Volume 7, Chapter 11 – The Meeting (2)

“Sara? Could it be that the lady beside you is Her Highness Sara Blackrainbow, the First Princess of the Black Rainbow Empire?”

The President asked her.

Sara-san remained silent for a while, but eventually, as if resigning herself, she removed the veil covering her face and revealed her true features.

“It is as you say. I am Sara Blackrainbow, the First Princess of the Black Rainbow Empire. However, I am currently on the run, and I am under the protection of Saint Fiene Argentata-sama.”

When Sara-san told him this, the President wore a beaming smile, as if to reassure her.

“Princess, you have certainly endured a painful experience. If you are willing, could you tell me in detail what happened?”

“…Yes.”

And so, Sara-san explained the same events she had told us on the ship.

“I see. Princess, if you wish, we shall offer you refuge in our country. Furthermore, we shall lend you soldiers to help you reclaim your nation.”

“That is…”

Rеaԁ on KαtReaԁіոɡCafe

The President made the offer gently, but Sara-san’s expression didn’t brighten.

Huh? It sounds like a pretty good offer, so why does Sara-san seem so reluctant?

“Indeed. For instance, Matar’s second son, who is here, is renowned for his bravery; it is said that no one is his equal when it comes to the sword. I am certain he would support you, Princess, both publicly and privately.”

“Ugh… but…”

Since he’s the Emir’s son, does that make him a prince?

If he’s a master swordsman, it really does sound like a good deal, but Sara-san still didn’t seem keen.

Seeing me at a loss, Chris-san leaned over and whispered an explanation.

“Fiene-sama. I suspect that Sara-sama does not wish to owe a debt to the Yellow Planet Federation of Emirates. There is a great difference between being protected by another nation and being protected by you, Fiene-sama, the Saint. If she were to reclaim the imperial throne while under the protection of another country, she’d never be able to refuse them anything.”

Ah, I see. So that’s how it is.

Reаd on КatRеαⅾinɡCαfe

“Um, President. Sara-san is currently under my protection, so I would like to continue our journey as we are for a while. Besides, if they’ve truly allied themselves with the evil ones, I may end up fighting them as well. When that time comes, would you be willing to lend us your strength?”

“…Is that so. The experience of traveling with Saint-sama is indeed a rare opportunity. Yes, please do rely on us when the time comes. WWe shall overcome every obstacle and show you the strength of our nation.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

The President stepped back quite readily, his smiling expression remaining unchanged.

“Furthermore, the notion of conspiring with the evil ones to turn people into Undying Soldiers is utterly preposterous. Now, regarding the method to repel those Undying Soldiers you mentioned…”

“Yes. About that…”

I explained everything I knew about how to defeat the Undying Soldiers of the Black Rainbow Empire.

“I see. Weapons enchanted with Purification Magic, then. What level of Purification Magic is required?”

“Level 3 was enough to take them down in one hit.”

“Level 3, is it…”

Reαԁ оո ΚαtRеαԁiոɡCаfе

As the President spoke, he looked somewhat discouraged.

“Oh, but I think Level 2 would still be effective. Chris-san’s Magic Sword was only Level 1, but she could defeat them after attacking a few times.”

“I see… To have mastered both Holy Magic and Magic Sword—as expected of a Holy Knight-sama. However, if Level 2 suffices, we should be able to manage on our own eventually if we have our priests take on the Sub-Class of Enchanter. Thank you for the useful information.”

“You’re welcome.”

With that, the President returned to his bright, smiling expression.

“By the way, we are currently looking for an Elf named Leia, who is the younger sister of Lumia, who is here. We’ve heard that Leia was also forced into slavery and likely has an Enslavement Curse Mark. Do you have any leads?”

When I brought this up, the President took on a serious expression, appearing to think deeply.

“…Saint-sama. I am aware that you do not think highly of slavery. Of course, the Enslavement Curse Mark is forbidden, but as for others, our country does recognize the existence of slaves. I ask that you please be mindful of that point.”

“Eh?”

Rеαⅾ оո ΚаtRеаdingСаfe

They allow slavery? There’s no way…!

“Fiene-sama. The Yellow Planet Federation of Emirates has its own laws. Their values may be incompatible with yours, but that does not mean we can forcibly bend the laws of another country.”

Chris-san whispered this to me.

“…I see.”

It still didn’t sit right with me, but I suppose that’s just how it is.

I forced myself to swallow my words of protest.

“However, Saint-sama. It is decreed that both the seller and the buyer of a slave branded with an Enslavement Curse Mark shall be sentenced to death. If Lumia-dono’s sister is within our borders, we should be able to bring her back immediately. I shall contact the various Emirs and investigate, so could you give me a little time?”

“…Understood. Thank you for your cooperation.”

And so, our meeting with the President came to an end.