07. Who will capture the king?

 

Judging by her expression, this seemed to be the main point.

 

 

“Hey, wanna be my comrade?”

“What did you say?”

 

She said seductively.

 

 

“There’s something I’m trying to accomplish right now. I’d like you to help me.”

“…Does becoming a comrade mean becoming your Vaemgnir like the Princess?”

“Hmm… well, conceptually it’s similar, but it’s different. There are levels to Vaemgnir, you know.”

 

 

She pointed to the Princess.

 

 

“That kid is a low-grade Vaemgnir. It’s not a contractual relationship, she was just bitten by me. In such cases, there are considerable side effects. Of course, personally, I think even a low-grade Vaemgnir is better than living as a human.”

“Lo-Low-grade?!”

 

Ekaterina flared up and stood up.

 

But Yuri didn’t give her even a glance.

 

 

“But if you come, I can make you a top-grade Vaemgnir… or even a full-fledged Vampire.”

“Either way, if I’m bitten by you, I’ll become a loyal Vaemgnir, right? I don’t think there’s much difference.”

“Well, that’s unavoidable, but I think the merits outweigh the demerits. Just being able to live forever is a pretty big deal, isn’t it?”

“Unfortunately for you, it’s not like I don’t have my own way.”

“Oh my, you have a way to achieve eternal life? As a human?”

 

 

She wore a surprised expression. Full of suspicion, as if asking if it was a lie.

 

 

“The method is a secret. But none of your offers are appealing to me. Including the negotiation.”

“Hmm.”

 

Yuri thought for a moment, then nodded.

 

 

“Alright. Both were sudden proposals anyway. If we meet again later, let’s talk about it in depth.”

 

 

 

“I don’t think that will be necessary.”

 

 

 

Just as she was about to get up,

A familiar voice echoed in the air.

 

 

“Hancock?!”

 

 

She was floating in the air, holding a woman in each arm.

 

 

“H-How…!”

 

 

Judging by the Princess’s surprise, it seemed one of them was the King.

 

 

“Oh my. Aren’t you that little bitch from before?”

“You don’t need to listen to her, Your Highness. I have captured the King as ordered.”

 

 

She landed gracefully.

 

 

“Is that so?”

 

Yuri shrugged.

 

 

“Well, well. The timing is impeccable.”

“It seems our negotiations have become more favorable. Or… would you like to try and snatch the King from us right here?”

 

 

She shook her head.

 

 

“I’ll pass. It’s not that important. And just so you don’t misunderstand, the King of Srodia isn’t that important to the Mei Empire. There are plenty of people to put in place anyway.”

 

 

Ekaterina gave her a look for the blatant disregard, but there was no reason to pay attention to her, who was no better than paper.

 

 

“Is that so? Then let’s meet at the negotiating table later. I hope you’ll bring a more reasonable card then.”

“…The current conditions seem good enough… you’re insisting on taking more than Hasamdo at all costs?”

“I’ve captured the King. I should aim for at least two-thirds.”

“You’re being too greedy.”

“Isn’t that what humans are?”

“Hmph.”

 

She snorted softly and soared high into the air.

 

 

“Greed without ability only invites disaster. I hope you won’t forget the sight you witnessed today.”

 

And then, she disappeared without a sound.

 

 

“….”

 

 

All that remained were the two women Hancock had brought and Ekaterina with a look of dismay.

Even then, the two women were unconscious, so she was practically alone.

 

 

“…Hmph. Just kill me.”

 

She said, her eyes brimming with tears.

She seemed quite resentful.

 

 

Her tightly clenched fist was digging into the floor.

 

 

“What are you going to do with this bitch? Of course, I assume you’ll have her as a rice topping along with the King, but I’ll ask out of courtesy.”

“…I don’t think that’s courteous at all.”

 

 

Aran hoisted Ekaterina, who had lost her will to resist.

She didn’t even struggle.

 

 

“Let’s go inside the castle for now.”

 

The King and Princesses were captured.

In effect, the war was over.

 

 

[Would you like to subscribe to Ekaterina Rial Srodia?]

 

“No.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing. Never mind.”

 

It seemed the lock had finally been released.

 

Aran could roughly guess the condition.

 

 

‘If I gain a certain level of benefit from the previously subscribed ability, is that it? I don’t know the details, but it seems to be in that direction.’

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

Aran had finally captured the King.

 

This news was delivered to the entire territory of Srodia and the Persian army camps.

It was also delivered to the numerous countries that were watching this war.

 

 

“Kya~ That guy finally pulled it off.”

“He really caught her. Huana-unni will be grinding her teeth.”

“Well, her… still, what can she do? Aran caught the King.”

 

Iliana lifted a beer barrel and poured it into her mouth.

She seemed quite happy.

 

“Keukeu. Is Aran going to become an Emperor at this rate? A male Emperor, that would be something to see, wouldn’t it?”

“Oh my, do you think so? That seems like a possibility too.”

 

If he was just a man, maybe not, but Aran is said to be a Tier 6 knight, so it’s definitely possible.

 

 

“Ah, but if we’re thinking this much…”

“Huana will be even worse. But what’s there to worry about? Aran is a war hero now, she can’t touch him openly.”

“I guess so.”

 

 

She drank her alcohol without worry.

The beer barrel was bigger than her body, but she emptied it without difficulty.

 

 

Now that the war is over, they can return to their home country and enjoy a peaceful life.

Maybe they’ll each receive a direct territory and live as lords.

 

 

“I just want to receive a suitable territory and roll around with Aran.”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to go on a trip sometime?”

“Hmm… well, travel too.”

 

A very humble dream for a Princess.

 

“Then shall I join you?”

“Why you?”

“It’s good for family to stick together.”

“A Princess is saying such things.”

“You’re one to talk, unni.”

 

The two laughed and toasted.

 

 

They threw the empty barrel down carelessly and picked up a new one.

 

 

“Sseup… well… it’s unlikely to happen though.”

 

 

A regrettable reality.

Even if she wasn’t a Princess, she was a Tier 5 knight, so traveling abroad was practically impossible.

 

 

That was the same for Aran and Ayla as well.

 

 

“So it’s just a dream.”

“Let’s drink and die today!”

 

Anyway, it’s a happy day.

 

 

The two women drank all night long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

“Hehehe. Now it’s time for the Perverted Highness.”

“…. Stop making that old man-like laugh.”

“Aww. You’re happy about it, aren’t you? Where else can you easily see a cute girl like me urging you to embrace women? Your Highness is blessed.”

 

 

A thorough self-calculation.

There’s no other 4D like this 4D.

 

 

She smiled and stretched her arm forward.

 

 

“Now, enjoy your meal, Your Highness. A delicious feast awaits you.”

 

 

Aran shook his head but entered the room.

 

 

 

 

There were three women inside.

Each boasted great beauty and figures, causing Aran’s thing to immediately stand at attention.

 

 

“Then have a good time!”

 

 

Hancock, pulling her hand and shouting “Fighting!”, closed the door, leaving only Aran behind.

 

 

 

 

“Prince, untie these ropes immediately.”

“Do you know who we are to treat us like this!”

 

The three women’s reactions were quite different.

 

 

First, Yerina, the King of Srodia, trembled and ordered him to untie the ropes, while Florina, the First Princess, rebuked Aran with an arrogant face.

And Ekaterina seemed resigned and had no reaction.

 

 

“To commit such rudeness as a lowly barbarian! The Mei Empire will never stand for this! Release me and my mother at once!”

 

 

Aran was particularly annoyed by Florina’s reaction.

The King too, but how could she be so unaware of the situation?

 

 

This is war.

The three in front of him are royalty, and they have no excuse to die.

 

 

And yet, she’s acting so confidently.

 

 

“Keukeuk….”

 

 

Just as Aran was about to say something, Ekaterina let out a gloomy laugh.

 

 

“…Is she crazy? Are you not aware of the situation right now!”

“Unni, and Mother, if we could be released with just a few words, they wouldn’t have captured us in the first place.”

“What?!”

 

Something of a resigned person was felt.

 

 

“We’re already captured pieces. We have nowhere to turn.”

“Hmph. That a weakling like you was once a Crown Princess, Heaven must be weeping.”

“What Heaven?”

 

They fought even in this situation, showing that they were not on good terms.

 

 

In the end, Aran stepped in.

 

 

“Excuse me. Are you aware of what situation you’re in right now?”

“Shut up, barbarian! How dare you spout such filth!”

 

 

Florina retorted with a desperate face.

 

Yerina seemed to have roughly read the situation and shut up, but this woman didn’t seem to have any of that.

 

“…You seem to be mistaken, but from our perspective, you’re the barbarians.”

“Hmph. It seems the dirty barbarian is saying something. Enough, just untie these ropes. Then I will generously forgive you.”

“Keuk.”

 

 

He couldn’t help but laugh.

 

 

Isn’t she the typical princess?

The result of not being exposed to any danger and growing up being pampered.

 

 

That is the arrogant Florina.

 

 

Aran approached her.

 

 

“Yes, quickly untie my ropes…”

 

 

Ssaak!

 

 

His carelessly swung arm struck her cheek.

 

She fell over with a dazed face.

 

 

“…Wh-What… What are you doing!!”

“Don’t be mistaken. There’s no one to protect you.”