Akatsuki Translations

In this Isralia continent, multinational conferences do not occur frequently.

To be precise, they are not necessary.

This is because the countries are physically isolated, and many of them inevitably end up in a state of non-interference.

Although there are connections between countries as almost all of them belong to the Grand Federation, the physical barriers are significant, so interference and problems rarely occur. There may be disputes between satellite city-states or between the primary star and satellite city-states, but in the end, these can be considered internal matters.

Therefore, the connections within the Grand Federation are sufficed by regular meetings via communication magic and a grand conference held once a year in the federation leader country Proudia.

Discussions between countries are often foreign even for those who are politically skilled.

“What do you think about the chaos caused by the existence of Uuga and their unapologetic attitude even after defiling the sacred place where we communicate with the One True God Zerudia?” -Gloria

“As I said, the cause of all this is the scheme of the heretics. If it is a sin to not be able to suppress all the plots of the heretics in advance, then how many sinners would be rampant in this world?” -Lacretia

“There are rumors that the Gradol side has joined hands with the heretics, right?” -Gloria

“Please stop disparaging us with baseless accusations. It shows your level, you know?” -Lacretia

As a result, the debate heats up. Like an inferno.

…This is much tougher than I imagined.

Ur thought silently.

After the start of the【Heavenly Demon’s Trial】, the debate between Lacretia and Gloria intensified with each exchange of words. They barely managed to not raise their voices, but the space where murderous gazes and words flew back and forth non-stop for several hours since the start was quite painful even just sitting there.

If no one actually dies, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Ur had to quickly abandon the adventurer’s typical disdain for debates. This was intense. And Lacretia, who was likely accustomed to this battle as an elf for a long time, going head-to-head with Gloria was tremendous.

《…That person is incredibly tough. Before Gradol was completely ruled by the Caraleigh family, she was the representative of the opposition. 》-Echelle

《So she was ostracized and driven to an idle post, and now she’s made a comeback. 》-Ur

Ur nodded in agreement at Echelle’s explanation via direct communication magic performed by touching under the desk. She was indeed quite skilled. From a positional standpoint, it was fortunate that she was an ally. However,

“Isn’t it a stretch to claim that the annihilated Caraleigh family had absolutely no connection with the heretics? Hey, Echelle-sama, do you know anything?” -Gloria

“Eh! No, that’s-” -Echelle

“She left home at a young age a few years ago as a Sun Knight and changed her family name. Since then, she has been in a state of estrangement and has little information about the recent Caraleigh family. That’s right, isn’t it, Echelle-san?” -Gloria

“Ah! Yes, that’s-” -Echelle

“If they were estranged, why did the Caraleigh family entrust her with the management of Uuga? Echelle-sama, you at least understand the reason for your own selection, don’t you?” -Gloria

“Uh, that’s-” -Ur

“As I informed you earlier, the Caraleigh family’s policy coincided with the new satellite city construction plan in the era of the previous Shinra, leading to a shortage of priests. In that case, it’s natural for the role to fall to her, who originally hails from the Shinra family and has deep ties with spirits. Isn’t that right, Echelle-san?” -Gloria

“Ye-” -Lacretia

“I believe I was asking Echelle-sama, not you, correct?” -Gloria

“I simply answered a question that I could also provide a response to. Please consider the mental strain on her, having lost all her family members.” -Lacretia

Aside from that, Echelle’s existence was also being actively incorporated into the debate, so she was given no respite at all.

Echelle already looked like she was about to die. It might be bad if was not allowed to rest soon.

“Everyone, how about some tea?” -Shizuku

Amidst the endlessly heated debate, a woman’s voice pierced through the gap. One was Shizuku, and then Jenna, who smiled quietly.

“We have brewed Cofi beans harvested in Gradol’s production city. For those who don’t like Cofi, we also have tea made from Sen leaves.” -Shizuku

As a result, the battle between Lacretia and Gloria was temporarily suspended.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

“Please, Lacretia-sama.” -Shizuku

“Yes, thank you. Jenna-san. Shizuku-san too.” -Lacretia

Lacretia of Gradol, who received the Cofi, softened the fierce expression she had while facing Gloria and thanked the two who were quickly serving tea to each guest with a gentle smile. Despite seeming heated, she actually still seemed calm.

“Please, Gloria-sama.” -Lacretia

“…Yes, thank you.” -Gloria

On the other hand, Gloria of Envy had not yet softened her stern expression. As an elf, she should be older than her youthful appearance suggests, and above all, she likely has the most experience in this type of negotiation among the attendees. However, she doesn’t seem to have much composure.

“Echelle-sama, you preferred tea, right?” -Shizuku

“Ah, thank you.” -Echelle

Echelle is quite exhausted.

Although Lacretia is at the forefront of many of the arguments, reducing the number of times Echelle is in the line of fire, she is one of the most important positions. The mental strain must be significant.

Especially when the topic turns to the former Shinra and the Caraleigh family, she is clearly agitated. Following Shizuku’s advice beforehand, she is trying to avoid showing emotional changes outwardly, but it probably won’t last long.

“Black-sama, how about you?” -Shizuku

“Ah, Cofi is fine. Lovely young lady.” -Black

And from Black, who hasn’t interfered at all during the meeting, nothing can be gleaned.

In the first place, he is thoroughly observing. If he doesn’t interfere, he probably won’t get tired either. He sits at the edge of the table, merely watching the meeting become complicated with amusement. The speculation that he really came just to play is gaining credibility.

《And, that was my impression. 》-Shizuku

《Echelle, should we let her withdraw in a little while? 》-Ur

《Lacretia-sama is still utilizing her existence as the survivor of the Caraleigh family. 》-Shizuku

《 I guess we have no choice but to have her hang in there a bit longer… 》-Ur

Ur scratched his forehead without changing his expression while listening to the information from Shizuku.

Jenna is heading to Diz to report. They are truly reliable when it comes to this type of information gathering.

《At the moment, the discussion is at a stalemate, but the Gradol side seems to have a bit more leeway. 》-Shizuku

《Rather, the Envy side is struggling more than I expected. 》-Ur

Given the sudden interruption and compared to the composure they had when they first arrived, the Envy side seems to have less leeway than expected. Of course, the fact that a Shinra from one country and a knight order commander from another country are going head-to-head is a threat in itself, but–

《Well, that’s because Lacretia and I worked hard to prepare. 》-Diz

《–Diz? 》-Ur

Diz’s voice interrupted the direct communication magic between Shizuku and Ur.

Looking at his right hand, a thin red thread is entangled around his fingertips. Akane must have directly touched Ur to connect him with Diz. The tip of the thread moves, sending a signal.

《Diz-sama. Would you like a refill of Cofi? 》-Shizuku

《It’s fine. Jenna noticed and is going to take care of it. 》 -Diz

《Well then, I should go and assist. 》-Shizuku

Saying that, Shizuku swiftly leaves her seat. Ur, while touching Akane at his fingertips, sends a protest to Diz.

《Give me a signal beforehand, it startles me. 》-Ur

《You’re doing well by not showing it on your face, Ur. 》-Diz

《Good job, good job! 》-Akane

Akane seems to be enjoying herself. Ur wants to pet Akane, but he doesn’t have the leeway to do so at the moment, so he focuses on Diz’s words.

《As the Envy Knight Order, they probably thought that if they could point out the connection between Gradol and the heretics, the negotiations would proceed in their favor. If they have legitimacy, the 【scales】 will quickly tip to the Envy side. 》-Diz

Diz shifts her gaze to the center of the round table where everyone is seated.

In the center of the round table, a huge set of scales that emit their own light are floating. It is the manifestation of the 【Spirit of Judgment ・ Fiar】.  It is the power of the priest prepared by Envy.

With the start of the meeting, under the agreed-upon topic, it leans toward the righteous and executes the wrong. If the scales completely tilt, it grants the power of spiritual protection to that person and imposes constraints on those who were not granted it to obey.

In other words, it is the spirit version of the 【Blood Contract】 that Ur and Diz initially exchanged regarding Akane.

《The topic this time is ‘The legitimacy of the City of Sin, Gradol’s possession of Dragon-Devoured Uuga.’ We were able to anticipate that the discussion would proceed in that direction, so we were able to sufficiently prepare counterarguments in advance. 》-Diz

Considering Gradol’s past conduct and their neglect of the Caraleigh family’s rampage, it required a fairly thick-skinned attitude to argue how the current Gradol and the Caraleigh family were unrelated and how they were the victims. However, Lacretia was able to do it without batting an eye.

And Gloria is unable to peel off that thickly coated false skin of Lacretia. She can’t break down the legitimacy and victimhood that Lacretia asserts.

《Did you prepare after receiving notice that Envy was coming here? 》-Ur

《That’s right. We worked non-stop for three days. It was tough. Putting myself aside, Lacretia and the others are holed up at that age and battling it out now, so I really respect them. 》-Diz

Lacretia is still energetically continuing her battle with Gloria even now. If Diz praises her unreservedly, it must be quite something.

《Also, it’s a big deal that I, one of the 【Seven Heavens】,  am on Gradol’s side. Originally, just the fact that the Envy Strike Force is a representative of the 【Heavenly Demon Greylei】 makes the 【Scales】 more likely to tip in their favor. 》-Diz

《That’s terrible! 》-Ur

The criteria for the tipping of the scales are determined by the judgment of the 【Spirit of Judgment ・ Fiar. 】

And that judgment seems to be based on the subconscious judgment of humanity, who offer prayers to the gods and spirits around the world. And within that subconscious of humanity, the power held by the name of the 【Seven Heavens】 is terribly heavy.

When the Envy Knight Order brought out the priest of Fiar, it was thought they were using fair and square means despite hearing about their notoriously 【Pillager Unit】, but it turned out to be a fraud.

《But this time, because I’m here, the movement of the scales is slow. In terms of the amount of interference with the world, it’s small compared to the 【Heavenly Demon, 】 but it’s not zero. 》-Diz

《As a result, unlike usual, the discussion is at a stalemate, and when the other side gets impatient… 》-Ur

Even while exchanging words with Ur through communication magic, Diz occasionally assists Lacretia’s words. In various wordings, she states that the current surviving Gradol is not at fault.

《I forgot to reconfirm, but it’s okay for you to be on Gradol’s side, right? 》-Ur

Of course, looking at her current position and how she is assisting Lacretia, it’s clear, but she isn’t supposed to be Gradol’s ally. She values the order of the entire world and doesn’t hesitate to force sacrifices on a small number of people if necessary. If not, she would have immediately let go of Akane.

Considering that, her current stance of siding with Lacretia, who aims for Gradol’s gains and losses, seems to deviate slightly from her original way of being. However, Diz gave a small nod to Ur’s question.

《The wisdom of the 【Heavenly Demon Greylei】 and the benefits it brings to humanity are immeasurable, but that person is primarily driven by curiosity, so it’s not necessarily guaranteed to be returned as a benefit. 》-Diz

《Is there little prospect of it being returned this time? 》-Ur

《Probably. In that case, I believe that leaving it in Gradol as it is now will lead to the stability of the entire Gradol region, which will be in chaos after the Uuga incident. Convinced? 》-Diz

《Understood. 》-Ur

Since Ur and the others are also supposed to be allies of Gradol, her presence is indeed reassuring. Since the Envy Knight Order also has the Heavenly Demon on their side, it would be unfair if one of the Seven Heavens didn’t side with them as well.

“–I certainly understand the point that the Gradol side is a victim of the heretics.” -Gloria

It seems that the discussion had progressed while they were talking.

Judging from Gloria’s displeased expression in agreement with Lacretia’s assertion, it seems that Gradol’s side had pushed through on that point.

“However, does Gradol really have the ability to manage the inherent danger of Uuga itself?” -Gloria

And thus, they realized that the gong for the second round had begun.