The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing

#423 - Checkmate

Whether it's hosting a party or a meeting, there's always a tone set at the beginning, and the tone of this meeting is terrible.

At the very least, it's not a pleasant meeting.

This must be a diplomatic tactic of deceit and betrayal. Although I don't know the reason behind it, the stupid prince's goal is probably to provoke them, leave a bad impression in everyone's minds, and anger them.

But what he didn't expect was that Zun Zun wouldn't play by the rules at all.

No, judging from the prince's expression, he probably didn't expect Zun Zun to be here. At least, he's been staring at Zun Zun since just now, seeming very infatuated.

Just as everyone was troubled about how to handle the situation...

"What's all the commotion about?"

A man with ordinary looks, but wearing meticulously crafted clothes and sporting a small mustache, strolled out of the castle leisurely.

Clearly, he was a high-ranking official of this kingdom.

"Prime Minister! ?"

One of the retainers revealed his identity.

So that's it. This man is the prime minister I heard about in the restaurant. Responding to Kazuma Sato's questioning gaze, he nodded knowingly.

Alice had also heard information about this kingdom. Moreover, the other party was the prime minister of a country, so she naturally wouldn't be negligent and bowed again.

"Nice to meet you, I am Alice, the First Princess of Belzerg. I am honored to meet the Prime Minister."

"You are too kind, too kind. Your Highness is so lovely, you really don't seem like the rumored Belzerg family. I am Ragrecleif, serving as Prime Minister. Please guide me."

See, this is how a mature man should respond, completely different from that deadbeat kid over there.

Hey, stop staring over here!

After instantly calming the commotion just now, the Prime Minister gave a courteous bow and then turned his back to the crowd and started walking.

"Well then, Princess Alice and her party, please follow me. We have already prepared to entertain you all... Huh, huh!? This priest, what's wrong? Is there something on my back?"

The Prime Minister couldn't help but ask.

Only to see Aqua approaching him from behind, randomly groping his back.

And Aqua, the culprit, tilted her head and said, "I don't really understand either, but I just feel like this uncle is weird, but there's no demonic stench on him, and no undead aura... I say, uncle, do you have any demon friends, or have you raised any wild undead or something?"

Oh ho, as expected of Aqua.

Her nose is really more sensitive than a dog's nose.

As the nemesis of the undead, Aqua is undoubtedly an expert in this field, and the team members also trust her very much, but she just doesn't choose the right occasion or timing.

Darkness held her head down and apologized frantically, while the Prime Minister, who was being groped randomly by Aqua, stiffly said it was okay.

Speaking of which, that deadbeat kid over there, stop staring at me!

Zun Zun clenched his fist.

Afterward, the group arrived at the castle.

As the Prime Minister said, they were entertained, but for such a prosperous country, this banquet was really simple... No, it had reached the point of being shabby.

The food was only slightly better than what ordinary adventurers would get.

Megumin, who didn't get to eat delicious food, and Aqua, who didn't get to drink high-end bubbly wine, were already on the verge of yelling.

And at this moment—

"Please, you must help with this matter!"

Alice suddenly said this loudly, spreading throughout the venue.

That's right, it's about money.

"Even if you ask me to help, I can't do anything about it. Our country's finances are also quite tight."

The Prime Minister looked troubled.

But obviously, as the previous news had revealed, Elroad didn't plan to give money, and even the original support funds were to be canceled. And under the pretext that the funds couldn't support the banquet, Alice had no way to bring it up.

There was undoubtedly some political entanglement in this. Honestly, Zun Zun didn't plan to listen.

Alice didn't give up and pleaded, "But, from what I've seen in this kingdom, it doesn't feel like the finances are tight..."

"No, that's purely just how it looks to foreigners. The people of this kingdom are all living in hardship, and there really isn't any extra money to support your country."

"I see..."

Hearing the Prime Minister say this, Alice lowered her head.

Honestly, this excuse is too low-level. It's better to tell Alice that even though the people are rich, the national treasury is empty. Once taxes are forcibly levied, it will cause public dissatisfaction, leading to the instability of the kingdom. So, please bring people to help first, and then provide money. In reality, this is just a delay tactic, once again leaving the kingdom helpless... or something like that.

Although Zun Zun had many methods, he wasn't on the Prime Minister's side, so he wouldn't tell him the methods.

In addition, although Alice was sensible and well-behaved, she was still not good at dealing with old foxes. She was brushed off with just a few words.

Damn it, I can't help.

Because this was a conversation between high-ranking officials of the kingdom, no one else was at that table except for Alice, the Prime Minister, and two retainers.

Also, you might not believe it, but Zun Zun didn't have the qualifications to sit at the table and speak.

That's right.

Even Kazuma Sato could speak, but Zun Zun couldn't, which was really annoying.

And that prince over there, stop staring straight over here!

Shouldn't you be discussing important matters with Alice and the Prime Minister right now? Why are you laughing heartily with the retainers in the corner of the banquet!?

Zun-zun gave a look to the man beside her who was ready to act. Upon receiving the signal, Kazuma Sato walked towards Alice, a small black cat perched on his shoulder, looking somewhat peculiar.

Therefore, when he intervened in the conversation, the Prime Minister felt a faint displeasure. But no problem, he would be able to hear their conversation now.

"In short, no matter who comes to negotiate, our country cannot continue to provide support. I am very sorry, but please give up."

Whether it was to guard against Kazuma Sato, or to guard against the small cat on his shoulder, the Prime Minister emphasized his words, firmly refusing to budge.

It was impossible to get anything out of him.

Kazuma Sato was not flustered at all. He had already considered this possibility, and said, "I see, well, there's no helping it… Alice, let's go ask Prince Levey. If the prince says he will give us money, there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

"What!? Didn't I say we don't have any money? Besides, I am currently managing this kingdom. No matter what the prince…"

"I heard rumors on the street that the prince also has the power to decide, doesn't he?"

Kazuma Sato displayed his petty behavior, spitting out this sentence to the Prime Minister whose expression changed drastically.

"Moreover, everyone on the street says they want to thank the Prime Minister, saying that the good economy is all thanks to the Prime Minister… Wait, everyone says the economy is good, isn't that strange?"

Hearing him say this, the Prime Minister revealed a look of unbearable suffering.

Obviously, continuing to talk would only be detrimental to him.

However, a stalemate was not a solution either, so the Prime Minister cleverly distanced himself.

"I understand. However, if you want to negotiate with the prince, please do so at your own discretion, because I do not have the right to express my opinion to the prince."

"Then thank you very much."

Up to this point, everything was normal.

In fact, before coming, Zun-zun and Kazuma Sato, who had inquired about information, had already rehearsed it. After hearing about the diligent Prime Minister and the纨绔prince, the two planned to lead the topic in this direction.

All that remained was to take care of the prince.

However—

"Actually, it's like this, Prince, regarding the defense costs…"

"No."

Before Alice could finish speaking, he had already flatly refused, without any room for maneuver. And strangely, he displayed the attitude of a royal in this situation.

"I heard from Glaclav that the answer was decided from the beginning, absolutely not."

"May I ask, why is that? If our country is defeated because we cannot get support and becomes the Demon Lord's territory, the next victim will be this kingdom, right?"

Alice tried hard to make him understand the principle of shared destiny.

Rather, this kingdom should understand this principle even more, because it is the second closest kingdom to the Demon Lord's army.

But Prince Levey insisted on his own way.

"You don't need to worry about such things. I have already planned it. I should say that our country does not intend to be enemies with the Demon Lord's army in the future, so supporting you would be a hindrance."

"What…!? In that case, what about the alliance?"

"The alliance can continue, but we don't want to provoke the Demon Lord's army. Oh right, since things have become like this, let's end our engagement here."

He didn't expect the initial plan to be completed so easily.

But the method was really unsatisfactory.

"Anyway, our parents decided on the marriage without our consent. I didn't want to marry a savage Belzerg princess from the beginning. Who would want to marry you after hearing that you are a girl stronger than a man?"

"What—!"

It was hard to tell if it was an illusion, but Alice's face clearly showed a hint of joy, but soon her eyes were filled with tears.

"I have no objection to canceling the engagement, but if your country completely cuts off support…!"

"Making that kind of expression is useless. If you are still considered royalty… D-don't, my neck… Stop, stop it…!"

Alice grabbed his collar, causing Prince Levey's face to become paler and paler, and the surrounding retainers hurriedly stopped her.

"Enough, Alice."

Zun-zun gently placed her hand on Alice's hand.

"Zun-zun…"

"Zun-zun?"

Levey's expression obviously stiffened, but he still raised his head and refused to admit defeat, and he didn't know what he wanted to prove.

"I understand Prince Levey's meaning. In other words, your country wants to avoid friction with the Demon Lord's army, or rather, cooperate for mutual benefit, right?"

"That's right. So we must not provide support, otherwise it would be bad to provoke the Demon Lord's army."

"I see, so you mean your country has already allied with the Demon Lord's army… No, it should have become the Demon Lord's territory, right?"

"W-what, wait a minute, I didn't say that!"

"Isn't that so, Prince Levey? In my opinion, you are telling us that you have joined the Demon Lord's army and are already standing on the opposite side of us. In other words, you are standing on the opposite side of all mankind!"

This time he was speechless.

That's right, this is the flaw.

Zun-zun only needed a few words to push this kingdom to the opposite side. Whether he denied it or admitted it, in the end, Prince Levey had no choice but to pay up.

—Checkmate!