Chapter 45 – Killer Queen (1/2)
“What’s the story with us gathering here, I wonder?”
“It is an announcement by Princess-sama and that Hero-sama, you know.”
“The knight-sama with the thin sword? I heard he played an active role again!”
“They say he repelled the large army of Vichy with a few soldiers.”
The topic of the noisy populace, if one had to say, it is one-sidedly focusing on the new noble of Fokalore, Hifumi, rather than on the princess, but it was mostly due to Hifumi’s orders that it became the talk of the town.
Because of the Third Knight Unit being nonchalantly mixed up within the crowd, although it would be announced by Princess Imeraria after this, the matter of Hifumi’s involvement had been circulated already. This kind of information manipulation work was the first time for the Third Knight Unit, but because of Sabnak leading the operation after having received the request from Origa, it was effective to the degree of surprising all of the knight unit.
Sabnak is also slipping into the crowd.
“Apparently that knight of the thin sword is within the royal castle currently. I am told he has achieved amazing war results with Vichy as his opponent, you know?” (Sabnak)
While buying sweets at a stall, he spreads the topic as gossip.
“Ou, I guess he will again receive a reward from Imeraria-sama. He is a great fellow.”
While smiling at the good response of the old man manning the stall, he watches the reaction of his surroundings in a casual manner and understands that all of the people in this place, the voice had reached, are indeed listening carefully with great interest.
(Good grief, what a way of manipulating the hearts of people. It is a personality resembling the demons from fairy-tales.) (Sabnak)
While continuing the mission, Sabnak had a complicated feeling whether he should feel happy or frightened having accepted this kind of personality in the requested matter.
In the meanwhile, the Third Knight Unit checked everyone standing in front of the royal castle. “Soon the princess will make her appearance!” they repeated continuously in a loud voice.
Even as their voice become hoarse close to being mute, the crowd doesn’t cease to chatter.
“Oh, Princess-sama!”
With someone raising their voice, the commotion subsides. The knights having exhausted their throats ended up feeling depressed.
Having made her appearance on the balcony, it was Princess Imeraria.
And next to her was Hifumi. In a shadowy place near the back Origa could vaguely be seen waiting.
(Well then, what will happen this time?) (Sabnak)
Sabnak had already a feeling that it wasn’t about something possibly happening but rather about something definitely going to happen.
◆◇◆◇◆
Not being at the audience hall anymore, Imeraria had personally invited Hifumi to her office. Urging him into the reception sofa, a maid prepared black tea.
“So, it is about this time’s case, but… ” (Hifumi)
“The entire situation is my responsibility. Although the matter with Pajou is regrettable, I only implore you to not punish the other knight units and the people at the castle. Can you accept just this much… ?” (Imeraria)
Interrupting the topic Hifumi has started, Imeraria straight away apologizes like that.
“Ah, that’s fine already. Even if I acted violently now, it would only be a story of repeatedly dealing with shitty opponents anyway. That’s boring.” (Hifumi)
“In the first place, far from having a foundation in group combat, there isn’t even decent training in inter-personal combat, don’t you agree?” a worn-out dissatisfaction began to leak out from Hifumi’s mouth on the occasion.
Although it is strange, Imeraria was relieved that the standard of this castle’s knight’s didn’t raise Hifumi’s interest.
“Then… ” (Imeraria)
“Ah, I am understanding that this time the responsibility is yours. The mastermind died. Since, rather than killing you, there is an even better task left for you, I won’t kill you now.” (Hifumi)
Even though his words aren’t permitting a peace of mind in the least, her life has been spared.
But, I wonder what is that better task than killing me? Imeraria was uneasy. Even if he demanded her as a woman, she wouldn’t be able to refuse. If he was really desiring this of me, I should try to take my own life, I think?
However, as she resolved herself by putting strength into her slender arms laying atop her knees, she decided to not give up her life no matter what happens until her brother is safely crowned and until she discovers a plan to somehow calm the man in front of her.
But that plan was quickly denied.
“You will become the sovereign. Because I will support you by getting rid of the opposition, you will become the absolute ruler of this country building a powerful and sturdy state. Let’s say that this will be your atonement for this time’s affair.” (Hifumi)
“Such… ! Then, what about my brother… what will happen to Ayperos? In that kid’s surrounding there are supporters pushing for that kid to become the next king. If I were to aim at becoming the queen, it will end up becoming a strife disregarding mine or that kid’s intention.” (Imeraria)
“I don’t care. There won’t happen anything if he is obedient, but if he opposes this, I will kill him.” (Hifumi)
Hifumi’s face showed that it wasn’t significant enough for him to listen to such topic and that he would cut him down without doubt. It is an extremely calm face.
“However, even if I intend to succeed as queen, I don’t have the ability to do that either… ” (Imeraria)
Before summoning Hifumi, she was unaffected by these matters without getting in contact with them and was simply called saint by the people. Compared to the time she thought I am only a decoration after all, she had now reached the point where she took politics into her consideration more or less.
But she hasn’t received any education in becoming a statesman. As a result of that, she has lost the knight she trusted. Currently she is monopolizing this country.
“You are still young. If I am not mistaken, you are 14 years old, right? It is even fine to learn from a noble or the prime minister from now on. Besides, a statesman isn’t a person that does something with their own ability. I believe that you will excel as statesman if you find capable retainers and use them skilfully.” (Hifumi)
Why is that man talking about politics to a royalty like myself? Notwithstanding my confusion, he is giving me words of consolation. Even if only slightly, my feelings are settling down.
However, this is definitely a mistake, she also understood.
“You aren’t an incompetent person like your brother who is clinging to his parent, I think. For now it is fine to make a move in order to protect the country and save those around you. During that time you can forge strong soldiers. Ah, it is also good to send them to Fokalore for training! I will polish them without fail.” (Hifumi)
“… What the hell are you aiming for?” (Imeraria)
“By increasing the amount of strong people it will become a lot more interesting to oppose this world. People who have trained their techniques will oppose people boosting with raw strength. I want to increase the number of people thinking up refined schemes to kill people with sharp senses. I also want new weapons to be created for the sake of killing very efficiently.” (Hifumi)
While having glittering eyes like a boy talking about his dreams, to Imeraria, what Hifumi was talking about, was similar to the words of a tyrant she had only read a bit in the past.
“Then, this world, this country will end up lapsing into chaos.” (Imeraria)
“I wonder whether that’s what will happen or not, it depends on what the people of this world want to do. In the world I come from, war advances technology. For the sake of victory people forge their minds putting a lot of effort into coming up with elaborate schemes.” (Hifumi)
Just what kind of blood-stained world is that? Imeraria became terrified by just imagining it. From what world had the hero been summoned?’
It was several young nobles that came and entered the room at that point.
“Imeraria-sama!” (Maid)
The nobles entering in a rude manner pushed the maid standing in attendance aside. Seeing Hifumi’s face they snorted as if scoffing at him.
“I was wondering who it was, but I see it’s the upstart who became a viscount recently, huh? But it seems you were skilfully buttering up to Imeraria. Now that we have arrived, there is no business left here for you anymore.” (Noble)
Furthermore, several of the other nobles also scold Hifumi.
“Imeraria-sama, the commoners are currently gathering in front of the royal castle. Something about receiving words from Imeraria-sama.” (Noble)
“The populace is… ” (Imeraria)
Imeraria turns her sight towards Hifumi.
“Ah, it is me who had them gathered. Let’s make a showy proclamation though you are leading this country only for a short time now, is what I think.” (Hifumi)
In place of Imeraria, who was lost for words, the nobles roared.