Chapter 47

After making Erune fall, I took a little break, then straightened my clothes to get ready.

At the same time, I fixed her dress has well.

After all, we cannot afford to go outside in this state.

As soon as we got ready, we left the room.

The room was on the far end, so they shouldn't have heard the sounds, probably.

"I want to get my people inside"

I said to Erune, who was walking next to me.

She walked in a pose so splendid that you wouldn't think this is the same woman that I broke a while ago.

"That may be difficult"

"Even for you, the head of the knights?"

Erune affirmed through my words.

Great, and here I thought Erune had a quite a lot of power...

This country doesn't trust anything other than Bivnaheim.

In that case, it is the army here that has power.

Because they were once destroyed by the demons, they invested more in their war potential.

It is the knights that protect the center of such a country, so Erune who is a leader must have considerable power …

As if she caught what I was thinking, Erune explained to me.

"Though there is a king in this country, below that is a parliament elected by citizens."

"Parliament? Oh, I see …"

From there, I immediately understood.

It is because there was also a parliament in the country where I lived in the previous life.

"In this country, the power of the king and the power of the parliament are at odds. Above all, the knights are an organization under the king."

Erune went on to explain this country.

It seems that the king had the most of the power before it was heavily damaged in the previous war.

After they have been defeated, he was forced to take the blame for the huge losses.

Then, the said parliament was born, in order to contain their criticisms to the king.

If so, then it seems that the military forces of this country is headed by the parliament.

"The knights remained to be under the king. However, they were downgraded to just an organization to protect the city's security."

Unlike the image I was looking for, to think they became similar to the police now…

"That's why not all your friends can get in. It will make you stand out too much."

Certainly, I'm sure it'll create much more uproar than Bivnaheim's.

I worry about Effie this time.

"If everyone is impossible, what if I only take a single person with me?"

"Then you may be able to secretly go to the King"

"Thank you. This is a great help for us."

I patted Erune's back in gratitude.

If I'm alone, I don't have anyone to contact outside when something happens.

So I'm going to choose Cecil as my companion.

"By the way, to your other companions that will be standing by, have them stay at the Knight's facility just in the outskirts of town. Their level of accommodation is similar to an inn's so they should be fine.

"Understood. I'll let them know"

At least, they can rest much more than compared to sleeping in a tent.

After that, I went into the city with Cecil as planned.

We wore hooded robes to hide our sharp ears.

Then, we were led by Erne to the castle where the king is staying.

"I thought this town would be much different because it hates other races, but this is surprisingly normal."

Cecil who walks next to me said unexpectedly.

"That's right, it looks no different from the city of Bivnaheim"

People are coming and going, and the shops on the street are full of vigor.

Dark emotions could not be felt from the faces of these inhabitants.

"It because inside this city... inside these walls is a living space only for humans. For them, it's like a sanctuary.

Erune explained to us with a proud tone.

The peace of this city is thanks to the work of the Knights.

"Let's hurry on ahead. If they find out who you are, even I won't be able to stop the commotion"

We nodded in earnest to her words.

We reached the castle while using the back alleyways so as not to stand out.

And we even went in from the back door so that the citizens would not find it.

Of course there were guards in the back, but when Erune made up a few words, it became easy for us to pass through.

The knights are an organization close to the king, so Erune's persuasion is quite effective in the castle.

After we went through the castle to some extent, we were guided to a certain room.

"This is my office. You...Cecil, correct? You should stay here in the meantime"

"If something happens to me, contact the others. I'm counting on you"

"It will be done, your Highness. Please be careful"

Cecil bowed toward me and stepped into the room.

"Today I'm supposed to be at the gate, so no one will come to visit here"

Erune assured the safety of Cecil.

I could only nod to her. This time I will now face the King.

There seems to be similar to an Oval Office of the king of this country here, and it's located at the top of the castle.

"I'm going to check with the King. I will return soon"

Erune left me and proceeded to the office first. After that, several minutes passed before she came out.

Was there a heated debate inside? Her face is a little flushed.

"The king is now willing to see you. You may now come in"

Urged by her, I have entered the room at last.

The interior of the room is surprisingly simple, and to describe in simple terms, gave a feeling of being really sturdy as well.

At the desk at the back of the room, there was a man in his fifties. Is he the King?

He had a body so toned that if he called himself a warrior then I wouldn't deny it at all.

"It is my outmost gratitude to see you for the first time, your Majesty. I am Allan vi Aling, Alinheim's prince"

"So, you lowly being are the Elven Prince that our Knight commander's been talking about"

The king looked at me from head to toe, as if appraising my value.

It is good if I were to be gazed by a woman this way, but I feel goosebumps when it's a man like this. Worse, I feel like I'm being licked over.

"Then first of all, show the branch of the King Tree. I would like to confirm it with my own eyes"

"As you wish. Here it is"

The king carefully examined the branch I took from my pocket.

"Hmmm. It is certainly a branch of the King Tree. However, how can I tell if this is a branch from the Elven Country?"

As if waiting for those words to come out, I took out the remaining branches of the King Tree.

"There are three kinds of King tree branches here. All of them are different, as each branch comes from a different King Tree"

Though the King Trees are of the same kind, their differences rely on the surroundings of the country where it grew up.

"...It is different from the King Tree in my country, and I don't think those demons can raise such a tree considering how splendid this branch is..."

He seemed pretty reluctant, but though indirectly, he admitted that I am a prince of the Elves.

"I have heard you lowly being's purpose. However, are you really serious?"

"Yes, we are. After all, after this country, we will be going to the Country of Demons next... to Lachmaheim"

"And here I thought you are forming a coalition to defeat the demon race... but forming a reconciliation? ...…I cannot accept this"

The king shook his head and denied me.

"I have only heard rumors, but just how many in this country hates the demons? Also, is it not good for the country to treat one entity as an enemy for eternity just because you once stood against it?"

"Hmmm..."

The king could only refute back with a groan.

He, of all people should be aware of that the most.

A country develops more if it improves relations with others rather than making an enemy of them.

It's because the funds that should have been for the army can now be diverted to other projects.

"However, the citizens..."

"This is the problem of your country. In order to resolve it, I would like to make a deal with you, Your Majesty. If you entrust me with the branches of your King Tree, I will change your life and improve my relationship with the demons will be improved"

Thinking it was time, I approached the king and pushed it a little more.

"I understand your enthusiasm. But if by any chance you were captured by the demons...What about the branches of the King tree?"

Indeed, it is likely to be misused to Demon race.

But I already have an idea for the sake of it.

"If that is the case, can you lend to me your knight leader? I know her feelings for her country well"

"I see what you mean... Commander, what do you think?"

Erne who was waiting behind comes out and salutes.

"Ha! I will not let the Demons take it, even the cost of my life!"

"... Very well. Let's try it, that method of yours. If it works, then I'll try to persuade the Parliament and the people"

After the king said that, he pulled out the tree branch from the tight safe in the room.

And then, I received it.

"Let's hope it to go well. Use the empty room of the castle tonight. And get out early in the morning so they won't find you tomorrow."

After he said so, he sat on his chair again.

I bowed towards him, and I left the room with Erne.

With this, I have finally obtained our fourth King Tree Branch.