Volume 19 Chapter 5 Conditions For Entry Into The Kingdom Of Messina
Entry into the Kingdom of Messina was prolonged, and even after 5 days, entry was not permitted.
According to what he heard, the diplomatic envoy from the Kingdom of Sylvester included 3 platoons of guards, and when including porters and others, it nearly reached a hundred people.
The scale of such an envoy passing through the country was quite problematic for the Kingdom of Messina, and it was said that a conclusion was difficult to reach.
Prince Theodore, who served as the leader of the envoy, invited Serena and Naresh to his tent at dawn to begin discussions.
Naturally, Al and the others, who were Serena's guards, had to wait outside the tent for the meeting to conclude.
"Why aren't we being granted entry? We're only passing through!"
The angry voice echoed even to Al and the others who were standing guard just outside.
That voice belonged to Prince Theodore.
He was said to be 25 years old this year.
Standing nearly 2 meters (6'56") tall, he wielded a spear with remarkable skill from horseback, a master of martial arts that even Naresh believed he would be no match for.
"W-Well, I apologize. I have been explaining this all along, but the knights of the Kingdom of Messina are not nodding in agreement."
The one desperately attempting to explain in a high-pitched voice was believed to be Baron Nevin.
He was a slightly plump man in his early thirties, an Internal Affairs Minister serving the Margrave Rain family, and was responsible for various adjustments for the current envoy.
"It is your role to negotiate this. If you just relay what you've been told, even a child can do it."
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry"
"It's hard being a great person, huh..."
Al whispered to Orville next to him.
Orville exchanges glances with Al and nods.
Then, some of the men returned.
The man walking in front is a young man wearing glasses named Conrad.
Al saw him before, when he was at Viscount Eugene's to get the Six-Legged Tiger reward.
He seems to be serving Baron Nevin now.
He passed Al several times, but he didn't seem to remember him.
"Finally, the conditions have been presented from the other side."
Conrad entered the tent while saying this, appearing a bit nervous.
It seemed that they discussed those conditions inside the tent for a while.
Al, feeling a bit concerned, quietly cast the spell 'Sensory Boost' as practice.
'...While passing through the Kingdom of Messina, the knights of the Kingdom of Messina will accompany you, ensuring the safety of your delegation.'
'However, your delegation is not to engage with the residents living in the Kingdom of Messina, weapons of military personnel must be sealed, and magic tools should also be placed in boxes and similarly sealed.
The use of spells is limited to inside the tents at the campsite.
If there are necessary supplies, they will be obtained through the accompanying knights of the Kingdom of Messina...'
"So, does that mean we just need to rush through..."
Prince Theodore, upon hearing the conditions from Conrad, murmured as if to spit it out.
Then there was a heavy sound, suggesting he slumped into his chair.
It seemed that going to buy a spellbook after entering the Kingdom of Messina was also not allowed....
In the end, Al, who was allowed to go to Orion's town to search for a spellbook he did not possess, was disappointed as he could not find one.
"I, I don't think it's a bad condition, but..."
Baron Nevin said this with a somewhat fearful tone.
"What about Lady Nora's carriage?"
"There is only one Tagard family carriage, and the Messina Kingdom has no problem with that. I have heard that there are no particular conditions for this entry from the Messina Kingdom."
Conrad calmly answered Serena's question.
"Baron Sennett, what do you think?"
"It's dangerous. For example, if someone who has become invisible using magic or has changed their appearance using 'Illusion' tries to approach His Highness Theodore or Princess Serena, there is no way to protect them. At the very least, I think it is necessary to use the 3 types of detect magic along the way."
Naresh answers Prince Theodore.
"I see... that's true. Is that okay for one person?"
"I think it will take several days, so if we consider the need for replacements, it would be best to have a few people."
Naresh continued to respond.
His answer flowed smoothly.
"Nevin, Conrad, 2 from my Second Knights Order, and 2 from Lady Serena's magic unit, go and negotiate to ensure we can use magic on the way. Is that clear?"
'Huh?'
Al almost blurted out in surprise at Prince Theodore's instructions and hurriedly covered his mouth.
As for the kingdom's Second Knights Order, is there anyone in Margrave Rain's magic unit who can use detection magic?
However, given the balance of each unit, Prince Theodore may have decided on this approach.
Personally, he felt quite worried.
"Understood."
Nevin answered that and left the tent with Conrad.
"Alright, we can finally move forward. If we're discussing the conditions, we should make some progress today. We'll definitely leave tomorrow. Everyone, prepare yourselves."
Prince Theodore said this.
Naresh and Serena greeted Prince Theodore and left the tent, while Al and the others returned to the tent with Serena.
* * *
"Lady Serena, what will you do?"
Al spoke up quickly while following Serena.
"Hmm? Al, did you hear the conversation outside?"
Oops, he asked out of concern without thinking.
Would it be too unnatural to say he didn't hear it?
However, it couldn't be said that he used magic to eavesdrop on their voices.
He could only play it off somehow.
"I used to be a scout, so my ears are sharp. It's a bit fragmented, but..."
For now, he answered that way.
Fortunately, Serena didn't pry further into the matter.
"So... are you worried about the security involving magic?"
Al nodded.
Serena shook her head lightly and began to speak in a small voice.
"After receiving the letter from Lord Duran, I casually asked Melvin about detection-related matters. But he assured me that there would be no problem. I myself am quite worried, so I went ahead with the matter of providing personal protection for Al and the others, but His Highness Theodore has already instructed the magic units on how to proceed through the Kingdom of Messina. I can't change that. I'll just have to leave it to them."
Melvin is the captain of Margrave Rain's magic unit, who is accompanying the mission this time.
Even though he holds the rank of Baron and is a magician, he carries a sword on his belt, and during the 5 days he waits to leave the country, he practices sword fighting with the knights.
Is it necessary to believe Melvin's words on the surface, even though his own life is at stake?
He wonder if Serena's status as the third daughter is surprisingly low.
"I wish I could have done it at Sir Naresh's place..."
"That's a tricky situation. His Highness Theodore doesn't want Naresh to be too conspicuous, especially with the matter concerning Lady Nora..."
Al tilted his head in confusion.
Of course, Lady Nora referred to here is Nora Tagard, the biological sister of Jillian Tagard, who has come as part of the diplomatic mission this time.
"Lady Nora is 18 years old. She lost her fiancé in the recent conflict involving the Marquis Prentis family. And now, the top name being mentioned as her potential husband is His Highness Theodore. Considering the ties with the Sylvester Kingdom, it makes sense. There are even rumors that this marriage might be part of the conditions for an alliance between the families. But there are other candidates too, and among them, Naresh's name has come up. The thing is, if she marries His Highness Theodore, the influence of the Sylvester Kingdom would become too strong. That's why some people within the Tagard family think Naresh, who's connected to the Count Senet family, would be a better choice. Because of this, His Highness Theodore seems to be quite conscious of Naresh. I mean, even though he had somewhat forcibly imposed the title of Baron Sennett on Naresh... my brother's name was also mentioned, but Lady Nora rejected that right away."
Naresh is supposed to have Ruella.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the current Baron territory exists thanks to the help of Ruella's father, the Levy merchant guild, not only in assisting the refugees.
"Of course, Sir Naresh has declined it, right?"
"It's still just rumors. I think Naresh has heard about it, but there hasn't been any formal proposal."
I see.
Well, in this matter, it seems Naresh himself will have to take a firm stance.
"But Naresh's mother had a similar story, and if it comes to Naresh, it might be difficult to decline diplomatically. I might have no choice but to make Ruella the second wife."
Naresh's mother?
Viscountess Tara, I see.
"The marriage of Viscountess Tara into the Viscount Lester family was part of the peace negotiations between the Sylvester Kingdom and the Tempest Kingdom. Originally, Naresh's father, Viscount Lester, and Lady Agnes, the daughter of Baron Scully, who was a ward of the Viscount family, were in love. However, the first wife of Viscount Lester became Viscountess Tara, and Lady Agnes was made the second wife."
So that kind of thing happened, huh?
Viscountess Tara didn't necessarily want to marry into the Viscount Lester family...
Of course, this might be how noble marriages go, but it seems there are various complicated circumstances.
No, he didn't really want to know much about this.
Does Naresh himself know about this story?
"For now, while passing through the Kingdom of Messina, it would be safer to stay as close to His Highness Theodore's carriage as possible during the day."
"Yeah, let's do that. I'll let the driver know too."
Serena nodded in agreement with Al's suggestion.
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