Published at 28th of April 2020 6:33 am

Chapter 76 Wounded Beast

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Late because of allergies.

Sorry.

Pollen…… Pollen……

___

After taking the brainwashed director of the Royal Archives to Minister Hairai, it became a tumultuous development.

First of all, Minister Hairai set up a meeting with King Barwell before the Prime Minister could notice this. He gave priority to giving this information to the King the fastest. Secondly, the protection around the second Prince Maine was upped. And finally, acknowledging my contributions to bringing these facts to light, a reward would be prepared for me.

Why was the need to increase the security around Maine? This was because of Windfield’s instructions. “I don’t know what the Prime Minister, and by that logic, the Empire, will do after being cornered”, she said. She elaborated on that we should consider the possibility of Maine being assassinated. I personally didn’t think they would do something this stupid, but it’s been said since ancient times that you shouldn’t reach your hand out towards an injured beast since you can’t be sure what it would do. So, just to be sure, his security was strengthened.

On the other hand, about my reward. I asked the Minister if it wasn’t too soon for that, however, he said it was rather late. It seems he heard from captain Zephyr and the First Royal Court Magician Division about me, and I had been greatly praised for some reason. What the heck did that Zephyr say?　Incidentally, it seems these two were in such good terms that they would often go out for a drink. I wonder if they feel like kindred spirits, both being bald and all.

“It’s also my role as a Minister to make connections with excellent people like you.”()

Minister Hairai spoke without trying to conceal his intentions while adjusting his glasses, which gave off a little shine. Honestly, I thought he looked so cool, even though he’s bald. Yeah, even though he’s like barcode-bald. Trying to cover his head with that little hair left makes him look balder. How strange.

If in the not-so-distant future I am to become bald, I just hope I am bald bald and not something like this……While I thought about something banal like this, it became time to meet King Barwell. It was less than thirty minutes since I arrived. It was quite fast.

There were three people present besides the King, Minister Hairai, the director of the Royal Archives, and me. The Minister and I were pretty much extras. The protagonist today was the director.

The Kind was visibly taken aback despite his position, after all, the main offender in the falsification of the documents came forward to confess and also brought with him proof that validated the original documents had been tampered with.

The director insisted that these alterations were done under the orders of the Third Knight Order Captain, Djarum. In addition to this, he also confessed that he had been threatened by having his family as hostages, and then, using his position, he had to involve one of his subordinates.

“Why are you confessing now?”

The director answered King Barwell’s questions while in tears.

“He, he gave me a chance.”

With this, I am now freed―― the director had a face as if feeling like that.

I think that probably because of the brainwashing, he felt as if I had truly given him this opportunity, so that’s why he said it like that.

After contemplating the director’s resolute confession, King Barwell crossed his arms and immersed in thought for a while, then he opened his mouth.

“……It seems this dangerous suspicion was correct. Now that we have concrete evidence, I will have to make a decision.”

And this was the end of Prime Minister Val Morrow.

——

——

“Sovra-san, is dependent on, Caramelia. He consumes it every day since it helps him not remember his debt-bearing wife. Furthermore, he’s not the only one. In the Royal Capital, there are a large number of people who are addicted to it.”

“Addicted……? ”

As soon as I returned home, I heard this as a result of Windfield’s investigations.

The contents were far beyond what I expected to hear.

“Every holiday, it seems he went to buy it from a seller, who was hiding in the Royal Capital. And that seller is bringing the price of Caramelia higher and higher. To the point where it is no longer something easy to buy.”

“Is his sickness because of withdrawal?”

This is bad. I never thought about drugs.

Do potions work? ”

“This is more, like a disease. By principle, they don’t work.”

Do potions not work for diseases in this world? Rather, Mobius never had any diseases or drug dependency, so I’m not sure how to deal with this.

“If it spreads more than this, it will become really dangerous.”

“Have you found out the source of it? ”

“The Sacred Country Kamel. I heard Besaid-san saw the dealer several times as he went around, and that person used the Kamelian churches to hide inside the Kingdom.”

“Whoaa, the Sacred Country Kamel……”

This was the name of a troublesome country.

The Sacred Country Kamel was a religious country where the state religion was the Kamelian religion. Players needed to visit this country in the quest that was required to learn the 【Healing Magic】 《Recovery・Large》, however, everyone had a strong impression that this was a terribly fishy country. Simply put, it was a dog-eat-dog country that invaded other countries and made money using religious reasons.

“It seems like, while the Kingdom was busy dealing with the Empire, they wanted to take a bite at it.”

“And the Caramelia, was this a drug used in preparation for that?”

“Yeah. Because it looks like simple cigarettes, it has become quite widespread. I’m certain the Sacred Country wanted to use Caramelia to bring the Kingdom to the negotiation table and push for an unequal treaty.”

“Misfortunes just keep piling on this Kingdom, huh?”

However, it can’t be helped since it has spread this much. We have no choice but to think about how to deal with it.

“Should I talk to the King and ask him to ban Caramelia? ”

“If that’s the case, the price of Caramelia, will shot further up. It will become the perfect market for Kamel-chan.”

“Hey, stop that. This isn’t something to joke about. People related to me have been its victims.”

“Sorry. But, that’s right, I wonder if it’ll have to be regulated?”

“Would it be a better choice to have it thoroughly regulated? ”

“I think so. It would be a less objectionable option. But I don’t think the Sacred Country Kamel will stay silent.”

“Ahh…… after all, they’ll be making less money.”

Seriously, how troublesome.

“I’ll talk to Barwell about it.”

“Yes, please do. Well, there’s a limit to what we can do ourselves.”

Just when the issue with the imperial operatives was about to settle down, this time is the damn Sacred Country……

After heaving a sigh, I opened the evening edition of the newspaper in the quiet living room, just after dinner.

The main contents are about the falsification of the official documents. Here, it was written in detail about how the director of the Royal Archives had tampered with the official documents by the order of the Captain of the Third Knight Order, Djarum. Furthermore, it was strongly argued that the three leaders, the Prime Minister, and the captains of the First and Third Knight Orders should take responsibility.

The King had already learned this fact, and those three will be held accountable tomorrow. Most of the people had come to support the Second Prince faction, and the imperial operatives had gone underground. No matter where one looked at it, they could no longer win at it.

And so, with this, the political strife had come to an end for the time being.

……It seemed both quite long and very short. I personally think this was a one-sided political conflict, just like that “Sugatayaki” analogy, getting cornered slowly, and without being able to notice what was coming to them until the last minute.

However, this political dispute originally began with Yukari’s former master, the late Duchess Lucia Icene. Even if this didn’t have the conclusion that Yukari would have preferred, for the time being, she got herself a reliable spirit and has settled down on it, so I guess it’s a decent outcome.

“Windfield.”

“Yes? ”

I called out to Windfield and tried to say my thanks, but…… I felt there was something weird, so I stopped.

For her, this political dispute was a game. And, I was a piece. That being the case.

“Good game.”

“Fufu. Well, thank you.”

We understood each other well enough about the gratitude and effort without having to specifically say it.

For us, this was enough.

＊　＊　＊

“P-Prime Minister. How are you…… Prime Minister!? ”

The following morning.

Aware of the arrest of the director of the Royal Archives, the captain of the Third Knight Order, Djarum panickily rushed to the office of Prime Minister Val.

At this rate, I’ll be held responsible――With those thoughts in mind, he came to beg to the Prime Minister.

However, the Prime Minister was surprisingly calm, given the circumstances.

“…………”

No. At first glance, he looked calm and composed, but inside, his rage burned like a firestorm.

Twenty years had passed since he entered the Kingdom’s inner circle as an Empire agent. Little by little, without letting anyone notice, he moved slowly and passed information over to the Empire as he continued his work. And finally, the walls protecting the Kingdom were falling, and he had stopped the First Prince from growing properly and independent, making him the ideal puppet. Nobody could understand his anger, nobody knew how he felt by having all the effort and hardships he spent half his life overcoming, being shattered in an instant.

“The high tide, huh……?” (TLN: This also means “the right opportunity”)

He muttered a few words. “High tide? “, ignoring Djarum’s question, he slowly opened a locked drawer at the bottom of his desk.

“It seems like I was building a castle of sand from the very beginning. I was careful and tried my best to build it with precision so that it didn’t collapse…… but I guess I can only do it so far.”

“Are you giving up!? ”

“……There’s no way. It was the high tide (It’s the right opportunity), didn’t I say?”

What the Prime Minister took out from the drawer was a single dagger.

“If you can’t build a castle, you just have to take it.”

——

——

“Val. Klaus. Djarum. You’ll be placed in house arrest for an indefinite time. This punishment will be announced later. Memphis, for you, I’ll give you a two-year pay cut.”

“Yes.”

These people were gathered before King Barwell as he handed down his judgment.

Prime Minister Val was expressionless; Klaus, the First Prince, bit his lower lip; and Djarum, of the Third Knight Order, was shaking with his face bowed. The Captain of the Second Knight Order, Memphis, accepted his punishment without saying a word of complaint.

“Also, we will also reward Second Firstest, the special lecturer of the First Royal Court Magician Division, for his merits. Is there any objection?”

When Barwell spoke to this point, the Prime Minister quietly raised his hand.

“What is it? Speak.”

“It’s not an objection. This person will eventually be irreplaceable to our Kingdom. I fear it might be better to take some action before he gets the attention of the masses.”

This was a remark that was unlike the Prime Minister. “Are you changing sides? “, was something everyone present thought.

“What do you mean by taking action?”

“Take him into the royal court before he is taken in by some other noble. It’s only this before people spread this information. When word gets out, every minute might count.”

Indeed, Barwell was also convinced of this.

Even with just the King’s information network, he was aware of the immense power of this man named Second. He certainly wanted to avoid a scenario where this power was monopolized by some noble or in the worst case, stolen by another country.

“Haste is also a virtue, Your Majesty.”

“That’s right. His reward will be given this afternoon. Hairai, are the preparations ready? ”

“Yes, everything is ready.”

Minister Hairai shared that same belief that early was better. Therefore, the preparations for the award ceremony had been in place since the day before.

However, he couldn’t understand what the Prime Minister aimed at with this.

What the hell is he up to?――While Hairai struggled to find meaning in that, afternoon soon came.

＊　＊　＊

When I was called for the award ceremony and came to the court, I was told to meet with the King first, and was guided to the room where Barwell was waiting.

As soon as I entered the room, Barwell greeted me. So far, everything was as expected. However, I didn’t think this would be a one-on-one talk.

As I faced Barwell, silence flowed for some time. He was the one to break the silence as he spoke.

“I’ll reward you. Is there anything you want? ”

Something I want. Is anything alright?

Then another Ring of Pursuit……No, it’s hard to pass an Amplification Bracelet. No, but, what about a Choker of Giants……

Not good, there are too many things I want!　Or rather, I’d want to avoid feeling disappointed for asking something I could buy later on.

“Is it possible to choose later? ”

“Sure, I don’t mind. Then, at the award ceremony, I’ll give you only a certificate.”

At my response, he said “That took you some minutes”, and laughed. Ohh, he’s surprisingly flexible.

And again, silence flowed. Barwell might be a quiet person in the first place. Since I thought it was a good moment, I started to talk about ‘that’ thing.

“There’s one thing I want to report. Currently, there’s a cigarette called Caramelia in circulation in the Royal Capital, however, this is an addictive drug. The Sacred Country Kamel is bringing it in, and it’s becoming quite prevalent inside the country. I ask you to please regulate it as soon as possible.”

“Is this true? ”

“It’s from reliable information.”

“Understood. I’ll take measures immediately. Thank you for this information.”

Whoa, this went faster than I thought. And he even thanked me. This old man, he’s a good person despite being a King. Totally different from the time at Mobius.

……Ahh, I see. This is the “connections” that the minister was talking about.

“Please worry not, I will not leave the Castall Kingdom. Instead, I’d like not to be bound by anyone.”

“Is that so? I’m relieved to hear that. Even if you don’t become an ally, as long as you’re not an enemy, that’s fine.”

He was quite upfront about it. I see, so this is the reason for this being a one-on-one.

“How much do you know about me? ”

“I have ears in the Royal Great Library. And also, in the library of the Royal Magic Academy. Do you know Silk, the former subordinate of the Director of the Royal Great Library, Paloma? ”

“Ahh, that……”

That fat old lady with puffy fingers.

“I got my information from those two, and with the information available from the general public, I made a guess.”

“As a result, you guessed my secret lies in speed reading? ”

“No. The secret is something that allows fast reading. And that something is a thing you possess. Also, it’s possible to teach it to your team members.”

Amazing, he pretty much guessed it.

“Haha, don’t make such a scary face. I won’t tell you to teach me that something. However……”

“……However? ”

“Can I leave Maine in your hands?”

Barwell said that with a gentle smile. That remark was like virtually lying the next King’s position to him. However, that’s not what bothered me.

Barwell had a face like there was something he couldn’t say, almost as if he knew he didn’t have long left.

You should be alright for at least the next five years――I thought to say. But I wondered if it was alright for me to say it, so I swallowed those words. This world was similar to Mobius, but it was also different. The possibility that Barwell’s condition was worse than what it was back on Mobius is not zero.

“Your strength and its secrets are probably something unique. I’m not trying to imply you use them for the country. However, I’d like for you to help one person, Maine, as far as your friendship allows you to help him.”

A wish not as the kind of the country, but as the parent of the man who’ll eventually become the King.

Somehow……This gave me a nostalgic feeling. Like when I went to a friend’s house to play, back when I was junior high, and his mother told me “Please get along with my son”, and he became embarrassed and said “Don’t say unnecessary things ” with a rebellious attitude.

The relationship between parents and children is something itchy, even when viewed from the side. I replied to Barwell shily while scratching the back of my head.

“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do as much as you ask but, if he finds himself in trouble, I’ll help him, I’ll point out when he’s wrong, I’ll invite him for a drink when he’s depressed, and celebrate with him when he’s happy. That’s what friends are for, right? ”

“Without a doubt. I couldn’t have said it better. I guess I didn’t have to ask you this, hahaha! ”

After laughing for a while, the one-on-one meeting was over.

I went back to the waiting room and waited alone for the award ceremony to start.

“The preparations are complete. Please, accompany me.”

About an hour later, a maid came to pick me up. “You surely made me wait”, while cursing in my mind, I followed behind the maid.

——

“…Huh?　Ehh, here? ”

“First of all, greet Your Majesty. After that, we’ll head to the throne.”

“Heee.”

The place where the maid led me was Barwell’s room, the place which I had visited an hour ago.

Is that so?

With no doubts in my mind, I followed after the maid.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty.”

……I should’ve noticed.

It was strange for a simple maid to go inside without even knocking on the door.

It was strange that, even after having met already today, I was asked to come and greet him.

And, I should’ve been wary.

Of the wounded beast.

“………………”

Following the maid, I went inside.

First, the smell of iron reached my nose.

Then, I doubted my eyes.

The whole room was dyed in dark red as if someone had scattered ink.

And at the center.

A person was lying down.

A blonde old man.

Lying on top of a large pool of blood.

His carotid artery had been slashed.

And before I knew it, the figure of that maid was nowhere to be found. Probably she wasn’t even a maid. It might’ve been a subordinate of Tender, I said to myself. That’s what the calm part of my brain thought, but the rest of it was boiling so hard that I couldn’t think of anything.

――Murdered.

Not Besaid, not Maine, much less me.

King Barwell Castall was murdered――!

“Kyaaa!! ”

Behind me, a maid screamed. Unlike the maid in disguise that guided me here before, she was probably a real maid.

“What is this noise……WH-WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!? ”

Seemingly with the preparations now in place, Prime Minister Val appeared. And while spitting some clearly predeterminate lines, he acted astonished.

Lured by the voice of the Prime Minister, people started to gather one after the other. Among them were Klaus, Maine, and Minister Hairai.

“…………”

……Being a suspect? Proof of innocence?

None of that mattered now.

“D-don’t you think you can escape. Ahhh, how terrible.”

Jarring.

Yeah……What should I do with this jarring guy?

A wave of anger that I didn’t quite understand, quietly raised to my lowered head.

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