37 - The Scent of Intrigue
Since the Hero's reception, Princess Ekaterina's appearance has clearly changed. She stopped wearing her previous flashy curls, opting instead for straight hair or hair with only gentle waves. Her makeup has also become lighter, with only a faint touch of rouge, to the point where she is almost bare-faced.
While her glamorous impression has faded, Princess Ekaterina was naturally beautiful to begin with. She now exudes a neat and elegant atmosphere.
The Princess claims the reason for this change is the positive reception she received at the party, but those who know better can tell she has learned Ray's preferences and is trying to match them.
"..."
Summoned to Princess Ekaterina's room during the day—a rarity—Ray was left speechless the moment he saw her.
"H-how is it? I asked Hinata to lend it to me. Is it... a bit too revealing?"
"Ah, no, it's... very lovely."
Ray found himself inadvertently captivated by the beauty of Princess Ekaterina wearing the pure white wedding dress that Hinata had worn at the reception.
"Really? So you do like this kind of dress, Kamui?"
"It's not just the dress... it's everything, overall."
"Overall?"
"Your hairstyle and makeup as well. Since Your Highness is so beautiful, I don't think you need to decorate yourself so much. You look more... anyway, you're beautiful just as you are."
"...Thank you."
Seeing Ray praise her with a slight bashfulness, Princess Ekaterina felt that he truly thought she was beautiful, and without regard for who might see, she blushed and looked down.
"Hm, ahem."
"...Miria-san, what was with that forced coughing?"
"It is because you are treating Her Highness with such familiarity, without knowing your place."
"Ah, you're jealous. How disappointing, Miria-san. Can you not feel secure even though we love each other so intensely every night?"
"Wha—!? Y-you!"
"Miria... could it be?"
"N-no, it's not!"
"It would be a problem if it weren't."
"Ah, that's right. I do every night—"
"Miria!?"
"No, not like that. Um..."
Unable to deny her relationship with Ray in front of the maid, Miria froze, not knowing what to do as Princess Ekaterina—having completely forgotten that this was their "setting"—directed a sharp gaze toward her.
"Let's stop teasing Miria-san for now. So, did you call me here just to show me that dress?"
"...Was it a nuisance?"
"No, I am fortunate to have been able to behold such a lovely Princess."
"Really!?"
"Your Highness... that is not all."
Having recovered from Ray's teasing, Miria interrupted as Princess Ekaterina rejoiced with innocent joy.
"Ah, right. The reason I asked you to come to my room is that there was something I wanted to consult with you about."
"I understand. Please, tell me."
"There is talk of me going on an inspection of the royal capital."
"You mean going outside the castle?"
"Yes."
"Do such things happen often?"
Royalty leaving the castle. Ray did not know how significant that was in this world. However, he knew that since he had come to be by Princess Ekaterina's side, there had been no such opportunities.
"No, this is the first time."
"Then why has such a proposal suddenly come up?"
"Fumiya and the others said they wanted to go on an inspection."
"The Hero-sama, did he... I wonder what the purpose is?"
The Hero going on an inspection of the royal capital. Ray thought such a thing was possible, but he could not understand why Fumiya and the others would suggest it.
"I've heard it's to learn about the lives of the people."
"And what does the Hero-sama intend to do once he knows? Have you heard anything?"
The Hero is not a governor. Even so, what did he intend to do after learning about their lives? Ray, who held a strong distrust of the Hero's party, first felt a surge of suspicion.
"Who knows. But as the Hero, isn't it necessary to gather popularity among the people?"
"That is true... Yes. If the purpose is to gather popularity, I do not think it is necessarily a bad thing for Your Highness to accompany them."
"I see..."
"Is there some problem?"
"Fumiya and the others say they want to go to the slums."
"The slums... I can imagine what kind of place it is, but could you tell me more in detail?"
A place where poor people live, and a place that Princess Ekaterina could not say she would go to unconditionally. With that alone, he could imagine what kind of district it was.
"I don't know the detailed circumstances myself. Miria?"
"Yes. I am not particularly well-informed either. It is a place on the outskirts of the royal capital where those who struggle with their daily lives huddle together. That is the extent of my knowledge."
If it were only this, Ray would not feel any problem with the inspection.
"What about crime there?"
"...There likely is some," Miria answered Ray's question after a short pause.
"May I ask something a bit harsh?"
"What is it?"
"Do the people living there not resent the country? Do they not think that the country is to blame for them being driven to such a life?"
"Hey!"
"It is an important matter. If such emotions are swirling among the residents of the slums, Miria-san, would you feel inclined to take Her Highness there?"
"I would not."
There was no way she would let Princess Ekaterina go to such a dangerous place. It didn't even require thought.
"Far from gathering popularity, Her Highness's safety might be endangered. I believe a proper preliminary investigation should be conducted."
"You're right."
"Then, I ask that you make the arrangements."
"How?"
"...Are there no people who can do such things?"
"There aren't."
"Are there no people who do intelligence work in this country?"
Using an intelligence organization to investigate the slums. Ray didn't think it was necessary to go that far. He was saying this to emphasize the importance of the preliminary investigation.
"They exist... presumably. However, Her Highness has no connections with such people."
"Does that mean they are under the direct control of His Majesty the King?"
"Yes."
"In that case, the inspection should be cancelled. It is too dangerous."
"No, but..."
"Don't tell me, already?"
"We can't let the Hero be the only one to do it, can we?"
If the goal was to gain popularity, Princess Ekaterina should also do it. She wasn't wrong. Provided there was the practical ability and coordination power at the execution stage.
"In other words, it has been decided that you will go on the inspection. Is this a consultation based on that?"
"...Well."
"Your Highness..."
"I'm sorry."
"No, I didn't mean for you to apologize. I only wanted to say that I would like you to give me clear orders without any hesitation."
"I see."
"Then, what is it that I should do?"
"I want you to accompany me."
"Does that mean as a guard?"
"Yes."
"What about the Royal Guard?"
There were Royal Guard Knights to serve as Princess Ekaterina's guards. There was no need for Ray to go out of his way to accompany her. That said, he knew that Princess Ekaterina would likely use that as an excuse to have Ray come along.
"Of course they will accompany me. But since it is an inspection, having too heavy a security presence would not be good."
"Did the Hero-sama say that?"
There was something in Princess Ekaterina's answer that Ray had not anticipated. Ray could not imagine Fumiya and the others showing such meticulous consideration regarding security.
"Yes."
But Princess Ekaterina's answer was yes. Consequently, Ray's suspicions grew even stronger.
"...I will, of course, accompany you. However, there is something I would like your permission for."
"What is it?"
"Could I have permission to go out?"
"Eh!?"
"I will investigate the slums in advance. Also, I would like to go to the prison."
Ray had been thinking about using the excuse of a preliminary investigation to find an opportunity to leave the castle, but after talking with Princess Ekaterina, he felt the necessity for a different reason.
"...The prison."
"I would like to hear the stories of people who committed crimes in the slums. If there are any."
"Going out is..."
"I am not saying I will go alone. I would like to ask someone to accompany me. Since I know nothing about the area outside the castle."
Ray was prioritizing obtaining permission for the preliminary investigation over his freedom of movement.
"Then I will—"
"The prison is fine with Miria-san, but for the slums, I would like someone else. A man, and someone inconspicuous. Your Highness, this is a necessary measure to protect you. Please, I beg your permission."
"...I understand."
Sensing something in Ray's earnest plea, Princess Ekaterina decided to grant him permission to go out.
"Also."
"Is there something else?"
"Could you investigate why the Hero-sama thought of an inspection, and who told him about the existence of the slums?"
"Why is it necessary to investigate that?"
"I feel a slight discrepancy. Is the existence of the slums not something that could be called a shame for the Kingdom? I am curious why such a thing was intentionally brought to the Hero-sama's attention."
"...You're right. I understand. I will ask around discreetly."
"I ask this of you."
"Um, Kamui..."
"Yes?"
"Do you really intend to go to the prison?"
For Ray, the prison was a place with bitter memories. Princess Ekaterina was now considerate of that.
"Yes. I believe it is the best way to obtain information about the slums, especially the unfavorable kind."
"I see..."
"Please stop worrying about me. I do not mind. The current me exists only for Your Highness. Please do not forget that."
"Right. I understand. Then, Kamui, I'm counting on you."
"Yes, Your Highness."
◇◇◇
The day after that conversation, Miria and Ray were at the prison. The mere visit of a Royal Guard Knight attached to the Princess was enough to surprise the prison receptionist, but upon seeing a familiar face behind her, the other person became completely confused.
"...Y-you?"
"Me?"
"Yes! Why are you here!?"
The criminal who had cut down two jailers in the prison. That very person was accompanying them with an indifferent face.
"Even if you ask why, I can only tell you that it is by the orders of Her Highness the Princess."
"Her Highness the Princess?"
The questioning gaze of the receptionist turned toward Miria, the Princess's guard.
"That is correct. I shall attest to it."
"I see... but, will it be alright?"
"Kamui is... a slave. There is no need for concern."
"A slave? Ah, is that how it is?"
Looking at the collar around Ray's neck, the receptionist's expression changed to relief. And then, it immediately changed to a look of contempt.
"You understand now. Now, hurry up with the procedures. We are in a rush."
"Ah, yes."
Feeling something unpleasant in the receptionist's attitude, Miria urged him to finish, wanting to leave the place immediately. Even while the receptionist was preparing the documents, he kept glancing at Ray, but Ray didn't seem to mind at all, staring blankly ahead.
"Hey?"
"Yes? Is something the matter?"
"No, nothing."
"...I wonder if I can see the cell where Rui was?"
"That is..."
"I'm not saying you must. It's just, that was the last time I saw him. I wondered what happened."
"...I understand. Hey, process the entry for the special wing."
"No, that's..."
"Are you defying me, a Royal Guard Knight of Her Highness the Princess?"
"...I understand."
The receptionist added the entry for the special wing to the documents he was writing and handed them to Miria. Receiving them, the two proceeded further inside.
"Was that a threat?"
"It's because you're asking for something unreasonable, isn't it? I'm one to talk, having done it myself, but even after such an incident, you haven't changed."
"What do you mean?"
"The way Fumiya-dono was able to get to the Demon Race's place was by using a similar method."
He had passed through a person who was not authorized. That sloppiness of the prison was the cause of the incident.
"...I see."
Ray's reaction to that was dull. Even without Miria telling him, he already thought so. However, getting emotional about it now would achieve nothing.
"He said he was accompanying you. It seems he told that lie. On top of that, he pretended to wait for a while, then lied further, saying he had apparently gotten the time wrong."
"And then, as the Hero, he doesn't have time. He told them to let him through because he would bring the permit later. Is that about it?"
"Correct. Even then, when the receptionist hesitated, he asked if they intended to obstruct the Hero and forced them to give permission."
"...How hopeless."
This "hopeless" was directed at both Fumiya and the prison officials.
"And without reflecting on that, they allow the same violation. Furthermore, they don't even think that the fact you... the fact you became a slave was partly due to their own sloppiness."
"It's fine... for me, it's better this way."
"Hah?"
"It seems I was relaxing a bit. Thanks to that gaze, I was able to remember my position as a slave."
"That's not necessary, is it?"
"No, it is necessary."
"I see..."
"That's enough of that conversation. Let's finish our business."
Further ahead, there were some minor altercations, with jailers who recognized Ray's face spitting out grievances about their fallen comrades, but since it was Princess Ekaterina's order, they could not defy it. Finding a criminal who had lived in the slums from the registry, the two headed toward the cell where he was imprisoned.
"...What does a Knight-sama want with someone like me?"
"He is the one who will be listening to you."
"Doesn't look like a Knight-sama. Who are you?"
"There is no need to be formal with me. I am a slave."
"A slave? I'm even more confused now. What does a slave want?"
The prisoner was bewildered, but since the formality had vanished from his tone, it was clear that the class consciousness of the people in this world was absolute.
"I would like to hear about the slums."
"...I've got nothing to say."
"I'm not asking you to sell out your comrades or anything like that. What I want to know is about the slums themselves."
"I don't know. What do you want to know?"
"First, the emotions of the residents of the slums. Do they resent the Kingdom?"
"Hey, you expect me to answer that?"
There was no way he could answer. If he said he resented it, that would be rebellion against the Kingdom, a crime.
"So it would be inconvenient to speak. In other words, you do resent it, right?"
"...I didn't say anything."
"You don't need to say it clearly. However, I will make a promise for now. Your sentence will not be affected by the conversation here."
"A slave doesn't have that kind of authority."
"Regarding this, not I, but this person, a Royal Guard Knight attached to Her Highness the Princess, will promise it."
"T-the Princess's guard?"
Hearing that Miria was a guard, the man was surprised. Royal Guard Knights, who only appeared when royalty went out, were as far removed from commoners as the royalty themselves.
"This person is a Royal Guard Knight serving Princess Ekaterina."
"...Why would such an important person...?"
"That's why I said I have something I want to ask."
"Does that mean the Princess wants to know?"
"You may think of it as such."
"I-I see. All right."
Knowing that it was something Princess Ekaterina desired, the man's previously stubborn atmosphere vanished. Ray found that a bit strange.
"Could it be that even if you resent the country, you still have feelings of respect for Her Highness the Princess?"
"O-of course! She's royalty, after all."
"...Um, then who is the resentment directed toward?"
Ray didn't quite understand the sensibilities around here.
"That would be the officials who trick the King and others to do bad things."
"Ah, I see. Yes. Your thinking is correct."
There were such officials. However, Ray believed the King, who permitted their existence, also bore responsibility, though he did not voice this. He played along with the man.
"Is that really how it is?"
"Unfortunately, the members of the royal family must consider far more things than you can imagine. No matter how excellent a person is, they cannot hear or think about a hundred things simultaneously, right?"
"That's true. I can't even think about one thing properly."
"Therefore, there are inevitably blind spots. Those who take advantage of that are the bad officials you mentioned."
"I see. That's how it is."
"Now, as for Her Highness the Princess, she is planning to go to the slums soon. Since the King's eyes do not reach there, she intends to be those eyes in his stead."
"That's—!? Ah, no, but..."
The joy was momentary. The man's emotion immediately changed to hesitation.
"Is there a problem?"
"...I think it's dangerous."
The man seemed to have softened considerably through his conversation with Ray, and finally, his true feelings came out.
"As I thought, there are people who resent her?"
"More than that, there are guys who would do anything for money."
"Like kidnapping for ransom?"
"Well, yeah."
"Hey! Doing such a thing is a grave crime!"
Miria raised her voice at the man's words.
"Knight-sama, that's a bit late for that."
"So such people have already committed crimes that would lead to the death penalty if they were caught, right?"
"That's right."
The man affirmed Ray's thought. There were many people in the slums who had committed crimes. But there were levels to that.
"Are there many such people?"
"Not many. They're the kind of guys who try to hog all the spoils for themselves."
"Hogging... does that mean there is a coordinator?"
"You're sharp. Yes."
"And further, they have a backer, who happens to be an official, or something?"
"How do you know!?"
The man was surprised by Ray's words. Ray was slightly exasperated by this.
"I guessed. Well, it's a common setting."
"Setting?"
"No, just my own talk. By the way, do you know who that official is?"
"I don't."
"You won't sell out your comrades?"
"Those guys aren't my comrades!"
The reason the man wouldn't speak was that he truly didn't know. From the man's attitude, it was clear he felt hostility rather than camaraderie.
"Ah, is that so? But the fact that they live in the slums—"
"No, they aren't residents of the slums. If they were residents, they wouldn't do such things."
"Such things?"
"Those bastards kidnap children from the slums and sell them off somewhere."
" "Eh?" " "
This was outside Ray and Miria's imagination.
"Not just the slums. Recently, they must be snatching them from other places too."
"How do you know that?"
"I was digging into it. Trying to get the children back. I was almost about to grasp their backer."
"Don't tell me, is that why you were caught?"
"...That's what I think. The backer is a pretty high-up guy. Their evil deeds are well known in the slums. And yet, the military police never reach them. Meanwhile, I..."
"Did I... pull it?"
A Hero event flag that he had thought might exist. Ray felt as if he had pulled it in an encounter that was far too convenient.
"Pull what?"
"Just my own thoughts. I'll think about it for a bit. By the way, what is your crime?"
"Entering someone's room without permission."
"A thief?"
"N-no. I was caught because I sneaked into a room to search for a child's whereabouts. I didn't steal anything."
"So, that's what happened when you were caught, is it?"
Knowing the man was not a complete saint, Ray deliberately asked it that way.
"...Well, yeah."
And the man admitted it surprisingly readily.
"Is your profession related to that?"
"...Well, yeah."
"Has your punishment been decided?"
"Not yet. They're searching for other crimes."
"I imagine so. From their perspective, they'd want at least hard labor and banishment from the capital, and if possible, the death penalty."
The man was caught to prevent the truth from being uncovered. To stop that, they had no choice but to erase him. Threatening was an option, but that required contact, and the opponent would not take such a risk for a mere man from the slums.
"As I thought..."
"Now, do you have any comrades?"
Ray asked the man about the existence of comrades once more. Now that he understood the situation to some extent, he believed he could persuade the man.
"...I can't say."
"So you do. Are they skilled?"
"...I can't say."
"I really want to hear this. Are they above you?"
"There's no way they could match me."
"So they are below you, who were caught. In that case—"
"I was caught because I was framed. If not for that..."
It was offensive to have his thieving skills doubted. Even villains had their own pride. And Ray did not dislike this kind of pride.
"But you were caught. If it were me, I wouldn't be caught by a simple trap."
"What did you say?"
"Please close your eyes and count to two. Then, you will understand the difference between you and me."
"What are you talking about?"
"Yes. Close them."
"A-all right."
And when the man finished counting and opened his eyes, Ray was nowhere to be seen.
"Wha—!?"
For a brief moment, the sound of Ray dashing away did not reach the man's ears. Thinking it might be a trick, he looked around the cell. No one was there. And then, just as his face returned to normal.
"Whoa!?"
Ray was standing right in front of him.
"How was that? Can you do something like this?"
"I-I can't."
"Then, I am above you. Now, I have a proposal."
"W-what is it?"
"Please introduce me to one comrade who knows the circumstances. I will never do anything to capture that person. I only want to be told various things about the slums."
"That's..."
"In exchange, I will help search for the whereabouts of the kidnapped children. I cannot promise I will get them back. But at the very least, I will investigate the things you tried to investigate in your stead."
"...Really?"
If this had been said suddenly, the man might not have believed it. But the man had seen Ray's ability. He thought that Ray might be able to do what he could not.
"I promise. Ah, this is on the condition that I obtain Her Highness the Princess's permission. Since she is a kind Princess, rather than just permission, she will likely order me to save the children."
"The Princess..."
"How about it?"
"I-I'm counting on you."
Even if he didn't completely trust Ray, he could not bring himself to doubt Princess Ekaterina. The man had no choice but to accept.
"Then, once I get Her Highness's permission, I will come again. At that time, please tell me about your comrade."
"All right."
Having finished the conversation with the prisoner, Ray left the area. Then, to finish his other piece of business, he descended the stairs leading underground.
"Hey?"
"Yes?"
"What do you intend to do?"
Miria, who had been listening by his side the whole time, did not understand Ray's intention.
"As planned, gathering information on the slums. I've found a good guide. In the process, it would be fortunate if I could raise Her Highness's prestige."
"You mean the kidnappings?"
"Yes."
"Can you do it?"
"I won't know until I try. Besides, if the mastermind is a bigger fish than imagined, it might lead to a troublesome situation."
"...You think they are a big fish, don't you?"
Miria had grown accustomed to Ray's way of speaking. Ray was not one to mention things that had no possibility.
"Fifty-fifty. If there is some connection between the Hero-sama's inspection of the slums and this matter, then they likely are."
"Why would that be?"
Miria could not see how the inspection and the kidnappings were linked.
"They are a person capable of moving the Hero-sama to conduct an inspection. That makes them a reasonably important person, right?"
"We don't know that yet."
"I'm sure they are. And if they intend to use the Hero-sama to expose this crime, it would be an attack on a political rival. A big political rival is bound to be a big fish. If not, and they intend to lure the Hero-sama or Her Highness into the pocket of their subordinate..."
"H-hey!?"
"What would the purpose be?"
"...No way?"
"I don't know. But I believe we should approach the inspection with that in mind."
"You're right."
"Could you let me go alone from here?"
"...I understand."
Once he turned the corner, it was just a straight path to the cell where Rui had been confined. Ray proceeded alone. Reaching the innermost cell, he looked inside. The cell had been cleaned thoroughly; there was nothing left that felt like Rui's presence. Even where Rui had burned away, not a single trace remained.
(Rui, I really am weak. Just because a slightly peaceful life continued, a pointless pity has been born in my heart.)
Staring intently at the floor where he had spent his final moments with Rui, he whispered in his heart. Ray realized that his heart was wavering due to Princess Ekaterina's sincere attitude toward him.
That was the weakness of his heart. That is what Ray himself thought. Another Ray would call it strength of heart, and dullness.
(I won't forget. I will never forget the humiliation Rui suffered. I will definitely make them taste the same feeling, a pain even greater than that.)
He had visited this place under a pretext to erase that wavering of his heart. To once again ignite the pale blue flame deep within his heart—a flame that felt no warmth, only one that burned the opponent to ashes. To remember the pain of that flame.