"Arthur?" Jack said after seeing the face of the draconian bodyguard who just attacked him.
The player was Arthur Bagrat, the sword master who was also one of the champions of the world tournament. He was wearing a standard Hydrurond soldier's armor instead of the samurai set armor he won from the world tournament, so Jack didn't recognize him. Jack was also too focused on the princess that he didn't use Inspect on Arthur.
"Hm…? You are… Domon's grandson?" Arthur said after recognizing Jack.
"I am Jack… You forgot my name, didn't you?" Jack smiled wryly.
"Do you know this outworlder, Arthur?" Princess Aldryth asked.
"Yes, he is my old enemy's grandson," Arthur answered. His katana was still aiming at Jack.
"Rival! Not enemy! People might get the wrong idea," Jack uttered.
"Why do you want to attack the princess?" Arthur asked. He didn't lower his katana.
"I am not attacking the princess!" Jack exclaimed. "I just want to talk to her."
Princess Aldryth finally noticed Jack's outfit. "Wait! Your clothes… You are Themisphere's outworlder king?"
"You are a king?" Arthur asked.
"You are not up to date with the current news, are you?" Jack said to Arthur. He then answered the princess, "Yes, Princess Aldryth. I'm King Storm Wind of the kingdom of Themisphere. I'm sorry to have to meet you in such a circumstance. I wish to speak to your mother, but she is unwilling to. I hope I can speak to you instead so you can convey my message."
"Princess, do you want me to call the guards outside?" Arthur asked.
Jack shot the old sword expert a glare that said, 'Dude! You forgot we were allies who fought together in the past?!'
"Please lower your weapon," Princess Aldryth said to Arthur. "I don't think this outworlder king meant me any harm."
Aldryth then turned to Jack. "What do you wish to speak about, King Storm Wind?"
Jack was glad the princess was as friendly as her reputation. He didn't waste this chance. He immediately conveyed his intention, "I've sent a message informing your queen mother that Themisphere is willing to aid Hydrurond in fighting the current invasion by Liguritudum and Aurebor. I'm serious about giving this aid, but your mother rejected me. Thinking it is a ploy for another invasion."
"How do I know she is not wrong?" Aldryth asked.
"I take a risk by exposing myself here. This should show you my sincerity. I guarantee you that my intention is only to drive Liguritudum and Aurebor back," Jack answered.
Aldryth shook her head. "I'm afraid that is not enough. How can I know that you are not doing this to convince us to let your army in and then attack us when we least expect it? We can't risk our national security simply because of your guarantee."
Jack didn't know what to say.
He had hoped that his sincerity could convince the princess. But it seemed that although the princess was a friendly and open person, she was not less cautious.
"What can I do to convince Your Highness of my intention?" Jack asked.
"I'm afraid you can't," Aldryth answered. "Even if I want to believe you, my belief means nothing. My mother rarely let me involve in her court. My words will not change my mother's decision. Also, there is no need to worry about the invasion. The might of our great Hydrurond army will beat the invaders back."
'Damn these draconian and their pride,' Jack cursed within.
"Princess Aldryth, please believe me. You shouldn't underestimate the invaders, especially the one from Liguritudum. Your country can be in great danger if you don't take them seriously."
Aldryth simply gave Jack a small smile for a response.
"If you are not willing to help convey my message, can you help arrange for me to meet your mother?" Jack didn't want to give up.
"I'm afraid I have to reject," Aldryth said.
When she saw Jack's disappointed expression, she added, "I'm saying this for your sake, King Storm Wind. No matter whether you are being honest or not, I'm certain my mother will have you captured once you show yourself in front of her. She might even execute you on the spot if you say what you said to me just now. We Draconian are a proud race. Saying that other races can threaten our country is the same as insulting us."
"That is not my intention," Jack said. "I truly want to aid your country!"
"I do want to believe you are being sincere, king Storm Wind," Aldryth said. "But perhaps it is you who underestimate us. What is this to you anyway? Why do you try so hard to aid us? You almost seem… desperate."
"This is because I and the outworlder groups who are in control over Liguritudum and Aurebor are sworn enemies. We have had scuffles a few times before we become sovereigns."
Aldryth just stared at Jack with her small smile. The princess seemed to have a polite temperament, but it was obvious that she didn't take Jack's warning seriously. Jack could see the princess had no intention to change her mind.
When Jack was still trying to find the words to persuade her, she said, "Bringing you to meet my mother truly won't result in anything good on your part. With how our current situation with outworlders, my mother is close to outlawing outworlders completely. It is because of me and Sir Arthur here who shows that there is still an outworlder who can be trusted that she didn't take this drastic measure."
"Situation with outworlders? Do you mean the invasion?" Jack asked.
"No. We have another troubling situation in our country at this time."
"What kind of situation?"
Instead of answering, Aldryth said, "Your time is short, king Storm Wind. I believe you have something to do with the alarm happening outside. I will not tell on you, but you have to leave now before the members of the Church of Creation find out that you are in this safe room."
Jack was unwilling, but kept on being stubborn was also not a good idea. He could just pity the situation.
"Sigh… In that case, I will excuse myself first. Please remember that Themisphere is ready to aid your country when you decided that you can trust us," Jack said.
"Currently we are dividing our army which weakens the ones facing Liguritudum and Aurebor. If you truly want to help, you should pull away your army that amasses near our border," Aldryth said. "My mother will still see it as a ploy, but I might be able to persuade her to draw away the army that is meant for the invasion from your side and use it to reinforce the ones facing Liguritudum and Aurebor."
Jack nodded without saying anything.
"Hey, kid," Arthur called when Jack was about to leave.
"Yes?"
"Your swordsmanship has greatly improved since we last met. I can't believe you can block my slash so perfectly."
"Hehe. Thank you for your compliment. By the way, aren't you a hermit? Why do you join this country's military?" Jack asked.
"Who says I'm a hermit and that I join the military? I am simply here because I am a friend to the princess," Arthur replied.
"Do you mind if I add you to my friend list?" Jack said and sent him a friend invite at the same time.
Jack couldn't stay for long, so he didn't wait for Arthur's reply. He started casting a spell. When it was completed. He disappeared from the room.
