Chapter 47

I'm late with the update. I'm sorry.

I made a mistake. Ah, I made too many mistakes...

Honestly, I feel terrible.

After the meeting, as I left the bar, a creepy long-haired man approached me.

"Y-You're Second, right!?"

What's with this guy? How does he know my name?

"Yeah, I am."

"Of course! I'm the spirit mage Seram! I learned about you from Sherry!"

Hmm. Through Sherry, huh.

"The Spirit of Wind, Nymfe, at your service. As the Spirit of Wind, I have come to pay my respects to you, Second, who is the master of the Great King."

A spirit with a bit of odd Japanese is pressing in on me. Nymfe, a serious-looking female spirit with emerald green short hair, is apparently around 17,000 in spirit strength.

"What do you want?"

"Well, you see... I really, really want to see the Great King..."

He rubs his hands together and gauges my mood, the long-haired guy. I don't like people like this who think "if I flatter him, it'll be easy" or something.

--Hmm?

It's a team-only communication.

The sender is Yurika. The content is--"Be on guard, there's a hint of assassination"...?

...Ah, what? This Seram guy? A hint of assassination? No way.

"Is it okay? Really not?"

The long-haired guy with red hair flows it casually and grins, rubbing his hands together. He looks like a bar host. There's no way he looks like an assassin. I've learned before that you can't judge a book by its cover. Maybe this is a technique to approach by looking like a nobody. No, it must be. It's very, very hard to believe, but it must be.

Well, whatever. Okay, let's say Seram is an assassin. What's his goal?

When I think about it, I suddenly don't understand.

What does he gain by seeing Angolmois? I don't get it at all.

"Why do you want to see him so much?"

If I don't understand, I'll ask. That's my style. Whether he's an assassin or not doesn't matter.

Seram looked momentarily puzzled, then opened his mouth.

"The pinnacle of the spirit world, the one who made even the Great Spirit of Earth say 'frightening'! As a spirit mage, it's only natural to want to see it! Such an opportunity comes once in a lifetime, if at all!"

That's a convincing answer. If you're a real spirit mage.

"......"

Hmm.

Ah, I have an idea.

"Alright, I'll show you."

"R-Really! Thanks!"

I glanced at Yurika, who had a look that seemed to ask, "Is it okay?" It's fine.

I summoned Angolmois with the <Spirit Summoning>.

And then, immediately,

"(Make him kneel.)"

I gave the order telepathically.

"(As you wish.)"

Angolmois, as soon as he appeared, unleashed red lightning, binding Seram to the ground.

"Ugh... What the...!?"

Seram, with both hands, both knees, and his head on the ground, was crawling. For some reason, Nymfe also knelt in the same way.

...What is this mechanism? I think this technique to make someone crawl would be the strongest if I could use it in battle.

"(This is the privilege of the Great King, the支配's lightning. However, it only works on spirits and their masters who are spineless, so its use is limited.)"

I see. It's to force the head of a scared person down and make them even more scared. Terrible... It's a nasty trick, just like Angolmois.

"Great King, it's an honor to meet you."

Nymfe, with her head on the ground, said, trembling slightly.

She looked pitiful. Maybe I should let her raise her head.

"Raise your face."

The wonderful sense of unity. As soon as I thought it, Angolmois made both of them raise their heads.

Seram had a look of confusion, fear, and excitement, while Nymfe had a look of awe.

"Wow. T-That's amazing... Great King...!"

Seram, eyes wide open, let out a gasp of admiration. It was a reaction that made me think he really wanted to see Angolmois and that's why he approached me.

But two people didn't miss his clever acting.

"(...This man is a bit strange. I'll investigate through Nymfe. Wait a moment, my Second.)"

"Master, that man is looking for an opportunity to run away."

Angolmois' telepathy and Yurika's whisper.

These two are really useful.

"――――Ugh!"

As I was thinking about it.

Suddenly, a strong electric shock, and Nymfe collapsed on the spot.

"What the...!?"

Seram is panicking.

"Don't move, boy."

"Ughh!!"

Angolmois pinned him down with the支配's lightning. The Great King is really doing as he pleases.

"(I understand. This man is a spy of the Marbel Empire. He seems to be investigating the adventurer community in the Castor Kingdom.)"

"Wow!"

I couldn't help but exclaim at the familiar word.

The Marbel Empire--in Mevion, it was known as a "militaristic nation." A strong country that loves invasion wars, and it's supposed to eventually go to war with the Castor Kingdom.

A spy from such a place approached me.

Just reconnaissance, or perhaps recruitment. I don't understand, but it doesn't seem to be a good reason.

"What's this... Did I do something to offend you...?"

Seram is showing a frightened look. When I told Angolmois to let him raise his head, he had teary eyes and was trembling a bit. If this is acting, it's impressive. As expected of the empire, even a dog is first-class.

I don't dislike the Marbel Empire. They value strength above all, no tricks, and they defeated surrounding countries with direct power to become a strong nation. Their way of being is somewhat similar to being the best in the world.

...Alright.

Let me make the name of the man who will become the best in the world unforgettable, and then send him on his way.

I thought about it and opened my mouth with a grin.

"Good work, empire's dog."

* * *

It was a stroke of luck to be able to observe Sherry Rambajack's spirit up close.

She is called a genius spirit mage for a reason. The Great Spirit of Earth is quite troublesome. She could be a good candidate for recruitment for the upcoming war.

However, I can't stand her personality. According to the statistics gathered during the investigation, spirit mages tend to be weak and rely heavily on spirits, but she is the complete opposite. If I had approached her without the Great Spirit of Earth being out, the observation would have failed.

But now, there's a bigger catch to prioritize.

The Great King. I never thought he existed, let alone that I would meet him.

Now that it's clear that the one who commands the pinnacle of the spirit world is in a potential enemy country, we can't just sit back. We need to investigate what kind of power this is and return to discuss the response.

Fortunately, it led to me through Sherry Rambajack. I can't miss this opportunity.

"Y-You're Second, right!?"

I approached by playing the fool.

Second, the commander of the Great King, was a stunningly handsome man. He moved his narrow eyes slightly and calmly replied, "Yeah, I am." Just that alone shows he's not to be underestimated. His cautiousness, not wasting words even with a first meeting, is impressive.

His posture and movements seem full of openings, but a man who commands the Great King wouldn't make such a mistake in front of a stranger. He's probably trying to lure me in. But my current goal is not assassination, but investigation.

We exchanged a few words. It seemed he was quite wary. However, I must see the Great King at all costs. I try to push hard.

"Why do you want to see him so much?"

Suddenly, such a question came.

Why do I want to see him? I've already shown my spirit. There shouldn't be any doubt that I'm a spirit mage. So, what does he mean by "why"? I don't understand. Could he have seen through my true identity? No, that can't be...

"The pinnacle of the spirit world, the one who made even the Great Spirit of Earth say 'frightening'! As a spirit mage, it's only natural to want to see it! Such an opportunity comes once in a lifetime, if at all!"

I replied as if it were a matter of course, slightly emphasizing it.

Instantly, the expression on Second's face disappeared.

Did I make a mistake...!?

I panic. That question was a test! Then, could it be. Could this man, Second, have seen through my true profession as not a spirit mage in just a few seconds? Impossible. Unless he's an assassin, there's no way a spirit mage would have such an eye for observation. But, I am in a tight spot...

"Alright, I'll show you."

...What?

An unexpected response. I hesitated to act happy. If this was a "test" by Second, I've exposed my biggest weakness.

But, I can see the Great King with my own eyes. If I can achieve this goal, I can overlook a few flaws. It's like getting change. After that, I'll have Nymfe memorize it and bring the information back to the empire--

"Ugh...!?"

My body moves on its own! What is this!?

Even Nymfe is on the ground. Making spirits kneel! Impossible!

"Raise your face."

A clear, gender-neutral voice. I moved my free neck and looked forward.

...This is the Great King.

I haven't heard of it. It's... insane. This is bad. Such a spirit, such a...

While I was in a daze, Nymfe was knocked out. It was just one hit. She couldn't even resist.

"Don't move, boy."

"Ughh!!"

I struggled to break free but couldn't move at all. It's no use.

The Great King is this overwhelming.

I must report this. The existence of this Great King is a threat to the empire, even if it's just one.

To do that, I must get out of this situation.

"What's this... Did I do something to offend you...?"

A convincing act. I've been training as a spy for the Marbel Empire since the day I was born. I'm first-class in a meritocracy. Not here, not here--!

"Good work, empire's dog."

Second laughed.

My mind went blank, and my vision went dark.

Did this man know from the beginning...!?

Why! How! Impossible!

Did the Great King do something? But he didn't talk to Second. Then, was it the dark elf? But there's nothing that would make me seem like an empire spy. Could he read minds...? Damn, I don't know!

...Ah. No, there's one thing I know.

I lost. On my own turf. Second was one, no, two steps ahead. That's all.

My fate ends here. My last resistance--I plead.

"I-I give up... Before I die, I want to write a letter to my family."

I must report this fact to the empire. It's the last mission I can see for myself.

"Huh? I'll say it because you seem to have a misunderstanding, but I'm not going to kill you."

...What?

What is he saying?

"You're not... going to kill me?"

"Yeah, you're free to go. If you want, you can come with us. We're going to tackle the Proline dungeon next."

"――――"

I'm speechless.

This man is crazy...!

He knew from the beginning that I was an empire spy, deliberately faced me, tested me, and played with me! His abnormal calmness is because this is a "game" for him!

I'm a spy for the Marbel Empire! It's a matter of life and death! How can he "play" knowing that! How can he be so calm!?

Scary, scary, scary...!

"I-I'll pass... I can't write a letter."

My voice and body are trembling. I can't act anymore.

"Alright. Then go back."

I stood up with weak legs, sent Nymfe back, and slowly backed away. Facing this man was pure terror. I suspect he might "play" with my back.

"Tell your boss that the best man, Second, likes the way the Marbel Empire operates."

To our boss--the emperor.

What that means.

"...Understood. I will definitely tell him."

The best man, Second.

I swear I will never forget this monster and leave the Castor Kingdom.

* * *

"Was it okay?"

After Seram left, Yurika immediately asked. Whether it was okay to let him go, I suppose.

"Of course."

"But he was an empire spy... You figured it out well."

"Yeah, Angolmois investigated for me."

I later learned that a completely obedient spirit can extract memories and even control lower-level spirits. The ruler of the spirit world is amazing, I thought again.

"But, did you make a good impression?"

"Eh?"

"......?"

When I said that, not only Yurika but also Sylvia looked at me with a "Is he serious?" expression. What?

"Didn't you know? I kind of like the empire."

"My Second, I like it too."

"Yeah, it's good, isn't it?"

"Indeed, it is."

When Angolmois and I shared the sentiment, Yurika and Sylvia's eyes changed to "This guy is hopeless."

"Master. If you didn't notice, I'll say it. That was too 'top-down'."

"Talking about liking the empire while mentally beating up an empire spy and then challenging the emperor is the act of a monster."

I got scolded. I see, that makes sense.

"Alright. Let's go to Proline."

I pet Eco, who had been clinging to my waist saying "Let's go, let's go," and headed for the stable.

"You sure change your mind quickly..."

"Well, that's like Master."

I heard Sylvia's exasperated voice and Yurika's resigned voice from behind. But I like that they follow me despite everything.

For the next two months, our First Test will earn a lot of experience and collect mithril in the Proline dungeon. There's no time to talk about the empire.

...But.

Not so far in the future. I had no idea that this incident with Seram would lead to such a situation.

Thank you for reading.

The next chapter is a side story.