Chapter 24: Political Marriage

Is Ran that famous?

Tsk, tsk. Didn't you sleep through Merlin's history class?

Well, I've never actually attended a history class, you know?

You kids really need me to explain everything.

She's the Swordmaster who ended the Hundred Years' War centuries ago. With just one sword, she decimated an entire nation.

People called her the White Witch. Although she disappeared afterward, sightings occasionally surfaced.

I never thought I'd see someone from history in person...

Aren't I also in history books, Elizabeth?

...I'm sorry.

Regardless of who Ran is, we won, right?

That's not the point, Ethan. The fact that you pushed her that hard is what matters.

What?

As much as you don't want to admit it, you've become a major celebrity.

...Well, if you guys hadn't supported me, I wouldn't have stood a chance in the first place.

Haha, nice to see you guys getting along well this morning!

Hey.

Hi. Let's go to the Throne Room.

Oh... you are here, my Swordbringer.

Ah, yes. I've come to receive the alliance pledge.

Haha, of course, I must take the pledge. After all, you're going to be my son-in-law.

Huh? Son-in-law?

Isn't that obvious? The prize for winning this Colosseum is a marriage to my daughter, Guinevere.

Father, you're embarrassing me.

Oh... I...

Uh, just the alliance pledge, please. I need to return home afterward...

If you don't marry my daughter, there will be no alliance pledge.

King Leon..!

We can't offer our army without any compensation, Your Highness.

...

Please give me a moment to think.

Very well. When you've made up your mind, return to the Throne Room.

Did you know from the beginning what winning the Colosseum meant?

Yes, I did.

Knowing that, are you really okay with this? I'm not royalty.

Status doesn't matter at all. Besides, you're recognized as a Swordbringer by Merlin. You're a war hero from Cornwall and Salisbury... that's more than enough for me.

Are you serious...?

If we marry, our kingdom will be under your protection, and our alliance with the Britannia royal family will strengthen.

Don't you think so, Princess Elizabeth?

.......

Oh my, haha, were you hoping for something more?

Elizabeth!

Seems like it's not just a simple partnership, is it?

Hmm... I suspected as much.

Elizabeth...

Ethan... I'm so sorry... I just couldn't stand by and watch...

Are you really okay with this marriage, Ethan?

W-what are you talking about? You know I'm not in a situation to do that.

Is that so...?

It's such a ridiculous condition, but I felt so pathetic for hesitating for a moment because of the alliance pledge.

And my feelings became so complicated that I ran away without saying anything.

Ethan, I...

Elizabeth...

Y-your Highness!

Bedi?

We have a problem!

What's going on?

The envoy from the Ygritte Grand Empire...

What?

Elizabeth...

Let's go, Ethan!

What happened, sir?

A prince from the southern Ygritte Grand Empire has come personally. It seems they've succeeded in uniting the continental nations.

I see where this is going...

They're planning to invade the north soon.

But to the Ygritte Grand Empire, the Britannia continent is like a double-edged sword.

Letting it be is a waste, but invading seems like it would incur heavy losses... So they've come to try to subjugate directly.

But...

So how should we resolve this?

We must negotiate with Lucius... the prince of the Empire.

It's my first time meeting you, King Leon.

Welcome, Prince Lucius.

You've heard the situation, I believe. The Ygritte Grand Empire has achieved continental unification.

Next up are you Britannia folks from the island nation.

However, I believe it would be inefficient to conquer your continent for no reason.

That's why I've come here on my father's orders. You should be grateful.

...

I am generous, and I will subjugate your nation without any bloodshed. After that, I plan to expand from here.

But subjugation requires a price. Your daughter is a beauty that cannot be found even in our great Empire.

But...

Hand her over to me.

Then I'll take your daughter as my concubine and return, establishing a lord-vassal relationship with your country.

Such a coercive proposal cannot be accepted...

I can do it, father!

Guinevere!

If the Ygritte Grand Empire declares war, our kingdom is finished. If that's the case, then I'd rather...

What do you see marriage as?

W-what?

Isn't it where a man and woman meet, build trust and love, and that culmination leads to marriage?

Are you truly okay with being taken away like a prisoner, like spoils of war?

...

What use is that...?

That's true, my daughter.

Prince Lucius, no matter how great your nation is, you shouldn't conduct diplomacy in such an impolite manner!

You have some spirit. Are you testing my generosity?

But before that, I cannot let that insolent fool who interrupted our conversation go unpunished.

Wait! Ethan is the Swordbringer designated by the Great Sage Merlin. He is not just an ordinary commoner.

Oh? The Swordbringer.

Is he the war hero who found the Holy Grail? I've heard rumors about him all the way across the sea.

He even won the Colosseum tournament this time, didn't he?

That's right.

Haha, indeed. As you all know, I have a great interest in swordsmanship as well.

Let me propose a game.

If I win in a duel at the Colosseum, I'll take your daughter. What do you say, King Leon?

...

Let's do that.

S-Swordbringer!

Ethan?!

Your Majesty. If it's Ethan, it's worth a shot. Even if he loses... we don't have other options.

Guinevere...

Ha, what a nonsense.

I am visiting in the capacity of an envoy. I should be treated properly. The duel will be one week from now, at this time.

Fine.

What have you done, Ethan!

No matter how skilled you are, a duel with the prince of Ygritte is too much.

I defeated the White Witch, didn't I? A punk like that shouldn't be too hard.

That's...

What is it?

Lucius is the only one in the Ygritte Grand Empire who has formed a contract with a dragon...

When the Red Dragon Karishara exists on the Britannia continent, then there's the Black Dragon Dark Lord in the Ygritte Grand Empire.

What does that matter? I didn't see any dragons around.

... He can summon the dragon from the void and unleash breath attacks from anywhere.

...

Oh... really? What should we do, Morgana? Should we run away now?

Ugh! Seriously, you...

You can only win before he summons the dragon.

That makes sense... but will it work out...? The opponent controls a dragon.

... I've heard there are artifacts related to dragons deep within our castle dungeon. Maybe you should check it out...

There might be an artifact that can stop Lucius's dragon!

Right, we have a week, so we should do something.

Treasure hunt!

Well...There's not much here in the near entrance.

No, this place can't be entered by just anyone who isn't skilled.

Ethan, you're really impressive. You're the kind of man I've been keeping an eye on! Hehe!

Gah..!

Let's hurry inside.

Another bust...

There can't possibly be ancient artifacts in a place like this. I'm tired; let's go back.

The underground dungeon isn't finished yet. Let's go a little further.

Ah, I'm hungry!

Is that...?

It's a magic blocker. It's old but was often used in battles against dragons back in the day.

If we have this, maybe we can prevent Lucius from opening a dimensional gate?

If it works properly, it might be possible.

Ethan! With this, we might be able to handle him!

Alright, let's go back. We've spent quite a bit of time already.

To Salisbury!

...Given that he still hasn't shown up, it seems he intends to deceive me, Swordbringer.

Dark Lord's breath is just right for cowards...

Wait!

Let's start now, you brat.

Heh, cocky little brat. Fine! Let's enjoy ourselves.

Tch, this lowly creature...

I guess I'll have to summon Darklord after all.

Go! Dark Lo...

Now's the time, Ethan!

Hiya!

Ugh, what's wrong with...

Now!

Aargh!

Stop! Stop it!

He won...

You won, Ethan!

The victor... is the Swordbringer!

Yaaaaah!!!

Thank you, Swordbringer.

Now keep your promise, sir.

Haha, I'm in awe of your skill. I'll pledge to the alliance, but I won't give up my son-in-law.

King Leon..!

Hehe, your bravery and ambition... it's definitely different from an ordinary man. This girl is completely smitten!

W-What are you talking about?

Hehe, once the war is over, I'll make my move. Until then... I'll also give Elizabeth a chance.

........

Haha.. Wow! We've now secured the alliance pledge between Cornwall and Cameliard!

...............

Your Highness...

Oh, oh right. Where's next...

It's the Kingdom of Mercia.

Right, that's right. We don't have much time, so let's hurry...

Wait a moment, Ethan. Not yet.

Huh? Is there something else to say?

A letter from Vivien of Avalon came with an artifact enclosed.

Hmm?

Huh? The southern continent?

If it's the southern continent, isn't that the desert area below the Aurelia Principality, which is in conflict with the Ygritte Grand Empire?

In ancient times, that place was a forest.

So how are we supposed to find it...

I don't know how it was made, but if we use that artifact, we can teleport to the ruin with the map.

Damn, if we had this, there would've been no reason to walk around!

Artifacts like this are treasure-grade. Do you know how much magic is condensed into them?

It'll probably break if used for round trips.

I see... The Holy Sword takes priority over the alliance pledge. Once we find this...

Yes. Let's go, Ethan!