Junta & Wizarding World
#51 Banquet
“Please, sit in any chair you like”
Queen Rana said that after she sat down in her chair along with Hako who was sitting next to her.
The Queen Rana banquet was apparently held outside not inside the tent, to be honest the Junta was quite surprised to see this, considering this place was a place close to the battlefield, relaxing outside in a closed room may not be a good idea.
The banquet was really luxurious, a lot of food and drinks that Junta had never seen before, the food and drinks were served on a large rectangular table, this banquet looks as if it is addressed to the nobles or the kings who are gathering.
Circumstances around the table were quite guarded, there were several guards standing there and here, and there were several guards patrolling around the area, after seeing the circumstances around him, Junta decided to sit on the chair that was on the long side of the table with Kou beside him, while Zonya, Aya and Alicia sat in front of the Junta side by side.
“I'm sorry that I can only entertain you with this food, we do not bring a lot of supplies from the capital because indeed we do not think that there will be guests who come to this place”
Queen Rana said that while smiling sadly.
“Nothing Ratu Rana, want to entertain us while coming at this event directly has been an honor in itself for us”
Zonya said that while slightly bowing her head.
“I don't think we need to mince words anymore, I'm sure you guys must be hungry too kan”
Hako said that while raising the silver glass that was in front of her.
“Let's toast as a marker for the start of this banquet”
Junta and the others also started raising their glasses then they all said in unison.
“Return!”
They drank their drinks quickly.
After drinking a bit of his drink, Junta was slightly surprised by the taste of the drink.
“You're aware of it Junta? Different as you've ever felt, right? This is a drink that has recently been processed again to produce a more delicious taste than the previous drink”
Hako said that with pride.
“I have never served this drink to anyone because it is a drink with a new recipe, so I hope you do not mind if it does not taste good”
Queen Rana said that while smiling little.
“This drink is very tasty Queen Rana, it is truly an honor to be able to taste a drink that has never been served by royal”
Zonya said that while putting a smile on her face.
“By the way Hako, and also Queen Rana, are you sure to have an outdoor banquet like this? It was already night, and a night like this was a suitable time for a sneak attack or an ambush”
“Let's just Junta, I've increased the guard around here, I'll know if something strange is going on”
“Hako's right, after all I don't have a tent big enough to hold all of us”
Junta seemed to think for a moment before saying.
“Alright if it is like that”
Junta drank his drink again after saying that.
“So, Zonya huh? More or less I understand the situation, but maybe you can tell me about your trip this time?”
“By the pleasure of Queen Rana, in short I as a class 5 received a special request that required me to go to the Varka Kingdom, then my friend here, Alicia, received a special request, also having affairs in that kingdom, after finishing our affairs in the Varka Kingdom, we will go to the Elf kingdom, because that is our last destination as well as the destination of the Junta and Kou”
“Then what about your friend?”
“We will take Aya back to her home in the Kingdom of Slyn, she is in this kingdom because of The Fingers”
“The Fingers ya”
Queen Rana put her hand on her chin and seemed to think of something.
“It looks like I do have to see this problem, news about The Fingers on the move has been circulating lately”
“I advise you to be careful regarding this issue”
“Thank you for your suggestion Zonya, do you have any information about the movement of The Fingers that you might be able to share with me?”
“Yes, I have it, but the information was obtained by Kou and is being checked by the Association, so please just think of this information as a regular news that has not been valid”
“Oh?”
Hako who from earlier ate her food paused for a moment and turned her gaze towards Kou.
“Maybe you can share that information Kou?”
Queen Rana asked with a smile on her face, Kou looked towards her Brother first to ask for permission then said.
“Simply The Fingers want to resurrect 2 monsters class 8 Queen Shutter, they plan to resurrect it in Varka” Kingdom
After listening to Kou, Hako suddenly spouted the drink she was drinking to the side and Alicia also suddenly choked on the food she was swallowing.
“Uhuk Uhuk Why didn't you tell me?!”
Alicia said that while coughing.
“Actually I plan to tell you when I have already got confirmation from Alicia Association, yes although it would actually be better not to tell you, to prevent panic”
“What Zonya said is true, I'm sure the Association will also not disseminate this information and only tell class 5 only”
Hako said that while cleaning her lips with a cloth.
“I don't force you to trust the information I get, so there's no need to take seriously”
“I trust you Kou, and I believe Hako is also so”
“Of course I believe, but Queen Rana, if The Fingers manage to execute her plan, this will be a big disaster”
Hako said that while folding both her hands on her chest.
"If The Fingers manage to resurrect the monster in the near future, how much damage can this kingdom accept Hako?"
Hako started to look at something and said.
"For 1 class 8 monster depending on the monster, maybe about 25% Queen Rana, if we are in top condition and are not in a war like this, then maybe we can minimize the total damage to about 15-20%"
"25% yes, although we can minimize damage by 15%, that number is still unnoticed"
Queen Rana said that while putting her hand on her chin to think.
“Can Queen Rana not do something about The Fingers?”
Zonya asked in a respectful tone.
“That's a very difficult request Zonya, I don't think I need to explain the power of The Fingers to you, fighting The Fingers alone is not a wise decision, at least if there are 2 or 3 kingdoms possible.”
Queen Rana said that while putting her hand on her chin.
“Also this kingdom is in a bad condition, adding enemies other than the Kingdom of Slyn is really a stupid decision”
Hako suddenly said that while shaking her head.
“Hako is right, even though this kingdom is not in a state of war, it will be quite difficult to invite other kingdoms to cooperate in the face of The Fingers, each kingdom has their own problems”
“But I was also curious, how did the other kingdoms react after hearing this?”
“The biggest possibility is that every kingdom will try its hardest to protect themselves Hako, but at the same time maybe this incident could be a momentum to awaken other kingdoms about the potential dangers that can be caused by The Fingers.”
“I don't think it's needed Queen Rana, every kingdom I'm sure is aware of the potential dangers of The Fingers, it's just.”
“Ya Hako, it's just that each kingdom has different problems and is quite urgent, so The Fingers problem should be thought of another day”
“This is quite difficult, I really understand why other kingdoms rule out the problem of The Fingers, even this kingdom also has other problems that actually must be resolved immediately, but delayed because of war”
Hako and Queen Rana simultaneously let out a long sigh before Queen Rana finally said.
"Thank you for the information you gave Kou and Zonya, it was very helpful"
"There's no need to think about Queen Rana"
“It's an honor to help you Queen Rana”
"I'll think about this again later, I don't want to make the atmosphere heavy at the banquet for my guests, so for now why don't we continue the discussion?"
Queen Rana said that while smiling.
"Ah, didn't Zonya just say that Junta and Kou wanted to go to the Elf kingdom?"
Hako said that while looking at Zonya.
"That's true General Hako"
"What are you going to do there Junta? Kou?"
Queen Rana asked like that after drinking.
"Because we're chasing after a Queen Rana, it's related to the black water we've been asking you about"
"Ah, apparently you've found a clue about that water"
"You can think of it that way"
After Junta said that, Kou suddenly chewed his food quickly then swallowed it, after which he said.
"Does Queen Rana have any information that can be shared about the Elf Kingdom?"
"Elf Kingdom huh, to be honest this kingdom and the Elf kingdom are not too close, we did not do much cooperation because of our far-flung location, we are not very close, there's not much I can share with you guys because indeed the information I know is mostly high-level confidential information which of course if I leak, it is, it will have a very bad impact on the relationship of the two kingdoms and will cause more serious problems in the future, so what I can share with you about this kingdom is, what this kingdom is, The Elf Kingdom is a slightly closed kingdom, or rather I should say a little isolated"
Hako said that while holding a piece of meat in her hand.
"What Hako says is true, but take it easy Junta, Kou, the Elf kingdom is a safe kingdom to visit, as long as you don't cause trouble there, then everything will be fine, then everything will be fine, I also did not get any bad news from that kingdom, so it should be in normal condition and aman”
“Although the kingdom is in a state of chaos, I don't think your concerns will apply to Junta and Kou Queen Rana”
Hako laughed after saying that, and was reciprocated with a small laugh from Queen Rana.
“Maybe the correct advice is about the Kingdom of Slyn, since you will enter the Kingdom of Slyn from this kingdom, maybe you will find a little trouble in the border region, but since there is a Zonya in this squad plus all of you are members of the Association, then it feels like you guys will not encounter too big of a problem”
“There Aya is also here, so it feels like you guys will be safe as long as you don't show threatening behavior”
“Thank you for your concern Ratu Rana, and also General Hako”
“Oh maybe one more suggestion”
Queen Rana said that after she drank her drink.
“When you are in the Kingdom of Slyn, do not forget to increase alertness-”
Not finished saying, Queen Rana suddenly turned her gaze to the figure who was walking hurriedly towards her, the figure wearing a dark brown robe and a plain black mask covering her face.
After the figure stood behind Queen Rana and whispered something, Queen Rana's countenance suddenly became solemn and quickly raised her right hand into the air, the guards who saw this quickly moved around the large banquet table as if to cover Queen Rana and the others.
“Hako”
“I understand, Junta, Kou, can you come with me?”
“Is there anything I can help Ratu Rana?”
“I appreciate your offer Zonya, I do not doubt the power of class 5, but since you are my guest, then there is nothing to worry about, your security will be guaranteed, I will, after all if you help me here, it will be bad for the Association”
Junta and Kou looked at each other with questioning expressions, but after the Junta gestured for Kou to follow its path, Junta and Kou finally decided to leave with Hako.
After walking through several tents and turns, Hako finally entered into a fairly small tent followed by Junta and Kou.
Inside, there was a person who was tied up in his hands and guarded by 2 people in dark brown robes and wearing a plain black mask.
“This is General Hako”
One of the masked men who was there kicked the prisoner to the ground.
Hako lifted the man who fell down and sat him down.
“How did you get here?”
Hako asked in a casual tone.
But it seemed like that person did not want to answer that question because he spat at Hako.
Hako responds by drawing out her sword and scraping the person's throat slightly so that blood comes out of the wound.
“Next, this sword will not spare you, answer my question or do you want to go through the hard way?”
The prisoner just went silent saying nothing.
“Where did you guys find him?”
One of the masked men replied.
“We found it around this campground area, more precisely 50 meters to the west”
“Is anyone else seen with him?”
“So far not General Hako, we only found this person and there is no sign of anyone else's whereabouts”
“Did he say something before I came here?”
“No General Hako, nothing at all”
Hako pointed her sword towards the man's neck and then said.
“I know you are a spy from Slyn, if you are willing to tell me what you know, then you will be happy”
The man still did not respond to Hako's offer
“Then you choose the path that hurts”
Right after Hako was about to slash her sword.
“Wait!”
The man suddenly spoke.
“Do you have any last words?”
“I'll tell you! So don't kill me!”
“Then talk lah”
“I said in earnest! I came here on my own initiative! Slyn Kingdom had absolutely no idea there was a place like this near the battlefield!”
“How can I trust you?”
“I said this in earnest! I beg of you! I have a family at home who are waiting for my return!”
The man started crying after saying that.
“Hako, killing him might not harm you at all, and letting him live would not harm you as long as you don't let him return to his kingdom”
“You're right Kou, but if he sent here on orders from the Kingdom of Slyn, then that means the Kingdom of Slyn knows this place, and if he doesn't return, then it means the Kingdom of Slyn knows this place, then surely the Kingdom of Slyn will attack this place because they can already confirm our existence”
“Then all you need to do is switch places”
“If it can be done, I won't force him to talk like this Junta”
“Then the other option is that you can expand the guard area, just in case there is a group of soldiers approaching this camp, if that happens, you can get ready to face them or run”
After hearing Junta's suggestion, Hako was seen thinking for a moment.
“I will ask Ratu Rana to determine the next step, in the meantime, you guys take care of this prisoner, do not let your guard down
“Good!”
After which, Hako walked out of the tent along with Junta and Kou who followed her behind.
“Junta, Kou”
Hako stopped walking and turned to look at Junta and Kou.
“Are you sure that Aya is not a spy or something?”
“Me and Kou are very confident about that Hako, as mentioned earlier that Aya was here because of The Fingers, she was one of the Fingers abductees, he was one of the Fingers abductees, she was a victim not some kind of spy or whatever it was”
“Are you sure? Did he not cheat you?”
“If you were with us when we found it, maybe you wouldn't be as suspicious as this”
Hako folded her hands before saying.
“Alright, I believe in you guys, forgive me for being suspicious and doubt”
“It doesn't matter Hako, Me and Kou understand why you did it”
Hako smiled after hearing Junta's reply and walked back.
“Are you not planning to stop this war Hako?”
“Of course Kou, only if Ratu Rana proposes peace, then it is the same as showing that this kingdom is exhausted and can no longer afford to fight, which will only make things worse”
“That does make sense, so what are your current plans?”
“Queen Rana plans to survive the Junta, the entire territory that was once captured by the Kingdom of Slyn is now in the hands of Queen Rana again, it can be said that the territory of this kingdom has returned completely, and Ratu Rana is enough with it”
“This means you will not attack the territory of the Kingdom of Slyn?”
“No, or maybe more precisely for now no, if Queen Rana changes her decision, then the situation will also change, I myself think holding on is a good idea”
“That's it, then I don't have any advice I can give you Hako”
“Your help in turning things around in the past has really been a great help to this kingdom Junta, Kou, thank you”
“No need to think about that, it seems like Queen Rana is really working very hard in this battle”
“Yes.. I sometimes can't imagine the burden that Queen Rana bears in running this kingdom”
“I think all kings and queens carry a heavy burden on their shoulders Hako”
“Oh yes, Kou” Junta
After Hako said that, she paused for a moment.
“Can you keep this a secret from Zonya, Alicia and especially Aya? Just tell them there's a problem that doesn't really matter, I don't want to make them feel unsafe here or anything and I'm sure Ratu Rana has the same thoughts”
“Not a big deal Hako, you can count on us”
Hako smiled before finally saying.
“Thank you, now, let's go back, it's not good to make guests wait too long”
