Cave King – 247

Chapter 247 – Already There!?

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A group of five Vader people visited Leorl. They all looked like nobles, and were not armed. They were messengers from Ruda and the governor.

They were stopped by the demihuman guards, and so they explained that they wanted to negotiate with Remlik.

We told the messengers that we would meet at the halfway point between Langs and Leorl.

The messengers agreed right away, without going back once to relay the message.

And so on the following day, Remlik and I departed for the meeting place.

We had prepared as much as we could for the negotiation.

Rienna, Fule, Ashton and Haines would accompany us. Aside from them, Number 15, the other golems, and monsters in Mado Armors would support us from a distance.
Everyone was equipped with mithril armor and weapons that blocked magic, which Mappa had made.

On the other hand, Baris stayed in Leorl, while Erevan remained in Sheorl. However, Baris would come to help if something happened.

Furthermore, we placed Teleportation Stones along the way, so that we could immediately retreat from the negotiation place if necessary.

As we walked for some time, we saw the small group of people who were waiting for us.

There was Arder, the governor of Langs, and Prince Ruda. Also, a few guards.

Ruda was crossing his arms and looking at us with a bold expression. As for Arder, even from a distance, I saw that he looked anxious.

So, Arder was there too.
I had already told Remlik that we had met him before in Sheorl.
I told him that I didn’t mind revealing my identity, but Remlik was worried that it would worsen the relationship between Vader and Sheorl, and suggested that I wear a disguise. And so I would act as Remlik’s guard during the meeting.

With the mithril armor that Mappa made, both my head and body would be completely covered.

Remlik and I looked at each other.

“Well then, let’s go.”
“Aye.”

I nodded, and then Remlik started to walk towards Ruda.

Ruda’s magic energy was already fully recovered.
And so there was a risk that he would suddenly charge at us like before.

I carefully watched his movements while walking behind Remlik.

However, they did not do anything suspicious. But behind them, a short distance away, I could detect a few figures. They were also watching us quietly.

Regardless, we reached Ruda without anything happening.

Remlik was the first to open his mouth.

“Brother. And Governor Arder. Thank you for coming.”
“Remlik. I will not ask you about your escape. However, what do you mean by all of this?”

Ruda asked quietly.
Due to the intensity of his expression, he was intimidating even when speaking quietly…

As for Remlik, he answered without being afraid.

“I gave the order. I told them that they should not aid with your invasion.”

Upon hearing this, Arder exploded with anger.

“Do-do you understand what you are saying!? This is a holy war!”
“What reason do we have to attack the Sylpheum? Besides, you already failed during the western expedition. I suppose you think you can recover your reputation by subjecting the Sylpheum. But you have no right to involve the demihumans for your personal greed.”
“Even if you are a prince, there are things you cannot say! I am merely trying to remove a threat towards Vader… Excuse me.”

Arder saw that Ruda had raised his hand, and so he became silent.

Ruda then turned to Remlik again.

“In other words, you are trying to stop the invasion.”
“Aye. And in the process, I will restore order in the south. The demihumans are our citizens. No tyranny and abuse will be allowed.”

Arder was furious and about to open his mouth.
But Ruda stopped him.

“So those are your demands.”
“In general, yes. The details have been written down here.”

Remlik said as he offered the document.

But Ruda ignored it as he continued.

“I will not accept it. Now it is your turn to listen to me, Remlik.”

Remlik looked regretful as he sighed.

“I see. Well, let’s hear it then.”
“You will return the demihumans to their villages at once, and make them support the invasion. And you will join me and lead the attack.”
“I refuse… Well, there seems to be no point in negotiating now.”
“Remlik. I never came here to negotiate. I came to give you an order.”
“You? Ordering me…? You don’t mean…”

Remlik suddenly became tense.

Ruda nodded as if reading his mind.

“Aye. This is the king’s order. Father orders that you and I subjugate the Sylpheum.”

Ruda said, and then one of the guards kneeled in front of Remlik and handed him a scroll.

Remlik was sweating from his forehead as he took it.

There was no magic energy in the document itself.
As Remlik spread out the paper, which was lined with gold, he opened his mouth.

“Indeed, this is an order from my father. I did not expect him to send such an order regarding an operation in the frontiers.”
“I gave father an honest report regarding your escape. And this was the immediate response.”

Ruda answered as he glared at us.

His sharp eyes were intimidating, but I managed to withstand it.

I understood what he meant.
The king had felt that our presence here was abnormal. And that was why he was getting involved.

But Remlik and I had been expecting it.
I did not know if the king himself was here, but it did not change anything.

Remlik tore the paper to shreds.

“Brother. I have no intention of following this order.”
“So you are rebelling against father. Against Vader.”
“Indeed. I made up my mind.”
“You are a strange one. But you are skilled in battle, and you are no fool. For you to become this bold… What is making you like that?”

Ruda said as he turned in our direction.

“I sent some trusted scouts to Leorl. However, they were not able to infiltrate it at all. I do not like to admit it, but I think things are already outside of my ability.”

Ruda turned back to Remlik.

“You are now a clear threat to Vader. Do not forget that.”

He said. And then Ruda turned away and left with his men.
Arder followed after him frantically.

Remlik watched them go and said,

“I suppose that is a declaration of war.”
“Aye. I think your father is already…”

Remlik nodded at my words.

“He is watching us… It’s just a matter of when he will attack.”

Remlik said as he looked towards the place where Ruda was headed.

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