Princess Mia Sips Milk and Monitors the Scene
“That cookie with everyone from the village? Gulp… but, I don’t know…”
Aima exclaimed in agony while cradling her head in both her hands.
Mia was convinced of her victory as she observed this sight.
‘Hmph, it’s only a matter of time before she folds.’
Things seemed fine at this end, so Mia turned her attention to Malong’s group. Mayun appeared calm and leaned in as he listened intently to his son’s words. Mia stared at him trying to gauge his true intentions. Mia sensed a familiarity in Mayun’s expression as he looked intently at Malong.
And that’s when she realised.
‘Didn’t that damn glasses often make this kind of expression?
Although he knew the best answer himself, he deliberately chose not to disclose it. Instead, he waited for me to think. When I finally did my very best to come up with an opinion, he would mercilessly criticise it. That was a common tactic of the damn glasses, Ludwig.
At that time, I was quite angry about it. However, looking back, it was probably instrumental in my growth. Yeah, I was very angry then, but I am grateful for it now. No, actually, that’s not correct. I am grateful, however, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m still angry about it!’
After dishing out a couple of novice-level kicks to the Ludwig in her head, Mia started thinking again.
‘Anyway, from the looks of it, it doesn’t appear as if Mayun-san is particularly against helping the Fire clan. The overlap of past Ludwig’s expression with Mayun’s probably makes me reach that conclusion.’
It was a tactic to encourage the growth of youngsters:
Play devil’s advocate in order to elicit opposing opinions and help them organise their thoughts and sometimes reaffirm their own opinions.
Mia sensed that Mayun had the composure of an adult and his attitude suggested that he was trying to impart a valuable lesson.
If that were indeed the case, Mia thought the problem would likely be resolved even if she chose to ignore it.
‘With that settled, the only remaining concern was the matter of the people connected to the Serpents. Aima-san was probably acquainted with the Wolf master. I wonder if she would answer honestly if I asked her?’
After studying Aima’s face intently, Mia came to a conclusion.
‘Hmm, I expect she would talk easily! If you stack a bunch of cookies, I think she’ll probably spill the beans one way or another.’
Mia’s insight when it came to those of her own kind was relatively sharp. In any case, Mia realised that it probably wasn’t the right time to ask that question.
While she pondered the best way to proceed, the conversation continued.
“I see. I have no objections to helping out the Fire clan.”
Mayun nodded and said with a calm expression on his face.
“However, sorting out complications from the past is not that easy. Reconciliation is not that simple, is it, Miss Aima?”
“Hmm? Oh, yes, indeed… That’s right. Of course, naturally. I won’t be swayed by cookies or anything.”
Aima said that with a stern expression.
However, Mia was slightly amused.
‘Hehehe, Aima-san seems to lack self awareness. She doesn’t realise she has a weakness for food; she has a long way to go. Well, it can’t be helped; most people do tend to judge themselves leniently.’
Indeed, Mia was very perceptive when it came to her own kind!
“From our point of view, we cannot turn a blind eye to the use of cursed techniques like controlling wolves. Opinions will definitely vary on how to deal with the Fire clan. However, given the urgency, a leisurely approach to this issue is not possible. If Miss Aima can guide us to the location, the Forest clan can send food supplies immediately, allowing them to manage for the time-being. Meanwhile, I will gather all the clan chiefs for a discussion on this matter.”
Aima rolled her eyes at those words.
“That’s idiotic. Do you expect me to just tell you the secret location of the village? There’s no way I can do that.”
‘Ah, I see. She would undoubtedly be wary of something like that. From Aima-san’s perspective, the Equestrian Kingdom is her sworn enemy. Hmm. I wonder what Mayun-san is planning?’
Mia didn’t hold her breath. Instead she drank another helping of hot milk and watched.
“I understand that. So let’s transport the food supply to some mid-way point.”
“Lord Mayun, may I have a moment?”
Someone spoke up to interrupt Mayun’s proposal.
Rafina Orca Belluga, the girl with the serene smile, raised her hand.
She glanced at Mayun, looked around at everyone and then calmly spoke.
“Regarding this present matter, despite several incidents in the past, it pains my heart that innocent people are suffering. We, the Principality of Belluga, cannot stay silent and overlook this issue.”
Rafina declared in a dignified voice.
They were the words of the Saint, grounded in ethical principles and beyond reproach.
“What do you think? Can I also help with the transport of the food supplies?”
“Help? In what way?”
“Well, I would like to accompany those transporting the food supplies specifically.”
Rafina smiled calmly as she made the proposal.
Actually, at this point, the Principality of Belluga could not contribute much. Contacting the homeland and sending supplies would take time. In that case, the quickest way to send supplies would be for the Forest clan to directly transport them to the hidden village or to transport them to a midpoint, as Mayun suggested. From there, Aima and her clan members could take over and handle the transportation of the supplies themselves.
Since Aima did not wish to disclose the location to the village, Mayun’s proposal was the most realistic and practical solution.
Yet, Rafina dared to interrupt Mayun’s proposal and offer a suggestion.
In other words, her idea of ‘help’ was to accompany them.
“No harm will be caused to the Fire clan in my presence. You wouldn’t betray our trust, right?”
What Rafina meant was that in addition to the two concerned parties, namely, the Equestrian Kingdom and the Fire clan, the Principality of Belluga would also be involved as a witness. With the impartial perspective of a neutral third party, the possibility of the Equestrian Kingdom committing any unjust acts towards the Fire clan would be eliminated.
However, this was not as well received as she expected.
“That’s a farce. If the Equestrian Kingdom and Belluga, or rather, that person called Mayun chooses to collude with you, it wouldn’t matter.”
Rafina gave a cool smile in response to Aima’s snort.
“If we do that, not only the name of the Saint of Belluga but also that of the Holy Principality of Belluga would be ruined. You must know some methods to take advantage of that failure, right?”
Rafina spoke, her gaze probing as she looked up slightly.
Aima made a disgusted expression in response.
“I don’t know of those methods. But, if it’s someone who knows such methods then I think I have an idea who that might be.”
After muttering bitterly with a loathsome expression, Aima fell silent.
Rafina tilted her head while observing Aima.
‘Maybe Aima-san is not a Serpent herself, but she is definitely connected to the Serpents.’
Rafina’s proposal was obviously not made out of pure good will. The objective was to further investigate the Chaos Serpents. It would not be wise to knowingly let go of the serpent’s tail after finally getting a grasp of it.
Rafina continued further.
“As my guards, I request that the escorts from the Forest clan act under my jurisdiction in accordance with my requests.”
Inevitably, that was the conclusion to Rafina’s proposal.
As per tradition, the protection of Lady Saint Rafina was not undertaken by Belluga but by soldiers commissioned by each country. If the usual custom was followed, then the warriors of the Forest clan would serve as Rafina’s guards.
Rafina believed that it would be difficult to resolve the current issue without the intervention of the Equestrian Kingdom. Sooner or later, it was necessary for both sides to meet face to face and negotiate. However, judging from Aima’s behaviour, the possibility of something unexpected occurring did not seem low.
‘If I am present at that time, then as a neutral third party, I might be able to put an end to any conflict that arises. If there was someone who had simply been caught up with the Chaos Serpents, that person would be an innocent victim. I want to avoid the possibility of such innocent people being injured in the event of further conflict. Besides, someone needs to go to prevent a situation where the Serpents might try to get in the way of a resolution.’
While Rafina was occupied with her thoughts, someone uninterrupted her.
“Rafina-sama, I will definitely – no, please let me accompany you as well.”
Abel stepped forward from the sidelines.
