Chapter 336 - Chapter 328: New Diplomatic Relations ①
The Grand Duchy of Arqvist had peacefully overcome its first winter since the founding of the nation and welcomed the spring, and calm days continued.
"Now, Eleos. Gently. Hold her gently."
Speaking in a quiet voice, Noein placed the baby—the second child born recently, the eldest daughter Philia—into Eleos's arms. Of course, knowing it would be difficult for Eleos to hold the baby alone, he firmly supported her with his own arms to ensure she wouldn't be dropped.
"Wow..."
Seeing his little sister up close for the first time, Eleos's eyes widened, looking moved despite his young age.
"Talk to her. Gently, so she isn't surprised."
"...Philia. It's Big Brother."
Philia. In the classical language, that name meant "love."
When Eleos called out, Philia turned her face toward him and squirmed. Her eyes were not yet open, but her gestures suggested she understood that someone was speaking to her.
"Wow... Philia, Philia."
Perhaps happy with the reaction, Eleos repeatedly called his sister's name. At the interaction between the young siblings, Noein couldn't help but let his face soften into a smile.
Beside them, Clara, who was resting in bed as fatigue from childbirth still remained, and Matilda, who snuggled close to her, also wore heartwarming expressions.
Since it wasn't good to move Philia too much, they soon returned the baby to her crib, and Noein and the others chatted in hushed voices so as not to disturb her afternoon nap. It was a peaceful afternoon spent as a family.
"...Well then, Matilda and I have to get back to work soon."
In the middle of it, Noein stood up reluctantly. This was strictly a break after lunch. He couldn't afford to rest for too long. The leader of a country is busy with many things.
"Alright, Clara, keep resting comfortably. Eleos, please take care of Mother."
"Thank you, dear."
"Leave it to me, Father."
Smiling at his wife and son, and taking one last look at his daughter's face, Noein left the room with Matilda.
As he attempted to return to his own office for work, Kimberly called out to him.
"Master, Lord Schoenberg arrived a moment ago to give a report."
"Pence?"
"Yes. He mentioned the content is somewhat urgent. He is currently waiting in the conference room."
A somewhat urgent report. In other words, it wasn't an emergency that required immediate action above all else, but there was a matter he wanted Noein to confirm as soon as possible. Specifically, like when an important guest had arrived and should not be kept waiting too long.
However, if it were a high-ranking official from the Kingdom of Lordberg or the Kingdom of Lancel, it would be normal to send a herald and secure an appointment before a meeting. While finding it strange, Noein thanked Kimberly for the report and headed to the conference room.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Pence."
"No. It wasn't something that warranted disturbing your break."
Pence, who stood up to greet Noein's entry, answered while shaking his head.
"So, what is this urgent report?"
"Yes, actually... it seems a guest has arrived whom Noein-sama needs to deal with. Over in Kilde."
Noein tilted his head. If a guest were coming to the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, the first place they would reach should be the capital Noeina or the fortress city Aspida.
"Kilde? ...Could it be, crossing the Lestio Mountains from the northern part of the Adleon continent?"
Then, Noein realized where the guest had come from.
The Lestio Mountains, which divide the Adleon continent into north and south, are lined with countless steep peaks, making human travel difficult.
However, it isn't impossible to cross. In fact, in the Kingdom of Lordberg and the Kingdom of Lancel, there are narrow trade routes connecting to the northern part of the continent in various places, and though the scale is small, there is exchange with the northern nations.
If a person from the northern part of the continent had come across the Lestio Mountains, it made sense that they would first reach Kilde.
"Exactly as you suspected. An envoy has arrived from the Kingdom of Revelant, which is located exactly true north of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist across the Lestio Mountains. I'm told it's an official mission from their royal family."
"I see. In that case, I certainly need to meet them quickly."
"Bart happened to be returning this way, so I've sent him to Kilde to handle them for now... what would you like to do? Shall we invite the envoy here?"
Noein thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes. If it's an envoy from a neighboring royal family, we should welcome them courteously. Guide them to the mansion."
"Understood. I'll use Konrad to contact Bart via 'Far-Talk' to bring the envoy here. They should arrive in two or three hours."
Watching Pence leave the room, Noein let out a small sigh.
"The Kingdom of Revelant, huh..."
Since it was technically a neighboring country, Noein knew the name and a brief overview of the Kingdom of Revelant. He had also spoken about it to his subordinates.
It was apparently a country in the northern part of the Adleon continent, where many small nations stand side by side, with a population of approximately twenty thousand. It wasn't Noein's place to say, but by the standards of the southern continent, it was a small country.
Furthermore, the racial proportions were vastly different from here. Beastmen made up about fifty percent of the population, demi-humans ten percent, and ordinary humans forty percent. In the north, there are many countries where beastmen make up the majority like this, and in these nations, there is no persecution of beastmen; rather, ordinary humans are said to have a slightly lower status because they "lack racial advantages."
And the royal family of the Kingdom of Revelant are tiger-people. Noein had heard that it is not uncommon in the northern part of the continent for beastmen to rule the country as royalty.
"The fact that the royal family went through the trouble of sending an envoy peacefully means they probably didn't come to deliver bad news... I wonder what their business is."
Saying so, Noein smiled at Matilda. Matilda smiled back in response.
It was likely something like wanting to establish a trade route and conduct commerce. While predicting the purpose, Noein began preparations to welcome the envoy.
...
Not long after, a herald arrived announcing that the envoy from the Kingdom of Revelant had arrived in the capital Noeina, guided by Bart.
To show appropriate courtesy to an official envoy from a nation's king, Noein stood waiting in front of the mansion—and raised an eyebrow slightly upon seeing the party.
The racial composition was something that would almost never happen in the southern part of the Adleon continent. An armed elf man and woman, and one armed dwarf man. And a woman—a dark elf—who clearly seemed to hold a higher rank than those three. She was likely the envoy, and the other three were probably her guards.
The envoys each wore ornaments that likely used the furs, claws, fangs, and bones of rare monsters, and among them, the envoy woman's clothing radiated a somewhat mystical dignity. One could tell at a glance that they were guests from a land with a completely different culture than the southern part of the Adleon continent.
"...A dark elf. That's quite rare even in the Kingdom of Lordberg."
"I knew such a race existed, but this is the first time I've seen one in person."
"It's no wonder. Even I only saw them two or three times during my mercenary days."
While watching the party enter the mansion grounds, Noein exchanged this conversation in a low voice with Yuri, who was present as an aide.
The three who seemed to be guards were on foot, and only the envoy was mounted. Perhaps because they had crossed the mountains, she was riding not a horse, but a monster like a giant lizard called a Growth Lizard.
This too, Noein only recognized from having read about it in an encyclopedia based on its physical characteristics; this was the first time he had seen a real one of these monsters.
Arriving before Noein and the others, the envoy dismounted from the Growth Lizard. Then, clasping her hands near her navel, she gave an elegant bow.
"It is an honor to meet you, Grand Duke Arqvist. I am Knight Paulina Beverstamm. I have come as an envoy of friendship from His Majesty Gabriel Revelant, the King of the Kingdom of Revelant. As this was the first visit across the Lestio Mountains, I apologize for arriving without sending a herald."
"Please do not worry about that. I imagine it was a steep journey, but welcome to the Grand Duchy of Arqvist. As the one who rules this country, I welcome you."
Noein was not surprised that they could communicate.
The ancient empire had held a certain amount of influence even in the northern part of the continent, and as a remnant of that, many countries in the southern reaches of the north used nearly the same language as the Kingdom of Lordberg as their mother tongue. The Kingdom of Revelant was one such country, with only slight differences in the accent of some words... Noein had heard this from his wife Clara, who was well-versed in history.
However, he was inwardly surprised by Paulina Beverstamm's self-introduction as a "knight." Her attire was clearly not that of a soldier compared to the surrounding guards, and her physique did not look like that of a combat professional.
Perhaps sensing Noein's doubt, Knight Beverstamm smiled.
"In my country, the word knight is used as a rank, not in the sense of 'one who fights while mounted.' Those who would be called lower nobility in the southern continent are knights, upper nobility are courtiers, and above them is the king. Therefore, I would ask that you treat me... as someone in a position equivalent to a Baronet."
"...I see, I understand. Thank you for the explanation. You must be tired from the long journey, so please, come inside for now."
Noein invited Knight Beverstamm's party into the mansion and personally guided the envoy to the reception room.
Sitting opposite each other across a table, Yuri was beside Noein, Matilda was behind him, and the female elf soldier stood behind Beverstamm.
Noein first introduced Yuri, who was a Baronet, and then again offered words of appreciation to Beverstamm for coming from so far away. She spoke words of gratitude for the welcome and congratulations on the founding of the Grand Duchy, and the atmosphere of the room warmed with such social pleasantries.
Then, Beverstamm straightened her posture slightly.
"Now, Lord Arqvist. I have stated that I have come as an envoy of friendship from the Kingdom of Revelant. I would like to speak regarding that matter."
As she showed signs of entering the main topic, Noein could tell by the aura that Yuri tightened his focus beside him. Noein also nodded while once again adjusting his social smile.
"I understand. I shall listen."
"I am grateful. Then... my liege, His Majesty Gabriel Revelant, desires to establish friendship with the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, build a trade route, and conduct commerce. I have come this time as an envoy of negotiation to convey this and to obtain your consent, My Lord."
It was roughly the business he had predicted. While thinking so inwardly, Noein maintained his smile.