145 Episode 145: "Unhappy Call and Rejection Method. And Forcible Solicitation".txt

As soon as we left the scene, I received a message from Iris.

"Sent by: Iris.

Recipient: my brother.

Text: We would like to inform you of what we know at this stage.

After the preamble, the information and the analysis followed.

A state of emergency has just been declared for the port city of Ilgafa.

This is a state of emergency for the town, and until it is lifted, all gates will be closed and the port will be blocked. After that, a checkpoint will be held by the regulars and those in a hurry will be let through.

The next question is where the "stone gargoyles" entered the city, but this is not yet known. There was no sign of a breach of the castle gates. We have received no reports from the soldiers patrolling on the ramparts that the demons have crossed the wall. We are currently investigating with more people in charge.

This is still a possibility that Mr. "Visitor" may be involved. ......'

My reply is as follows.

'Sent by: Nagi

Recipient: Iris.

Text: I agree with you about the possibility of "visitors" being involved.

Iris said to her father - the lord - "I feel the same as the Marquisess Eterina-Harthburg. Someone might be attacking this port city just like she tried to interrupt the Sea Dragon's festival" - and tell him that - and so on.

If we pretend it's similar to that incident, it should make it easier for Iris and Rafilia to move.''

"Sent by Iris.

Recipient: Nagi

Text: That's my big brother. I understand!　Let's use Iris' signature storytelling skills to make your father tremble to death!'

...... in moderation. Iris.

"Sent by: Nagi.

Recipient: Iris.

Body: There is one more thing that bothers me.

After we fought the Stone Gargoyle, a group of soldiers in golden armor appeared. They were shouting "In the name of the Princess of Mercy". Probably related to the royal Princess Claudia. If you get any information, pass it on as your first priority.''

I sent another message.

Iris replied, "I agree. Master," I confirmed the reply and closed the 'Shared Consciousness (Mind Linkage) - Revised' window.

'I guess I'll just leave the lord house to Iris.

We are on the main street leading to the lord's house.

The evacuees are gathered around us.

Regular soldiers are waiting on both sides of the road. They are lighting magic lanterns on the street to show us that they are here. That's probably why people are starting to calm down.

It's hard to describe us as ordinary residents, but the lights in the evening and the sight of regular soldiers in armor is enough to make us feel safe. For now, we are safe here.

And then...

All right, Cecil and Aine, go home and rest. Rita, I'll need you to guard them.

I said in a hushed voice.

'...... er...' '...... Muu...' 'It's .........'

Neither Cecil nor Aine are swollen.

Both of them need to rest and recover from the battle with the 'stone gargoyle', since their magic power was consumed in the fight against the 'stone gargoyle'.

I really want Letitia to come home too. ......

I'm a nobleman. I owe it to myself to find out what's going on here. Indeed, until I know that people are safe.

Leticia put the hood of her robe (for the disguise that Aine had put out in "Sis's Treasure Chest") over her eyes and declared. Then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It seems to me that they mean to rest and try to recover here.

Tease.

Okay, I'll be right back. I'll be right back.

Rita looked worried, but she nodded.

'Don't be reckless. Nagi, Lady Letitia, Cutlass.

With that, Rita took Cecil and Aine and headed towards the house.

The three people left here were me, Leticia and Cutlass.

I too want to go back and rest, but I want to get some more information.

''──Did you see it too?　That Golden Corps.

Wasn't that great?　That's the private army of the Princess of Mercy.

But where did the gargoyle come from?　I wonder what the official announcement of the Lords family will be: ......

I've heard rumors from the people in this town.

Half of the rumors are about the Stone Gargoyle. The other half of the rumor is about the 'golden-armored army'.

The other half of the story is about the Stone Gargoyles, which we fought against, and they are said to have appeared in the marketplace in town. And when they were attacking people in the marketplace, the Golden Gargoyles came to their rescue.

After the gargoyle was torn apart limb by limb with the Halberd, the golden soldiers held up the gargoyle's head and declared, "In the name of the Princess of Mercy, evil has been defeated".

Then they heard the whistle blown by the town's soldiers and came towards us, apparently.

The fact that the princess was just there when the ...... gargoyle came to town, and she had just taken a legion of soldiers with her, seems like too good a time to be true. ......

'It seems that the Princess heard the undead were on the streets on her way to this town and called in her army.

Leticia adds to the rumors.

''I heard that the Golden Legion didn't have a chance to play an active role because someone wiped out the entire undead army before they arrived, though. ''Yes, some unnamed person.''

Well, I'll be d*mned.

You don't even have the slightest idea what you're talking about.

I don't know anything about it either.

We looked at each other and erupted, mumbling something like that.

Anyway, there's no end to the doubt about the princess.

Princess Claudia is called the 'Princess of Charity'. The reason why they call her that is because the people of this world have a good reason for calling her that, and it's not a good idea to assume that it's because I have unfavorable feelings for the royal family - it's more dangerous than that. Especially when it comes to confronting those golden soldiers.

They used their armor and battleaxe (halberd) to repel the attacks of the Stone Gargoyle, and they were beating the body of the demon with force and speed. It was simply strong. I didn't want to be an enemy, I thought.

...... If Princess Claudia and those soldiers were the 'conscience of the royal family' or something like that, it would be a lot easier to talk about. ......

...... You seem to be a cautious Nagi in saying that in a hushed voice.

Letitia smiled mischievously.

Then she turned to Cutlass.

'I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Cutlass.

"Huh?

'If Princess Claudia had been here, I would have been able to see her. You are a fan of the royal princess, aren't you?

'What?　Huh?　Yes, sir. Yes, sir!

Cutlass nodded, stumped by the sudden question.

Leticia said she didn't ask about the details of the situation, so she didn't tell him who Cutlass was.

The reason she wants to meet the princess is because her mother was the queen's maid of honor and she's a huge fan of the royal family.

'Yes. It's a shame that I wanted to see the princess, but ...... I was also afraid of her.

Scared?

It's a glorious demonstration of the power of the royal family.

Cutlass was trembling faintly.

I somehow understood what she was frightened of.

The Royal Family of League Nadal can summon visitors from other worlds.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world and what's going on in the world.

It's a little scary to be able to show ...... such power. A royal princess is ...... that kind of thing, isn't it?

Don't worry. This is probably the last time I'll have anything to do with the royal family.

I put my hand on Cutlass's trembling shoulder.

'...... Arujido.'

.................. because when it comes down to it, it will be the last time I physically 'get involved with the royal family' (blah blah blah blah).

What do you intend to do, sir?　You don't have to do that for me, sir.　I know. You have your eyes open, sir!

But I don't have good memories of the royal family either.

I'm not going to do ...... anything if they aren't hostile to me.

I've gathered enough information from ............. Let's get going.

Yes, it is, Mr. Nagy. ...... The gates of the House of Lords...

Letitia said, and I almost got up and stopped her.

The main gate of the lord's house opened and a few soldiers and a butler-like person were about to come out.

''Blessed by the sea dragon, I tell you, the people of Irgafa!

The butler, who was sandwiched between the regular soldiers on either side, raised his voice.

''The 'stone gargoyles' that attacked the town have all been defeated through the work of the regular soldiers and the help of Your Highness Claudia, the Princess of Charity. Everyone should return home in peace!

Oh!" he cheered.

'We are currently doing our best to find out why the Stone Gargoyle invaded the town. We will make an announcement as soon as we know. We are also planning to increase security to prevent this from happening again in the future...

Anyway, the chaos in town is over, I guess.

Let's go to ....... Iris can give you more information.

I blinked at Letitia and Cutlass and began to move.

We were about to pass through the waves of people with Letitia in the lead and enter an alley - when

Also, to the noblemen who will be participating in the 'Unpacking Party', the Irgapha Domain House will send a messenger of apology later on.

Also──Princess Claudia, who has defeated the demon, has requested to speak with us about this matter!

This is a great honor. We have sent an errand to the innkeepers, but there are some people who cannot be contacted at .......

If there are any noblemen here, would you be willing to come forward!

What?

The words of the lord's house steward stopped us in our tracks.

We turned around and saw a young man raise his hand in the midst of a wave of people. He was surrounded by men dressed in black. Is that man also a nobleman? Maybe it's because it's an emergency, but it looks like they were evacuated among the general public.

I immediately send a message to Iris. The reply──Iris hasn't received any information about it yet. I'll look into it right away.

"...... You're in for some trouble,

Laetitia has a difficult look on her face.

"I'm here in this town on behalf of the Viscount's - father. If I am summoned to the city in public, I will have no choice but to go. The other party is the royal princess, and moreover, the person who just saved the town ......

And since it makes sense to call them up: ......

The princess who fought off the demon's attack has told us about it at .......

You'd be a bad person if you turned this down: ......

Letitia sighed and nodded.

When she was about to say something, she received information from Iris. She said that the place where Princess Claudia is trying to call out the noblemen is the quarters provided by the Ilgafa lord family. The message has a map and a floor plan. Attached to the message is a map and floor plan, along with image data of the escape route in case of emergency. ''Iris, you work too fast.

''Do you think Letitia doesn't want to see the 'Princess of Charity'?

...... though no decent nobleman would miss out on the chance to meet a royal princess.

Leticia shook her head in annoyance.

The reason I came to this town is to see my friends. I don't want to cause you any extra trouble. Besides, if I were to meet with the princess and discuss it with her, it's obvious that my father would blurt it out at a nobleman's social gathering.

Frankly, it's annoying, and it would be a burden to me, as I plan to leave the baronial family at some point.

Okay.

Letitia didn't like that kind of thing, I remember.

Originally, Princess Claudia and Letitia had only sat together at the party. If it was a direct call to them, that's a lot of pressure.

Even more so when the person you're dealing with is a princess leading an unknowable 'Golden Corps'. I still don't even know the true identity of that stone gargoyle. Maybe he's related to the princess or maybe not.

But in Letitia's position, she can't refuse the call.

In other words──the best option in this case is...

How about a sick day?

"............ yes?

Letitia and Cutlass looked at me with a plop on their faces.

Huh?　Did I say something funny?

"A 'sick day' is the most powerful thing in my world, a trump card for refusing calls - for taking time off work. No matter how black the person is, this 'sick leave' is hard to resist. I don't care if it's someone who's already there, the 'Princess of Charity' can't call out someone who says they're not feeling well, right?

'...... is, haha. That may well be true, though.

'Leticia-Milfe was lightly engaged and injured when she met the 'stone gargoyle'; she'll heal in a day or two, but as she's currently undergoing treatment, I don't want to expose her to it. A letter like that - I'll deliver it.

I said.

Of course, I'll have to take sufficient precautions.

I won't be able to meet the 'Princess of Charity' in person, but I think I can get a vague idea of what kind of group they are. To be honest, I don't want to make contact with the royal family. But if I do, there's no better place than this town, our home turf, to make contact with them.

It's a good idea to decide whether or not you want to attend the New Lord's Unveiling Party afterwards.

I explained to Letitia and Cutlass.

“Okay, I understand. I'll ask you then.''

Leticia put her hood back on and said.

''The situation right now is quite chaotic. Until we find out the identity of the 'Stone Gargoyle' and what the 'Golden Corps' is like ...... it seems like we'd better try to gather information until we know a lot of things.

I agree with you, sir.

Cutlass replied as he walked diagonally behind Letitia.

'I feel a deep darkness in the royal family, including my ...... no, my mother. They consider it dangerous to approach them unless it is safe to do so.

'Yes. I agree with both of you.

With the plan in place, we were quietly making our way down the alley.

I'm taking the long way around for about ten minutes, because if I head straight for the house, I'll stand out. Once we got through this street, we should be in the woods behind the house.

Just as we thought that, we noticed a figure standing in the alley.

Oh, well, well. What a surprise.

The figure said.

Leticia, who was walking in the lead, stops.

She whispers to me and Cutlass in a whisper. 'It's the Barons,' she said.

I remember the list that Iris sent me. Except for Leticia, there are three nobles participating in the 'New Lord's Unveiling Party'. One of them was the name of a baronial family. As I recall, it was 'Baroness Lalambell-Erngea (Danshakurei)'.

''Well, well, well, Letitia-Milfe-sama. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.''

The brown curly-haired girl ── Laramber-Erngea picks up her skirt and bows.

At the same time, the small girl who was waiting on her left and right - who is probably a guard - also bows.

''Thank you very much for being so polite. Lalambell-Erngea-sama. For you to participate in the 'Orokui Party' too?

'Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you here, Lady Letitia.

It's been a tough day for you. ......

There is no thorn in Letitia's voice.

Lalambell-Erngea isn't a confrontation partner, I guess. The other side is also looking at Leticia with a normal glint in its eye.

''I was curious when I heard about the 'stone gargoyle' and came to the lord's house. ''And Lalambell-sama?''

No, Princess Claudia sent me.

She said.

'It must be awkward to raise your voice in that place, isn't it?　I was wondering what to do, and then Princess Claudia's messenger arrived. She told me to wait for her here and that she would send for me later.

What...?

We couldn't help but look around.

We and the baronesses were the only ones here.

The commotion in the main street was still going on. There was no sign of anyone heading our way.

'So that's that. But I'm on sick leave. I'm not feeling well, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Leticia looked at the Baroness and coughed.

It was totally deliberate, though.

''I'm sorry, but I'll have to say hello again. Good day to you. ......''

She looks at me and chuckles. I'm going to pass through this place with my Manners Gears.

But--

Just before Leticia activated her skill, the walls of the alley and the ground shone with light.

''I'm here to welcome you. Noblemen.''

I heard voices.

The light on the walls and the ground drew an intricate pattern. This is - a magic circle?

In a time of crisis like this, I have a recommendation for you. This is a limited edition, recommended only to noblemen. You're in luck, then. Please follow me. You will be able to select to your heart's content...

What's that?

No, it's not a solicitation scheme!

"Sent by: Nagi

Recipient: Cecil and Iris.

Body: Stand by until we know what's going on!　"We are now...

When we sent out the message of the mind linkage, our field of vision went completely blank and we could not see a thing...

The next thing I knew, Leticia, Cutlass and I - we were standing in an unknown place.