kscans

Chapter 273 - I Hate Both Heat and Cold

The day after finishing the mapmaking job in the Emeraldas Mountains cave, we woke up early. Unusually, it was just the three of us, Arc, Kaede-chan, and me, eating breakfast together.

"Mornings are rough."

"They really are. I’ve got the reception desk again today. The guys hitting on me are so annoying, so annoying. It’s like, can’t they see the ring on my left hand?"

Kaede-chan’s energy was abnormally low.

"That’s because you’re cute, Kaede-chan. If you ever get a stalker, just let me know. I’ll kill them for you."

"Speaking of stalkers, Senpai, I know about Eleanor-san’s."

I know about her too.

"Let’s not talk about that one…"

Does she have any good points? Perhaps she does. Yes… I’m sure she must.

"Well, I suppose so. Anyway, I’m off to work."

Having finished her breakfast, Kaede-chan stood up.

"Do your best."

"You should be more worried about yourself, Senpai. Please be careful."

"I’d love to show you my magnificent sword skills, Kaede-chan."

"No, that’s alright. Please don’t slice up any utility poles or desks."

Hey, I wouldn’t do that.

Kaede-chan left for work, so Arc and I quickly finished our own breakfast. Then, I returned to my room, changed into Eleanor-san, and went back to the living room wearing my black robe. Arc was already there, waiting in his armor.

I watched him for a moment before taking a seat and sipping the coffee Mia had brewed for me. Mia moved behind me and started arranging my hair.

"Where’s your courage?"

"I’m scared of getting in an accident."

This guy’s hopeless…

"Well, do whatever you want."

"I was just getting changed in my room and a sleeping Lydia was glaring at me."

Putting on armor must be noisy. Even I would probably glare at him.

"You should think about your spouse a little."

I, for one, think of nothing but Kaede-chan.

"I know… We should get going soon."

Arc said, downing the rest of his coffee.

"Where are we teleporting?"

"To His Majesty first. He said he has something to talk about."

"Hmm… Understood. Send me there."

I finished my coffee as well and stood up.

"Alright, let’s go. Mia, I’m leaving things to you."

"Understood. Please be safe…"

As Mia bowed her head, Arc raised his hand. In an instant, my vision shifted, and we arrived in the dining hall of the underground residence.

The King was already in the dining hall, seated at the table.

"Good morning."

The King greeted us with a nod.

"Good morning. I hear you’ve found the culprit."

I asked as I sat down across from the King with Arc.

"Yes. It was the man Yoshino mentioned."

"Who is he? Someone important?"

"Indeed. A noble of our court. And one of our senior lords, at that."

A man like that tried to assassinate the next king…

"What was his motive?"

"He was a retainer to my Eldest Son, who was the original heir to the throne. All of my children are dead, save for Arc, and it seems he grew suspicious of that fact."

So he thought either Arc did it, or the King did it because he wanted Arc on the throne…

"So what’s the real story?"

"I would never do such a thing. You, of all people, should know that best."

Arc isn’t a prince, after all. He’s actually a princess with no right to the throne. And frankly, Arc isn’t that attached to the crown. He’s just the only option left.

"True… King, you knew that man was going to make a move at the reception, didn’t you?"

"Yes. I did."

I thought so.

"So that’s why you specifically asked us to be guards."

"That’s right. At first, I considered having soldiers act as guards, but if the soldiers themselves betrayed us, we would be helpless. With you two, however, there is no such concern."

We have no stake in it, after all. And being from another world, we can’t be bought.

"What about the assassins who came from the secret escape route?"

"That was unforeseen. There were other traitors… The investigation took time because of that, but in turn, we were able to gather irrefutable evidence."

So many traitors…

"You’re less popular than I imagined."

"It’s always like this when the crown changes hands. It was the same during my time. Especially given the current situation…"

Is it because things are unstable due to that alchemist…

"Well, as long as you’ve found the culprit, that’s fine. He’ll make a good example."

"I would like to think so. I’m counting on you to guard Arc."

"Of course. I’m bored anyway, so I’ll do my best for my cute disciple."

I’ll cut him to ribbons.

"Mm. That’s reassuring. Well then, Arc, you may go."

"Got it."

This guy is so nonchalant…

"Are you teleporting to his house?"

"First to the place where we had the party. We’ll walk from there."

"I see. Let’s go."

When I said that and stood up, Arc stood as well and raised his hand. My vision shifted again, and we were in the party venue from the other day.

"We’re going outside."

"It’s a bit late to ask, but is it okay for us to be outside?"

"Yeah, it’s fine. When I thought about it, you guys have no way of leaking information to Feire."

Well, we have no intention of leaking anything, and there’s no benefit in doing so. If anything, we’re living with the future king and queen.

"Well, if we were going to leak something, we know things far more important than what’s outside."

We know way too much about things we shouldn’t, like the fact that this place is on the verge of ruin, or that Arc is actually a princess.

"The feeling’s mutual. Hajime the alchemist."

Well, he’s got a point. They know about that too.

"Let’s keep our relationship one of mutual dependence."

"That sounds good. Air conditioners are the best, after all."

So he’s fallen to the temptation of air conditioning too…