In a World of Reversed Chastity, I Strive to Become an Honorable Male Knight, but Lustful Women Keep Targeting My Body - 265

Chapter 265: The Kukkoro Male Knight and the Barbarian Princess, Once Again

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“Just when I thought we’d only recently parted ways, here we are meeting again already. Really now. This thing called fate is hard to make sense of.”

Lady Dalaiya said this with a wry, ironic smile as she welcomed the “Legitimate” delegation that had arrived at the Senate.

“So a story from nearly a hundred years ago feels like just the other day, huh. You haven’t changed either, Dalaiya.”

Lady Fezaria Orphan, the leader of the “Legitimate” faction who headed the delegation, shrugged with an expression tinged with indescribable nostalgia. The atmosphere was warm, like a reunion between old friends.

“From my perspective, even the day you were born feels like just yesterday. I can still remember as if it were yesterday how you used to trail after me, calling out ‘Grandma-dono, Grandma-dono.’”

“That’s ancient history!”

Lady Dalaiya laughed loudly as he patted the shoulder of the blushing Lady Orphan. Lady Orphan was the youngest princess of the former Elfenia imperial family, and it was said that Lady Dalaiya had once been her tutor. Later, the natural disasters and civil war that struck Elfenia forced the two into opposing camps, but on a personal level, they clearly did not seem to dislike one another.

That said, this was only on a personal level. The “New” elves were openly directing intense hostility toward the “Legitimate” delegation. In response, the “Legitimate” envoys carried themselves as if to say they would not back down from a fight. Inside the Senate chamber, a dangerous tension filled the air, like an infantry unit poised just before a charge.

Lady Orphan had brought only a little over a dozen delegates with her. If it came to battle, the disparity in numbers meant annihilation would be unavoidable and yet the “Legitimate” elves showed no sign of fear. As expected, the resolve of elven warriors was extraordinary.

“……”

I glanced silently at Lady Vanka. After all, she was said to have lost her husband and child because of the “Legitimate.” If things went badly, she might draw her sword right here. Depending on the situation, it might be necessary to stop her by force.

…But contrary to my concerns, Lady Vanka made no notable move. She merely cast a brief glance toward Lady Orphan, and that was all. She didn’t even grip her sword, let alone glare. Meanwhile, her attendants were whispering among themselves in an extremely ominous manner…

So what was going on here? It was strange, clearly strange. Lady Vanka was said to have been so consumed by revenge that she had returned to the council after once retiring. Could she really remain this calm in front of the leader of those who had killed her husband and daughter?

“Good to see you again, Blondin-dono.”

Lady Vanka’s attitude troubled me greatly, but I couldn’t focus on her alone. After all, I was the representative of Liseben. Clearing my throat, I extended my hand to Lady Orphan.

“I’m glad to see you’re well, Orphan-dono.”

That wasn’t mere politeness. In truth, Lady Orphan looked far healthier than the last time we met. Food aid to the “Legitimate” faction was still ongoing. The amount of food that could be airlifted by wyverns was limited, but it seemed to have improved their nutritional condition to some extent.

“We’ve much to talk about, but for now, have a drink to settle in. As you can see, the banquet is ready.”

“Ready? It looks more like the feast is already in full swing.”

Lady Orphan laughed as she looked behind us. The ground was littered with sake flasks and wooden bowls, and along the walls, quite a few elves and crows lay sprawled out, snoring in drunken stupor. It was a scene so littered with bodies that one might say even a rowdy college drinking party wouldn’t get this bad.

Well, not everyone collapsed by the wall was just drunk. Mixed in were a few who had tried to sexually harass me and were beaten black and blue by Sonia. …Why would anyone try sexual harassment in the middle of a diplomatic standoff? Were they idiots?

“Well, there’s still plenty of alcohol and potato soup left. No need to worry.”

Saying that, Lady Dalaiya half-forcibly seated Lady Orphan on a straw mat. The rest of the delegation followed suit and sat down as well. The servers briskly distributed potato soup and alcohol. After a token toast, everyone began drinking from their wooden bowls and cups. For a while, harmless conversation continued, serving as greetings. Part of me felt they should just get to the point already, but even battles begin with reconnaissance and probing. Perhaps diplomatic battles followed a similar theory.

“So then… what do you intend to do from here on out?”

After about thirty minutes, Lady Dalaiya finally cut to the chase. By this point, the stocks of potato soup and potato shochu elven liquor had run out, and most of the food and drink being served came from supplies we had brought in aboard the Michael Collins.

Compared to the “Legitimate,” the “New” faction’s food situation seemed slightly better, but they still couldn’t have much to spare. Though food and drink had been lavishly provided at this meeting… They were surely pushing themselves to the limit. According to an agent we had stationed in Runga City for some time, they ate only once a day. Sometimes the meal was nothing more than a meager potato soup or even just a single small steamed potato. It was a truly harsh situation.

“If food can somehow be secured, then we’ve no reason left to keep fighting. We’re thinking of abandoning the hidden village near Mount Rana and relocating to Liseben.”

“So you’re running away?”

The one who said this with a provocative smile was a young clan chief. …The “New” faction really did have a lot of clan chiefs. This was probably a position akin to a noble house head in Galea’s aristocratic system. Though they called themselves the New Elfenia Empire, the reality was closer to an aristocratic republic.

“In that sorry state, the rebels are weak indeed. I almost pity the subordinates being led by such a spineless leader like you.”

“A brat who’s never known war sure has a big mouth. I’ve heard that the weaker the dog, the louder it barks. It seems that saying’s true.”

It was insult for insult. One of Lady Orphan’s subordinates snapped back. I’d recently learned that being called a greenhorn brat was one of the gravest insults for young elves. The hot-blooded clan chief boiled over instantly and hurled his wine cup to the ground.

“Who are you calling a brat!? I’d be happy to knock your head clean off right here!”

“Draw your sword here, and we’ll consider the negotiations broken on the spot.”

This was supposed to be a peace conference. Having it ruined by an idiot would be intolerable. I immediately leaned forward between the two sides.

“Don’t butt in, you mere man! This is a discussion between women! Stay out of it!”

“Did you just call Al-sama ‘a mere man’?!”

At the clan chief’s words, several of our knights flared up instantly. Dragonewts may not be as volatile as elves, but they were still a hot-blooded race. A minor incident could easily lead to bloodshed. Still, honestly, this level of trouble was expected. Elves who had spent so long killing one another weren’t going to calmly sit down and talk things out so easily. I gave a small laugh and shrugged.

“Then it can’t be helped. As you say, I’ll step aside. Sonia, prepare to withdraw. I’m sorry, but please reload the food that’s currently being unloaded back onto the ship. With negotiations broken, we have no choice but to suspend food aid for now.”

“W-wait, wait!”

The ones who panicked at this were the other elders, not the hardliners. They had finally been able to breathe a little easier thanks to the food situation, and losing that support over something so trivial was far too much of a waste.

“You were the one at fault earlier. Apologize to Albert-dono.”

Rebuked by another clan chief, the hardline elder ground her teeth. Even so, she wanted food too. You couldn’t fight on an empty stomach. If our food aid stopped, it would hinder their war against the “Legitimate.”

“Grr… My apologies.”

In the end, the clan chief bowed her head reluctantly. I raised one hand and accepted it magnanimously.

Honestly… I really wished they’d give me a break.

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