***Arc 8 One Who Spread Death, Chapter 177 Price of Courtship***
"Good to see you, Orugan! I'm glad you look healthy."
"You too, I was worried that you might have a stomachache, Garhka, but from the looks of it, I guess there's nothing to worry about."
One of the reception rooms in the Garhka family estate.
As expected, it was in a separate area from the conference room, but it was indescribable to see two generals who were enemies hugging each other as soon as they entered.
A squalid image――As if it had been promised, Mia took a step back, and Kalua looked on in exasperation, wondering if this was okay.
Dougleen’s adjutant――Dalkris, a warrior with countless scars on his face, was also rubbing his temple.
With that, Dougleen patted Orugan on the shoulder and urged him to sit on the sofa opposite him, and after telling the servant to give alcohol to the escort as well, he sat on the sofa, and Krische too sat a certain distance away from him.
Gallen was also in the room, looking at the two and Krische with an indescribable expression.
"We parted the other day, saying we'd meet next time on the battlefield...but I never thought we'd meet like this before the war. I was a little surprised, Orugan.""
Orugan stopped here on his way to and from the conference.
They had a drink together, sharing stories of their past battles, and they parted ways, thinking that it would be their last time together but, Dougleen was really happy.
He poured wine into Orugan’s sake cup.
"I had that intention too, but there was something that bothered me...though that was already half resolved."
Orugan took it and looked at Krische.
Krische, who asked for tea from the squire, tilted her head to the side at that glance, and Orugan smiled bitterly.
"I've come to ask you how you'll handle this battle. Do you want to compete in a battle of wits――or a contest of strength? Either way, we have the advantage, so I'll leave it up to you to figure out how to do it."
"...Fumu"
Dougleen looked at the Orugan with amusement.
Both of them had grown beards and had bad looks like bandits――if these two people came face to face, this place would be more like a gathering of bandits than a meeting.
Looking at these two people, no one would think that they were born with noble bloodlines in both countries.
The two of them were like brothers.
Krische, who was obviously out of place, poured honey and milk into the black tea that had been poured for her, watching the story progress.
"Right now, you are in a position where you are in a position to influence the fate of the country, and if you are trying to do everything you can to compete with wits, it is unfortunate, but it cannot be helped. That is the correct way to be as a soldier."
Even as Orugan said that he continued as if asking a question.
"I won't deny that, but... it's rather boring to see the battle between you and me end with a small trick. At least that's what I think. What do you think?"
"I'm thinking the same thing, Orugan. What I wished for is the same as you...a head-on battle without any small trick."
Dougleen's answer was as he had expected, and Orugan nodded with satisfaction.
"As expected of my friend. However, what concerns me is that you don't seem to have any intention of doing so. Why are you conserving your troops in the rear? You probably still have an army-sized force left behind. Surely you’re not planning to go head-to-head with me with your small army?"
Then he stirred up the sake cup, placed it on the table, and glared as if challenging Dougleen.
"――I swear to the rain that brings forth fruit. If Alberan wished for a head-on decisive battle, this Orugan would fight squarely, honoring the pride of a warrior, and bring all his forces to bear. ...Let's wait a few days. Don't think about political or strategic convenience, just give it everything you have, Garhka.''
His voice was full of vigor.
It was not a furious tone, but rather a calm one.
However, his voice resonated so deeply that it threatened to break the metalwork in the room.
All who heard it stiffened their spines,
"Um...as expected, are you not a messenger of peace after all?"
The girl alone said that as if she was troubled.
A messenger before war.
Krische, who had been slightly hoping that he had come for negotiations and a peaceful resolution, lowered her eyebrows as she realized that this was not the case after all.
"Kuku, what a joke....What kind of general would lead an army of 100,000 soldiers and surrender to an army of less than 50,000? If you're asking for a surrender, then know your place."
"If you think about the numbers, that might be true... but even if you have 100,000, it will take a long time to kill 50,000, and the war is a battle of taking each other's head. If Krische take Vice-Chancellor Orugan’s head before that it’s over right?"
It was a provocation as if throwing cold water in his face.
"Krische was also quite (so-so) active in the civil war, and from Vice-Chancellor Orugan reaction before you seem to know that Krische is the stronger one..."
These days, Krische were overwhelmingly successful in "so-so" battles and are "so-so" celebrities.
What's more, when she met him previously, he was exactly as she had heard, and he even said that it was an honor to meet her as a warrior.
He knew Krische’s power, and on top of that, as a military man, he spoke in a way that evaluated Krische as above him. Judging from his reaction when confronted, it's not like he was talking about social commentary, but at least he understood that Krische was much stronger than she looked.
"So, you coming at this uncertain time was a surprise and Krische thought that you came to make peace because you’re surprised Krische is here.
If he wanted them to surrender, it would be fine to do it after the army arrives.
Normally, one would visibly display the power of an army of 100,000 men, frighten the enemy, and advise them to surrender while using his soldiers' eyes as a shield.
However, Orugan came here with a small force so as not to alarm them.
In this situation, where they have the option of ignoring the Holy Spirit Covenant and secretly getting rid of him, and as the ones holding his life and death――there was no way that they hadn’t imagined such a scenario at all.
If Orugan was to stand as the commander of the army, there would be no need or reason for him to go out of his way to expose himself to assassination, to act poorly, and to put himself in such a dangerous situation.
Then, there’s only sincerity.
――Orugan probably came with some kind of offer or wish.
More or less, Krische’s idea was not very removed from common sense.
Of course, an ordinary person would be able to guess the reason to some extent from the connection between Orugan and Dougleen, and the fact that the enemy had twice the strength, but was marching forward with only the decisive battle in mind. However, Krische was not equipped with such a flexible thought process.
The opponent made a poor move.
They knew Krische was very strong.
――I see, their purpose must be to make peace with Krische out of fear.
She simply made a rational judgment of the situation as it was.
There was no way that there would be a foolish enemy general who would visit the enemy's camp for irrational reasons such as wanting to enjoy a fair battle to the fullest――she had thought that just a while ago, but somehow, things didn't look right.
She had thought that the reason why he was so "considerate" of Krische, wanting to show the magical beasts was because he didn't want to make an enemy of her, but looking at this situation, she thought that wasn't it.
It seems that the "Great Strategy to Dispel the Enemy by Making Them Know Krische’s Strength" was not a success.
Krische wondered where she went wrong.
Orugan looked taken aback.
And the escorts were about to raise their voices again――and were restrained by Zalvaag’s hand.
After a while, Orugan starts laughing again.
"Kuku...I see, I see. What you said earlier was not a joke or a provocation after all."
Then his eyes immediately narrowed, and he glared at Krische.
"...Do you seriously say that you can defeat me head-on with this difference in military strength?"
"Yes. It's not like it was a sudden surprise attack, and Krische thinks it's much weirder to fight without any odds of winning...Is something wrong?"
"No, but it seems like you have a lot of confidence."
Orugan lifted his cheeks.
An overwhelming victory against Aurugorn Hilkintos from a disadvantaged position.
Easily defeating the Black Lion Gildanstein.
In the past, she also faced the Holy Empire and received the rank of the Rinea in just one battle.
There was so much strength floating around that you could see at a glance――an incredible amount of pressure you wouldn’t think would come from a girl.
The somewhat inorganic purple color suffused with an arrogant self-esteem.
It felt like he was being looked down upon from a great height.
Her eyes give off a sense of something unfathomable, as if she was both human and non-human.
――She turned her blade against the dragon, and her ability was recognized, and they made a pact.
The trivial gossip that he would normally laugh off, he thought if it was this girl it might be possible.
"...Individual ability is, after all, only an individual thing. It is true that there are anecdotes about your individual ability that leave no room for doubt, but in a battlefield where there are more than 10,000 individual warriors, your personal ability is insignificant. ...I won't ask twice. On top of that, you are saying that you will directly defeat the army led by me?"
Krische thought for a while before answering and smiling.
"Hmm, Krische thinks it depends on the definition of straight battle...well, if it's a simple one-on-one battle, then yes. Krische is much stronger and smarter than Vice-Chancellor Orugan."
While verbally abusing is as normal as breathing.
She again tried to find out why he was asking this, and her brilliant mind quickly came up with an answer.
"Ehehe, are you finally willing to stop fighting and make peace?"
"No. In fact, I should say I’m full of motivation."
"……eh?"
Orugan looked at Dougleen, who was smiling.
"...Garhka, do you have any objections to that?"
"I owe that girl a debt, and she's more or less my superior. I have to keep her face. If that's the case, and she’s telling me to fight head-on, there's no reason for me to refuse."
Dougleen laughed and held the wine bottle in his hand.
"...And I saw the 50,000 soldiers that remained with that girl. From my eyes, the competition is equal, and I have no disrespect or arrogance towards you."
Then as if offering the sake cup, he told Orugan.
"――Then it's up to you whether you accept it or not. It's up to you, how a girl will appear in your eyes."
Orugan stared intently at the sake cup.
"...Okay, then I'll accept this battle."
Then he gave a beastly grin and looked at the girl who still had a troubled look on her face.
"But there is a part of me that feels insulted. You make me accept this battle after all. Alberinea, if your confidence is just your own conceit, I will have your body."
"...Hooh"
Dougleen seemed amused, and his smile deepened.
"Have Krische’s body…?"
"I had no intention of marrying, thinking that it’s the end of the royal blood but――I really liked your arrogance. If you lose, I’ll take you as my wife. ...With that much big talk surely you won't say no, right? "
Mia and Kahlua looked at each other in shock, and Gallen frowned.
The others looked surprised, but didn't seem to be that perturbed.
It is a common occurrence in war-torn worlds that the winner takes possession of the captured princess.
Nothing strange about it――
"Umm...Does that mean that Krische will become Vice-Chancellor Orugan’s bride?"
"Right. Surely you didn’t misheard?"
"...Oohhh, Krische, this is Krische’s first time being courted."
However, it was Krische who looked the most surprised.
She put her hands on her cheeks and shook her body as if she couldn’t calm down.
Judging from her previous behavior, he had expected her to respond calmly and immediately, but this reaction.
Everyone looked puzzled at her child-like appearance without any nervousness.
"Ah, I see. Krische finally understands."
"...?"
"Krische have been wondering why Vice-Chancellor Orugan was so considerate about Krische, we've only just met, but Vice-Chancellor Orugan said he wants to show Krische the magical beasts over and over again...so this is what Bery calls love at first sight. Krische, don’t really know about that and completely misunderstood..."
Even now, Krische, who didn't realize she was the only one who was still misunderstanding him, blushed as if ashamed of her own misunderstanding.
"Well, Krische owe a debt of gratitude to the previous Gotoushu-sama for picking Krische up, right now repaying that gratitude is Krische’s priority…no, in the first place, Krische, is Bery’s, so…hmm…"
And Krische who seemed to be thinking over how to reject it.
Those who were watching looked at each other, and Kalua, who couldn't bear to watch, whispered in her ears.
"...Ah, Um, Usa-chan, if you lose, it means you will become his bride, so you don't have to refuse. You'll definitely win, right?"
"Ah, that's right. Krische didn't expect to be proposed all of a sudden, so Krische was a little confused..."
Krische said shyly, while Allergan laughed amusedly.
"Kuku, hahaha! What a pleasant girl! I feel like I've laughed a month in just one day today...Alberinea, what's your response?"
"Hmm... Basically, if you win against Krische, you want a reward by making Krische your bride, right?"
"That's it. Do you understand?"
Krische nodded, but was a little lost in thought.
And a look of obvious dissatisfaction appeared on her face.
"...But, even if Krische wins, Krische feels like it's a little unbalanced for the prize to only come from our side."
Reward your opponent when they win.
But even if Krische won there would be nothing.
When she pouted her lips and glared at Orugan, Orugan laughed again.
"Is that so? Do whatever you want. There's no excuse when you lead an army of 100,000 people and lose to less than half of them. Boil it, burn it, whatever you want."
"Hmm……"
"This Orugan won’t go back on his own word. If you wish, I can walk around naked in front of the soldiers in a handstand. Everyone here is the witness."
"Haaa… Vice-Chancellor."
"Don't stop me, Zalvaag, I won't back down after receiving such a challenge. Or are you going to bet on me losing too?"
Zalvaag spread his hand, exasperated.
"...Krische, wouldn't be happy even if Vice-Chancellor Orugan did a handstand naked."
Muscular body and thick body hair.
Krische seriously imagined and dismissed the madness of a naked Orugan doing a handstand.
It's not interesting and she didn’t particularly want to watch it.
No matter how you look at it, it didn’t match with Krische.
"It's just an example, Alberinea. If you win, I swear to the rain and make all your wishes come true. With the condition if it's within my power that is."
"……wishes"
Krische thought about it again and clapped her hands together as if she had thought of something.
"Then, right. If Vice-Chancellor Orugan is defeated then the Gulshan army will stop resisting and immediately withdraw the army from the Kingdom's territory. What do you think?"
"...Fumu?"
"Then we'll have a peace talk, and wait and see. What do you think?"
When Krische told him that with a smile, Orugan narrowed his eyes and searched for her true intentions.
Then he asked with a wry smile.
"...It sure is a smaller wish than I thought?"
"It’s one thing if Vice-Chancellor Orugan is a king, but Vice-Chancellor Orugan is the vice-chancellor in the parliamentary system, and even though he is the overall commander of the invasion force, he is just a general. I thought this is what Krische could realistically hope for but..."
Pressing his fingertips against his cherry lips, Krische tilted her head.
It was just a game, but her response was clear and far-sighted.
She saw her own victory as predetermined.
"Before a battle like this, discussing seriously about what should you do if you lose isn’t something you should do huh.''
Arrogant――and infinitely confident.
Orugan laughed and sure.
"...I swear to the rain that will bring forth fruit, this Orugan will take on that challenge."
The escorts looked at each other, and Orugan ignored it and turned to Dougleen.
Dougleen, who was listening to the talk, laughed and said,
"I'd like to see you walking naked in front of the soldiers in a handstand, Orugan."
"That's going to happen to you if I win, Garhka. After I've decapitated you, I'll hang you upside down naked."
With a lighthearted reply, Orugan poured wine into his and Dougleen’s glasses.
Without saying a word, they held out their sake cup and clinked it.
Orugan opened his mouth saying that the talk was over.
"As always, Godspeed..."
And Dougleen, the one who concludes the poem.
"――And pray for death to you."
They each stirred their cups and placed them on the desk, and Orugan stood up.
"Let's go, Zalvaag. ... See you next time on the battlefield, my friend. And Alberinea."
Then he turned on his heel and strode out of the room.
The escorts followed in a panic, and Zalvaag saw off his master exasperated.
"……Is something wrong?"
He tilted his head and looked at the silver-haired Alberinea.
"The Vice-Chancellor may look like that, but if it comes to a battle, he will do everything in his power to take your life. Don’t think this battle will be as easy as you thought."
After saying that without waiting for a response, Zalvaag followed them.
Krische just tilted her head and Dougleen laughed.
"You sure have made a nasty opponent take you seriously, Krische. Zalvaag is a vindictive, caustic man."
"Hmm...Krische doesn't think there are many commanders who aren't serious about fighting."
"Well, wouldn't it be better if Zalvaag-san is aiming for Krische? If that's the case, I'm sure he will actively move the reserves as well."
Orugan’s sword, Zalvaag.
He is a person who rose from a commoner to become Orugan’s right-hand man with his sword skills and natural intelligence, and basically leads the reserves on the main camp side and solidifies Orugan’s surroundings.
He didn’t wield a sword on the front lines that often, but the warriors he commands are brave.
Once he is released from Orugan’s side, he was almost guaranteed to achieve great results.
Krische, who had heard from Dougleen about Orugan’s trump card, answered calmly,
"Krische sure it'll end in vain though."
A smile appeared on her beautiful face.
