kscans

Chapter 41 - The Audience and the King's Ploy

The festival lasted until midnight.

We had defeated the Kraken around noon, and soon after, the townspeople arrived and started the celebration. The main dishes were cooked with Kraken meat—grilled and stewed. All of them used salt.

They didn't sell salt in the other cities, so I asked Tina about it.

"Salt is only sold in port towns and the royal capital," she explained. "It's a luxury item, and if you try to transport it to other towns or cities, you just become a prime target for bandits. That's why it's not commonly found on the market."

What a harsh world, I thought.

But this was a world where strength was everything. If you were robbed, you couldn't just rely on soldiers or adventurers to solve everything. The moment you stepped outside a town, you were in the field, a place teeming with monsters. You couldn't just casually investigate such a place. For that reason, merchants had to hire escorts from the start, and they had to earn enough to cover the request fee. Even if they carried luxury goods, if no one bought them, it would be a huge loss. It was more profitable to sell cheap goods at a slightly higher price.

I digress, but given the circumstances, it was no surprise that luxury items like spices weren't widely available.

I didn't feel any particular desire to fix the situation myself. Before dealing with transportation, you'd have to deal with the attackers. I had no intention of going that far. It was too far removed from a hunter's job. I hadn't come to this world to start a revolution. Well, I decided to stop thinking about such things and enjoy the festival.

As the banquet came to an end, everyone seemed tired and decided to sleep on the beach. I was quite drunk myself, so as a precaution, I set up some iron wire and bells near the forest entrance. A tripwire alarm. I set up a large number of them so we would know immediately if any bandits came. With security measures in place, I decided to sleep far from the forest, so I could be ready to move at any time.

I woke the next morning without any incidents.

It was a bit of an anticlimax, but nothing happening was for the best. Everyone was starting to clean up. They collected the trash, and it was decided that the large amount of leftover Kraken meat would be taken back. Apparently, high-ranking monster meat preserves well and doesn't spoil quickly. I tried to help with the packing, but...

"No, no, it would be a sin to make the heroes who saved our town help. We'll take care of this, so please, head back to town."

They politely refused my offer.

Tina also tried to help, but she was turned down in the same way. We had no choice, so Beautiful Sword and Intense Thought decided to head back to town. When we arrived, it was overflowing with energy.

Carts were coming and going on the roads, and people were walking about with bright expressions. Most notably, there were three ships docked at the port, one of which was just setting sail. For a moment, I thought I'd come to the wrong town.

Tina, who was next to me, said, "Well, it's so different from your first impression, so it's understandable you'd think that. This is what the town was like originally."

She spoke with a hint of nostalgia.

As we walked through the town, everyone was talking about the Kraken subjugation. The story was that Beautiful Sword had defeated it. The Guild Master had said she didn't want to make a false report, but... the people who had watched knew Beautiful Sword, but they didn't know Intense Thought.

Since Bardos and I weren't trying to make a name for ourselves, that was only natural.

With these thoughts, we decided to go pick up our luggage from the inn. We needed to get out of town quickly.

If we stayed any longer, we'd definitely be invited to the royal castle. After all, we had defeated the Kraken, a free subjugation target. There was no reason we wouldn't be summoned.

As I was thinking this, Tina said, "Well, I understand how you feel, but that would be like slapping the king in the face. I don't recommend it."

To Tina's serious expression, I replied, "In that case, can't you guys just go alone? I don't want to stand out anymore. Since the story is that Beautiful Sword defeated it, it shouldn't be a problem if just the four of you go, right? Bardos, what about you?"

To my question, Bardos said, "Hmm. I'm not a fan of troublesome things either. I don't know the etiquette for an audience with the king. And I have no intention of getting friendly with any nobles. So, to the members of Beautiful Sword, the rest is up to you."

He saluted, showing he was with me.

It was just what I'd hoped for. I shook Bardos's hand. The four women looked on with exasperated expressions. But it was too late. A large number of soldiers were approaching from the town entrance. There were so many of them, it looked like they were preparing for war.

The group spotted Tina and the others and approached.

Bardos and I looked at each other.

"The rest is up to you."

I said, and was about to make a run for it, but Leona stopped me.

"Your struggle is futile. The one at the head of the group is the Captain we met on the beach."

Leona grabbed my shoulder and Bardos's, making sure we couldn't escape.

At the head of the approaching group was indeed the Captain.

He stood before Tina's group.

"To the members of Beautiful Sword and Intense Thought. I have come to escort you. We have prepared a carriage at the town entrance. Please, this way."

The Captain and the soldiers cleared a path.

Bardos and I looked at each other and sighed.

Redorum Royal Capital.

The city spread out in a circle around the castle where the king resided. A wide variety of weapons, armor, and tools were on display, many of them imported from other countries via the port town. It was the largest city in the kingdom.

On the road leading to the castle, I looked out the carriage window. It was a full-blown parade.

People lined both sides of the road, waving enthusiastically. The carriage moved slowly, and we were completely on display. Tina and the others were smiling and waving back at the people.

They're used to this, I thought, when Tina whispered, "Shinsuke, you need to wave too. A fake smile is fine, just smile and wave. Bardos, you too."

With a smile, Tina turned back to the crowd. Bardos and I reluctantly smiled and waved. It was incredibly awkward, but I had to convince myself it was better than not doing it at all.

We arrived at the royal castle.

During the ride, I had desperately tried to think of a way to give all the credit to Tina, but I couldn't come up with any good ideas. I consulted Tina, but she just said, "Give up."

It was a simple, one-word response.

When we entered the audience chamber, a resplendently dressed old man sat on a magnificent throne before us. It was the King. To his right stood a young man in extravagant clothes. No doubt, the prince. And to his left was a girl of about fifteen in a gorgeous dress. No doubt, the princess. But there was no one else around them.

In games, in a situation like this, I had always imagined there would be nobles lined up. The impression here was that only the royal family was present. We reached the center of the audience chamber, and Tina's group knelt on one knee. Bardos and I quickly did the same.

Seeing this, the King spoke.

"Welcome, members of Beautiful Sword and Intense Thought. I am King Elyunpos IV. To my right is my son, Alphonse, and to my left, my daughter, Olivia. Your recent deeds were truly magnificent. The subjugation of the Kraken—I hear Beautiful Sword was successful. As expected of the adventurers who are the pride of our kingdom. This is what it means to possess both beauty and strength."

The King declared.

I was surprised by his statement, but it was convenient for me. If this misunderstanding continued, I wouldn't stand out.

Just as I was thinking this, the King paused and then said, "...is what I have declared to the people and the nobles."

At his words, we all looked up.

The King continued, "In reality, it was Intense Thought, standing behind you, who subjugated the Kraken. I have received a report from the Captain. The soldier who reported first thought you two were members of Beautiful Sword, which is convenient for us as well."

After the King had explained most of it, Tina asked, "May I be permitted to speak?"

The King nodded, and Tina continued, "Why did you make such a declaration? A free subjugation can be undertaken by anyone. Even if they are unknown, is it not the rule to give a suitable reward for a successful subjugation?"

To Tina's question, the King replied, "Indeed, that is true. But this time, there is a reason I wanted Beautiful Sword to be credited with the success. You are aware that Rodel the Flash set out for the subjugation before and failed. And yet, that man, far from showing remorse, had the audacity to claim he lost because of the navy. Even for a precious Light attribute user, there is a limit!!"

The King slammed his fist on the armrest of his throne.

His face was a mask of pure rage.

Taking a deep breath to calm his ragged breathing, the King said, "...Forgive me, forget what I just said. In any case, if I were to honestly announce the success of this subjugation, that man would surely say something like, 'So the monster was weak enough for even unknowns to defeat. I could have easily defeated it. As I thought, we lost because of the navy.' He would surely use it as an excuse. I have no desire to see that man's smug face, so if Beautiful Sword gets the credit, he won't be able to complain and will likely shut up. That is my thinking."

To this idea, Tina replied, "However, there is a problem with that. Many people in the port town saw him defeat it. What will you do about that?"

To her question, the King said, "Do not worry, I have already taken measures. The Guild Master and the Captain are telling people that you two were a party that cooperated with Beautiful Sword, and that Beautiful Sword planned and commanded the operation. That way, it will be as if Beautiful Sword defeated it, will it not? It is a bit forceful, but I believe it will be convincing enough."

To this answer, Tina said, "Indeed, that would make sense. The rest depends on how Rodel the Flash will act."

To this question, the King said, "For now, I believe this plan will work. And so, I am about to hold a party with the nobles. I would like you all to attend as well. You are the stars of the show, after all."

At his words, Tina's group silently bowed their heads.

Bardos and I looked at each other. We were thinking the same thing: we had no desire to attend such a stuffy party.

Seeing the two of us, the King said, "Intense Thought, do not worry. I will assign a maid to each of you. If a noble speaks to you or bothers you, I will order the maids to give you advice or intervene. Please, relax and enjoy yourselves."

At his words, Bardos and I decided to just bow our heads for now.

It would not do to show discontent with the King's consideration. We decided to simply accept it. Later, a party was held in the great hall. We attended wearing the clothes that had been prepared for us.

It was suffocating beyond belief, and I couldn't bring myself to enjoy it. The food was good, though.

Evening, at the capital entrance.

A young man in full golden armor was leading his companions. Seeing him, a guard said, "Welcome back, members of Rodel the Flash. Did you find your legendary weapon?"

To the guard's slightly sarcastic remark, the leader replied, "What are you talking about? It is a legendary weapon precisely because it is not easily found. To not even understand that... the education of the soldiers here is lacking."

He laughed condescendingly, mocking the guard.

The soldier was inwardly furious but endured it. The leader said, "Well, the subjugation of the Kraken is only a matter of time. I will gather information about the legendary weapon in town and then set out again. You can rest assured and await the good news."

With a smug smile, Rodel the Flash was about to pass through the gate when the guard said, "...Ah, I forgot to mention. The Kraken has already been defeated. By Beautiful Sword."

The guard reported with a smirk.

The leader of Rodel the Flash, Rodel, wore a look of utter shock.