Chapter 19 (1/2)
TL: Rinkage
Edited by: tjelliott
Chapter 19: I met the King
“Eh!? An audience with His Majesty!? We weren’t informed of that……..” [Cecilia]
What should we do once we reach the castle?
When Cecilia tried confirming it with the soldier at the castle, it was unexpected to be told that the King had wanted an audience with us. Cecilia who became panic-stricken desperately inquired further details from the soldier.
It was my first time seeing Cecilia looking this distraught.
On the other hand, Sheik was looking around restlessly.
It is simply because the situation is similar to when the Aquarain’s house was being compared to the Demon’s castle. Both places are worlds apart. It gave me a little peace of mind now, since we had already forbidden him to speak beforehand.
While Cecilia was arguing with the soldier, I tried recalling back on the stories that I’ve heard concerning the King of Clariness Kingdom.
Darts Horta Clariness is the current King of Clariness Kingdom. Despite being the third Prince, he’s a talented individual who has ascended the throne, after defeating his two older brothers. In the last fight against the Demon’s army that persisted for 10 years, he went to the battlefield at the mere age of 15 and gained numerous military achievements.
Even when I was still in the Demon’s castle, I had heard of the rumours pertaining to a Prince from a certain country somewhere who is excessively strong. In spite of the unexpected a.s.sa.s.sination attempts by his two brothers, he covered for them and expelled them from the country under the pretense of marrying them into the bride’s family.
By the way, notwithstanding their own incompetency on the battlefield, they vented their anger out on the soldiers who they deemed to be useless and did nothing except messing around day in, and day out. In a way, expelling them from the country was the right thing to do.
Then, three years ago, he finally inherited the throne from his father and also the former King, Darc Malta Clariness.
Half of the story was actually obtained from the rumours while the other half was heard from Raven.
It’s really amazing for someone to be able to succeed the throne at the age of 25. This is something that is impossible for me.
Based on what I heard from the rumour, he has the ability to be a hero himself. Hence if he were not a Prince, he might have replaced Yuuga as a hero at that time. Well, whoever the hero is, they would not stand a chance against me anyhow.
When you get right down to it, I’m still the best among them. That was, what I was thinking of when Cecilia finally returned after her long dispute with the soldier. Judging from her facial expression, it didn’t seem to be a bad news.
“Did you manage to get the story out of him?” [Youki]
“Yes. Apparently King-sama has summoned us because he has something to say to us personally.” [Cecilia]
“Did he want to know about the incident that happened in Dagaz Village in detail?” [Youki]
“Probably……” [Cecilia]
Then it might be bad if we do not get our stories to match here. The truth about Gai or about how I fought after transforming back into a demon must be kept a secret at all costs. It would bad if our stories were to clash since it might end up arousing his suspicions.
“Then, the only thing that is worrying me now is….” [Youki]
Cecilia and I both glanced towards a certain direction at the same time, resting our eyes on a restless looking figure there. Sheik has been looking around the castle anxiously since earlier. This guy is the one worrying me the most at the moment……..
“….I’m feeling uneasy.” [Youki]
“Same here…..” [Cecilia]
Cecilia and I have persuaded Sheik not to say anything unnecessary numerous times already and Sheik has nodded in response, giving us positive affirmations every single time. Possibly due to the desperate look on our faces as we persistently cautioned him, he ended up staying silent the entire time.
“Got it? Absolutely do not say anything unnecessary!” [Youki]
“Sheik-kun, please be careful alright? We’ll not be putting our heads in a noose, am I right?!” 1 [Cecilia]
While we were using all means of persuasion on Sheik, the presence of a soldier approaching us, silenced us instantly.
“Please excuse me. It’s almost time for me to show you the way to the audience room…..May I know if it’s alright?” [soldier]
“Ah, yes…..it’s fine.” [Cecilia]
“Then please come this way……” [solider]
With the soldier in the lead, we entered the castle. Was Cecilia already accustomed to situation like this? She appears to have regain her composure while I’m still feeling rather nervous here. On the other hand, the furniture in the castle seemed to have piqued Sheik’s interest so I couldn’t feel any feelings of anxiety coming from him. Sheik might probably be the most carefree one among us now.
We arrived at the front of a huge door before long. The audience room must be right beyond this door.
I swallowed my saliva with a gulp. I had audience with the demon king numerous times already back when I was still in the demon castle so, I could probably make use of that experience to go through this somehow. Sheik wise……is worrisome. The soldier opened the door.
The style is not much different than when I had an audience with the demon king the last time. A long red carpet was spread across on the floor from the entrance to the end, and the figure of a man could be seen sitting on a throne.
The individual sitting there might be the one who had called for our presence, the current King of Clariness, Darts Horta Clariness.
On his left stood a female knight, possibly standing guard while on his right was a man clad in expensive looking clothes and wearing gla.s.ses. He might possibly be a minister or someone in similar position.
For security reasons, there were several dozens of knights standing guard on each side of the room as well.
When prompted by the soldier, we moved ahead and stopped several steps from the throne to kneel and lower our heads before the King.
Fortunately, even though Sheik doesn’t seem to be familiar with this etiquette, he wasn’t oblivious to the situation. He proceeded well in imitating us and somehow got through the predicament.
“My apologies for summoning all of you here without alerting you in advance. I am the King of the Clariness Kingdom, Darts Horta Clariness……..It felt way too stiff. I’m sorry but, could we drop all the formalities and speak in a more casual tone?” [King Darts]
Is that question directed to us? No, it appears that he was speaking to the female knight beside him.
“Your Majesty, I do not agree with that. Cecilia Aquarain aside, the other two people are having the audience with Your Majesty for the first time. If Your Majesty does not portray the majesty, befitting a ruler of a country here…” [Female Knight]
“Don’t be so stiff, Sylvia~” [King Darts]
He suddenly grabbed her shoulder and pulled her close. The female knight’s face became beet red when their faces drew close.
What’s up with these two? Are they both actually in an intimate kind of relations.h.i.+p? A sweet pink aura seemed to be emanating from them.
Even though the knights remained standing upright, the minister could be heard drawing a huge sigh as he said, “Again….”
It doesn’t seem to be Cecilia’s first time encountering this kind of scene too since there wasn’t any expression on her face at all. While Sheik is……why are you sleeping there!?
“Um….so does Your Majesty have anything that you need to speak to us about?” [Youki]
After what it seemed like 5 minutes of watching them confirming their love for each other, I moved on to the main subject.
“Nn…….? Aaa….my apologies. We might have entered our own world unintentionally.” [King Darts]
Unintentionally my a.s.s, this b.a.s.t.a.r.d riajuu!…..That was what I wanted to say but since the other party is a King, all I can do is just curse him silently in my heart.
The female knight seemed to resume as always as if nothing had happened. Will this country be alright………
“Then let’s cut to the chase. I have called you all here pertaining to the incident that happened in Dagaz Village. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the report I received from Cecilia Aquarain but…..there is still something that I still can’t quite put together yet.” [King Darts]