Chapter 32

Dantes, have you already decided on what you want?"

As I wondered this,

"It's fine."

The elderly Lev official looked at the emperor, who said this.

"Thank you. ——This time, the one who worked the hardest and achieved the most is Ruiji here."

Me? What's this sudden talk about?

"But he has been called the 'Child of Calamity' and has suffered discrimination because, despite dyeing his hair now, he was originally black-haired and black-eyed. Despite being a man who can dedicate himself so much to the people."

I was more surprised by being called a "man" rather than the shock of the term "Child of Calamity," and I couldn't help but catch my breath.

"Man" and not "boy" or "young man."

That means he recognized me as a full-fledged adventurer.

"What we want is for Ruiji to no longer suffer discrimination. That is, an identity card from the Lev Magic Empire and the emperor's backing."

I didn't expect him to say such a thing... here.

Mimino smiled gently beside me, and Non, who was in front, turned around and smiled warmly at me.

Ah—these people had decided from the beginning to aim for this.

Not for the glory or money of being an adventurer.

Just for my status.

For a status where I can live without being pointed at by anyone.

"..."

My eyes welled up, and I lowered my head.

Tears fell onto the carpet and were absorbed. Mimino gently held my hand, and the warmth made my emotions surge again.

"Hmm... Is that all right? Foreign Minister, I don't believe in superstitions like the 'Child of Calamity,' but what about other countries?"

"Yes, that's true. In rural and remote areas, superstitions are often taken seriously, and discrimination still exists."

I couldn't raise my head, but the elderly Lev answered. He was the Foreign Minister, Aba's superior.

"Such unscientific things?"

"Yes."

"Hmm... I don't understand the thoughts of the Human race."

The Lev Magic Empire has developed greatly thanks to its magical technology. Perhaps that's why they don't believe in superstitions that aren't based on existing technology.

Dantes—Dantes and the others must have considered this before bringing up this request.

"Understood. I will make a promise to the 'Silver Scales.' I, the Emperor of the Lev Magic Empire, will back Ruiji and guarantee his identity."

A murmur of approval spread through the hall.

Dantes reached out and ruffled my hair.

"Good for you, Ruiji."

"That's unfair..."

I wiped my face with the handkerchief Mimino offered, and the party members smiled brightly.

The Foreign Minister's voice echoed through the still-dazed grand hall.

"Silence. This is in the presence of the Emperor."

Once the hall was quiet again, the emperor spoke.

"Very commendable. But isn't this too little as a reward?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. For a First-Class Merit, only 'status guarantee' would be laughed at by other countries."

"Is there nothing else? Money, perhaps?"

He offered more.

"Well, what do you think? We hadn't thought about anything else besides Ruiji."

"Dad..."

"Well, we only discussed it to the extent of saying something like, 'If they offer to do something special, we'll say it.'"

They really did discuss it.

"——Why don't we leave it to Ruiji's wishes?"

When Mimino said this, Dantes and Non looked at me.

"Sounds good."

"Yes. Ruiji worked the hardest."

"N-no, wait! It's not right for me to take everything."

"Come on, say what you want. Even a weapon is fine."

Dantes grabbed my arm and pulled me up.

The gazes of many people pierced me—moreover, I could feel the emperor looking at me with interest.

"Well? 'Child of Calamity,' now known as the adventurer Ruiji, guaranteed by me, the Emperor. What do you wish for?"

I pursed my lips.

This—might be a good opportunity if I think about it.

"...Your Majesty, it might be impossible, but I will state my wish."

The emperor's eyes widened even more upon hearing the word "impossible."

"My wish is—"

When we left the audience chamber, exhaustion hit me all at once.

The four of us slumped onto the sofas in the waiting room.

"Phew... That's enough. They call this a 'grand stage' or something, but I'm fine with just getting the reward for completing a quest at the guild counter..."

Dantes said,

"Yes... But let's think of it as a good experience. Dad, you need to earn more money if you want to retire, right?"

"Ugh. You're right..."

"More importantly, Ruiji... I didn't expect you to say something like that, and I hadn't even heard about it at all!?"

Mimino jumped up.

"Hehe... Yeah, we didn't really have time to talk about it."

I scratched my head as I sat up.

We had been in a big battle until yesterday, and we were called in today. Thanks to [Recovery Magic], everyone's surface wounds were healed, but the fatigue and deep-seated damage remained.

Non, in particular, had been running around all night treating the soldiers and had only managed to get a short nap.

The Lev Magic Empire would now have to deal with the aftermath of this major incident and move towards reconstruction. There would be a lot of work ahead.

"The content of what I said to the emperor—"

As I was about to explain my other "wish,"

"Ruiji."

The door opened, and Aba rushed in.

"What's wrong? Could it be that my 'wish'—"

"No, it's not that. Ah, no, of course, your 'wish' was completely unexpected, and an emergency meeting with the emperor and his advisors has been called because you've really shaken things up in this country... but that's not what this is about."

Aba shook his head and continued.

"Actually... I heard that your acquaintance, the 'Black Pirate,' has disappeared with her companions."

Please wait a moment regarding Ruiji's "wish."

If the emperor can't answer immediately and needs to deliberate, what does that mean?