Castell appeared before me as soon as I entered the outer court. He still had his regal demeanour, his black robe and trademark smile.

“Welcome home, your majesty.”

“Aaahh, Castell. To be honest, I’m quite surprised to see you. I thought you always stayed with the elves.”

Castell asked me with a smile: “No, I was just there to make the arrangements for your return and deal with a few other minor matters. I naturally came back since you have returned. Are you comfortable here?”

To be frank, all the people I face here are people who frighten me, for example, the empress who looks scary but is actually a stupid mother. There’s also Nier who hates me to the extreme for some odd reason. There’s also the loli that can shatter boulders with a single punch. I feel so much more cordial to finally meet someone normal even though I just stole a girl from him not long ago.

I weakly smiled, nodded and said: “I’m alright. I just never expected that human and elven society were so different.”

I thought ballista were already an advanced piece of technology for humans. Then it turned out that ballistae were already an abandoned machine. Did Castell do that on purpose…? But he wasn’t wrong. By that I mean, the elves wouldn’t have been able to produce cannons in those few days even if Castell did suggest cannons.

Castell blinked and said with a laugh: “True. When you came here in the past, you were a melancholic person who never left his room. I am very happy that you took the initiative to leave your room this time. I was surprised that you even bought a girl. Her majesty was very happy about that. It looks like you have begun to accept the world of humanity now.”

I’m a human to begin with… It looks like the original prince a.s.sociated more with his elf ident.i.ty. That means that the war for their son ten years ago was initiated by humanity. I don’t have any means of asking much. I could only helplessly and silently smile because my personality is completely different to the original prince. I think you could look at it like this: I like the life with the elves better, but intrinsically lean towards humanity.

“Your majesty, you returned from outside the palace, am I right? It is unfortunate, but it looks like you will not have any time to rest. You will be very busy very soon. However… that depends on your att.i.tude.”

Castell’s vague words annoyed me a bit. His expression clearly indicated that he knew something but wasn’t telling me. And the corner of his mouth which perked up into a smile was a clear indication he was waiting for me to ask.

I sighed and asked: “What is it?”

Castell didn’t answer my question and instead asked me an odd question: “Before I tell you, please allow me to ask you a question. Your majesty, are you interested in partaking in politics?”

I paused and then resolutely said: “No.”

Of course I don’t! I can’t be as sly as these people! I lived a worry-free life as a young man in the modern day. The only thing I’m confident about is I won’t be scammed or tricked. My experience with politics is a big fat zero. Setting foot into politics means becoming a tool to be used by people. And who knows, you might even get tossed aside after they’re done with you. Why would I throw myself into that mess?

“I see…”

Castell didn’t look disappointed. To the contrary, he still wore his polite smile. He touched his smooth chin and said: “In that case, make your questions and time spent with the two individuals who you are going to meet, equal. The shorter the meeting the better. Make sure not to spend more time with one than the other.”

“Huh? What? What two individuals?”

Still baffled, Nier quickly walked up behind me and whispered into my ear: “General Andrea seeks an audience with you. He is already waiting in the guest room. Your majesty, it is best that you see him.”

Castell nodded, smiled as he bowed, and said: “Please do not forget what I said. Your majesty, if you do not intend to partake in politics, then I shall not interrupt your business then. Goodbye.”

“Alright.”

I nodded and then headed to the guest room with Nier. I stopped on the way then and said to Nier: “Nier, come up with any excuse and interrupt us five minutes after I enter…”

“Understood.”

Nier nodded and looked at me as if she wanted to say something. Her lips budged several times but she didn’t speak out until we arrived at the door of the guest room. When we arrived, she bowed slightly, and then stood by the door with her hand on her sword handle. I went in alone. Seated at the large and long table was an old man in military gear decorated with medals and ribbons. His hair had already turned white but his back was straight. His short and haggard hair further emphasised his old and steady spirit.

He stood up when he heard my footsteps. He turned to me and knelt down on one knee. He said in a deep voice: “I, Borsi Andrea, humbly greet your majesty! I wish your majesty the best in health.”

I nodded and said:  “Please rise.”

I should hurry and help an elderly person up in this sort of situation, but for some reason, my first reaction was to tell him to rise… I walked to the side of the master seat. He stood at one side and looked at me.

I pointed to the seat by my side and said: “Please sit.”

It looked like an electric current just ran up his entire body. He then sat down. His face was radiating with excitement. Do you need to get so excited just sitting next to me? Or has he taken this as having gotten on my good-side and something for him to add to his list of glories?

“In that case, I suggest the time spending the same amount of time with the two individuals who you are going to meet the same. The shorter the meeting the better. Make sure not to spend more time with one than the other.”

I think I understand what Castell meant now… If I’m bias towards one of the two, then I’ll become a bargaining chip for them in their political games. To demonstrate that I don’t want any part in it, I need to be consistent in my treatment with both of them.

“May I ask what you have come to see me for, General Andrea?”

He looked at me and respectfully said: “Your majesty, I want to ask what you think of the army… You have never asked, but I noticed that you have been active this visit. As a subordinate, I want to know if you are satisfied with my job.”

“To be honest with you, I don’t know what the army is like in detail. I’ve just arrived here and haven’t seen what the army looks like.”

“How about I organise a parade to let you see what our troops are like then?”

A parade, huh…? Truthfully, I’ve always wanted to see a parade for once… I’ve only seen them on television before. I want to try standing on one of the moving stations and shout…

I nodded and said: “Go ahead then.”

“Understood!”

He seemed to be really happy…

We just chatted about some nonsense after. I felt like he was trying to demonstrate to me that the army was powerful. He even brought up how they killed the elves, one group after another ten years ago. I got annoyed but couldn’t show it.

Nier suddenly stood at my side and whispered loud enough that both he and I could hear: “Your majesty, there is someone outside seeking an audience with you.”

I stood up and he followed suit. He understood what it meant. He bowed slightly and said: “I shall go and prepare the parade now. Welcome to the empire, your majesty. I will not take up anymore of your time. I shall take my leave now.”

“Okay.”

I left the guest room, and just as I let out a sigh of relief, a fat man waltzed in… Astonished, I looked at Nier. Nier innocently looked at me. So it wasn’t an excuse then!! It wasn’t an excuse!! Someone really did seek an audience!