Chapter 39: 39
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"Viscount Pendragon-sama, I've come to guide you . "
"Thank you . "
We're led by a maid to the audience chamber .
Today Lady K is not Lady Karina but Hikaru .
It's because Lady Karina would show it on her face the moment they inquired about Liza .
Zena-san and Hikaru are also easy to read but Pochi and Lady Karina are special cases . . .
--Oh?
There's a marker with color that's neither foe or friend on the radar .
It's the weaselkin merchant who sent the adventurers to the Shadow Castle in Rumooku Kingdom .
I open the map and check, it seems he's only nearby at level plane, he's actually far below underground--imprisoned in a prison .
It seems he's with his slaves in the prison, a rabbitkin wyvern rider and a human woman who has Item Box skill .
I don't know what they did in this country, but I'm not interested enough to see them in the prison, so I'll just ignore them .
He tried to sneak into the Shadow Castle to steal the [Float Core] and artifacts after all .
"--I'm going to the Black Dragon Mountains to look for the goddess!"
The macho warrior from yesterday jumped out of the audience chamber while shouting like that .
As he was going to collide with me, I lightly fling him away .
I'm sorry, but he'd knock down the princess and Sera behind me if I evaded him normally so there was no helping it .
Since I only threw him lightly, the macho warrior rotated in the air and landed on his feet .
That's some great athletic ability despite him wearing full body armor .
"Excuse me, are you hurt anywhere?"
"That's some skill--you, have we met somewhere?"
Looks like he doesn't remember me since I wore recognition inhibition equipment when we met yesterday .
I was wearing the normal one when we were trying various foods on the road to the shrine so I was worried, but it appears to be unfounded .
"Isn't it just your imagination?"
I won't clearly deny it .
This guy doesn't have Fathom skill, but there's a high possibility of lineage nobles having that kind of item here, the place with royal family .
"Wait! Don't you think the next king is allowed to run away!"
A good-looking red scale prince rushed out of the audience chamber, caught the macho warrior's shoulders and forcefully turned him around .
He puts his face close to the macho warrior their foreheads look like they'll touch, it seems he wants to talk in secret .
"My"
"Ooh"
I heard sounds waxed with rotten smell coming from the princess and Hikaru . <TLN: wiki "Fujoshi">
I ignore the two like a gentleman would .
Since outsiders will only be a hindrance in this passionate talk between young men, I merely nod to the two and continue into the audience chamber .
I felt slightly reproachful glances from the princess and Hikaru, but our work comes first .
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"Shiga Kingdom's Viscount, Sir Satou Pendragon--"
A red scale knight standing beside the entrance shouts out loud .
Apparently, he's introducing people who are coming inside .
We don't have to introduce ourselves, nice .
After exchanging greetings which differ by country, we get into the main issue of the audience .
"--I see, sightseeing is a way to learn cultures and livelihood of people in foreign countries huh . "
For some reason, I had to explain the meaning of sightseeing to Silga King who seemed to be interested in it .
"Then, I will also go tour Shiga Kingdom and Saga Empire after I abdicate my throne later . "
"That's a wonderful thought . "
It might sound like a flattery, but it's my true feeling .
The main cause of disputes are un-mutual understanding between people and countries .
I think it's a really good thing if the knowledge is spread by the top person of the country .
"By the way viscount, it seems that there's a retainer of yours, a master of spears, who have defeated the 『Unfalling』-dono . "
"Yes, Dame Kishresgalza is the best spear-user among my retainers . "
While thinking "Here it comes" in my mind and being cautious, I boasted about Liza to the king who said it as if he was admiring her .
Since Shiga Eight Swords is a symbol of military force from a foreign country's perspective, it's kinda hard to boast Liza's victory .
"I-I thought it was just a rumor, so it was true that she defeated that incarnation of valor, Sir Julberg!"
The king stood up from the throne and shouted .
Is it really something that surprising?
If we're talking about fighting strength, I think Lady Ringrande, and hero's attendants, the warriors Rususu and Fuifi can win against Sir Julberg . . . .
"I got the chance to have a bout with him before I assumed the throne, that person was extraordinary . . . . I respect Shiga Kingdom which has such a warrior serving under it, but to think a retainer, and a viscount's retainer at that, was such a warrior . . . . "
Silga King dropped down to his throne exhaustedly .
Is he praising Liza or speaking ill of me, it's hard to tell which .
"Your Majesty, people shouldn't be measured solely by their strength . Sir Pendragon is a great person . "
"Excuse my rudeness, but Viscount-sama is idolized by that exceptional virtuous Kishresgalza-dono . "
Princess Shistina and Sera talked to the king while looking very proud .
This country seems to be dominated by males, there are unpleasant reactions when the two talked to the king .
I don't like the bad-mouthing rustles I can hear from here .
However, we didn't come to pick a fight, so I'll act like an adult here .
"Your Majesty, please excuse my entourages . "
"I do not mind . It appears Viscount is well liked by women . "
I held back the princess and Sera and apologized to the king, he let it pass with a laugh .
When the mood of the place has become relaxed, the king suddenly throws a straight ball .
"The spearswoman who defeated Bouryu-sama was Dame Kishresgalza right?"
"--What is it about?"
I was able to put an exquisite interval since I had anticipated it .
It'd be suspicious if I said it too promptly, so I had practiced with Arisa beforehand .
It somehow reminded me of the stress interviews during job hunting .
"Who is this Bouryu-sama?"
"I see, Sir Pendragon doesn't know huh . Bouryu-sama is the chief of the lesser dragons sitting on the sacred mountain, he's sort of a guardian of our country . "
--Hohou?
Bouryu-kun wasn't just a wild kid huh?
"When he found a herd of Naga to the west, he brought his followers along to exterminate them, and when he heard that a Hydra appeared to the east, he merrily challenged it to a fight--our country's peace is all thanks to dragons-sama's doing . "
So he's really just a wild kid . . . .
All's good since he seems to be helpful though .
"I may look like this but I'm also a spearsman . I'd like to receive coaching from Dame Kishresgalza, would you mediate for us today?"
"I'd like to comply Silga King's wish, however--unfortunately, she is currently exploring the labyrinth in the labyrinth city Selbira . "
"What, are you saying that you didn't bring a retainer excelling at fighting in a dangerous journey?"
The calm and composed Silga King is plainly surprised to hear my reply .
--Is it really that strange?
When I think about it, it is indeed strange .
I completely forgot that traveling in this world means risking your life .
Moreover, this is a trip with a relatively high risk .
When I was thinking how to explain it, sounds of bells rang in the audience chamber .
"Alarm bell--this sound, the border eh . "
Attentive Ears skill picked up Silga King's muttering .
Looks like something happened in the border .
Checking the map, luminous points signifying people have gathered in the east border .
800 soldiers of this country and 1000 mix of soldiers and commoners of the neighboring country .
There are a lot of injured people among the commoners, most are about to run out of stamina .
I heard that there was a tension between the neigboring Makiwa Kingdom and Weasel Empire, but it seems the war has already started .
Then, a messenger rushed in .
"Your Majesty! Reporting in--"
I thought I should leave here, but for some reason Silga King said, "Let Sir Pendragon hear it too", detaining me .
"--1000 commoners of Makiwa Kingdom have surged in the eastern national border . "
Hearing the soldier's report, the high officials and military officers in the audience chamber make a commotion .
"So the war between Makiwa Kingdom and Weasel Empire has begun at last . . . . "
"If there are 1000 refugees, does that mean they've lost to the weaselkin?"
"How will His Majesty react . "
"Even His Majesty won't be whimsical enough to take care of Makiwa Kingdom's people infamous for hating demi-humans . "
"There is no reason to lend a hand to people who despise anyone besides humans . "
On the other hand, Silga King's expression doesn't change .
It seems he had expected this situation . "Quiet!", with a thundering voice, he urges the messenger to continue .
"So, what do they want?"
"Someone claiming to be the representative of the commoners said that they wanted to emigrate to Shiga Kingdom, thus they wished to pass through our country . "
That's quite rash .
Going to Shiga Kingdom by walking on foot is already hard enough, I think it's impossible for them to go through the monster dominions located between Silga Kingdom and Shiga Kingdom .
I peek at the Tourism Ministry book in the storage, it seems it's possible for a vice minister to accept immigration .
However, the one who accepted them has to act as their guardian, securing their livelihood and employment .
"Sir Pendragon, you are famous for your profound mercifulness . If you wish to save your kind, I will not hesitate to allow them pass through our country . "
Fumu, I don't mind saving people in trouble, but the words [hating demi-humans] I heard from one of the officials bother me .
I don't want to bring seeds of trouble to Muno Territory .
On the other hand, I'm also reluctant to leave them all to another territory .
Perhaps I can exchange them with demi-humans in Seryuu territory as a solution?
"Satou, I'm against it . "
"Satou-san, please give mercy to people with no place to go . "
Princess Shistina is against it, Sera is in favor .
I look at the two people who are acting as the guards .
Hikaru's eyes are fully expecting to help them, Zena-san too, is having a complicated expression that looks like it's saying, "I'd like to help them if possible . "
"--Humans sure are troublesome . Just save them if they're your kind no?"
The macho warrior advised me who was hesitating .
Being simple is nice .
"I cannot answer immediately . I'd like to talk to them once if possible, would you allow?"
"Very well, I give you the permission . "
"Then I'll escort him to the border . "
The macho warrior suggested so to me who got the permission from the king .
For some reason the prince is also going to tag along too .
Rather than securing my safety, it's probably to prevent the macho warrior from running away .
"A wyvern can only take two people . Choose one of viscount's entourages . "
I've ridden on a lesser dragon and Black Dragon, but this is my first time with a wyvern .
Now then, whom should I choose .
As Hikaru is to guard Princess Shistina who's against this, between Sera and Zena-san--I'll go with Sera .
She should be able to openly heal the troubled refugees with her holy magic .
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"I can see 'em!"
I can't see due to the macho warrior's body obstructing, so I lean my body slightly and look below .
There's a [Great Wall of China]-like wall constructed in the national border, refugees have gathered on the road in front of the checking station .
I should be able to hear them through the wind .
"Could you circle once above them?"
"--Hahn? Sure, but it won't be funny if we're sniped . Are you fine at an altitude outside arrow reach?"
"Yes, please . "
The moment the macho warrior took the wyvern out of the border, I executed All Map Exploration .
Now I don't have to worry about surprise attacks from the other side of the border .
--This is bad .
I've expected that there would be people with [Inciting] and [Brainwashing] skills among the refugees, but I didn't expect that there would be one with [Unknown Skill] .
Since the person is in the back of the refugees, I'll put a marker now and get in touch later .
I think the person is a reincarnated person judging from the name, Kei, but the hidden titles, [Believer of Zaikuon] and [Fake Apostle] are intriguing .
This person must be the [Apostle] from the [Salt Pillar] incidents right?
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