Published: July 3, 2025
"If it’s not too much trouble, could you serve me some coffee as well?"
Former King Robert Pirlo said as he took a seat on the stone chair.
Ryo and Robert Pirlo were sitting at a large stone table, one of the three stone chairs placed around it.
"Here you go."
Ryo generated an icy cup, poured the remaining coffee from the French press into it, and handed it over.
Robert Pirlo happily accepted it and closed his eyes, seemingly savoring the aroma.
Though he had come out alone, it was evident that guards were lurking in the surrounding darkness.
Without even needing to use the passive sonar, Ryo could sense their presence.
It was likely intentional—a message saying, “We are watching.”
"I apologize for my tactless subordinates."
"No, it is only natural."
Robert Pirlo smiled, a mix of a smile and a wry grin, and Ryo accepted it openly.
It was only natural for the guards to protect their master.
After sipping about half a cup of coffee, Robert Pirlo slowly opened his mouth.
"Actually, the reason I came today was to thank you."
"Thank me?"
Ryo tilted his head in confusion.
He could think of many instances where he had been on the receiving end of the anger from the leaders of the alliance, but he couldn't recall doing anything worthy of thanks.
"Yes. During the recent incident at Schultz, you protected the members of the alliance with an ice wall, correct? That is my gratitude."
"Oh..."
He was referring to the time in the second Schultz of the Corridor Nations when the horseback people attacked the plaza, and Ryo defended the alliance delegation with an ice wall towards the end.
"I only did what was natural."
It felt wrong to insist otherwise, and it seemed that various things were already known anyway.
Certainly, the alliance had been an enemy in the war, but now, they were indeed delegations to the same Western Nations, which made such a response unavoidable.
"I wonder if mere words of thanks will suffice. How about joining the alliance? If you do, I will grant you the same status as you have in your current kingdom."
"I must decline."
"Immediate response, huh! Ahh, ha ha ha ha!"
Ryo quickly rejected the offer from Former King Robert Pirlo without any hesitation.
There was no need to think about it.
"Of course, the same status refers to being the first duke of the alliance, right?"
It seemed he was aware of Ryo's exact position.
As expected of the man that Lord Aubrey could not kill.
"Yes. I must decline."
"I see."
When Ryo declined again, Robert Pirlo nodded with a smile.
It seems he had not originally intended to poach him.
Ryo sensed that feeling.
After all, Robert Pirlo was the former king of the Kingdom of Capitone, not the top of the entire alliance.
"Receiving absolute loyalty from someone like you, King Abel... you must be quite a person."
"Yes. He is the best king."
Ryo said that without a hint of embarrassment.
Even Robert Pirlo was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise.
Just then, they heard footsteps approaching again.
"Ah, what a nice aroma."
Emerging from the darkness was the leader of the imperial delegation, Former Emperor Rupert.
"I apologize for interrupting your discussion between the two great heads."
With that, Former Emperor Rupert sat down on the one empty stone chair.
Thus, the three highest-ranking individuals from the former emperor, former king, and first duke gathered at one table.
"Please, go ahead."
Ryo said, pouring the last of the coffee from the French press into the icy cup and offering it to Rupert.
"Oh, thank you."
Rupert took it and couldn't help but let out a sigh of appreciation.
"This is some good Kona. I can tell just by the aroma... I never expected to encounter such coffee while traveling."
Murmuring this, he downed it in one go.
Wasn’t it hot?
No one answered Ryo's thoughts on that.
Former King Robert Pirlo smiled as he watched the scene.
"That was indeed delicious. Now, let’s get to the matter at hand. I hear you protected my delegation at Schultz. I appreciate it."
With that, Rupert bowed his head.