QualiA – Chapter 11: Oya? Trouble has arrived ④

TLN: Hey guys, Reigokai here.

Thought this chapter wasn’t enough of a meal, so double chapter! Enjoy!

P.S: Loved the comments of last chapter. It was delicious~.

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At the place where I turned to, what was unfolding was a…farce? A comedy? That kind of third-rate play intimidation.

“Y-You were the one that suddenly bumped onto me.”

“What did you say?! You…do you know who I am?!”

“No way I would. This is our first time meeting.”

That response made me want to laugh out loud, but this is actually a bad development.

The people serving as the center of this conflict are the hero Kusuhara and a man in his mid-twenties.

His body is beautifully decorated, but he is oozing small-fry aura. His face is also below average, and he is short. The type that looks as if he doesn’t have much contact with women. Well, since he looks like a noble, he probably has a fiance, but I pity that fiance. Marrying this guy is just too much.

From what I have heard until now, it sounds as if the man bumped onto Kusuhara, but the man doesn’t want to admit it, and he is in the middle of acting as the victim.

That’s pathetic.

“Miki.”

“Ah…Yuichi.” (Miki)

And at that moment, the Hero-sama appears.

The other two heroes who were at the side of Kusuhara were also glaring at the man in a displeased manner and are currently in a stalemate.

Give me a break here, seriously.

“Heroes can’t even apologize?”

“As I have been saying—” (Miki)

Miki wanted to talk back, but Yuichi stopped her and he slowly lowered his head.

“I am truly sorry.” (Yuichi)

“Yuichi.” (Miki)

Of course, Miki was angry at that response, but Yuichi didn’t raise his head.

Yuichi’s decision is correct. Even if they are heroes, causing a ruckus here would be bad in terms of impressions. Can’t believe this is the same guy that was completely pale and staggering a week ago, but that’s probably the real him.

My my, how dazzling~.

“Hmph…Looks like there’s also heroes that can read the mood, but from what I see, aren’t you all children? Can these heroes really defeat the Demon Lord?”

Maybe seeing that look of Yuichi had bettered his mood, the man said whatever he pleased.

Oho, he brought out the dissing.

Is he dissing them knowing full well the objective of why the people here have been gathered for? Or maybe he is the kind of noble that gets drunk and brings trouble with their heightened ego?

Well, whichever the case, the fate of the man has been sealed.

“Is this how you think? Or is it the consensus of the Yoshrant household?”

“What…did you…say?”

If a ruckus like this is created, of course that person will appear.

Showing a terrifying smile, the Queen of the Motoyasu Kingdom, Caril Dilba Motoyasu, was completely opposite of her usual self, showing a threatening atmosphere as she elegantly approached him.

“I will ask once again, Eburd.” (Caril)

It was by no means a loud volume, and yet, her dignified voice resonated in this dance hall.

Her voice sounded like that of a female teacher that would make me reflexively straighten my back. I glance at the Queen, and then, direct my gaze at the man that made this ruckus, Eburd.

Eburd was surprised at first by the entrance of the Queen, but his somewhat calm demeanor made me feel like something is strange.

This guy, could it be…

“I am sorry. Alcohol entered my system and I ended up getting a bit too riled up.”

“I see. But the apology shouldn’t be directed at me, rather, it should be towards the Hero-samas.” (Caril)

“Ah, right.”

Raising his voice in an exaggerated way, Eburd faces the heroes.

“Hero-samas, I am truly sorry.”

Giving his apology, Eburd lowers his head which the heroes got flustered about as they accept the apology.

“By the way, Ohi-sama…”

“What is it?” (Caril)

If things were to end here, it would be nice and all, but the curtains are not closing.

“I heard that there’s someone who got caught in the hero summoning. Is that person really okay?”

“I don’t know what is it you are worried about, but there’s no problems at all with his personality.” (Caril)

“Is that so…But I think the people here won’t be able to feel relieved with just those words. It may still be hiding its true self. There’s the chance it may have a face that Ohi-sama doesn’t know of.”

He did have a point, so the Queen couldn’t say anything back.

“Also, a number of people are suspecting whether he is actually an ‘Abnormal Monster’, so if that really were the case, the citizens would be hurt.”

The Queen looked annoyingly at the smiling Eburd.

‘Abnormal Monster’.

Those words echoed in the area in the blink of an eye, and the people began to say whatever they wanted. There were even some people who had taken those words of Eburd and began to heckle, leading the situation into an uncontrollable direction. Once it reaches that point, no one will be able to stop it. Even the Queen wouldn’t be able to forcefully push a view on them since this would create antipathy, and that would worsen my standing.

What an underhanded move.

I don’t know who was the mastermind behind this, but I send my compliments to that someone.

“I don’t think those rumors are worth believing, but that won’t convince you… Is that what you are saying?” (Caril)

“No, I am simply…or more like, all the people here wouldn’t be convinced. Because no one has seen proof that this person is safe.”

In terms of this, Eburd has the advantage.

It wouldn’t be a good idea to create doubts in the nobles here and turn them into enemies. There’s only one card that can be played here.

“Then, what is it that must be done to convince you?” (Caril)

“I don’t think ‘he’ would answer us truthfully even if we were to ask him, so how about doing this?”

What Eburd proposed had strangely resonated in the dance hall that was currently in a ruckus, and everyone opened their eyes wide at the contents of it.

Of course, I as the person in question also held my head at the classic development. Obviously, in the sense that it is a pain.

　　 ☆☆ ★★★ ☆☆

Commotion spread in the dance hall, and there were even angry roars within the tumult.

Holding in a smile at this development that went beyond well to what he was expecting, the Prime Minister -Erac- walks over with calm steps.

“Ohi-sama.” (Erac)

“…What is it?” (Caril)

Without hiding how annoyed she is, she looks at Erac who approached her.

“There’s no other way to convince the people here aside from the proposal of Eburd.” (Erac)

“……”

“Right now, the talk of Kamiuchi-dono is limited to inside the royal castle, but there’s no way of knowing when rumors can leak out. If the existence of Kamiuchi-dono comes to light, there’s the chance the citizens will connect it with the ‘Abnormal Monster’. Rumors spread faster than one can think, so I think there’s the need to show the people here, at the very least, that Kamiuchi-dono is not someone dangerous.” (Erac)

The Queen knew this plenty well. By poking this part and prompting action, Erac was tightening the noose.

“Leave it at that, Porcelain head.”

But there was one person who interposed with an arrogant tone.

“…Ka-Kamiuchi-dono. By Porcelain head, are you talking about me?” (Erac)

“If there’s anyone as bald as you here, bring that person over. Also, there’s a mirror over there, so you can look at your own head.” (Makoto)

He had anger welling up in him, but he somehow managed to keep it in, however, hearing the laughter that was mixed in the commotion, Erac felt as if his guts were turning.

He didn’t show that outside and tried to continue the conversation, but he was once again hit before he could.

“Isn’t it fine if I just accept?” (Makoto)

“That’s-That’s right, but…is that okay? Kamiuchi-dono is—” (Erac)

“No problem.” (Makoto)

The young man showed a small smile in a light manner.

“I accept this duel.” (Makoto)

And answered with a light mood.

“Is that really okay? The opponent will be one that has quite the ability within the knight division, you know?” (Erac)

“Oh? Old man, are you worrying about me?” (Makoto)

Eburd’s proposal was to have a one-on-one against a knight of the knight division. Moreover, it is someone who is just below in ability to a lieutenant. Even if it is a knight, the opponent is strong enough that people wouldn’t think of wanting to challenge them.

Erac saw the daring smile in his face and trembled at the chills running his back for an instant.

‘Is this guy really just a normal person?”, is the question that surfaced in Erac. Bold and strong spirited. His unchanging attitude made Erac feel something ominous.

But he kicked away that sudden thought of his, and laughs at that stupid thought. But the trembling of his body didn’t stop.

Why is he the one trembling? Without knowing the reason for it, Erac wiped his cold sweat and maintained his smile.

“So, when will it be? I don’t really mind if it is right now. It would serve as entertainment for this boring banquet, wouldn’t it?” (Makoto)

“R-Right away wouldn’t be possible. We will be notifying you of the scheduled time later.” (Erac)

“Fine. Then, I will be returning to my room. Is that okay?” (Makoto)

After receiving the agreement of the Queen, the young man left the dance hall, and Erac saw off that back of his and was being assaulted by the doubts of if he had really poked the tail of an ‘Abnormal Monster’, and for a while, he just stood in place.

　　 ☆☆ ☆☆ ★ ☆☆ ☆☆  

I wanted to live peacefully, and yet, I sticked my head into trouble on my own.

But if I were to avoid that, they would simply play their next card, so it is better to deal with it as soon as possible. Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that it is a pain to the extreme.

Maybe I should create a ‘Dummy Doll’.

Just as the name states, it is a doll that serves as one’s substitute. It can move under the programmed parameters, but they don’t have a face, so it is easy to catch that it is a doll. It is more like a joke item that serves to scare someone in the darkness after all.

“Makoto-kun, what do you plan on doing?”

“Hm~, what should I do?” (Makoto)

I half-heartedly answer the question of the Queen and go back to pondering.

Just a few minutes after I returned to my room, Niva-san appeared and was kidnapped to the room of the queen just like that.

“Are you planning on accepting the duel…and crushing this country?” (Caril)

“Why did you jump to that conclusion?” (Makoto)

The Queen asks me in a joking manner and I answer with a bothersome face, and then, the eyes of the Queen looked at me directly.

“I seriously won’t do such a troublesome thing.” (Makoto)

“So you are not saying ‘I can’t’, huh.” (Caril)

Ah, right. Oops.

But with this level of military force…I wouldn’t say it is not possible. Even if they did have a little bit more military force, it still wouldn’t be a problem.

“So, seriously, what do you plan on doing?” (Caril)

“Seriously, what should I do?” (Makoto)

There’s a lot of things I gotta do, so I would like to avoid leaving the capital. But well, even if I were to leave, I still have many ways to return, however, if they do catch me using those ways, it would be a big problem.

“…Run away?” (Makoto)

I could go to another country for the time being.

“No, that option’s out.” (Caril)

“That’s right. Running from battle is pathetic, Makoto-sama.” (Niva)

The Queen and Niva-san hit me with a double retort, and I respond with a dry smile.

“Honestly speaking, winning the duel is out of question, and that’s what’s a pain.” (Makoto)

“True…” (Caril)

The Queen agrees and Niva-san also nods in agreement.

“If I were to win, they would label me an ‘Abnormal Monster’, and if I were to lose, they could point out that this is a defect of the hero summoning… Truly troublesome~.” (Makoto)

Three sighs fill the room.

Even so, the attitude of the bald geezer and the talk about the duel must mean that those two hoodlum knights still haven’t said anything. Yup yup, I am impressed.

“For now, losing won’t bring harm to Makoto-kun.” (Caril)

“Is that okay?” (Makoto)

“No problem…is what I want to say, but I can’t find a better option.” (Caril)

The Queen groans with a sullen expression, and expresses what she feels.

“In reality, the magic circle of the hero summoning is a secret technique that’s only passed to the king.” (Caril)

“Is it like inheriting?” (Makoto)

“Yeah. The previous king used ‘Memory Console’ to have the enthroning king inherit it, so there’s not even records of it.” (Caril)

Must be. It is even called a national secret after all. It is obvious that they would be supervising this strictly, but using a magic tool to inherit the memories was unexpected.

“In that case, what happens if the king dies before the next king is crowned?” (Makoto)

“In those cases, there’s a backup within the Memory Console, so that’s what’s used.” (Caril)

“Wouldn’t others without the inheritance rights be able to inherit it with that method?” (Makoto)

“It is fine. There’s the need for a ‘key’ to enter the place where the Memory Console is, so only the royal family is allowed.” (Caril)

I see. I don’t know what this ‘key’ is, but it is probably not something that can be easily obtained.

“In other words, there’s no one who knows the details of the hero summoning circle aside from the king?” (Makoto)

“…Yeah. That’s why, when someone pokes at a ‘defect’, it honestly hurts. Because there’s a limit to how much I can answer to that after all.” (Caril)

What a problematic thing.

“Is there other people who know about this memory inheriting ceremony?” (Makoto)

“The only ones who know about this are the king and his children. Also…” (Caril)

“Also…?” (Makoto)

“No, it is nothing. There’s no other people… Even if it is a child of mine that has the enthronement rights, it can’t be told to them until the moment they are crowned, that’s the rule.” (Caril)

What she was about to say bothered me. The reason why the king was poisoned…no, right now the reason doesn’t matter.

It doesn’t change the fact that this country is being targeted.

“This may be a bit late in asking, but is it really okay to tell me all this?” (Makoto)

“We have dragged you into our circumstances, so this is the least we can do. Don’t mind it… Also, I think you yourself are quite impressive for not changing the color of your face a single bit after hearing something like this, Makoto-kun.” (Caril)

“True that.” (Makoto)

“Ara, so you admit it.” (Caril)

As if you are actually surprised. But well, our priorities have been settled.

“Looks like we will have to perk up His Majesty soon.” (Makoto)

“We are currently using all the forces possible to find the Loroad virus. Makoto-kun…” (Caril)

Even when she was acting stout-hearted, her eyes were thick with unrest.

“I am sorry for the burden…” (Caril)

She really loves him.

The pain of her heart was seeping into her face, and that sight of her biting her lips in desperation was so painful I couldn’t stand looking.

“I get it… I won’t let him die.” (Makoto)

Once I accept a job, I will do everything in my power to achieve it. That’s why I won’t show mercy to anyone that gets in my way.

I will have them regret the fact that they tried to.

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