kscans

Chapter 15 - ...An Apprentice? (Side: Shion ③)

"Hey, let go of me! Who do you think I am! If I make full use of my connections, I could have you all thrown in jail in an instant!"

"I don't know anything about your connections! Now walk!"

After being shoved into a carriage in Rieten, I had been brought to the Royal Palace. Now, I was being half-carried, half-dragged along by Senji and the others. It seemed they were taking me directly to Her Majesty the Queen.

"Listen up! You think you can get away with treating me like this! You're all garbage for not responding to negotiation!"

"Like I said, I don't know what you're talking about!"

Thanks to these bastards, my clothes were all wrinkled. Just you wait, I'll sue you later. Eventually, we arrived before a heavy, stately door. Hmph, so this is the Throne Room. The doors slowly opened, zuzuzu... Keh, what's a queen to me? I am the great guild master of Rieten. It would be no exaggeration to say that I am the greater one.

"Your Majesty, pardon the intrusion!"

"I've grown tired of waiting, Senji. ...Hm? Who is that man?"

"This is Shion, of the Rieten Blacksmith Guild. Hey! Get up front!"

I was pushed forward and brought before the throne. To treat me like this... I'll beat you to a pulp later. But first, the Queen. Kneel before the dignity of the guild master. The moment I looked at the Queen to shout at her, I froze.

Wh... what a beautiful woman...

Her long, silver-white hair shone fantastically, and her matching silver eyes drew in all who looked upon them. Her face, too, was unforgettable. She was truly my fated person... It's true what they say, when you meet the person you're tied to by the red string of fate, your breathing gets heavy.

"Hah... hah..."

"...Senji. State your reason for bringing this creepy man before us. Depending on the reason, we may have to punish you."

"Yes! When I went to Rieten in search of Dareth-dono, this man broke the Amatsurugi!"

...What? Hey, envoy. What are you talking about? I told you, that was an accident! If you put it like that, it makes me sound like the bad guy. Senji presented the Amatsurugi, broken due to an unforeseen accident. Seeing it, the Queen's face turned terrifying.

"...Explain in detail."

See, the Queen is angry too! Of course she is. The man who is to be her partner was spoken of ill. Now, let's have a proper explanation.

"Dareth-dono was not in Rieten, and I was in a state of confusion. It was then that this Shion appeared. I was deceived by this man's sweet words that, as the guild master, he could fix it immediately. I am truly sorry."

Senji reported with his head hung low. Whoa, whoa, whoa, what are you saying?

"From what I heard, he has worked at the guild for thirty years and never once held a hammer. It is my responsibility for not seeing through his incompetence..."

I, I told you not to say that! When I was being held down by the guards, I let it slip.

"Hmm... Senji. You are competent, but in this matter alone, you were incompetent."

"My apologies, Your Majesty. I am prepared for what is to come."

The Queen received something from another servant. A whip. And then, Senji got on all fours. Wha, what?

"You know I despise incompetence!"

"Aaaah!"

Paan! Senji was struck with the whip. Then, zupapapapa! he was whipped repeatedly, mainly on his backside. Wh, what is happening? And for some reason, Senji looks happy. W, what in the world is this man...

"Now then, Shion. I have never seen such a braggart as you."

The Queen turned her gaze to me, suuu... The earlier feeling of her beauty vanished, replaced by nothing but terror.

"I have never heard of a guild master who breaks a national treasure! You fool!"

"Aaaah!"

My entire body was struck with the whip. The intense pain was driving me insane. H, how did it come to this... No matter how much I think, I don't understand.

"As it happens, I have summoned Dareth today. He should be arriving shortly."

"De, Dareth is...?"

I muttered, barely able to breathe. Why that incompetent fool? I can't believe it.

"Just the other day, I appointed Dareth as the exclusive blacksmith for the Grossa Army. There are not many who can forge weapons of this level."

"............Eh?"

Unbelievable words came from the Queen's mouth. The army's exclusive blacksmith is the highest position in the country. A guild master in Rieten can't even compare...

"Furthermore, you are dismissed as the guild master of Rieten. Reflect on your own powerlessness."

What she said next was that I was fired. Dismissed as guild master...? After I worked so hard laying the groundwork to get promoted? It all went to waste? My most precious position was taken from me, and a large crack formed in my psyche.

"Whyyyyy!"

"Hey, silence this big fool!"

""Hey! You are before Her Majesty!""

"Guaaaah!"

Immediately, strong guards piled on top of me and pinned me down. My lungs were being crushed. Th, this hurts, you know.

"It seems Dareth has arrived. Place this fool in the corner of the room."

At the Queen's word, I was dragged away, zuruzuru. Damn it, damn it! Not knowing where to direct my anger, all I could do was curse. As my mind was a mess, Dareth walked in.

"You have come, Militar. And you, Dareth. We are pleased to meet you both."

"Yes! It is good to see Your Majesty is well!"

"I, I am Dareth!"

Hey, who's that beauty! Dareth is with a young, beautiful woman. Her smooth blond hair, sapphire-like blue eyes, and slender figure were captivating. I've never seen a beauty like that. On the other hand, next to me are these grimy men. What's with this difference!

"Dareth, the Kamina you forged is truly magnificent. We were deeply moved. We acknowledge you as the finest blacksmith in the kingdom."

"I, I am most grateful!"

What?! Dareth is the finest blacksmith in the kingdom?! You've got to be kidding me! The guy I looked down on was being praised right in front of me, and a fierce anger welled up inside me. In a complete change from how she treated me, the Queen was exceedingly gentle. The difference in her reaction was so stark, I thought the blood in my body would boil. After that, Dareth continued to be praised, while I was berated. And in front of a fairy-like beauty, no less. I have never felt so humiliated.

"Will you take this man as your apprentice?"

"...Eh? Take Shion as my apprentice...?"

And at the Queen's next words, I thought I was going to faint.

I... I am to be Dareth's apprentice...? And by order of the Queen?

Don't mess with me! I will never accept that!

"Please wait, Your Majesty! Please do not give this incompetent fool the initiative! My consensus has not been obtained... aaaah!"

"Silence! You are the incompetent one! First, fix the way you speak! I can't understand a word of it!"

I was beaten mercilessly with the whip, and my mind and body were torn to shreds.

To train under the man I had always looked down on...

The incredible humiliation made my head feel like it was going to split open. But thinking about being whipped again, I was too terrified to say anything. All I could do was desperately suppress the mind-shattering rage I felt.