Annan climbed into the carriage under the Third Prince's watchful eye. A curious question drifted faintly over from the distance:
"What did you mean by 'walking statue'?"
"Don't ask. Anyone who asks about that dies!"
The carriage rolled away, vanishing into the mist along the broad street. Only then did the Third Prince look away.
"Your Highness, how did the talks go?" the Minister of the Interior finally found a chance to ask.
"It's so relaxing being around Annan," the Third Prince said sincerely.
No royal scheming, no need to watch every word. Was this what having a friend felt like?
That wasn't what the minister had asked. "Well, he is a sorcerer," he replied distractedly.
"There are several sorcerers at court, too. All they do is make me wonder if one of my younger brothers has paid them to harm me again."
"You've come to Montreal Mountain and met the emperor. They won't dare try anything now."
Seeing how anxious the minister looked, the Third Prince stopped teasing him. "Don't worry. Everything went smoothly. We, the Empire, and Annan are allies now."
"Wonderful, wonderful..." The minister's hands trembled with excitement. "The Kingdom is saved. Saved...!"
Doyle smiled and let the minister have his moment. Just now, he had wanted to shout the same thing, dignity be damned.
"The Empire, Free City, and Dimon Kingdom Formally Establish Triangle Alliance"
The next day, the Voice of Freedom, the Empire Times, the Daily News, and other newspapers reported the alliance one after another.
The other High Kings had all gone to Free City because it was the Empire's chosen candidate. To the people of Middle Earth, who had waited eagerly for news, and to those facing the North's deteriorating situation, the alliance was a tremendous boost.
People spread the word everywhere: