Book 3: Chapter 39
Book 3: Chapter 39
The light source from the chandelier, studded with colorful crystals hanging from the ceiling, seemed like a similar mechanism to a magic lamp. The walls were also fitted with a number of similar but smaller lights, so the whole room was too dazzling, enough to require sunglasses.
Rather, all the Lev people, donning expensive-looking kimonos, sat in rows on the left and right were actually wearing sunglasses.
「Go forward quickly.」
A man, who seemed to be a civil official, standing next to the door said to me.
…Ah, this is that kind of thing. To demonstrate with extravagance who is superior the moment you walk in.
Non-san seemed to have difficulty walking due to glare, so I secretly activated【Dark Magic】.
「!」
The light should be easier on Non-san’s eyes now.【Dark Magic】has a spell that darkens the other party’s field of vision and makes it difficult to see.
It can also be used as a sunscreen because it is a magic that lowers the amount of light that touches the body, rather than narrowing the pupil.
「Hey, quickly go forwar–」
The official became speechless as Non-san and I walked forward smoothly without a hitch.
To show off that I have no problem even without sunglasses, I led Non-san by the hand while puffing my chest.
The crimson carpet laid on the black floor silenced our footsteps.
Several elevated steps lay ahead of us and a steel chair with a cushion made of monster leather placed at the top.
The person sitting on it was most likely the highest authority of this country, the Emperor.
…I get the feeling he is not a very straightforward man.
The old Lev man, wearing sunglasses and resting his chin on his hand on the elbow rest, gazed at us as if he were looking at something amusing. Many of the Levs looking at us looked not all too amused as we were unbothered by the brightness, but the Emperor was different.
Ah!
I noticed a woman sitting behind the Emperor on the right.
Her Highness Anastasia.
Wow! What is that dress! Woven with shiny silver threads and a pale, tender pink colorーlike “crested ibis pink”; the word itself probably doesn’t exist in this world.
The tiara on her head was intricately designed, delicate enough to even break when dropped from her head.
And she still had a scarf wrapped around her neck as usual.
When I previously saw Her Highness Anastasia, I was already quite astonished by her beautiful looks, but now, with crimson lipstick applied on her thin lips, she was devilishly beautiful. The kind which bewitches men.
Unfortunately, it’s so dazzling here that even she has to wear sunglasses, which reduced Her Highness’ charm to about 80%. Who chose those sunglasses? Was it General Douglas MacArthur?!
「…………」
Her Highness’ expression brightened when she caught my gaze, and slightly waved her hand on her lap. Oh man, so cute. I mean, was she always such a friendly person?
「Stop there.」
A Lev woman standing between the Emperor and us—a secretary-like person wearing finer clothes than the official earlier—said, so Non-san and I stopped.
We knelt on the spot and bowed our heads.
「Raise your heads.」
A hoarse voice was heard—that was the Emperor’s real voice.
My gaze met the Emperor’s.
Now begins the negotiation.
「It looks like you’ve captured the Labyrinth of Fear.」the Emperor said.
I glanced at the secretary, seeking permission to speak, and she nodded very slightly, almost couldn’t even tell if she even moved.
「Yes, as stated.」I said.
I wanted to make my voice sound deep, but I was unsuccessful. I guess 14-year-olds can only sound like 14-year-olds, after all.
「The Empire will now requisition the labyrinth. Instead, I’ll compensate you with enough rewards.」
「Thank you very much.」
「That’s all for today.」
The Emperor waved his palm, as if saying “go home”.
「With all due respect, I would like to verify one thing. Will the Labyrinth Capture Division 4 be rewarded?」
The Lev people stirred at my question.
I obviously didn’t come all the way here for that short audience. All these important people may have time to spare, but adventurers are in a business where we will lose a day’s worth of money if we don’t work for a day. I will definitely fulfill my purpose for coming to this place.
The stir among the Lev people was “confusion”. Why do adventurers(not to mention, humans) care about the Labyrinth Capture Division?
「That kind of matter should be decided by our Empire! You adventurers should know your place!」
The secretary yelled hysterically.
「Enough.」
The Emperor whose palm waved to “go home” earlier, showed to “wait” this time.
「Why do you care about that?」he asked.
「Our labyrinth capture was possible due to the assistance of the Labyrinth Capture Division 4. I think it is too arrogant a behaviour to monopolize the honor of the capture.」
「I haven’t received such a report, though.」
The Emperor turned his gaze to a man a distance away, who shook his head sideways in a hurry. So that’s the bureau director, huh. Doesn’t seem like a very reliable guy.
「If so, we will look into it from our side and send notice afterwards.」
「—Because we were indebted to Division 4, we set out and managed to recover the bag used by a missing contact from Division 4 who was caught in a death trap. There may also be a report in the bag about making contact with us.」
The stir became even louder.
Did you check that bag properly? You didn’t just throw it away in some room to collect dust, did you? ー Is what I’m implying.
「…………」
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed. It’s unclear what he’s thinking.
「We have investigated the bag. Call Abba.」
Then, Abba, who had been waiting on the other side of the audience room, was brought here. Abba, experiencing withdrawal symptoms from the lack of syrup, blinking incessantly and grabbing and releasing the hem of his clothes repeatedly, walked towards us, with a face asking “What is going on?”.
Eh? It was Abba who conducted the investigation?
Isn’t that bad news? This person obviously doesn’t seem to have any intention of getting along with us!
「Abba, you have already investigated the contents of the bag of Division 4, yes?」
「Huh? Ah, y-yes! The investigation has been completed.」
「Disclose the report here.」
「Yes, sir.」
Abba had a face which seemed to say “Can I really say it here?”, but the Emperor glared at him as if saying hurry it up.
He wouldn’t dare lie in this place, right? …Is this going to be okay? If he says something unfavourable towards Lulusha-san here, it would be irreversible.
I may have messed up.
It wasn’t necessary to draw it out to the point of hearing the testimony.
If I had requested Her Highness Anastasia later——.
「I shall now report on the details of the investigation. ーWe found out that the capture was not progressing favourably and they also sought reinforcements due to lacking supplies. Also, they stated dissatisfaction towards the headquarters for not replying even though they sent out contacts every several days.」
O-Oh?
Abba-san. You carried out the investigation properly? I was convinced that you were a creepy sugar addict spy who was working for the Rororo Company! I’m so sorry!
Hearing the report, the unreliable-looking Lev man whom the Emperor glanced at earlier–
「N-No reply from the headquarters!? I didn’t receive any contact in the first place!」
「Director. I know that.」
As the Emperor said so, the unreliable-looking manーthe director of the Labyrinth Administration Bureau closed his trembling mouth.
「The contact died after being caught in a death trap, so it would be unavoidable if you think that they ceased making contact. The chief of the Labyrinth Capture Division 4 was faithful to her mission, but the director who misunderstood her as ceasing to make contact also cannot be blamedーisn’t that right, Reiji of Silver Balance?」
「!」
My body stiffened despite myself to learn that the Emperor even knew my name. With a meaningful grin, the Emperor declared–
「Lulusha’s matter will be settled today. Her position as the chief of Division 4 will be restored and she will continue to work as before. This is my decision.」
As it was none other than the Emperor himself who declared, the Lev people sat in rows cheered “Ooh!”
H-Huh?
This matter is now…settled?
Seriously? Just like that?
As I directed my gaze at Non-san, she responded with a smile and nodded.
「………!」
On top of the steps, Her Highness Anastasia looked as if she was surprised by the outcome. Then she looked at me and smiled with an about-to-cry happy face. Damn, if she wasn’t wearing those sunglasses, I might have actually fallen.
「By the way, Reiji…」
The Emperor called out as I was wondering if everything was now solved.
「The hero who saved the Kruvan Holy Kingdom from a national crisis has captured a labyrinth in our country. What is it that you are planning?」
Those few words caused my body to freeze up, like feeling the cold of a winter night.