Der Werwolf: The Annals of Veight Volume 14

1. Auflage 2022
ISBN: 978-1-7183-3126-6
Verlag: J-Novel Club
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 250 Seiten

Reihe: Der Werwolf: The Annals of Veight

After hearing of Friede's explosive entrance in Rolmund, the Chrysanthemum Court extends an invitation for her to visit Wa as well. However, this is more than a simple gesture of goodwill. The leaders of Wa are curious to see whether or not Friede is capable of bearing the future of Meraldia on her shoulders. The Heavenswatchers assign apprentice Iori to keep a watchful eye on her, but Friede manages to clear every challenge the Chrysanthemum Court sets in her path. However, the true trial doesn't begin until she enters the Windswept Dunes and is separated from the others...

Autoren/Hrsg.

Hyougetsu

Weitere Mitwirkende

Teshima, Nari

Ningen

Leseproben

Chapter 14

Since we sent our last delegation to Rolmund, Meraldia’s relations with them had improved significantly.

“I didn’t think Friede would accomplish so much,” I said to Airia while sipping on my tea. The two of us were taking a small break from the day’s work. “To think she managed to rescue Princess Micha all on her own. She keeps exceeding my expectations at every turn. Sure, sometimes she acts reckless, but she always pulls through in the end. It’d be a lie if I said I wasn’t worried about her, but she’s grown into quite the capable young woman.”

Airia smiled and replied, “She takes after you, so I’m not surprised that she runs headfirst into danger.”

“Am I really that reckless?” In my case, I was just worried about not living up to the expectations people had of me, so I pushed myself as hard as I could. Honestly, it was exhausting. “I want Friede to be able to live her own life. There’s no need for her to work so hard—I’d rather she enjoy herself a little bit more.”

“I agree, but I’m afraid circumstances won’t allow her to,” Airia said in a worried voice. In truth, I shared her worries.

“Come to think of it, Fumino said she had official business to discuss, didn’t she?”

“It’s rare for her to come to us in the capacity of her official title. Most of the time she just comes for a ‘casual’ visit and tells us what she needs done.” Airia chuckled.

I smiled. “Yeah, she purposely makes her visits private so that if anything were to go wrong, she’ll be the only one held responsible. The people of Wa are so insistent on personal responsibility.”

With how many Japanese people had influenced Wa throughout the centuries, Wa’s culture had ended up resembling Japan’s—in both the good parts and the bad.

Airia gave me a thoughtful look and said, “Which means, if she’s actually coming to visit in an official capacity, then this must be serious.”

“Yeah...”

I had a bad feeling about the meeting to come.

My premonition turned out to be right on the money.

“Demon Lord Airia, Vice-Commander Veight. I am deeply grateful that you took time out of your busy schedules to meet with me.”

Fumino was fully outfitted in ceremonial dress and bowed deeply as she spoke. I bowed in return, but it felt strange hearing formal speech out of her, since she normally treated us like close friends. Airia simply nodded her head in return, as was befitting the leader of a nation.

“It is an honor to receive you in my court. Though I have known you for a long time, you have rarely ever visited in an official capacity.”

Airia gently pushed Fumino to get to the point, and she gave Airia a wan smile.

“Yes, I believed a matter of such import would be best discussed in a formal meeting.”

Skipping past the rest of the formalities, Fumino said, “When I told the Chrysanthemum Court that you had sent goodwill ambassadors to Rolmund, they were quite intrigued.”

“Ah, so that’s why you’re here.”

I breathed a sigh of relief as I realized what Fumino had come for. Initially, I’d been worried that she might ask for military or economic aid, but it seemed that wasn’t the case. I waited quietly for Fumino to elaborate.

“The Chrysanthemum Court, too, wishes to host a technological exchange to deepen the ties between our two countries. We would like to invite Meraldia’s students to come visit our country of Wa.”

“You want our students specifically?” Airia asked, and Fumino nodded.

“Yes. However, due to Wa being further from Meraldia than Rolmund we would like a large—or at least, as large as possible—delegation to be arranged to visit.”

I didn’t even have to analyze Fumino’s scent to tell what she was up to. She knew she was being obvious too, and looked shamelessly up at us. From the start she’d known she couldn’t hide her true intentions. And so, I decided to cut to the chase.

“The Chrysanthemum Court wants to meet Friede, don’t they?”

“Ahaha...” Fumino laughed awkwardly.

That was all the confirmation I needed. I didn’t mind sending Friede on another field trip, but there was one thing I needed to make clear.

“I have no problem with sending a delegation, but ultimately it’s up to Friede whether or not she wants to go.”

“But of course.”

Fumino already knew that Friede and her friends would relish the opportunity to visit Wa—Shirin especially. The young man was obsessed with Wa culture. The members of the Chrysanthemum Court had done a good job of inundating him with the wonders of Wa. In retrospect, they’d probably done it so that when a time like this came, they wouldn’t have to worry about him saying no. Their foresight was terrifying.

“You already know they’ll say yes, don’t you?” I asked with a slight frown.

“I would make for a poor negotiator if I did not.”

Of course, all Airia or I had to do was say no, and that would be the end of that. But the Chrysanthemum Court also knew we wouldn’t refuse them. Most of their proposals were mutually beneficial to both Meraldia and Wa, and this was no different. Besides, they usually threw in a nice little bonus whenever they made a request. Sometimes I could squeeze a little more out of them, but they were crafty negotiators so it wasn’t easy.

Airia gave me a big smile—her way of signaling that today’s negotiations were now entirely up to me. I didn’t mind, but there was one thing I needed to get out of the way ahead of time.

“For the record, we’ll be sending these students to Wa as part of their education; they won’t be official diplomats. Diplomacy is important, of course, but the primary purpose of this trip is for Meraldia and Wa’s younger generation to get to know each other better. Will that be acceptable?”

“It will be most acceptable. We, too, want Meraldia’s students to feel welcome in our country.”

Fumino gave me a small smile. I could tell that wasn’t quite what she wanted, but since she’d agreed that was enough for me.

“Our Demon Empress is quite interested in your culture and its ancient ruins as well. Would you be willing to let her and her disciples investigate the Great Torii of the Divine?” I asked with a smile, and Fumino awkwardly scratched her cheek.

“Th-That is...not something I have the authority to approve...”

“The Demon Empress is also Meraldia University’s principal, and our greatest scholar. She would be the perfect person to send on a technological exchange, don’t you think?”

“W-Well...err, you do have a point, but...”

The Chrysanthemum Court knew I’d been reincarnated. The Great Torii of the Divine had brought reincarnated souls and even whole people to this world from other realms. Until it had broken down, it had brought Wa many talented people from my world. For generations, it had been Wa’s lifeline, and it was such a rare artifact that not even Master had seen something like it before.

Of course, the Chrysanthemum Court kept the information on the Torii top secret, even in its defunct state. They likely didn’t want someone from another country investigating it. For a long time I’d respected their wishes, but I really did want to know more about it. It was the only portal I knew of that connected to other worlds. Naturally, Master was dying to examine it as well.

Hesitantly, Fumino asked, “Are you sure...she’s just going to look at it, Veight?”

“Even she wouldn’t try to take it home. Until now, I’ve respected your history and culture. Surely you can trust me on this, right?”

“I can, but...”

Fumino still looked unwilling to say yes. From her scent I could tell she wanted me to wonder whether or not I’d pushed her too far. Of course she was still a little troubled by the request, but not nearly as much as she was pretending to be.

“In return, I’ll ask the Demon Empress to assist in your investigation of the Windswept Dunes. I’m sure it will go much faster with the continent’s wisest scholar helping out.”

Neither storms nor desert monsters could harm Master. After all, she could fly.

Fumino thoughtfully mulled over my proposal. “That would certainly be a huge help. I’ll ask the Chrysanthemum Court for permission to let her examine the Torii.”

Airia turned to me and asked, “Are you sure it’s all right to volunteer the Demon Empress for this job without asking her?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll convince her, Airia. In the meantime, you should make sure all of the students really are interested in going.” I turned back to Fumino and added, “Fumino, at the end of the day, Meraldia still puts the wishes of our people before the needs of the nation. If for whatever reason Friede doesn’t want to go, please don’t push the issue.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t want to force her into doing anything.”

Fumino seemed...