CH 160

"While negotiating the reward, before I knew it, I ended up in a mock battle with the princess."

Translated by Dawn

“While negotiating the reward, before I knew it, I ended up in a mock battle with the princess.”

By the time I realized it, I had blurted it out. But it couldn’t be helped. There were people who disregard the quintessential soul food of the Japanese, rice. …Well, no matter how you look at it, those people deserve the worst kind of death.

So, in my mind, it was already decided that I would subjugate the Manticore, even if it wasn’t the Duchess’ request. However, taking it upon myself to resolve the problems plaguing the country would be selfish to an extreme degree.

In many isekai novels, it was common for the protagonist to casually handle such issues as if they were nothing. But right now, it would be best to obtain proper permission before taking action.

“Ro-Rolando-sama, w-what did you just say?”

“I said we should defeat that Manticore. Isn’t that the request?”

I said it as if it were the most ordinary thing, but the truth was, it really was just an ordinary thing. From my perspective, compared to that SS-ranked monster, that loli hag was much more terrifying.

When it came to an SS-ranked monster, I’d mistake it for a small animal or something compared to that loli hag. With my current abilities, I probably wouldn’t even be able to leave a scratch on her.

Essentially, even though she was my master, I was feeling a bit frustrated at this moment, realizing the difficulty of surpassing her as her disciple. It was making me a little uneasy.

“That’s correct, but are you really able to defeat the Manticore? The Manticore is an SS-ranked monster that even the entire military force of the country can’t defeat, you know?”

“That thing is just a cat compared to my master, the loli granny. I don’t think it would take much effort to defeat a playful cat.”

“……”

Alicia’s expression became indescribable upon being told that the monster, which had become a national crisis, was being referred to as a mere cat. She had probably been so worried that she couldn’t even sleep at night. Faced with my nonchalant words and actions, she wondered what all her concerns were for.

“Anyway, I have indeed accepted the direct request from His Highness the Duchess to ‘subjugate the Manticore.’ However, before I set out to subjugate it, let’s discuss the reward.”

Now that I had obtained a righteous cause to slay… I mean, subjugate the Manticore, I think it was best to discuss the reward beforehand. It was better to decide now rather than deal with it later and face complications.

Of course, the reward was based on the assumption that the request was successfully fulfilled. I would make it clear from the beginning that if, by any chance, I failed, then there was no need for a reward.

“The first point is I don’t need titles and territories. I refuse to be bound by the obligations of nobility.”

For the time being, I wanted to emphasize that I didn’t want the troublesome baggage of titles and territories in this country, as becoming a noble was out of the question for me.

“That is not a problem, but are you sure about that?”

“For me, there is no greater reward than that. Now, for the second point, as a tangible reward, I would like to receive a thousand gold coins.”

In reality, I didn’t have any trouble financially with the profits from the Greg Trading Company. This was merely a reward to show them the tangible benefits I gained from defeating the Manticore, more like a decoy.

“Is that all you request? Normally, it would be worth three times that amount, if not more…”

“In that case, I leave that to your discretion. Just make sure to pay me with several large gold coins as the reward.”

“Understood. Is there anything else?”

In response to Alicia’s question, I considered other possible rewards in my mind. It was possible that after defeating the Manticore, unsavory individuals might approach me with ill intentions. Dealing with them would be troublesome… Yes, let’s make that part of the reward as well.

“I also want to delegate the handling of any troublesome aftermath that may arise from defeating the Manticore in the future. For example, dealing with nobles who might try to manipulate me, nobles, and more nobles.”

“I-I understand.”

“Also, I’d like to have a share of the specialty grain from the village that was attacked. And would it be possible to take some seedlings for cultivation?”

To be honest, I acquired grain barley in the border town, and as long as I had rice, I could use alchemy to infinitely multiply it as long as I had the mana, so there should be no problem. However, as a Japanese person, if possible, I wanted to spread rice in this world as well. For the sake of future Japanese individuals who might come here someday…

“If it doesn’t disrupt the villagers’ livelihood, there shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve heard that grain barley can only be cultivated in that specific village.”

“I’ve seen a similar grain before, so maybe I can figure out a way to cultivate it using that method. Even if I can’t, I won’t demand additional rewards, so you can rest assured about that.”

“I see…”

I never thought I would see rice paddies in this world, but when I was a child in my previous life, I had experienced rice planting when I visited my grandparents’ house in the countryside. Even as an adult, I occasionally helped with rice planting and did some research out of interest. So I believe I could make it work by utilizing that knowledge.

“These are the rewards I propose. If you’re fine with them, I can depart immediately—”

“Mother!”

Just as the discussion was nearing its conclusion, the door was forcefully opened, and someone appeared. It was Anastasia, the second princess whom I met before. However, the other woman was someone I had never seen before, and although I had an idea of who she was, it was our first meeting.

I was slightly surprised by the sudden turn of events, but now I was observing the situation calmly. …Well, to be honest, I flinched at the sound of the door slamming, but that’s just between us.

“Alesta, as I always tell you, women should be more graceful and—”

“That’s not important right now! Why am I not allowed to participate in the Manticore subjugation?!”

Suddenly bursting in, the woman started saying completely irrelevant things. She appeared to be in her early twenties, transitioning from a girl to a woman, and her demeanor was slightly assertive.

Her sharp gaze, accompanied by her father’s inherited blue hair and a chest on her chest that protrudes more than Alicia’s or Anastasia’s, unmistakably indicated that she was Alicia’s daughter.

However, there was one thing that puzzled me. It was the fact that her chest stood out compared to both Alicia’s and Anastasia’s modest chests. Despite her best efforts to push it up with her current outfit, those two prominent mounds were different from her mother’s or sister’s. By the way, they are probably somewhere between F and G in size.

“We have discussed this multiple times, haven’t we? You are not capable of defeating the Manticore.”

“We won’t know unless I try!”

“It’s too late if you don’t win. If you can’t win, you’ll be nothing but a target for its malicious attacks. What kind of parent would put their precious daughter in such a dangerous situation?”

On the surface, it seemed like a heartwarming parent-child interaction, but I wondered if Alicia was aware of it? That she was trying to make me undertake a dangerous task that she wouldn’t even let her own beloved daughter attempt…

“And besides, the Manticore subjugation will be carried out by Rolando-sama here. You have no role to play.”

“Rolando? Who is that?”

Oh? It seems she hasn’t realized it yet. I see, I see. Well then, shall I enlighten her?

As I pondered about it, I noticed Vista, who seemed to have sensed the atmosphere, wearing a somewhat apologetic expression. I see, it appeared that he had noticed that Alicia was being disrespectful toward me. He was not just a Chancellor for show.

From his eyes, I could sense the sentiment of “I’ll talk to Alicia about it later.” But I must not forget. Given the pink atmosphere earlier, there was almost a 100% chance that Vista would point out Alicia’s rudeness toward me. Love is blind, as they say.

“This person here is the hero who will save this country. Rolando-sama—huh?”

“Eh?!?”

Let me explain what just happened. As punishment for her disrespect towards me, I delivered a chop to the top of Alicia’s head.

With a surprised expression, while holding her head, Alesta exclaimed, “Why would you hit me!?”

“Question one: How strong is the Manticore?”

“It’s incredibly strong.”

“Question two: Who is preventing their own daughter, who you claim to be important, from going to defeat such a powerful monster?”

“It’s me, her mother.”

“Final question: Despite recognizing that it is a place where you can’t let your precious daughter go, who is the one trying to send me to such a place?”

“Ah… I-I apologize!”

It seemed that Alicia had finally realized her own rudeness and quickly bowed down.

For me, even without Alicia’s request, I would have gone to subjugate the Manticore since it had already been decided. However, that was a separate matter from what was happening now.

It was natural for someone with a family to not want to put their loved ones in danger. However, wouldn’t it be different when it came to others? It was not something that should be said in front of the person, even if it ended up being the outcome.

“Why are you apologizing to that child, Mother?”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced you yet. Rolando-sama, this is my daughter and the First Princess of the Saverdales Grand Duchy, Aresta. Aresta, this is Rolando-sama, the holder of the Mithril Order of the First Class. You should greet him.”

As Alicia said that, Aresta gives me a perplexed expression as if saying, “Really, this guy?” It was true, even though I might only look like a child on the surface, it was the truth. And besides, someone in a royal position shouldn’t make such a face.

“I’m Rolando. I’m an adventurer.”

“I’m Aresta. Are you really the holder of the Mithril Order of the First Class?”

“Wanna see? Here it is.”

I showed Aresta the Mithril Order of the First Class that I took out from my storage. After confirming the medal, Aresta’s eyes widen in surprise, and then she quickly returned the medal to me.

“Indeed, the medal does seem genuine.”

“You said it as if I were a fake.”

“If it sounded that way to you, then maybe it’s true.”

“Well, shall we test it out then? Let me show you, the sheltered princess, just how impressive a real adventurer’s strength can be.”

“What are you talking about?”

Although Aresta responded with a hostile attitude to my words, it was not pleasant to be doubted for so long. So, if that were the case, I’d just have to demonstrate my abilities in actual combat.

“Grand Duchess Alicia, I’d like to borrow a nearby location for a mock battle.”

“If that’s what you want, there’s a training ground nearby… Wait, don’t tell me you intend to fight against our Aresta?”

“That’s exactly it. Come on, young lady. I’ll show you what the real deal is.”

“Fine by me. I’ll go anywhere with you!”

And so, it was decided that Aresta and I would engage in a mock battle to demonstrate my abilities.