Chapter 76

"Wait a moment!"

Suddenly, an outrageous statement was blurted out.

Multiple countries calling for a hero? There’s an order to it?

Just by the words alone, this country seems to have done something outrageous.

"Explain in detail."

"Yes."

The queen’s story goes like this.

Reports of damage from waves were reported worldwide, and the kings of various countries decided to hold a conference.

Of course, there are countries like Merlomark and Siltvelt, which have a dog-and-monkey relationship, but it was decided that the current issue is to solve the problem of the world heading towards its end, as the prophecy is true. They agreed that they could fight over it later.

The conference decided that Merlomark would perform the hero summoning as the fourth country.

Incidentally, the hero that appears through the summoning is usually just one person. In most cases, even if they are called, no one appears.

Of course, it is also arranged that the summoned hero will go to other countries.

"So, why did this country end up calling the hero?"

"The hero summoning is typically performed using fragments of holy relics at a designated time and through a designated ritual..."

It turns out that the Tri-Brave Church擅自地在女王不在期间擅自进行了四圣勇者的召唤。

"From what I know, this religion has been rooted in this country for a long time, and the Tri-Brave Church was a relatively conservative organization. That's why I overlooked it, but they took a surprisingly large action unexpectedly."

"Isn't that a serious problem?"

Calling the hero who is supposed to save the world in one place...

"Yes... That's why a large amount of criticism has flooded into this country. Dealing with it is the first problem."

"Are you seriously entrusting the country to someone who could potentially start a war?"

That's the big problem. The person entrusted is just too bad.

"What do you mean by 'such a person'!"

"Shut up!"

The queen's stern command silences the scoundrel.

"There was a significant issue there. Before the waves, I was involved in diplomacy, and I entrusted the country to someone who was excellent in internal affairs and was my right-hand man..."

"But?"

"He passed away due to the waves... He was well-respected by sub-humans as well..."

Unfortunately... The ones left behind were just scoundrels and useless people.

...It's unnatural for them all to be incompetent.

The new people placed in their positions had no track record, or that's the speculation.

At worst, a scoundrel with more power than him silenced him.

"The fact that this reached me coincided with the hero summoning!"

The queen slaps the scoundrel's cheek.

"Ouch—"

Ah, she's really angry because she couldn't return to the country due to various issues.

"The successor, my incompetent husband, was demoted! There were also mysterious deaths and ridiculous incidents... The culprit was the Tri-Brave Church!"

"Guh!"

"Moreover, on the day after the hero's departure, the Shield Hero was suspected of a crime! Suspect a conspiracy!"

"Guh!"

"Furthermore, the fact that the Shield Hero is being discriminated against! Understand how many times it almost led to war!"

"Geho!"

"And at the end of the second wave, what were you thinking by trying to confiscate the Shield Hero's slaves through the dark side!"

What!?

What did she just say?

"Wait a moment, Raphatalia was mediated by you?"

"That's for later. Now, it's about this guy's punishment."

Wow... She's really losing it.

"Your unilateral actions have led to the nobles of this country plotting to seize royal power. In Siltvelt and Shildfrieden, riots have broken out, creating a war atmosphere!"

Somehow... I started to feel sympathy for the queen.

She had to fight alone to protect the country after all her reliable people died or disappeared.

Wow. What kind of rhetoric does she have to pull off such a feat?

She just looks like a hysterical woman in her early 20s beating her husband.

By the way... She's Bitch and Melt's mother. She's trying to look young.

"To top it all off, wanting to meet Melt is such a selfish request! I've reached my limit. So, I set a trap!"

"What!?"

"Your obvious demands must have been incited by someone close to you. I dispatched a large number of guards as a precaution! That's the beginning and the end of this incident!"

The queen declares passionately.

"The Tri-Brave Church is recognized as a cult! Merlomark will adopt the Quad-Brave Church as the state religion!"

"What!? Abandoning the tradition since the founding of the country?"

"There is no value in a cult that only causes problems!"

The Quad-Brave Church?

"What's that?"

"A religion that equally worships the four holy heroes."

Melt explains.

Well, considering that there are many countries with the legend of the four heroes who save the world, it makes sense.

"Originally, the Tri-Brave Church was a radical faction that separated from the Quad-Brave Church... I'll have to explain from the beginning of this country."

"Wow..."

If Siltvelt has a religion dedicated to the Shield, it's natural for another country to have a religion that worships all four weapons.

In other words, Merlomark has always disliked the Shield Hero that Siltvelt worships.

It's like the enemy country's faith is demonic, their religion is a cult, and our religion is the true religion, which led to the birth of the Tri-Brave Church.

So, the royal family was probably the moderate faction?

"Hmm..."

After a tirade of insults and slaps, the queen seems to have calmed down and turns to me, hiding her mouth with a fan.

"There are other things... but I'll teach you later, Mr. Iwatani."

"No... I don't want to hear those war stories."

"You need to hear them. Mr. Iwatani has caused many problems as well."

Ugh... What is it? I feel like I shouldn't hear it.

Honestly, I've done a lot of things that can't be called good.

Of course, I don't regret them and have no intention of doing so.

"For example, the incident where you incited monsters to attack a merchant."

"Hmph..."

"The incident where you caused a disturbance in a bar."

I have too many memories of such incidents.

"Who do you think made sure these incidents didn't reach your husband's ears?"

"Are you going to lecture me? I'm not like those guys."

"Of course not... I just want you to listen."

"No matter what you say, I don't think what I did was wrong."

"Of course. There were faults on the other side, so it was easier to silence them in other countries. The problem isn't there."

"Hmm..."

"Anyway, there are still a lot of punishments that need to be carried out."

The scoundrel and Bitch are pale.

It's time to pay the piper.

"Are you dissatisfied?"

"Of course I am!"

"Right! Mom! I'm not the bad one!"

"...I severed all ties with you just now. You are officially disowned. Pay the fine to the country, wherever you go..."

The queen, who almost expelled Bitch on impulse, stops mid-sentence.

Then, she hands a piece of paper with the amount to Bitch. Bitch's face turns even paler.

For a slut like her, is she also a big spender?

"There's no way I can pay such an amount!"

"That's the money you demanded from the guild whenever something happened. You took it from the national treasury... Don't think you can run away. You will serve the country like a slave from now on..."

"No way!"

"If you don't, go save the world with the hero. If you do a good job, I'll consider it."

The queen silences Bitch and then looks at the scoundrel.

"Why are you making that face like it's someone else! You too, Ortklay!"

The scoundrel flinches.

He really can't stand up to the queen.

Then, he should be more tactful.

"Will you fight on the front lines of the waves as a general of the country, or will you become an adventurer?"

"Ku... My queen, I was deceived. Please show mercy."

"Right. Mom, please give us some time."

"The mercy and time have run out. ...Ah, I have a good idea."

The queen beckons me.

I step forward as if I've been waiting for this.

"Mr. Iwatani, what punishment should be given to these two? You have the right to decide."

"Die! Death penalty!"

It came out almost reflexively. I really do unconsciously hate them.

Honestly, there are no other options.

My hatred for you can only be resolved by death.

"Guh! You—"

"Don't be ridiculous—"

The queen raises her hand to silence them.

"Will you really be satisfied by killing them?"

The flow of magic from the queen wraps around me.

This is what it means to have your spine freeze. I instinctively understand that this is what you say to a sinister person.

"Killing them is a given. But making them suffer thoroughly, achieving something, and then killing them with a smile of liberation would be interesting."

"Go on, I'm listening."

"Killing them is too lenient. If they prove useful, petting them like a dog and keeping them alive would be... enjoyable."

Not showing any affection, even to family... The depth of this country might lie with the queen.

"Consider this my last act of kindness."

"Ah... I see."

In other words, she wants me to spare their lives. She will fulfill any other request.

"Following the scandal of the Tri-Brave Church, if the former royal family members are easily executed by the queen's authority, it will affect the evaluation from other countries."

"Publicly crucifying the two incompetent people who troubled the world might be a better message to send to foreign countries."

"Shield... You...!"

Ignoring the groaning scoundrel, the queen announces.

"Normally, that would be the case. But it doesn't apply to Ortklay."

"Why not?"

"This fool was once great, in the past. ...Now he's just a nuisance, but his name is known abroad, so he can't be killed easily..."

I don't know what this scoundrel has done, but I understand the situation.

He has too much fame.

To begin with, I always thought he had too much power for a royal consort.

He must have had significant achievements in the past. That's why the relevant parties haven't been silent.

Losing his past glory, being defiled, and still being kept alive... It might be interesting to look down on this man from above.

"Understood. I'll go with your plan."

"Thank you."

"However, make sure these two experience living hell. That's the minimum condition."

"Yes, of course... Then, what punishment should we start with?"

Right... As long as they don't die, it's fine.

"Amputating their limbs is an option..."

Raphatalia looks at me with a questioning gaze.

Indeed, we have the right and the justification to do it, but she probably thinks it's too much.

...What should I do? I can't back down now.

If I miss this chance, I'll lose the opportunity that has finally come around.

"...Mr. Naofumi"

Bitch pleads with her hands clasped, tears in her eyes.

It's a great performance. If you didn't know the truth, you'd definitely be fooled.

She must have used this face to seduce her husband.

By the way, this is the first time she's called me by my name...

"Please, don't do something foolish like revenge. Revenge only begets more revenge. It's just a matter of Mr. Naofumi enduring it. If possible, show more leniency to the queen."

...

...

...

...Huh.

"Right..."

That day, messengers rode horses, Filorials, and wyverns, and announced this to every village and town without fail.

"The responsibility for this incident has been taken by Merlomark's King Ortklay and Princess Melt, who have been renamed Scoundrel and Bitch forever! Anyone who uses their old names will be severely punished, regardless of the reason!"

Thus, hastily, signs were erected in all cities, towns, and villages, with the same content written on them.

People, regardless of their status or position, said the same thing in unison.

"Wha!?"