Chương 393: Chapter 366. Mornings And Outcomes

John Ericsson's Point Of View" So, this is what it looks like?" I mumbled out loud as I stepped out of the carriage after arriving at the Summit Building." You've never been here?" Warrick spoke to me. I shared a carriage ride with him and Aqua. It seemed fine since we're In-Laws now. Today was the day for the Summit. It was Saturday. For reference, my taking of the Mars Royal Family around Paradise was Wednesday.

After taking Alice and her parents around the town, I was expecting to do the same with the Nyx Royal Family, but Charlotte ended up having an emergency training session with the Town Guards. I ended up taking her parents around the town anyways and I'd say it was a good time. Granted, I felt like I was a third wheel the entire time. It was almost as if King Leonard and Queen Crystal decided to act like love struck teenagers. I decided to just act like a disinterested tour guide. It seemed to work, until lunch.

King Leonard ended up acting like a kid at dinner time. From burning his tongue on food that was too hot, to getting brain freeze and even spilling water by accident. It was a memorable dinner to say the least. Yesterday was quite relaxing. I didn't have much paperwork to do and I spent the rest of the day Tempering my Mana and Meditating to get closer to those Spirits I've seen. Then, I woke up quite early in the day for us to leave. I looked back at Warrick and gave him my answer." No.

I've only ever seen the blueprints. I was too busy with my Duties as a Town Lord and the sudden influx of business propositions for Roseland Products. This is the first time I'm seeing it." I looked back at the stone castle that's seemed to have been built in 8 months. I sent some Builders to make the foundations of this building, but the real work was done by the Dark Elves. Earth Magic is quite scary.

What used to just be simple grasslands on the Eastern Border of the Roselands and the neutral land before crossing over into Kuga's territory, now, has a giant stone castle sitting in the middle of it. Of course, there're small forts built all around that have Soldiers from the Royal Diablosian Military, but the forts are nothing compared to what I'm looking at currently. Large stone walls reinforced with different metals, what looks to be steel being the main one.

Inside those walls was a castle that seemed to be made for a King. Honestly, I can't believe how big it is. Maybe it's because the Royal Palace is covered with a bunch of trees and there's other tall buildings around it, I think the Royal Palace is technically bigger..." It looks like it's just as big as the Royal Palace. I guess it was a good idea to make the blueprints ourselves! This should give the idea that we're all quite well-off!

With this, it should give the idea that we have the funds to be a threat if we can make something so grandiose so close to the Border!" Aqua gave a smile as she gloated at the sight of the castle. With her words, I can finally work out who was responsible for the blueprints that Warrick handed to me some months ago. I did think that the design was a bit too gaudy, but now, it makes sense to me. Aqua wanted to appear to be even more well-off than we are. That's not to say that Diablos, as a Nation, is poor.

In fact, quite the opposite. Diablos's Financial Reports indicate that they've been growing more and more every year. The tax figures I've seen while assisting Warrick said the same thing. But to show that we're doing even better than we are... I guess that's one way to discourage the Elves if they were to try anything?" Well... I guess it's better to leave them with that kind of impression than leave them thinking we'd be easy to invade?"" Of course, we should! You never know when they might try to attack you."

A familiar voice agreed with my statement. I turned around to see King Leonard and Queen Crystal walking over to our location. King Leonard was looking more high-strung than he normally does. Queen Crystal also seemed to be feeling a bit more tense than normal, but I wouldn't have been able to tell if I hadn't seen her when she's been acting more light-hearted and jovial like with both of the Nyx Family trips to Paradise. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version."

Now, Now, Len. We need to at least give them the chance to explain themselves. If they do try anything, we're all going to be ready to react accordingly." Out of seemingly nowhere, King Alan appeared right next to me and tried to allay some of King Leonard's doubts... How did he sneak up on me so quickly? Also, who's "Len"? King Leonard? Did they really get that close after only meeting less than a week ago?""

King Alan, I've already told you that we've not known each other long enough to start calling each other nicknames in private... Let alone in public." King Leonard looked around and my eyes followed him to see mostly Demons and Dark Elves moving around crates and barrels that were full of different items. From what I remember, it's all produce. Basically, it's to have a giant feast later tonight in the hopes that this misunderstanding can be put behind Diablos and Alfheim. Granted...

2 other Countries have been thrown into the mix, but the feeling should still be the same regardless. Well... Maybe the Dark Elves and Elves would need to have a lot more talks and they'll be quite intense. But it could be possible in the future, if things go well. At least I hope so." Sorry, I can't help it, using all these Formal Titles so soon in the day... It makes my nose itch! Besides, we might end up being In-Laws one day anyways! Ouch! That hurt, Ari! Hahaha!"

King Alan laughed at his explanation and his wife jabbing him in the side. I guess she thought the Marriage between 2 Royal Families shouldn't be taken as a joke? The circus I was watching seemed like it helped calm down the Dark Elf couple in front of us though... Maybe there's a method to his madness? Also... Which of his kids is he thinking of marrying to The Nyx Family?" Still, Alan, Aria, are you sure you want to be at the table and not just sit back and relax?"

Warrick looked to King Alan and Queen Aria and asked them a pointed question. Which interrupted my thoughts. To be honest, I didn't quite know why King Alan wanted to come along. But, seeing as I was just a simple Marquess, I had no reason to worry about what goes on in a King's mind. It's somewhat freeing to not have to think." Hm? Well, Alan wanted to..."" Yeah, I thought it would be fun!"" Ari... You're quite easy going, aren't you?" Queen Crystal was the one to comment... Granted, I was thinking the same thing.

Again, whether there's an actual reason or not, it's far over my head in terms of needing to worry about. Even more so now when I remember that King Alan is a King in a different Country. After we finish up the Summit, I'll probably only see him if he decides to show up to Paradise for something to do with Roseland Products and our deliveries." Maybe too easy going? You do realize that this could be the start of a war in the worst case, right?""

Len, You're thinking too negative, for all we know, Alfheim and Promethia are having issues now."" We're going to be just going with that, aren't we? Fine, say that is the case, why would those cloaked figures attack the Demons that were there then? Or even more, why use something that hides their identities? Why even go after what were pretty much migrant Merchants? It doesn't make sense to me." King Leonard's pondering out loud, more or less, brought up every question I had."

Well, I hate to be the guy, but you do remember that there's one more piece to the puzzle, Len? He's right here." Press. I felt King Alan's giant hand land on my shoulder." He's a Human, in case you forgot. And from the report that I read, he was already interacting with the group of Humans that the Elves were following. Maybe they thought that Matthew here and the migrants were in cahoots with each other?

Not to say that Matthew or the other Humans are to blame for the attack, after all, the explosions were caused by the Elves. But there's 3 sides to this story, Ours, Theirs and The Truth. And once we get to the bottom of everything, we can figure out the next best move."" What would it be exactly, King Alan?" King Leonard squinted at King Alan's words. King Alan took the stare like a water off a duck's back. His answer was just as nonchalant."

If it's a mistake, water under the bridge as far as we're concerned, none of Our Citizens died. If it was to attack Matthew or the Demons with him..." King Alan took a minute to look around the yard of this giant castle, all of the Demons, Dark Elves and Beastmen moving around taking crates and barrels to their assigned locations, it was almost like he was just taking in the scenery during a vacation." What would it be, King Alan?" King Leonard pushed for his answer." War, Len.

The worst outcome is always going to be war."