Chapter 11

"Are you a prince?"

The right hand was offered again.

Instinctively, I extended my hand and shook it.

To me, Iksa Raven Grogar, the seventh prince of the Grogar Kingdom—apparently—smiled lightly.

"Yeah, haven't you heard? 'A prince who is indifferent to politics and is obsessed with his own hobbies'—that's me."

I'm sorry, I just arrived in this world a few days ago, so this is the first I'm hearing of it.

Glancing behind Iksa, I saw a tall woman named Suaro staring at me sharply.

She must be in a position like a bodyguard.

...Hmm, I need to be careful with my words and actions so as not to arouse suspicion, but thinking about it calmly, my true identity is suspicious in this world, isn't it?

(...I have to somehow bluff my way through this...)

"Well, I won't deny it. I'm currently deeply involved in the research of magical artifacts. This institute was created at my request. I wanted a facility to research and store all kinds of magical artifacts from all over the world. When I said I would withdraw from the succession struggle, my brothers were happy to provide funding."

"Here you go again..."

Suaro behind Iksa looked exasperated at his laughter.

Iksa really seems to be the kind of prince he describes himself as.

"Prince Iksa, you are a noble with the right to inherit the throne. That right cannot be easily abandoned. Moreover—"

Suaro looked at me sharply.

Her eyes and features... even though she's a woman, she's so strikingly handsome.

"Leaking such remarks easily in front of the people is not a good idea. If it spreads as a rumor, it could be troublesome."

"Hey, hey, that's rude to her, Suaro."

"Uh-huh, I understand, really."

I nodded deeply, and both of them looked surprised for a moment.

It seems their comments were meant to criticize me, but I genuinely agree.

False rumors and baseless speculations are truly disheartening.

"Haha, see? Suaro, she doesn't seem like just any merchant around here."

"..."

Despite Iksa's words, Suaro didn't seem to lower her guard.

"Well... um, right, your name is Mako, right?"

"Yes, Honda Mako."

"Mako, I have some questions about the sword you sold me yesterday."

Iksa opened the shoulder bag he was carrying, just like yesterday, and took out the sword I had refined.

This bag, which seems to have a fourth-dimensional pocket, he always carries with him.

"First, how did you acquire this sword?"

"Ah..."

Of course, that's the first thing you'd be curious about.

But I don't even know much about this world, let alone this country.

Trade and commerce are completely foreign to me.

Without any knowledge of the current situation, it's hard to bluff.

"And why are you, a human, doing business with beastmen?"

"Is it strange for me to be with beastmen?"

"Not strange, in fact, I think it's ideal."

At that, Iksa suddenly looked a bit sad.

Suaro also turned her gaze to him.

Before I could wonder what was going on, Suaro continued.

"Most beastmen hate humans. They believe humans have taken away the benefits that should have been granted to them. However, you seemed to be trusted by the beastmen... that's what the prince said yesterday."

"..."

I see.

It looks like my true identity is being suspected.

I sighed inwardly.

There's no point in lying; it will just backfire.

I might as well tell the truth.

"I made this sword with magic."

...

...Time seemed to stop.

Iksa and Suaro were completely frozen, their expressions unchanged.

The only sound was the bustling noise outside the institute, which now served as a perfect background.

"...Are you serious?"

Iksa said.

His tone... it seemed to have dropped a bit.

"Um, yes."

"Do you really expect us to believe that lie?"

Suaro's voice was sharp.

What!? You don't believe me!?

"Human beings who possess magical power and can use magic are from special bloodlines. Most are of royal or noble descent."

Iksa was looking at me as if evaluating me.

"Where are you from? Are you from this country?"

"..."

...This is a problem.

If I tell the truth—that I'm from a different world and woke up in the middle of a field, and fortunately, I can use magic—will they believe me?

They are royalty. If I say something wrong, the worst could happen...

How should I explain this in the least offensive way...

Just as I was thinking about this, a guard from earlier appeared.

"Excuse me, Prince Iksa."

He opened the door to the institute and approached Iksa directly after spotting us.

He seemed anxious and flustered.

He whispered something in Iksa's ear.

"Let them in."

The door opened again.

Another armored middle-aged man appeared.

He was more lightly armored than the guards and wore a helmet that revealed his face.

He knelt before Iksa and bowed deeply.

"Excuse me, Prince Iksa. Allow me to introduce myself. I am a member of the knight corps responsible for the security of this market city, Rosshewood, and my name is—"

"Skip the formalities, get to the point."

Iksa interrupted the formal greeting and urged him to speak.

"Is it true that there are bandits?"

"Yes, a group of outlaws who have been targeting traveling merchants on the road. They have been wanted for some time."

Bandits?

The knight continued.

"The bandits have stormed a store near the market, taking several employees and customers hostage, and are demanding to negotiate with Prince Iksa."

"With me?"

"Yes... they are demanding that you hand over all the magical artifacts in your institute."

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

After leaving the institute, we headed to the scene.

The area around the store occupied by the bandits was already crowded with people.

"That's... the high-end produce store run by the Weeble family."

Iksa said.

A produce store, so like a greengrocer or a fruit parlor.

The store, well-established in the city with its elegant exterior, gave off a very upscale vibe.

Iksa and Suaro were talking with the knights.

I stood among the crowd, watching the store from a distance.

"Mako!"

I turned at the sound of a voice.

A short distance away, I saw three Beowulfs.

Lam, Bagos, and Uga.

"...What?"

There, I saw something unbelievable.

Right next to them, a large, fluffy white ball was curled up.

It was Entia—there was no mistaking it.

The problem was that part of Entia's white fur was stained red.

"Entia! Are you hurt!?"

I rushed over.

Entia looked up when she heard my voice.

"Ah, Miss."

"Are you okay? Is the wound deep?"

"This is nothing, just a scratch. More importantly..."

Entia glared at the store with a bitter expression.

A bad feeling crept into my mind.

"...Where are Maul and Meala?"

I asked calmly, and Lam spoke up.

"Those bandits... they've taken the people in the store hostage and are barricaded inside."

He gritted his teeth.

"Maul and Meala were also inside the store."