"Your Majesty. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Leonard Lakes Aadler, Eighth Imperial Prince of Adrasia. I deeply apologize for the trouble my delegation and I have caused you and your people. There is no need to thank me. I merely helped when I saw the victims of a shipwreck adrift at sea. I am sure you know how frightening the ocean can be, and your country would have done the same if it had been our empire's ship which capsized."
"B-but, Your Highness—"
"I also know that Albatro is a nation with a strong sense of moral obligation, and understand that you must feel indebted. Therefore, perhaps you would consider providing my ship with food and water supplies? And I would not begrudge a small amount of valuables, given that we jettisoned all of the gifts intended to for Rondine into the ocean."
"Wh-why, I had no idea you had made such a sacrifice! Of course, of course! We would be more than happy to fully compensate you for your losses!"
"Thank you. I have just one final request. I would like to speak with you about the trouble your country is facing. If left too long, it could have repercussions across the entire continent."
"...Very well. I suppose this involves you now, as well. You ought to be informed."
I gestured for the grand duke to take his seat. He nodded, ascended to the throne, and sat down before beginning his tale with a grave expression.
"As you may have noticed, our maritime territory is occupied by...a sea dragon."
"I had a hunch that might be the case. The storm a few days ago was highly unusual and unnatural, and the captain of my ship was of the opinion that it could be one of the sea dragons of sailors' tales."
"I see. The dragon's name is Leviatano. It had been asleep for over two hundred years."
"Two hundred years? That's quite the long dormant period for a dragon."
"It wasn't dormant. It was put to sleep using a tool of ancient magic."
The grand duke told a servant to fetch him something, and she brought over a broken cane. It was snapped into two pieces. There wasn't anything very unusual about its construction, but at its tip was a giant gemstone, most likely imbued with mana. Even in its current state, I could strongly sense the mana's presence. Assuming that was probably only half of its original strength, it must have once been an incredibly powerful magical tool.
"Two hundred years ago, the South was governed by one united power. But then, after the sea dragon Leviatano entered its active period and started wreaking havoc across the region, they had to fight it. In the end, although they managed to put it into a deep sleep using the magic tool, the royal family's strength waned, and the region fell into a period of civil wars. Our country, the Grand Duchy of Albatro, was founded by the household entrusted with guarding this cane. And the legend of Leviatano has also been passed down more carefully here than in Rondine."
"I see. So then, when the cane was broken, you immediately conducted an investigation?"
"Precisely. I truly am sorry for getting you involved. Your ship could have easily capsized in that storm. We should have contacted the Adventurers' Guild right away."
"What's done is done. Besides, you would have had to pay an exorbitant bounty to have the dragon killed, and news of it would have spread all across the continent. I cannot blame you for quietly conducting your own investigation when your country relies so heavily on maritime trade."
"I appreciate your understanding."
That was the end of the grand duke's explanation.
I understood the situation. Next, we needed a plan. What was the best course of action? Even if Albatro contacted the Adventurers' Guild and had them deal with the dragon, that didn't guarantee an immediate resolution. There were only a handful of adventurers on the entire continent who could fight a dragon.
I was one of them, of course, but it would look too strange for Silver, who basically never left the capital, to suddenly turn up in Albatro. I'd have to fabricate some sort of reason.
"What sort of measures are you considering to deal with this issue?"
"I think relying on the Adventurers' Guild is our only choice, even if they won't be able to respond right away."
"You may be right. I wish I could offer the assistance of my own empire. But to take on a dragon, and one in the ocean at that, won't be as easy as sending out a fleet of ships and hoping for the best. It's best to rely on professionals when it comes to slaying monsters. However, I do have one proposal."
"I would love to hear it. What do you propose?"
"I think you should form an alliance with Rondine to defeat the sea dragon. They are certain to realize this is no time for your two countries to be fighting once they learn of the situation."
"I had also considered that. But we've been at war with Rondine for decades. We just don't have the sort of diplomatic relationship that would allow for an alliance."
"That is why I called this a proposal. I offer to be the one to bring up the idea of the alliance. They won't be able to refuse point-blank if Adrasia's ambassador extraordinary is also involved."
My proposal flustered the grand duke, as it was such a hugely advantageous proposition for them. After a moment of thought, he replied rather conservatively, "This is a weighty matter. May I give you my answer after discussing this with my senior statesmen?"
"Of course. However, I would suggest you move as quickly as possible. Rondine does not know of the situation as of yet, but they likely are vaguely aware that your country is in a state of disturbance. They could decide to invade at any moment."
"Yes, that is true..."