CH 219

“Mu ……!”

–A gray-robed figure in a room moaned softly. His own hand glowed pale white, and he made a buzzing sound and blew smoke.

A man who looked to be in his early twenties opened his mouth with one eyebrow raised as he looked at his right hand, which was making a churning sound.

“My spell is broken …… which means they’re dead. The tattoo itself is easy because if the shape changes even a little, the meaning disappears. It’s difficult to remove the tattoo because it’s carved directly into the skin with my magic.”

He then cast a recovery spell to heal his right hand, and the man grasped his hand to feel it. He then held his hand over the crystal on the desk and meditated.

“So it was the six of Kelbrem in Oriola territory who disappeared. To fail after fifteen years of work, it’s hard to believe that ordinary people are so irredeemable …… Nevertheless, It’s not easy to get the territory of the Reflexion Kingdom. I can’t believe they’d do this to Oriola territory after what they did to Gust territory six years ago. Was it Glasco’s territory that sent the assassins to that country? I’ll observe the situation a little more, and if they fail, I guess I’ll send them to another country? No, would it be interesting to directly manipulate the people in the castle?”

The man chuckled and leaned back in his chair.

“I can make new comrades, no matter how many I lose …… as long as you have my “Slave Magic”.”

Then there is a knock on the door of the room, and the man returns to a straight face and answers.

“…… What is it?”

“Apollos-sama, the king wishes to see you. Please come to the audience room.”

“I understand. I’ll be right there.”

“Wah.”

The man called Apollos stood up from his chair and muttered to himself as he felt the presence on the other side of the door recede into the distance.

“Well, for now, let’s get the king has in a good mood. It would be a shame to lose the cover of “The Gospel’s Descent” ……”

◆ 　 ◇ 　 ◆

“!”

“That’s great, Lars-kun! Now the Treant’s all burned out, Makina-chan, and that giant bee over there was hit by my throwing knife in its right wing, so attack it from the right!”

“Yes! Ya! Hah!”

The Treant blazes up in front of me, and the giant bee falls to the ground with Makina’s Sarge Fist weapon.

“I see that there’s still Treant around here.”

“I guess it has something to do with the swamp that Lars-kun and the others obliterated. I guess they are actively attacking people to get nutrients. If we don’t get to the castle as soon as possible and take countermeasures, we’ll be in trouble.”

I’ve figured out the factors behind the increase in Treants, but the factors behind the increase in the monsters themselves are still unknown. It can be said that Basleigh-sensei’s assignment from the castle has not yet been resolved.

“But isn’t there a high possibility that the organization called “The Gospel’s Descent” is involved?”

“…… Yes, it is. But if it’s as those men say that the “Founder” is hiding in the kingdom of Berias, it will be difficult to catch him.”

Basleigh-sensei frowned at Makina’s words. I know that it’s Tigre-sensei’s hometown and that he took one of the countries in the war, but I don’t know that much about the country itself. I collected the monster material and continued talking as I got the carriage going again.

“You mean it’s difficult to get to the Kingdom of Berias?”

“Yes, it’s a very belligerent and closed country. The current king is particularly dangerous. I think there was a story about Tigre-sensei being sent to war, but the Kingdom of Berias wasn’t like that in the past. But at some point, it turned into a closed country.”

“…… Don’t tell me……”

When Makina broke out in a cold sweat, Basleigh-sensei nodded.

“I’m afraid the Lord and others have infiltrated. Well, I’m not sure what the truth is, but based on what Kelbrem and the others are saying, I’d say it’s probably true.”

“…… That’s scary ……”

“It’s the closest country to Reflexion, after all ……”

“Well, since it’s like that, let’s quickly return. There’s a reward for both of you too, maybe.”

Basleigh smiled and said so, and she looked like a teacher. I muttered in my heart that I wished she could do this on a regular basis, and then we left the city of Oriola and arrived in the royal capital about four days later. 

“Whoa, it’s large. The walls are so high, I wonder how many times the size of Gust’s town it is …… Was Luitzar Country like this?”

“It’s been six years now since I went to Luitzar Country …… How nostalgic. I wonder if the walls are still low in Luitzar Country. It’s a country of knights, so they might think they can handle an attack. At any rate, It’s the place where the king lives, so it’s very strong. See, the gate is double-layered, one on the outside and one on the inside.

As I slowly drove the carriage forward, I was stopped by two armed gatekeepers.

“Stop right there! Do you have any identification? Can you tell us why you’re in town?”

“Hello, thank you for your time. Can I use a card?”

“No problem …… That’s a gorgeous carriage, by the way ……”

When I show my card, the gatekeeper looks me in the eye, compares my face with the card, and straightens his posture.

“Lars Irving …… the son of the Lord of the Gust territory. I’ve heard about you.”

The fact that he reacted immediately to “Irving” was impressive. Then she looks at Makina’s card and smiles. 

“Makina-san, right, no problem. I envy you that you already have a partner.”

“Wha-, a partner ……”

“Yes, I was lucky. I’ve known her since I was in school and she’s very important to me.”

“G-Geez ……”

When I told her how I was feeling, she turned red and patted me on the shoulder. How cute.

“Hahaha, it’s nice to see you being so innocent. My wife is also …… Oh, it looks like you have another one, you’re identification please– HIii!?”

“What’s wrong with you? Uwah!?”

“Damn you, you’ve got a sweet aura about you when I just let my guard down ……! I guess it’s time for you to realize the extent of my anger ……!”

Basleigh-sensei was mumbling something again with an indescribable look on her face and tears of blood streaming down her face. She looked like she was about to attack me, but the gatekeeper saw her face and raised her voice.

“Y-You, is that you, Basleigh!? S-So you’re back ……!”

“I-It’s true!? Hey, messenger! It’s Basleigh! She’s back!”

“What? What?”

“Oh, if it isn’t my classmates?”

“Y-Yeah, it’s been a while …… I didn’t expect you to come back after you left ……”

“…… Well, it’s just a whim. I’ve been summoned to the castle, so I’ll have you let us through.”

So, Basleigh-sensei showed her the letter and smiled. The gatekeeper, who seemed to know Basleigh-sensei, smiled and graciously opened the way.

“Of course, please come through, Ms. Basleigh, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. This is getting interesting, isn’t it? Let’s have a drink sometime.”

“It’s on the house, isn’t it?”

“I’ll round them up.”

The gatekeeper’s face smiled as if to say he was amused, and we proceeded with the carriage without understanding why. I have a bad feeling about this ……

And then I meet the King and Prince Orden again after a long time.

Is it the start of the story of the unrivaled Basleigh?

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“Sometimes I wonder if that woman is the main character ……”

Stop biting your nails ……

“I couldn’t get out, and that woman was so free …… I hate that …… I hate that ……”

I think it’s more awesome that you’re here every time ……