Ch.139139. Evidence (2)

Despite four days without any progress, the distrust in research results only amplified the fear among the people of the Principality…

Hipplisia.

This strange flower emitting blue light was discovered to be a specific remedy against the Lemtert Plague, and that distrust was extinguished in about four minutes.

However, one hurdle still remained.

To continuously supply the herb called Hipplisia, they needed to overcome this hurdle.

“You’ve had a long journey, Marquis Emerald.”

“Please, don’t call this a hardship. The real hardship is what you all are enduring.”

A meeting between the Seirens and the Principality.

It wasn’t easy to clear the false accusations against those who had only been perceived as enemies by humans until now.

But what if the only way to treat a plague currently afflicting humans was to receive help from the Seirens?

Though confusing, they would immediately reach out for help.

However, the Seirens had already firmly closed their hearts. The Principality needed to present conditions that would satisfy them with the utmost courtesy.

“You’ve employed quite a weak strategy.”

“If we hadn’t approached this way, wouldn’t you have refused the meeting altogether?”

The elder let out a deflated sound and held his tongue.

From another perspective, this meant he couldn’t reprimand them.

‘Still, this is an incredibly generous gesture from us. After all, we were once treated the same way by the Empire.’

The Seirens had consistently expressed their refusal, saying there was no need to proceed with meetings with humans.

They had always said humans couldn’t be trusted, and it wasn’t strange for them to view this meeting negatively.

Nevertheless, this meeting was accepted because the representative was not human but a different race—an Ain.

The leader seemed displeased, and the dissatisfaction with even holding this meeting was palpable among all the villagers near the lake.

Therefore, Muniher resolved never to overlook the fact that the Principality was in a completely subordinate position.

Until now, the Seirens who caused military or social problems were in the subordinate position, but after examining the whole story, it was firmly established that the fault lay with the Principality.

“Let’s put aside the trivial talk. As you know, the Principality wants Hipplisia.”

“And?”

A skewed attitude suggesting they should organize and state the desired answer themselves.

This was quite rude behavior toward an official representative. If any of the Principality’s ministers had been present, they would have immediately rebuked the old man’s attitude and left.

‘Hmm. So they’re taking such a high-handed approach. They must be reluctant to give it up easily.’

That was understandable. It was obvious that this meeting wouldn’t have been welcome to them either.

Muniher, thinking that such an approach actually simplified the attitude the other side should take, handed over a prepared document to button up the first step.

“What is this…?”

“First, it’s to specify that your false accusations can be cleared. The truth behind that incident is being revealed smoothly.”

“Do you think this trivial thing will make up for the treatment Seirens have endured?”

The elder began to express his anger, crumpling the document he had received.

“Do you know what we Seirens have endured since that day?! With just, just this, you think you can comfort those who are no longer part of this world?!”

The document couldn’t withstand the force and was torn into shreds.

“This document is completely useless. Even if one false accusation disappears, what guarantee is there that it won’t be replaced by another?! How can our safety be guaranteed from nobles who use us as slaves, thoroughly exploit us, and ultimately turn us into spoils?!”

There were those who had become slaves and lost their rights, those who lived miserable lives being thoroughly exploited, and those who were treated as mere objects needed only to create luxury items for nobles.

The petition from the former elder that no one would believe. The document Muniher handed over was that worthless to the Seirens.

“You deceived the former elder and brought us only cold corpses… I never imagined you would present this again.”

“…”

The Seirens didn’t use names given in the Principality’s style, nor did they plead their innocence.

This was because they believed that after the former elder returned alone as a cold corpse while the entire Penaribu baronial family was imprisoned, no one would believe them even if they proved it.

‘…How regrettable. So that person who tried to reveal this fact was this old man’s father.’

Muniher now fully understood the inside story of this transparent case confirmed by the Principality.

It was more than enough reason to understand. He himself had once screamed in frustration in the middle of the central continent’s desert where it was hard to even survive.

That’s why Muniher needed to persuade the Seirens all the more.

“In the Principality’s records, the Seirens’ crime was only documented as some kind of power that harms humans. If you refute this, it can firmly support the claim made by a Seiren named Welkeren in the past.”

“Huh, are you suggesting that I prove it to the people of the Principality like my father, the former elder?”

“The evidence has already emerged. It’s sufficiently proven that you are harmless by the fact that Hipplisia is an herb. Just by providing it, your crimes will melt away like snow.”

“It seems your intention is to take only Hipplisia with such excuses, but that won’t happen. This meeting ends here!”

As the elder huffed and tried to leave the meeting place, Muniher stopped him with a single sentence.

“If you leave now, the evidence that Junon worked so hard to create will be for nothing.”

“…What did you just say?”

“I’m saying that it was Junon who proved that Hipplisia is effective against Dibaurer, the source of the Lemtert Plague.”

The old man flinched and turned his head sharply at the mention of Junon’s name.

His pupils were trembling like aspen leaves.

“How I know isn’t important. But if you care for your race, shouldn’t you at least ensure that the remaining Seirens can live properly? And for Junon’s sake too. Do you intend to let that fellow’s blood and sweat go to waste?”

“That can’t be…”

“I’ll leave the choice to the Seirens. Oh, by the way, the girl in that lens is Lumia Penaribu, the first to be completely cured of the Lemtert Plague.”

“…!”

Finally, the name of Lumia from the Penaribu baronial family was mentioned.

After revealing all his cards, Muniher left the meeting place in reverse.

Unlike the elder who tried to leave in anger, he was incredibly relaxed, as if he was certain.

And as expected.

“…Hipplisia is grown from sprouts in water, and then blooms on land with the infusion of Seiren magic, so it takes time. Even if we give all we have now, it won’t be enough to treat everyone.”

The elder turned Muniher’s steps, and the meeting flowed in the most ideal direction.

“That doesn’t mean we trust you. We… we trust that boy.”

“It seems you’ve finally agreed. Think what you will. What support would you like from the Principality? We’ll provide whatever we can.”

Then the elder hesitated before expressing a strange wish.

“I’ll send what support we need in a letter. However, what we really want is… ───.”

“Oh?”

It was a strange wish, but one that was quite appealing to Muniher.

***

“~~♪”

“”…””

Normally, they would have had to straighten Renias when she yawned or tried to prop her arms during dressing, scolding her.

But what was this?

Their young lady was actually humming and swaying her head gently!

They could easily guess that something had happened.

The maid measuring her clothes sent a signal, which was successfully received, and began questioning.

“My, my lady. You’ve lost a little weight?”

“Huh? Have I?”

She’s lost weight. Information acquired.

“Especially around the waist.”

The waist was emphasized. Noted.

“Hmm… I still think I have too much fat though.”

“No way?! My lady, your figure is cheating, absolute cheating! You have curves in all the right places and a perfect waistline, where’s the fat?! You look perfect right now!”

“Really?”

“Of course! My lady’s body is truly sculpted by a goddess!”

Renias waved her hands saying the praise was too much, but the maids listening from the corner collectively nodded and vigorously agreed.

With a bust size well over D-cup that anyone would envy, not only did she have flawless curves, but also smooth, unblemished skin and full hips—it was literally unfair.

“Ahem. By the way, my lady, won’t you tell us how you lost weight?”

“Ah, hehe. I’ve been exercising with a senior lately! And I’ve been following your advice about not being picky with food too.”

“I see. To think that our lady, who always treated our words as nagging, has become so admirable… I can imagine how upright that senior must be.”

“That’s because you make me eat too many vegetables! Hmph.”

Exercising with a senior? The maids covered their smiles.

‘Exercise with the young lady…? I heard there’s a banquet, could it be…’

‘Seeing how she asked for a dress fitting today… that must be it, right?’

‘Look at the gift the lady prepared. A cravat means it’s 100% for a man!’

‘I’m certain it’s not for Young Master Ronelion. I can tell.’

‘Then it’s another romantic interest! No wonder she seemed particularly shy when choosing that cravat!’

‘Finally, our lady has a boyfriend…!’

As maids serving their mistress, their perfect young lady without a single flaw was a great source of pride.

The clues Renias dropped gathered together, suggesting she had finally opened her eyes to romance.

“There, all done, my lady. Would you like to see?”

“It’s all good, but… do I have to expose my shoulders like this? It feels a bit embarrassing…”

“My goodness. An off-shoulder style. It suits you so well!”

“Hehe. Thanks. But… your eyes look a bit scary…”

“How could that be? Hoho.”

“You’re being too mischievous, my lady.”

It was time for the next group of maids to take their turn.

The maids were in battle mode, determined to make her the most beautiful person in the world today.

No wonder Renias might have felt scared.

“From now on, you absolutely must not move, understand?”

“G-girls…?”

“My lady! Don’t move your chin!!”

“If you bend your waist, we’ll tie you up with rope like last time?!”

“Y-yes…!”

Their eyes, as sharp as her grandmother’s, seemed to have been waiting just for this day.

***

Muniher smiled subtly as he prepared for the banquet.

The boy had created yet another ally.

No. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say he had rebuked the Principality’s sins… but anyway.

“Are the banquet preparations going well?”

“Professor Muniher? Yes, yes! It seems we’ll be ready to receive guests soon. But what brings you here?”

“Hmm. I noticed something missing in the event schedule and wanted to add it.”

“Ah, I see. The schedule is right here.”

As the old Seiren elder had said, it was time to make a move.

-‘However, what we really want is… to give all the credit to Junon.’

-‘Oh?’

-‘I heard from Senia. That boy has become practically a criminal at the Academy for absurd reasons. To think that someone who saved the Seirens is treated as a criminal…! I cannot bear to see such a thing with my own eyes.’

The old man’s eyes had glowed with intensity as he said he wouldn’t provide Hipplisia if this condition wasn’t met.

“If that’s the condition, we welcome it as well.”

A single sentence was added to the event coordinator’s script.