Tilea's Worries
Chapter 65
Alhas Edim sighed while wiping a stain on the carpet in the hall.
Being threatened by the demon lords of the Demon Army to "clean it till you could lick it off," he couldn't afford to slack off.
"Hmm, the dirt seems to be coming off quite a bit."
"Lord Edim, let me take it from here..."
Cas staggered as he grabbed my rag.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, no problems. I cannot allow Lord Edim to continue doing such menial tasks."
"Alright, I'll leave the rest to you."
Handing over the rag to Cas, he left the cleaning to him.
Leaning against the wall, Edim contemplated the outcomes of the diplomatic negotiations.
...It's hardly a success.
The first treaty was fine; the war criminal Kouan was executed. His head blew off, but he was executed nonetheless. However, not being able to bring back his head was a sore point since the higher-ups intended to display it at Sanjo River.
The second treaty was clearly a failure since we couldn't secure even a single gold as compensation. The only achievements were the furnishings Ortidiot brought in and killing two soldiers from the Demon Army.
As for the third treaty, it's debatable whether it was a success. The territorial boundary between the Evil God Army and the Demon Army was set, but it ended up in an exchange of half of Karabuto for Chishima. Technically, the southern half of Karabuto is larger than Chishima. There might still be room for justification.
This round of diplomatic negotiations...
I'd give myself fifty points. It's almost impossible to make these demands stick without being a victorious country. Still, I did my best. I should be able to plead for leniency from Lady Tilea due to her kindness.
The biggest concern now is the ceasefire agreement with the Demon Army.
That's an unpleasant souvenir.
It will likely be a major topic at the Evil God Army's council, and I'll be strung up for it.
Should I just leave it unclear?
I didn’t hear anything. I didn’t know anything.
No, that won’t work. A lie made in haste will eventually be exposed. If it caused any harm to the Evil God Army because I didn't communicate, that would be trouble.
Hmm, I need to think carefully about how to bring it up.
Damn it. Why do I, merely a vice envoy, have to worry so much? This should all be Ortidiot's responsibility!
Ah, speaking of which, what's Ortidiot doing now?
Concerned about the fool, Edim moved to the Evil God Army's diplomatic delegation’s room, Cas having finished cleaning followed him.
Upon entering, they saw Darf restraining Ortidiot in a conversation. Ortidiot was grinding his teeth in frustration. It seems the containment of the fool was still effective.
Darf's face, however, was heavily marked by fatigue. He must have been dealing with this fool for too long.
"Darf!"
"Lord Edim, you look tired from the meeting. How did it go?"
"Ugh, I’ll talk about that later. How is the fool doing?"
"He’s uncontrollable. He’s been incessantly spouting abuse at you without rest. It's unbearable to watch him curse so foully."
"I see. You've had it tough."
To agitate calm Darf this much...
Now, what should we do with this fool?
He was supposed to be killed, but keeping him alive to take responsibility for the diplomatic blunders might also work. We’ll have to have him thoroughly criticized in place of me at the Evil God Army's council.
"Ah, Edim! You scum, how dare you... I’ll kill you, tear you apart!"
Ortidiot noticed me and started hurling insults. Just as Darf said, he looked ready to kill. He’s like a wounded beast that would bite as soon as the ropes were untied.
"Lord Edim, there’s only one thing to do now."
"I know."
I don’t want this fool to catch me off guard. Let’s just kill him. We can report it as an accidental death.
Wait, maybe... he could be said to have taken his own life as a responsibility for the diplomatic failure... Yes, killing two birds with one stone!
I couldn’t help but smirk.
I ordered Darf and the others to surround Ortidiot. We’ll bless him with a barrage of magic bullets from a distance. If we keep our distance, he won’t be able to harm us.
"Ortidiot, it's time to pay your dues."
"Edim, how dare you address a superior officer so casually!"
"What superior officer? You’re just baggage for the Evil God Army. Trash like you should be disposed of quickly, so be prepared!"
"You, you insolent half-demon! How dare you speak so boldly given your uselessness!"
"And you have the nerve to say that? Be objective. Who has been the burden all this time?"
"You! Could you have handled the negotiation without me?"
"That is—"
"As I thought. You're the true burden!"
"Shut up! It's all because of your stupidity that we failed!"
"Don't blame others. You were probably just trembling in fear of Hidler!"
"Silence! Lord Edim bravely challenged Hidler's aura, even under unfavorable conditions, and continued to fight to meet the treaty demands as much as possible. Enough with your insults!"
Cas, incensed by Ortidiot's words, came to my defense. Good, but the way he said it might admit that the negotiations failed.
"Hmph. How brave could he be? If he faced Hidler's aura, he must have fainted. Or did he wet himself?"
Damn, that fool has a sharp tongue.
He knows exactly how to throw the most irritating jabs.
"That’s enough out of you."
"Oh, not denying it, huh? Must've hit the mark then! Hahahaha! That’s what happens when kids don’t wear diapers."
"I’ll kill you. I'll never forgive this!"
"Lord Edim, let's kill him!"
"Alright, let’s hit him with a barrage of magic bullets. Let’s obliterate this fool."
"Agreed."
As Darf and the others conjured magic bullets, ready to unleash them at the fool...
"Stop this!"
A booming voice filled the room. The arrival of the Six Demon General Poe halted our intentions.
"What do you think this place is? I won’t allow such chaos in the Demon Army's castle."
"This is an internal punishment."
"We don’t need outsiders interfering."
Cas and Jin snapped at Poe, but Poe, unfazed, gave them a stern look. The subordinates shrank back. The Six Demon Generals are indeed of a different caliber.
"Isn't this internal meddling?"
I tried to protest, though I thought it futile.
"Indeed. I have no obligation to involve myself in every petty squabble of yours. But do it elsewhere. Such actions here would hinder the ceasefire agreement."
Poe proceeded to untie Ortidiot.
Then, freed from his binds, Ortidiot glared at me and charged. Like a wild beast unleashed, he flung his fist, spreading a murderous intent.
"Edim, I’ll kill you!"
"Ah!"
I braced for the attack.
But the expected blow never landed.
Poe had stopped the lunging Ortidiot.
"Poe, stop interfering. I won’t be satisfied until I tear him apart."
"I’ve already said it. I won’t allow disorder here. If you must brawl, do it outside the demon lord’s territory."
"Huff, huff, huff, fushuur!"
Ortidiot was visibly fuming, his breaths heavy with rage. Poe, undeterred, firmly held him and wouldn't let go.
After struggling for a while, Ortidiot seemed to give up against Poe's strength.
"Damn it, just let go."
"Stop causing trouble."
"Fine. I won’t do it here. But outside, I can do as I please, right?"
"Yes, do as you wish."
Ortidiot sneered.
This is dangerous. I could be killed.
While Poe is here, it’s safe, but once we step outside the Demon Lord’s territory, this fool will undoubtedly attack.
"Lord Edim, do not worry. We will do whatever it takes to protect you from Ortidiot. Once we return to the Underground Empire, he's ours. We shall impeach him."
"Indeed."
Darf and his comrades showed a grim determination.
"Is that the only way?" I thought. "While Darf and the others hold off the idiots, I'll make a run for it."
After some time, led by Po...
I passed through the teleportation magic circle and reached the boundary between the Demon Lord's army and the Evil God's army once again.
Po bid farewell. He asked me to take care of the truce agreement, but if I were to be killed by Ortidiot right then, I wouldn't be able to relay his message. Po seemed aware of this too, having already informed Ortidiot about it, making it clear that even if I were killed, Ortidiot could serve as the messenger.
I was cornered...
As Po left, only Ortidiot and our vampire group remained on the vast plain, dust swirling around.
"Alright, half-demon fellows. Shall we begin?"
Ortidiot taunted with a wicked smile.
"You, you won't let me go, will you?"
"Ha! After the humiliation I've suffered at the hands of half-demons like you. Forgive? Ridiculous! I'm currently planning how to make you suffer before I kill you."
"'Not a finger on Lord Edim!'"
Darf and the others stepped forward to protect me. Everyone was injured here and there. How well could they fight in such a state against a warrior like Ortidiot?
"I'll torture you slowly!"
Ortidiot's fighting spirit surged.
He was indeed powerful. Escaping seemed impossible. He would catch up halfway. If it came down to a one-on-one fight, I might as well fight here with everyone.
The chance of winning was incredibly slim...
Damn. All hope was lost—
"Hey—everyone here?"
"Lady Tilea!"
Just as we were bracing for death, Lady Tilea appeared, riding in a carriage. Myuhen was with her.
"It was tough getting here. We were attacked by bandits one after another along the way. Myu did a great job."
Lady Tilea stepped out of the carriage and began speaking rapidly.
Why here?
Anyway, we were saved. With Lady Tilea here, Ortidiot couldn't do anything rash.
"Lady Tilea, please listen. Edim was plotting a rebellion."
Ortidiot promptly advised her as he saw her.
Damn. So it came to this.
Seeing no chance to rage, Ortidiot switched strategies to have me executed at a military tribunal.
Alright. If it's a slander battle, I can't afford to lose.
"The truth is the exact opposite. It was Ortissio who started the rebellion. He is the traitor!"
"What!? I will not forgive you!"
Ortidiot lunged forward, but Lady Tilea stopped him with one hand. She held onto Ortidiot's shoulder without letting go.
As expected of Lady Tilea. She treated Ortidiot like a child.
"Ort, stop it."
"But, Lady Tilea, the diplomatic negotiations failed because of Edim."
"Lady Tilea, it was all Ortissio's fault. Please, punish him."
"You dare!"
The two of them were stopped by Tilea's calm voice.
"But... Look! Edim and his followers assaulted me. This is the proof of their rebellion."
Ortidiot boldly showed his bruised head to Lady Tilea.
"Oh, you've got a bump there."
That was where I hit him. I hit him hard enough to kill, and all he got was a bump. Too robust.
"Lady Tilea. This assault during official duties. Edim and his followers must be severely punished."
"Edim, did you really hit Ort?"
"Well, that’s..."
"Surely you wouldn’t lie in front of Lady Tilea, right?"
Ortidiot sneered with a threatening smile.
"It's frustrating, but he's right," I admitted. "I can't make false reports in front of my lord."
"Yes, I did hit him. But there was a valid reason. It was to prevent Ortissio from going berserk."
"What do you mean 'berserk'? It's your fault that our diplomatic negotiations failed because you assaulted me!"
"No, that's not true. Things would have been even worse if this idiot had been involved. I actually saved us from his blunders."
"Lady Tilea, don't be deceived. Edim attacked me for his own selfish desires. He’s trying to cover up his own mistakes—how despicable—"
"Stop!"
Lady Tilea covered Ortidiots mouth with her hand, preventing him from speaking further, though he mumbled some excuses.
"Sigh. I had a bad feeling... You really don't get along, do you? Anyway, stop fighting."
"This isn’t a fight. It's all Ortissio’s fault."
"Don't say that. Edim, can't you get along with Ort?"
"I'm sorry, but I must ask for your forgiveness in that matter."
"Can't you listen to what I say?"
"Well, that’s..."
"You're stubborn. Should I issue a decree then?"
Uh oh! That would be really bad. If I refused a decree from Lady Tilea, I could end up being killed by Camilla-sama and the others from the Evil God's army.
"I will manage it properly."
"Good, as long as you understand. Now, Ort, you seem to have lost control again."
"No, that’s a lie from Edim. He did attack me, and he admitted it."
"Look, Edim is a vampire and doesn’t resort to violence lightly. He knows his own strength. If he did strike, it must have been for a serious reason."
Ah... Lady Tilea understands.
Yes, I'm aware that I'm not the strongest in combat. Honestly, I'm no match for Ortidiots. But this time, I had to act because he was completely out of line.
"But, Edim tried to kill me, his superior officer. That's a serious violation of military discipline."
"Ort, Edim was holding back. He wouldn't actually kill you."
"No, he was serious. I felt murderous intent in his punch."
"Ort, think about it calmly. If Edim was serious, your head would be dust by now, or you'd be turned into a vampire thrall."
"Lady Tilea... that’s a bit much. Am I supposed to be inferior to someone like Edim?"
"Sigh. Well, it's valuable to have someone as outspoken as you, without discrimination."
Lady Tilea shook her head in dismay and calmed the raging Ortidiots.
It seems Lady Tilea mistakenly thinks I'm stronger than Ortidiots. To someone of her caliber, our levels might all look the same, whether it's 20,000 or 50,000.
But thanks to this, my alleged murderous intent towards my superior seems to be negated, and it looks like this diplomatic failure might just be blamed on Ortidiots.
I'm really grateful that Lady Tilea came.
"But Lady Tilea, why are you here?"
"Actually, I was asked by Jessica."
"By Jessica?"
"Yes. She said Edim is in trouble and asked me to help..."
Jessica, always meddling. I had specifically told her not to mention it to Lady Tilea.
This time I'm grateful, but if this continues, maybe I should tighten up a bit.
"Sorry. I should have thought more about how tough this place would be for you, Edim."
"No, not at all. It was certainly out of place, but it's also my duty."
"Jessica told me, and I realized Edim must have been under a lot of stress. It's scary thinking about being exposed, right?"
"Exposed?"
"Well, Edim is kind of like a half-demon, right?"
"Yes, I am a half-demon, but what about it?"
"I don’t mind. Neither does Timu or anyone in the Evil God’s army. But there might be those in the Demon Lord’s army who think differently."
Indeed, if it was known that I was originally human, who knows what the Demon Lord's army would do to me. There are plenty of pure-blooded demons who would have killed me without question.
"That was careless of me. I could have been killed as soon as I was exposed."
"Sorry, that was my oversight."
"No, Lady Tilea, it's not your fault. I'm grateful for your concern."
So, Lady Tilea was worried about me, a half-demon, and rushed over in haste. Such a gracious act. Now that I’m part demon, I must redouble my efforts to serve loyally.
[TL notes: I would be happy if you gave `The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology` a read, pretty fun story :D]