Chapter 9 - Ambassador

An ambassador from the Raquam Empire has finally arrived at the capital of the Crimea Dukedom, ambassador Takamaro Kion was tasked with two objectives, one was to establish diplomatic relations and the other was to find Minister Shiro.

Minister Shiro does her job properly, only when Hacka threatens her that is. She may look like a child at first glance but she hid true terror within her, being capable of destroying a terrorist base alone, one wouldn’t normally call such a thing a child but a weapon, a walking bomb. Extra care is added to make sure she’s safe but she always escapes and causes trouble. Hacka is one of the few brave front liners who would confront and scold Shiro despite her strength.

“The capital of the Crimea Dukedom is in view now.”

The person currently driving the armoured Humvee is Corporal Listia, we are accompanied by 3 other armoured Humvees.

“Hoho, it’s as the report says, a castle and a big one at that.”

In the distance is a large wall about 10m tall surrounding the town that resided inside it, in the centre is what looks like a palace.

“Indeed, this is our prestigious Royal capital after all. The Royal capital was constructed in 1020 on the Imperial calendar under the order of Duke Ramourian who was against the rule of the former Propulian Kingdom….”

Viscount Matt Von Hilliary who was beside me began talking about their history, after a few minutes we arrived at the gate and drove through the town, everyone wore leather clothes and they all looked at us with surprise and excitement for they probably never have seen such a thing like a Humvee before.

After driving past a few more gates, we arrived at the palace where their king resides. We got off the Humvee and walked towards a guest room, tea and cookies were sitting on the table while we waited.

“His Majesty is ready for an audience.”

We followed a knight covered from head to toe in shiny armour for about 15 minutes before arriving at a massive door. Upon entrance we saw a man sitting on what looked like a throne and several people besides him, we knelt with our heads down waiting for the King’s permission to raise it.

“Ho, I thought you don’t bow before another King that’s not your own. You may raise your heads and speak.”

“That is indeed true but only for Royalty and ministers, I’m only an ambassador with my escorts so it doesn’t apply to me.”

“I see, that girl you sent here wasn’t lying.”

“Excuse me, Your Majesty. We have sent no girl before us here, our country is in lock down, may I ask for her description?”

“She had long platinum blonde hair, she called herself Shiro Ra Von Lesse and she had a court rank of Earl, she also mentioned that she was a minister of defense, it was very hard to believe until she defeated the undefeated third Prince, William.”

“We would like to ask for her location.”

“A knight said she was staying at an inn down town.”

We discussed our situation, what we can do in exchange for food but then…

“News just came in! Patrick Island was attacked by the Malando Empire and they’ve captured Port Grumpert!!”

“I see you’re having some troubles, we will take our leave in search for Minister Shiro for now. Please read this document for further information about what we discussed.”

I handed over a folder with multiple documents in it. While leaving, I overheard something intriguing.

“Damn, if we don’t act fast those bastards will take the women and children away, killing the men and pillaging the innocent civilians, those damn barbarians.”

Common article 3 of the international war agreement states it is prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever to commit ‘violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds’ and ‘the carrying out of executions without previous judgement pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognised as indispensable by civilised peoples’ with respect to ‘persons taking no active part in hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms.’ There’s a likely chance that the pillaged civilians have taken down arms and surrendered but were slaughtered either way.

“Excuse my interruption, but were the people who were pillaged acting hostile towards the Malando Empire with clear acts of violence?”

“It’s mostly in retaliation, but the elderly, women, and children are unlikely to do anything.”

“I see, I shall contact our King to decide if we can join the war, the Malando Empire has broken an international war law, the details of our justice system and political system are in the document.”

“Oho! We hope for a great result, guards! Escort our foreign diplomats to the best inn and order them a room.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty, but we need to search for our minister of defense first.”

“Father! Are we going to fight with the Malando Empire?!”

“Guards! Escort Prince William to his room.”

“Eh?!”

While a tsukkomi drama plays out in the chamber, we quietly headed out. We tried to ask a civilian on the street where Shiro might be but a buff guy who had an intimidating aura rushed towards us as soon as we mentioned the name Shiro.

“Hey! You got some weird clothes there, I’m the Guild master of the adventurer's guild in the capital by the way, you don’t need to be cautious. So, do you know Shiro?”

“Yes, we are from the foreign ministry in her country.”

“Hooo, so what status does she have? I can answer you where she is if you answer that.”

“She’s a daughter of a Duke and Prime minister, a court rank of Earl, title of minister of defense and nicknamed the one-man army.”

“Ohoho, so she was a Noble after all. I’ll keep my words, she stays at the inn….”

We followed the directions given by the ‘Guild master’ and arrived at a crooked inn, upon entrance, alcohol and pork rushed up our nose, we went to the reception desk.

“Excuse me but do you happen to have a girl named Shiro staying here?”

“Ah, yes, she’s on the 2nd floor, I’ll guide you.”

POV Shiro

{Knock, knock, knock}

While sleeping, I was rudely woken up by some loud knocking.

“Uuuu, come in!”

I barely let out a voice because of my tiredness staying up last night, my vision was blurry but I saw 2 green-clothed figures and 1 black-clothed figure.

“Minister Shiro. Wake up.”

Someone was tapping my face but it was so cold, the blanket was somehow warm, I slowly started to lose my consciousness….

“Seriously, you look so vulnerable right now. Vice-minister Hacka will scold you for this.”

“Uuuuuu- Eh!?”

Wait, no, don’t tell Hacka! Don’t tell him, I will literally die!

“Ah, you woke up. Minister Shiro, you are to return at once to Miayaka.”

“Eh!? But, can’t you just cover up for me? Pretty please??”

I looked at the man in a business suit and used my secret technique.

「 Puppy Eyes! 」

“Sigh, I will report to the HQ that you’re fine, you can stay here since we might enter a war but you have to return after that.”

“Yay! Thank you diplomat-business oji-san !”

I jumped towards the man, hugging him. I will eliminate this so-called ‘Malando Empire’, they dared lay their hands on my playhouse.