“Ah, so it’s come to this.”
I, Shuongalve Saff Rezzed, say that with a sigh.
The Confederation of Saff has been split between a pro war and anti war factions for years.
A lot have been skirmishing with the Kingdom of Fairytrof, so security in the confederation has been getting worse. The pro war faction has been hiring ruffians to bolster their side too.
We’ve been stable thanks to the efforts of Delaigal and the others… But even that has a limit.
There’s so much I can’t deal with, and I feel powerless.
Well, I can’t imagine anyone other than a powerful or a wise ruler would be able to do much in this situation.
I honestly just want to live a nice peaceful life without any of these problems. I don’t want a higher position than king of Rezzed, and I’d be happy with just my people, who respect me, living peacefully.
But the others won’t forgive admiration of such an obvious way of life.
There are people with all sorts of expectations, and many with differing views.
These people see me as a hindrance, because I’ve been blocking the start of a war for years now. That’s why there have been numerous attempts on my life, and to cause my downfall.
It’s actually a miracle that someone as young as me has been able to hold everything around me back thus far. Delaigal says it’s only natural for me to be in this position, but he really overrates me, doesn’t he?
That’s how things have been going… But there’s a point where I can’t cover it up anymore.
◇ ◇ ◇
“Where’s Shuongalve Saff Rezzed!?”
I’m being pursued.
Being a king means my body has been dull for a long time. That said, even if I spend most of the time doing desk work, people keep saying that’s bad for me, so I do move around and train my body when I have the time.
I’ve also been taught how to deal with pursuers.
Delaigal and citizens of Rezzed are good at this too. Honestly, their diversity in this sort of thing is nothing short of amazing.
I’m not as good as them, but since I’ve been taught by Delaigal and the others, I can manage to a certain extent. Well, compared to average people.
…Some people sacrifice themselves so I can escape. People I’ve known for a long time, and I’ve gotten so used to being by my side.
I can’t check, but I imagine they aren’t going to survive.
I guess the people after me don’t value them enough to let them live. They only want to catch me and use me… They don’t see the point of going out of their way to spare people of Rezzed.
Ahh, ahh… Being a king really is so much trouble.
I’m in this situation, people are sacrificing themselves to protect me, and all of this is happening… Because I’m not strong enough to do something about it. Delai and the others prop me up a lot and respect me from the bottom of their hearts because they really believe I can do well as a king.
But in the end, I’m powerless. I’m irritated by how spineless I am. If I could see through everything more clearly, and if I foresaw the moves around me… No one would’ve had to die to protect me.
But there’s no time to regret that now.
I need to get away. Survive, and carry on into the future. If I don’t do that, I won’t be able to face those that died to protect me.
“Ahh…”
I hide between the trees and take a deep breath.
They’re still after me, but I’ve managed to hide my presence well enough that they can’t find me.
What should I do now?
First, I should meet up with Delai and the others. If they know something’s happened to me, they’ll do everything they can.
But I also can’t just wait for everything to solve itself. I’m not that optimistic about this situation.
But it will also be very hard to turn this around on my own, so I have to act with caution.
“Delai… Please.”
It’s pathetic how I have to rely on Delai, but I’ve decided I’m just going to do what I can.
—The king on the verge of a crisis
(A king in the confederation falls into danger and tries to look for his options.)
