Chapter 125: The Visitors’ Return
After that, I got permission from Pops and went to visit Shen-kun’s room with Ignat.
“Your Highness, thank you very much indeed for your kind intervention this time.”
As he stood up and bowed his head, I replied that I hadn’t really done anything, and Ignat and I sat down at the facing platform.
“More importantly than that, Shen-kun, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“H-huh. What is it…?”
As he tilted his head, I brought up the topic of the epidemic, and Ignat took over explaining partway through.
“Wh-what!? It has spread to thousands of people even back home!?”
Judging from the way he spoke, it seemed the Strange Disease had already been spreading before his departure.
“Yes. Thanks to Prince Rui’s consideration, Kai and I were able to take action, so we managed to implement some countermeasures, but the situation is still precarious.”
“Apparently, it was because some nobles from another territory forced their way in. Kai supposedly worked hard to completely block them.”
He covered his mouth, his expression grave and frozen, but after a few seconds, he let out a light sigh, regained his composure, and spoke.
“I am always indebted to Your Highness. Once things have settled down, please allow me to express my gratitude.”
“No, there’s no need for thanks. I just helped out because a comrade was in trouble. More importantly, what will you do? Shall we escort you when we return to our village?”
When I told him we could get there in a day if we went by air, his expression twisted in frustration.
“Th-that’s a very tempting offer, but if I don’t pass through the checkpoint, it will arouse suspicion later…”
So, saying he wanted to go with us but couldn’t, he looked frustrated.
Then, when I asked if it was alright that we were taking in and treating the people who were supposed to be executed, Shen-kun’s eyes widened.
“I heard it was an incurable disease, but is there already a cure…?” he asked.
After I explained the circumstances and he understood, he pleaded if I could somehow spare that Magic Tool for them.
“Sorry. I can’t just hand over something that could potentially be used as a weapon in war. If you contact me, I can secretly provide treatment, though…”
“Th-that’s right. There’s no way you could hand it over under the current circumstances. I apologize for asking for the impossible. But, just having you undertake the treatment is greatly appreciated.”
After that, we spent some time with Ignat recounting how he’d made the princess of Lestall fall for him and then made her cry.
“Ah, Brother… charming people indiscriminately again like that…”
“No, it’s not like I charmed her, you know? It just so happened that I had to go under circumstances where that could occur.”
“I was really sorry about that. I didn’t think it would get to that point…”
When I bowed my head, he smiled and said, “Your Highness properly took care of the aftermath, so please don’t worry about it.”
Oooh. He’s a really good guy.
I should definitely stop using him like this.
“Well then, shall we visit the princess one more time before heading back…”
“Yes, that’s right. It wouldn’t be acceptable for Your Highness not to meet her again at this point.”
So, while saying “See you later” to Shen-kun, we left and had another meeting arranged with the princesses.
This time, bringing Ignat along as well, I went with a heavy heart, intending to refuse them clearly and directly. Well, I did refuse them clearly last time too, though.
Then, I met up with Yuri, and as we waited for their arrival in the drawing-room, a knock soon echoed.
A maid announced their arrival, and four girls entered.
Immediately after, Riana-san stepped forward, her eyes swollen from crying, staring at me.
“Rui-san… no, Your Highness, Crown Prince Rui, I am truly sorry for what happened this time. I humbly apologize for my rudeness the other day.”
I had braced myself for what she might say, but unexpectedly, they were words of apology.
Riana-san bowed her head deeply, her splendid ‘ojou-sama drill’ curls hanging down.
“No, well, Riana-san, you didn’t particularly say anything, did you? If you could apologize to him, who was the most troubled by this, then…”
“Yes… Lord Shuperu, I apologize for the trouble I caused you.”
“No, not at all. Please forgive me for not being able to accept.”
Riana-san pouted even while looking down.
Yukina-san showed a genuinely relieved expression watching the exchange.
“Well, it’s not good to keep standing and talking,” I said, guiding the four of them to their seats, and we sat at the platform again.
That was all well and good, but…
“I will not apologize. More importantly than that, I will have Lord Shuperu transferred to our side.”
“Princess!? Did I not tell you not to adopt such an attitude? Do you intend to directly shatter His Majesty’s intentions!?”
The maid was staring at Princess Lena with a ‘What on earth is this child doing?’ expression.
…Ah, so this one hasn’t given up, huh.
Well, yeah. I came prepared to hear this.
“I believe I already told you that I refuse. Whatever you say here won’t change anything. If that’s all you have to talk about, why don’t you return to the Castle and discuss it there?”
That’s right. The conclusion I reached was to leave it to my parents.
“Are you sure about that? If you send me back now, I will report that I was treated rudely.”
“Yes, if that’s the only way, then it can’t be helped. I cannot hand over a precious comrade to someone who would ignore his feelings, so I have no choice but to refuse.”
Honestly, it’s not ideal, but my relationship with His Majesty and Prince Riley is good. We haven’t done anything that would cause problems, so I clearly replied that such threats wouldn’t work.
“You say I am ignoring Lord Shuperu’s feelings?”
“Hey, don’t respond with a question there. He already said he has a wife and can’t love anyone else, right? You’re already ignoring his feelings, aren’t you?”
Perhaps because she couldn’t retort, she fell silent, Princess Lena staring at me with a sullen face.
At that, Riana-san, who had let out a sigh, spoke.
“This is as far as it goes, isn’t it? Rui-san, I’m truly sorry. We will take our leave now.”
“Riana-sama!? But, if things continue like this…”
“Yes, the Princess and I will likely be scolded. But you all will be fine. I will report the facts as they are.”
“Taking any more time will only make things worse,” she told the maid and Yukina-san.
And then, she turned to face the Princess.
“Princess, do you understand the current situation? This is another country. An allied nation of equal standing. That means it is a country with equal power. Personal selfishness, even from a Princess like yourself, cannot be used to exert pressure here.”
“‘Equal standing, you say…?'” the Princess shot Riana-san a look filled with displeasure.
The one who responded to that was not her, but the Royal Guard escort.
“Please forgive my rudeness for speaking out of turn here. Lady Riana’s words are true. As I mentioned earlier, if you return like this, you will undoubtedly receive a severe reprimand.”
Normally, it’s forbidden for maids or guards to speak up in such situations. For even a stern-looking Royal Guardsman to speak up, her behavior must be quite problematic.
“Everyone is ganging up to threaten me like this. If you think I’ll break from such bluffs, you’re sorely mistaken.”
“Mmh. If even this doesn’t make you reconsider, then it is indeed time to withdraw…”
Saying that, he turned to us, apologized for the discourtesy, and bowed his head.
“Um, so, can we consider this meeting adjourned? Ah, and please tell His Majesty that, personally, I’m not bothered by this incident.”
Yeah. With this, they probably won’t ask to meet again, so I don’t intend to demand an apology or anything. The rest depends on Pops’ and the others’ discussions.
There were various irregularities, but I was relieved that I could finally return to my normal life. I saw them off as they left the room and reported this to Pops.
“I see. If the young lady of the Marquis Randall Family is like that, it seems there’s no worry of things getting complicated. However, Rui, don’t use the same trick again, okay?”
“Yeah. I’ve learned my lesson. I feel bad for what I put Ignat through too.”
“I also reflected on my actions. If something similar happens next time, I will take action…”
After that, the conversation shifted to the future of the village, and we ironed out various details.
First of all, it was about whether it was okay to issue Hunter IDs to the Imperial citizens.
If we don’t let them enter the Dungeons, the village’s supplies will stagnate. However, giving them Hunter IDs that are valid outside also leaves some concerns.
As a result of the discussion,
So, I requested that if he was going to send personnel, I wanted guards for the Tunnel, as that would be difficult for Rose and the others to handle.
Indeed, it would be problematic if the Tunnel security wasn’t thoroughly managed by reliable people.
When I conveyed that, Pops also said, “That’s right. I’ll have personnel prepared immediately.”
And so, although there were some hitches from the meeting with the princess to the Armistice Mediation, we somehow finished and left Belfast Castle.
“Come to think of it, Rui, isn’t the Abyss spawning already?”
“Ah, it’s about time it wouldn’t be strange if it was spawning.
This time Ignat is here too, so shall we try going a bit more aggressively?”
When I asked him if that was okay, he was also keen, saying, “That sounds interesting,” so the three of us decided to go.
And so we came to check, but it hadn’t spawned yet.
“Oh dear, and we came all this way…”
“Since we’re here anyway, shall we try going down?”
Certainly, in terms of speed, if we use movement magic, we would probably be faster…
But, skip nine Floors from that Floor?
No, wait… There’s no need to go out of our way to fight on the front lines in a brand new place, right?
If the Laser Gun doesn’t work, then the Railgun.
If that doesn’t work, and we make full use of movement magic to retreat, I suppose we can just barely make a rough plan.
And so, after a detailed discussion, we made the decision to try going down from the Treasure Chest Floor.