Part 2

Lying down in bed, I was still trying to process everything.

“Yep, no. There’s just no way out...”

Rolling onto my left side.

“We are literally surrounded on all sides!”

Rolling onto my right side.

“I might as well just choose who wins and surrender to them!”

Rolling back and forth.

“Four big, astounding, well-flourishing kingdoms attacking one small failing one!? How vile!”

“Indeed, your best choice might be to plead to one of them to spare your life.”

Kyaaaa!

“Stop appearing out of nowhere, Sebas!”

“But I knocked?”

“But I didn’t tell you to come in!”

“But what if you had been unwell or if someone was in the process of kidnapping you... or worse?”

“Stop arguing with logic!”

“Fine, then I’m assuming you aren’t interested in the good news I brought?”

“No! Get ou- Huh? Good news? Tell me!”

“So, should I get out or tell you?”

“Just tell me!”

He sighed, and I glared at him.

It’s on purpose, tight? Does he like teasing and toying with me?

“All four kingdoms sent envoys.”

“How are those good news, again?”

Just barely, and only for a split second, I managed to see his eyebrow twitch.

“It’d be the perfect time to plead for your life.”

I knew it! He enjoys this! How cruel! Enjoying my suffering...

“You just want to see me on my knees begging, don’t you?”

“Never.”

Ah-huh.

Suspicious...

“That’d go against everything a royal butler stands for.”

I call bullshit!

Yet, he wasn’t wrong... that might be the perfect opportunity to save myself and maybe even help this kingdom!

But what could I even offer them in return for help!? Taking over Midgard wouldn’t pose any problem to them...

With that, I steeled my resolve and prepared myself for the most glamorous knee begging I could do!

Trembling nervously, I sat on my throne while Sebas brought in each kingdom’s envoy.

So they each sent one high-ranking female knight followed by two knights? Is that customary or just a coincidence?

They stood there, waiting for me to say something, glaring up at me. I could literally feel their killing intent!

“W-w-welcome to M-Midgard!”

“We aren’t here for a casual chat, we need you to answer our questions!”

The Valoria Empire’s envoy shouted while the others nodded in agreement.

So much for pleading for my life!

“W-what are the questions?”

That same envoy took a few steps forward.

“First, why are you King?”

“I didn’t really have a choice...”

“Secondly, where is the queen?”

“Queen? The former one? She ran-”

“Don’t you dare lie to us. Tell us the truth or we’ll have to...”

The Sylpharia Federation’s envoy interrupted me.

“Ahem. That’s enough.”

The Celestia Kingdom’s envoy stopped her.

“I’m not lying! The former king and queen ran away, leaving me with nothing as their scapegoat!”

“So you are a king without a queen?”

Looking confused, the Valoria Empire’s envoy asked.

“Exactly...”

“Impossible!”

The Ignis Dominion’s envoy exclaimed.

“Again... I didn’t really have a choice...”

They all looked to Sebas for confirmation, and he just nodded at them. Then they all glanced at each other and nodded.

“Fine, that’s all we wanted to know. We are leaving for today.”

And just like that, they turned around and left.

What even just happened!? What’s even the point of asking me those questions? Maybe they’ll spare me, knowing the truth! Especially since I had no hand in this.

Unfortunately for me, all four armies proceeded to move in on the capital where my castle stood.

“Shouldn’t we at least try to stop them?”

Sebas asked me as he brought me a green tea.

“So that innocent people get hurt for no reason?”

“Is the kingdom’s safety not enough of a reason?”

“As far as I’ve been told they’ve been just marching here, leaving the villagers alone.”

“So you’re fine with taking the fall-”

“Not at all, if the worst happens, I’ll just run!”

“I see.”

That faint smile of his... I’m starting to see through you, Sebas!

Throughout the following days I waited worriedly for the next bad news, but weirdly nothing came.

Each army took a side of the castle and set up camp, though the scouts reported that it didn’t look like a siege preparation.

But then, one morning it happened. Our scouts spotted each army sending a group of 10 female knights towards the castle.

Are we such an easy target that they want to humiliate us like this!? Taking over an entire kingdom with just 10 knights... If that happens, I’d go down in history as the worst king to ever exist!

King of Midgard – Defeated and Conquered by just a mere 40 Knights!

Noooouuuuuuu.

“I don’t want to! Sebas! Prepare an escape route!”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t comply with that.”

“Whose side are you on!?”

“Yours, of course.”

That slight twitch of his lip again! He’s such a blatant liar!

Knock, knock.

“Oh no! I don’t want to hear it!”

Panicked, I threw a pillow at the door as it opened, hitting one of the knights sent by the other kingdoms in her face.

My heart sank and my eyes widened.

“I-I-I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t-”

“It’s fine, we aren’t here to fight.”

Huh?

Now that they mention it... I didn’t hear any alarm bells or fighting going on. Or did everyone collectively just decide to give me to them as a peace offering!?

“B-b-but I wouldn’t even make for a good trophy!”

They just ignored me spreading around the castle.

“I’ve barely been king for a few weeks! If you could even consider me as such...”

“What are you even talking about?”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Aren’t you here to take me?”

“No? We are here to prepare this castle for the arrival of our princesses.”

Eh?

Why would their princesses be coming here?

A realization set in. We already lost!? And now they are just getting everything ready to serve on a silver platter! Oh, no, no, no! I’ll be served like a roasted pig!

Throughout the entire day they cleaned up the whole castle, repaired broken furniture, and brought in new ones.

Yet, I was hiding under my blanket, just anticipating when they would come to serve me...

The next day I woke up really early since I spent all day in bed.

“Weird... I haven’t seen Sebas in a while.”

Grumble.

“I haven’t eaten since yesterday... maybe I could sneak something out of the kitchen!”

Before I could even get up one of the knights came in wearing a maid uniform and brought me food.

“Your breakfast, get ready, please. The princesses will arrive soon.”

She left without saying another word, while my stomach sank.

Already? Here I thought I’d have a little more time... I’m not even hungry anymore-

Sniff, sniff.

It smells so amazing...

Gruuuumble!

So now even my body betrays me!?

As I chowed it down, I couldn’t decide whether I should feel blessed for such an amazing meal or despair over my final hour being upon me!

Yet, nothing could have prepared me for what happened next...

At the camp to the north.

“Are you ready, milady?”

“Yes, do you think this armor is fitting for such an occasion?”

“Absolutely, it’s the perfect attire.”

“How did the preparations go?”

“Just as you had planned, milady.”

At the camp to the west.

“Are you sure about this, Your Holy Saintess?”

“Absolutely, this has been set in stone for many years.”

“But shouldn’t you at least wear something more ‘modest’?”

“You think so? I thought this might be perfect for this occasion.”

“Please reconsider...”

At the camp to the east.

“Sniff, sniff. I can already smell him!”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this excited... Is this prey really that valuable?”

“It’s just the best! And it’s my prey, only my prey!”

If her tail wags any faster, she might take off...

At the camp to the south.

“Did you get what I asked for!?”

“Y-yes... it was really hard to get.”

“Perfect! Hand it to me.”

“Be careful, it’s said to be more dangerous than basilisk poison!”

Finally... this time you aren’t escaping me, Shunpei!

All four of them proclaimed simultaneously!