Chapter 142

After swaying in the carriage for a few minutes, I thought to myself—coming to pick me up in a carriage for such a short distance must mean I’m being treated with considerable importance.

Most likely, Remiya-san has already reported last night’s incident.
That means my strength has already been sufficiently demonstrated.

“Um… excuse me…”
“What is it, Captain of the Knights?”
“May I… may I ask your name?”
“I am Rue. I’ve come here in place of Same, who wishes to avoid deep involvement with the royal family this time.”
“…I understand. Rue-dono.”

A faint pain stirs in my chest. Still, I wonder why there is a need to publicly announce the acquisition of the Dungeon Core along with the existence of Same and the Brigade.
Whether the report is false or not will be clear enough by next year.

If the spring harvest exceeds all expectations, no one will doubt it anymore.

…Well, since so many nobles have abandoned their provinces to gather in Lindblum, it’s only natural that not everyone will be pleased.
To convince them, it seems the introduction of the main players and those involved is essential.

“What a country… so many issues still remain unresolved…”

Muttering to myself, I arrived at the royal palace.

Once there, I was immediately guided to the audience chamber.

The hall had already been cleared of attendants, leaving only the Queen, Miss Kokuri, and Captain Cres.

Should I kneel or not? …Perhaps I should kneel deliberately.

“I am Rue, one who oversees the ‘Brigade.’ I am deeply honored to have been invited today.”

I walked a few steps along the red carpet, then knelt before the Queen upon the dais, offering the bow of a subject.
Part of it was to gauge how she would respond.

“…Please raise your head.”
“Those do not sound like the words of Your Majesty.”
“Even so, raise it, Rue-dono.”

Despite this being our first meeting, the person at the pinnacle of this nation addressed me with respect.
Indeed, Shizuma had not been mistaken.

The choice of our master—to put down roots in this country—had not been a mistake.
Just from this brief exchange, I could feel that truth.

“…Whether from awe of strength or gratitude, Your Majesty has, in my eyes, earned the title of a ‘good ruler.’”

“That is… an honor. At this very moment, as the sovereign of this country, I recognize that I stand before a true hero, one who commands warriors who have brought salvation. For you to say such words—I feel deeply relieved.”

I allowed the intimidating pressure I carried to ease slightly.
At the very least, it was now clear that the highest ranks of this kingdom bore no hostility toward us.

“First of all, we thank you, Rue-dono, for your trouble in coming here. Thanks to you and the members of the ‘Brigade,’ the future of our nation has been saved. Yet beyond that, because of our own internal affairs, we must make your presence known to the public. For that, I must first apologize.”

“It is no problem. You allowed Seim to step back and permitted me—who is nearly unrelated—to stand in as his substitute. That alone is already a great concession on your part.”

“I am humbled you see it that way. Thanks to you, the damages of this war were minimized… To think you even possessed a Dungeon Core from the Golda side—that was truly beyond our expectations.”

“That surprised us as well at the time. Silent, a member of our Brigade, turned out to be a hero summoned from another world… He killed the Dungeon Master who summoned him immediately after arriving. When I first heard it, I could hardly believe my ears.”

“I suppose so. But when you obtained that first Dungeon Core, did you not already suspect something—and seek more cores?”

“Not exactly. At the time, Same, who served as our vice-captain, heard Silent’s story and judged that ‘dungeons are evil beings that abduct people from other worlds against their will.’ Yet because Silent also explained that the core itself had the power to enrich the land, Same thought that if we could secure one and use it to revitalize the barren southern lands—namely, Lendia—we might prevent conflicts over the cores before they even began.”

“What…! Then from the very beginning, you challenged dungeons for the sake of peace?”

“No, that was Same’s personal judgment. But we supported it. Same was originally someone who traveled to give his close friends a new homeland. With the acquisition of this core, he decided not only to settle in this kingdom but also to seek a certain position here. For us as a Brigade, it meant losing both a capable vice-captain and a promising young warrior at the same time… but if they themselves wished to take root here, we could not oppose it. All I can do now is reduce the burdens of my friend’s new homeland, and test whether this country can truly be trusted.”

“So… that is the real reason you offered the core and aided our nation.”

“That is correct.”

“And furthermore, you promptly resolved one of our pressing issues—the refugee resettlement problem, along with the crimes and human trafficking that accompanied it.”

“No, that was merely by circumstance. Though it seems Same had already foreseen such troubles might arise with the refugees’ migration. I too was wary.”

“Indeed, as you foresaw, many refugees were discovered in the warehouse district. Had it not been for you, our kingdom would have been branded a ‘demonic nation that destroys its foes and sells its people into slavery.’”

“Still, exporting slaves abroad would require considerable networks and manpower… Clearly, someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes. But… I ended up killing them all.”

If investigated, perhaps some information could be found at their hideout, but likely nothing of real value.
Even knowing for what purpose the slaves were to be exported would have been enough.

“We are considering the possibility that some organization was involved. But our ties with the neighboring continent are thin, and further investigation is impossible. Embarrassingly, our continent is far weaker compared to others. Thus, another reason we wish to publicly announce the acquisition of the Dungeon Core is to show that we, too, enjoy its blessings.”

“I see… I understand. If not Same, then I shall proclaim the truth of our acquisition. Some may still doubt… but whether true or not will become clear come spring thaw. The nation should instead devote its thoughts to how best to deal with the increase in monsters that is sure to follow.”

“Thank you, Sir Rue. Then, let us make the announcement at the upcoming banquet of the nobles, which also celebrates the start of the new year. Afterward, we shall broadcast it directly to the people.”

“A banquet, eh. That makes sense—the nobles will soon need to return to their provinces. That would indeed spread the announcement across the realm more quickly. And the date? Am I the only one required to attend?”

“The banquet will follow the annual meeting that decides this year’s budget. As usual, the meeting will be held at the end of this month—on the thirtieth of February. Please be prepared by then. And if you wish to bring members of the Brigade or Melt-san, they will be most welcome.”

“I understand. Then let us have Melt attend. After all, she is the one who reached the deepest part of the Scorched Valley together with Same.”

Good. It seems I’ll be able to let Melt experience such a formal occasion as well.
That being the case… she’ll need proper attire. Should I find something suitable among our equipment, or would a custom-made order make it in time?

“Then, on the day of the banquet—about two weeks from now—we shall arrange for someone to pick you up. Please wait at your residence by evening.”

“Mm. I am most grateful for Your Majesty’s thoughtfulness.”

The Queen treated me with such respect throughout—more than one would expect of a monarch. I must respond in kind.

…To think the Brigade, and its leader, would be given such treatment.

“Since we’ll be attending the banquet, we’ll need attire. As for me, never mind—but what should we do about Melt’s dress? Would it even be possible to have one made in time?”

“Hm… Kokuri, can arrangements be made?”

“Yes. Since Miss Melt’s build is close to mine, if we have a craftsman adjust one of my unused dresses, it should be ready in time.”

“Oh? You’d allow that? To lend us one of your precious dresses?”

“In truth, I have many dresses that have never been worn. I don’t wear such things at formal gatherings.”

“I see… then I’ll gladly accept your kind offer.”

Honestly, that’s a great help. And if the dress suits her, I could always purchase it afterward.
It may be wise for Melt to have at least one ceremonial outfit of her own.

“Hmm… is Melt at home now?”
“Yes, she’s resting there.”
“Then I’ll bring several dresses to your residence later. I’ll also bring a craftsman along, so you can choose one on the spot, and he’ll make the adjustments immediately.”
“Oh! That is most helpful. You have my thanks, Lady Kokuri.”

And so, after receiving the banquet schedule, and finishing our discussion and introductions regarding the announcement of the Core, I was once again escorted home in a royal carriage.
Well, it was raining anyway—I happily accepted the courtesy.

“Sir Rue.”
“Mm? What is it, Captain of the Knights?”

On the way back in the carriage, Captain Cres, who was accompanying me, spoke up with a somewhat tense air.

“That young man named Shizuma, whom your Brigade is looking after—how is he doing?”
“Oh, that’s right, you were acquainted with him. Thank you for your help back then. Shizuma is doing well. Having achieved his immediate goals, he should be taking it easy now.”
“I see. I’m relieved to hear he’s well. But… will he be attending the banquet? I mean, he is one of the key contributors in preventing the rebellion among our nobility. I believe he has more than enough qualification to attend.”

Hmm. Now that it’s mentioned, that’s true.
Beyond Seim’s deeds and Silent’s accomplishments, Shizuma as Shizuma played a major role—clearing the rampaging artificial dungeon, and achieving notable results at Marquis Allheus’s estate.

If it were possible to summon him with will of his own, he might even have summoned me as Shizuma.

“Unfortunately, I doubt Shizuma would want to attend such an event. In his original world, he was simply a student, after all.”
“I… see. Understood.”

Hmm? Could it be that this captain wanted to see Shizuma again?
Well, someone who achieved so much at such a young age would surely be sought after not just by the knight order, but by many others as well.

Now then—once I return, I’ll have to tell Melt about the dress.
Hoho, I can already picture her delighted face.

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