Chapter 118: 15-year-old Inglis and Hyrule Menaces' Escorting Directive (26)
「Arlman and Shealot……!?」 「W-, why——!? How did it come to that!?」
Black Mask calmly told the disturbed Leone and Liselotte.
「There is nothing surprising about it. The town of Arlman has been relieved of its purpose of guarding the frozen Prisma, while the lord of Shealot, Prime Minister Althea, has retired from his position and distanced himself from both the Royal faction and Prince faction. In short, he is of no use for either party. Giving away those two territories will have the least impact.」 「That’s not what it’s all about!」 「Why must it resort to that!? Where is the justice in doing that!?」
Black Mask brushed aside Leone and Liselotte’s threatening attitude.
「It’s no use asking me that. It’s precisely because we don’t approve of that, that we are standing in this position.」 「That’s right! Don’t get mistaken! If you want to lash out, lash it out to your own stupid king for selling out his own people just to butter up to the Highland!」 「「……!?」」
As Cystia’s critic was justified, neither Leone nor Liselotte could rebuke her.
「Hmph. Look how happy-go-lucky this kingdom is, making up useless turfs like the King faction or Prince faction or whatnot. So blind to what’s really important. See, how that ignorance kills your own people. Tell you what, I hate this b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲, but he’s got more brain matter than those fools you call royal family.」
Spoke Cystia with her eyes locked at Leon.
「……Stop it already. My own decision has made the town of Arlman, my own parents, even my little sister unhappy. I’m not a smart guy, not at all. Just an absolute moron who fails to live up to their expectation. In the end, I’m just looking out for myself.」 「Cystia. Despite his looks, Leon is a kind man. When his moral law and the happiness of the people he cherished contradicted, his heart aches for the one he didn’t pursue. That’s why, don’t touch that topic too much.」 「Understood, sir.」 「These girls are also seeds of the future Knights. There are things they cannot say or do. The internal problems of Midland Kingdoms are theirs to solve. It is none of our business.」 「Yessir. Understood.」