Chapter 29

The audience hall was in chaos due to the hero's sudden intrusion.

The victorious atmosphere that had been so carefully cultivated was completely shattered, leaving no trace of its afterglow. All that remained was an indescribable, murky air caused by the unruly intruder.

"Ryuya? You mean Ryuya defeated the demon?"

Well, that's how it is.

If I just state the facts as they happened.

"What nonsense! This guy is a 'Skillless'! A 'Skillless' with no abilities or talents—how could he possibly defeat a demon!?"

Libel, his eyes bloodshot and terrifying, pressed in on me.

"Spit it out! Tell the truth! You lied to the king to gain favor! Lying about defeating a demon, a matter of national survival, is a capital offense! It's better to tell the truth before you're executed!"

"Still, it's true that I defeated the demon."

"Don't lie! You're a useless 'Skillless'! The lowest of the low! There's no way you could defeat a demon! That's the job of the most capable and chosen hero!"

No matter what I said, he wouldn't listen.

Feeling at a loss, a dry sound echoed.

*Slap!*

"Huh?"

When I realized it, Libel was standing there, his cheek swollen and flinching. A bright red handprint was visible on his swollen cheek.

A slap?

Did Libel get slapped?

Moreover, the one who slapped the hero's cheek was Noem, who was always by my side.

"Be quiet. I don't want to hear Ryuya being badmouthed by someone like you."

Noem...

When did you become so straightforward?

"Ryuya defeated the demon. I saw it, and many others saw it too. They'll all be happy to testify."

"Exactly!"

"That's right. This Scale Wolf Knight Corps Commander Jizubach will swear by my honor and sword to vouch for his achievement!"

Even the generals who were present.

They were the ones who fought alongside us!

"You're the one who's being unfair. Badmouthing someone who fought when you didn't is the most despicable act. Get out of here! Everyone here hates you!"

"My face... You slapped the hero's face, you little brat!?"

But Libel seemed to be completely deaf to the words.

"You insolent fool! I'll kill you! Anyone who insults the hero will be executed!"

*It's you who's the insolent one, isn't it?*

"Huh?"

Once again, Libel's body was covered in a white mist, limited to just him.

It was already clear that this was the mist created by the divine spirit Abinion.

*Noem has become quite good at standing up for herself. Your words are spot on. The credit for the victory goes to my master, and you are a despicable person who nitpicks.*

"What is this mist? ...A woman? A ghost? Why is there a female ghost here!?"

*To barge in and cause a commotion when not called for is beneath even a clown. You weren't invited, so leave now.*

Abinion caused another inexplicable phenomenon.

The mist formed a giant hand, which grabbed Libel.

"Huh? Huh? Huhh!?"

*At least try to entertain the audience with your exit, clown.*

The giant mist hand swung back and then threw Libel with all its might.

"Kyaaaaaahhhhhh!?"

Libel was thrown through the window of the audience hall and flew outside.

The hero was forcibly removed.

"...I didn't do anything, did I?"

*There's no need to trouble my master with such a small fry!*

An awkward silence filled the room.

The first to break it was, as expected, the king.

"...Minister."

The bald minister trembled at the call.

"Why did you allow such a fool to come here? The festive atmosphere has been ruined. You should have turned him away at the door."

"But... the hero should be treated with respect...!"

"Did you intend to let the hero speak and make Ryuya's ennoblement ambiguous? Shameful. I recall you were in charge of negotiations with the church. How much did you receive in bribes from the church representatives?"

"S-Such a thing...!"

"Since we need to reconsider our relationship with the church, your position must also be discussed. Return home and remain in seclusion. When I call you next, I will inform you of your new assignment."

The minister's face turned ashen, and he immediately bowed his head.

"Everyone, please leave. I want Ryuya to stay. I have something confidential to discuss."

◆

The audience hall, now empty, left only me, the king, Noem, Abinion, and Resliza.

Why are Noem and Abinion still here?

"We are always with Ryuya!"

*No one can separate us!*

It seems impossible to make them listen.

And finally, one more person.

"I am truly sorry."

Resliza bowed her head.

"When the hero was criticizing you, I should have defended you. I hid in the shadows..."

"The others must have worked to keep you from doing that."

I understand.

"Libel's target was you. Putting you in a place where he could see you would have been foolish. So the generals and the knight corps commander took the lead in confronting him, diverting his attention from you."

He had said something about marrying Princess Resliza.

"Is that right, Your Majesty?"

You must have wanted to discuss this with me.

The king, with a heavy heart, nodded...

"The foolish hero was right; Resliza is my daughter. The fourth one."

"You've been busy, Your Majesty."

Four children, huh?

"Passing on the royal blood is an important duty! Four is a standard number! However..."

The king's tone became somber again...

"Resliza is special. She was conceived out of genuine love, not as a royal duty."

That's intense.

The way he said it.

"Unfortunately, her mother has a low status, so she has no powerful backing. If the other princes and princesses start a succession struggle, she will be helplessly dragged into it and suffer."

"So you kept her status hidden and placed her as a knight?"

"Ryuya is perceptive. That's right. I want her to be free from the fate of the royal family, to pursue her own path and find her own happiness. That's my only wish as a father. However, an unsavory person has appeared to thwart even this small wish."

The church.

"I don't know how they found out, but they persistently pushed for a marriage with Resliza. Their plan is to gain political influence in our country through a royal marriage."

"You firmly refused."

"Of course. Because of my failures, Resliza, despite being a princess, has never received the treatment she deserves. To now force her into a political marriage and use her as a political tool would be shameful!"

So the king has been evading the church's demands, but they have been using underhanded tactics in response.

They refused all aid to the Centaurian Kingdom when it was attacked by demons.

They didn't send a hero or provide any healing, leaving the kingdom to face the demons alone.

"The desperate situation during the demon battle had that aspect to it as well."

"The one who saved us from that dire situation was none other than Ryuya, Noem, and the rest of you. I am deeply grateful."

The king bowed deeply from his throne.

"I thought the church would give up, but the hero's attitude suggests otherwise. They might use any dirty tactics. When that happens, Ryuya, you are the only one I can rely on."

In the end, it's because I have a proven track record of defeating demons.

Which also means I have a track record of thwarting the church's schemes.

"I want you on my side. Making you a noble is also part of this strategy. I intend to reward you fully for your efforts, so please consider it positively."

It seems I've been seen through.

I wasn't enthusiastic about becoming a noble.

I've lived as a commoner all my life, and I can't imagine being a noble.

I was going to politely decline, but his appeal tugs at my conscience.

I asked for some time to think about it and decided to leave the castle for now.