Chapter 23

Just like last time, around 10 o'clock, we were led to the audience chamber.

If it was supposed to be distributed the next day, he could have just said so... Is this bastard king trying to make my life miserable?

I have to be with these people I don't even want to see. What if I get a hole in my stomach?

"Then, I will hand over the reward and assistance for this wave."

Reward?

An attendant appears, holding a bag of gold.

"To each of the heroes."

My gaze shifts to the bag of gold.

I'm sure the monthly assistance is at least 500 silver coins.

500 coins alone... would be a problem.

"You did well."

Raphatalia smiles at me.

"Yeah."

What should I buy with this money?

Maybe Raphatalia's weapon? Or, since it's a good opportunity, some good armor?

Ah, but I also want to replace the equipment I use for mixing potions. I was actually curious about what would happen if I let the shield absorb that equipment.

The sound of the gold bag makes my dreams of what to buy expand.

I receive the bag and check the contents.

One, two, three... yeah, 500 coins.

"To Motasu, 4000 silver coins for your outstanding performance and the completion of the request."

Hey!

Taken aback, I stare at the heavy bag Motasu holds.

If I complain, I'll probably get even more insults, so I keep quiet, but I can feel the tension in my fists.

"Next, to Ren, 3800 silver coins for your performance in the wave and the completion of my request."

You too!?

Ren, trying to look cool, holds the bag of gold, but I can see he's envious of Motasu. He mutters under his breath, "Because he's the princess's favorite..."

"And to Itsuki... Your performance has resonated throughout the country. Well done on completing that difficult task. 3800 silver coins."

I can tell Itsuki thinks this is about right, but he's looking enviously at Motasu.

What request?

"Hmph, the Shield needs to try harder. Just the assistance."

Not even my name! Who are you calling the Shield?

I feel a vein in my head about to burst.

After all the selfish things you said yesterday, you're saying this!?

"Your Majesty."

Raphatalia raises her hand.

"What? Half-human."

"Um, what is the request?"

Raphatalia must have noticed. She overlooks the low reward and asks about something else.

"I have the heroes solve problems that arise in our country."

"Why isn't Naofumi-sama receiving any requests? I've never heard of this."

"Hah! What can the Shield do?"

Ugh!

The audience chamber is filled with derisive laughter.

Oh no, I might lose it. Then I hear Raphatalia's fists clenching. She's trembling, trying to suppress her anger.

...Yeah, she can't take it either.

"Be grateful just to receive the assistance!"

"You didn't do anything, did you?"

"That's right. I didn't see you during the wave. What were you doing?"

"You're not fit to be a hero if you're just a burden."

My frustration reaches its peak. At least I can throw in an insult.

"If you only fight the boss and leave civilians to die, of course you'll look like a hero. Sir Hero."

"Ha! That's the job of the knights."

"The problem is that the knights are too slow. If things had continued, how many would have died... You only had eyes for the boss, didn't you?"

Motasu, Ren, and Itsuki turn to look at the knight captain.

The captain nods, looking resentful.

"But, it's true that the damage would have increased without the heroes dealing with the source of the wave. Don't get too cocky!"

This bastard... Are you saying this?

You were just lounging in the castle, and now you're acting high and mighty.

I'm a hero too. Or is it that the Shield isn't a hero?

"Alright, alright. We're busy, so we'll leave now that we've got the money."

There's no point in getting worked up here. It's best to leave now.

"Wait, Shield."

"What? I don't have time like you."

"You're a disappointment. Consider this severance pay."

Grr!

In other words, you're saying there will be no assistance after the wave!

"That's good, Naofumi-sama."

Raphatalia answers with a full smile.

"...Huh?"

"Now we don't have to come to this pointless place. Instead of wasting valuable time on meaningless things, we should focus on what's truly important."

"Ah... Yeah."

I feel like Raphatalia is becoming more reliable.

When she squeezes my hand, I feel my anger fading.

"Then, Your Majesty, we'll take our leave."

She leads me out with a light step, and we leave the castle.

"Listen to the whining of a loser."

Motasu, who I want to tell to shut up, and Ren and Itsuki, who remain silent, shrug their shoulders.

...Yeah. Sharing this injustice makes me feel so much better.

"Alright, let's go to that tent and get a curse placed on us."

"Huh?"

As we leave the castle, Raphatalia turns to me.

"Otherwise, Naofumi-sama won't truly believe me."

"No... I don't have to..."

I remember what she said yesterday.

I think that's enough to believe her.

"Come on... You don't have to be a slave."

"No."

"Huh?"

"Naofumi-sama can only believe slaves, so lying won't work."

...Maybe I've raised Raphatalia wrong.

Well, it's true that I can only believe slaves, but I think I can believe Raphatalia.

Yeah.

"Hey, Raphatalia."

"What is it?"

"You don't have to get cursed, you know?"

"No, I want to."

...Why is this kid so fixated on this?

"I want proof that Naofumi-sama believes me."

"Ah..."

First, I think, what a strange person...

Second, for some reason, Mein's face pops into my head, and I get angry.

Why? I don't even know, and I don't want to take it out on Raphatalia.

Normally, would I feel something else...? It's a strange feeling.

"Come on, let's go."

"Alright."

If she's this determined, there's no stopping her.

We decided to visit the tent that deals with slaves.