Chapter 81

Due to pollen, I'm late.

I'm sorry.

Pollen, pollen, pollen.

After taking the brainwashed director of the Royal Archives to Minister Hailai, a series of dramatic events unfolded.

First, Minister Hailai arranged a meeting with King Bawel before the Chancellor's side could detect anything, prioritizing the fastest possible delivery of the facts to the king. Next, he increased the security around Prince Main the Second. Finally, he prepared to award me for my contribution in uncovering the truth.

Why did he strengthen Main's security? It was on Winfield's orders, who said, "We don't know what desperate measures the Chancellor, and by extension the Empire, might take." Even the possibility of Main's assassination was considered. While I thought they wouldn't be that foolish, one should never underestimate a cornered beast. The security was reinforced as a precaution.

On the other hand, regarding the award for me, I asked the minister if it wasn't a bit premature, but he said it was already late. It seems he had heard something from Zephyr, the head of the First Court Magician Corps, who apparently praised me highly. Zephyr and the minister are apparently good friends, often going out for drinks. Is it a sense of camaraderie among the bald?

"You, as an excellent person, must be bound to me; that is also my duty as a minister."

Minister Hailai, who spoke frankly with his round glasses gleaming, looked surprisingly handsome despite being completely bald. Even with a barcode bald head, and his few remaining hairs covering it. It's strange.

If I ever go bald in the not-too-distant future, I want to be a cool bald guy... While thinking such futile thoughts, the time for the meeting with King Bawel arrived. It hadn't even been 30 minutes since we arrived. It was indeed the fastest.

The three of us—me, Minister Hailai, and the director—headed to the meeting. The minister was an escort, I was an extra, and the director was the main character.

The director's confession, backed by the unalterable evidence of the original documents before they were tampered with, must have shocked the king, no matter how composed he was.

The director claimed that he had tampered with the documents on the orders of the Third Knight Corps Commander, Jarm. He also confessed to being threatened with his position and family as hostages, and as a result, had no choice but to involve one of his subordinates.

"Why are you confessing now?"

In response to Bawel's question, the director answered with tears in his eyes.

"I was given a reason by him."

It seemed like he was finally being freed—his face looked relieved.

Perhaps due to brainwashing, or perhaps partly out of a desire to put me in a good light, I felt there was an intention to do so.

After the director's heartfelt confession, Bawel seemed convinced. He crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and thought for a moment before breaking the silence.

"...I see, bad feelings do come true. Now that we have concrete evidence, I must make a decision."

This marks the end of the Chancellor Bal Mero and his faction.

"Sobra, you're addicted to Caramelia. Ever since your betrothed, who was burdened with debt, taught you, you've been using it almost every day. And it's not just you; many people in the capital are addicted."

"Addicted...?"

As soon as I got home, Winfield told me the results of the investigation. The content far exceeded my expectations.

"Every holiday, you went to buy it from a dealer hiding in the capital. The dealer kept raising the price of Caramelia, and eventually, it became too expensive to buy easily."

"Physical discomfort, you mean withdrawal symptoms?"

Shit, I never thought it could be drugs.

"Doesn't a potion work?"

"It's like a disease, so it doesn't work fundamentally."

In this world, potions don't work on diseases. Moreover, in Mevion, there are no diseases or drug addictions, so I have no idea how to deal with it.

"If it spreads any further, it will be a serious problem."

"Do you know the source?"

"Kamelia Theocracy. It seems Biside saw dealers several times while hiding in Kamelia churches within the kingdom."

"Wow, Kamelia Theocracy..."

That's a troublesome country.

Kamelia Theocracy is a religious state that follows Kamelia religion. When players complete a quest to learn the high-level healing magic, they visit this country, which is generally considered to be a very suspicious place. In short, it's a country that invades other countries and makes money under the pretext of religious reasons.

"While the Empire was causing trouble, they planned to bite the kingdom's rear."

"Is Caramelia a stepping stone for that?"

"Yes. It looks like a cigarette, so it spread quickly. The theocracy will likely bring Caramelia to the negotiating table and force an unequal treaty."

"Things are getting worse for Castel Kingdom."

However, once it has spread, there's nothing we can do. We need to think of a way to deal with it...

"Should we consult the king and have Caramelia banned?"

"If we do, its value will increase even more. The market will flourish, and Kamelia will be happy."

"Stop it. This is no joke. My family is a victim."

"Sorry. But, maybe regulation is the only option."

"Thorough regulation might be better than the current situation."

"Yes, it will be better. But Kamelia Theocracy won't sit idly by."

"True... They'll lose a source of income."

Damn, really.

"I'll consult Bawel."

"Okay, please do. We can't handle this alone."

Just when I thought we had settled things with the Empire's agents, now it's the bastards from the theocracy...

I sighed, finished dinner, and spread out the evening paper in the quiet living room.

The content was about the tampering of official documents. It detailed how the director of the Royal Archives had tampered with documents on the orders of the Third Knight Corps Commander, Jarm. The article strongly argued that the Chancellor, the First Knight Corps Commander, and the Third Knight Corps Commander should take responsibility.

The king knew the truth, and the Chancellors would be dealt with tomorrow. Most of the people were now supporters of the Second Prince, and the agents within the kingdom were inactive. From any angle, the other side had no chance of winning.

This marks the temporary end of the political struggle.

It seemed long but was actually very short. It was a one-sided struggle, like a "grilled fish," where the other side was gradually cornered and given no chance to act until the very end.

This political struggle started with the Duchess Lucia Aischen, the former owner of Yuki. While the ending might not be as satisfying as Yuki would have liked, it was fitting that the spirit she served brought about a resolution.

"Winfield."

"What?"

I called out to Winfield, intending to express my gratitude, but something felt off, so I stopped.

For her, this political struggle was a game, and I was a pawn. If that's the case...

"You did well."

"Hehe, thank you."

We understood each other without needing to express gratitude or sympathy. This is how it should be between us.

***

"Sir Chancellor, what will you do... Sir Chancellor!"

The next morning.

Upon learning of the director's arrest, Jarm, the Third Knight Corps Commander, rushed to Chancellor Bal's office, greatly agitated.

He was desperate to avoid taking responsibility, so he pleaded with the Chancellor.

On the other hand, the Chancellor was surprisingly calm.

"..."

No, he appeared calm, but inside, he was burning with a fiery rage.

For over twenty years, he had infiltrated the kingdom's core as an imperial agent, gradually moving the kingdom and leaking information to the empire, continuing his covert activities. Just when he was about to break down the kingdom's defenses and see the first prince, his puppet, grow into an adult, he was interrupted. The anger of someone who had spent half his life on this effort, only to see it all come to nothing in an instant, was incomprehensible to anyone.

"Is it time to retreat..."

He muttered. Ignoring Jarm's question, "Time to retreat?" the Chancellor opened the bottom drawer of his desk, which had a lock.

"From the beginning, it was a castle built on sand. I built it carefully and cautiously, but now it's over."

"Are you giving up!?"

"...No. I said it's time to retreat."

The Chancellor took out a short sword from the drawer.

"If we can't build a castle, we'll take one."

***

"Bal, Claus, Jarm, you are placed under indefinite suspension. The details of your punishment will be communicated later. Memphis, you are given a two-year pay cut."

"Hai."

King Bawel gathered the group and announced the verdict.

Bal the Chancellor was expressionless, Claus the First Prince bit his lower lip, Jarm the Third Knight Corps Commander trembled, and Memphis the Second Knight Corps Commander accepted the punishment without a word.

"Next, I will award the First Court Magician Corps Special Lecturer Second Firstest for his contributions. Is there any objection?"

When Bawel asked, the Chancellor raised his hand quietly.

"What is it, speak up."

"It's not an objection. This person will become an indispensable asset to our kingdom. I think we should take action before he attracts attention from other nobles."

An uncharacteristic statement. No one thought he had repented.

"What do you mean by taking action?"

"Bring him into the court before he is taken by other nobles. With his achievements, it wouldn't be surprising if he has already received offers. We need to act quickly."

Indeed, Bawel agreed.

Through his own intelligence network, Bawel knew of Second's formidable power. It would be best for the kingdom to avoid his power falling into the hands of other nobles or other countries.

"Act quickly, Your Majesty."

"Yes. The award ceremony will be held this afternoon. Hailai, is everything prepared?"

"Yes, no problem."

Minister Hailai also thought it was better to act quickly, so the preparations for the ceremony were completed the day before.

However, the Chancellor's true intentions were unclear.

What was he planning? While Minister Hailai was pondering, the afternoon arrived in no time.

***

When I was called to the court for the award ceremony, I was first told to meet the king and was led to Bawel's room.

As soon as I entered, Bawel greeted me. This was expected, but I didn't expect it to be one-on-one.

Facing Bawel, a moment of silence passed. He spoke first.

"I will award you. Is there anything you desire?"

Desire? Anything?

If so, another Ring of Pursuit... No, the Amplification Bracelet is also tempting. No, the Strong Necklet...

No, I can't decide with so many things I want! Moreover, I don't want to be disappointed by getting something I can buy normally.

"Can I choose later?"

"No problem. Then, I will only give you a certificate at the ceremony."

Bawel smiled and said, "It was a bit rushed." Wow, he's surprisingly flexible.

Silence fell again. Bawel might be a man of few words. I thought it was a good opportunity and started to talk about the matter.

"I have a report. There's a cigarette-like substance called Caramelia circulating in the capital. It's a drug with addictive properties. It seems to have been brought in by the Kamelia Theocracy and has spread widely. Please regulate it immediately."

"Is that true?"

"Definitely."

"Understood. I will take immediate action. Thank you for the information."

Wow, he's quick. And he even thanked me. This old man is a good person, unlike in Mevion.

...Ah, I see. This is what the minister meant by "binding."

"I have no intention of leaving Castel Kingdom. In return, I won't be bound by anyone."

"Good. I'm relieved to hear that. Even if you don't become an ally, as long as you're not an enemy, I'm fine with that."

He's being very clear. I see, this is why we're meeting one-on-one.

"How much do you know about me?"

"I have ears in the Royal Library and the Royal Magic School's library. Do you know Silk, a former subordinate of the Royal Library Director Paloma?"

"Ah, that..."

The fat lady with hands like cream buns.

"I have inferred who you are from the information I gathered from these two sources and from general public knowledge."

"The result was that your strength lies in speed reading?"

"No. The secret lies in something that enables speed reading. You have that something, and you can teach it to team members."

Wow, he's spot on.

"Hehe, don't look so scared. I'm not asking you to teach it. But..."

"...But?"

"Please take care of Main."

Bawel said this with a gentle smile. It was a de facto announcement of the next king. However, what caught my attention was something else.

Bawel looked as if he knew he didn't have much time left.

No, he should be fine for at least five more years— I thought about saying that but swallowed my words at the last moment. This world is similar to Mevion but also very different. There's a possibility that Bawel's condition is worse than in Mevion.

"Your strength and its secret are probably unique. I won't order you to use it for the country. But I ask you to help Main, as much as your friendship allows."

As a king of a country and as a parent of the future king.

Somehow... I felt a nostalgic smell. When a friend came to play at my house right after middle school, my mom would interfere and say, "Be nice to this kid," and I would feel embarrassed and rebel, saying, "Don't say such things!"

The relationship between parents and children is something that makes you feel itchy even when you watch from the side. I scratched the back of my head in embarrassment and replied to Bawel.

"I can't do anything special, but I'll help if he's in trouble, point out his mistakes, invite him for a drink if he's down, and celebrate with him if he's happy. That's what friends are for, right?"

"You're right. I've been had. I didn't need to ask you, hahaha!"

We laughed for a while, and the one-on-one meeting ended.

I returned to the waiting room and waited for the ceremony to start.

"Everything is ready. Please follow me."

About an hour later, a maid came to fetch me. I cursed inwardly, "Finally, you made me wait," and followed her.

"...Huh? Wait, this way?"

"First, we'll greet His Majesty, then head to the throne room."

"Heh."

The maid led me to the room I had visited just an hour ago, where Bawel was.

So that's how it is.

Without any suspicion, I followed the maid.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty."

...I should have noticed.

The maid's odd behavior of entering without waiting for a response.

The oddness of greeting again after already meeting.

And I should have been on guard.

Against the wounded beast.

"..."

Following the maid, I entered.

First, I smelled iron.

Then, I couldn't believe my eyes.

The room was stained red-black, as if ink had been spilled everywhere.

In the center.

A man was lying down.

A dull blonde-haired old man.

A large pool of blood on the floor.

His carotid artery was cut.

The maid was gone. She was probably not a maid but a subordinate of Tenda. My calm part of the brain thought this, but the other part was boiling with rage.

—He killed him.

Not Biside, not Main, not even me.

He killed King Bawel of Castel—

"Kyaaa!!"

Behind me, a maid screamed. This time, it was a real maid, not the cosplay maid who had led me.

"What's going on... What!?"

Just as I thought, Chancellor Bal appeared next, delivering a fake line and pretending to be surprised.

People gathered at the sound of the Chancellor's voice, including Claus, Main, and Minister Hailai.

"..."

...Being suspected, or proving my innocence.

Such things no longer mattered.

"You can't talk your way out of this. Oh, how terrible."

Shut up.

So... What should I do with this noisy person?

A kind of anger, which I couldn't quite understand, quietly rose up.

Thank you for reading.