Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 35

EP.35 Do you think I’ll just let it happen? No way

The Empire’s top ten, as the name suggests, are the strongest individuals within the empire, ranked among the top ten.

The empire is a place literally teeming with outstanding knights and magicians.

The overwhelming human resources are the empire’s pride, its most powerful weapon.

Among these talented individuals, the top ten are the cream of the crop, the ultimate experts.

They can massacre a horde of monsters alone, fight on par with a knight order, and take on a magic corps.

They are the ones who, with their own strength alone, make possible what others cannot.

That’s why they have been given the glorious title of the Continent’s top ten.

“…”

But today, Logan, a member of the Empire’s top ten,

was listening with extreme politeness and a respectful demeanor, his hands neatly folded in front of him,

to Baron Dagon Jonathan on who was in the midst of exercising with four dumbbells.

He was careful, in case a wrong move might send those dumbbells flying at his face.

“I didn’t expect such a quick visit, and from two of the top ten at that.”

An ogre’s head would burst just from being gripped in those hands.

Surely, among their ancestors, there must have been something non-human. It has to be.

Otherwise, how could this current situation make any sense?

“I apologize for the sudden visit, Baron Dagon Jonathan.”

Yurika, who speaks informally to everyone except the emperor, the crown prince, and the other grand dukes,

doesn’t even use formal language with Logan, who is more than twenty years her senior.

Yet, there she was, using honorifics towards a mere baron.

Of course, Logan had no questions about that part.

To be honest, at this moment, he just wanted to kneel down.

“Do you know why we’re here?”

“Roughly.”

Baron Dagon, having put down the dumbbells, now lay on the bench press.

After taking a breath to compose himself, he grabbed the bar and began lifting the barbell.

Even with guests present, he couldn’t tolerate muscle loss.

That was the will of Jonathan.

The bar was nearly bending from the enormous weight of the plates on either side.

Even Srode, known as the strongest in the top ten, hadn’t been seen lifting that much.

Especially considering the age, Srode would be at least 20 years younger.

If Jonathan had aspired to the top ten title, then all of the top ten would have been from here.

Swallowing dryly, Logan thought so.

“Some unfamiliar people came by recently.”

Baron Dagon spoke without his breathing becoming labored, even as he lifted the tremendous weight of the barbell.

Logan hoped it was because he was in front of guests and pretending to be fine despite the difficulty.

Conversely, if he was genuinely not struggling, that would be even more terrifying.

“They said they had come from a far place in the west. Here in Jonathan, we have a custom of welcoming and treating any guest who arrives, so we allowed them into the domain.”

“But those guests must have been from the western kingdom alliance.”

“That’s what they said. They claimed they had a proposal and had come all this way to present it.”

Even after that, Baron Dagon’s workout showed no signs of stopping.

Yurika seemed fine, probably because she had a rough idea of what to expect.

However, Logan, who was visiting Jonathan’s barony for the first time, was literally on edge.

“It’s time for dinner, my lord.”

“Is that so? Have you had your meal yet?”

“No, we haven’t eaten.”

“Then let’s eat together.”

“If we were to refuse such an offer, it wouldn’t be polite, would it?”

Yurika’s words were met with a look from Baron Dagon that said he knew the answer before he even asked.

But that look seemed to convey something different to Yurika and Logan.

It was as if he was saying, if you don’t eat with us, you’ll be having a funeral meal.

“Let’s, let’s go, Your Highness. I’m quite looking forward to the meal!”

At Logan’s words, Yurika let out a sigh.

For the record, she was classmates at the academy with Leo Jonathan, the eldest son of this place.

Thanks to that, she knew all too well the tastes of the Jonathan people.

“Please eat a lot.”

Baroness Maria, having apparently heard the news, came down and smiled.

Logan had to chew on a chicken breast that was so under-seasoned it didn’t even taste like it had been salted, all the while laughing awkwardly.

Wow, do they actually eat this regularly? It’s so tough it’s barely chewable.

‘I’m not going to choke to death, am I? Is this some kind of new assassination technique?’

It was truly a meal that brought all sorts of thoughts to mind.

“I saw your son at the academy.”

After finishing the meal, Yurika was the first to speak.

“Are you talking about Kyle?”

Even though his son was mentioned, there were no inquiries about how he was doing or if he was unwell.

There was a very strong sense of confidence that he was managing well on his own.

“Yes. He’s really strong. So much so, I’m considering making him my husband.”

– Pfft! –

Logan, who had just managed to take a sip of water after waiting for the right moment, spat it back into the cup.

‘What is she talking about? What exactly are we here for, Your Highness?’

“That’s interesting. Do you really think it will go as you wish?”

As if to say, does she really think she could take a man from Jonathan.

“Let’s get to the point.”

Fortunately, it seemed the princess hadn’t forgotten why they were here.

“About the proposal from the west. Will you accept the alliance’s intentions?”

“…”

Baron Dagon did not respond immediately.

He simply took a sip of water that was in front of him.

“Baron Jonathan.”

Unlike Logan, who was visibly tense, Yurika was more assertive.

Urging him to answer, asking what decision Jonathan had made.

Wondering if they were really about to oppose the empire and enter into another endless battle.

She was a bit tense herself, but she didn’t show it as she waited for an answer.

How much time had passed since then?

“Both of you.”

Finally, Baron Dagon began to speak.

“What kind of answer do you think we gave?”

With a smile on his lips that was chilling just to look at.

====

***

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Not long before the two members of the top ten entered Jonathan’s barony, there had been others who arrived as guests.

According to Jonathan’s custom and laws, a guest, whoever they may be, must always be treated at least once.

So those who made it to Baron Jonathan’s castle finally revealed their identity.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Baron Dagon Jonathan.”

“We are emissaries from the alliance.”

Upon hearing this, Baron Dagon, as well as Leo and Lea standing beside him,

tilted their heads in curiosity, as if hearing about the alliance for the first time.

Of course, they would react that way. The western kingdoms hadn’t been united for long,

and Jonathan’s barony had no interest whatsoever in such trivial news.

“There are kingdoms in the west that the empire’s reach has not yet touched. We have come together to fight against the empire’s final ambitions of conquest and have formed a kingdom alliance.”

The emissaries of the alliance said this with their heads bowed.

They failed to notice the slight smile at the mention of ‘fighting against’ and the grimace at ‘coming together,’ not catching the subtle changes in expression.

“The empire’s ambitions are endless. Those ambitions will one day taint even this place, Jonathan’s barony. They are undoubtedly sharpening their blades of retribution for you.”

“We implore you to help the alliance and stand against the empire. As a strong force, we hope you will protect the weak and once again establish justice on the continent.”

The emissaries provided a pretext for turning against the empire.

Talk of conquest ambitions, protecting the weak, justice for the continent.

Such words would make any noble’s heart swell with righteousness, as they live and die by such pretexts.

“…”

“…”

However, neither Baron Dagon Jonathan, Leo Jonathan, nor Lea Jonathan.

None of those present gave any kind of significant response.

Instead, their eyes seemed to say, ‘What nonsense are these fools spouting?’

Meanwhile, the emissaries from the kingdom alliance clicked their tongues internally, as if they had expected this reaction.

Mad for battle, almost like wild dogs that bite people, barbarians.

That was the view the alliance had of Jonathan at the moment.

How many years had the empire, which had swept through several kingdoms in no time, been held up by just these people?

They certainly seemed to love a good fight.

Even given a cause or a grand principle, they remained so quiet.

‘It’s time to move on to the next method of persuasion.’

They had never truly believed that these battle-crazed beings would be swayed by mere pretexts.

Would those obsessed with fighting care for such things?

Indeed, to a monster, one must throw a chunk of meat dripping with blood.

“The alliance will fight the empire. Once again, we will wage war.”

“War, you say.”

“In that war, we would like Jonathan to also take part. It’s a battle against the empire. A full-scale war where everything is at stake. Surely, a massive battle will ensue.”

At the emissary’s words, Baron Dagon hummed and stroked his chin.

Clearly, the talk of war, battle, and fighting had piqued his interest.

Leo and Lea seemed to share this sentiment, deep in thought.

Seeing such a reaction from Jonathan, the emissaries internally exclaimed, ‘We’ve got them!’

They thought these people, despite their tremendous physical abilities, were not so sharp-minded.

Pretending to ponder, they believed that with just a little more provocation, Jonathan would be persuaded.

What difference would it make if those who think only of fighting consider this!

The emissaries felt the urgency to drive the point home.

They needed to get these warriors to join the front against the empire.

“There’s no difficulty! You of Jonathan need not follow our alliance’s commands. Just fight in the way you wish here. Once the alliance declares war and distracts the empire’s attention, you can take advantage of the chaos to launch a surprise attack on the empire….”

– Crunch. –

Suddenly, a sound of something being mercilessly crushed assaulted their ears.

Wondering what that noise was, they looked up. Oh, what in the world.

“What did you just say.”

The iron cup that had been in Baron Dagon Jonathan’s hand was crumpled like a piece of paper.

The now shapeless lump of metal fell from his hand and rolled on the floor.

“Baron Jonathan?”

“You’re telling Jonathan what to do? A surprise attack? To strike from behind against those who aren’t even ready to fight, those children?!”

It was over. The negotiation had failed.