Chapter 119: Who is Carl Felt?
The bloodlines of the families that have fought against Tumaris for countless years in Dabron are screaming as if they will rush in with spears and swords drawn at any moment.
They had an unwavering, unwavering trust in Tumaris.
There's no way those devilish bastards would propose an alliance with good intentions! They must all be slaughtered!
Of course, Marquis Govan of Davron, who was at the top of the noble class as a Marquis, was looking at the situation from a more neutral perspective, so his thoughts were a little different from theirs.
"I can't trust those vile Tumaris, but it seems that there are at least some who do not want war, which is very important information. Thanks to your excellent judgment in a sudden situation, I think we can move forward one step further."
Govan, who calmly observed the situation and made a judgment, greatly praised Carl.
It wasn't just flattery; Carl had actually handled the situation surprisingly well.
Carl quietly looked at Govan, who harbored hatred and a desire for revenge but was not swayed by them, then sat down deep in his chair and folded his arms in front of his stomach.
Carl sat immediately to Govan's right, and his strange behavior was clearly visible to all.
"Lord Davron, I will leave the judgment of this matter entirely to you, who knows Tumaria much better than I do."
"… Are you sure about this?"
Carl went forward, wearing the imperial mantle and carrying the emperor's standard, to negotiate with his opponents.
However, if Govan rejected the other party's offer, Carl would lose face and the ability to resolve the situation smoothly. Carl had to carry out the negotiations he had made, no matter what, politically and militarily.
"Of course. I'm more worried that I may have been impatient and overdone things."
Carl drew back, embracing his territory.
It was impossible for Marquis Govan of Davron not to know that he was giving up all political involvement.
'I don't know what he's thinking.'
Govan was a little confused because of this young prince.
Carl managed the situation well on his own, set the table, then suddenly handed the table to Govan and quickly stepped away.
Carl smiled with a childlike, innocent face at Govan, who was observing him with deep eyes, but then turned his head to the window where sunlight was streaming in as if he had really lost interest.
To those who knew that Carl was extraordinary, this seemed very significant, but to those who did not know him well, he seemed like a child with no interest in politics.
"… I will accept the other party's proposal. Of course, I will make a definite decision after hearing the other party's story at noon."
"Okay, then I'll take a break until the time comes."
Carl laughed, jumped up, and left the conference room without any formalities or procedures.
***
"Is it true that no one knows about Felt's Carl? He wears the imperial mantle and carries the emperor's banner."
"I'm sorry."
Yusuf frowned at the sight of those kneeling before him. He knew he couldn't help but get annoyed.
But the fact that there had been no investigation into the imperial family with such a threatening presence was frustrating.
Yusuf examined the golden bracelet he received from Carl carefully.
The finish was so luxurious and sophisticated that each laurel leaf appeared to be alive. But this was just a decoration. There was nothing to infer about Carl's identity.
"..."
Yusuf, who was thinking deeply, suddenly realized something strange.
'Why is his armor so crude when he has such expensive bracelets?'
Captivated by Carl's intense gaze and presence, he only now realized that his armor was a shabby piece of equipment unfit for royalty.
Could it be that he did that on purpose to hide his identity? So, what if it's not just the royal family?
"… Who among the princes of the empire are of advanced age?"
The old man, who was lying face down, spoke calmly at Yusuf's words.
"There is the First Prince Aric, who is said to take care of state affairs on behalf of the Emperor, the Second Prince Adrian, who is rumored to enjoy drinking and living a debaucherous life, and the Third Prince Nero, who is said to have mastered martial arts before he was even 20 years old."
"Are they all? Are you really saying that there is not a single prince of any age besides them?"
"I'm sorry."
"Stop spouting such worthless words and find out about Felt's Carl right now."
Yusuf strode out of the tent without waiting for an answer.
Those eyes.
Those bright, burning eyes.
Those eyes that shined coldly as he stood alone in front of Yusuf, who could kill him with his bare hands, despite his small and dwarf body.
Those eyes that shined with a will as strong as steel, not a hint of arrogance or anything like that, but a confidence that had no reason to waver.
'If we leave him alive, he will surely become a cause for trouble in the distant future.'
Yusuf evaluated Carl like this.
The relationship between the two countries, which was maintained by walking a tightrope, was a potential enemy that could go to war at any time.
The sight of Carl was only a fleeting glimpse, but it was enough to give Yusuf a strong feeling of foreboding.
If Carl was truly the legitimate prince of the empire... Before it grew into a giant tree, now that it was in his grasp, it might not be a bad idea to crush the buds in advance.
Where on earth did that guy come from?
Yusuf of Tumaria, who thought so, held Carl in the highest regard above all others in the Hardion Empire to which Carl belonged. Without even knowing who he was.
Coincidentally, the same was true for Carl. In the original, after Aingir became emperor, the Hardion Empire went to war with its neighboring countries.
Of course, the same went for Tumari.
Eventually, within a few years, Hardion and Tumaria were destined to go to war.
***
At noon, Carl and Yusuf met again on the rocky mountain and faced each other with calm expressions.
"Yusuf, fortunately, it seems you were able to convince them well."
"Carl of Felt, it seems you are the same."
This time, as before, the two men were accompanied by only the bare minimum of escorts.
That is, both people were given full authority over these negotiations and faced each other as the final decision-makers.
"I would like to proceed as quickly as possible."
"Wouldn't it take some time to get ready?"
"If we delay any longer, it will be to lose our advantage. How can we just stand by and watch them plunder and attack our subjects with swords and spears?"
Yusuf felt a sense of regret at Carl's firm words. He had tried to take some more time to find out about Carl.
"Okay. I understand what you mean. However, it is true that we need time, so let's start in three hours."
"Thank you."
"However."
Yusuf accepted Carl's offer and spoke with a sharp smile.
"I will decide how this 'match' will be played."
"However much."
Since Yusuf had given in on the time, it was right for Carl to give in on the method.
"There is a ravine on both sides of the rocky hill where those thugs are hiding. How about you and I dig into the center from opposite sides at the same time, and whoever kills more enemies wins?"
Yusuf forced Carl to participate in the battle himself by saying, "You and I."