. I noticed it myself, so it’s only natural. Probably, the king is also aware of it. Even though he is allowed to claim the title of ‘king’.

“Well, if that’s the case, then it’s fine.”

“We’ll take care of the rest; things should proceed smoothly.”

In other words, don’t meddle; we’ll handle it. Such words might be considered disrespectful when directed at a king in a normal country, but in this country, it is allowed. Because, in this country, the Church holds a higher position than the king, and ultimately, the true ruler of this country is the Church, and consequently, the Pope.

“…In that case, I leave dealing with them to you.”

“Understood.”

Thus, the handling of the Demon King was left in the hands of our Church.

“The Pope requests your presence.”

“Understood. I will head there now.”

While the discussions in the audience room concluded, and we dispersed afterward, it didn’t mean I could immediately rest. Once separated from the others and leaving the room, I was stopped in the corridor and directed towards the room of the Pope.

“Excuse me. Holy Maiden Canon, I have just arrived.”

“Oh, you’re here. Please come in.”

Though it was referred to as a room, it wasn’t a bedroom but rather an office. I entered the room of the Pope.

“I sincerely apologize for the delayed greeting, Your Holiness.”

I had just returned to this country, and immediately after, I had to attend an audience, so I couldn’t properly offer my greetings. However, it was only appropriate to first greet His Holiness.

“No need to worry. Upholding the dignity of the royal family is important, and there’s no hurry on our part either.”

His Holiness kindly smiled and spoke forgiving words to me, prompting me to raise my head.

“Now, let’s get straight to it. I would like to hear the report on the mission I assigned to you.”

As His Holiness mentioned, in addition to my tasks of protecting the Hero and investigating a solution to the anomaly, there was another mission given to me.

This mission had the potential to affect the foundation of this country. I took a light breath before recalling the events and began speaking.

“Yes. — As I briefly reported earlier, there were indeed many elves in Karakas, just as the preliminary investigation indicated. However, when I say Karakas, I don’t mean the city itself but rather the city called ‘Flower Garden’ that exists next to it. It seems that they come seeking the sacred tree located in the Flower Garden.”

While some remained for reasons being saved like slaves or their relatives seeking to repay the favor, even those individuals were dependent on the sacred tree.

“The sacred tree, you say.”

“Yes. I’ve only read about it in literature and, even then, just briefly as part of a general education. Your Holiness, do you have any knowledge about it?”

When I was appointed as a ‘Holy Maiden,’ I received various kinds of education. From combat and negotiation to taking care of the Hero, I was taught many things. Among them were documents related to the sacred tree.

However, those documents were limited, providing only a small amount of information. They mentioned that during the founding of the country, the indigenous object of worship, the sacred tree, was eliminated and utilized. But it didn’t delve into what the sacred tree was, its nature, or where it had existed.

According to the Demon King, the current anomaly was related to the sacred tree. But what kind of entity was the sacred tree? Why did the Elves gather around it? I knew nothing.

However, if anyone knew more about it than me, it would be His Holiness.

“…I do have some knowledge. There were records passed down through generations to the Popes, and there was information related to it. I read it quite a while ago, so I couldn’t recall the details when I received the message. Here are the records from that time.”

“I will take a look.”

I wondered if it was appropriate for me to see it, but since it was offered to me, I had no choice but to accept it with gratitude.

Reading through it, I understood. The Demon King’s claim that the sacred tree was the cause didn’t seem entirely incorrect based on the contents of the document.

“This could be considered as the grudge of the sacred tree manifesting, as the Demon King mentioned.”

In the documents handed over by His Holiness, there were detailed descriptions of the sacred tree and why it was cut down.

Firstly, the sacred tree bestowed blessings on the surrounding plants and was the ruler of plants that could be controlled. Elves, born from the mingling of the spirits of the sacred tree and humans in ancient times, had the essence of plants in their bodies. Therefore, Elves, who were both human and plant, naturally gathered around the sacred tree to receive its blessings.

This explained the unnatural abundance of Elves in Karakas.

The current anomaly occurring in this country involves the withering of plants. If we consider it as a curse from the sacred tree, the ruler of plants, it becomes understandable why the plants are withering.

Next, the document explains why the sacred tree was cut down during the founding of the country and where it is being utilized now. It seems the cut-down sacred tree is still being used.

To be honest, I didn’t think the existence of a sacred tree would bother us. After all, while the sacred tree is considered a god for Elves, for those other than Elves, it’s just a tree. I couldn’t see how such a thing could interfere with our beliefs.

However, if there is a continuation after cutting it down, I can understand.

Currently, in this country, using Elves, they have set up a barrier to defend the capital. The effect of the barrier is not limited to defense alone. Inside and around the barrier, plants grow without withering regardless of any disasters. No diseases occur, and there is no shortage of crops. However, only a handful of people know about this effect, and therefore, this land is referred to as a “land blessed by the gods.”

As the core of this, it is mentioned that they are using the sacred tree.

While I am a ‘Holy Maiden,’ I am just one of the positions within the church, and although I know more than the general public, I don’t know everything. I knew they were using Elves for the barrier, but I didn’t know they were using the sacred tree as its core.

However, that’s only natural. If the general public were to know about such things, while it wouldn’t be impossible to do something about it, it could lead to complications.

However, there is one thing that concerns me. It is the current location of the cut-down sacred tree.

The sacred tree, being the ruler that bestows blessings on plants, was cut down to use its abilities, and the dominance of the sacred tree’s power was claimed by the church. That, in itself, is acceptable.

However, the sacred tree seen in the Flower Garden was quite enormous. If it is of a similar size, just storing it would require considerable space.

The question arises: Where have they stowed away such a massive object?