Published at 27th of April 2021 9:35 am

Chapter 185

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

「It’s not like I miss him though. Anyway, it’s been a while, Haruto-kun. I see, aren’t you very active lately.」

Even with a pout and slight embarrassment, Satsuki’s greeting to Rio was still done with a cold tone.

「My apologies for the long silence, Satsuki-sama. You seem to be as lively as usual, but is it just my imagination that you’re a little bit different compared to before? 」

Rio smiled at Satsuki as he replied cordially.

「……. Yes. Since I did nothing but training lately, I’ve become so bored with it.」

Her mouth formed a little pout since Rio added ‘-sama’ when he called her name, but she still replied to him cordially, sighing as she did so.

「Satsuki-dono often contacted Saint Stella Kingdom, unfortunately the service right now is temporarily suspended when I heard the incident regarding Demi-Dragon. Nevertheless, to see that Princess Flora, who was involved in that accident, has now managed to return safely, I suppose that it’s now safe to resume the magic vessel operation.」

Francois told them the reason why Satsuki was so bored. Aside from that, he was also showing optimism to resume the magic vessel’s operation.

「Please, absolutely do so.」

Satsuki perked up and requested that with a rather strong tone of voice.

「Uhm. Anyhow, let’s stop talking while standing like this. Let’s sit down first everyone, I’ve got a lot of things I want to ask. 」

Francois said, then took the initiative to sit down with Rio and the rest following suit.

「Shall we get back to the business at hand, now that we are done with the greetings? We have some important information to report your Majesty. However this piece of information is something we heard from an unverified source..」

Christina said, swiftly opening the meeting without preamble.

「Hou. I don’t mind, what about you, Satsuki-dono? 」

Francois turned to ask Satsuki since he noticed that she was itching to talk with Rio.

「Yes. Naturally.」

Satsuki didn’t waste time, she agreed immediately.

「It’s nice to meet you, Galwark’s summoned hero, Satsuki-sama. I am the first princess of Bertram Kingdom, Christina Bertram. And though I guess you’ve already met her before, this is my little sister, Flora Bertram. The one who sits beside Lord Amakawa is Celia Claire, the prided genius sorcerer of our country.」

Christina introduced everyone who sat beside her to Satsuki.

「Nice to meet you. It’s an honor to meet you, Your highness Christina. It’s nice to see you safe and sound, your highness Flora. It’s nice to meet you too, Celia……-san.」

After greeting Christina and Flora, Satsuki paused for a bit, puzzled, but for the time being, she set that aside and just greeted her politely. Her deja vu was only natural though since she had met Celia, who was under disguise at the time, when Rio took her out of Galwark Kingdom royal castle to his Rock House.

「Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Hero Satsuki-sama. I am the daughter of Claire house of Bertram kingdom, Celia Claire.」

Although Celia remembered Satsuki, she didn’t mention anything and just proceeded to introduce herself like normal. As if this was their very first meeting. After all, she couldn’t afford to mess with the situation.

「When it comes to Celia Claire, her name is famous even in our kingdom. I am glad to be able to meet her in person.」

Francois added.

「It’s my honor to be able to receive such praise from a personage such as you, Your Majesty.」

Celia bobbed her head respectfully.

「And though both Princess Christina and Princess Flora might have known of them, I shall introduce them to you now. This one is my son, Michael, and my daughter, Charlotte.」

Francois introduced his children to Celia.

「I am the first prince, Michael Galwark. I am surprised to find that the renowned sorcerer is such a cute girl.」

「I am the second princess, Charlotte Galwark. I’ve heard that your age is close to my dear brother, but you look much younger than that. It’s as if you are of the same age as me.」

Michael and Charlotte gave their greeting to Celia.

「I’m undeserving of such praise your highnesses.」

Celia felt a little embarrassed with their words, so she humbly deflected it. Before long, after the greetings are all done, they went right to the main topic of the meeting.

「First matter is about Flora’s disappearance. We’ve proof that this matter isn’t just a coincidence but in fact a man-made plan. Though I do still have my doubt whether this incident is involved with the dangerous Demi-Dragon or not, but the intruder that infiltrated the magic vessel before it crashed teleported Flora to Paladia Kingdom with an ancient magic tool that was loaded with transfer sorcery.」

Christina began narrating the summary of the situation.

「…then she was saved by Haruto, correct? But, what were you doing there?」

Francois asked Rio after he heard such an unbelievable turn of events.

「Well, I was chasing after a certain man who happened to be in that place.」

Rio replied briefly.

「The man who was chased by Lord Amakawa was the one who kidnapped Flora. His name is Lucius Orgaule. He is a former noble from a ruined noble house of our kingdom, who later on become the leader of Heavenly Lion mercenary group.」

Christina continued her explanation.

「So… The motive behind him attacking the magic vessel rode by princess Flora was a personal grudge? 」

Francois asked when he heard that Lucius was part of the nobility who had fallen from grace.

「Indeed, I can’t overlook the possibility that he might have been planning something behind the scenes considering his movements.」

「Does that plan have something to do with him sending Princess Flora to Paladia Kingdom?」

「No, according to Lord Amakawa’s statement, chances of Paladia being directly involved in this matter is low. It’s more likely that Lucius’ side offered some sort of compensation regarding Flora’s matter. In fact, the first prince of Paladia Kingdom himself withdrew as soon as Lucius was defeated.」

Christina replied, looking at Rio as she said so.

「What a complicated matter. Why were you in the Paladia kingdom and chasing after that man called Lucius, Haruto? 」

Francois asked.

「…it’s not a pleasant story. Let’s just say that there’s a personal connection between that man and me.」

Rio frankly told the general situation on his side.

「A grudge, is it? 」

「Yes」

Rio nodded without hesitation, confirming Francois’ words.

「………」

Satsuki silently gasped when she heard such a savage chronological event.

「When Flora, who was teleported, was on the verge of dying due to a poisonous spider, Lucius appeared along with the first prince of Paladia Kingdom. After which Lord Amakawa arrived. The result of the following battle was that he managed to save Flora’s life. That’s the summary of the situation.」

Christina explained.

「I see now. That meeting is truly a fortunate turn of events. Now I understand the chronological situation from Princess Flora’s disappearance till her rescue. That is another achievement for you, Haruto.」

Francois smiled pleasantly at Rio.

「I was originally chasing after Lucius after all, the matter of meeting Flora-sama at that time is a mere coincidence.」

Rio shook his head as he smiled wryly.

「As humble as ever, aren’t you.」

Francois said happily, yet it was not the case for Satsuki. In fact, she was a little conflicted inside.

「Then, may I hear the reason why you said that the man called Reis was moving behind the scene? 」

Then, Francois urged Christina to continue her story.

「First, we discovered the fact that the Proxia empire is the ring leader behind Flora’s kidnapping. Lucius Orgaule is also on Proxia empire side and he came to Paladia kingdom, their ally for this reason.」

「…. Uhm, I see now. Do you have the evidence to support your deduction? 」

Francois frowned when he heard Christina mentioned Proxia empire’s involvement in this event. He didn’t look amused by that revelation.

「Yes. On the way back to Rodania, Lord Amakawa and Flora were ambushed by someone called Reis. He introduced himself as the diplomat of Proxia empire. In addition, Flora saw him together with Lucius before they teleported her to Paladia kingdom.」

「Now that fitted nicely together with the fact that the magic vessel rode by princess Flora was attacked by a huge Demi-Dragon. Proxia empire do have airborne chivalric order which use low rank dragon, but…」

「Though i didn’t want to consider this possibility, maybe….. Proxia empire have some kind of arts to control a huge Demi-Dragon.」

「…. They might have one, huh.」

That particular speculation made Francois groaned, worried.

「There’s another, no, two others bad news.」

「What do you mean? 」

「First. There’s a high possibility that the Rubia empire is conspiring with Proxia empire behind the scenes. On the way toward Rodania, when Lord Amakawa and Flora were ambushed by Reis, the first princess of Rubia kingdom, princess Silvi, along with her knight order participated as well. And Lord Amakawa confirmed that the youth who is mixed amongst them appears to be a hero.」

By saying that out loud, Christina meant to say that they should exclude Rubia Kingdom from Restoration and Galwark Kingdom.

「…. It’s the first time I heard about that. I recall that princess Silvi attended the evening party a while ago, but…」

Francois spoke, bitterness coloring his face with the onslaught of bad news.

「The second bad news is related to that evening party.」

「Hou………..」

「Though I didn’t attend that evening party, I heard that some burglar barged into the venue on the second day. There was a rumor that the person who guided those burglars in is princess Silvi, but whether Reis and Princess Silvi is truly involved or not was unknown.」

「We can’t let this continue as it is. They might be an allied nation, but this information might cause a war if it’s leaked out. Please keep this information under wrap. For the time being, let’s probe into Rubia Kingdom’s intentions. Ah, and I offer you my gratitude for letting me know of all these informations.」

「No, I am just telling you the information that Lord Amakawa had obtained, nothing more.」

Christina emphasized Rio’s achievement in this matter.

「Uhm. I do hear that you’re quite skilled, but never expect you to be that powerful, aah, let’s just get this over with. I’ll hear the matter relating to hero-sama again later, since it seems I have to bestow another reward for you now.」

Francois smiled as he looked at Rio.

「This humble one begs for your leniency. Since this humble one doesn’t need more than what this one already has.」

Rio shook his head, trying to refuse with a wry smile.

「It will be the same even if I do not give you any reward, is it? Despite achieving so much, the only thing I’ve rewarded you with was with leniency that you asked. However, this time you’ve achieved another worthy accomplishment, yet, you still refuse your well-deserved reward. Is he troubling you with the same matter, Princess Christina? 」

Francois stifled his frustration as he asked Christina that question.

「Yes. He basically refused his reward. Though I did give him a mansion in Rodania, but that’s all I gave.」

Christina replied with a smile.

「Hou. He has a mansion there, is it? 」

Francois seemed to be interested in hearing about Rio’s mansion.

「Yes. But, since I am not living in Rodania, the mansion is usually rented to Celia who lives there. I myself only use that mansion when I visit Rodania.」

Rio said as he looked at Celia. Meanwhile, Celia blushed in embarrassment at Rio’s words.

「To…. Her. Does she have some sort of relationship with you? 」

Listening to Rio’s words, Francois perked his ears up, showing a blatant interest in Rio and Celia’s relationship. [ED: A…gossipy king I see…][TL : Suush, HE CAN HEAR YOU!]

「If I have to say it…she’s my benefactor. She has always been the closest person to me since before I received my honorary knight title.」

「Uhm, I see…」

At Rio’s admission, Francois furtively looked at Satsuki’s worried look. Despite that, he still gave an appropriate reply to Rio’s words.

「Well then, I shall prepare your residence close to the royal castle then. You shall take that as the reward for this recent exploit of yours. It’s just right since I happen to have too many of those.」

Francois then lightly told him that.

「……EH？ 」

Rio, who wasn’t prepared for that, felt surprised.

「It’s more convenient that way. Satsuki-dono is also bored since she is always staying in the royal castle. But if it’s just to visit a mansion that belonged to her dear friend, that should be allowed. Besides, I don’t think she’ll disturb you, no?」

Francois said as he brought out a weapon called Satsuki into the conversation to get him to acquiesce. It was not only her who was surprised with the sudden change of the conversation. So was Rio.

「But…Satsuki-sama is still a young woman after all. Won’t that affect her reputation if others know that she is visiting a young man’s mansion? 」

Rio said, glancing at Satsuki’s expression.

「Then I guess it’s just right if she comes along with Charlotte. And Maybe Liselotte too in case you’re in the Royal Capital. Right」

Francois threw the baton to Liselotte and Charlotte.

「Well, it’ll be my honor. 」

Charlotte agreed as she smiled at her father.

「… If I’m not a bother, it’ll be my honor too.」

Although Liselotte’s role was that of a mere listener in that room, she still nodded happily when the topic moved to Rio.

「Muu…….」

Celia looked at Rio’s profile with a complex expression. Meanwhile, the first prince, Michael, seemed to be pouting for some reason. However, he clenched his teeth, not wanting to interrupt his father, the king’s plan.

「It’s decided then. We’ll show you to your mansion during these few days while you’re staying in this place. After that, if it’s fine with you, you may take Satsuki along with you for a tour. It may serves as a good change of pace for her.」

Francois thus concluded the conversation, not allowing for any possible rejection to be voiced out further.

「…… Thank you very much」

Satsuki glanced at Rio before she turned and spoke a brief word of gratitude to Francois.

「Well then, let’s continue the story. I want to hear a little bit more details about the situation.」

「Understood」

Francois chuckled, as if feeling amused by the situation he caused. Then he steered the flow of conversation back to the original topic. The conversation continued on for almost one hour before it ended, and during that hour, they managed to share the detailed information regarding the situation as much as possible.

「Well then, I guess it’s about time for Michael and I to leave. We have to continue our duty. I’ll leave the rest to you, Charlotte.」

Only after he felt that he had heard enough did Francois stand from his seat, preparing to leave the room.

「Leave it to me, dear father.」

Charlotte replied with a sweet smile blooming on her face.

「Yeah, I’ll leave it to you then. Let’s get going, Michael.」

「Yes, father.」

After that, Francois left the room, followed by Michael, leaving Rio, Celia, Satsuki, Liselotte, Flora, and Charlotte behind in that room. It was a line up composed of a single young man and high ranking royalties and nobilities, who happened to be young women as well. Thereupon――、

「Well then, since today’s weather is nice too, shall we have an outdoor tea party with everyone here. I’ll show you the way.」

Charlotte suggested while looking at the people in the room. And as expected, Rio’s participation had been decided without his say so, making him an extremely rare exception in a tea party that usually was exclusively attended by women and young ladies only.

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