Chapter 370: Crime of Overthrowing the State
“Crime of Overthrowing the State!?”
“Buha!”
Amidst the shouts of the three, Ivan’s laughter echoed from behind. It seemed that the accusation of the crime of overthrowing the state had somehow boomeranged back to the very ones who had cast it.
“Ahaha!”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
“Th-that’s impossible!?”
“Isn’t he just an Adventurer!?”
“Isn’t there any punishment for that guy who attacked the castle!?”
The three of them continued to voice their complaints, but the king furrowed his brow at the last remark.
“I cannot say there is none.”
Reluctantly, he responded, and the chief’s demeanor grew bolder, as if to say, “I told you so.” It seemed he had given up on maintaining decorum in front of the king.
“Then, if that is the case, capture that S Rank Adventurer standing there.”
“Haha, if you want to try, I’m more than willing to oblige.”
With the king’s challenge, I took a step forward, exuding a hint of intimidation. However, the three were not the type to charge at me; they merely let out short, frightened gasps and stepped back.
“I apologize, Lord Shu, but could you please tone down the intimidation…?”
“Oh, my bad.”
With the three of them still trembling, the conversation was going nowhere, which was not my intention.
“How can we control an individual that even the nation cannot manage!?”
The chief’s anguished cry echoed, but it sounded rather pathetic.
“However, it is thanks to him that the Stampede in the Forest of Enchantment was resolved with minimal damage.”
“““!?”””
“Understand this. An S Rank Adventurer is a being of that caliber. You three dared to meddle with such a person? Did you wish to bring ruin upon this nation?”
“N-no, we would never wish for such a thing!”
“We had no idea an S Rank was so formidable!”
“…!?”
“Hmph. Enough. In any case, it is too late. Just look at the current situation. This nation has already been brought to its knees.”
The king surveyed us and the TYPE Series before returning his gaze to the three in the center. They, too, glanced at us, their faces turning from pale to ghostly white, twisted in fear.
“Nation Crusher…”
I heard someone mutter softly. It was true that we hadn’t intended to storm the castle with such a goal in mind, but the outcome had indeed led us here. Not that I cared much for the nation itself.
“I shall confiscate all your property and lands, and strip you of your titles. You need not worry about execution until further crimes are revealed.”
At the king’s declaration, the three slumped to the ground, utterly defeated. With the king’s next command of “Take them away,” the knights moved, and the Audience Chamber was soon devoid of those three.
“Fuh… Now, onto the next matter.”
The king let out a deep sigh, shifting his gaze to the nobles who had been forced to kneel on the ground opposite us. I decided to release them from the TYPE Series, curious to see their reactions.
“Well then…”
To be honest, I didn’t care much for those people. If the nation wanted to deal with them, that was fine by me. If they understood the terror of provoking an S Rank Adventurer, I would even be okay with them being set free. But whether that message had truly gotten through would depend on their reactions.
“Eeek!”
Perhaps it was because they had just witnessed the judgment of the three, but not a single complaint escaped their lips. I couldn’t tell what they were thinking internally, but as long as they didn’t cause us any trouble in the future, that was all that mattered.
“Hmm, to be honest, I’m starting to find this a bit tedious, so if you could just handle it over there, that would be great.”
“I-I see… Then I shall allow it.”
After giving instructions to the knights, the king took a deep breath as the nobles were led out of the Audience Chamber.
“Alright, is that everything settled now?”
I finally felt a sense of closure.
“Probably?”
“Finally.”
Rio tilted her head in confusion, but I was fairly certain there was nothing left. Ivan seemed to have calmed down at last, his expression relaxed. Phonia, on the other hand… was asleep. She might just be the most formidable of us all.
“Lord Shu. Would you mind waiting a moment longer?”
Just as we were about to leave, the king called out to us.
“…Is there still something?”
I turned back, thinking that if he was going to demand compensation for the damage to the castle, I wouldn’t entertain it. The king, however, waved his hands in a flustered manner.
“That is not it. I still owe you an apology for the trouble caused by the nation, as well as a reward for repelling the Stampede.”
“Eh, uh, hmm…”
I was already feeling satisfied, and my desire to avoid further complications was strong. The Stampede had been a request from the Adventurer’s Guild, so I didn’t think the nation had much to do with it.
“I know it may seem bothersome, but I simply wish to resolve this incident properly. I want to avoid any future grievances between us… So whether it be punishment or reward, I want to eliminate any reasons for you to contact us again.”
“Haha, how straightforward.”
His candid confession was refreshing, and I didn’t mind it at all. I just hoped he wouldn’t try to impose something I didn’t want, but I felt confident that this king wouldn’t engage in actions that would merely accumulate our grievances.
“Is it still going on…?”
I heard Ivan’s exasperated voice, but we were almost done. Probably.
“Just so you know, I have no intention of paying for the repairs to the castle.”
“I understand that.”
And with another deep sigh, the king resigned himself to the situation.