TEB Ch 30

Anyway, it didn’t seem like they had any intention of letting him go easily. With no escape route and being completely surrounded, there was only one option left. Liev pressed his forehead with the back of his hand, then opened his mouth to speak. 

“So, you’re saying I should act accordingly as that’s what is best for me.”

Sweating nervously at the blunt statement, Richard replied,

“Um… I’m very sorry if it came across that way.”

Sorry my ass. If escape was impossible anyway, it was better to at least get what we wanted. Liev took a deep breath to calm himself and continued the negotiation.

“Alright. However, I have something I’d like to request.”

“Oh!”

As the barely positive statement escaped Liev’s lips, Reinhart was so astonished that he asked. 

“Speak! I’ll plead with His Majesty for you, even to the extent of using my personal funds!” 

“Please replace the director of the Lobelia Horse Research Institute and increase the number of working-level personnel affiliated with the laboratory by five. And expand the new kennel, which is more than three times the size of the kennel currently in use, as well as provide separate release facilities.” 

To those sitting in positions of power, it would be a mere amount, probably less than the monthly operating costs of a small knight order. It wasn’t like he was demanding dozens of servants. The requested terms were thoughts that came to Liev, wanting to do something good for the research facility’s horses, even if he was being dragged away. it was for the warhorses in the research facility, it was a demand that might bring some good to the animals he would leave behind without himself. Liev didn’t forget to add an important condition. 

“Temporary support won’t do. It should be maintained until the day all the creatures under protection die of natural causes and the facility is closed.” 

“Of course! How could I go back on my word?”

Reinhart, too, could now realize this. Liev Carter might have an indifferent attitude when dealing with people, but when it came to animals, he had a weaker heart than anyone else. 

“If you want, I can regularly visit the research facility to inspect the facilities. Of course, if there’s an creature you’d like to bring here to stay with you, you can bring them here, and we’ll provide all the facilities you need.”

From the moment he made the request, he exposed all his weaknesses. 

“……” 

It was unclear if this was a wise move, but in the face of the Institute’s dilemma, he crumbled. If he could significantly improve the poor conditions of the facility with just one sacrifice, even if it was himself…The vision of an improved environment flashed through his mind.

Most of those living at the Lobelia Research Institute experienced discomfort in at least one aspect of their lives. Some had permanent injuries from war, while others had mobility issues due to aging. With the facility’s expansion, each individual would have more space, and with more caretakers, meticulous checks could ensure there were no uncomfortable areas. A bit of rehabilitation training could allow even those neglected due to a lack of personnel to move around freely. Considering all the suffering they would endure, it wouldn’t lead to death.

I guess it’s not a bad deal at all. 

Anyway, they won’t be able to kill him. Since the protagonist’s group is holding out like that, it’ll be difficult to torment him beyond a certain level. Until now, Liev had responded with logic like “Why should I?”, “Isn’t that your own business?” and “Wouldn’t using my personal sacrifice as a temporary measure be a negative solution in the long run?” But now that Liev was the first to suggest a desired direction and even give a positive answer, the atmosphere around became quite excited.

“I will strongly support it, not as short-term financial support but as a major military project.” 

“We’re not the kind of people who go back on our word, really!”

No, I know that. I probably know your true feelings better than you do. Liev swallowed a short sigh, recalling their descriptions that he had reread more than ten times, though he paid less attention to those parts compared to the sections featuring dragons.

“Then I’ll take it that you’ll fulfill your promise as agreed.”

“Wow!”

“Gasp!”

He didn’t forget to sprinkle cold water on the atmosphere, which was instantly tense. 

“Oh, and please include supplying fresh vegetable crates every day. It doesn’t matter what kind it is. It would be even better if we could cultivate edible vegetables directly in nearby farmland fields for our own vegetables.” 

The warhorses weren’t exactly picky eaters, so there was no need to go overboard with variety. He had often felt it was a shame to see the vacant, government-owned land near the research facility going to waste, thinking it would be nice to plant seasonal vegetables there to use as appetizing snacks. The research facility was already running on a tight budget and manpower, so it had remained just a thought. But now, if the newly appointed personnel could be put to use by cultivating the vacant land instead of leisurely enjoying country life, there would be nothing more to ask for.

“Huh? Y-Yes, I understand! I’ll tell His Majesty right away!” 

While everyone was still surprised that he wasn’t asking for monetary compensation but rather an expansion of the facilities, there was one—no, just one dragon—who wore a dissatisfied expression.

Liev, who had been half-listening to the discussion about moving his residence, looked up at Renard with a displeased expression.

“Why that face? Isn’t everything as you wanted it to be?” 

When Liev looked at Renard with a cold face as if asking if he was now satisfied, Renard gave an incomprehensible answer and quickly left the conference room first.

“I don’t know. Just… I don’t know.”

Yesterday, he was making a fuss, complaining about why he wasn’t taken to the conference room. Now that his situation was decided, he was acting like this. Dragons are naturally temperamental, but this was truly strange. Until a moment ago, he was quite smug. What changed this? While Liev was genuinely puzzled, the rest of the members had paperwork to attend to, but they didn’t let go of Liev.

“Sorry, we didn’t want to persuade you this way, but Your Majesty is too stubborn, so there’s no other way.” 

Liev thought to himself that the current king should just step down quickly and let the protagonist take the throne. It suddenly struck him that while all of the protagonist’s companions were present in the conference room, the one who had gathered them all together was nowhere to be seen. Well, he was never one for formalities or administrative procedures, so he was probably off training alone somewhere. As the sounds of a celebration and ceremony discussions flowed back and forth from his colleagues’ mouths, Liev caught a glimpse of his own reflection in the window. 

He was as tall as a tree, with messy hair hanging down past his shoulders and large round glasses covering most of his face. He deliberately maintained the appearance of an uneducated servant to avoid the unwanted attention of those around him. Since reaching adulthood, people had started eyeing him as a potential son-in-law for their daughters due to his decent stature, so he made himself look unappealing on purpose.

It’s not just that I find it bothersome…

He knew he couldn’t attend the ceremony looking like this, so he braced himself for the annoying things that were sure to follow.

But as long as they properly expand the facilities…

The biggest problem was that the dragon who had requested him was behaving very unpredictable. What was the problem now? Having walked into the lion’s den, it was now time to figure out how to survive.