While Rumelia was playing with Heishela, a group of knights came from the direction of the royal castle.

The soldiers hurriedly split off to either side to make their way through.

Their orderly marching movements were undisturbed and showed their high level of discipline.

The knights who stopped in front of Lumeria playing with High Sierra all kneeled in place at once.

''Princess Lumeria, Your Highness. We are here to receive you, the third knight leader Lieselotte and the other twenty. Our guest, Virum-dono and the others will be accompanied by our guards, so I ask you to accompany them.

Thanks for your help. Liz, I know you have nothing to worry about, but you should never be rude to me.

Following Lumeria's gaze as she moved flickeringly, she saw Ristiane's figure, who had finally been freed by Cunaria's hands.

''Huh. That idiot, has he done something again?''

Yes, you've done a great job with our guest. I know you're doing this for me, but you don't know how much you're getting. It's a good thing that you have a good military force.

'But isn't the Princess responsible for this incident? It was the princess who chose Listy (that thing) to accompany her.

Oh, you're a good sport. I thought I reported it properly, didn't I?

'Leaving a note in the room is not a report. And I don't think Listy (Ale) would report it herself. I would ask you to put yourself in the shoes of someone who would tell it to His Majesty and the chief ministers.

Lieselotte, who covered her face with one hand as if she was dumbfounded, let out a grand sigh.

In fact, this Princess Highness (Lumeria), as can be thought from Lieselotte's words, is not an official emissary.

The reason why Rumelia, the princess's highness, had only one guard, Listiane, was also because she had a fanatical loyalty to him, so he wouldn't let her report to him without permission.

This is the reason why he or she had a dispute with Vilm and almost turned against him or her, but...

Now, you are relieved of your knight Ristiane's bodyguard at this time. Go home and wait for news from the castle.

What? Wait a minute, Liz! Why should I be removed from the princess's guard?

''You still don't have a good way of talking to your superiors, Listi. That's why you're one of the best in the country, but you're still a junior knight. Take him away!

Following Lieselotte's orders, two knights take up positions on either side of Listiane.

''Yes, yes. If you're going to riot, I'll send you to a quiet position where you'll never again have any contact with Princess Lumeria. Keep quiet, okay?

Listiane was already on the verge of going out of control, but when she heard Lieselotte's words, she was reluctantly taken away by the two knights.

After she was out of sight, Lieselotte turned towards Virum and the others.

''Nice to meet you. Virum-dono, Meldina-dono and Cunaria-dono. I am sorry for the delay in greeting you. I'm Lieselotte, I am the Knight Commander of the Humane Kingdom. I have been entrusted with the task of guiding and escorting you to the castle. I look forward to working with you.

It's Vilm.

Meldina. It's a pleasure to meet the famed Lady Lieselotte.

I'm Cunnalia. Hi, it's nice to meet you!

Lieselotte shook hands with a good-natured smile and shook hands with them in turn.

Even Vilm, who was showing caution, took his hand without seeming to care much about it.

It's a good idea to make sure that you have a good idea of what you're doing.

In addition, Heishela waits outside the castle walls (sit) by Rumelia's order (selfishness).

After being recognized as Lumelia's flying dragon, Heishela was assigned about 20 soldiers to watch over her and take care of her.










* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *










When they reached the royal castle, Vilm and his men were immediately ushered into an antechamber near the King's Chamber.

King Zeldia, who had received a message from Rumelia, had called off all governmental affairs and audiences for the day and made preparations for a meeting with Virum and the others.

Meldina and Cunaria seemed uncomfortable with the lavish furnishings, which they rarely saw.

Wyrm seems to be leaning against the wall, thinking about something.

In the meantime, a soldier calls me and leads me to a large doorway that leads to the king's room.

'Don't be rude,'

Vilm and his friends look out for the soldiers who are advising them and walk through the open door.

The first thing that jumped into view was the beautiful furnishings that were on a different level from the ones in the waiting room.

A chandelier that emits a light that looks like it's dotted with stars.

A red carpet with an abundance of gold thread that felt soft as you walked on it.

Paintings with a powerful power that holds the gaze of viewers and does not let go.

It was so beautiful and glittering that it was hard to imagine how much gold was used in this room alone.

In the midst of all this, Virum was walking as if he were taking a walk through the city.

Meldina and Cunaria seemed uncomfortable, but they walked behind him, pulled by Vilm.

Stopping a dozen or so meters before the throne, Virum looked up slightly and caught the king's figure.

He is a mature man with a face reminiscent of a man in his fifties, but the intimidation emanating from his body is quite impressive.

Although he is dressed in extravagant clothing, he looks as if he is standing on the front lines of a battlefield.

It's more appropriate to call him a great general than a king.

Are you the king of this country?

Virum speaks to the king (Zeldia) in a tone as if he were talking to an acquaintance.

'Huh? What disrespect to the king!

These adventurers who don't know anything about common sense won't go this far!

"Get on your knees or else!

The overlords instantly begin to make a commotion.

It is the expression of Lieselotte, who was standing by, that has not changed, but she is looking at Vilm.

It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

Good, be still.

They responded to the words Zeldia uttered, and they quieted down as if they had hit the water with a snap.

Zeldia's sharp eye light shoots through Virum.

Probably, if you're not a suitably talented person, you'd be cowering under this gaze alone.

It's interesting. It's just like a gentle breeze, neither resisting nor resisting my pressure. A man of some ability will reflexively prepare himself. If you don't have the ability to do that, you're going to make yourself stronger. You are far more competent than Bazelade has ever told me you are.

Zeldair looks at the unconcerned Virum with delight.

I'm sorry I tried to test you. I'm sorry to have tried it," he says, "but I can't help but be aroused by the sight of such a strong man as yourself. I am Zeldair-Humanio, king of my Humane Kingdom. You don't need to change your language or manners. I want to talk to you in your natural state.

He was Lumelia's father, after all, when he didn't show any signs of being particularly offended and didn't bother with words or politeness.

"I'm Virum the Adventurer. I came to this country at the request of the princess this time. I did indeed hand it over, right?

Yes, I'm here. Yes, I heard you. That little witch. I don't know where she was listening to me, but she was doing things on her own... Well, since you're here, let's not get hung up on the details.

It seems that Zeldair is having a hard time with Lumelia's energy.

It's a good thing that you've bought into it, but I'm what you guys call an "abomination". In all the years I've been in this country, the way people treat me, the way they treat their abominations, how is it that you, the king, are so friendly to them?

Ah, ah, ah, ah, you're getting good at it. You know what I'm thinking.

Laughing happily, Zeldia signaled to one of the assembled overlords.

Slowly, the one who appeared was Bazelard, who had come to Farren earlier as a diplomat.

Bazelard, who walked up next to Wyrm, first bows to the king (Zeldia).

''Your Majesty. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to make an apology to Virum-dono. I hope you will forgive me for exposing my abomination in front of your Majesty for a while.

Bazelard saw Zeldia nod at that statement, and he turned to Vilm and sat down, bowing his head.

''Virum-dono. I apologize once again for despising you as an abomination and for being rude to you, Spirit Beast. If you don't feel good about it, you can give me your head. If you want me to be your slave, I will gladly let myself fall into slavery. So, I ask you to consider the proposal you are about to make, without regard to your feelings toward us humans.

Having said that, Bazelard bows his head even more deeply.

His forehead is already touching the floor, and yet he continues to be apologetic as if to press on.

It is only in Farren that he was swept away by emotions from a series of impossible things, but he can sacrifice even his own existence if it is for the sake of his country, and even the king, for that matter.

That's the essence of Bazelade.

I don't care what people call me an abomination," he said. I don't care if people call me an 'abomination' or an 'abomination', I just want to shut you up because you're making a big deal out of it. I know that humans have their own agenda. So I don't blame you for that.

The overlords around them were surprised that Vilm, who had been scorned for being an abomination for so long, said he didn't care about that.

Even Zeldia frowns slightly.

Vyrm continues nonchalantly.

'But I'm not going to follow the human code. I'm not sure if it's the king's request or a slave's, but if I like it, I'll take it, and if I don't like it, I'll refuse it. If you're still willing to do that, then I'll at least listen to what you have to say.

"I have been brought up as an abomination under a code made by man. I can't be so shameless as to tie you up in knots now. I'm really, really sorry, Master Virum.

Bazelard lowers his head once again after raising it.

The overlords who were watching the exchange finally realize that Virum is the same person, but he has not lived as a human being.

''Your Majesty. ''I deeply apologize for the abomination I have exposed.''

Good. I felt something myself. Thank you. You can leave now.

Ha!

After bowing once to the king (Zeldia), Bazelard went back to where he was from.

Wyrm turned to Zeldia again.

''So? What is it that you want me to do for you?

Hmm. I heard rumors of you as an adventurer, and at first I wanted to bring you under my wing, but...

"No.

When Vilm refuses without a moment's pause, the strict gaze of the overlords stings.

''Don't be in such a hurry. I wanted to include you in my group, but after hearing the story of Bazelade, I changed my mind. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get to know each other better. As you wish.

Zeldia sits on the throne, but bows her head towards Virum.

''Heh, Your Majesty!

"The King bows his head! Please stop!

The king, Zeldia, bowed to Virum, a mere adventurer, and this upset the chief ministers.

''Shut up!''

Zeldir blackmails his chief advisors.

The blackmail is exactly the dignity of a king, and the chief ministers have no choice but to obey it.

You didn't feel anything when you heard Bazelade's words? As Bazelard said earlier, Wyrm was not in a position to be raised as an ordinary human being because of our self-created regulations. It is true that an abomination would have been dangerous. We also admit that we didn't know why the annihilation was occurring, and we had no choice but to throw them out of the living area. But that's exactly what we are saying. If you want to get the help of Virum, who has been raised without any contact with anyone but his parents due to the influence of the environment we created, isn't it only right to bow down and ask for it!

Zeldair was ashamed of himself.

"The fact is that they are human beings, just like the people of the Humane Kingdom, even if they are called an abomination or in danger of being annihilated.

The rules established to protect other people are at the expense of those same people (abominations).

Throw away the small and let the big live.

As a politician, it was the right decision, but I felt ashamed of myself for taking that treatment for granted, and if I knew it was in my best interest, I would flip out and try to add Wyrm to the fold.

Bazelard had made me realize that.

I can't ask you to be reverent to your country, Wyrm, but I need your help. But if we need your help, we will ask you to help us. Of course, when we need our country's help, we will do our best to accommodate it. So, please.

There was no lie in Zeldia's words, his eyes just reflected straight back at Virum.

'Do you have a moment?'

Zeldia bows her head and when there is a pause, Virum interrupts.

The chief ministers manage to swallow the frustration that surrounds them when they see Virum mimicking a delayed response, even though the king (Zeldia) is asking them to bow their heads, even though the king (Zeldia) is asking for it.

''What?''

When Zeldir asks back, Vilm begins to speak in a matter-of-fact manner.

'I've already killed humans. And not just the bandits you asked me to kill. I have no intention of showing mercy to beings who harm my family and friends. If it weren't for Meldina and Cunaria, I would have killed many more people. But I don't see that as a bad thing, and I won't change my mind. Do you still want to be friends with me?

What...?

Zeldia's expression is clouded.

''Wait (is)!''

The ones who jumped in were Meldina and Cunaria, who had been listening in silence until now.

''It was the slave trade that Ville killed. He only killed them to save us from our captors!

'Yes, sir! Master didn't do anything wrong!

The air seems to have lightened slightly, perhaps because the two of them were convinced by their desperate attempts to explain themselves.

However, Wilm continues to interrupt their defense.

It's true that the slavers killed the two men to save them. But from now on, when it comes to protecting my family and friends, it doesn't matter if they are human or demon, I will continue to kill them. Whether they ran away or begged for their lives. Humans don't understand this value system, and I don't expect them to understand it. If you're okay with that, then I'll help you in the form of a job.

As soon as Wyrm finishes speaking, a silence settles over the king.

He would not relent, no matter who it was, to protect those he cared about.

There would be a certain amount of people with that kind of belief, but Virum's words had a deeper weight to them.

When Vyrm truly encountered such a situation, he would not hesitate to carry it out.

That's where the problem comes in, and that's where Virum's ability to do it comes in.

Bazelard told me that the "son of abomination" possesses an enormous and extraordinary amount of magical power.

It's a high level of ability that has risen to the C-rank in a short period of time since he began his career as an adventurer.

The most important thing is that he has made a contract with a spirit beast that was considered a legendary creature.

It's too powerful for the fighting power that one individual possesses.

Zeldia exhaled heavily and leaned her body against the throne and looked up at the ceiling.

(At first, we were going to test it, but before long, we were in the position to be tested...)

Once again, Zeldia took a deep, deep breath, looked at Vilm again and opened her mouth.

'Aye, I understand. Let me take the form of a request only. Thanks to Wyrm's... no, I appreciate Lord Wyrm's suggestion.''

As if the answer was surprising, Vilm looks a little surprised.

''Huh? I thought you were going to force me to comply, but you made a very drastic decision.

"Bazelard has told me of Lord Wyrm and his spirit animal. "I've heard from Bazelade about Virum and his spirit animal. I can't risk my people's lives for mere guts.

Having said that, Zeldia smiles with a slightly complicated smile.

Even though he couldn't restrain himself the moment they met, Zeldia, who is belligerent enough to be intimidated, would be nothing but humiliation to declare substantial surrender without ever crossing his blade.

Believing in the words of his loyal vassal (Bazelade) and avoiding reckless conflict for the sake of the people, Zeldair's size is a testament to his capacity.

Virum, who felt the face of Satya, who is concerned about his family (people), in such a figure of Zeldia, his expression slightly faltered.

''I understand how you feel. From now on...''

"Wait for me, Father!

As I was about to say "nice to meet you," a door on the throne side, separate from the one through which Virum and the others had entered, was vigorously opened.