Chapter 275: Kings' Meeting
Chapter 275: Kings' Meeting
Everyone passed the test easily, but there's an even more important event happening than everyone's entrance exam.
Back to two years ago, after the kingdom stopped several Stampedes that happened around the same time, Albert has prepared many things so he can report this to the other kingdoms.
Back when after Roy and the others just saved Candy as they are trying to kill every cult member who tried to attack Angela for trying to breakthrough, they found out from interrogating the twins they interrogated that in a city in another kingdom, kingdom Arturo, there's a recruitment for joining the cult. After hearing that report, Albert decisively sent out some of his trusted agents to spy on said kingdom.
The result was… they found nothing. The cult hides their existence well in that kingdom, and probably hides even better than the cultist in other countries. And that only makes Albert feel suspicious.
He didn't tell Roy yet about this since he's still hasn't found any evidence at all. And there's no point in telling Roy at the time. They were not as close as they are today, and at the time, Albert still hasn't fully trusted Roy yet. He believes everything Roy said about returning from the future, but he truly able to trust Roy after he helped Marie delivering her babies. Ever since then, as long as he doesn't detect any lies from Roy, he would believe in anything he says even if they are just speculations from Roy's terrible memory. If it's a speculation, it's Albert's duty as the king to find out if the speculation is right or wrong so he can protect the kingdom.
Then, the Stampedes happened. And Albert used his sister, Shirley, to inform the citizens of Melk first, that the reason for the Stampede in Melk is because of the Evil Cult. By preparing a speech, and Roy's excellent acting skill, the people believed Shirley.
After that, the information of the Evil Cult was spread so quickly since Albert has prepared to do it before the Stampede. He regretted that he has to sacrifice a lot of innocent lives for this, but the result is that everyone in the kingdom realized their existence.
Once Albert finished cleaning up the aftermath, he asked for a meeting between the leader of four countries in the continent.
It is the continent of Ileri. There are many countries in this continent, but only four of them has the biggest territories. The others are just minor kingdoms that mostly stay under the radar.
The four major countries are Tatrama Kingdom in the south, Arturo Kingdom in the east, Varadis Kingdom in the North, and finally, Consenza Empire in the north.
And in the center of the continent, there's a rich city that doesn't belong to any of them. Not even a part of any minor countries as well. That city is a neutral city which must never be a part of any countries because of an agreement in the past. It's called Lenko city, which is led by a Mayor which regularly changed every ten years.
And whenever a major incident happens, and one of the leaders of the major countries asked for a meeting, it will happen in this neutral city of Lenko.
And the meeting which Albert asked for after the Stampedes, commenced in this city.
In the meeting which is only attended by the leaders of each major countries, Albert informed about the existence of the cult. And he used his lie detection skill to see if any one of the leaders here is part of the cult or not. And the result is… none of them are. Not even the king of Arturo kingdom which the recruitment for the cult should be take place at.
The four leaders then proceed to continue the discussion, and agreed to help each other in case they find any clues about the cult. And they also discussed other things.
Now, over two years have passed. And Albert asked for another meeting. This time is to inform the other kingdoms about the tournament and the goal behind this tournament.
Shirley and the others are taking the entrance exams in the capital, but Albert is away from the kingdom. He's already in Lenko to wait for the other three's arrival. He's there with Miguel, and several other people as his bodyguards.
"Welcome to Lenko city, King Albert."
The one who greeted Albert is Gilbert, the mayor of Lenko city. A huge over two meters tall man. He kneeled in front of Albert.
"No need to kneel. Our position is considered to be equal even though you're just a Mayor." Albert said.
"I know. I just want to know the feeling of doing it. And I don't like it. That will be the last time I will ever kneel." Gilbert said.
"…I don't hate that kind of personality. Have the others arrived yet?" Albert asked.
"No. But they will soon."
"I see. By the way, you're free to join us for this meeting, you know?" Albert invited Gilbert.
"No need. We, people of Lenko, doesn't care about the life outside this place. No matter what happened between other countries, it won't matter to us." Gilbert said.
"Shame. I thought of you as a friend."
"You just think so because our name is almost similar. The difference is just 'A' and 'Gi'. You said it two years ago."
"Okay. By the way, is there anything strange in this city? Are there any newcomers from outside?" Albert asked.
His goal in coming early is to see if there are cult members in this city. If there are, it will be dangerous since four leaders of major countries will be here.
"No. We don't accept outsiders. We still let people in the city, but before dark, we ask them to leave. We don't care even if they have to sleep outside or there are monsters outside. The only way for outsiders to live here is to marry one of the people here. I didn't join your meeting last time, but I thought something bad is happening. That is why I told the people to not get married anytime soon. And those who have left the city in this two year, they are no longer considered as the citizens of this city anymore. Only the leaders of four countries, or their representatives, and their associates, are allowed to enter. But only when a meeting is scheduled."
"I see. That's harsh, but still a good idea. What's coming is something very dangerous. I hope you, and the future Mayor of this city, will continue to protect this city. You can go back do what you're doing now. I want to take a walk in this city and look around. The meeting will only start in two days after all." Albert said. He never senses any lies in everything Gilbert said.
"Okay. Enjoy your walk."
Gilbert leaves Albert.
Albert and his bodyguards then enter their mansion in the city. Each country leader has one mansion for when they have a meeting in this city. And each one is located similar to the location of their countries. And Albert's mansion is in the southern area of Lenko city.
Albert let his guards to rest, while he and Miguel will walk around the city. He wanted to make sure that no cult members here.
He kept surveying the city until it's time for the meeting. He didn't find any cult members in the city. But he's not Roy who can see through things, so he's not so sure. At least with his glib tongue, he thought that he would be able to find someone. But so far, anyone who talked to him were not members of the cult.
And then, it's finally time for the meeting. Albert, as the one who suggested the meeting, arrive first.
He's inside of the largest building in the city, which only used each time a meeting occurs. There's only a waiting room for each kingdom, and a big meeting room with round table and four chairs around it. And a representative of their country can only have one bodyguard entering the meeting room. And of course, the one standing with Albert is Miguel.
Among the four leaders, he's the youngest person along with the Empress of Consenza Empire. But no one among these four people think of others as lower than themselves. Everyone is a leader of a country after all.
The second one who come after Albert is the Empress of Consenza, Lynn, and her female bodyguard.
"Hello, King Albert!" Lynn said as she raised her hand as a greeting.
"Hello, Empress Lynn." Albert did the same.
"The other two haven't arrived yet?" Lynn asked.
"They will be here soon."
Just as he said that, someone arrive. This time, he's alone without his guard.
"Hello, King Albert, Empress Lynn. Let's ignore the last person and start quickly." The newcomer greeted the two as he raised his hand.
"Hello, King Harold. We can't do that. We need to wait until the last person arrive." Albert said as he raised his hand in greeting.
"Hello, King Harold. You need to be patient." Lynn said as she raised her hand as well.
The newcomer is King Harold. The king of Arturo Kingdom. A bald man with tanned skin.
And finally, the last person arrives.
"Sorry I'm late! Let's start the meeting!"
Without any greeting, the last person, King Henry of Varadis Kingdom, enters the room and take a seat right away. He's the oldest one here. His hair has all turn white. He's also alone like Harold without bringing a bodyguard.
Albert, Lynn, and Harold ignored Henry's impoliteness and take a seat at their own seats.
And thus, the meeting begun. While three of them noticed that one person is an impostor. Since that person didn't do the secret signal as everyone agreed.