In a World of Reversed Chastity, I Strive to Become an Honorable Male Knight, but Lustful Women Keep Targeting My Body - 266

Chapter 266: The Kukkoro Male Knight and the Peace Negotiations

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There was no way a proper discussion could take place if they were provoked at every turn. So I decided to establish rules for the talks. Calling them “rules” might sound grand, but they weren’t anything elaborate.

First, no drawing weapons or attempting to use magic. Second, do not interrupt the other party, listen to them to the end. And third, no provocative words or actions. They were extremely simple, bare-minimum rules, but without enforcing them, discussion simply couldn’t function. The “New,” the “Legitimate,” and we of Liseben all agreed that anyone who broke these rules would be expelled from the meeting without exception.

“Ahem…”

At long last, the rules of the meeting were set, and the Senate—(a pit-dwelling that merely called itself such)—had taken on a somewhat languid atmosphere. In the center of it all, Lady Dalaiya cleared his throat in an oddly cute voice, then moistened his lips with wine.

Elven-style meetings are barely any different from drinking parties.

Well, even by Galea’s standards, a little low-alcohol drink might be served, but sitting down to serious talks while drinking this heavily would be unthinkable. 

No wonder they end up thinking it’s faster to settle things with violence than with discussion.

“So then… as the ‘Legitimate,’ you’re aiming to migrate to Liseben, is that correct?”

“That’s right.”

After nodding, Lady Orphan took a bite of boiled chicken. She wasn’t drinking much alcohol, but she had already put away a considerable amount of food. Apparently, she had been extremely hungry.

…Well, elves were generally hungry by nature.

“There’s no point clinging to Mount Rana forever. Luckily, Albert-dono offered to share part of his farmland with us, so we thought we’d gratefully make use of it.”

The plan was for us, Liseben, to lease land around Mount Rana, and in exchange, transfer part of Liseben’s already-cultivated land to the “Legitimate.” This proposal had already been conveyed to Lady Orphan via wyvern courier and had progressed to the point that it was practically a done deal. All that remained was whether the “New” faction would accept it.

To be precise, the lease and the land transfer were to be handled as separate treaties. The lease fee for Mount Rana would take the form of self-reliance support for the “Legitimate,” who would lose their living base through relocation. The land transfer, meanwhile, would be conditional upon the “Legitimate” being formally absorbed as part of Liseben.

In short, if you’re going to live on Liseben land, you follow Liseben law. 

Galea and Elfenia differed greatly even in basic common sense. Given past circumstances, friction with existing Liseben residents was inevitable. The relocation would be fraught with difficulties. A bilateral feudal-style “mutual obligation” contract would make handling disputes far more complicated, so we deliberately chose absorption instead.

“Hmph. So in the end, you’re just land beggars. The Orphan royal line has really fallen low.”

One of the clan chiefs said this in a deliberately provocative tone, an outright violation of the meeting rules. Lady Dalaiya’s eyes flashed sharply.

“Do it.”

From seemingly nowhere, an elven ninja appeared and locked the clan chief in a full nelson. Unable to move, she was dragged out of the Senate in an instant.

…So those ninjas really were under Lady Dalaiya’s command. High skill, tricky tactics. Definitely not people I’d want as enemies.

“AIEEE!”

Against the backdrop of the clan chief’s pathetic scream, Lady Dalaiya shrugged. Lady Orphan let out a small chuckle at the sight.

“…If we have farmland and food, then there’s no longer any reason for us to fight. Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to finally bring this war to an end?”

“That’s exactly right. Even from my perspective, this civil war has gone on far too long.”

Lady Dalaiya immediately agreed. However, many of the “New” elders looked dissatisfied. Representing them, Lady Vanka raised her hand.

“It’s true that this war began over food. But as Dalaiya says, it has dragged on too long. Just because our bellies might be filled again doesn’t mean we can simply lay down our spears now.”

“That’s right! Do you have any idea how many comrades we’ve lost in this war!?”

“If we don’t wipe out every last one of those rebels, my guts won’t settle!”

Spurred on by Lady Vanka’s words, the hardline elders erupted in unison.

…Well, they weren’t entirely wrong. Grudges and hatred didn’t vanish so easily. After fighting for a hundred years, being told to make peace now was bound to be unacceptable to many.

“You fools! Lately, more are dying of starvation than in battle! Keep dragging this war out, and before long, both ‘New’ and ‘Legitimate’ alike, no. The entire elven race will perish together!”

With a desperate expression, Lady Dalaiya shouted. Near me, the crow-girl Lady Uru muttered, “Crows and sparrows too, you know,” and glanced my way. Wow. She’d outright hinted at switching sides now.

“And what’s the problem with that?”

On the other hand, Lady Vanka smiled ironically and then chugged her wine straight from the bottle. Her attitude was utterly jaded. The gentle air she’d shown earlier was gone, replaced by behavior befitting the leader of the hardliners.

…She really did have two sides to her.

“Bravery that fears not death is an elven virtue. We strive for honorable battle rather than humiliating peace. That’s the elven way of life, isn’t it?”

“That’s right! Well said, Vanka-dono!”

“We’ve no obligation to listen to rebels or outsiders! The war continues!”

The hardline elves began shouting. I silently alternated my gaze between Lady Uru and Lady Vanka. Lady Uru gave a slight smile and shook her head. Hmm… It was almost certain she’d side with us. Much appreciated.

The real question was how many crow beastfolk we could actually peel away. Elves were frighteningly strong largely thanks to aerial reconnaissance by birdfolk. If we could bring the crow and sparrow clans over to our side, we could drastically reduce elven combat effectiveness, but…

“So you have no intention of permitting our migration.”

Lady Orphan asked in a voice like ice. As expected of a royal descendant, she exuded a pressure no ordinary person could match. Yet Lady Vanka met it without flinching, grinning back at her.

“Of course. Exactly so.”

“……”

Lady Orphan let out a silent sigh, then roughly gulped down her wine. As expected, the hardliners led by Lady Vanka didn’t seem inclined to compromise at all. I’d anticipated this, but it looked like discussion alone wouldn’t be enough to resolve this problem…

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