"…Your Excellency, if Ursus is truly a nation that carries the world in its heart, then what does that make Sami?"
"…"
"Let's not even mention the ancient Yan. Back then, Sami was the true bulwark holding back the demons… and it was your Ursus legions that seized vast tracts of Sami's land. Now you expect Kazimierz to swallow the consequences of your conquests?"
"…"
"With what face, with what right, do you shamelessly dress up the Ursus Emperor's endless appetite as something noble?"
"…And what can you do? Rely on those Silverlance Pegasi you Kazimierz people are so proud of?"
"…"
"Give up resistance. Ursus has always been a very tolerant nation. Even wendigos who fled from Kazdel found refuge in our Empire. You Kurantas certainly can as well."
"And then what? You want me to abandon my people, forget my fallen comrades, betray the country I swore to serve… all to feed Ursus' bottomless hunger?"
"…In fact, Ursus is already approaching its fill now."
"And when Ursus grows hungry again, should Kazimierz carve off more of its own flesh to feed you?"
"…"
"You decrepit old fool, don't you dare look down on the knights of Kazimierz!"
———
"Młynar, the boss is calling for you…"
Hearing his coworker's voice, Młynar—who had already packed up and was preparing to go home to discipline a certain troublesome niece—could only sigh in resignation.
"Alright… I'm coming."
He set down the documents he had planned to finish at home and reluctantly walked toward the boss's office.
No one really knew what the new boss was like…
There was nothing he could do. Even though the Nearl family had long declined, it still carried weight in the minds of many.
So it was natural that people kept an eye on him.
Besides, not everyone felt comfortable with Młynar, whose sharp edge now seemed dulled.
The once-famous Nameless Wanderer remained a persistent thorn in the sides of certain business coalitions and Kazimierz nobles.
Very few people knew the truth.
After all, who would associate this worn-down salaryman—seemingly crushed by the hardships of life—with the once formidable wanderer who roamed Kazimierz, dispensing justice with unmatched skill?
Standing at the office door, Młynar paused. He took a slow breath, then knocked softly.
Hopefully this new boss isn't here to cause trouble.
"Come in."
A slightly hoarse male voice responded from inside.
With permission given, Młynar pushed open the door.
But the moment he saw the blond Phidia man seated behind the desk, his hand shot instinctively toward the sword at his waist. His entire body tensed, sinking into a defensive stance.
Fear and fury mixed in his eyes as he stared at the "knight" before him—legs casually propped up on the desk, armored in light, fitted plate, smiling wide enough to show neat, white teeth.
"…"
Golden light flickered faintly along Młynar's blade.
"Senomi, it's your vacation… don't attack."
Arthur raised his voice only slightly to stop Gravel, who had been hiding in the shadows preparing to strike Młynar.
Arthur had no desire to drag Gravel out of Młynar's grasp again.
Młynar's strength was beyond question.
Even after all these years in a small, unremarkable company, he had never once allowed his blade work to dull.
Otherwise, why would he insist on wearing his sword every day?
A sword kept sheathed was not necessarily rusted.
More often, it was simply hiding its sharpness.
At least from the Black Snake's judgment, this man was not someone Arthur could easily control.
But at the same time, he posed no real threat to the Black Snake either.
"You speak to your employer like this? Młynar Nearl."
Arthur smiled.
He didn't even bother activating any Originium Arts. He simply lounged there with one leg crossed over the other, his smile dripping with mockery.
"Do you really dare draw your blade against me? Against an Ursus Grand Duke?
Would you let Arthur Pendragon, one of Kashchey's incarnations, die here in Kazimierz?
Would you risk shattering the 'peace' between our nations?"
"…What is it you want, Grand Duke of Ursus?"
Młynar's hand stayed firmly on the hilt.
He wasn't gripping it just to threaten Arthur.
He was gripping it to protect his own life.
What difference would killing Arthur make?
One could not kill the Black Snake by cutting down a single body.
"Młynar, you wound me deeply… You won't even call me 'boss' as a sign of respect!"
Arthur lifted his armored hand to his eye as though wiping away tears.
But the exaggerated smile on his face did not change at all.
He reached his left hand under the desk into the large patch of shadow untouched by the lamp.
The shadow rippled like water as his hand sank in.
"Excuse me, there's too much junk under here. Let me find it…"
Several seconds later, Arthur pulled out a file.
He tossed it lightly to the floor in front of Młynar.
"…"
Młynar's sword flared brighter.
There was no question Arthur was provoking him, deliberately trying to anger him enough to make him bend down and pick up the document.
And Młynar was indeed furious.
But in the end, he did not draw his sword.
He stayed on guard, yet still bent down and retrieved the file.
Ever since his brother disappeared, he seemed to have slowly learned how to compromise with reality.
"Młynar, seeing you like this disappoints me…
Do you still remember how your father, even in a completely disadvantageous situation, dared to reject my terms at the negotiating table?
He even denounced Ursus's greed to my face.
And now the Nearl family relies entirely on its women?"
Arthur's voice dripped with ridicule.
The Black Snake was certain the man before him would not attack.
Ursus had moved troops to the Kazimierz border.
The gesture was meant to exert pressure, to ensure no one would dare touch Arthur Pendragon, one of Kashchey's incarnations.
There were far too many people who wanted him gone.
Had Arthur's identity not been exposed, the Ursus military would never have bothered moving soldiers toward Kazimierz at a time like this.
The Emperor and the Chancellor had already reorganized the entrenched power blocs of Ursus, and unlike the previous emperor, neither of them was eager for war.
What they wanted was recovery.
But the dignity of Ursus could not be trampled.
Many now knew Arthur's true identity—one of the Eternal Duke's incarnations.
Even if the matter was unreasonable, Ursus envoys had already informed Kazimierz's upper leadership.
"If Arthur Pendragon suffers any unjust treatment within Kazimierz…
or if his life is threatened…"
"Then your nation will pay a terrible price."
This was the arrogance of Ursus.
The confidence of a top military power.
And the extraordinary place the Black Snake held in the hearts of the Ursus people.