Chapter 12

"......Schuzel"

Felix, the king, said to his younger brother in a voice filled with exasperation.

The king apparently hadn't expected him to stroke Rina's head.

"......I apologize......I couldn't help it"

Schuzel, the prince, smiled faintly.

Rina couldn't understand at all what made him say "I couldn't help it."

"......Well, that's fine......Rina, was it?"

"......Yes"

Felix, the king, regained his composure and turned to Rina.

"First, as an older brother, I apologize for my foolish younger brother, Egidilus."

Felix, the king, lowered his crossed legs and bowed his head, albeit lightly.

......

Rina hadn't expected the king to bow his head.

If she were told it was none of her business, that would be true.

"......Your words are too kind"

That was all she could manage to say.

Even though she had been apologized to by Egidilus, the prince, and Schuzel, the prince, at the time, she had only felt, "Oh, I see."

However, when the king himself bowed his head, it somehow moved her.

"......By the way, I'll ask just to be sure. You're not the 'Holy Maiden,' are you?"

He glanced at Schuzel, the prince.

He wasn't blaming her but needed to confirm it.

"......No, I am not. ...The appraisal showed that I do not possess the unique magic of a 'Holy Maiden'"

Schuzel, the prince, said, looking directly at the king.

"......I see. ...And Rina, you have aptitude for four elements, is that right?"

"The appraisal showed that......However, I have never used any magic before, and I come from a world where there is no such thing, so I don't know how much I can be of use."

She only knew that she had the potential. Whether she could make use of it or not was yet to be seen.

"......If you can be of use, that's good. If not, it's fine. Don't put too much pressure on yourself"

Felix, the king, said with a nonchalant air.

Rina was grateful for his consideration.

Perhaps to the king, it really didn't matter.

"......To begin with, the existence of a 'Holy Maiden' is questionable. Even if one existed, could she be summoned so conveniently?"

Felix, the king, said this with his legs crossed, looking completely unconcerned.

......Indeed, that's true!

But, would you say that in front of me, who got dragged into this?

"......King......"

Schuzel, the prince, seemed to think the same and reprimanded Felix, the king.

This was the definition of being blunt.

"Basically, even if a 'Holy Maiden' could be summoned, the question is whether she would lend her power to this country, let alone this world."

"......"

"I wouldn't. ...Why should I sacrifice myself to save a bunch of 'us-first' idiots who summoned me without my consent? If I were in her shoes, I'd destroy such a country."

......Huh?

......Huh!?

......No, no, no, no......

......Destroy it......What are you saying, King?

Destroying it is not okay!!

"......Brother......"

Schuzel, the prince, pressed his temples, apparently thinking Felix had gone too far.

"......"

Rina stood there, mouth agape, dumbfounded.

She had been summoned without her consent and had been angry and lamented, but she had never even considered destroying the country.

I mean, I don't even have that kind of thought.

"......What do you think? Should we try it?"

Felix, the king, laughed maliciously.

"......No, I won't"

......Besides, I can't.

If I tried, Felix, the king, would definitely kill me.

......

......Ah.

......Felix, the king, said this knowing everything.

......He was saying, "You have the right to do that."

Rina was deeply grateful and impressed by the king's awkward but sincere kindness.

Perhaps, being summoned to this country wasn't such a bad thing after all.