Chương 361: Chapter 343. Final Arrangements In The Meeting

" Continuing on, where should the location of the Summit be? There's no way the Elves would be willing to visit us, will they?"" Yes, we'd need to find mutual grounds for the Summit. Granted, since it's at my invitation, they'll be pressured to accept it."" Right, they wouldn't want to be seen as rude... So where would the Summit be taking place? Here?""

No, not in the walls of Paradise, there's an old outpost not too far from here to the East that's been out of use for quite some time, I've already sent a team of construction workers to refurbish the building. By the time the Summit happens, it should look like a state-of-the-art embassy. Or at least, look good enough to hold some form of a dialogue. Would you like to add some of your own men to take a look and see if there's anything to add that would make the Dark Elves more comfortable?""

That should work for me. I'll send a team of around 6 or 7 men to take a look, I'll take it that we should arrive at least a week early?"" Well, you could come sooner if you wish to speak to your daughter beforehand, I'll probably end up doing something similar. I apparently have a vacation home here, last I heard."

With my mentioning that we should be discussing the actual Summit instead of hypothetical situations, King Warrick and King Leonard had started getting down to brass tacks about all of the things for the Summit. After around 30 minutes spent divvying up responsibilities like food and security. Once everything was said and done, they started discussing where exactly it was going to happen. And now, here I am, stuck here in this seat as a King stared at me with a look that seemed to say, "why him and not me?"

" It just made sense, since I Married his daughter and I'd imagine they'd like to visit said daughter, along with any Children we'll have. Also, Princess Charlotte's home is big enough to house the entire Nyx family... Though your Servants and Guards wouldn't fit." King Leonard leaned back in his chair for the first time in 30 minutes. It looks like my answer was merely satisfactory to him... Why does it look like he still wants to say something? I decided to ignore it and ask about something else."

The Eastern outpost that you're speaking about, King Warrick. It's technically not in the borders of Diablos, correct? Are you hoping to entice them with the idea that it'll be neutral ground? Paradise is only around 4 days away on foot. I'd rather my people not be blindsided, so I plan on preparing them accordingly."" How do you plan on doing that exactly?"" Reinforcing the walls and arming my people mostly."" Will it be visible?"" No, I'll make sure it isn't.

I'm really only concerned if they try to do something like what started this whole issue."" Yes, you have your reasons to think like that. As I said, just make sure it's not viewable from the outpost. I don't want them to realize we don't trust them. If they can actually offer a satisfactory explanation, we could try to find a way out of this situation... If not, well... The people that know are preparing everything accordingly."

Warrick didn't seem to have much of an issue with what I said, it looks like he has his own plans as well depending on how the Elves act." Speaking of preparing, I wanted to announce here and now that King Alan Mars will also be sitting in on the Summit."" The King of Bestia?" King Leonard looked confused for a moment." Yes, you see, he and his daughter were visiting me when Marquess Matthew had come back to us to report his visit to Darkheim. I didn't see a reason to hide it from King Alan as we're quite close.

He found the situation concerning so he asked to be included. I decided to allow him to join in order to allay some of his fears to rest."" You didn't find this as something important to tell me?" King Leonard seems to feel some type of way about being excluded from that decision. I can understand why, but I decided to speak up in defense of Warrick in this case. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation."

King Leonard, with all due respect, King Alan was pushing for answers from me about my experiences while in Darkheim, I believe part of the reason he'd like to come is to interact with you."" Regardless of that, instead of asking if I'm alright with this, he unilaterally allowed someone a seat at the table without consulting me. Don't you find that a bit disrespectful, Marquess Matthew?" King Leonard seemed to control his anger, maybe because his family is here with him?"

I believe that's the reason he's bringing this up now, King Alan didn't really give him a chance to refuse him. If it's of any value, I don't believe King Alan is a bad person. If judging him as a person through how he raised Princess Alice is any kind of examination." King Leonard didn't seem to hear my reasoning, granted it wasn't great, but it was the best I could think up at the moment."

I can understand why you're angry or disappointed with me, King Leonard, but I believe it's a good thing to have King Alan with us. Because I know he'll be on our side. He's also kept tabs on what has been whispered in Promethia to me about this Summit of ours. He's been quite useful in confirming that Promethia isn't a concern for us moving forward. That alone is valuable for us." King Leonard took a deep breath before he looked for a response to Warrick's words." Okay...

Fair enough, is there anything else I should know about, King Warrick? Any Dragonkin or Spiritkin?" King Leonard seemed to be joking. King Warrick just closed his eyes and answered with a calm tone." No, it's just King Alan. I don't think we'll need to worry about anyone else joining, unless Alfheim tries to surprise us somehow."" That is a mild concern, but our Guards should be able to do their jobs, wouldn't you agree?"" Yes, I suppose so." Warrick and King Leonard seemed to have come to a decent conclusion.

I'm glad that my house is still standing, I'd rather not have them try to one up each other over something so minor." With that, I don't think there's much else to discuss. If the worse scenario comes to pass, we've already set up the courier routes. And then there's also the ace in the hole over there." Warrick pointed at me." Yes, having someone able to travel around that quickly is a good thing to have. I wonder what he'll be like in time?

Perhaps Queen Aqua was even more correct than I assumed by trying to test him?"" I do expect great things from My Students, King Leonard." I feel like I'm being looked at like a fast mail delivery service. I suppose it's a compliment, but I'd rather they all don't look at me like I'm the pizza guy in charge of delivering it in 30 minutes or less." But yes, that's the end of this, with our meeting adjourned, I suppose we should just enjoy the few days we have to spend here."" What?"

I was surprised by Warrick's words. No... Wait... I had to bring luggage with me... I thought they were gifts for Sarah and Anna..." Don't you know, Marquess- Oh, since the meeting is over we can speak how we usually do now, can't we!? Matthew, we have a few days off still. We've decided to stay here until Cynthia needs to go back to the Academy."" How long is that exactly?"" 8 days!"" Oh, we're only going to be staying for 5!" Queen Crystal was quite happy to announce her family's plans..."

And you've chosen to inform me of this... Now?"" Oh, well, there's no reason to be angry, Marquess Matthew. Judging by how bustling the town is, I've thought that it's quite a good town that you've Governed. I thought it'd be a great place to relax in. From the food, the sights of the wilderness and of course, there's also those hot springs I've heard about from My Children. Our People haven't been able to have a natural hot spring bath in quite some time."

I can't help but feel that King Leonard was attempting to twist my words from when I was backing up Warrick earlier about King Alan. All I could do was sigh... This is going to be a rough week... I can feel it... Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll be able to get some of my work done?" Oh, come now, we're not going to cause any problems, it's just a vacation for us, before we all head back... Including Del." Queen Crystal announced something interesting." What!? Mom! I'm trying to make an Important Business Deal here!""

No, you're not, you're relaxing on Marquess Matthew's couch, you've yet to send us one update about the deal we handed to you on a golden platter! Besides, you have Fiancée to look after now. We must head back and plan the Wedding." Queen Crystal shut down Delcan and announced what he'll be doing next." I never said I would be getting ma- OWW!"" What was that? My! Dear! Fiancé!?" Lady Kate had gripped Delcan's hand. Something tells me that he won't be wearing the pants in his relationship.

Queen Crystal quickly turned away from her son being pressured by Lady Kate and spoke to me." As for Our Business Deal with your Company, Marquess Matthew, My Husband and I have created a Contract that you should find quite fair for everyone involved, we'll hand it to you tomorrow since it's quickly approaching the time for dinner. Would you mind if we joined you?"" I... Already assumed that you would. I believe my Chef has prepared accordingly."" Ah, it would be so nice to have a Son-In-Law that's so considerate!

Are you sure that Mel and you wouldn't work out?"" Mom!" Charlotte objected to her mother's teasing of me. Whether I liked it or not, it looks like this is going to be my life for the next week... Maybe I should pray to the Gods for guidance?" I'm always here, John!" Angela answered my pondering... However, I don't think an Archangel was the type of God I was looking for at the moment.