Chapter 93
The four women had more temperate personalities and King Bide felt that if they were negotiating then even with Roy’s torture they would still negotiate then. The Empress however was a different breed entirely. Her anger was felt even from several meters away.
Still, it was better this way since the heroine would not be able to have children for the Empire. If the Rose Empire became a nation of heroic children then the Alliance would have difficulty with it’s own reputation.
King Bide had done all he could for the alliance of the Beipan Kingdom and wanted to be a renown character in history. The pending demon invasion was also one that made things difficult for him because the Alliance wouldn’t stand if they fought now.
King Bide:”The agreement is simple, I’ll return Roy to you and promise to never touch him again so long as he stays out of the alliance. Until his death we will also never invade the Empire.”
Sperra:”Did you hurt him?”
King Bide:”I guarantee he is alive.”
Dhalia:”She asked if you hurt him! Not if he is alive. Did you hurt him?”
King Bide stood there.
King Bide:”He is alive. If he is hurt it does not matter because he is still alive. If you want to see him again then sign the non-aggression contract. If you don’t then we can all die here.”
The elite soldiers of the army readied their weapons. Most of them felt a certain pride for their own generation and would welcome a fight with them to test their mettle. They were confident in the demon invasion even without their help.
Erisu watched the stand off and didn’t know how to act. She was still a teenage girl as Ashes got up and walked over still with Sarai helping her move.
Ashes:”The Empress loves her son more than the Empire.”
Erisu:”Is that… a bad thing?”
Ashes:”It does not matter for as Valkyries we serve the Empress who gave us everything. If she wishes to protect her son then we will gladly give up our own lives for him.”
Ashes had a stone hard look upon her face which caused Erisu to shudder. Compared to her who was unsure and didn’t help Roy, compared to the display made by the Empress where they were willing to let the continent die off to a demon invasion she found herself lacking.
Ashes:”You should have fought and freed him. That man Psak could have been held off by you while Mana and Sarai took him then you could have run to the Empire.”
Erisu:”But it would have sparked a war when we’re supposed to unite against—“
Ashes:”Unite when they’re killing those you love? Perhaps you don’t love Roy.”
The words made Erisu’s face turn around. There was a concept of love in her world where people had to be convenient to each other. It was where people were not willing to give everything to another person because they may get nothing in return. Society was one where people would take advantage of each other and some grew up thinking of themselves first.
Ashes was someone who put the Empress first.
Ashes:”Perhaps you love yourself and the thought of being a heroine more than you want Roy as a husband. I don’t blame you but when my Empress loses her son I also become angry.”
Ashes turned her glare towards King Bide who was standing there with a paper floating in the air signifying a contract that had to be signed by all the parties involved.
Sarai let her go as she now stood on her own and stood behind the Empress as Erisu turned towards both Mana and Sarai.
Erisu:”Was I someone who didn’t really love Roy?”
The two girls hugged Erisu trying to comfort her. They weren’t sure what to say because they were also there and thought the whole situation could be resolved peacefully. They sought help from the Empress.
King Bide continued his negotiations not wanting to stop. He looked at all of them and brought out the contract.
King Bide:”I’m telling you all that Roy is alive and if you want to see him the contract must be signed. If it isn’t signed then it’s better we all die here together.”
Alondra looked at the other five then to Erisu. She then called to Erisu.
Alondra:”Erisu, come over here. We need to talk.”
Erisu walked over to the five of them meekly. She wasn’t sure what they were going to ask her as the Empress was angrily glaring at King Bide. The air was tense and there were very few others who could say anything else.
Alondra:”Erisu, there is a question we all have to know the answer to now before we decide on signing this contract and I want you to answer honestly.”
Erisu nodded.
Xeneva then took a deep breath and erected a sound proof barrier. She also invited Sarai and Mana over before the barrier went up and those on the outside could only look in as they began to talk. There was also a spell that covered their mouths with a cloud to the outside so that they would not be able to lip read.
Xeneva:”Do you love Roy? Or do you love the continent more?”
The question was one that made her doubt herself. After what Ashes had said she wondered which she could love more. Roy was one person but the continent contained billions of people. There would be a demon invasion and there would be many other attacks but there were also children and those who couldn’t protect themselves and only wanting to live a peaceful life. Erisu felt torn.
Empress:”If you love the continent more than my son then I want nothing more to do with you. You are hesitating so it’s obvious you can’t choose.”
Erisu:”Why are you asking me this question?”
Alondra:”I’m asking it just in case of the worst possibility. I want to know which side you stand on and which side you’d support.”
Erisu:”You would all destroy the continent for Roy’s sake?”
Sarai shivered. She thought about the sisters she had in the temple while Mana thought of all those who had grown up with her in the Arcane Sanctum. There were many who were her friends. They had promised to follow the Heroine in saving the continent but when this question came up they also began to waver.
Sperra:”If Roy is dead then we will kill them until we die. I don’t care about the continent if Roy is dead. There is no life without Roy.”
Erius:”You’re all?”
Dhalia:”Even though we’ve all been alive for a long time none of us want to continue living if Roy dies. So choose now.”
Xeneva:”My son-in-law is dead. I can already sense that his life isn’t here anymore and neither are his children. This is the alliance’s doing. Riss and Liss will be angry as well and want revenge.”
Erisu:”Why are you asking me? The contract means we’ll unite to fight the demons right?”
Alondra:”The contract means we can’t take revenge. If the human armies of the alliance don’t fight the demons because we decimate many of them then the continent is finished. As long as King Bide knows this he will continue to use this as a negotiating tool on you as well. So answer truthfully, do you value Roy or the continent more.”
Erisu sat there unable to say anything. After working her entire life in the previous world to make money now she thought she could relax and have a family. If it wasn’t with Roy then couldn’t she have a family with someone else as well? Why did it have to be Roy?
It wasn’t just her the continent was for. Sarai and Mana came from places and had many friends as well who were a large part of their lives and who they came to be. Erisu thought long and hard before she answered.
On the outside King Bide watched as Psak and the others were there. The magical contract was still floating in the air ready to take those who were willing to swear by it. There were many directions the negotiations could go and he wasn’t happy with it.
The barrier came down and Erisu was crying and in tears.
King Bide:”My dear Heroine, what was it they said to you that has upset you?”
Alondra:”She is no longer fit to be Roy’s fiance and we are no longer considering her our daughter-in-law.”
The Empress herself had a furious look on her face. There was nothing but anger as Erisu separated herself from the group and was no longer standing on either side. There was a sorrowful look on her face, one in which she could no longer be happy anymore.
King Bide could only see this as a good opportunity for his son to now try and win her over. Perhaps not at the moment when there is intense anger in the air but after. If the other five sign the contract then they cannot interfere with his Kingdom and naturally in order to protect what was left of Roy they would also fight the demon invaders.
The portal to the demon world was south west of their location and the Empire was already the closest nation. They would be invaded first and the Alliance could use the Rose Empire and it’s people as a shield.
King Bide:”Heroine, come over to our side. We will help heal your broken heart.”
Erisu didn’t know what to say but Sarai and Mana gave blank stares.
Erisu:”No, I’m going to remain neutral from now on. I’m not going to participate in politics. There are far too many pitfalls and the goal of the heroine is to save the continent from the demon lord. I have to do that first before doing anything else and I got caught up in it with feelings.”
King Bide:”That is most noble for you. If you ever want a place to stay then the Beipan Kingdom will always welcome you. If you wish you will always be treated as royalty with us.”
Erisu nodded and went off to the side.
Alondra:”The Contract, we will sign it provided that Roy is still alive. If Roy is dead then we will all die. The contract on your side is to state that you must return Roy to us and if anyone from your Kingdom takes him away you will die. In return if any of us five attacks the alliance while you are alive we will die in turn.”
King Bide:”That isn’t enough. You are not to step foot on alliance lands as long as any of my line, or any line of those currently in the alliance is still alive from this point forward. Neither can any forces under your control come to our lands. It goes both ways and after the invasion it’ll simply be a time of peace.”
Dhalia:”He plans to use the Rose Empire as a shield during the invasion and force us to face the demons until we are dead before they will step in.”
The Empress was now crying on the ground.
Alondra:”Write it in and I will examine the contract. It must also include the death of all your line if you don’t fulfill your end or attack or take Roy by force in the future.”
King Bide:”Very well, but only while I’m the leader of the alliance.”
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