TSMMT Ch 139

I Will Return

As expected, the Pope's reply arrived a few days after Dianna dispatched her letter concerning the grain crisis, requesting an immediate audience. Reviewing his response, she exhaled a sigh of relief.

Crossing his arms with a displeased expression, Adelheit spoke up.

[Adelheit] "You are traveling there? At a time like this?"

Dianna nodded quietly, while the dragon observed her with wide, curious eyes.

[Adelheit] "Regarding the grain, did the Pope offer definitive support?"

She offered a faint smile.

[Dianna] "He will likely grant aid on the condition that we convert."

His expression shifted dramatically.

[Adelheit] "Dianna, that is..."

[Dianna] "Indeed."

It meant demanding an alteration of the kingdom's founding ideology. Forcing Lodbrog to acknowledge itself as a nation established upon the slaughter of a divine messenger. It was an impossible ultimatum, and no noble would willingly accept grain procured under such humiliating terms.

[Dianna] "Revius already threw a frantic tantrum over it, so I am well aware."

She offered a faint chuckle, lowering her gaze. Beneath long eyelashes, her silvery-blue eyes gleamed.

Suddenly, Adelheit's gaze shifted. Dianna no longer bore the wounded, barely-surviving countenance of the past.

While not outwardly passionate, her absorbed, meticulously calculating demeanor felt both unfamiliar and striking.

I knew it intellectually, but this is her true self.

Adelheit stared blankly at her face, unable to avert his gaze.

Oblivious or indifferent to his stare, she spoke gently.

[Dianna] "However, I know precisely what matters most to the Holy See. Something far more critical than the conversion of the Lodbrog Kingdom."

At that moment, the silent dragon chimed in.

[Taras] "Dost thou intend to utilize me?"

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

Tilting his head, the dragon offered a bewildered look.

[Taras] "Hmm... Is that not it? Utilizing me would prove simple, would it not?"

[Dianna] "Meaning I should reveal that you are a dragon and persuade the Pope?"

[Taras] "Indeed."

[Dianna] "That would escalate matters far too much."

Word of another dragon's emergence would already have the Pope's faction on high alert. Revealing that they held the dragon captive and fitted him with a slave restraint collar would cause a catastrophic spectacle. Negotiations would collapse immediately, igniting a holy war.

[Taras] "Humans utilize the path of least resistance. Creature, don't humans choose the easiest option for survival?"

[Dianna] "..."

[Taras] "Had it been me, I would have seized grain from Panborough."

[Dianna] "That is taking from others merely so I may survive."

[Taras] "What is the issue with that? The strong exploiting the weak is a tale as old as time. That is precisely why all beings strive to grow powerful."

Tilting his head with that lovely face, the dragon uttered ruthless words.

[Taras] "Exploitation is a survival instinct. It is done to live."

Yet Dianna didn't blink at his words.

Observing her reaction, the dragon spoke with a confused expression.

[Taras] "Observing thee, thou art always undertaking difficult paths. Refusing to slay me, setting me free, abstaining from exploitation..."

Rather than persuading Dianna, the dragon seemed to genuinely desire comprehension.

What was she to do with this inquisitive dragon? She released a quiet sigh.

[Dianna] "Because... because it is the right thing to do."

[Taras] "What?"

[Dianna] "Simply because it is right. How would a world of mutual plunder differ from a realm of beasts?"

[Taras] "Dost thou believe humans differ from beasts?"

Seeing the cold mockery laced in his expression, Dianna pondered. To this dragon, humans and beasts were likely indistinguishable.

[Dianna] "Scholars say the moment humans diverged from beasts was not when language emerged, but when they began helping one another. They discovered ancient human remains bearing a healed broken bone, marking that as the inception of civilization."

[Taras] "..."

[Dianna] "According to survival instinct, such an act makes no sense. An injured human can't produce resources and ought to be left behind, unable to flee enemies. Yet someone shared essential food for survival and risked danger to aid them until the bone healed."

[Taras] "..."

[Dianna] "That is the distinction between humans and beasts."

She spoke, recalling the story her mother had once shared. Realizing her explanation had grown excessively long, a faint blush touched her cheeks.

[Dianna] "So, in any case, the Holy See possesses stored grain, and we shall secure it. That is all."

She trailed off. The dragon wore an incredulous expression.

[Taras] "Thou art truly a fool. The greatest fool among all creatures I have observed."

[Adelheit] "I find myself agreeing with that assessment."

Adelheit, who had been quietly watching, chimed in with a solemn expression.

Dianna lowered her head with flushed cheeks. She admitted that taking the difficult road out of principle sounded grandiose. Yet humans possessed boundaries that had to be maintained. Though she harbored no affection for her motherland, duty demanded perseverance despite the difficulty. Was that not a royal's duty?

[Taras] "Very well, I shall accompany thee."

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

[Taras] "I wish to visit this nation worshipping Kronosotia or whatever that deity is called."

The dragon was uttering outright blasphemy. As Dianna looked at him with concern, he spoke again.

[Taras] "Why? Fearing I might reveal my identity as a dragon? I am no fool. I shall keep my mouth shut."

As she knitted her brows, Adelheit spoke up.

[Adelheit] "I shall go as well."

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

[Adelheit] "Naturally, I will not interfere. Please take me as an escort!"

He looked at her with an earnest expression. Having Grand Duke Blake along was hardly a drawback. Since he was following because of the dragon, bringing him made sense. As a grand duke, Adelheit himself was a dependable presence.

Dianna nodded in agreement. And so, the party was formed.

She offered an awkward smile.

---

Dianna wore a perplexed expression as she looked at the individuals standing before her. Nobles from the state council were waiting for her. She stared in confusion at the three young women presented to her.

Leonie stood with a reluctant expression, flanked by Lady Eirick and young Lady Islag. Three daughters belonging to key members of the Round Table Council.

[D. Kragel] "We deemed that Her Majesty requires escorts for the journey."

[Dianna] "..."

[D. Kragel] "You are the Queen, after all. Did you intend to depart without a single lady-in-waiting?"

Duke Kragel spoke. Aside from Lady Levian, the daughters of the ducal houses were stepping forward to serve Dianna.

Taking these ladies means requiring escorts, which implies knights from their ducal houses will follow.

The intent to monitor her through their own retinues was glaringly obvious.

[Dianna] "Very well."

Dianna responded readily. There was no reason to refuse. Even if she secured grain, they would undoubtedly nitpick over the details of her negotiations; allowing them to observe directly was preferable.

Furthermore, as a royal procession, proper decorum was necessary.

Dianna glanced at Leonie, who was looking away with a sullen expression. That relationship, too, would require resolution eventually.

---

Preparations didn't take long. Given the tight timeline, arrangements concluded swiftly. The same held true for the Vargrhati Order.

The elite squad consists of Knight Commander Clover, Bill, and Inez. Logaple had volunteered, but upon being rejected, he whined to Dianna until the other knights dragged him away.

Before departing, Dianna checked on Guiscard. Bathed in the dawn light, the man looked striking. She realized his hair had grown longer.

She gently stroked his face with her fingers for a long moment. His steady breathing proved he was merely asleep, not dead. It felt strange. He seemed as though he might awaken at any moment, yet his eyes remained shut.

[Dianna] "Guiscard."

[Guiscard] "..."

Dianna caressed his face. She didn't know what kind of nation he sought to build or what choices he would make in this situation. Yet one thing was certain: she had to assume responsibility.

[Dianna] "I will do well and return."

She whispered into his ear. Seeing a side of him she had rarely witnessed in the past felt strangely poignant, yet anxiety nagged at her.

Brushing his hair softly, she savored its smooth texture.

[Dianna] "I will return before the season ends and watch you awaken."

A faint smile touched her face.

[Dianna] "When that time comes, let us smile as we look at each other. Promised."

She rose from her seat, her maids following close behind. Revius stood at the end of the corridor.

[Revius] "Your Majesty."

He bowed deeply with a faint smile. Observing his polite demeanor, Dianna offered a nod.

[Revius] "Please travel safely."

[Dianna] "I will."

[Revius] "The nobles may scheme in your absence. Leaving the kingdom at a time like this means safety can't be guaranteed."

Dianna nodded. Bowing low, he spoke with a sheepish expression.

[Revius] "I considered myself a rather intelligent man, yet in truth, I can't comprehend what Your Majesty is scheming."

[Dianna] "..."

[Revius] "Even so, I trust Your Majesty."

Dianna offered a smile at his words.

Ultimately, Revius and Dianna pursued similar goals: Guiscard's stability, the kingdom's security, and the like. Though their personalities clashed, receiving his support didn't feel unpleasant.

[Dianna] "Revius, you must be careful as well."

[Revius] "..."

[Dianna] "Many harbor designs against His Majesty's safety."

He let out a faint chuckle.

[Revius] "Targeting His Majesty while I am present?"

His eyes gleamed with a cool intensity.

Dianna chose to say no more. It was surely time for the web of spies Revius had planted across the kingdom to bear fruit. The nobles would waste their time managing the fallout, or his specialty—sowing discord—would shine brilliantly.

[Dianna] "Furthermore, I leave the matter regarding Panborough in your hands. I sent a letter to Philip; so long as we don't undercut the price excessively, he will surely assist."

[Revius] "Understood."

Philip's faction surely recognized that they needed to sell grain at the price Lodbrog proposed. He was no fool.

With Revius present, Dianna could depart with absolute peace of mind. It felt strange.

Was this why Guiscard often set out on campaigns in the past?

With Revius handling affairs, reassurance filled her.

[Revius] "Then, please return safely."

Hearing those words, she pondered the unfamiliarity of the phrasing.

This is the place I will return to. A place to return.

She couldn't clearly define that emotion.

---

It had been a while since she last rode a carriage. Yet as the royal palace receded behind her, a strange landscape unfolded.

If in the past this was a place she sought to leave forever, it had now become a place she must return to. She had yet to decide her heart, whether to leave or to stay. Yet one truth remained absolute: she wished to return here and see Guiscard open his eyes.

She wished to exchange countless words with him. She wanted to know what emotions he had harbored back then, to see him smile, and to offer her apologies. A mixture of lingering attachment and unspoken love filled her heart.

[Dianna] "Goodbye, Guiscard."

Yet the moment the words left her lips, she corrected herself.

[Dianna] "I will return, Guiscard."

She whispered softly. Unlike her previous departure in flight, a magnificent procession followed behind her.

Author's Note: Dianna's dialogue with Tarascus regarding the origin of human civilization references anthropologist Margaret Mead's famous definition. That the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture is a healed femur, proving someone took time to care for an injured person rather than leaving them to die.

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