Chapter 86

“Melt-san, I’m back.”

“Welcome back! I heard you might be late today, so I bought dinner from a food stall~”

“I see. …In that case, would you mind if I had the last one?”

“The last one?”

“Yes, I’m thinking of going back to being Same again. It’s quite the coincidence, but… I managed to accomplish all of my objectives today.”

“Oh wow… then before you become Hash again, I’ll get better at the violin! I can already play Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do, you know?”

“Oh! That’s an impressive rate of improvement! May I hear it as your final piece?”

“Sure, I’ll play it for you after we eat.”

When we returned home, Melt and Hash were already chatting.

Half of it was me, and half of it was Hash’s feelings.

I could clearly feel how deeply she loved music.

Melt handed me a skewer of grilled sausage she had bought—no matter how you looked at it, it was definitely a “Marumetano.” I placed it in some bread and took a bite.

…Strong herbs, juicy meat—it was really tasty…!

“I really like this one.”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

“Then I’ll go play in the next room.”

Melt played Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do, the notes still trembling slightly.

Even so, considering that not long ago she could barely make any sound without scratching the strings like a blackboard, her progress was extraordinary. Her talent was clear.

“Whew… That’s all for now, but once I learn how to read sheet music, I’ll try to play something more!”

“I see. In that case, let me give you this.”

I handed her the simple sheet music I had written while listening: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” which I had played as Same, and “Puff,” which Sheele had performed.

“Ooh? I’ll try to learn these!”

“Please do your best.”

Then, I opened the menu and moved the cursor from Hash back to Same.

Bathed in light, I shrank slightly.

My thoughts were unchanged—I was still me, able to move as myself.

Back in Same’s form, I reflected once more on everything that had happened today.

“…Should I act now?”

The sun had only just set.

Should I wait until tomorrow, or go now?

“Same, long time no see! Mmm! Maybe because we were together the longest? It feels just right!”

“Whoa—”

Melt hugged me, and I couldn’t help feeling a little embarrassed.

Ugh… my mental age is still too young… even though I look about the same as my former classmates I saw earlier today.

“Melt, I’m thinking of going to the royal castle now. What do you think?”

“Huh? The castle?”

“Yeah. I’d like you to come with me—would that be alright?”

“I can come too!? I want to! Actually, I’ve gone to see it up close once! A guard told me not to get too close, but he didn’t splash water on me or anything, so I think he was a good guard.”

If it had been someone like in Golda, they would’ve ruined this country for me in an instant!

If a cute girl like this came to admire the castle, you’d want to let her in. Honestly, I want to praise that guard for doing his job properly.

“Also, Melt, there’s something small I’d like to ask you to do. It’s simple, so don’t worry.”

“Hmm… I feel like it’s something important! I’ll do my best!”

“Don’t worry—it’s really something simple. But… yeah, I definitely need your help.”

“Is it something only I can do?”

“Yes. Melt, you’re recognized in this world as the only family member of me—Same. So this is something only you can do.”

“I see… I think I might know what you’re going to ask.”

Then, Melt shared her deduction.

“Same, lately you’ve taken on different forms to gather strength, right? To make your true self, Shizuma, stronger. So… as the final step before acting as Shizuma, you want me to introduce Shizuma’s form to someone important… is that right?”

…Seriously?

Did Melt just perfectly see through all of my plans?

“I don’t know why you decided to do it now, but… something urgent happened, didn’t it?”

“Melt, you really are an incredibly smart girl. That’s exactly right.”

“Yay! My prize should be river shrimp karaage! I want to eat it with cola!”

“Hahaha, sounds good! I promise. For that, I don’t even need to become Seira—I can make it myself.”

“Hehe, I’m excited! I made a trap using old clothes to catch shrimp~”

Seriously? She’s ready to mass-produce karaage!

And so, under the starlit sky, the two of us headed for the royal castle.

“Good evening. I believe you’ve already been informed, but could you please announce that the adventurer Same has arrived at the castle? This is my companion, and family member, Melt.”

It was already nighttime. Audiences and government work had likely ended for the day.

Naturally, the guard wasn’t thrilled—

“We’ve heard, but if possible, you should come back another day—”

“Please inform them that it’s urgent. I’m not exaggerating—it’s a matter that could affect the nation.”

“…It’s true that we’ve been told to report any situation, no matter what… Understood.”

It had become clear that a marquis—likely someone fairly high-ranking among the nobles—might be connected to Golda.

We couldn’t afford to wait until tomorrow. From here on, speed was everything.

Soon after, a messenger sent by the guard returned from within the castle.

“They’ve given orders to let you in immediately. You’re clear to enter—but we’ll need to hold your weapons.”

“Melt, can you hand it over?”

“Got it! Here you go. Don’t lose it, okay?”

“Haha, you’re that girl from the other day. So you were with him, huh? Glad you got to come inside.”

“Yeah! This place is amazing—it’s the biggest building I’ve ever seen!”

Apparently, this was the same guard Melt had mentioned before. He really was a good one!

We were guided through the castle—not to the throne room this time, but to a drawing room deep inside, the kind used to receive state guests.

“Did I keep you waiting, Same?”

While waiting in the room, the first person to appear was none other than Her Majesty the Queen.

I immediately stood up and bowed my head.

“I apologize for the sudden visit at such an hour.”

“It’s fine. I permitted it. However… can you explain what this urgent matter is about? I doubt it’s just about changes in the debate over how to use the dungeon core.”

“…Your Majesty, is there anyone currently eavesdropping on this room?”

“There is. Cres is outside, and Kokuri is monitoring with a magic device.”

“Good. I was hoping it would be those two. Especially… this time, I need Cres-san.”

I needed the opinion of the Knight Commander. And Kokuri-san, who likely also serves as the Prime Minister.

“I see. Cres, come in. Make sure not to be rude.”

“Yes! Excuse me!”

With a sharp reminder—one that brought back memories of a previous event—the Queen allowed Cres into the room.

And shortly after, Kokuri-san, who had likely been watching the exchange, also entered.

“Whoa, so many people now…! Kokuri-chan, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Hehe, long time no see, Melt-chan. And you too, Same-san.”

“Hm, judging by this, you must be Same’s partner.”

“Yes, we’re family! Nice to meet you, I’m Melt!”

“Hm, Melt, is it? I am Cres Veil, Knight Commander of this country.”

“Whoa! So you’re the Commander? That’s so cool!”

“…Isn’t it though?”

As Melt showed interest in the newcomers, the introductions began naturally.

Now, time to get to the main topic.

“Your Majesty. I hope it’s not too forward, but while I was away with the main force, I had some of our people come into the city in shifts to investigate.”

“Oh? What kind of information were you after?”

“…It’s about the incident at the auction. I had previously suggested that the perpetrator might be a spy from Golda, potentially a summoned hero from another world. I believe you’ve already heard that?”

“Yes, I’ve already heard from Shuris and others. Don’t tell me…?”

“…We’ve identified both the location and the noble who facilitated their entry into the country.”

I reported immediately. Against such a formidable opponent, even a small delay could change everything.

“What… Is that true, Same? Our knight order has been focusing heavily on the noble district. How did you…?”

“Well… let’s just say we have allies in many trades. Your Majesty, let me get straight to the point. The one sheltering the invaders from Golda is Marquis Olheus.”

I told them exactly what I witnessed today.

There’s no way the Marquis could be uninvolved after what I saw.

“…Is that true?”

“Yes. One of my companions infiltrated today’s luncheon as a guest and directly encountered and spoke with the invader.”

“How did you know it was the invader?”

Here it comes. I brought up what I previously hinted at—about someone better suited than me to extract information from a human turned into a monster.

“Our brigade has protected one person who had defected early from the group summoned by Golda. We already possess information on the race, number, and other details of that group.”

“What!? You’re hiding someone from Golda!?”

“Please calm down. The person we protected is a young man who, shortly after being summoned, defected from Golda and fled on his own. Apparently, he had already sensed something ominous about Golda and separated from the other summoned individuals at an early stage.”

“…Can we trust him?”

“At the very least, I personally feel he’s ‘more trustworthy than anyone else.’”

I trust myself—and believe this choice, this path, leads to the right place.

“…I understand. Now I see why you rushed here under the banner of urgency. If Olheus is truly a collaborator with Golda… then we must act as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, I thought so too, which is why I returned ahead of schedule.”

“Hmmm… so that means you were already somewhere nearby when you got this intel today, huh? I guess you really wanted to spy and probe in advance?”

“Kokuri-san… I told you earlier not to say that, didn’t I?”

“Hehe, I know. Just kidding.”

Though how much of that was actually a joke…?

“Your Majesty, I assume it’s difficult to act immediately?”

“Yes, it is. But that’s why you informed us so quickly, isn’t it? Cres, how long would it take to lay the groundwork with the nobles?”

The Queen had already decided to act on the assumption the information was accurate.

Both Cres and Kokuri now wore the expressions of loyal retainers, free from suspicion or surprise, waiting for orders.

“To completely lock down the upper noble district and close off all other houses would take at least five days.”

“If we also want to monitor suspicious areas and shut the eastern, western, southern, and northern gates, even with immediate arrangements, the shortest would be two days. Unless we synchronize the gate lockdowns with Commander Cres’ operations, there’s a risk the enemy will notice.”

“I see. Begin preparations at once, Cres.”

The Queen gave her final command. But I raised my hand to add one more thing.

“One more point! You’re likely planning to raid the Olheus estate and detain him, but be warned: the summoned individuals might confront us as enemies. And like the one we previously captured, they may transform into monsters. If multiple monsters appear simultaneously in the noble district’s upper level, it could be catastrophic. Of course, if it’s Cres-san, I have no doubt she can defeat them. I say this having fought both monsters and Cres-san herself: even if all five of the hidden individuals turn into monsters, she could still take them down. But if any escape after transforming, we might not be able to contain them.”

“Hmm… That is a valid concern. I see… You hold such high regard for my strength?”

Ah, she softened a bit. She really is kind of adorable.

“Out of all the people I’ve ever sparred with, Cres-san is without a doubt the strongest.”

“I-I see…”

For now, let’s make her show his softer side.

“Certainly, causing a monster incident in the noble district would be problematic. Same, do you have a plan?”

“…We’ll bring someone into the raid—a person who might be able to persuade the opposing summoned individuals from Golda.”

This is… my ego.

I’ve strung together reasonable-sounding explanations, but this is just my selfish wish.

“We are currently protecting a summoned individual from another world. His name is Shizuma. Please allow him to accompany the raid.”

So that I can stand before them.

And if they resist—if they choose to fight—so that I can be the one to settle it.

“…There’s no danger in this? Can you say for certain this Shizuma won’t betray us and side with them again?”

“…This time, I’ll stake my life on it. Shizuma can become our ultimate weapon against them.”

I looked Her Majesty straight in the eyes—to show my resolve, and that I was certain of this.

This was my purpose, and something I could not back down from—a matter of personal closure.

“…We’re certain there will be conflict. Can this Shizuma fight?”

“He is currently undergoing training with our brigade. As expected of someone summoned from another world, his growth is remarkable. If possible, I’d like to request permission for Shizuma to access the artificial dungeon. For just five days of preparation—if given that much—I am confident he can reach a level of strength equal to mine. Of course, our original goal is to have him speak with and persuade the other summoned individuals.”

If we want him to grow strong in a short time through intensive training—

Then gaining access to a nearby dungeon, where he can hunt many monsters, is an absolute requirement.

Five days. Just within that span—how strong can he become?

“…I’d like to meet this Shizuma myself. I want to speak to him directly.”

With this, the path to—

“That is possible. However, I pushed myself a bit to get here. Once I return to the main force, I’ll hand Shizuma over to Melt and have her guide him here. Would that be acceptable?”

“I see, so the dungeon core matter is still taking time on your side. Or perhaps… it’s about the fact that you’ve decided to settle down in this country?”

“…I appreciate your understanding.”

“Very well. Melt, can I ask you to guide this Shizuma here?”

Melt, who had been quietly observing events unfold until now, had clearly been waiting for the conversation to reach this point. Without any sign of panic, she responded confidently—

“Leave it to me!—No, I mean, please leave it to me! I’ve met Shizuma before, so I can guide him properly!”

“Good. Cres, once this Shizuma arrives, I want you to assess his potential with your own eyes. See if he has the makings of someone who could rival Same.”

“Understood.”

Wha—wait, seriously!?

“We’ve only gone over the basics so far, so… please go easy on him.”

“No, if he’s going to be part of this urgent operation, I’ll be thorough. Even if he’s essential for persuading the enemy, he’s your guest. I’ll make sure he’s not at risk of dying.”

“R-Right, understood.”

“…A vessel with the potential to rival you, huh? I’ve heard legends about those summoned from other worlds. I must admit… I’m quite looking forward to this.”

Thus, just as I had planned, I completed the preparations to connect Shizuma—with whom I now shared a name—with the Queen.

And finally, I had secured all the conditions necessary for the final step: facing off against my former classmates.

…Now I really need to brace myself—in every possible sense.

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