183 # 172 Ix Treatment and Princess Knight.txt (1/2)

The next day, after school, I logged into the game. When I went downstairs, I saw Kaim-san in his cat form.

''Ofu... don't just pet me like that... ha!

Oh, there's the tact!

I was playing with the cat.

Hohoho. You've been playing with your cat.

Uh, where can I find Aura?

Wait, wait!　If you do that, Fretia will be destroyed!

Aura, you're full of it.

Aura. Hon, the King would like to speak to you about the Ex Machina situation. Is this a good time?

I'm fine.

I'm going into the royal castle for the first time. I'll get stares from all sorts of knights. That's just the way it is. You don't look so good.

”This is your room, this is your audience with the king. Do you want to be polite as I've just taught you?

I'm fine.

Good answer.

Then you open the door, and as you enter, you see a row of knights and a throne at the top of a long staircase. It's a common king's audience room.

I proceed with Kaim and greet him as he taught me. The king of Freetia is said to be called the Grand Freetian King. He looks quite old, but he wears a calm atmosphere.

''Is it true that you made a contract with Ex Machina?''

Yes. We have a contract.

Hmm. Will you summon me to this place?　I can't believe it until I see it in person.

All right. Come on, Ix!

You wanted to see me?　Master.

When I summon Ix, there's a stirring around me.

'Can't it ever be quiet? But I never thought I'd see the day when I'd actually see an Ex Machina.

I feel the same way myself. My king. But now that you've seen it, you have to believe it.

King Gran nodded when Kaim said that.

The king nodded. Ix and I want to be friends with any sub-race. We will listen to your answer.

I am always with the Master. Everything is as the Master wills.

Ix's trust is heavy.

'Then, Tact. Let us hear your answer.

I would like to continue my adventures in this country where there is no discrimination of summonses.

Hmm. I have received your answer. Then I will accept Ex Machina as one of my country.

Thank you.

Back off is good.

Yes. Excuse me.

I let out a breath as I step out of the audience room. Oh man, I was super nervous. I thought I'd be fine, to some extent, from my part-time job interview, but I wasn't at all.

''Good job. I'm sure you're not the only one. You're very good at it.

I'm not at all happy about the praise?

Okay, let's get out of here.

Yes, sir.

I start walking in the opposite direction from Kaim.

'Wait, wait, wait!　I'm over here!

Mr. Kaim gets upset. I'm not stupid. I can at least remember the way we came.

That's not the way we came, is it?

Well... it's... it's a shortcut.

Oh. That's...

'So you're saying that Mr. Kaim knew of a shortcut and didn't use it? So you made King Gran waste his precious time by making him go the long way?

This is a big problem.

”I have to give a word to King Gran,

What?　Wait!　Wait!　Now that's a lie!　As a matter of fact, the Second Princess, Lady Sarah Fretia, wants to meet you!

If that's the case at all, you could have just said so... how could you refuse a princess' request?

And we arrived at the training grounds for the knights in the open air. Why a training ground? I feel like the event is already confirmed to occur.

Then a woman wearing a beautiful sky blue knight armor comes out from among the knights.

''I've been waiting for you. Summoner Tact-sama. I am Sarah Freetia, the second princess of Freetia. I am the Knight Commander of this country.''