The chancellor had promised to "treat the guests well."
However, the banquet prepared for Nero and her group was so simple and plain that it bordered on insulting.
If it had been a family gathering, the meal might have been considered adequate. But to host royalty and representatives from an allied nation? It was grossly insufficient.
"We have no intention of disrespecting your country," the chancellor said with a contrite expression. "The truth is, our current circumstances are extremely constrained. Even while hosting the esteemed Princess of Belzerg, we find ourselves forced to cut costs to this extent. Therefore… we genuinely lack the financial means to provide your country with further aid."
Though he spoke with an apologetic tone, his rejection was clear and resolute.
The nobles seated around the table began murmuring in agreement:
"It can't be helped. We're just too poor."
"Even royalty and nobles are powerless without money."
"This is the best feast we could manage."
"Being able to fill our stomachs is already a luxury."
Their tone was lifeless and monotonous, as if they were reciting lines rehearsed before stepping onto the stage. The insincerity was palpable.
"But that's not what we saw yesterday while walking through the city," Kazuma said, cutting into the conversation. "The streets were bustling with tourists, and the casinos were packed. Everyone we talked to said that, under the chancellor's leadership, the kingdom is becoming more prosperous by the day."
His question was met with an immediate outburst.
"How dare you!"
"Who gave a mere porter the right to question the chancellor?"
"Such rudeness! Belzerg truly is a nation of backwater peasants!"
The nobles' mockery brought a few veins of anger popping on Kazuma's forehead.
Among the group, the nobles recognized the dangerous potential of Megumin and Yunyun as Crimson Demons and knew better than to antagonize Aqua, given her affiliation with the Axis Church. Darkness, being a member of Belzerg's esteemed Dustiness family, commanded respect.
As for Nero, her earlier display had left them thoroughly terrified, especially after learning that she was the hero responsible for defeating the most demon generals among all the adventurers. They were far too afraid to provoke her.
That left Kazuma, whom they dismissed entirely. To them, he was just a nondescript servant, good only for carrying luggage.
Before Kazuma could snap, Nero narrowed her eyes and shot a sharp glare at the nobles. They immediately felt a chill run down their spines and hastily lowered their heads, no longer daring to look her way.
"I won't deny that the prosperity you saw is mostly a façade," the chancellor admitted, feigning a pained expression. "We deliberately put on a show for the tourists. If word got out that Elroad was struggling financially, we'd lose our reputation and see tourism dwindle. That would only worsen our situation.
"I must admit, as the one responsible for this nation's finances, the current state of affairs is my failure. But this kingdom simply cannot endure any more losses. All we can do is maintain this illusion of prosperity and hope to sustain what little remains of our economy."
The chancellor clung desperately to his "we're too poor" excuse. Though it sounded unconvincing, Nero and the others had no solid means to dispute it.
For nations, perception often mattered more than truth.
"Of course, we don't expect you to simply take us at our word," the chancellor added. "If you still doubt us, I can provide financial records from recent years to prove that my claims are genuine."
It was an offer, but anyone with common sense could tell that the records had likely been doctored. No kingdom would reveal its true financial state to a foreign power.
Nero had heard enough by now to believe what the townsfolk had said during her stroll with Yunyun. Elroad's prosperity was solely the chancellor's doing. The prince, meanwhile, was utterly useless.
Sitting at the table, Prince Levi hadn't uttered a single word since the start of the discussion. Every exchange had been handled by the chancellor.
"This can't be happening…" Alice murmured, her face clouded with disappointment. Her gaze instinctively turned to Nero, seeking reassurance.
Her dependence on Nero was clear, but in this situation, Nero couldn't rely on the same tactics she had used earlier.
She now understood why Darkness had been so anxious before the meeting. Aside from Elroad, Belzerg had other allied nations with whom it cooperated. The outcome of this meeting would undoubtedly be scrutinized by those countries.
If Belzerg displayed weakness or incompetence here, it could jeopardize its relationships with other allies. This was a precarious situation for the kingdom.
Nero could no longer accuse Elroad of "disrespecting Belzerg royalty" or "provoking the kingdom's authority." That strategy had already been used.
Now, Elroad's representatives clung to their claim of financial hardship, repeating that they had no money to spare. Even if everyone in the room could see through their lie, there was no way to force them to provide funds.
Ultimately, whether Elroad's financial troubles were real or fake didn't matter. What mattered was how other nations perceived the situation. If other countries believed Elroad's claims and turned on Belzerg for pressuring a financially "struggling" ally, then the truth would become irrelevant.
Although the human nations were relatively united due to the common threat of the Demon King, minor disputes and conflicts still arose.
If the chancellor was proving difficult to deal with… Nero decided it might be time to shift focus.
Turning her attention to the silent Prince Levi, who had been watching everything as if it were someone else's problem, Nero spoke up.
"Your Highness, is this truly your stance? Are you saying that your nation's financial difficulties are so severe that you cannot provide aid, and that even future assistance must be discontinued?"
"W-What?" Levi stammered, clearly caught off guard by Nero's sudden shift in focus.
"W-Wait!" the chancellor exclaimed, alarmed. "I've already explained that we lack the funds! As the one managing the kingdom's finances, I—"
"Are you implying," Nero interrupted sharply, "that you alone can decide everything in this kingdom? That you outrank Prince Levi himself? Tell me, chancellor—who is the true ruler of this nation? Is it the prince, or is it you?"
Her words struck like a thunderclap. Nero had expertly lobbed a politically explosive accusation at the chancellor.
"The people in the streets constantly praise you, Chancellor, while disparaging Prince Levi," Nero continued. "Could it be that you intend to seize power and rule this kingdom yourself?"
"W-What nonsense is this?!" the chancellor sputtered, visibly flustered. "I would never—!"
Accusations, after all, are a game anyone can play.
By slapping the chancellor with the dreaded label of "treason," Nero had turned the tables. Even someone as shrewd as the chancellor couldn't remain composed under the weight of such a charge.