Chapter 22 (2/2)

The King takes them, swiftly confirms the content and gives a nod.

「This is plenty of evidence. Deploy the Chivalric Order’s troops. I’ll leave the choice of personnel to you.

Depart immediately, Arrest Sodom Caral Balshnia. The charges are the suspicions of embezzlement of the national treasury and smuggling.」

The orders were given to the knights standing by outside.

The knights starts moving hastily, the n.o.bles were stirring about in the area.

Even though 25 years has pa.s.sed, an order to restrain the former Prime Minister has been made.

「Today will be prohibited from leaving the castle. Do not disclose this unnecessarily. You are now dismissed.」

The King announces it while pa.s.sing the bundle of doc.u.ments to the Prime Minister

The remaining knights and n.o.bles raises a voice of understanding, and disperses.

The 6 people left inside the room are the King, the Prime Minister, Len-san, the Prince, Squad Captain and I.

Am I finally free?

ーWait, what do they mean by not being allowed to leave the castle?

What about my plan? A place to stay? What will happen to my meals??

Kuuー…

My stomach rumbled while I was thinking about a meal.

This is embarra.s.sing.

I feel the gazes of the 5 people inside this room gathered onto me.

Some way or another I squeeze out my voice, while holding onto my stomach with my bright red face hung down.

「Uu, mm… I, was supposed to look for an inn today to stay in but…」

I raise my hoa.r.s.e voice.

I need to immediately search for an inn or else, at this rate I’ll be sleeping outside.

Also I’m going to die. Mostly from shame and hunger.

「And so, because it’ll be difficult to start searching at this time, is it possible to introduce me to an inn? So…」

I hear the sound of a bell.

Before I knew it,  it seems it’s 11 koku.

If I remember correctly, I’m sure it was 10 koku when I entered during the audience.

Looks like I’ve been standing for 2 hours since then.

Say if they introduce me to an inn, even if I move now, it’ll take at least 30 minutes to arrive at the inn.

The main point of an inn is that they double as a bar, I should be able to have a meal.

Reach the inn, have a meal then take a bath… It’ll be pa.s.sed 12 o’clock by the time I can sleep.

While I was thinking of my plans,

「It won’t be necessary to search for an inn. The matter of the Prince’s reward has yet to be settled, and I must thank you for this case regarding the embezzlement and smuggling. You should stay here tonight. Although it’ll be something simple, dinner can be prepared. You will be guided so please wait here for a moment.」

I received those words from the King.

Staying at the castle? How did it come to this? No no, I want to avoid anything potentially troublesome but…

「No, you don’t need to do that as a reward. It’ll be enough to just introduce me to an inn.」

Please let me decline your offer to stay here.

I tried to decline some way or another, but this time the Princeー

「Give it up. No one can leave the castle tonight. It’ll affect our position as royalty if we let you go without thanking you properly. Stay here.」[r5]

I’ve been cornered.

To begin with, didn’t the Prince bring me to the castle on his own accord?

While I was thinking about a way to refuse, a knocking sound was heard.

「Excuse me. I’ve come to guide the guest.」

A voice of a woman was heard on the other side of the door.

「Enter.」

After those words from the King, the door opens, and woman with the so-called maid outfit appeared.

Is that a real maid-san?

Leaving that aside, when was she informed?

Our talk about staying here or not happened just now.

While I was confused, my back was pushed towards the maid.

「This is the guest. Go guide her.」

Wai-, I haven’t said I would stay here.

I glared at the King but, he lightly urged me with is chin.

「I shall guide you.」

Maid-san left those words and walked out to the corridor.

Haa… It’s already decided, huh…[r6]

「I’ll be under your care.」

I, who had given up, decided to follow the maid.

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