CH 49

Chapter title: Truth by Deliberation

「Then, we will now discuss about the investigation of the Lost Forest.」

The Prime Minister swore an oath as he watched the priest dispatched by the church stand in the center of the room.

Behind them were the seats of the King of Erivan and Princess Alice of Ilkut, with the Prime Minister and Alicia standing next to each of them.

From there, the nobles and knights with titles were lined up on the sides, giving the impression that this discussion was an important one for the country.

「Today, the one who will operate the Orb of Truth is Bishop Hugo, dispatched from the Temple.」

I bowed as the Prime Minister explained. He is an elderly priest who seems to be a good person and will tell you the truth about any questions you may have from a neutral standpoint.

「Then let the first person enter.」

With that, two soldiers moved in and opened the large door.

Then a soldier wearing armor, probably waiting outside beforehand, walked in.

The brand new armor of the Kingdom of Erivan shone, and a man with a bad appearance stood in the center.

「Please reveal your name and identity.」

The man nodded in response to Bishop Hugo’s words.

「I’m Russell, a former B-rank adventurer who is now a soldier in the Kingdom of Erivan.」

「Eeh—–!?」

「Oh, Alice!?」

When Russell said his name, Alice stood up and drew attention to him. Alicia hurriedly refrained from doing so.

「Princess Alice. What is it?」

The Prime Minister looked at her suspiciously.

「N, no….. It’s nothing.」

She gave a mending smile. While looking at Alice, the Prime Minister began to introduce Russell to everyone.

「Well, Russell has been promoted to a soldier for his outstanding performance in the recent survey of the Lost Forest.」

The nobles and knights applaud the introduction. They pay respect to those who have achievements. Otherwise, they will not be recognized by the people around them when they make their own achievements.

「However, this appointment is provisional at this time, because there have been some unbelievable stories in the survey team’s report.」

It was a rumor that had already spread throughout the castle. Everyone’s attention is focused on Russell…..

「Well then, soldier Russell. Will you please repeat your report on the investigation of the Lost Forest and speak briefly?」

As soon as the Prime Minister urges him to do so, Bishop Hugo holds up his hand to the orb. The people around him keep their mouths completely shut. This is because while the Orb of Truth is in operation, all statements are subject to truth or falsehood.

「Yes, sir. We adventurers have been commissioned by the government to go deep into the forest to investigate the Lost Forest. Along the way, we encountered monsters of a strength not seen in the shallow parts of the forest. Each group proceeded to defeat them. As we were camping at the place where we were supposed to wait, a certain being appeared.」

「What was this being?」

「An arc demon.」

Russel answered the Prime Minister’s question.

A murmur went up in the room. The nobles and knights moved their gaze to the Orb of Truth.

「He’s not lying.」

Bishop Hugo’s words increase the tension.

The question and answer now let everyone know that there was at least an Arc Demon in the depths of the Lost Forest.

「So, the report says that you exchanged words with the Arc Demon, what did it say?」

「Yes. He said “I’m the one who caused all the strange things that happened in the Lost Forest”」

The orb judged the answer to be true as well.

「So you’re saying that the arc-demon’s goal was this country?」

That’s completely unbelievable. We thought our daily lives were peaceful, but behind the scenes, demons were plotting to overthrow the nation. There were few who could remain calm.

「B, but! What happened to the arc demon!?」

Perhaps unable to withstand the pressure of the situation, one of the nobles shouted out, leaving out the Prime Minister who was originally supposed to ask the question.

Russell looked at the Prime Minister, confused and wondering if he should answer.

The Prime Minister then nodded with a dissatisfied look on his face.

「The arc demon has been defeated. It was us adventurers who did it.」

「….I, it’s true.」

「「「「「Ooooooooooooooooooh——-!!!!」」」」」

Despite Bishop Hugo’s trembling voice, the nobles of the Erivan Kingdom smile.

The Arc Demon is an S-rank monster that can cause disaster-level damage if it is seen.

They seemed to feel relieved because the story was true.

「So, so you’ve become a Demon Killer, huh?」

The nobleman exclaimed excitedly.

「No, I—」

Russell was just about to answer the question.

「Soldier Russell. No more questions.」

The Prime Minister’s words interrupted him.

「Eh? Are you finished?」

Princess Alice looked at him suspiciously. She wanted to know the answer to that question.

「At this point, the truth has come to light that the Arc Demon exists and has been defeated. Let’s skip the useless questions as we are pressed for discussion later.」

With those words, Princess Alice saw through the Prime Minister’s thoughts.

It wasn’t Russell in front of him who had defeated the Arc Demon. He thought about the possibility of being recruited into her country if the name of that person became known.

(But that person was probably that guy, right?　Russell was an outsider, but it was still a possibility.)

「Then may I bring in the next person?」

It is better to pretend that I am not aware of the Prime Minister’s intentions.

「Yes, please do.」

Princess Alice replied, deciding to take her chance.