Chapter 42 - Volume 3 (2/2)
“Did you think I would back down after hearing such a tale…?”
“………”
Although I won’t say it’s malicious, I prioritized my own thoughts like a selfish egoistic bad child, and personally, it’d be Demon-like to ignore it and give up.
Vio gave up and sighed visibly, waiting for my orders.
“Vio. I will investigate this nest of parasites leeching our Holy Kingdom. Let’s go.”
“…… Yes.”
Vio has known me ever since I was born. She is my family.
Let’s get rid of this stone in her heart.
When this is over…… well, we’ll gradually find her a husband.
＊＊＊
A few hours passed as I was bumped about on the carriage. Following the lead of Callisto’s carriage, we arrived at the ancient castle owned by Duke Kapell.
On the carriage, I got sandwiched between Rick and Noel again, both my hands were held but the expressions on the two’s faces were super serious to the point that I was starting to seriously get worried, enough that I was letting off a bit of [Intimidation] without meaning to.
……Are they worried that I’m in danger?
Surrounding the old castle were beautiful forests and lakes, but the castle itself was full of weeds and poorly maintained, in a state of ruin.
“Now, Yurushia-sama, come this way!”
“… Got it”
Callisto who was awfully lively, led us on with a few priests in tow.
Rick walked next to me, while Noel walked several steps behind me, directing the mercenaries into formation.
“………”
It seems like everyone’s being very serious……
“Yurushia-sama.”
As I was being guided into the banquet hall of the old castle, someone called out my name.
Can I even call it a banquet hall at this point? Where previously one would hold ballroom parties, there are now various types of magic formations positioned about the room.
Slipping through the not-insignificant amount of priests and officials, a young man ran up to us with short steps and called out to us.
“Aah, my beautiful Princess, it’s been a long time.”
“……That’s true, Alfio-sama.”
He came out, the Hero {lol} Alfio-kun.
“Oooohhh, you’ve become even more beautiful in the past year. Please give this Al the honor of kissing your hand…”
Are you dangerously ill? With a face that was incomparably redder than last time and his rough breathing, Alfio tried to take my hand, but Rick and Noel interrupted him immediately.
“I am Roderick of Taterudo. Dear sir, did you forget your manners?”
“………”
As expected of the name of the grandson of Taterudo’s King, Alfio immediately withdrew with a slightly crooked face, and bowed to Rick.
“…I’m sorry. But I am neither a noble, nor a citizen of this country…”
Wow… that attitude is disgusting. He’s probably really confident in his strength. However, as one would expect of this kind of disrespect, one of the Holy Knights put a hand onto his sword, Rick stopped him with a raised hand, though.
“And your name is?”
“…I am called the Hero of Shiguresu, Alfio.”
“I see. I haven’t heard anything of you from my aunt, who is part of the Shiguresu royalty, but, nevermind that. You may return to your duties.”
“tsch. ……… well then, excuse me.”
As Alfio went back on the road he came with a black face, the rest of the hero party rejoined him with worried faces.
Among them were my elder sister-samas, and Athena was glaring daggers at me with a horrible look, but when I waved at her with a full-faced smile, she averted her gaze with a start.
What a fantastic reaction, elder sister-sama.
Regardless of what other people called him, unless he was a [Hero] that had been approved by the state, he was the same as an arrogant self-proclaimed ‘hero’ of a foreign country. I’m in the same situation, though.
As Alfio disappeared, Rick turned around and exchanged a look with Noel for an instant, then the two of them instantly went back to sandwiching me.
What was that…… that exchange just then?
Although the atmosphere had been strained just a while ago, they seem to have come to an understanding. I don’t understand the relationships of boys.
“Yurushia. I say, you shouldn’t let such a suspicious character get close to you so easily.”
“… Yeah, sorry. But isn’t it unusual to hear you say these kinds of things, Rick? You’re totally a “Prince-sama”, after all.”
“……Was that what you thought of me?”
While making an astounded face, Rick flushed a little and tapped my head softly.
Although it didn’t hurt, when I puffed up my cheeks and rubbed my head with a little indignation, Noel lightly stroked my head, only to retract his hand in panic when I turned to look at him, his cheeks flushing red.
Rick and Noel were really cute……
I’m getting worried that Bree-chan will be possessed by the [Degenerate God] again, though.
Proceeding into the banquet hall, Duke Kapell was talking to some researcher-like people.
As expected, he couldn’t ignore the amount of people coming in, and while he averted his gaze from mine when our eyes met, he couldn’t ignore Rick, and came over from the other side.
“Oh my oh my, it’s Roderick-sama. I apologise for not receiving you.”
“It doesn’t matter. Incidentally, what is this facility?”
As Rick probed him with a slightly interrogative tone, Duke Kapell grinned from ear to ear.
“Well, this is a temple for summoning the [Retainers] of Goddess Kostoru.”
“A temple……? You mean to say that you intend to summon a god?”
“That is the end goal. First, if we can summon the kin of a god to let the world know that God truly exists in this world, then Taterudo will become a true Holy Kingdom, a magnificent country with a true God.
“………”
That is, if God actually exists……… By the way, it feels like I’m being ignored, is it just me?
“Duke Kapell…?”
When I spoke, Duke Kapell’s shoulders gave a start.
…… Why is he so skittish?
“Yu-Princess Yurushia, I heard from Callisto that you could help us with your wonderful magical power…”
“You did not hear incorrectly. Incidentally, I am learning summoning magic at the magic academy, so I’d like it very much if I could see that summoning formation by all means.”
“Well… that, it’s not ready yet, so… to begin with, how about a meal first? I will have it prepared by then.”
“Really?”
I know that it takes time to draw up the summoning formation, so to prepare it in the time it would take for a meal, I wonder what the teachers at the academy would say?
But since Duke Kapell looks like he’s having a [Conniption Fit] right now, I guess I’ll accept it.
“Well then, I will be imposing on your kindness.”
“Really. Then…… the dining hall here isn’t very big, so how about we have just the young people alone, along with Princess Yurushia’s attendants? I will be entertaining everyone else in a separate room.
The young people…? It’s just Rick, Noel and I. Well, that and my 4 attendants. To not have Bear-san, who’s a Viscount, with us, Duke Kapell sure is bold.
Although Rick and Noel both had their suspicions about it, since we had no reason to refuse, I accepted it with a sullen face.
Sorry…… the two of you.
What is Duke Kapell plotting, that he’s in such a good mood despite his sweating?
Was he getting impatient, or was everything going according to plan………
I wonder what he’ll show me from here on in?
Author’s Notes: It’s getting serious, little by little.