86. Important
“After… under… Whoa…. I get nervous every time I come here….”
“A warrior. It’s okay not to be so nervous….”
“Whoa…. Okay. I am a warrior…. I am a warrior….”
Looking at the hero who was sweating profusely, Gracie let out a small sigh.
The warrior standing in front of the large door in front of the audience waiting for an audience with the king was clearly nervous.
The hero calmly took a deep breath and looked around the corridor in front of the grand and gigantic audience room.
The walls were carved with antique and solemn decorations, and the royal guards standing silently at regular intervals added a sense of intimidation.
Looking up at the far-high ceiling, the ceiling painting depicting the mythical battle between the ancient hero and the demon king was shining brightly.
A hero who cuts off the head of the demon king with a shining holy sword, and a demon king who howls terribly as he collapses on such a warrior’s sword.
“The Demon King….”
The demon king depicted on the ceiling was a typical demon king of a fantasy world. Horns rising above his head, ferocious teeth and claws, red eyes, devilish wings….
The hero, who had been staring blankly at the ceiling painting for a while, sighed and lowered his gaze.
“Wow…. Don’t they even take shifts?”
The knight of the Royal Guard did not change in the slightest from his posture a moment ago. To the hero’s pure admiration, Gracie shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth.
“The shift is done four times a day. However, if the time of the shift is exposed, the palace could be in danger at the moment of the shift, so the shift time is a top secret.”
“Wow…. Something… That’s cool. Knights of the fantasy world.”
“Fantasy?”
“… There is such a thing.”
“Hmm… however….”
Gracie, with a somewhat displeased expression on her face, approached the guardsman standing unknowingly on the wall in the hallway.
As Gracie approached, the knight holding a spear and shield turned around with a sword-like ceremony.
“Meet the Guard Captain! For the peace and prosperity of the royal family!”
“Yes. Is the job worth doing?”
“Yes! I am taking on the noble mission of protecting the royal family with the utmost joy!”
“Hmm. Great Very good.”
“Thank you!”
As Gracie slapped the stiff knight’s shoulder, the hero and Adrien looked at each other with tired expressions.
“Adrien. Gracie went into division commander mode….”
“… I don’t know what it is, but I think I know something about it.”
Gracy listened to the whispers of Adrien and the hero in one ear.
“Yes. Keep working hard… Hmm?”
“Yes! I’ll keep in mind… ?”
For a moment, Gracie’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.
The stiff body of the knight stiffened even more. What the hell is going on with the head of the guards frowning in front of his face.
“No, no matter what….”
“Hey. Are you constantly grooming your sword?”
The eyes of the hero, Adrienne, and the Knight of the Royal Guard were simultaneously directed to the sword attached to the waist of the knight. The hero opened his eyes and glared at the sword, but the sword was as good as new.
“… What is the problem?”
“Okay. Me too….”
As Gracie drew the sword, the sword that was hanging from her waist slid out smoothly.
“Here, can you see?”
“Ah….”
Looking closely, the tip of the blade and the part that came into contact with the cross guard were slightly rusted. The knight’s eyes trembled greatly for the first time.
“I’m sorry!”
“It’s okay. Anyone can make mistakes.”
Even though Gracie smiled kindly, the corner of the Guardsman’s mouth hardly went up.
Because his counterpart standing across from him was glaring at him with bloodshot eyes.
“However, I hope you don’t neglect the maintenance of your weapons. From the point of view of the guards who have to prepare for emergencies, the state of weapons is more important than anything else.”
“… I will keep that in mind!”
“Let’s go.”
“It was an honor!”
Gracy didn’t notice that the other Knights of the Royal Guard were glaring at him like he was going to kill him, and that the knight whom Gracie had just pointed out was crying. Just as if he had seen the true face of a young and energetic Knight of the Royal Guard, he only approached the hero with a proud smile.
“Anyway…. I don’t know why humans are so obsessed with setting the mood.”
“They are noble people who protect the royal family and, by extension, the foundation of the kingdom. Adrien. Please refrain from making disrespectful remarks.”
“Yes, yes….”
As I waited for a while to gaze at the guardsman trembling with a tear on his face, the door to the audience room, which seemed unlikely to open, began to open slowly.
“… It must be about time.”
“I see…. Let’s go.”
“Ugh, waist…. Why are you keeping it standing for so long?”
They stepped right into the audience room.
* * *
“Today is a very happy day.”
As I set my glass down on the table, I looked at each of the people sitting around the table.
“hehehehe…. I see stars….”
It seemed that Luna’s eyes had already opened, but she couldn’t have been drunk already. I just had my first cup of crab.
I shook my head once and continued.
“And yes, it is also a sad day.”
I closed my eyes for a moment. How should I explain this?
As I started procrastinating, Royman tilted his glass and urged me on his next words.
“Brother. Please speak slowly.”
“Yes. What on earth do you want to talk about?”
“Luna. I have some beef jerky over there….”
“Do you have no hands? Please bring your own. Sylvia.”
“Did you say everything?!”
“No, everyone be quiet….”
“Ah! I get it! I get it! You bought a lot of delicious things, so your wallet has become lighter!”
“… Robin. I don’t think so.”
“What are you talking about, Maya! My senses are not wrong!”
The crowd, which had been quiet until just a moment ago, became lively in an instant. I said, raising my hands to calm them down.
“Attention everyone!!!!!!”
The jumbled noises popped—! It was cut off. That’s why you shouldn’t drink alcohol when talking about important things.
Still, today is also a day, and it was a sad place when I was drunk.
Knowing that everyone was looking at me, I took a deep breath and opened my mouth.
“Everyone at our Austin party. And, including the leader of that warrior party over there.”
“Are you going to tell someone to mess with you!!!”
“… Anyway, today I have two very important things to tell you.”
Upon hearing my words, Isabel almost had a f*cking fit, but when I created a solemn atmosphere, she immediately shut her mouth and stared at me.
“First of all, first. As you all know….”
“Austin. Just do it in half words, however. Since when did you treat us with respect? .”
“Hey Sipal. Okay. First of all! As you all know…. For a moment….”
I lifted my bag, pulled out the map of the Mettelheim Underground Waterway that I had received from Lowell during the day, and rolled it on the floor. As the scroll of the map rolled across the floor, everyone’s eyes turned to the map.
“As you all have heard from Royman, you know very well, but the recent dynamics in the basement of Mettelheim are unusual. Deep in the ground, an unidentified underground space has been discovered, so the Mage Tower, Adventurer’s Guild, and Cathedral are running with their eyes open.”
“Hmm. You mean the story I heard at Harman last time?”
“Exactly. Princess Alexis.”
Befitting Princess Alexis, one of the few among us who is close to the elite, she was very quick to understand. I casually stroked her hair once and spoke to her.
“So…. Everyone is struggling to figure out what that subterranean space is all about, but our friend Becky smells a lot of money here.”
“Do you smell money?”
Sylvia tilted her head as she touched her chin. Well, Sylvia doesn’t know the situation on our human side, so it’s quite possible that she doesn’t know the situation on our side.
“An unknown underground space has been discovered underground in the city, and also in the basement of Mettelheim, where the royal palace is located.
“It makes sense. The distance from the Church to this place is too far for us, the Holy Knights, to commit.”
“Yes. Perhaps even on the Mage Tower side, recklessly letting wizards in…. Be skeptical No matter what anyone says, anyway…. Because mages are high-class personnel….”
Thanks to Isabel and Maya’s excellent explanation, everyone nodded as if they understood, contrary to my concerns. Except for Luna who is already laughing.
“Yes. Isabelle and Maya are right. If we put such high-quality human resources into this kind of work, we will be worried that it will create anxiety among the citizens of the capital, and above all, we will be reluctant to send talented people who do not know how dangerous it can be.”
“Let’s just let in a handful of skilled adventurers, so the professional adventurers’ guild must have objected to this. However, since anyone is just going to let it in, if you touch it wrongly, something big might happen.”
“Yes. Robin is right.”
Then Robin suddenly thrust the crown of his head at me.
As I stared blankly at the meaning, Robin raised my hand and placed it on top of his head.
“Why don’t I do it?”
“Uh, uh. Okay….”
I gently stroked Robin’s head and continued her words.
“Haa…. Anyhow, so…. This time, the Mage Tower, the Cathedral, and the Adventurer’s Guild. It seems that these three places have agreed to organize an expedition. It’s probably quite dangerous, and you don’t know what dangers may lurk….”
“So, can we just do that?”
“Um…. Nothing has been decided yet, Sylvia. I’ll have to listen to your opinions. I don’t think it’s something I can decide on my own.”
Although, except for Maya and Isabelle, the rest of the party of warriors haven’t returned from the palace yet. I plan to ask the three of them separately later.
I didn’t deliberately talk about the huge payoff that Becky was supposed to give me. This is because I hoped that there would be no people like me who jump into unreasonable adventures only for money.
You have to step into the unknown. It may be dangerous. However, keep in mind that there are some rewards. In addition, by participating in this work, the Mage Tower, the cathedral, and the adventurer’s guild are to erase their debt.
Even though it’s such a dangerous job, will they jump in?
Everyone cast shadows on their faces and started thinking.
“… Of course, if even one person is reluctant to do it, I’ll quit right away. So, if you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to force yourself to do it. If you feel even the slightest reluctance, feel free to speak up.”
“… Do I have to decide right now?”
Isabel asked with a worried expression. I shook my head and answered.
“One year. It will probably take about a year before the first expedition team is put in. Until then, just answer me.”
“Then… I’d like to think about it a little more. It is not urgent.”
“Isabel is right. Everyone, think about it carefully, and talk to me separately later. I will also speak separately to the Hero, Adrienne, and Gracie.”
Isabel’s words were a wise idea. Seeing everyone nod their heads slowly, I sighed and continued.
“Haa…. And… Now it’s the second most important thing.”
“Are there any more?”
Maya tilted her head and asked.
Seeing the seven pairs of twinkling eyes looking at me, I don’t know how to say this.
… Hey. Let’s just scream
“… Actually, Princess Alexis… You will probably be leaving our party sooner or later.”
In an instant, goosebumps all over my body, I slowly swept my arms down.
The air in the room became cold in an instant. As if they hadn’t expected it at all, they were staring blankly at me with their mouths wide open.
“… What do you mean, that?”
Sylvia’s voice was trembling. I must have woken up suddenly at my words, and Luna’s eyes, which were looking at me clearly, also shook greatly as if an earthquake had struck.
“It’s literally. Princess Alexis…. As those in the know know, the only time he was with us this time was to take advantage of the academy’s vacation. The vacation will be over soon, and then you will have to go back to your parents’ house, and….”
“Now, now, wait! No, so suddenly?!”
Tears welled up in Robin’s eyes as he shook off my arm and looked up at me. I nodded heavily and said.
“Actually, I also vaguely felt it. Upon arriving in the capital, Princess Alexis will probably….”
“Oh, Oren! Is that a lie? Huh?!”
As Robin struggled to find her hope in my words, she began asking Princess Alexis herself this time.
Princess Alexis’ expression turned sad. She said softly, rubbing Robin’s cheek.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t help it. Instead, I’ll be right back….”
“Lies….”
“I can’t believe it….”
“Black…. I don’t like it, I don’t like it….”
In an instant, the room became a sea of tears except for Royman and me. Seeing them crying so hard, I felt like I was tearing up for no reason.
“… Everyone. Me for a while….”
Princess Alexis, with tears in her eyes, finally opened the door to her room and trudged out, as if she couldn’t stand it. After seeing her off with her glance, she looked around her room, patting those who were still weeping.
Everyone except me and Royman were crying. The atmosphere was literally sh*t.
“Now, now! Stop everyone! Stop crying! Pop!”
“Huh…. Seniors…. Uh, how can I not… ? I don’t want to fall like this….”
“Come on! Quiet everyone!”
When I clapped my hands and said, everyone stopped crying in an instant and looked up at me. This is what it feels like to be a pseudo-teacher.
I lowered my voice and quietly whispered to the party who were looking at me with their eyes wide open.
“I have an idea.”
A very good way for Princess Alexis and her family to be free from problems and not to be separated from each other.
This is what I feel every time I do this, but I have too many tricks to hide.