Volume 4: A Place to Return To

Chapter 49

Kokuri and I waited in the reception room for the next orders.

We weren’t speaking, but I could tell Kokuri was observing me closely.

“Um… is there something bothering you?”

“Hm? Oh… I belong to the Phantom Wolf tribe, so I’m a little more sensitive than most to the scent of magic energy. You, you’ve got quite an unusual magic scent. It’s… intricately mixed together, somehow.”

“Ah… maybe it’s just a unique constitution or something. I can really only use basic self-enhancement techniques.”

“Is that so? Well, I apologize for sniffing around. That was rude of me—my curiosity just got the better of me. Hmm… Still, to think the border dungeon has finally been conquered…”

I wondered if I could learn anything from this woman.

The truth is, I hardly know anything about dungeon cores. All I’ve heard is that they “enrich the land,” something the King of Golda mentioned in very vague terms.

So I asked her about it—

“That’s a state secret. However, right now, you hold enough leverage to extract that kind of information. So do your best.”

“I see, understood. Well, if I can’t get any information, I can just take the core somewhere else.”

“Exactly. But… if you do, this country will likely stop at nothing to reclaim it.”

“Terrifying thought.”

I think this is a good country. Ideally, I’d like to establish a base here.

But if negotiations break down, I might have to leave the country altogether.

And in the worst-case scenario… I might have to escape by the most extreme means.

Before long, Cres returned to the room.

“We’ve prepared the audience chamber. It took some time to clear everyone from the surrounding area.”

“I see. A wise move. This isn’t something we want widely known.”

“Indeed. However, both Kokuri and I will be present. Is that acceptable?”

“Of course. I have no issue with those who are already informed.”

I tried to stay calm, but my heart pounded like a drum.

Now’s the time to decide on a minimum acceptable outcome and a maximum goal.

As we moved toward the audience chamber, I began thinking through my objectives and ideal resolution for this negotiation.

The palace, as its appearance suggested, was vast. We proceeded deeper and deeper into the castle, and just as the number of guards increased—suddenly, they began to disappear.

Apparently, even the area around the audience chamber had been cleared of people.

“…To be honest, I’m nervous too. A natural dungeon core hasn’t been brought into this country since three generations ago. I never imagined you were that powerful.”

“…It’s a long story, but I had luck on my side.”

In my head, I constructed a convenient version of the truth—a story blending fact and fiction.

Strangely, my mind was working very quickly.

But first, I needed to find a reliable way to draw out information about the core.

Cres just said, “It’s been three generations since a natural dungeon core was brought in.”

That means there must be records of a previous time when a dungeon core was used.

Once I draw that information out… the real negotiation begins.

“Very well. You may now enter the audience chamber.”

A beautifully framed door, decorated with marbled black and red.

Unusual design. Honestly, it looks more like something from a Demon King’s castle.

The heavy doors creaked open, revealing a deep crimson carpet extending beyond.

It felt almost blasphemous to step on it—but I moved forward, one step at a time.

I kept my gaze lowered. You don’t raise your head until given permission.

I walked steadily, then stopped, and knelt.

I waited for the Queen’s voice.

That single moment felt excruciatingly long.

“Raise your head, adventurer Same.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Just faintly—very faintly—I thought I heard fear in her voice.

It should have been calm and authoritative, but I detected a hint of emotion… something not befitting a ruler.

But when I looked up, what I saw was a woman draped in an exquisite dress, bearing the weight of a nation and all its people—a presence so overwhelming, it knocked the breath out of me.

“…Surprising. You’re much younger than I expected. And… just as ambitious as I feared.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”

She opened with a jab, but I didn’t retaliate. I simply offered a polite greeting.

“Kokuri has confirmed it, so it must be true—you’ve brought a natural dungeon core. As of now, there are only two such dungeons known on this continent: the Scorched Earth Ravine and the Dreamhill Great Forest. And while it’s technically not on the continent, there’s also the Dead Sea That Devours the Land, within our territorial waters. Golda’s great forest hasn’t been confirmed, and the only currently verified dormant dungeon is the Scorched Earth Ravine. You claim your core comes from there. That means your story is credible.”

“Yes, it is the truth.”

That’s the first I’ve heard of those names.

The Dead Sea That Devours the Land… that one sounds like the most dangerous of them all.

“However, you say you wish to talk while holding the dungeon core. You do not intend to present it as a gift to this country?”

“That’s correct. I have no intention of handing it over without receiving something in return.”

“…Then what do you seek as compensation?”

“I do not plan to negotiate in exchange for the core. I expect you to agree to my conditions first—only then will I enter into further negotiations. Besides, you of all people must know that this core is not something that can be exchanged for mere gold or trinkets.”

A bold statement. One that could be seen as saying:
“No negotiation until you accept my terms.”

I could sense Cres’ tension behind me.

The sound of a sword being drawn from its scabbard. A sound directed at me.

I had anticipated this.

So—

“If you intend to use force, then from that moment forward, I will regard this nation as my enemy—and I will resist with every power at my disposal. …A mere commander of knights has no place speaking during a Queen’s audience.”

I poured rage into my voice. I let my killing intent seep out.

For the first time, I, Same, unleashed the full weight of my negative emotions.

“Cres, leave the room! Same—I apologize!”

Before Cress could speak, the Queen sharply issued her command and bowed her head.

An outrageous gesture, possible only because no one else was present.

A monarch bowing—something they are never meant to do.

…I’m sorry, Cres. I wasn’t really that offended.

But I had to use you—for the sake of tipping this negotiation in my favor.

“What I desire is information. I’ve heard that this country once acquired a natural dungeon core. I want all the documents related to how it was used and what capabilities it had. Depending on what I learn… I’m considering using this dungeon core’s power for the sake of this country.”

“Information, is it? So depending on that, you might end up using the dungeon core for your own purposes?”

“To be honest, even if the dungeon core could bring me immense wealth, I have no interest in that. In fact…”

I bluffed, drawing from a mixture of deduction and conjecture.

The royal scepter held in the queen’s hand was adorned with a large, beautiful blue gemstone.

If that was the “Eye of the Sky”—then likely—

“The one who put up the Eye of the Blue Sea for auction… was me. That’s why, honestly, I’ve already received more money than I could ever need.”

“—! I see… so you were the one who discovered that treasure… Then, indeed, it wouldn’t be strange if your desire for money had already faded.”

“Yes. What I truly desire is something that the power of a dungeon core likely cannot buy.”

“Then what do you desire? You have the strength to obtain a dungeon core, and you’ve already acquired wealth. What more could you want?”

Something common—yet unattainable for many.

Some are never born with it. Others had it taken from them.

“A peaceful place to rest my heart. Peace that can’t be violated. The freedom to push back against injustice or malice. A sense of security, knowing someone will protect me. Ordinary, yet luxurious things—at times harder to acquire than any treasure. That is what I want.”

“…That could be taken to mean you intend to put down roots in this country.”

“Honestly, I don’t know the world well enough yet. If I keep traveling, maybe I’ll find an even better country. But I’ve started to like this one. For the sake of my ‘family,’ I want to build a home here.”

Yes—family. Melt already feels like family to me.

It might be one-sided, but the reason I haven’t broken down—despite having this overwhelming power that’s threatening to mix up my identity—is because Shizuma, the core of who I am, strongly wishes to help Melt.

She once asked, “Will I get to live in a new house?”

Maybe she meant it literally.

But to me, it sounded like she was longing for a safe place she could call home.

That’s why—I want to give her that place as soon as possible.

And now, I have the rare opportunity to negotiate directly with a queen. If there’s ever a time to secure such a haven—this is it.

“Family, huh… Seeking a place of peace for your family?”

“Yes. And if possible, I’d like to receive just a sliver of the queen’s protection. My family… for certain reasons, knows too little of the world. That’s why they might get caught up in trouble. And when that happens, I want to be able to resolve it by any means necessary. I ask for your permission to do that.”

Now begins the negotiation to achieve his “maximum goal.”

“Be specific.”

“I want special rights. If anyone targets us with baseless malice—people beyond the law, or those who wield power to harm us—I want the right to use deadly force if necessary, and to receive some level of immunity for it.”

It’s inhumane. Immoral, even.

But that’s only by Earth’s standards.

He knows what this world is like. It’s cruel, unjust, and harsh.

I—we—saw it the very first day.

We saw someone we knew—someone from our own world—get brutally killed right in front of us.

We didn’t even know that person well, but still… they were one of us.

That’s why I wants the right—the freedom to resist violence and injustice with force if needed, and to do so safely.

“…Strangely, I feel like you have ‘few desires.’ Perhaps it’s because I myself wield the highest authority. You’re right, there are people in this world that cannot be judged unless they’re killed. I’ll consider it.”

“However, the rights I mentioned are only if I gain the dungeon core information and use it to benefit this country. I have no intention of using force recklessly. Your Majesty, please, grant me access to the dungeon core data. For certain reasons, I absolutely do not want to hand over the Scorched Earth Canyon to the Golda Kingdom. That’s why I want to bring it under the control of this country—which likely views Golda as a potential adversary.”

“…I see. The dungeon core information, huh… Kokuri, what do you think?”

At that moment, the queen turned to Kokuri—who hadn’t spoken a single word since the audience began.

…I had completely forgotten she was there!

“He’s not lying, but he’s not telling everything either. Still… I don’t know how things will ultimately turn out, but I do think he’s someone we should try to bring over to our side. At the very least, he’s more skilled than Her Majesty.”

“…Indeed. I suppose that’s true. I apologized, forced into doing so on reflex, and ended up making Cres leave the room.”

“And in that moment, he actually wasn’t even angry. You were completely used, that’s all. Honestly, though, the killing intent directed at us was so intense it felt like my lifespan got shaved a little. I almost walked out myself.”

…Seriously? I was that intense?

“Same, you said you wanted information. It’s true that there are many ways to ‘utilize’ a dungeon core. If you tried to figure it out on your own, you’d need a lot of time and resources. If giving you that information can bring you to the negotiating table, then it’s probably worth handing over. However, there’s someone who likely won’t be satisfied with that.”

“I thought the room was cleared out?”

“It was. But I’m talking about the ‘last person removed.’ I don’t think she will be satisfied. Besides, I myself want to see the strength of someone who supposedly conquered a dungeon. May I offer that as a condition for giving you the information?”

“…In other words, ‘fight Commander Cres’?”

Well, I figured they’d attach some kind of condition.

So it’s going to be Cres—the leader of the knights and one of the so-called Thirteen Knights, the country’s top forces.

It’s a good opportunity, really.

A perfect chance to see how far I, how far Same can go.

“Understood. A mock battle with Commander Cres, then. I accept those terms.”

“I appreciate it. Kokuri, prepare the arena. Do not let anyone else near it. Understood?”

“Understood. Same, I’ll guide you to the arena. Let’s also go retrieve the commander.”

“‘Retrieve,’ huh…”

As we exited the audience chamber, Commander Cres was waiting at a distance, shooting me a glare sharp enough to pierce armor.

“Commander Cres, don’t glare. You were brilliantly used. You completely made a mistake. And thanks to that, Same here successfully secured the dungeon core information. Your mistake actually helped the negotiations.”

“Wha…! But that man—he said he wouldn’t even use the dungeon core as a bargaining chip. He might’ve even tried to obtain ownership by force—”

“And if that happened, and someone even more dangerous than him turned against our country, then what? Can we, who know nothing of his background, be sure that our careless actions wouldn’t bring harm to the nation?”

Without me even needing to jump in, Kokuri completely shuts Cres down.

…This woman—could she have anticipated how all this would unfold?

Her responses to Cres were so precise it’s as if she had them prepared in advance.

“We weren’t told the full details of how the dungeon was conquered. What if there are several people like him? What if he has the power to conquer it solo? Not just you—Her Majesty, who was also present, could’ve been in danger.”

“…Are you suggesting that I would lose to this man, Kokuri?”

Ah—I get it now. Kokuri is a very calculating person.

“Her Majesty has given us the chance to find out. Cres, fight Same. We’re heading to the arena. Can we have it prepared? The knights are training there now, right? I want it to be completely isolated—no one else must know.”

“Fine. Wait here a moment.”

…Yeah, she just dumped everything on her.

“Wow… You’re incredibly efficient, Kokuri.”

“Whatever do you mean? That girl’s just a little too simple and childish. She’s not stupid, though.”

“Well, she is a knight commander, after all…”

And so, Kokuri and I strolled leisurely through the castle while waiting for Commander Cres to get ready and headed for the arena.

Seriously though… this woman is not someone I can afford to let my guard down around.

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