The country that bonded with a dragon
Translated by SoundDestiny
Edited by SoundDestiny
After leaving the royal castle of the Kingdom of Intail, I was walking directly through the castle town.
I had already decided where I was going. Out of this country. If I told the princess about this, she was likely to vehemently object, so I kept quiet when we were talking in the royal castle.
“From here, ……is the kingdom of Enubidia?”
(エーヌビディア)
If I take a boat from the port town, I will soon reach the Kingdom of Enubidia.
As soon as possible, I want to escape to a place where His Majesty’s power does not extend to me.
At any rate, the members of the 『Stardust Light』are all idiots with one or two quirks. If only he could control them, he would bring back the best results, but unfortunately Julius will not be able to hold the reins of their power.
If he cannot control them – there will be horrendous damage.
I don’t want to be held responsible for it afterwards.
So I want to get the hell out of here and escape to the outside world.
‘Well, I guess I’ll……enjoy my freedom’
I don’t mind travelling alone.
I’m always with someone, so I feel like I’m spending precious time now.
“Welcome! We’ve got the latest in grimoires for sale!”
A shopkeeper’s voice can be heard coming from the stall.
Speaking of which, it is time for a new set of magical tools. I already have enough for what I need, but magic tools are delicate items and can get damaged during adventures and other rough activities. It is better to replace them with new ones around here.
“Do you have a comms stone?”
“Yes, of course.It’s pricey, though……. is 20,000 zeni a piece.
Expensive, but in line with the market.
“Then give me six.”
“Six?…… Aaa, well, customer, you’ve got it all wrong.”
The shopkeeper chuckled and said.
“One communication stone can hold the contact details of a hundred people.”
“Hundreds?”
“Aa. So one is more than enough…”
“Then give me eight.”
“Ha ……?”
The selled widened his eyes in surprise. Ignoring his shock, I paid up.
The number of contacts I want to register is seven hundred and ten. I had thought that six would be enough, since a single communication stone in another country can register one hundred and twenty contacts.
“Well,thank you for your continued patronage…”
I put the communication stones I’d have purchased in the pouch around my waist.
Leaving the shopkeeper, who remained surprised, I headed for the port town.
“Next, I’d better finish the formalities of getting on board the ship.”
The time is already midday, chances are castle and port towns are close
I probably won’t be able to get on the boat today, so I’ll have to stay overnight. So I decided to hire a carriage, thinking it would be better to get to the port early enough to book accommodation.
◆
When I arrived in the port town, I immediately headed for the boat station.
“I want to board a ship to the Kingdom of Aenebidia, are there any seats still available?”
I went to the counter and spoke to the man at reception who was reading the newspaper.
“Yeah, there are seats available, but …… we’re actually having a bit of a problem. There are restrictions on boarding for a while.”
“Restrictions?”
“There’s been an outbreak of a large monster called the Kraken in the waters on the way to the Kingdom of Enubidia. Because of it, the only people allowed on board now are adventurers of A-level or above, or those on official missions who have to cross the sea right now.”
Kraken are dangerous monsters.
I can agree with the restrictions imposed, but…..
“Then no problem. I’m a grade A adventurer.”
Saying this, I take out my adventurer’s card from my pocket and show it to the man.
An adventurer’s card is a kind of identity card issued by the adventurer’s guild to which you belong. In addition to the name of the registered person, the card also lists the adventurer’s grade.
“Oh~…… you’re not what you seem, are you?”
“I get told that a lot.”
Although His Majesty made fun of me, being a Class A adventurer is an inherently admirable enough status.
It is also a privilege of Class A to be able to overcome these restrictions.
“All right, I’ve saved you a seat. The boat will leave in three days’ time, so don’t be late.”
“Aa…… ah, wait a minute.”
Just before I turned on my heel, I approached the man again.
“Can I see your charts? I want to know which waters the Kraken will be in.”
“I don’t think there’s any point in knowing….Well, okay. Give me a minute.”
After a short wait, the man unfolds a chart on the counter.
“I think the Kraken has appeared here.”
A man pointed and told me where the Kraken was.
‘…in these waters, they can just barely reach the sound of the whistle.’
I’m developing a contingency plan for the eventuality.
At any rate, I was able to work out a way to manage even if the Kraken came out.
“Thank you for your help.”
“Oh. I don’t know what it is, but I’m glad it helped.”
After I left the window, I decided to look for accommodation to sleep in for the next three days.
As a port town, there were plenty of places to stay. I decided to stay at an inn that serves delicious seafood dishes.
◆
Three days later.
I boarded a ship bound for the Kingdom of Enubidia, as planned.
“But it will take a week until the ship arrives…..”
As I squinted my eyelids in the brilliant sunshine, the sea breeze caressed my cheeks.
I stroke my slightly sticky cheeks with my thumbs, thinking of my former companions.
According to the newspaper I bought this morning, the hero party is leaving the Royal Capital today.
There seems to be a grand parade celebrating their departure, but the noise and bustle of the parade does not reach the ocean. Not long ago I should have been spending time with them as a member of the 『Stardust Light』, but when I’m rocking leisurely on the boat, those days seem like someone else’s business.
Julius joined the hero party instead of me, as His Majesty wanted.
However, I still don’t think that man can hold the reins of the members, so….
“By the time I reach the Kingdom of Enubidia, one of our cities will probably have been crushed.”
Farewell, Julius.
I offer one second of silent prayer for the sacrifice of an old friend.
“Oops, I guess I should call ahead.”
I remembered that I wanted to contact someone before I arrived in the Kingdom of Enubidia.
I immediately activated the communication stone I had purchased in the castle town and communicated with the person.
“『Ned?』”
A female voice can be heard on the communication stone.
“Ah, It’s been a long time isn’t it? Are you on the clock now?”
“『No problem. I’ll make as much time as I can for you?』
Loyalty is as high as ever. How that came about is unclear.
“Actually, I’m on a ship heading for the Kingdom of Enubidia.”
“『Oh, you’re coming? What do you want? Since it’s you, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a natural disaster on the horizon.』”
What’s more surprising than a natural disaster?
“I landed in some trouble and I’ve decided to leave the country. I’ll tell you more about it when I see you.”
『All right. I’ll show you around the city when I get there.』”
“Thank you. I don’t know how many days I’ll be staying, but …… I need some way of earning an income for now. I think I’ll register with the Adventurers’ Guild when I get there, so maybe you can help me with a few requests.”
“That’s no big deal. Do you want to hunt wyverns?”
“Ah, that’s a good choice. Wyvern tails are as delicious as steaks.”
As I was talking about these things, I felt a gaze from somewhere.
When I turned around, there was a young female knight with long blue hair fluttering in the air. She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, about the same as me. The fact that she is wearing armour on a boat trip suggests that she is a serious person.
“Well then, see you later.”
I disconnect communications.
The blue-haired female knight slowly approaches me.
“Sorry, were you on comms?”
“No, I’m done…..Do you need anything?”
“Not so much an errand, but I just wanted to say a quick hello.”
Greetings? She corrects her posture in response to me tilting my head.
“I am May Ascent. I am a knight of the Kingdom of Enubidia.”
“I’m Ned Wolkinter. I used to be an adventurer in the Kingdom of Intail.”
I told her in the past tense, as I no longer wish to operate as an adventurer in that country.
But May did not show any sign of concern and opened her mouth.
“If you’re on this ship, that means you’re an A-level adventurer, right? That’s a good thing.”
“A good thing?”
“You’ve heard that there might be a Kraken attact, haven’t you? If push comes to shove, we should be comrade-in-arms, to cover each other back. That’s why I’m saying hello to you like this.”
“I see, that’s an auspicious mindset.”
A polite or disciplined person……
She is probably a person of good upbringing. Her appearance is very well-defined, and her skin and hair are so beautiful that it is hard to believe that she is a knight who makes her living fighting. It is evidence that she lives in a good environment where she can take care of her appearance.
“I’m sorry, but please don’t count me among your forces.”
‘Hmm? Why is that?”
“My title as an A-level adventurer was forced upon me by the same party of friends who pulled me along. As far as my individual abilities go, I’m afraid I’m not much different from an E-Level.”
“…… What is that? Isn’t that a scam?”
“Aa……they say that a lot.”
Unfortunately, it is really often said.
The faces of His Majesty and Julius passed through my mind.
“Hmm, I heard there was a Class A adventurer on board, so I was expecting to see him, but…… he’s just a fraud.”
May informed me with a sigh.
“Oh well. If it comes to a fight, at best stay out of the way and stay quiet.”
“I’ll let you do that. After all, my motto is ‘letting others do the job’.”
“……A joke. I really despise you.”
May turned on her heel and went away.
It was meant to be a joking comment, but apparently it only made the air worse. …..Well, it wasn’t really a joke, was it?
The best thing would be not to encounter the Kraken. ……
I tried to harbour such fleeting hopes, but they were easily dashed.
Four days later.
We encountered the Kraken.
◆
After midday on the fourth day.
Suddenly, the surface of the water ahead rolled up vigorously.
“What’s going on?”
The knights of the Kingdom of Enubidia on board the ship were bewildered.
The seawater that had rolled up turned into a large amount of rain and poured down on the ship. Someone shouted loudly as they were hit by the torrential water and their vision was blurred.
“The Kraken is out!!!”
That was the signal for battle.
The knights who had been waiting in the ship prepared their equipment and rushed to the deck.
A giant squid appeared in front of the knights holding up their shields.
“That’s the Kraken……”
It is a well-known category of sea-dwelling monsters but I recall that even I have never encountered one yet.
Kraken are extremely dangerous monsters, but they are also cowardly. As soon as they realise that their opponents are superior to them, they quickly retreat. So even if I encounter a Kraken, I can get through it unscathed as long as I take countermeasures.
“You, why are you here?”
While watching the Kraken on deck, I was approached by May.
“I told you to stay out of the way and keep quiet. Now go back inside.”
“I’ll do that, but….. can you guys handle it on your own?”
“Pfft, don’t worry about it. Don’t underestimate the knights of the Kingdom of Enubidia.”
Having said this, May went to the Kraken.
When fighting off a kraken, the important thing is to take initiative first. If we do not look frightened at all and keep showing the will to fight back, the Kraken will eventually leave.
For this reason, the knights should have attacked the Kraken as soon as possible.
‘No, ……, you’re undermanned by all accounts.’
From the looks of it, the knights are skilled, but with that number of men, they have their hands full just dealing with the Kraken’s attack.
At the same time they seem also having trouble. Their formation is already on the verge of collapse.
“…… It can’t be helped. I’ll call them.”
Before heading back inside, I took a shell-shaped whistle from my pouch.
◇
The battle with the Kraken was far fiercer and more intense than expected.
“Damn!”
May, a knight of the Kingdom of Enubidia, was knocked down by the violently shaking deck and looked at the Kraken with her hands on the floor.
“At this rate, we’ll get hit……”
The Kraken still remains unscatched.
It has begun to think of those on board this ship as inferior.
Why is this happening?
May asks the knights in the vicinity about the reasons for this.
“What happened to the other knights! There must have been more knights waiting on deck!”
“Of the ten who were waiting, four were dropped into the sea by the Kraken’s surprise attack. Two barely survived, but are currently undergoing treatment.”
“And the other four?”
“…………..are down with seasickness.”
My foot almost slipped.
“W-what a useless bunch…..!”
I put my hand on my forehead.
It is an abomination that I do not want to think of as the same knight.
I remembered that a few days ago I had called an adventurer from the Kingdom of Intail a [fraud].
I owe him an apology. My colleagues are much more cowardly.
“I’ll take the lead, you guys follow!”
“Aa-wait, May-sama! You, the Knight of the Kingsguard, if you’re hurt, the Princess…Rushia-sama will be sad!!”
“Don’t be stupid! It’s a knight’s duty to fight physically at times like this!”
Besides, if I can’t fight off the Kraken at this point, it will be more than just me getting hurt. Along with the ship will be reduced to rubbish.
May approached the Kraken with determination.
The Kraken swung its thick tentacle down. May blocked it, using her sword as a shield.
“Ggh, ah……!!!”
Normally, knights with large shields would have gathered to defend against this blow. May’s skill in single-handedly defending against it was assured, but the burden was too much. Her arms and legs were numb and motionless, and the sword fell from her palms.
──It’s bad.
She is completely unprotected. If the Kraken continues its attack, it cannot be prevented.
If any more people leave the front line, the line of defeat will finally become thicker.
May gritted her teeth and tried to move, ignoring the numbness in his body.
Immediately afterwards – suddenly, a high-pitched whistle sounded.
“What was that sound ……?”
Is that some kind of signal? However, there was no sign of anyone rushing on deck.
As May wondered – suddenly the Kraken screamed.
The kraken’s condition suddenly changes, and the knights on deck are also puzzled.
The paralysed May, now able to move, closes in on the Kraken.
Before he can draw his sword, May stops moving.
At the Kraken’s feet, a shadow of something is seen on the surface of the water.
“Is that a…..mermaid?”
It’s upper half of the body is human but the lower part is half fish. This is the characteristic of the mermaid race.
The mermaids that are living at the bottom of the sea swam freely in the water and poked the kraken incessantly with spearheads in their hands.
“Are the mermaids joining us in attacking the kraken,……?’”
A scene unfolded before their eyes that could only be perceived as such.
But it is a sight that is not supposed to be.
“That’s ridiculous…..Mermaids hate humans. What…… is this?”
The Kraken screams once more.
Eventually, the Kraken moved away from the ship and was dragged to the seabed by the….. Mermaids.
◆
After the Kraken left the ship, I put the whistle away in my pouch.
After a while, the surface of the water in front of me bubbled and soon countless mermaids appeared.
“『Land Dwellers!』”
“『O people of the land dwellers!! We have defeated the Kraken!』”
“『Give us, our reward! People of the land dwellers!!』”
The mermaids gathered in the straw and demanded their rewards.
With splashes of water flying everywhere, I take out what I have prepared from my pouch.
“Yes, yes. Apples, right?”
“『Oh ……! This is the very essence of life!』”
“『It is no exaggeration to say that the people of the land exist to produce this!』”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
To say it is an exaggeration for humans to produce apples is a bit too much.
But….I’m glad I bought apples in the port town for this kind of situation.
Mermaids like several things, and apples are one of them. I’ll buy as many as I can if it puts them in a good mood.
“Sorry to call you on such short notice.”
“『Don’t it mind! Ned has made a covenant with us! That’s why she gave you the whistle!』”
A male mermaid said loudly.
Generally, the mermaids who come out to fight are men. His upper body was wrapped in strong muscular armour and he held a very heavy spear, using the buoyancy of the water.
“『By the way, Ned!』”
“Hmm?”
“『The Queen wants to see Ned! Come to the Ryugu Palace!』”
“Roger. Tell her I’ll come when things settle down.”
“If you don’t come soon, she will create a huge tsunami and sink this ship!”
“That’s not good. I’ll give you another apple, try to appease her.”
“『Yes, sir!』”
Having said this, the mermaid dove back into the water.
If the Kraken is defeated and the ship is sunk, it’s the end of the world. Perhaps I’ve just eliminated the second crisis that was looming over the ship……? Well, as for the second crisis, it looks like it came about because of me.
When the mermaids are completely out of sight, I hear footsteps nearby.
“Aa, y-you ……, that was …….”
There was a wide-eyed and astonished May.
“When I was communicating, you stood somewhere near me and this time, is ……does May has a peeping-tom hobby?”
“Nah?! N-no, no! It just happened, I’m standing here at the wrong time!”
May denied it with a red face.
“More importantly, what did you do? That was a mermaid, wasn’t it? Mermaids hate humans. They’re the kind of people you’d normally have to fight with just to see each other, let alone have a conversation.”
“Normally that might be true, but …… well, I’m kind of a friend”
“Friends….? A mermaid and a human……?”
“To be precise, I’m friends with the Ryugu tribe who live in the western waters. In exchange, I have a bit of a disagreement with the Lorei tribe, who live in the eastern waters. But I know someone who has an alliance with Lorei, so I think I can negotiate peacefully with mermaids from almost any ocean.”
“??????”
May looked confused at the information I gave her.
I may have even given out a bit of unnecessary information but I don’t have a problem with that.
“……It’s hard to believe, but in short, you can negotiate with mermaids…..So, in the battle with the Kraken earlier, you were the one who called the mermaids?”
“Aa. I told you, my motto is ‘letting others do the job.”
With the help of others, no one can beat me. I even take such pride in it.
When I jokingly said this in a boastful manner, May’s lips tightened.
“It’s complicated, but ……whatever it is, it does look like you’re our saviour…”
I was a little surprised. I thought I was going to be mocked again, but it seems that May is more tolerant of other people’s values than I thought. I hope His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Intail will learn something from her.
“Can you make some time after we arrive in the country? I want to thank you.”
For me, for whom networking is the only weapon in my arsenal, there is no reason to refuse the proposal.
I welcome meeting and interacting with new people.
“It’ll be my pleasure.”
◆
Three days had passed since the defeat of the Kraken.
The seven-day boat trip came to an end and the land of the Kingdom of Enubidia was in sight.
“Ned.”
As the ship approaches the harbour, May calls out to her.
“As promised, let me thank you. Are you sure you’re free for today?”
“Yeah, I’m free all day.”
“Good. Then I have some places I’d like to show you.”
My schedule is free, or rather, I left it open.
I actually had someone I was meeting up with, but after consulting with her, I changed my meeting with her to tomorrow.
“Aa, um, May-sama. Are you sure? Inviting adventurers from other countries into your castle. ……”
“He’s our benefactor, it won’t be a problem. Besides, Rushia-sama likes adventurers.”
The knights are having some kind of conversation.
I chuckled when I heard the words knights and castle. Apparently, I’ve been associated with those things of late.
“How did you end up in the Kingdom of Intail?”
“ I was escorting a nobleman from our country who was staying over there for a few days or so.”
It seems that the nobility of the Kingdom of Enuvidia was visiting the Kingdom of Intail.
I did not know that.
“We’ve arrived safely”
May mutters.
The ship arrived at the port and stopped.
“Welcome. To the country that has made a pact with a dragon.”
◆
The Kingdom of Enuvidia, a country which made a pact with a dragon.
The country is said to have borrowed power from a great dragon when it was founded. Before, the land in this area was said to have dried up. As a result, crops did not grow, but with the dragon’s blessing, the land was enriched and blessed with resources.
Some monsters are intelligent and can interact with people.
Dragons are a prime example of such monsters and are extremely powerful. History shows that humans and dragons sometimes fought and sometimes cooperated
with each other, but the only example of a dragon supporting the founding of a country is the Kingdom of Enuvidia.
“Spectacular.”
“Fufu, …..that’s right! This is a good country!”
May smiled happily, she was happy that I praised her kingdom.
The buildings in the Kingdom of Enuvidia are larger in scale than those in the Kingdom of Intail. Such is the culture that has taken root. Dragon ornaments and figurines can be seen here and there, perhaps to entertain the tourists. The scenery is gorgeous for a port town.
“Incidentally, that legendary adventurer party, the 『The Seven Meteors』, once stopped by this town.”
“Eeee?”
I couldn’t help but voice my doubts at May’s statement.
“Oi, what’s with that reaction? Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of 『The Seven Meteors』?
“’Uh, yeah. I know that much about tthem, but ……”
There’s no way I don’t know them.
The adventurer party 『The Seven Meteors』- is the most famous adventurers in the world.
The feats accomplished by that adventuring party are too numerous to mention: they have conquered impregnable dungeons, defeated large monsters that were threatening the world, and pioneered the development of lands that had never been explored before.
The strongest adventuring party, both in name and in reality, is the 『The Seven Meteors』.
This is a common knowledge in this world.
Likewise, the fact that the….『The Seven Meteors』 was disbanded a year ago is also common knowledge known by people all over the world.
“Did the 『The Seven Meteors』 stop by this town?’
“Yes! I’d like to be able to say with pride….but strictly speaking, they were just passing nearby. But when you’re dealing with the 『The Seven Meteors』, that alone makes me feel proud.”
“ooh …. I see. So that’s what this is about.”
There was a slight discrepancy in information, which was puzzling but satisfactory.
The fame of the adventurer party 『The Seven Meteors』 is tremendous. A town can become a tourist attraction simply because a party has stayed. This port town must have been aiming for such an economic effect and spreading the same sales pitch to its people as May had mentioned.
“There were a few well-known adventurer parties in the Kingdom of Aenebidia, weren’t there?”
“Aaa, The most famous is probably the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』. Ned knows about that party?”
“Of course.”
Adventurer party 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』.
The party, who hail from the Kingdom of Enuvidia, are all clad in knight’s armour, which is unusual for adventurers. The party has made a name for itself mainly by conquering dungeons and defeating monsters.
“The 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』 are a party of adventurers, but they are the object of admiration for the country’s knights. In particular, the leader of the Order, Lady Riese Von Aldiana, is an S-class adventurer and a former aristocrat, and has a reputation for being noble and beauty……. I, for one, am fascinated by her.”
“Does May perhaps admire this person?”
“Ah! Along with the 『The Seven Meteors』, she is one of the most respected people in the world! I hope to be a knight like that one day!”
May said excitedly.
“Aren’t there several well-known adventurer parties in the kingdom of Intail, where Ned is from?”
“Well, yeah. But when it comes to the latest buzz, I think it’s the Hero Party.”
“TheHero Party. …… I see that Hero Party also started their journey just as we were leaving the Kingdom of Intail.”
May also seems to know a little about the hero party of the Kingdom of Intail.
“Although countries around the world now dispatch their hero parties, I had thought that the 『The Seven Meteors』 would go on to defeat the Demon King.
May mutters.
I am sure many of us thought so. That’s how strong the 『The Seven Meteors』 was.
“Since its break-up a year ago, 『The Seven Meteors』 has not shown its face to the public. What are they doing now…..?”
“I wonder……probably, living their lives as they like?!
!No! They must be holding important positions in the country, or carrying out top-secret missions …..doing things we can’t imagine!”
May is a bit of a dreamer, apparently.
“What’s the heroic party like in the Kingdom of Intail? After all, they were selected directly by the kingdom, they must be very strong?”
“I wonder……if it’s by strength alone, I’d say they’re probably better than any country’s heroic parties. ….”
I say in a small voice and May looks at me strangely.
“Extra issue! Breaking News!”
At that moment, a newspaper vendor passed in front of me.
I take a coin from my pouch and approach the newsagent.
“Give me one stack.”
“Okay!”
I read the newspaper as soon as I receive it.
May, moved her face closer to the newspaper as if peering into it.
“What’s this, ……?”
May is surprised to see the biggest headline.
“A-aa, I told you it was …….”
On it, in large, bold letters, were the words.
──Hero Party from the Kingdom of Intail destroys the city.
◇
Five days after the hero party began their journey.
The prime minister rushed into the king’s room in a great hurry.
“Your Majesty! There’s bad news!”
“What’s going on?”
“A brave party has destroyed the city!”
“Ha……?”
The king stiffened with his mouth open in a pout.
The Prime Minister was sweating all over, probably because he had come in such a hurry. When the Prime Minister, who had been breathing hard, began to calm down, the King’s halted thoughts moved again.
“What do you mean? Explain!”
“Well, ……Julius reported that during their travels, they encountered a monster that appeared to be under the command of the Demon King and they got into a fight. ……”
The Prime Minister continues with an awkward look on his face.
“In the aftermath of the….battle, the city was destroyed. The lake, which had been a tourist attraction, disappeared and the nearby forests were burnt to the ground. Fortunately, the inhabitants have already been evacuated, but…..they are demanding large amounts of compensation.”
The King’s face paled into a blue pallor at the report, which was far beyond anything he could have imagined.
“W—wha-what,ho-w did this happen……?!’”
The king had ordered his prime minister to report to him whenever the heroes’ party was active. However, he had no idea that the memorable first report was not about achievements, but about damage.
“You made sure Julius had a communication stone, didn’t you? Connect to comms immediately! I’m going to talk to him directly!”
“Well, that’s the thing, the city’s inhabitants responded to the comms link…..and apparently Julius has overworked.”
“!? They’ve only been on the road for five days!”
What kind of schedule was made that Julius can be overworked in five days?
The King can’t imagine.
“Incidentally, according to Julius’ last report, …… the hero said, 『There’s a call for help over there!』 After that, he disappeared. The warrior is so immersed in monster hunting that having a conversation is impossible. The wizard stubbornly refuses to move until he has read all the books in the city’s library, and the monk seems to be unnecessarily raising the dead to create further chaos”
“O,oo,oooo…… what is this happeing…… my head can’t keep up”
The elegance is not suited to the hero party.
The size of the problem is out of the norm.
“W-why? How did this happen? What was Julius doing!?”
“Apparently, no matter what Julius said, the members responded that 『Ned wouldn’t say that』 or 『I only want to listen to what Ned says』 and refuse to follow instructions.”
“Gunnu…… that man, did he brainwash them……!?”
It reminded the king of a man called Ned, whom he kicked out of the party a few days ago.
Could this happen because of that man? Come to think of it, that man said, 『That party is all the members I have gathered on the assumption that I will control them』. After all, can a brave party only be controlled by Ned? ─ ─ No.
Ned is a person with no redeeming qualities. In fact, he has left behind no notable achievements in the Kingdom of Intail.
If even a man like him could control the members of the party.
There is no reason why Julius should not be able to do the same.
“…… give these instructions once Julius has recovered.”
The King, who has regained his composure, tells the prime minister calmly.
“The hero party may be an S-class adventurer, but they are still human beings. If they violate orders too much, punish them severely……. If the situation calls for it, you can even use my authority on them.”
The Prime Minister nods his head at the King’s order.
A few days later.
Reports reached the King’s ears that Julius had been seriously wounded.
◆
Tl Note:
(So Rushia use 妾 Mekake, Mistress/Concubine to refer herself. But I’ll just I,me,my, because it’s easier )
“From here we’ll take a carriage ride.”
After a reasonable walk through the port town, May led me to a carriage.
Prompted to get in first, I climbed into the carriage carefully. Then May got in too, and the door was closed.
“Where are we going?”
“Royal Capital. I would like you to meet my employer there.”
May is a knight. Her employer would be, at the very least, an aristocrat…..or a politician. She seems to be quite grateful to me for fighting off the Kraken, but all I did was call the mermaid.
The carriage began to move slowly.
When the regular sound of the horse begins to be heard, May opens her mouth.
“But it’s …… a pity. I didn’t expect the hero party from the Kingdom of Intail to end up like this so early on. ……”
“No, well, it’s……expected, and I’m not that surprised…….”
It really was as expected but I’m a little concerned about what Her Majesty looks like now. Should I secretly contact the Princess and ask her how she’s doing?
Afterwards, May and I talked a lot about each other’s countries.
However, I am more focused on different countries, so I’m not actually particularly knowledgeable about the Kingdom of Intail. Even when I was a student, I skipped classes and went on an adventure in other countries, so I probably have less knowledge of the country than the average citizen of the Kingdom of Intail.
“We have arrived.”
After an hour or so, the carriage pulls up.
The carriage had entered the royal capital a few minutes earlier. And now, in front of us – the castle.
“Is this……the royal castle of the Kingdom of Enuvidia?”
“Aa. I would now like Ned to meet my employer, Her Royal Highness Princess Rushia…..”
I’ve always had a thing for princesses, castles and knights, apparently.
And when May’s employer is a princess, one fact is revealed.
“I thought May is just a knight.”
“Aaa. I serve as a knight of the Kingsguard.”
May is apparently a knight guarding the royalty. That’s a reasonably high status.
“No need to be nervous. She may be a princess, but she’s a friendly person. I have to behave in a formal manner because of my status, but perhaps Ned will allow me to be easy-going…..Of course, we don’t have to meet her if you don’t want to.”
“… No, by all means let us meet. I have a principle that if I haven’t met someone before, I’ll meet them anyway.”
“That’s a good principle.”
“After all, you might be able to help me in a pinch.”
“…..I’d withdraw my previous statement. It’s a calculating principle.”
“I think any principle that isn’t backed by calculation is just delusional.”
I followed May’s lead into the castle and reached the end of the corridor, and there is a door in front of me.
“I have already reported about you to Rushia -sama. Let’s go in, shall we?”
“Okay.”
Checking my appearance, I nodded.
May opens the door. Beyond it was a luxurious room.
A red carpet with exquisite patterns engraved on it, and many ornaments that I could tell were expensive just by looking at them. On top of that, the room was well furnished with a set of practical furniture. In the Kingdom of Intail, I entered the audience chamber to meet the king, but this time I was to meet Her Royal Highness the Princess. From the scale of the door, this is probably one of the princess’s private chambers.
“You’re Ned?”
A girl sitting in the centre of the room looked at me.
“My name is Rushia Enuvidia. I am the princess of this country.”
A girl who appeared to be in her mid-teens sat on the throne.
She is a beautiful girl. Her skin is as white as the first snow and her hair is long and clear silver. She has a slender body that could be broken just by touching it, but her crimson twin eyes are like jewels set into a pedestal, exuding a strength that will never waver.
I can feel the noble atmosphere around her.
I was convinced just by taking one look at her that I had met the right person.
My years of experience tell me this.
This will surely be a good meet up for me.
“It is an honour to meet you. I am…”
“Aaa, good, good. May owe you a favour, right? Then you are as good a friend as any-ja.. You can be a little more open.”
“…… if that’s what you wish.”
I lift my deeply bowed head and relax my shoulders just a little.
This is what I’ve heard from the upper class people I’ve met so far. Aristocrats and royalty are often fed up with a stuffy environment. So many of them want to at least talk casually with outsiders.
However, it would be better to at least use honorifics.
Even if Lady Rushia says there is no problem, it does not necessarily mean that others who adore her will feel the same way.
“My name is Ned Wolkinter. I was an adventurer in the Kingdom of Intail.”
“Oh, an adventurer. I like adventurers.”
Princess Rushia smiles and says.
“Ned, let me first thank you. Thank you for helping …… May. For me, May is one of the few friends I can trust. If you hadn’t repelled the Kraken, I would be in a state of grief right now.”
Her tone was a little peculiar, but she was polite even to me, a commoner, and her behaviour showed her good nature.
“It’s nice of you to thank me, but I haven’t done much. The one who defeated the Kraken is…”
“- mermaids, I hear?”
Princess Rushia says with a grin.
“Have you decided where you’re going to sleep today?”
“No, I haven’t decided. ……”
“Then you can stay here in the castle today.”
While I am surprised at the sudden suggestion, Rushia -sama continued.
“Instead, tell me about the adventures you’ve had so far. I love adventure tales!”
I see, that makes sense.
Apparently, this was the real reason for calling me here. I glanced at May and was met with a soft smile.
“I understand. If it’s okay with me, I’ll talk about it as much as you want.”
And that evening.
I had dinner with Princess Rushia and I talked about my adventures up to this point.
Of course – I hid somepart to ensure secrecy .
◆
Conversations with Princess Rushia continued late into the night.
“Ho! So what happened to that aerial temple?”
“’I had an acquaintance snipe the core of the temple and destroyed it. Now pieces of the collapsed temple are being sold as a local speciality.”
“Wa-ha-ha! The land of legends is now an easy souvenir!”
I told her the story of my adventures in the aerial temple known as the Land of Legends.
Princess Rushia really seemed to like hearing adventure stories. Although she is supposed to be of noble status, listening to me, Princess Rushia’s eyes light up like a child enjoying the reading of a storybook.
Now I told her a story about climbing a volcano to defeat a monster.
“Ho, ho…… monsters in the crater of a volcano? Surely that’s a difficult monster. So how did you defeat it?”
“I had a wizard friend of mine freeze the whole volcano, and while he was doing that, I quickly killed it.”
“Freeze the volcano……… eh? Is that even possible?”
“Well, it seems that those who can, can.”
I laugh and say to the confused Princess Rushia.
I was surprised when I saw it too. [I’ve got a new technique to show Ned~!] I remember being told that and almost frozen by it. I do wonder if that wizard is going to ice me?
Now…..What else shall I talk about?
While I was sorting out the repertoire of stories in my head, there was a knock at the door.
It was May.
“Princess Rushia, it’s time to go to bed, or you’ll be in trouble tomorrow.”
“Mm, is it that late already? It’s been a long time since I’ve lost track of …… time.”
I’m glad she was satisfied.
Apparently, the pleasant banter is about to end. I picked up a cup from the table and quenched my thirst.
Rushia -sama stares at me.
“But you …… don’t seem too nervous.”
“Nervous?”
As I tilt my head, Princess Rushia tells me.
“Aa, no. If I may say so myself, I’m……beautiful, right?”
“………. huh?”
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“………. Haa.”
“Beauty──”
“Yes, you are.”
“Fufufu, after all, ……I am beautiful.”
When she nodded her head, Princess Rushia smiled with satisfaction.
Finally, the conversation moved on.
“That’s why most boys who meet me for the first time are usually too nervous to speak well,…… but you, you seem to be, how should I say, used to it.”
“Well,…..maybe I’m actually used to it.”
Princess Rushia is still very young and her body is hardly uneven, but she has a face that will no doubt make her a beauty in the future. But I knew several of the opposite sex who were equally good-looking. The princess of the Kingdom of Intail is one of them.
“Hmm, is there a woman in the world as beautiful as a me?’”
“They rarely exist, but they’re there.”
What a conversation, and I had my doubts too.
“Princess Rushia, you seem to be quite fond of adventure stories, have you ever thought of adventuring yourself?”
“Mmm, that’s because that …..I’m the princess of this country…..”
Certainly, as a princess, she can’t sing or celebrate her freedom compared to us commoners.
When I sympathised with her in my heart, Princess Rushia continued.
“And………ight, I’m afraid.”
“…… Afraid of fighting?”
“If you encounter a monster, you have to fight, don’t you?…… I am afraid of fighting and conflict….”
These words were unimaginable from the previously sprightly Princess Rushia.
Slightly surprised, I express my honest impression.
“….You also have a surprisingly timid side, don’t you?”
“Nah! W-w-what cowardice! Even I, the princess, can be afraid!”
Princess Rushia’s face turned red.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being afraid of fighting, but from the way she had been talking, I had thought she was more feisty and daring. This is a little surprising.
Beside me, who was surprised in this way, May smiled.
“Rushia-sama can’t even hold a weapon, you know.”
“O-oii! May! Don’t say unnecessary things!”
“Pardon me.”
With an not guilty look on her face, May straightened her posture again.
As a knight of the Kingsguard, May seems to be able to talk casually with Princess Rushia. Even so, because of her different position from me, the guest, May never sat down in front of her lord, Princess Rushia.
“It’s fine, isn’t it?”
I say to Princess Rushia, who is puffing her cheeks out in dissatisfaction.
“It’s unusual for royalty to engage in physical combat, and…..not having the strength to fight doesn’t diminish Princess Rushia’s value.”
I said that as encouragement.
But when Princess Rushia heard those words, she instantly turned mysterious.
“Have the strength to fight…?”
I didn’t miss her little murmur.
Ah, my mistake. Is Princess Rushia willing to overcome her weaknesses, and inwardly seeking the strength to fight?
“Sorry. I misspoke. After all, as royalty, you should have power…”
“No.,no..You are not wrong! Ned is right, I don’t have the strength to fight! I’m weak! So it’s no surprise that …..I’m a coward!”
Princess Rushia says somewhat excitedly.
Her tone sounded a little exaggerated, and I felt a tugging sensation.
It was as if she was saying to herself.
“Princess Rushia, it’s time to go……’”
“Oops, right”
At Meir’s words, Princess Rushia looks at me with a smile.
“Ned, I had a good time today! Now that I’m satisfied, you too can get some rest!”
“I shall do so.”
◆
“This will Ned-sama room”
The room to which I was shown by the castle maid was truly opulently decorated.
The room was spacious, the windows were large, the furnishings were all delicately patterned and there was a fine red carpet underfoot. It is a good thing that I left the kingdom of Intail and was able to enjoy such an environment so soon, but now that I have come this far, I am worried about my future life.
“There is a large bathroom for guests in the castle, if you wish to use it.”
“Oh, thanks for showing me around.”
The maid bowed solemnly and left the room.
As the door quietly closed, I exhaled a ‘huff’ and placed my waist pouch on the table.
‘I’m still wide awake…..should I register my contact details on my comms stone while I’m at it?’
I took a communication stone from my pouch and stroked the circular frame in a clockwise direction, and letters appeared on the surface of the stone. One by one, the contacts, which had been jotted down on paper, were registered.
It was a steady and tedious process. I have registered the contact details of 500 people, but there are still 200 more to go. If possible, I want to finish this today.
Occasionally, he continued working, looking out of the window at the quiet cityscape.
‘Ah ……………… finally, I’m done.’
When I had registered everyone’s contact details, I straightened my back lightly.
I was concentrating so hard I didn’t realise it, but it was a little chilly.
It’s time to take a bath and go to bed.
“…… hmm? Speaking of which, where are the big bathrooms?”
It seems there are bathrooms in the rooms, but since I’m here, I’d like to use the castle’s main bathrooms.
But I forgot to ask and I couldn’t find it.
Just as I step out of the room, I spot a maid walking down the corridor.
She is a different person from the maid who showed me to my room, but it would not be a problem if I called out to her.
“Can you help me? I need to go to the main bathrooms…..”
“If you want the main baths, go straight down this hall and turn left at the end of the hall.”
I thank the maid for her guidance and follow the path as told.
As I undressed in the changing room and stepped into the large bath, white steam blocked my view.
“Heh,…… this is quite something.”
The large bathrooms make lavish use of the spacious area. The ceiling is high and open, and the tiles underfoot are smooth and easy to step on. The gold and silver decorations created an elegant atmosphere.
‘Amazing…..Is this really for guests of honour?’
I’ve travelled all over the world and have been in some of the most luxurious baths there are, but this is an order of magnitude different. I will go to bed tonight feeling fabulous.
I wash myself lightly and then immerse myself in the bathtub.
Then…
“……hira-sama …… hot water level is…..”
“Mm……iru also……”
Over the rising white steam, I could hear someone talking.
‘Was there someone ahead of me? …… If you’re invited to the castle, you might be a nobleman.’
It would normally be irregular for a mere commoner like me to be invited to a castle.
It might be better to greet them lightly if our faces meet.
As I think about this, the steam gradually clears.
In front of my eyes, …..Rushia and May were soaking in the bathtub in a state of undress.
“……..Mm?”
“…….Eh?”
“……Ha?”
Each one of us becomes flabbergasted.
After ten seconds of silence,
“Nuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”
“Oouuu…..”
The screams that rip through the silk are overwhelming and half-heartedly startling.
“Ne, ned! You!!! How did you get here?”
“No, that’s my line……”
As I answer May’s teary-eyed, shouting question, I think about why this is happening.
‘…… I thought I was asking where the large bathrooms for guests were, but was I directed to the bathrooms used by Rushia and May?’
Somehow, I guessed how I’d enter this situation.
In front of my eyes, the two girls reveal their alertness.
“Mah, May! What are you going to do? What am I supposed to do in a situation like this?”
“I don’t know! And, for now, it’s better to hide our body ……!”
They were completely confused.
May’s face still has a faintly innocent look, but her body is feminine, with clearly visible bumps. She has no lean flesh, probably due to her training as a knight. Her fresh, water-repellent skin has a sex appeal that is hard to imagine from her usual appearance.
On the other hand, Rushia’s figure is slender and almost as uneven as her body, but her porcelain-clear skin and silver hair, which looks even more lustrous when wet with water, give her a mysterious beauty. Her cheeks, which are tinted red with a hint of moisture, and her embarrassed expression give her a sex appeal different from that of May. It was as if I was looking at a delicate work of art. There was a noble figure there that should never be……defiled, which is essentially unattainable for the mundane person to see or touch.
“Ta, towel! May! Bring me a towel!”
“Ye-yes I understand! I’ll bring it to you right away!Aa—”
May, who got up from the bathtub and headed out at a fast pace, falls down when she crosses my side.
“Kuhh….., my foot, I slipped …..”
May let out a groan and tried to stand up, putting both knees on the floor.
But, if she gets up in front of me, I’m going to …….
“You’re in full view of ……”
Rushia blurts out.
When May got up, she was red up to her ears and her whole body was shaking.
“I can’t do it anymore….kill this man and I’ll die,…… too!”
“No, no, no, no, no…..”
I put my hand to my forehead as May glares at me with tears in the corners of his eyes.
“…… I’ll leave normally, you two just wait in the bathtub.”
I told them as calmly as possible to calm their confusion.
I turn my back and then stand up.
I intended to leave the bathroom, but I turned around to ask a question.
“By the way, where are the big baths for guests?”
“Y-yo-you! Why are you being so, so calm!”
“There’s no point in making a fuss now, is there?”
When I tells her in a calm manner, May’s face turns red.
“One floor down! Go quickly!”
I quickly headed to the changing room to get dressed and went out into the corridor with my hair barely dry.
What if I’m accused of disrespect? ……I’ll make a quick getaway then.
“But …… How much more unwary can they be?”
If I, for example, had plotted to assassinate Princess Rushia , it would be a disaster by now.
The entrance and surroundings of the castle were well guarded, but inside there were many blind spots.
‘Is there a reason for this?…..’
With this in mind, I headed for the large bathroom for guests of honour.
◆
Next morning. I woke up in the guest room in the royal castle in the kingdom of Enuvidia.
“Morning already…?”
I look at the morning sun shining through the gap in the curtains and let out a sore yawn.
The room was cosy and comfortable. The bed was soft and fluffy, I slept well, and I feel like I’m going to have a good time today.
“They said I could do whatever I wanted as long as I didn’t go upstairs…….I’ll go for a light walk.”
After washing my face and getting dressed, I headed for the gardens outside the castle.
The morning mist is thick. Did it rain last night while I slept?
I walked along the damp cobblestones, and before I knew it, everything was enveloped in mist in all directions. I thought I had come to see the beautiful scenery of the gardens, but perhaps I came at the wrong time of day.
As I was about to return to the castle, I suddenly noticed a strange reflection in the haze in front of me.
─ ─ A huge shadow.
A shadow so tall that it seemed to reach the second…. or even the third floor of the castle.
I don’t know what it is – but as long as it is moving, it must be a creature.
‘Don’t tell me it’s a monster?’
Instantly alert, I mobilise all the knowledge in my head to try to understand the phenomenon in front of him.
But I had no idea what it was.
“──Who are you?”
A girl’s voice is heard from the front.
As I maintained my vigilance and waited in silence, Princess Rushia appeared from the haze in which the …… shadow was reflected.
“Aaa, it’s you, Ned?”’
“Good morning.”
“Uumu. Good morning, it’s……….”
Princess Rushia’s words trailed off.
“What’s wrong?”
‘Nothi-nothing……! I mean, after what happened last night!”
Princess Rushia blushes.
“ I haven’t even shown it to my father since I was over three years old. ….! And yet you…..stare at me so clearly for such a long time. …..!”
“It wasn’t so much that I was staring….”
Still, I can’t deny that I saw it, because it’s true.
“….. I have heard about the situation from the maid. You are not responsible for this matter.”
“…… thank you.”
It seems to mean that there is no one to blame. Powerful people are often extremely violent once they lose control of themselves, but I am glad that Rushia seems to be a person of character.
“By the way, Princess Rushia. Did you see something here just now?”
“Mm? I thought I was the only one here…….”
Princess Rushia tilts her head curiously.
What, then, was the shadow just now?……Was I imagining something?
“Ned. What are you going to do in this country?”
Princess Rushia asks me about my future plans.
‘For now, let’s just say that the shadow I just saw was my imagination …….’
“First, I think I’ll register with the Adventurers Guild to secure a source of income.”
“Mm, you were an adventurer in the Kingdom of Intail, so that would be good.”
Princess Rushia nodded. In this day and age, there is usually an adventurers’ guild in every country, but unfortunately they do not work together perfectly. If I wanted to work as an adventurer in the Kingdom of Aenebidia, I had to re-register. I had to start over from the lowest grade.
“Then I shall send May as your guide.”
“Are you sure about ……?”
“I really enjoyed the tales of adventure you told me last night! And for that, I want to thank you!”
Your Highness is a generous princess.
I am still not yet familiar with the streets of this city, as I came by carriage from the port town to the castle. I’ll have to take advantage of Princess Rushia’s goodwill.
◆
“Well, I will now show you around the city. You wanted to go to the Adventurers’ Guild, right?”
“Yeah, lead the way.”
After a quick breakfast at the castle, I walked through the city with May.
The royal city of Enuvidia was pleasant. It was safe and lively. Children running around and old couples strolling are the very symbol of peace.
‘Does she not care what happened last night……?’
Unlike Princess Rushia, there was no change in May’s condition.
Last night, if anything, I’m sure May was in a worse position than Princess Rushia….. Maybe I should be the one to apologise here, after all.
“May. About what happened last night…..”
“Last night? Oh, you mean the adventurous tales you told Princess Rushia?”
“….hmm?”
I didn’t expect that direction, so I was a little slow to react.
“No, it’s about what happened at the baths…..”
“Bath? I don’t know what you’re talking about. You and I parted ways in Princess Rushia’s room and that was the last time I saw you”
When I heard those words, It was clear to me that May wants to pretend that the incident at the bath never happened.
“…… I see.”
There is no need to provoke.
It must have hurt her a lot…..prickles and guilt eat away at her heart.
“Ned. That adventure story you told Princess Rushia yesterday, how true was that?”
I tilted my head, unsure of the meaning of the question.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You can’t be telling the truth about going to an aerial temple or freezing an entire volcano, I’m not too impressed with you overstating your achievements, even if it’s just to amuse Princess Rushia.”
Apparently, May is in disbelief about what I said last night.
“I didn’t exaggerate at all. It all really happened.”
“…. No, no, that’s ridiculous. If that was all true, you’re not just an A-level adventurer, you’re an S-level adventurer.”
“I’m a grade A, but everyone around me is a grade S.”
When I told her that’s why I was able to make it happen, May looked downcast with a serious expression on her face.
“…. No, no, no. You’re not fooling me. Because if the story is true,…… there are only three parties that made it to the Aerial Temple,…… and two of them can’t be in this country. But if it’s the other one, then Ned…… impossible, impossible, it can’t be …… possible.”
May mumbled something out. I may have said too much that confused her a lot.
Does she know more about the adventurers’ situation? I recall that yesterday she said she was fascinated by the leader of the adventurers’ party 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』.
“Is this the right road?”
“Uh,Aaa. You’re right. It’s just around this corner to the right.”
May comes to her senses and resumes guiding me.
“Ned, what do you do after you register with the guild? Are you going to take the job straight away?”
“I intend to. Princess Rushia said I could stay at the castle today, but….that would be bothersome, and I’d like to earn enough money to pay for today’s accommodation.”
“Ok. Then I’ll help you.”
The words were unexpected and I accidentally stared at May.
“Princess Rushia has asked me to keep you company for the rest of the day. I’m registered with the guild as a Class B adventurer, in case you’re interested, so I can take requests. If……you don’t need me, I’ll leave.”
“Please stay, I’ve already prepared a collaborator. Can we have a quick meeting first?”
“Of course. …… But you already have a collaborator in place, so it’s not as if your motto is helping others.”
“It’s the only thing I’ve got going for me”
If May is willing to help, it will be easier to make more money than planned.
The Adventurers’ Guild is responsible for mediating requests from towns and countries. Some of these requests require a minimum number of people, so if there are three of us, we can take on larger requests.
“This is the Adventurers Guild. Let’s go inside.”
May opened the door and I followed.
The atmosphere of the guilds seems to be the same everywhere. In the old-fashioned but somehow atmospheric wooden buildings, men and women with weapons and armour are everywhere talking to each other. There was a tavern right next door, and even though it was only mid-morning, I could hear the lively voices.
“I’m meeting the first collaborator here……but she hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Then let’s wait at that table over there.”
I follow May’s directions and take a seat at the table.
“So, who is the collaborator?”
“It’s…..”
I wanted to explain, but after thinking for a moment, I retracted the words.
“….. since we’re here, let’s keep it to ourselves.”
“Mm, what’s that?”
“Well, you’ll find out soon enough. Maybe May will be surprise.”
About five minutes later, the guild door opened.
“Oh, here she comes.”
I look blankly at the door and realise that the person I’m looking for has arrived.
At the sound of my voice, May also turns around…
“Ha────────?”
When May saw the person who appeared, she stiffened with her mouth open.
The guild was abuzz at her appearance, clad in pure white armour. [Hey, that one], [Why are you here], [I don’t believe it’s her], [She’s beautiful] ….. such voices could be heard from everywhere.
“There you are, Ned.”
“Yo, long time no see.”
I feel nostalgic and reassured by the face I haven’t seen in a long time.
“Aa,aaa,Aaaa…..N-no-no, no way, no way, no way……!”
Seeing the woman approaching, May’s confusion became even more intense.
“Ned, who is she?”
“This is my second collaborator.”
“Right, then I should introduce myself.”
I think May already knows her…well.
“I’m Riese Von Aldiana, Leader of the White Dragon Chivalric Order. Pleasure to meet you.”
An adventurer who is admired by the knights, and whom May fascinated by.
Riese, who is also one of my friends, smiles quietly.
◆
She was a beautiful woman in pure white armour.
Her tall stature and well-defined eyes attracted the gaze of even her own gender. Her beautiful golden hair was wavy and so glamorous that it was hard to believe that she belonged to an adventurer who made her living fighting.
Riese Von Aldiana.
There is surely no one in the Kingdom of Enuvidia who does not know her name. She is the leader of the White Dragon Chivalric Order, an outstanding party of adventurers.
“I see, so you are a knight of the Princess’s Kingsguard.”
“Ha! Yes!”
Riese, seated at the table, was quick to get to know May.
We’re going to be commissioned by the Adventurers Guild to take down monsters. Danger is inherent in fighting monsters. That’s why it pays to know the people you’re entrusting your backs to.
The two people who are meeting for the first time here are Riese and May.
So the two were now trying to build a relationship of trust through casual chit-chat, but it seems that May was nervous because she had just met Riese, the woman of her dreams.
“I see you and Net met on the boat. This is something of a coincidence, so I’m looking forward to working with you today.”
“Yes!”
“I’ve heard that the Kingsguard knights’ swordsmanship is first-rate. I have high hopes for you.”
“Yes!”
“Is there anything else you would like to ask me,May?”
“Yes!………. Ah!!!?”
That’s the part where she shouldn’t answer immediately.
May also seemed to realise immediately, and the blood quickly drained from her face. She then looked as if she was about to cry. It was probably a mistake to bring her.
“…… I’m going to register with the guild for now.”
At this rate, the tension in May is not going to be released anytime soon, so I should start acting on the request as soon as possible. To do that I have to register with the guild first.
“Ned. I know it’s a bit late for this, but if an adventurer has just registered, he’s an E-level, right? You can’t take on big requests in that state, can you?”
Riese looks at me as I get up from my chair.
“I know. So for now, I’m going to do my usual routine and get promoted to grade D straight away.”
Having said this, I headed for the counter where the receptionist stood.
“Welcome. How may I help you?”
“I want to register as an adventurer.”
“Very well. Please fill in this form first. Do you need anything else?”
“No need.”
The receptionist gives me a registration form and I fill it in with a quill pen on the counter.
After filling in my name, age and gender, the form contained the following sections.
————————-
【Existence Power Level】
【Blessings】
【Special Armament】
【Other】
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As a registered member of several national adventurers’ guilds, I was familiar with them.
Basically, these four items are indicators of an adventurer’s ability.
Existence Power…… is a numerical value that represents overall strength, which is raised by defeating monsters. The higher this value, the stronger the person is physically and mentally. However, the ease with which existence power can be raised varies greatly from person to person. The average value for ordinary people is 1, while the average for those who are called heroes is roughly 6. 7 is a legend, and there are no more than ten of them in the world.
Blessings……If you have powers from a special entity other than yourself, enter them in this section. For example, the knight (who is now a hero) who adventured with me in 『Stardust Light』 had the blessing of the Almighty God in his body.
Special armaments……Literally, fill in this section if you have special weapons or armour. Riese should have filled in this section. The sword she carries is imbued with special powers.
Other …. If there are any other characteristics that appeal to you as an adventurer that do not fall into the above three categories, enter them here. If you can use magic, it is standard practice to write ‘wizard’ here. Magic is a skill that can only be used by those who have studied a special discipline, so there is no dedicated section for it.
I filled in this form as follows.
————————-
【Existence Power Level】 1
【Blessings】None.
【Special Armament】 Depends on the occasion.
【Other】Confident in his connections.
————————-
“Here you go.”
“Thank you,…..confident in your connections?”
“Yeah”
I always get a tilt of the head with this description.
I want to be promoted to grade D and I’ll prove it right away.
“The requirement for moving up to D level is to complete ten requests, right?”
“Yes.”
Same as the guilds in the Kingdom of Intail.
Then I can probably move up to D level right away, as planned.
“I’d like to take on a request as soon as possible. May I ask you to introduce me to a search request?”
“’Please wait a moment.”
The receptionist was very efficient in preparing the documents.
As the clients of people-hunting requests are often individuals, the rewards are often inadequate or the request is cancelled due to a mistake. For this reason, the requests themselves are often unpopular and left unfulfilled – so-called ‘salted’. Guild officials would probably like to digest the requests as soon as possible.
From the looks of it, there are about 30 request forms. They must be sharing information with guilds in other branches. Not only the residents of the Royal Capital, but also missing persons from neighbouring villages and towns were requested to be searched.
“Thank you. ─ I’ll get to the bottom of this soon.”
“…… Yes?”
I took a quick look at each request and took out the communication stone in my pouch.
◆
“Lenovan? It’s been a long time. …… Yeah, it’s me, Ned. Sorry to come out of the blue, but did you see a couple of guys in the village you’re in last week?….. Give me some details about those two.”
I make a note of the information on the paper in my hand.
“Saika, it’s been a year. I forgot to tell you, congratulations on winning the gladiatorial competition half a month ago. I just wanted to ask you, was there a red-haired girl who was doing menial work at that venue?”
Taking notes again.
“Long time no see, Duke of Ruin…… Eh? Do you already know what I want?……That’s right. The quintessential 《clairvoyant》 Lord Ruin. Thank you for the information. ………… Yes? Are you responsible for ruining your daughter’s marriage proposal? Ha ha, I didn’t break that one, Lloyd did it on his own. See you later.”
Notes.
“Sharyn? Sorry, that was sudden. Actually, there’s someone I want you to look for in the woods over there. I think he’s in an intricate area, so I need you to lend me your animal eyes. …… Okay. I’ll go with you as much as you want, even if it’s just to groom them.”
Notes.
“Long time no see, Eddie. I need to ask you for a favour…”
Notes.
“Elaine. I need to ask you a few questions…”
Notes.
“Alec. I’m just…”
“Laurie. I want to ask you…”
“Zeth…”
“Eufa…”
“Narc…”
Notes.
Take notes. Take notes. Take notes. Take notes. Take notes. Take notes. Take notes. Take notes. Take notes. Take notes. Take notes. Take notes – take notes.
“…… something like this.”
Before long, eight correspondence stones and a large quantity of notepaper were cluttered on the table.
I organise the notepads properly and hand them to the receptionist.
“I’ve completed all the requests I’ve received. Here is a summary of the subject’s whereabouts, contact details, safety, with a note.”
“H-ha, yes. ……, please wait a moment!”
The receptionist heads for the back room in a panic.
After a while, other receptionists who were in the vicinity also entered the back room, perhaps because they were understaffed. Gradually, noisy voices can be heard coming from the room. The sound of flapping and busy footsteps kept echoing.
About ten minutes had passed. The receptionist came in front of me again.
“Yes, I have confirmed the fulfilment of your request. Here is your reward and your….adventurer card.”
A bag full of notes and coins was placed on the counter with a thud.
The receptionist then looks at me as if she still can’t believe what she sees and gently hands me my card.
The card stated that I was a Grade D adventurer.
◆
After promotion to grade D.
I went to the two female knights waiting for me at the table.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ll take your request then.”
“’No, no, wait. Wait a minute. Didn’t you just do a lot of quest……?”
May asks, puzzled.
Riese is not surprised, having seen this scene once. For some reason, she was proud as she drank her tea.
“I’m just involved with a lot of people while May hones her sword skills. I don’t think it’s that great.”
“I-is that so?…… No, I’m pretty sure that’s not true.”
For a moment, May seemed convinced, but her doubts were soon rekindled.
“As always, you have low self-esteem.”
Riese, who was listening to the conversation, tells me with a sigh.
“I’ve adventured all over the world as a member of the White Dragon Chivalric Order, and you’re the only one who can pull off a trick like that, Ned.”
“That’s what they tell me…..After all, I’m only borrowing someone else’s help.”
“At least I don’t help everyone, though.”
Riese tells me shortly.
I don’t intend to have such low self-esteem. I have a good memory for the results I’ve achieved. But I’m talking about the fact that not all of them were achieved by myself, but by someone else.
I will not be haughty about it.
If I act as if someone else’s achievements are my own – that will surely be the end of the line.
“Hey, Ned. One thing I’ve been wondering, …… if you can make so much money, you don’t need us to help you with your requests right?”
May questioned.
“We don’t always get requests for people-hunting stuff. Unlike monsters, they’re easier to counteract and…… we can’t rely on them all the time.’”
There are inevitably limits to what can be done to combat monsters. However, it is easy to take countermeasures against disappearances and lost persons, for example, by warning people around them and putting up signs on the roads where they are likely to get lost. As long as the lords are decent, the more requests that come in, the more measures should gradually be put in place. This would naturally lead to a decrease in the number of requests.
Anyway, people like me should earn when they can. Now is the time to earn it, with Riese and May, two reliable collaborators.
“Now …… let’s discuss which requests to take on.”
The three of us look at the noticeboard set up in the guild.
A large number of requests were posted on the notice board. The ones we’re going to take on this time are the relatively well-paid defeat type amongst the numerous requests.
“I was thinking that the two of us, me and Riese , could take on the regular wyverns ……”
Saying this, I point to the request form posted on the notice board.
“With the addition of……May , there are now three of us, and we will take on the task of defeating these three Red Wyverns.”
“Red Wyvern!?”
May exclaimed in surprise.
Red Wyverns are a higher species of wyvern. The conditions for receiving a request are therefore also [three or more people and an average rank of B or higher].
“Riese is an S-level adventurer, so she should be able to take it. But that won’t be long, so……we’ll also take on the ten ogres over here.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute! Ned! Come here!”
Meir grabbed me by the neck and moved me towards the corner of the guild.
“OOuu, You’re killing me!”
I told May in a desperate swashbuckling voice.
“I don’t care if it’s Lady Riese, I’m just a Kingsguard knight! I don’t intend to lose to any knights, but I just can’t if it’s……Red Wyvern! That a monster can be selected by few, even A-level adventurers, can be defeated!”
“Well, yes, but ……”
“And an ogre, not one, but ten! Impossible! I’m going to die!”
May said, with tears in the corners of her eyes.
She must have been mentally exhausted when she was in the same room with Riese . There was no sign of the usual coolness in May now.
“Also, if I became a deadweight, in the unlikely event that I will fail the quest with it. I’ll tarnish Lady Riese’s perfect career..!”
“…..I didn’t know you were thinking of that.”
It’s too hard to be true.
“Not that Riese is perfect, either. ……”
“Where’s the imperfection?! Seeing it with my own eyes, I’m thinking more and more that Lady Riese is perfect! That beautiful demeanour for an S-class adventurer! The noble aura emanating from her entire body! Presence! ……Oh, I really admire……from the bottom of my heart!”
May says with an ecstatic expression.
Apparently, for May, Riese is really a heavenly person.
But from my point of view, who knows Riese well…….
“……where you can’t see it, she’s far from perfect.”
I mutter in a low volume that May cannot hear.
At the very least, I knew one fatal flaw of Riese’s. But I hesitate to tell May about it. I feel a little sorry to destroy the beautiful illusion of Riese in May’s mind.
“…… Even if you are a liability, I don’t think we’d have a problem with Riese’s abilities.”
“Well, I’m sorry about that. I feel like I’m relying on you all the time…….”
“If she says it’s okay, then it’s okay, alright?”
Then I look at Riese.
Riese, who had been listening to our conversation in silence, nodded firmly.
“I don’t mind at all.”
“Okay, then it’s decided.”
Thus began our adventure.
◆
The Red Wyvern was to be transported by horse-drawn carriage to the location where it was sighted.
Around the time the vehicle enters the forest near the Royal Capital, the road surface becomes rougher and the vehicle body shakes more often. As the vision shakes with clangs and thumps, May, sitting opposite me, keeps lowering her gaze with a hard expression on her face.
“…… May. Why don’t you calm down for a minute?”
“T-there’s no way I can calm down……”
May takes one look at Riese, who is sitting next to me.
She must have admired Riese a lot. Meir’s nervousness was tremendous.
“I’m going to take a little air from outside!”
The coach door opens as if to escape, and May steps out, as if she has reached the limit of her nervousness.
The first time I saw her, that was running somewhere, and me and Riese watched her from the window.
“Mail is sure energetic.”
“I hope it doesn’t spin out of control…….”
Rather than being over the top, May seem half nervous and half excited.
“By the way, I’ve always wanted to ask you, what brought you to the Kingdom of Enuvidia?”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t explained it yet.
“I’ll give you the short version…”
I told her, as briefly as I could, what had happened so far. However, Riese and I had known each other for a long time and had exchanged communications several times, so there was not much new information. The only thing I had to tell her was what His Majesty had told me at the Royal Castle.
“I see. So you were kicked out of the hero’s party. ……”
When I explained everything, Riese gave me a sympathetic look.
“…. must have been a complicated time for you.”
“It’s not that complicated……”
“You don’t have to put up with it. I know your past.”
It weakens me when people say that.
Riese and I have never formally gone on adventures in the same party. But the time we met was a long time ago. So she knows my situation to some extent.
“Fumu, is this finally my turn?”
“….. hmm?”
Riese, sitting next to me, quickly moved her body closer to mine.
Our thighs touch each other. I heard the sound of armour clicking and rubbing against each other’s. Because Riese is tall, her shoulders are at the same height as my eyes.
I had a bad feeling.
“Ned……, if you’re in the mood for some pampering, I’ll lend you my breasts as much as you want.”
She whispered softly in my ear.
A chill ran down my spine.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t hold back. I’m removing the breastplate now, just give me a minute.”
“Seriously, stop.”
“Fufu, you’re still as shy as ever……Come on, I’ve taken it off. Jump in anytime. I’ll give you some warmth and…”
“I told you to stop.”
“Ouch.”
Riese removed her breastplate at an unusual speed and slammed my hand sword into Riese’s head, who was ready to hold on to it.
Riese looks disappointed.
“You’re a dull man, …… and you’re causing my needs to build up.”
“I don’t know.”
I run my hand over my forehead.
“I’ve told you many times, …… you need to fix that pampering personality of yours as soon as possible. It’s not nice for those of us who get involved.”
“Even I have said many times that it’s an impossible proposition. It’s my natural disposition……, or shoul I say, proclivity.”
Riese put one hand in front of her chest, smiled proudly. What other woman could so confidently reveal her proclivities?
I let out a deep sigh.
─ ─ Riese Von Aldiana has strong maternal instincts.
Specifically, she has a strong desire to pamper younger men. This is a fact known only to some people close to Riese. Riese is now 21 and I am 18. Although there is only a three-year age difference between us, it seems that I am enough of an object of sexual desire for Riese.
What’s scary is that…..Riese will try to fulfil her needs in an unobtrusive way.
With her usual expression and her usual tone of voice, she searches for an outlet for her needs.
“Why are all these weirdos around me ……?”
“The answer is simple. Birds of the same feather flock together.”
If that logic holds true, then Riese and I are the same kind of people.
Give me a break.
“……Your fellow members of the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』must be annoyed by your proclivities, aren’t they?”
“No, they don’t. I keep it hidden in front of outsiders. And they say, [Well, it’s fine if it’s on Ned.]”
“Why am I the target……?”
“They have my back too, which is why I’ve decided not to hold back against Ned.”
“…. I need to rethink my relationship with the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』 once and for all.”
If the leader is the leader, then the members of the group are the members of the group.
Should I distance myself from that party a little?
“It’s the end of the …… world when a woman like this is the object of admiration for the knights.”
“I don’t care what people think of me. I am me. …… So if you’re heartbroken, take it easy on me. Shall I pat you on the head? Or would you prefer a lap pillow? I’m carrying ear buds just in case this happens.”
“I don’t need either of them, and I’m ditching those ear buds.”
I flicked away Riese’s approaching hand.
‘Please, I beg you, please control yourself.’
“For now, just get your breastplate back on. It’s a pain in the eye.”
“Yare,Yare…I went out of my way to remove it for you. ……You’re a troublesome man.”
“It’s in your head that you can’t help it.”
With the breastplate removed, Riese’s upper half of her body was in a single piece of underwear, thinner than a swimming costume, clearly revealing her voluptuous body.
Suddenly I feel tired. My head felt heavy.
I let out another sigh, and then…
“I’m back. I looked around, but I still can’t seem to find the monster…”
May, who had been outside, returns to the carriage.
Instantly, May’s eyes widened.
Inside the narrow carriage. Me and Riese are so close together that our skin is touching. And Riese’s appearance is not something that can be shown to others.
“Y-yo-youuuuu! What the hell are you doing to Lady Riese?”
“It’s the other way round……”
I can’t help but hold my head up. I was the one who was going to be the subject of such things.
I spent enough time stopping the carriage and going to the trouble of clearing up a misunderstanding.
◆
The battle with the Red Wyvern has begun.
Both wyverns and dragons have horned heads, large wings and long tails, but their properties differ only in their similar shapes. The wyvern’s body is one size smaller than that of the dragon, and unlike the dragon, it is not protected by tough scales, so it is a monster that can be defeated if we can find a chance to win if we strike it.
Unlike dragons, wyverns do not have reason, and their movements are linear, like those of beasts. In other words, it is easy to anticipate.
Seeing the three Red Wyverns screaming in the sky in front of her, May readied her sword.
“May, are you getting the hang of it?”
“Aa. As Ned said, the moment they come down is the moment to attack.”
Red wyverns are belligerent but have no way of attacking enemies at a distance. Therefore, the wyverns always go down to the ground once to attack us.
“May, they are coming.”
“Yes!”
May, who was in the lead, was targeted by the Red Wyvern.
A giant wyvern looms from the sky. At first, May was frightened, but she finally became accustomed to its speed and this time she avoided the wyvern’s claws with minimal movement──.
“Let me…!”
She slashes at the Red Wyvern’s torso.
The wyvern screamed and ran away into the sky. However, the wounds seem to have been deep and he soon crashed. We’ll have to check on it later, but from the looks of it, we’re sure we’ll be able to defeat it.
“By the way, Ned……”
While watching the battle, May unexpectedly approached him.
“You, what is your relationship with Lady Riese?”
It was a question that had been asked many times already.
Letting out a sigh, I say.
“Do you still care?”
“Of course I care! You let Lady Riese dress like that in such a small, closed room…….! And when I looked closer, I could see that Riese didn’t look too happy about it either. ……!”
She is a sharper observer than I thought but for the wrong reason.
But I much prefer that she used it for combat.
Here comes the second Red Wyvern.
“Oi, stop trying to derai──── Uwa it’s really here!”
I had hoped that working together with Riese would raise her aspirations as a knight, but if this is the case, will it have the opposite effect?
“Kuh──this!!!”
May quickly held her sword vertically.
She placed her palm on the blade and caught the oncoming Red Wyvern’s claws. Immediately afterwards, she deflected the impact at an angle. The Red Wyvern’s claws slide down the blade.
“Nice!”
“Aaa, you ……! You really don’t do anything, do you ……!”
“You can do it, but you’re dragging your feet.”
“’Damn!!! Hold still!!!”
May said with a blue streak on her forehead.
Although May had said many times in the guild that it was [impossible] and she would [die], when it came to fighting, she was quite a good fighter. It is not so easy to defeat her, the Red Wyvern is also unable to give May a decisive blow. As a knight in her own right, May seems to be good at defending herself.
“She’s got a good skill, as she was brought here by Ned.”
Riese, who was standing next to me before I knew it, says, looking at May’s fight.
“It’s completely coincidental. She’s definitely promising, because she blocked a blow from the….. Kraken with just a sword. And with that, she still has an existence power of three people.”
“That was three? Instantly, she’s exerting the equivalent of existence force 4…… Hmm, she looks like he could turn into a monster if she trained well.”
Riese observes the fighting May with a serious look on her face.
The way she looked at her, I guessed what she was thinking.
“I don’t mind if you’re just trying to build a friendship, but don’t be a scout. Mey is a favourite of Her Royal Highness Princess…..Rushia.”
“…… I understand. As always, you’re a good mind reader.”
There are some people in the world with whom you cannot have a conversation otherwise.
“Well, I’ll have a fight around here too.”
Riese draws her sword from its sheath.
The sword, drawn with a shrieking sound, was imbued with a pale light.
“May, let’s change.”
“Ha, yes!”
May distances herself from the wyvern. Fortunately, the wyverns seemed to be wary of our forces and did not attack those two at once.
“Here I go──”
Riese runs.
A moment later, a slash of light sliced through the Red Wyvern’s giant body.
That is Riese’s special armoury – the Sword of Glorious Light and Great Radiance.
This sword was created using materials from the monster known as the White Dragon, which is also the symbol of the adventurers’ party, the White Dragon Chivalric Order. The sword, forged using the scales and fangs of the White Dragon, which governs light, is said to cut through all matter in a single, blinding flash.
“That’s Riese-sama’s battle ……, how divine ……!”
May is slightly over excited and glued onto Riese.
The flashes of light that gushed out were multi-layered, and a flower of light bloomed and spilled out onto the battlefield in front of her. Riese, at the centre of the scene, is bathed in multiple flashes of light and wields her sword gracefully, as if she were a stage actress.
Riese’s existence powerlevel is 6…… and her physical strength is such that she can create craters in the ground with just a footstep and snap large trees with just her fists. The Sword of Elegance and the physical strength of existence 6. The combination of these two is a tremendous offensive force.
But then…
“Ned! Look out!!!”
I heard May shout.
I looked and saw a third Red Wyvern in the sky, aiming at me and rushing forward.
It was a huge trobule. If I were to be hit by that rush in the flesh, there would be no way I could survive.
May was shouting but on the other hand, Riese was in no hurry at all, as if she trusted me.
Riese stares at me silently.
Do you want me to prevent it?
Unnecessary.
Just a glance is all that is needed to complete the exchange.
Riese had probably anticipated my response and was easily convinced.
Now, which one shall I use?
I put my hand into the pouch and select the tool I want to take out.
But before I could take out the tool, I felt a strange sensation.
“Hmm?”
My whole body glows faintly.
Strange. I shouldn’t have done anything, but the light gradually became stronger and stronger…
“Ah!”
With a high ‘kiing’ sound, the light propagated around them.
The wyvern that rushed forward was bounced by the wall of light that suddenly appeared and died in front of …… me.
◆
The Red Wyvern that had lunged at me was dead, perhaps because it was badly hit.
Riese cuts the one remaining wyvern in two and walks towards me immediately.
“The light you just saw is magic…..《Self-defence Garment Rula Shield》 that protects the target from enemy attacks. It is also a very high-level art. When did you prepare it?”
Riese asks me.
But I reminded her of recent events, but……
“I don’t remember preparing anything…….”
With an involuntary pause, I replied.
“Again, someone else took the liberty of putting it on. It’s probably Liz though, judging by the …… sensation.”
This sort of thing happens so often that when I registered with the guild, I wrote ‘it depends’ in the special armaments section. Very unwillingly, I often have strange magic cast on me or strange equipment that I don’t even know I have.
“Isn’t Liz an active wizard in the heroes’ party?”
“That girl can activate up to four hundred spells in parallel, …… and sometimes she’ll maintain a spell she cast on himself a long time ago that she’s forgotten about.
But I can assure you that I have a good memory for any magic that has been cast on me. This [self-defence robe] was cast without permission.
I’m not complaining because it helped, but I do wish she would at least say a few words before.
“I’m telling them to stop because it’s bad for my heart. …… For some reason, people just won’t stop doing this. Every wizard, every time I see them, they cast spells on my body without my permission, and they want to overwrite the spells cast on my body with their own magic…….”
“…..that’s called marking ….”
“What did you say, Riese?”
“No, it’s nothing. The less I know about Ned the better.”
I think she mumbled something as shook her head.
“Anyway, you’ve now accomplished the first request. Let’s get the rest of the ogre and be done today.”
◇
After all requests have been fulfilled.
I returned to the Adventurers Guild.
“I want to say thank you to both of you. I’m going to report back on the completion of the requests, so you two can wait here.”
I went to the counter to deliver the items that would serve as evidence of the request, as I was accustomed to doing. I took the claws of three Red Wyverns and the horns of ten Ogres from their respective pouches.
May and Riese, seated at the table, watched Ned’s fumbling about.
“Lady Riese . Thank you for working with us today. It was a great learning experience.
May bowed deeply to Riese, who sat opposite her.
Riese then smiles.
“By the looks of it, you seem to have relaxed some of your nerves.”
“So sorry. I’m finally getting used to it.”
When they first met, May was unusually nervous. May felt embarrassed when she remembered it.
“Um, Lady Riese. If it’s difficult for you to answer, you don’t have to answer…..”
After May’s nerves eased as she completed the request, May asked Riese what had been bothering her for some time.
“……why would someone of your stature be cooperating with Ned?”
I have always wondered. Riese is one of the most famous adventurers in the country and must be very busy at all times. Despite this, Riese went out of her way to make time for Ned and cooperated with the request. She didn’t show any displeasure …… but, on the contrary, she was full of motivation.
“Because I owe him more than I can ever repay.”
In a clear voice, Riese told May. What is it that Riese, the leader of the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』, that she can’t repay him?
Apart from May’s deepening doubts, Riese does not explain anything further.
Instead, she tells her something else.
“Even without past indebtedness, Ned is a man you want to push higher…… His motto [Using other people’s power] is easier said than done.”
Somewhat proudly, Riese told May.
“Ned has had its share of extraordinary struggles and setbacks, and as a result he chose to live that way….. I cooperate with that way of life because I respect it from the bottom of my heart.”
“Respect, is it? ……”
May realised that Riese has the same feelings towards Ned that she has towards Riese.
To be honest, it was – May couldn’t imagine that. It is true that Ned has its own strength and she already has a certain respect for it. However, it is difficult to say whether she respects him as much as he respects Rushia.
After all, Ned’s power is only using other people’s power, no matter how far he pushes it.
It may be possible to appreciate it as a rarity, but when it comes to respecting it from the bottom of one’s heart, as Riese says, it is unlikely to be possible at the moment.
“You’ll find out sooner or later, May. How proud you would be to wield a sword for that man.”
Riese looks at May with eyes that seem to see through her mind.
A few dozen seconds later, Ned returns from the counter.
“Sorry, I’ve kept you waiting. I’ve got your reward.”
◆
“T-that’s a lot of money.
“That way we won’t have to worry about splitting it up.”
Defeat of three Red Wyverns and ten Ogres.
When May and Rushia saw the reward money for each, they had their own reactions. Unlike May, who is genuinely surprised, Riese is already thinking about splitting the money. For Riese, the leader of the White Dragon Knights, this level of reward is probably not a big deal.
“My share should be ten percent.”
“Eh?”
Hearing my words, May was surprised.
“I’m not going to be so thick-skinned as to suggest a three-way split here.”
During the battle, I was just standing behind, doing nothing. There were a few irregularities caused by the self-defence robe, but I don’t think you can call those my achievements.
“No, I want the rewards to be in the same proportion.”
Riese says with a serious expression.
But I wasn’t about to give in so easily, either.
“Riese. You should only get what you deserve for your work.”
“Right. Then I’ll deposit the larger amount in the guild, addressed to you at a later date. I’ll spend the money I get however I want to.”
“…… Oi.”
If she is going to go to that length, there is no way for me to resist.
May looked at me with surprised eyes when I couldn’t say anything back.
“Even Ned can be talked down to by someone ……”
“Fufu. It’s not like I’ve been with Ned for very long.”
Riese said proudly.
Then she turned a little more serious and looked at me.
“Ned has been a great help to us on a regular basis, providing us with information, negotiations and consultations. We just want to repay that debt……take this as the consensus of the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』.”
“…… Understood. Then I’ll split it equally with Riese.”
I let out a sigh and nodded.
Then May, who was sitting next to Riese, also opened her mouth.
“I’ll split it equally. Originally, the purpose of today was to help Ned, and as far as rewards are concerned, It’s too much. Besides, …… if I get paid more here, Princess Rushia will be angry.”
There is no way to get around this when May brought up Her Royal Highness the Princess Rushia .
As my lips are drawn back in a tight line, May smiles a little triumphantly. She seems happy to have beaten me to the punch.
“….. then, we’ll divide it into three equal parts.”
It’s not that I don’t want a reward either.
If they say I can have it, I’ll have it.
“Rushia , it feels so good to talk against Ned.”
“I know what you mean…… Well, I’m sure he will just donate the larger amount to somewhere else anyway.”
“Eh?”
May rolls her eyes.
Riese , with a knowing look, launches a question at me.
“How’s the four orphanages run by Ned now?”
“Five. The number has increased again recently. This time I’m donating there.!
“You also had the mercenary soldiers’ group, didn’t you? What happened to that one? I haven’t heard anything about it recently. ……”
“They went to the Republic in the east. For convenience, they’ve changed their name to the Order of the Knights, so Riese just doesn’t realise it, but they’re still reasonably prominent.”
May’s eyes widened when I and Riese conversed like that.
“Oi,oi… doesn’t that mean Ned actually has tremendous power?”
“Just being facetious.”
(Tl: I don’t think it’s the right word but I could not think any, so here’s the raw: ただ顔が広いだけだ)
I reflexively told May my customary response, because that’s what people say to me sometimes.
But Riese immediately drowns out my words.
“I think it’s about time you understood, May, that you shouldn’t take what the internet says at times like this seriously.”
Riese might not be on my side, she might be my enemy.
The statement was so unintentional that I couldn’t help but think.
At that moment, I felt a tremor from inside my pouch.
I open the pouch, which makes a small clattering sound, and one of the communication stones reports an incoming call.
“….. Princess?”
The surface of the stone was marked Iris Intail.
“Sorry, I’ve got a bit of a comms call, I’ll have to go outside for a moment.”
“Who’s on the other end?”
“Princess of the Kingdom of Intail.”
I got up from my chair, answering Rushia’s question.
“I think it’s strange when you can casually communicate with the princess of …..one country.”
“Welcome to this side of the world, May. You’ll never be bored with that man. But be careful…… because if you’re not careful, he can twist your common sense.”
I heard some harsh words behind my back that I couldn’t quite accept, but I decided to ignore them because it will bring trouble taking them seriously.
Out on the comms.
“『Ned-sama!』”
A familiar bright voice sounded from across the communication stone.
“Long time no see.”
“『Yes! It’s been a long time!』”
The princess of the Kingdom of Intail is apparently full of energy today. If she had a dog’s tail, she would be swinging wildly right now.
“Is it okay if she communicates with me? Isn’t His Majesty stopping you in any way?”
“『It’s all right! I’m communicating with you properly and away from your father’s surveillance! This level of adversity will not tear me and Ned-sama apart!』”
“That’s great.”
She has the bravery not to do as His Majesty says and the brains to avoid unnecessary conflict.
She has a reputation as a noble woman, so much so that many people are afraid to speak to her, but if you take her royal abilities and position out of the equation, she is just a bright, talkative girl of her age. However, she is usually busy with her official duties. The fact that she has communicated in this way suggests that she may be on urgent business.
“What’s going on?”
“『There have been some changes in the Kingdom of Intail since Ned-sama has departed, so I thought I’d let you know just in case.』
“That’s helpful. I know about the movements of the heroic parties from the newspapers and so on, so you can skip that.”
“『I understand.』”
It wasn’t an urgent matter, but it was information I knew I would have to ask sooner or later. I have known the princess for a long time. She must have read my thoughts.
“『First of all, I would like to talk about the personnel changes at the castle. Treasurer Joaldahl has left the castle. It seems that my father and the Prime Minister had a disagreement when they decided to use taxpayers’ money to pay for the damages caused by the brave party.』”
“Right. If the……treasurer really leaves the country, tell him to contact me. I should at least be able to refer him to his next job.”
“『I knew you would say that, Ned-sama, so I have already given him the communication stone.』”
“Quite a deft hand.”
“『I know everything there is to know about Master Net!』”
Former Treasurer Joaldahl is not only highly competent, but also a good man with a good personality and is well-liked. From a financial point of view, there is no harm in making a favour out of him, and …… even without calculation, he is a person whom I genuinely want to help.
“『Next, there have been some developments in the military…』”
The Princess continues to explain.
I took out my notebook,to note any necessary information.
“『The Cardinal’s position has changed and it may affect the orphanage we run.』”
“Indeed, it might…….”
The conversation went on to the orphanage I run.
It reminded me of the children who run free in the small orphanage……idyllic village in the countryside of the Kingdom of Intail.
“My bad. I always leave you in charge of the orphanage.”
“『No! Originally, that orphanage was run by me and Ned-sama, …… and it’s a nice break for me to play with the orphanage children.』”
“….. I appreciate you saying so.”
“『The children have been asking to see Ned-sama too.』”
I have about five orphanages, but I rarely turn up. I just check on them regularly through correspondence, like this time, and send them the necessary funds.
I was feeling close to resignation, thinking that the children must think of me as a very cold man, but according to the princess, that is not the case. But it may just be a comforting thought.
“But it sounds like a lot has happened since then.”
“『Yes. Truly, since Master Net left the country, things have been very noisy…』”
It seemed as if the Princess’s words had been cut off abruptly.
“『─ ─Oh Right!! Ned-sama!! Why are you in the Kingdom of Enuvidia? I never heard that you were leaving the country!』”
Iris suddenly raised her voice and I moved the communication stone a little further away from my ear.
I thought she knew everything about me. Refrain from the rush that is…..
“Aa–aaa…..my bad. But I felt like if I told you, you’d stop me.”
“『Of course! Ned-sama rarely comes home! At the very least, I would have liked to talk to you a bit more!』”
“If we want to talk, we are talking right now.”
“『I wanted to talk to you face to face!』”
I’m sorry about that. But if I missed the timing, His Majesty was likely to take notice of me, so I had no choice but to do it this one time.
By now, His Majesty is probably worrying about what the hero party is up to. I had a hard time dealing with them myself, so it’s not that I don’t feel sympathy for him, but he deserved what he got, so I’ll leave them alone.
“On a different note, is Emma the diplomat over there?”
“『Is Emma here?….. No, she haven’t returned from the country she was sent to yet, what happened?』”
“No, it’s not like that, but …… that diplomat is familiar with my activities in other countries because she’s been going around to other countries. She’s usually very tight-lipped, but given the circumstances, I thought maybe she might have something to say to His Majesty.”
“『Do you want me to keep …… quiet?』”
“No, Don’t. I’m sure His Majesty and the Prime Minister will search me sooner or later. I shall consider ……this is the right time.”
I’m no longer in the Kingdom of Intail anyway.
If they know something, it won’t affect my own life that much.
“『Speaking of which, one thing about father has been bothering me.』”
The Princess said as if she remembered.
“『Earlier, the Prime Minister was investigating the Kingdom of Enuvidia on father’s instructions. Perhaps he is planning …… something.』”
“Are they plotting something?”
I raised my eyebrows at those words, which I found disturbing.
◇
A few hours earlier, at the Royal Castle in the Kingdom of Intail.
The Prime Minister rushed into the King’s office in a state of panic.
“Your Majesty! Report!”
“I don’t want to hear it!”
“The heroes have destroyed the town again!”
“Aaaaahhhh!!!’”
The king exclaimed, abandoning his dignity. He fell from his luxurious chair and held his head.
While sympathising with the king, the Prime Minister continued his report.
“According to reports, the hero party engaged the Demon King’s men in the middle of the Edwin Mine. However, in the aftermath of the battle, a massive landslide occurred. Fortunately, the wizard Liz evacuated the inhabitants, so there were no casualties. …… They saved the inhabitants, but did not protect the town at all……”
“Why do they fight like that! Can’t they be a bit more aware of their surroundings, those bastards!”
The king already knew that from the first report and put his hand to his forehead.
“Bring me the communication stone! I’m going to talk to Julius!”
“Julius is down with depression.”
The King stomped hard on the floor but it was Julius who had fallen down.
“Damn the damned ……! What are the others doing now!”
“Pretty much the same as last time. The hero has disappeared somewhere again and the warrior has gone to challenge the legendary monsters that inhabit the mountain tops. The wizard is deep in his cave, absorbed in the development of new magic, and the monk is celebrating every day by raising the dead in the cemetery.”
They’re having a lot of fun without even knowing the trouble they caused.
“It’s true, they don’t want to follow Julius’s instructions, do they?”
“…… Yes. As always, they want Ned.”
The King frowned.
One point must be acknowledged. The influence of Ned was stronger than he had imagined.
“Let’s kill Ned and end this, once and for all.”
In a whisper, the king muttered in a small voice.
“There is no way a man like that, with no redeeming qualities, could control the hero party…….is it brainwashing?, or is he blackmailing them by taking advantage of their weakness? ……In any case, if we are dragged along by that man forever, we should just erase his existence. That way, the hero members of the party will cool down a bit.”
“But isn’t that a bit extreme?”
“Don’t be a fool! After all, he’s the one who assembled the original Hero Party! He is responsible for the actions of that party! Considering the damage that has been done, it is a mortal sin that he fully deserves the maximum penalty!”
The King shouted in a show of anger.
“And I didn’t like that man before! I’ll never forgive that brat who shamed my daughter….!”
(TL: I guess he has more than 1 daughter?)
“…… that’s how you really feel.”
The Prime Minister lets out a small sigh.
“But how do we proceed to kill Ned? I was informed that Ned is already out of the country……”
“….. I believe he’s in the Kingdom of Enuvidia now?”
They already knew where Ned was. The guards stationed in the port town had reported that he had boarded a ship bound for the Kingdom of Enuvidia.
“Then I have a good idea. …… because the Kingdom of Enubidia owes our country a great debt.”
“…… I see. You intend to use that one.”
Tl: Since this is an LN, the next chapter, I’ll use the diamonds. Those diamonds will straight into buying next vol. really hope you guys can buy the chapters.
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