Chapter 86 : Overseas Travel (7)

Munch munch munch munch.

“Mi-Minho, wouldn’t it be better to eat a little slower? No one’s going to take it from you.”

“…Mmmph.”

“What? What did you say?”

“No way.”

Minho was practically inhaling the macarons, while El, watching her, broke out in a cold sweat.

Observing the mother and daughter duo, Ariel smiled warmly.

‘So the rumors about her loving macarons were true.’

Ariel remembered hearing from her father after the last birthday celebration that the princess liked macarons, and that they could use that to their advantage.

As a result, a mountain of macarons had been piled up, so there was no need to worry about how much Minho would eat.

“So, why did you call me here? You must have a reason.”

“…What would Your Majesty prefer? Should I get straight to the point, or should I dress it up with a nice introduction?”

“Just get to the point. Our family trip time is too precious for long introductions.”

“Then, I’ll get straight to it.”

Ariel grinned and pulled out a letter from her chest.

“…I intend to grant independence to the Elf Autonomous Territory.”

“Oh?”

Albinus looked at Ariel with an intrigued expression.

“And why is that? I don’t see how the Empire would benefit from making the elves independent.”

“Aren’t they one of your supporting factions?”

Elf nobility—particularly the Silvadir family—had earned the Empire’s recognition due to their exceptional abilities, gaining autonomy and rising to the rank of one of the Empire’s five great families.

Of course, behind their supposed loyalty to the Empire, they had been sharpening their blades, waiting for the chance to take revenge.

Regardless, they were one of the most powerful and influential factions.

However, the moment they gained independence from the Empire and the Silvadir family was restored, they would become nothing more than a weak nation.

After being used as a colony for so long, their dependence on the Empire had grown significantly.

With the New Cria Empire still in its infancy, granting independence to the Elf Autonomous Territory would bring a host of troubles.

That was why Albinus believed there was no real advantage to it.

But in response to his skepticism, Ariel simply gave a bright smile.

“…Ramir Silvadir, the princess’s dear friend.”

“If her homeland were to be granted independence, the princess would undoubtedly be delighted.”

“And what could be a greater advantage than earning the goodwill of a dragon?”

At Ariel’s words, Albinus smirked.

“You sure know how to talk. For a mere human, I find you rather amusing.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Your Majesty.”

“However, the goodwill of our princess alone is not a strong enough merit for me to abandon a powerful royal authority and risk hostility.”

Albinus’s expression cooled once again as he posed the question.

But as if he had already anticipated it, Ariel responded with a composed smile.

“…That’s where we need the power of the dragons.”

“Our power?”

“If Silvadir were to break away from the Empire, it would significantly weaken our national strength.”

“Indeed. Especially given that all the Grand Mages and court magicians have mysteriously disappeared. And now you’re talking about letting the elves go? Are you planning to give up on magic entirely?”

Ariel gave an awkward smile at the harsh remark and took a sip of tea.

“I plan to maintain regular exchanges with the elves.”

“…They despise humans.”

The elves harbored deep resentment toward the Empire.

Right now, elven collaborators who pretended to be loyal to the Empire were keeping that hatred in check.

But once they no longer had a reason to act, who knew what would happen?

With the Empire already weakened, if the elves were to join forces with the Republic or the kingdom that refused to acknowledge Ariel’s authority…

The fate of the Empire would be uncertain.

“What if we were to receive a sacred treasure from the dragons?”

“Are you asking us to rule over you?”

“…I’m suggesting that we become family.”

“Family? Between us and mere mortals?”

Albinus looked at Ariel with an expression that said, Why on earth would we do that?

Ariel wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and continued speaking.

“I intend to shape the New Cria Empire as a nation that stands for peace.”

“For that to happen, the strength of the imperial authority is crucial. However, because of our promise to the elves, we have no choice but to grant them independence.”

“If we don’t, our legitimacy will be questioned, and the Empire will collapse.”

“After all, the most terrifying blade is the one wielded by a former ally.”

“That being said, we also can’t simply stand by and allow the formation of a new nation that could become a potential threat to us—especially one led by nobles who were once part of the imperial faction.”

Ariel spoke firmly, her gaze filled with determination as she looked at Albinus.

“…Receiving the influence of the Dragon Kingdom.”

“If both nations negotiate under the Dragon Kingdom’s intervention and form a sibling or lord-vassal relationship with it…”

“We could achieve world peace.”

Albinus silently watched Ariel as she laid out her argument.

Truthfully, the Dragon Kingdom had no real reason to help them.

Even if they wanted peace with the elves, the simplest solution would be to send their elders and wipe the Empire off the map.

And no matter how close Ramir Silvadir was to Minho, there was no reason for an entire nation to step in just for her friend.

They could provide conveniences for her within their territory, but getting involved politically was a different matter.

‘…More than that, if we absorb the Cria Empire now…’

The Republic, which loathed empires.

And the Kingdom, which was nothing more than a vassal of the former Empire.

It would mean making enemies of both.

That would naturally result in fewer students from those nations enrolling in their academy.

Such a political move would lead to the Dragon Kingdom’s isolation and contradict the academy’s founding principles by depriving those countries of educational opportunities.

Albinus stroked his chin.

“…You.”

“…Yes?”

“Don’t you think my daughter is adorable?”

“…Huh?”

Ariel tilted her head, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic.

She turned to look at Minho, who was happily devouring food beside her.

“Waaahhhh!”

“M-Minho! You ate too much!”

“Your Majesty, the princess has quite the appetite.”

“I-Is that so?”

“Yes, when I become a professor, I’ll have to make sure she gets extra macarons.”

Between the two mothers, Minho sat happily, her cheeks puffed out as she chewed on her macarons.

It was a level of cuteness so overwhelming that one might mistake her for a heavenly being.

‘…She really is unbelievably cute.’

Ariel, as if entranced, nodded while looking at Albinus.

“…Truly, like an angel descended from the heavens.”

“Right?”

“I want to be friends with her.”

Hearing that, Albinus burst into laughter.

Then, looking at Ariel, he finally spoke.

“For such an adorable daughter, there is little I wouldn’t do.”

“T-Then…?”

“Perhaps not a sibling bond, but we can recognize Silvadir’s independence and establish a guarantee status for future negotiations between the new Empire and Silvadir.”

It was effectively an agreement to maintain amicable relations between the two nations.

And in future conflicts, the Dragon Kingdom would have an excuse to intervene.

Even if others questioned the Empire’s relationship with the elves, invoking the name of the dragons would silence all criticism.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me—thank our princess instead.”

Ariel turned to look at Minho, who was innocently munching on her macarons.

“…Princess! Thank you!”

“Ububub? (For what?)”

“I’m not entirely sure what you’re saying, but truly, thank you.”

Minho tilted her head, looking at Ariel with a confused expression.

“H-His Majesty?”

“You can just call me ‘Emperor.’”

And so, with the political discussions between the emperor and her father finally over, the tea party turned into a lively exchange of casual conversations.

As for me, sitting beside the emperor, I was subjected to endless cheek-pinching as they played with me like a toy.

But, well… the emperor was so stunningly beautiful that I didn’t really mind.

A pretty person running toward me saying I’m cute and they like me… somehow, it feels nice.

“Your Majesty, you’re so pretty.”

“Th-thank you…!”

When I complimented the Emperor, who was nearly melting, they smiled brightly and ended up with a slightly silly expression.

Even though they’re the Emperor, they used honorifics with us, while earlier they used the title “Your Majesty” when addressing my dad.

Even though my dad’s title is King and the Emperor’s title is, well, Emperor, maybe the difference in species made them use different forms.

As expected, dragons are the best.

“Ah… you’re really so cute……”

“Th-thank you…..”

They were touching and poking my cheeks, but I didn’t really feel uncomfortable.

Should I say they were incredibly gentle? Their personality seemed as lovely as their looks.

“Um, how long are you going to keep touching me?”

“Ah… do you not like it?”

“It’s not that, but… you just look a little, um, unstable.”

I didn’t mind them continuing, but I was getting really worried because the Emperor looked like they were about to melt completely.

What am I supposed to do with this?

“Oh, right, Your Highness the Princess.”

“Yes?”

“When you return to the Dragon Kingdom, something good will happen.” Probably.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Something good will happen in our kingdom?

What makes them so sure?

“Will something that good happen to the kingdom?”

“…Hmm, more precisely, it’ll make one of Your Highness’s friends happy.”

“Really?”

My friend?

I tried to think of the few friends I had and guess who would be happy.

Meanwhile, the Emperor, who had melted again, lightly bit my cheek, then immediately apologized.

It only tickled, so I didn’t really say anything.