[Belzegia-sama, His Majesty wishes to see you.]

A harpy came to my room.

From her outfit, she must be one of the Kings Royal Guard.

Checking the time once in my pocket watch for a moment before putting it away again.

Apparently the majority vote has been decided.

I followed the harpy with Seras.

Under the harpys lead, we were ushered into the room where the Seven Lights had gathered yesterday.

Entering the room, all eyes on the room were immediately set on me.

The seating order was the same as yesterday.

However, there was a difference in their expressions.

King Zect, seated in the back of the room, slightly raised his hand.

[Whether we would fight or try to resolve the issue through negotiations A decision has been decided.]

[What was the result?]

[Two votes for fighting them, from Gio and Qir. Three votes for resolution through discussion, from Lieselotte, Kokoroniko, and Armia.]

After King Zect said this

See that?

Liese looked at me with a smile that seemed to tell me such a thing.

[Thus, our country will do its utmost to resolve the issue using negotiation through discussion. Although this wasnt settled unanimously, a decision is a decision. I hope that you will not harbor any ill emotions on each other, and that the Seven Lights approach these negotiations as one.]

Hearing King Zects declaration, Gio only folded his arms, keeping his silence.

[..]

[This is clear to you too, right, Gio? Im counting on you.]

[Honestly speaking, I have my own opinions regarding this matter. But in this country, the decision by Seven Lights majority vote is absolute That has always been the way things work. I have no choice but to accept it.]

[I also have high opinions of your eyes and ears as a Leopardkin. You may not like the results, but lets work together on this, okay? Is that alright?]

[Yeah.]

[Qir too, Im counting on you, okay?]

Qir shrugs.

[I thought Gio would go ballistic but if hes going to accept the results so calmly, I guess I can only go along with it.]

[Ill also be relying on the power of the centaurs.]

[As the Prime Minister wishes.]

Saying this, Qir bowed reverently.

[Is that ostentatious manner reflecting your attitude towards me?]

[A little.]

[Well, fine. Ahh, also Im glad to know that Niko and Armia were able to see my justification. I thank you both for that.]

[I am indebted to you. I also recognize you as our Prime Minister.]

Kokoronikos vote went just as I was informed before.

Gio and Qir also voted for the side that Ive guessed.

And the only one whose vote was said to be unpredictable

[Many of us Lamias have hatchlings. Many of us also belong to the army. The more lives we lose in battle, the more hatchlings without parents there will be. If we can solve this problem without risking our lives, it will be so much better. Well If its just me, who doesnt have any hatchling to leave behind, I can go participate in the war. However, the Serpentine Light Army that would end up going to war doesnt just consist of me.]

[Dont worry, Armia.]

Liese vigorously puffed out her chest.

[Im not going to let anyone die. I will make sure that this situation will be peacefully resolved. This, I promise you.]

Gio glances towards Liese.

[What would happen to the Army Corps?]

[It will be dismantled as planned. The only organization left that can be called a fighting force is the Kings Royal Guards.]

[Are you being serious?]

[You see, we Demi-Humans and monsters were once considered as a threat, didnt we? In order to show that we have no harmful intentions, we need to show that we are such people. The most important thing is to open ones heart and face them with sincerity.]

Disbanding of the retained war potential.

From what she sees, she stubbornly thinks that such was the right choice.

[Theres a chance that we may invite them into our country in the future. I want to eliminate as many factors as possible that could be considered dangerous. Even if they wield no weapons, there are still monsters that could be misinterpreted as evil. We have to sincerely show them that we are peaceful-minded people.]

Standing up from her seat, Liese then walked to the door and stood in front of me.

[And well Thats how it ended up. Youre not complaining, arent you?]

[Do you have a backup plan in case the negotiations break down?]

[I wont break down.]

[And may I ask what your basis for that?]

[Its simple.]

Liese puts her hand on her right chest.

[Its because Im the negotiator.]

[I see.]

[Do you have anything more to say?]

[No. Above all, this decision is a policy that was decided fairly. And just as you said, I am not a citizen of this country. I was only expressing my personal opinion yesterday. Thus, I have no reason to complain.]

[Thats right. Youre an outsider after all. So, do you understand now?]

[What do you mean?]

[Knowing your place.]

It must have been Liese who called me here.

I guess that from the triumphant look on her face.

Im right.

Youre wrong.

[.]

When she saw that I wasnt answering

[Well, fine- You, stand down.]

As if shes trying to slam me down, Liese said.

[Its a pity that you couldnt use us for your own personal purposes, isnt it? The reason for your defeat is that I was in this country to see through your selfish scheme.]

[.]

[We have to discuss our future plans as soon as possible. And what were about to discuss is not something for the ears of a self-centered out-si-der.]

[Thats enough, spider brat.]

Gio chided.

[He may certainly be an outsider, but hes a guest.]

[Unnn, Im not sure what to think about your statement either.]

Armia followed suit.

Snorting in response, Liese turned away.

[Im just telling the truth.]

[No As she said, Im indeed an outsider. If this problem can be solved without bloodshed It would indeed be better. I sincerely hope that your negotiations will go well.]

Turning to the rest of the Seven Lights, I bowed.

[Well then, I will be excusing myself.]

The more wise one thinks they are

The more determined they are to keep on reinforcing the logic that theyve concluded upon.

They would do this until in the end, it becomes the right answer.

They believe in themselves too much.

People call such a thing overconfidence.

However, that was also the same case for me.

I also believe in my own conclusion too much.

Thats why

In the end, everything would just be a clash of two overconfident people.

And then

The only way to get the true answer is to see the results.

And see for ourselves, which overconfidence it is that is truly correct-

The next day.

I requested an audience with King Zect.

Today, we arent meeting in the conference room, but in the Kings Chamber.

Arriving inside, the Immortal King was sitting on his throne.

I could see Gratora standing behind him.

The other members of the Four Warlights werent in the room though.

[We have completed our purpose in this country. And considering the future plans of Liese-dono The existence of us, the Fly King Squadron, could now be considered as a bad thing for this country.]

[Im sorry that you had to be driven out as a result.]

[If Prime Minister-donos intent are strong, I guess it couldnt be helped.]

[Umu. Liese said your presence would bring about an unwanted spark She even saying that you were whispering things into Gio and Qirs ears, for them to choose to fight them Im sorry.]

[No, I did encourage such a thought to their minds after all and besides, she also had a point. Perhaps, Liese-donos decision may be the right one.]

[That is what Id like to hope for. I want to put the future of this country in the hands of the most brilliant Arachne this country has ever seen. To her, who had always been right.]

That wouldnt mean she would always be right though.

[In the end, it is up to the citizens themselves to make the decision for their country. I have nothing more to say about the policy that this country would make. However, regarding the Kurosaga]

[Umu. Until the time is ripe, I will be responsible for their protection in this country. When the time is right, you can come visit again. Dont worry. At that time, I will make sure you will be accepted into the country Gratora.]

[Hahh.]

Responding to King Zects call, Gratora came up to me.

Handing me something, I looked at it and saw that it was the same one Erika had given me before.

The key to the Faraway Country.

[As long as the Divine Beast remains here, you will not be able to re-enter the country without that key. You can use that key the next time you enter the country.]

[I appreciate that but is it alright? Isnt this valuable?]

[The Divine Beast has come to this country. For the time being, we wont be needing that key. Yes You can rest assured that Nyaki-dono is in good hands. I will take full responsibility to ensure that she can live in peace in this country. This, I promise you.]

[Please take care of Nyaki.]

As Gratora returned to her original position, King Zect asked.

[Will you be leaving soon?]

[Yes, time is of the essence after all.]

[I understand. I want to believe that the next time we meet This country will have been reborn as a country that can work hand in hand with the humans.]

Lastly, as if he had remembered something, King Zect spoke.

[When you have the opportunity, Id like you to tell her.]

[Her to Erika?]

[Yes. Id like you to tell her that Im still deeply grateful to her.]

I left the Kings Chamber.

When I returned to my room, I found Seras and Slei waiting for me.

[Lets go.]

[Yes.]

[Pakyuu.]

And

[Master-san.]

Nyaki looks up at me with a slightly anxious look on her face.

[Dont worry.]

Taking off my mask, I knelt down in front of Nyaki, making my eye level meet with hers.

[Everything will be fine.]

[Ummm Nyaki is, Nyaki is-]

[Im not going to say goodbye.]

Nyaki nodded in acceptance.

[Yes nya. Nyaki really, really wishes- that fortune be with everyone nya.]

Nyaki looked like shes tearing up a bit.

Good grief.

Looking at her like this, I couldnt help but feel a smile rise from my lips.

I gently patted her head.

[Be healthy and well, okay?]

[N- Nyaki is a member of the Fly King Squadnya! Until we meet again, Ill make sure that Ill be healthy and well as Master-san said nya!]

Putting on the Fly King mask again, I spoke.

[Good answer.]

Thereupon, we went outside the castle.

We passed through the main gate of the castle.

Telling Nyaki that seeing us here is fine already, I parted ways with her.

We then started walking down the gentle hill.

Stopping for a moment, I looked back at the castle gate once more.

Nyaki is still there.

How should I say this Thats just like her.

As I looked back, I saw someone looking at me from the tower of the castle wall.

It was Gio.

Since were more or less acquainted, I raised my hand to say goodbye.

Thereupon, Gio raised his hand back.

Turning around again, we continued walking down the hill.

Passing through the citys main street, we reached the hallway heading towards the above ground.

Looking back again, this time, I could see the whole underground kingdom from where I stand.

[]

We started walking again.

Walking up the stairs, we came upon the silver door.

Looking around for a moment, I put the key into the hollow area that the king had told me.

The key is apparently not consumed when it is opened from the inside.

It is only when one enters using this key from the outside that it is consumed to which it would then disappear.

The door opens.

Greeting us upon our arrival was the nostalgic heat of the sunlight.

[If it was possible, it would have been great if we could have just destroyed the Thirteen Cavalries right there.]

As long as Liese was there though, that would be difficult.

However, there are other things we can do now.

[Now then How about we just do what we can do for the moment?]

Just like that, we left the Faraway Country.

<A Certain Couples >

[Husband]

[Dont worry. Its going to be okay.]

[No, thats not it Actually, theres a baby in my belly]

[! Is that true!?]

[Yes My apologies, saying it at a time like this]

[Tsk If you had something to say, say it sooner.]

[I actually wanted to surprise you so I planned to tell you this later.]

[Telling this to me at a time like this, well, I really would feel troubled but Hearing this really makes me happy.]

[Gio.]

[Hmph If this is the case, I guess I would have to do even better huh.]

[Youre going to come back safely, right?]

[Of course. Im the guy known as the strongest of the Four Warlights, you know? I will definitely come back safely. I promise.]

[I actually want to go with you.]

[After what youve just told me, thats even more impossible.]

[I guess youre right May the fortunes be with you, Gio Shadowblade.]

[Yeah, Ill be going now. And I will definitely return For you and for our unborn child. I promise.]

<Authors Notes>

We are planning to update the on May 7 (Friday), around 9:00 pm.