The Hunting Season (6)
'It's a beginning.'
I'm looking forward to it. I wonder how that guy will put me in danger again.
I listened to Oslo's words, hiding my smile.
"Anyway, all agenda items at the summit are discussed and decided by the participants from each country. The guardians cannot express opinions in the first place."
Since the agenda discussed at the summit was determined according to each country's interests, the Guardian, who had a duty of neutrality, could not interfere.
However, the reason the Guardians attend the summit is because without them it would be difficult to prepare for the Great Rift.
In particular, the future revealed by 'the first walker' was absolutely necessary when establishing war strategies.
Conversely, if only the information had been obtained in advance, the 'first walker' could have left the summit without any problems.
Moreover, if the 'first walker ' had a history of violating the duty of neutrality, excluding him might have been the right choice for everyone.
The attendees nodded, taken in by Oslo's flowery rhetoric.
Perhaps they are the ones who promised cooperation in exchange for Oslo's help with everything from information about the Great Rift to various agenda items.
On the other hand, some frowned and showed their displeasure. Prime Minister Halsteille and Cardinal Sancretia were among them.
In any case, more than half of those sympathized with Oslo.
"Well, now that I hear it, His Highness the Third Prince's words make sense."
"How can this be possible? To exclude the guardian given by God from the summit? This is blasphemy!"
"Avoid your reckless words and actions! Would the Third Prince of the Empire say such things without any alternative?"
"Then tell me the alternative first..."
"Come on, come on! What good will it do us to fight among ourselves? Let's decide by voting!"
The attendees, who were divided into those for and against Oslo and raised their voices, eventually agreed to vote.
If we vote like this, the result is obvious. Those who want to exclude me and Rahon will have the upper hand.
"Those words I'll make you regret it.'
So that's why Oslo said those words to me so confidently earlier.
"Nadia."
"Yes, Miss."
Nadia nodded and quietly left the banquet hall.
Prime Minister Halstaille, who had remained silent amid the commotion, spoke for the first time.
"I would like to hear the Guardian's opinion. Does 'the First Walker' have anything to say?"
You're giving me a chance.
I answered with a slight bow of my head in gratitude.
"If you give me the chance, I have something to tell you."
"Wait a minute, Prime Minister Halstaille. Why do you insist on giving the 'first walker' the right to speak?"
To Oslo, who frowned and retorted, Prime Minister Halsteille asked bluntly.
"Since this is a matter related to the Guardians, wouldn't it be fair to give them a chance to express their opinions?"
"..."
"Unless there is some reason why the Third Prince of the Empire should silence the mouth of the 'first walker'."
Prime Minister Halsteille gazed intently at Oslo.
Oslo, who was pushed by the old man's sharp gaze, eventually retreated without saying anything.
Having finally gotten a chance to speak, I stood up, holding my cane.
The attendees' eyes were focused on me. I lowered my eyes to hide my nervousness.
"I know what you are worried about. This is something that happened because of my immorality, so I will abide by the results of the vote. However."
I paused for a moment and lifted my head up. I looked past the pouring gazes and fixed my gaze on empty space.
"I don't mind missing the summit, but I'm worried about not being able to fulfill my duties."
"Don't worry. His Highness the Third Prince will take responsibility for it."
The voice that suddenly interrupted was full of laughter. It was a fat middle-aged man, Baron Nokron.
I turned my head towards him and asked him sharply.
"Who was speaking just now?"
"Ahem, my name is Belzak Nokron."
"Baron Nokron, do you mean to take on the duties of Guardian in your stead?"
"Oh, no, what I mean is..."
Instead of the flustered and stammering Baron Nokron, Oslo took over.
"So you're saying you want to stay so that you can carry out your duties as a guardian?"
"No, I mean I will complete my mission regardless of the outcome."
"What?"
It was a moment when Oslo raised an eyebrow.
As the banquet hall door opened, servants came in carrying three huge paintings.
"What is that?"
"Well, let's see. Is it a war flower?"
"Hmm, it seems like one scene was split into three."
The three paintings each contained a single theme, rather than different themes.
A sky covered with dark clouds, and a combined force of 100,000 monsters and humans facing off beneath it.
The flags of the three countries were waving in the strong wind. The bloody smoke rising here and there across the ground seemed to smell like blood.
A look of surprise spread across the faces of the attendees who were looking at the painting with puzzled eyes.
Finally, someone sighed in a hushed voice.
"It's a great rift."
I smiled softly and continued.
"That's right, it's a painting of the great rift I saw, I call it a future painting."
"Why are you... making this public?"
"That's what the 'first walker' does. You didn't think I'd monopolize the information and share it only with certain people, did you?"
Oslo, who had been planning to reveal the information only to his own side, quickly controlled his expression from crumpling.
By revealing the future that contained the Great Rift, I had one goal in mind.
Making Oslo's information useless.
Now, those who had promised cooperation to Oslo had no reason to do so.
Also, the attendees who were left out by Oslo and didn't get any information couldn't help but feel good about me...
"This is only the first time I've drawn a future for the Great Rift. I'll be drawing more of the futures I've seen in the future, and I promise to reveal them as soon as they're complete."
I paused for a moment and took a deep breath.
"It doesn't matter if I'm excluded from the summit. This is for the good of the world."
Even if you frame me and push me out for your own gain, I will do whatever I have to do.
Because it's for the peace of the world.
The attendees who understood the exact meaning cleared their throats.
Oslo retorted in a soft voice.
"Then it would be even better if you skipped the summit. If you plan on sharing information anyway."
Unlike the calm smile on his lips, his molars were clenched. His slender chin was bulging out.
Then Baron Nokron raised his voice.
"That's right! Isn't it wrong to force someone who can't even see into a conference room? It must be uncomfortable for the Young Lady, but honestly, it's uncomfortable for us too!"
"Right!"
Several attendees expressed their enthusiastic agreement.
The first to agree to Oslo's insistence on my exclusion were the Count and Count Gideon.
'That's unexpected."
I didn't know they would bring up my eyesight and make it seem like it was for my benefit.
Just as I was laughing inwardly, Kjer's face came into view.
His eyes were gloomy and sunken, and he had an expression on his face that would have made him swing his sword at any moment if he had one.
I strongly advise you never to take my side...
My heart became impatient.
'I have to take care of this quickly before my older brother causes an accident.'
"As I said before, I will follow your opinion. I hope that what I am about to present to you will help you make your decision."
Nadia, who had gone out for a moment, returned, holding a luxurious glass case in her arms.
She placed a glass box in front of me. Inside was a glass bottle smaller than the palm of my hand.
The glass bottle was specially crafted to add a mysterious atmosphere. The green contents sloshed around and reflected the light.
People's eyes were drawn to an object that was obviously unusual at first glance.
Erika is nervous.
One attendee asked,
"What is that?"
"This is an anti-monster herb. If you spray this perfume on your body, lower-level monsters won't recognize you."
"...!"
The grand hall froze. Everyone in attendance stared at the glass bottle with wide eyes.
The Prime Minister of Halshtaille asked.
"Has it been proven to be effective?"
"The effectiveness has already been proven in Eldern. If you still find it hard to believe, check with the Golden Tree Lord. He is my partner and is in charge of producing and distributing herbs for use against monsters."
If the Golden Tree's top shareholder, who is thorough in his conflict of interest, is a partner, then the effect is practically
proven.
Someone swallowed dry saliva.
"Well, if you made a contract with the Golden Tree Top... you're saying you're planning on selling it?"
"Yes."
"Even in countries other than the Empire?"
"We sell it wherever monsters appear."
The Great Rift is not the end.
People will continue to live after the Great Rift, and naturally, monster attacks will continue unabated.
Anti-monster herbs were a formidable weapon for minimizing casualties during monster attacks.
But what if you exclude me from the summit for the sake of a small advantage right in front of you, and then you end up not being able to use the anti-monster herbs that everyone else uses?
Who on earth can step forward?
The attendees were silent. Some even slyly turned their backs on Oslo.
The solution to Oslo's attempt to kick me out of the summit is simple.
All I have to do is give the attendees a reason why they can't kick me out.
I sat leisurely, watching Oslo chew his lips.
"Now, let's vote."
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