ãInglis, isnât itâ¦â¦As if thereâs a maid like you!!ã
There is no way a monstrosity like her that could withstand the power of an Archlord would be a servant for a castle on Midland. It was obvious that she had some kind of background and agenda.
The only thing that came to Abelâs mind was that she could be a new type of warfare weapon prepared by the Three Archdukesâ Party. Technology was an ever-progressing thing. There was a possibility that they might have created a being far superior than Hyrule Menaces that Abel wasnât aware of.
The lots from the Dukesâ Party, especially, were very particular in technological innovations, unlike the Church Founderâs Union which valued doctrines and traditions. In other words, they were a bunch of troublemakers who prioritized intellectual curiosity over safety and stability. The reason why they easily lifted the ban on bestowing armaments such as Flygears was that they were so confident they could produce armaments that outperform it and their advantage over Midland wouldnât waver.
As for Abel himself, he doesnât believe that the people of Midland could threaten the Highland, not even if the heavens and the earth turned over. However, his lord the Founder was concerned. The lordâs decree was absolute for Abel.
And while they were not intimidated by those garbages on the Midland, they still could be threatened by the Dukesâ Party, who were Highlanders like them too. Special Envoy Theodore who had shortly arrived in this country, in particular, was a young engineer who was especially famous even among the Dukesâ Party members. There was no denying that Inglisâ presence was a trap prepared by Theodore.
Is he trying to take advantage of our plan and test out the performance of the new weapon they have been keeping a secret of? If thatâs the case, then itâs a good thing that Iâm the one who came here. I should expose as many capabilities of this Inglis woman as possible while I can. If not, she might be a huge problem for the Churchâs Union later on. This abnormally pretty female poses that much danger in her, after all.
ãTell me! What are you planning here!?ã ãActually, I wanted money for my hobby of eatery tour, so I came here as a part-time workerâ¦â¦I am usually a student of the Squire division at the Knight Academy.ã
Inglis repeated the explanation that Rafinha had also given earlier. Behind that, she was planning to extend the all-you-can-eat deal at the Knight Academyâs cafeteria by guarding King Charleas and Envoy Abel. Even deeper behind that, she was also looking forward to fighting the leader of the Ironblood Chain Brigade, whom she expected to attack this place. However, she promised Rafinha not to say anything weird.
ãHmph, so you have no intention to say the truth!ã ãThat is not true. Everything is exactly as I said.ã ãWell, I donât mind. You can say whatever you want with your mouth! Rather than that, your power! Come, show me more of it!ã
Abel then beckoned her to attack.
ãEven if you told me⦠I am currently in the process of receiving punishment and nothing more, though?ã
It would completely become a match if she were allowed to attack back, which was what she really wanted, but she couldnât just do that. King Charleas would never allow her to attack Abel. He even said earlier that he would execute anyone who tried to harm Abel.
If Inglis violated that, of course, she would be in huge trouble. The all-you-can-eat cafeteria deal would be a thing in the past.
ãThat doesnât matter! In fact, Iâll overlook the punishment if you can defeat me! So come!ã ãSo said Lord Envoy, but what do I do?ã
Inglis turned to King Charleas and asked. She would if she could fight, butâ¦
ãStop! We canât possibly create a ground for future problems by injuring an esteemed envoy of the Highland! We have to settle things amicably!!ã
King Charleaâs reply was as expected. Inglis could feel an undying conviction in his stance of absolute reverence towards the Highland. His stance wouldnât be shaken even if Abel urged him verbally.
ãââSo I was ordered. Iâm sorry.ã
Inglis bowed lightly. Her face seemed calm, but in her heart, she really regretted it. Things didnât always go your way in life. She was so saddened that tears might as well fall.
ãHahn! Youâre really a fool dog, King! That attitude of yours means nothing! Listen, I didnât come down here for the negotiation you called! If that was all, we only had to send some lowly servant as a diplomat! There wonât be any Hyrule Menace exchange happening! Or any rapprochement with the Churchâs Union! Lord Founder is angry, and this country will soon be wiped off the face of the map!ã ãWhaâ¦â¦!? Then why did you come here!?ã
King Charleaâs eyes opened wide. He seemed to be quite shocked. No wonder. He had gone to great lengths to negotiate with the Churchâs Union, but now it was revealed that they never had the intention of accepting it.
ãThere is a talk about an anti-Highland organization called Ironblood Chain Brigade that has been overstepping the line! We knew that if they heard any rumors of negotiation to sell off territories, they would sabotage it, so we laid a trap! When they waltzed in so shamelessly, I will eradicate them with my power! That is why I, the Archlord, am here! Your countryâs wellbeing is never in consideration! Hahahaha!ã
That scornful laughter was enough to shoot the Knightsâ temper high up.
ãW-, what did you sayâ¦â¦!?ã ãYou deceived us and used us as your stepping stool!?ã ãThen why did His Majesty have to suffer that humiliationâ¦â¦!ã
Abel further provoked the enraged Knights.
ãThereâs no meaning! No value whatsoever! Not to you incompetent b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲s̲ crawling on the mud down below!!ã ãããB̲A̲S̲T̲A̲A̲R̲R̲D̲D̲D̲!!!ããã
In the midst of all these angry roars, Inglis was smiling so joyfully. It was a flowery smile, completely out of place, and utterly lovely.
ãThatâs great! This means that you are a villain who backstabbed His Majesty the King and sliced his arm off for no reason, doesnât it? Isnât that correct? Thatâs how it is, right?ã
Which means sheâll be allowed. She can fight. She can enjoy herself!
I donât know why he revealed his true aim, but it doesnât matter at this point. All I can say is that this is very favorable for me.
ãYes, thatâs how it is! That is absolutely right!ã
Declared Abel.
ãThen, Your Majesty. If you command me to strike down the sinner, I shall do so. However, what is your order?ã
With the smile that wouldnât fade off, Inglis asked the King. Rafinha, Redas, and all the other Knights near him nodded their heads strongly, agreeing to Inglis.
ãâ¦â¦donât kill. Arrest him!ã ãYes. By your order.ã
She bowed deeply and received the order. Now, she finally had permission toâ¦
VWOOOMââ VWOOM VWOOM VWOOOMââ
The very next moment, the sound of an Aerial Battleship reverberating through the air high in the sky was heard. It was a different one than the one anchored above the royal palace, the sound of a new vessel.
BAM-BABAM-BABAMBAMBAM!!!
A series of explosions, or rather, gunfire, echoed from the sky. Immediately afterward, many sections of the Royal Castle drummed and shook, like a rumble in the ground.
The newly arrived Aerial Battleship appeared from beyond the clouds and bombarded the area. Its figure could be seen in the sky outside through the large broken window.
ãThatâs Ironblood Chain Brigadeâs battleshipâ¦â¦!ã
Inglisâ most anticipated guest, the Black Mask, had finally arrived. Things would get busy.