298 295. Senate.txt (1/2)

After failing to free Fafner and the World Tree, I walk down the stairs with the knights.

When I climbed the stairs and returned to the first floor of Foozeyers' castle, the representative knight who was leading the way turned around and called out to me.

'That was really hard work ....... We almost lost consciousness just watching from a distance .......

It's a word of praise for my fight with Fafner.

There seemed to be a mixture of awe and respect for me there. If I turned my attention behind me, many of them were passed out and carried on their backs by their fellow knights. Some of them admire me as a knight and others are scared of me for crossing that Fafner head on.

''But I couldn't move Fafner from the World Tree. I'm sorry.

If you only look at the results, I didn't do my job.

Even though I didn't have any intention of doing so from the beginning, I apologize to you for my social graces.

The knight also nodded back with the appearance of knowing it from the beginning.

''No, it's fine. I'm sure the senators also said that the first time you do this, you will fail.

The first time is always the first time: ......?

I was more than a little shocked that it wasn't expected from the start, and I'm concerned about the existence of the 'senate' that made that determination.

Whether that was based on hunches and guesses, or whether he had enough information to make that determination - the story depends on which of those two things is very different.

'I have also been instructed to bring you in as soon as the battle is over. All the members of the Senate are present - to the top floor of this castle.

The knight leads me to the first floor, and then he leads me straight to the second floor.

This time it's not to the basement of the castle, but a staircase that leads to the top of the castle.

The invitation stops me in my tracks.

To be honest, I've expected this. It's natural that Rastiara and the others are gone, so it's natural that I'll be asked to take their place.

However, based on my experience as an 'Epic Seeker' guildmaster a year ago, I don't want to get involved in the social circles of the upper class.

When it comes to the Senate, the upper class is just as good.

I was just starting to turn my head to somehow make a good excuse to escape, when I was interrupted from next door.

''Ka, Kanami-san, are you really going to ignore ......?　It's not safe to say no to this: ......?

Unlike me, who is a free man, Ragne, who serves her country as a knight, was put off by the existence of the Senate.

Seeing me trying to say no somehow, she interjected a word.

However, I still think it would be a bad idea to get involved, and I was about to shake my head at the knight leading the way--

'Kanami-sama, the Senate also said that they would like to discuss the 'saint abduction case' with you. They said that if you request it, they are willing to withdraw it from the city's request as if it were solved.

My body restrains itself from listening to the story I can't miss.

Furthermore, when I realize the meaning of the story, the level of caution in my mind about the Senate increases.

'It's ....... Did they tell you to tell me if I balked?

Yes, sir.

While looking at the knight who nodded honestly, I thought with as much seriousness as in battle.

Right now, we're staying in Hoozeyards as a party of adventurers working on the ”Saint's Abduction” case. However, the main culprits in this case are my fellow adventurers, Maria and the Reapers. Naturally, we can't turn them in to the state to solve the case. Just when I thought we'd have no choice but to continue to spend our time in the Hoosiers as criminals, ...... this story comes to me.

I can't help but think that they're aware of our movements in some way or another.

'...... Okay, I get it. Let's go.

Without running away, I accept the invitation.

From the talk, the Senate is making a very friendly proposal. At least on the surface, they are willing to be friendly. It's not a bad idea to gauge the Senate's intentions while being entertained.

'Thank you, sir. Now upstairs.

The knight shows a look of relief at my approval and heads to the stairs leading to the second floor by the wall.

Further behind him, Ragne lets out a sigh deeper than anyone else's and, contrary to the polite knight, speaks openly about his calculating inner feelings.

''Whew. I'm relieved. Now I can somehow keep the reputation of both Kanami-san and the Senate!

In terms of construction, Lagne-chan is supposed to represent the knights of the settlement and guide the hero named me. She seems relieved to be able to successfully complete that role.

She wants to become great anyway, so the reputation of her superiors must be important to her.

Together with Ragne, who is pretending to wipe off her cold sweat, we are again leading the knights up the stairs.

As we walk, we see the glow of a new staircase.

The staircase leading up here is the same spiral as the one leading to the basement, but the quality is very different.

You can feel the texture of the stone just by lightly touching the handrail. Each staircase is covered with a silk carpet, and the craftsmen are constantly meticulous in their decoration.

You will be able to see the glitter of the staircase and the corridor around the staircase, and we climbed the second floor, the third floor, and the fourth floor without stopping.

It's a long staircase. ...... When the number of stairs exceeds a hundred, one wonders why they are building so high.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way that you can find it in the same way. Even if you have some kind of 'purpose', it's too irrational to have a hard time communicating even a little work.

--In my mind, while I was complaining about the construction of the castle, the surroundings changed.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of the number of knights who seem to be guards. In addition, the strength of the magical wards transmitted from the 'magic stone line' underneath the carpet, which is made of better material, seems to have increased.

Since I don't plan on stopping by to look at other floors, I can't see the inside of the corridor that leads to the side, but there is no doubt that the rank of security has changed since this 30th floor.

The expressions of the knights standing in guard are hard and the quality of the equipment they wear is not formal, but terribly practical.

...... Hey, Lagune. Aren't you a little too stuffy?

I know what that means, but I ask the knight next to me, who is probably familiar with the Hoosiers, for an answer.

That's right. It's a residential area for the royalty, you know.

I knew it. ......

There are so many different types and numbers of royalty in Hoozeyer's that it takes up a lot of space. Is that why the castle is so big?　It's been a long time since I've been in here, so I'm nervous.

He says he's nervous with his mouth, but he's aloof.

Even though Fafner almost killed him earlier, he is climbing the stairs with a light step. I talk to Ragné to avoid staring too much at the bright red scab on her cheek.

'The area of royalty ....... So the people in the Senate are above the royalty.''

Yes, that's true. That's what proves that the Senate is the best in the Hoosiers. In Hoosiers, the church is higher than royalty, and the senate is higher than the church. And since Hoosiers is the pinnacle of the continent ...... the Senate is naturally the most important entity in the world.

'The best ...... in the world. That's why you told me earlier that it's bad to be indifferent.

'Oui!　I have a weakness for power.　I'm thoroughly curious about my reputation!

When the Senate spoke of 'the best', there was a slight glimpse of Ragne's obsession.

Perhaps she is trying to make it to the Senate. If that's the greatest place to be, then I can feel the positive energy that she will get there someday.

As Ragnae's smile brightened, the light on the stairs gradually increased.

As I climbed up, the angle of the sun's rays shining through the nearby windows changed. The light, which should have been coming from above at an angle, illuminates the castle as if it were hitting us from the side.

Halfway up the spiral staircase, there was just one window that allowed me to look out.

Stepping a little closer to the side, we look at the view of the hoozeyers.

We are now on the fortyth floor of the castle - so high that we can almost reach the clouds, and the sun is shining brilliantly in a position where we are seeing it for the first time.

'Wow, it's so high!　There's a whole city down there!

I don't want you to get too far ahead of yourself.

While I was looking up, Ragne looked down before anything else.

When I blame her for sticking to the window as if she was about to jump off, she replies with a single word, ”Uyss,” and moves away.

Then, as she climbs the stairs again, she speaks sincerely.

...... But that's something, isn't it? It is ...... a little ironic that Mr. Fafner is at the bottom of the castle and there are people from the senate at the top. Mr. Fafner is a great man from a thousand years ago, and on top of that, he's so strong that no one can match him. ......

Maybe it's because she got along with Fafner earlier, but Ragne criticizes him for being in the wrong place.

Of course, she knows it's not all about strength in battle, she knows that. That's why she's seeking my backing and trying to fight against the power.

Still, she seems to think that Fafner's treatment could be a little better.

The last time we saw Fafner was in his bare feet, reading a book with the World Tree at his back. There was nothing around it but darkness and cold soil. Just when I thought I should bring something that would serve as a warm light the next time I visit Fafner's place, the end of the staircase begins to come into view.

It seems we've finally come to the top floor.

The staircase I had been climbing all the way up was broken.

The corridor on the top floor is a concise, single-aisle corridor, and unlike the previous floors, it's not overly decorated.

Slowly we pass through the last corridor and arrive in front of the room, which is the only one on the top floor.

This door is also not decorated and is a slightly large wooden door.

''-- I'm here, Kanami-sama. Ragnet-sama, please come inside.

The representative knight informed them that that was where they wanted to be.

Then, as if in awe of what lies ahead, the guiding knights all took a wide step away from the door and bowed.

I'm going to be the only one who can enter the room ...... and Ragone.

It's a good thing that you're not just a part of the team.

I took Ragnet-chan with me without hesitation and put my hand on the door of the room.

I thought it was an old, stubborn-looking door, but it was very light and opened very smoothly without the creaking characteristic of wood.

Beyond the door.

He walked into the room and looked around.

It's not a very large space. Since there was only one room on the top floor, it shouldn't be much wider, but it was two times smaller than I expected.

Moreover, it was also unusually simple. The furnishings were minimal, with only a few small shelves and lamps by the wall. It gives the impression of a moderate inn in town - another moderate room.

In the center of that too-ordinary room is a round table.

It's not a very opulent wooden desk that can be found anywhere.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

The two chairs in front of us were empty, and the remaining five chairs were occupied by five men and five women. All of them were dressed in the same loose-fitting silk garments, which indicated that it was some kind of formal wear. Probably, these five people were the people in the position of Genji.

They were men and women of average age, staring at us with wrinkled faces. Of course, their gazes were unique, and I could sense a sharpness in their eyes that was not commensurate with their age. They are dignified enough to be called the Senate.

The youngest of the five, a woman around thirty, looked familiar.

When her eyes met the woman's, she threw her voice at her with a smile.

'It's been a while, Kanami-dono.

You were, I believe, ...... in the Confederate cathedral.

She was the woman who had presided over the rituals a year ago when they had raided the cathedral to rescue Miss Hein and Rustyala.

I don't have much of an impression of her because there were so many different people there, but her name must have been Leki to Feydert.

I remember that she was always calm in the midst of all that chaos. Honestly, it's almost as if she was the one who allowed us to get away in peace.

''Yeah, thanks for taking care of me then. I'm Reki Evans, who is officially a senator this year.

Reki-san stands up from his seat and greets him with a deep bow.

His old manners are just as I remember them, just as I remember them being inappropriate for his age.

Immediately I forget for a moment that we were once enemies and try to respond to his polite thanks. However, this is interrupted by an even more polite thank you.

Ahead of me, the five men and five women who seemed to be former old men and women all stood up and bowed deeply, just like Reki-san.

''Eh--?''

I'm baffled by this unexpected response.

I just told you earlier that the Senate is more than a royal family. I don't know the formal etiquette here, so I was prepared to get down on one knee the whole time. In reality, however, the Senate is now more inclined to get down on one knee.

The reason for this is spelled out by a man who is different from Leki - probably the oldest of the bunch.

'Don't be so surprised, Mister Hero. This is a tribute to the Founder of Foozeyards. ...... We, the rightful custodians of history, know that you are the founder of the Hoosiers a thousand years ago. We should have been able to arrange our words on the floor.

...... I don't like being treated like a progenitor.

This one has a hard time remembering that, because the memory is so vague. Above all, there is nothing more uncomfortable than being respected for something you don't remember.

''I knew you would say that. Hence, I dare to call you Hero Kanami and lower your rank. Is that alright?

'Yes ....... I'm Aikawa Uzumi. Nice to meet you. It's been a while since I've seen Reki-san: ......

It seems that even if you lower it, you'll be treated as a hero.

I want to be treated as an ordinary adventurer somehow, but then I'll be treated as a hero because I won't be enough next time.

It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect. ...... First of all, it's President Kaikwola. You have done well to bring him to me. If it weren't for you, the hero of the frontier wouldn't have come to this place. I will praise you for it.

That's what Ragne said to me.

”......!　Ha, ha. Thankfully, I'm happy.

It wasn't me or the seniors, but I was looking somewhere else entirely.

At the back of this room - another staircase up to the top.

It probably leads to the rooftop. Ragne was looking at the path that led to the roof of this Foozeyards' rooftop.

But being called out to her made her come to her senses and she broke her hip in a hurry.

Hmm, you're still the same, aren't you? ”Hmm, you're still the same, aren't you? ”Well, you're as good as ever. ”Now, stay farther back, and concentrate on guarding the heroes.

Ew!