I'm not cut out to be a hunter. I'm not good enough, but I'm too mentally challenged.
I wonder how many times I've been summoned by Mr. Franz now. But it's normal to have meetings when requesting an escort, and I have a lot of ideas about how I've screwed up.

I've been called to a lot of places, but no matter how many times I'm called, I never get used to it. Behind me, Crus is complaining about it.

I'm going to go with you because Lapidus told me to listen to the orders of the Yowaningen. But no matter how much I can rely on you, you're the leader, so you need to be strong.

'Yeah, yeah, yeah,.......'

No, you can't. I still need someone like Sitri, Eva, Anthem or Ark to lead the organization.

What the hell does he want? ...... With the talks coming up, Franz-san probably doesn't have time to worry about me.

I went to Mr. Franz's room, prepared to give him my best knees at any time.

In front of the room stood a knight of the Kingsguard, fully armed, as if he were a gatekeeper.

I wondered if he would turn me away. ...... My hopes were dashed, and I was quickly let through. In the room, not only Franz and his bodyguards, but also the Emperor, whom I had seen before, was waiting for me.

He had a well-trained body that one would not expect from a member of the royal family, and his fearless face gave him the air of a hero. At the unexpected sight, I could only fix my expression with a smile.
I thought I had been summoned, but there he was, the emperor. Why are you here? .......

Is this why the Kingsguard was standing in front of the room.

Toizant was a backward country compared to Zebrudia, but it was not inferior to the Empire when it came to accommodations for foreign dignitaries.
The spacious rooms were air-conditioned and furnished with expensive looking furniture, although the desert climate made them feel a bit exotic. I have no idea how much it costs per night.

When I entered, His Majesty raised his hand to the guards around him before Franz could open his mouth.

'Thank you for coming, my dear. ...... out of your seats.'

The knights of the Kingsguard, with the exception of Franz, follow his instructions and leave the room. The only ones left are Mr. Franz, His Majesty, and Her Imperial Highness, who is standing still behind him.
Mr. Franz looked at Crus, who was behind me, and frowned.

'I thought I only called for you, ......'.

It seems that Kryss is no longer needed. Why would he want to talk to me over Kryss, who is so much better than me?
I said quickly, before he could open his mouth.

'No, Krus is useful. And you can trust him.

If we listen together, he'll be able to stop me when I'm about to do something wrong.

'Isn't that what you're talking about--'

'No, no, no. Franz.'

His Majesty stopped Franz, who seemed to be in a bad mood. To completely stop the noble Franz-san with just one word, that's quite a charisma.
Radric Aulme Zebrudia was reputed to be a fierce fighter and a rare master of war, but it seems that this was true. Come to think of it, he has maintained his dignity even after becoming a frog. I don't think he's the same person anymore.

'We don't have much time. First, thank you for all your hard work escorting me here. I've summoned you here to discuss the matter of this escort and our future together.'

I see. ...... I didn't expect you to come at a time when the meeting hadn't started yet, but I should have expected it.

Would he be beheaded? Would he be captured? We should have kept the sheet ghosts waiting outside so that we could escape at a moment's notice.

Franz-san continued with a grim expression.

'You invited members of the infamous Nine-Tailed Shadow Fox to be part of His Majesty's bodyguard, and as a result, crashed the Empire's pride airship, the Black Star. In light of the laws of the Empire, he deserves to be punished with death. It is unacceptable to use His Majesty as bait for any reason, and to lead him to the Treasure House is completely unheard of.

Nobles are usually too arrogant to think of the common people. The laws of the empire are fair to a certain extent, but even so, there are many stories of common people crying because of the arrogant acts of nobles.
However, Franz's words made a lot of sense to me. If I were in Mr. Franz's position, I would say the same thing.

'...... I see.'

I couldn't help but gulp at his words. ...... It's been another terrible trip. As I nodded sullenly, a vein appeared in Franz's forehead.
I'm calm because I've had a few similar experiences. Mr. Krus, who was following behind me, called out.

'Wait. It's true that Yowaningen went too far, but as it turns out, we've arrived safely in Toaizant, sir. The reason I invited the fox members in was to flush them out, and considering that, there are extenuating circumstances--'

'No,......, I just didn't notice.

'What? Huh?

Crus shouted in an absurd voice.

I'm sorry for my incompetence. But I don't normally think that a member of such a secret organization would be mixed in with the members of the famous Demon Staff. Besides, Kecak Chakka was very suspicious too. Who would have guessed that such a suspicious man was really a bad guy?
In addition, Franz-san, who accepted the members I brought with me as they were, might also have a problem.

While I was shifting the blame in my mind without expressing it, His Majesty confirmed it to me.

'Hmm. Krei Andrich. In your opinion, do you think that the Abyssal Fire Extinguisher is a member of the Foxes?'

'No, sir. No, I don't.'

I don't need to think about it. I answer immediately and His Majesty's eyes widen.

'Can you tell me why?

'If she were a fox, she wouldn't be assassinating people.

Abyssal Fire is an old woman like an angry fire dragon. If she wanted to do something, she'd choose to burn it to the ground.
His Majesty frowns at my words. He thought about it for a while, but then nodded his head.

'...... If you didn't know, then it's unavoidable.

'......As you wish.'

After a moment of silence, Franz responded to the grave words in a hushed voice.

The tide has turned. Krus rolls his eyes. For some reason, I felt the urge to vomit.

Franz opened his mouth. The look on his face said he wasn't happy with the situation, but he didn't want to argue. His loyalty is quite admirable.

'His Majesty has said that he will warmly forgive you for the mistakes you've made so far. This is something that should never have happened.



'That's ...... impossible, isn't it?'

'Shut up and listen.'

I have a bad feeling about this.

It's impossible. It's impossible. What happened with the escort this time, even if it was negligence, even if everything was settled (which it wasn't), it wasn't something that could be forgiven without blame. Cruse's eyes widened in surprise.

I was prepared to be punished to some extent too. I was prepared to be punished to a certain extent, but I was not blameless. ...... There's more to a good story than meets the eye. There is nothing more expensive than free.

Mr. Franz continued.

'Each country's soldiers will be in charge of security at the talks. There will be ironclad security at the venue. There will be no problem even if the Stopwater attacks. We're guests here. We can't interfere. Do you understand, Krei Andrich?

'Of course, of course. But it's unlikely that the Haltwater or the Kecak Chakka will attack us.

They're probably under house arrest at the Lost Inn, and I can call them if you want. I have the latest smartphone now.
Mr. Franz nodded grandly at my words, and said in a dignified voice.


'And so--you will be given a new and important mission. You are to escort Her Imperial Highness Princess Murina during her meeting.

'What?'

'I can't take you to the meeting. I'll have my bodyguards escort her, but since the fox took direct action, I'll be careful. This is an opportunity to redeem yourself.


I glanced at Her Highness Princess Murina. She seems to be a very quiet person, and when she looked at me, she lowered her eyes. I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results.

...... No, no, no, no, wait, wait. I'm not sure why you brought Her Imperial Highness here if you don't intend to have her attend the meeting. Bringing the emperor's daughter to a dangerous foreign land for no reason at all can only be described as stupid.
In the first place, escorting Her Imperial Highness is not part of the contract. But I can't say no to that either. I'm in trouble.

'Don't forget that you turned Her Highness into a frog. You should be grateful that I gave you the opportunity to redeem yourself.'

'............ Ah, that did happen.'

'......'

Mr. Franz grits his teeth. I'm sorry I turned you into a frog, but I told you beforehand that I had no control over it, and since you were able to get back to normal after all, there's no stain on me for that.
The problem was--their consciousness. They're still trying to rely on me, even though they've had a rough time with me as their bodyguard. I'd like to ask them about that.

'Shouldn't the Kingsguard be enough? Or do you have some idea what's going on?

The knights of the Kingsguard should be the pride of the Commander, Franz. They were helpless against Telm, but that was because they were level 7 mages, and in the general category, they were more than good enough. They are a hundred times better than me.

But if that's not enough, is there a reason why they're attacking me?

Even though I'm not a political person, I have a lot of information about Emperor Radric, but I don't know anything about Princess Murina. She is not a great sovereign, nor is she good at anything, nor does she have any achievements.
It may be disrespectful to say this, but she is too shadowy. I didn't even know his name until the other day. I don't think he has much reason to be attacked. I don't think there's much reason for you to be attacked. You're probably just a hostage,......, but that's why I don't understand why you didn't leave me in the Empire.

But Franz's expression changed when I asked him the obvious question. It wasn't anger. It was shade.

It was His Majesty who spoke next. For a moment, hesitation flashed across his face. It was as if he were looking at a bomb about to explode.

Then His Majesty said in a tone as if whispering a state secret.





'A thousand changes. This is a confidential matter, but ...... actually, Murina is ---- very unlucky.'


'Bad ...... luck?'


Crus blinked curiously. Her Imperial Highness shrinks back.
She must be thinking that it was nothing at all, even though she was told it as if it were a secret.

I couldn't help but smile and say to His Majesty.



'No.'


Franz's face tightened, but I could not compromise on this point.
After all, his luck was so bad that the emperor of a major empire would make it a state secret. He must be extremely unlucky. He must be so unlucky that he can see the damage.

Treasure hunters are supposed to be good luck hunters, but I don't think it's at that level.

'So you're saying that the fact that Kecak Chakka and Telm got mixed up with the guards out of my intentions, the many dragons that attacked us, the ship that fell, and the Treasure Hall that was hit, were all problems caused by Her Imperial Highness' bad luck?

Well, it was bad, but I had experienced similar bad luck a few times before, and it was usually the same, so I didn't notice it at all.

I thought that all of them were caused by the employer,......, and I thought that His Majesty was unlucky, but it was His Imperial Highness who was at fault. It's a terrible rumor.
What, are you just blaming me? You bastard! I don't care if it's disrespectful. I'll say it when I have to! I only bow to you when I'm weak.

Now that I think about it, it's no wonder you're not blaming me. It was all Her Imperial Highness' fault!

Her Imperial Highness is trembling. Mr. Franz closes in on me and shouts at me.

'No, don't misunderstand me. Even though it was bad luck, it was the first time we've had so much trouble. I hired you to deal with them in the first place! I have no reason to complain!

'?

He was momentarily overwhelmed by the tone and content of his voice. But I can't say I'm a level 8 if I back down now.
I was defeated, so I closed in on Franz and said.




'............ Yes, yes, yes. Luck is not something you can see, and all this misfortune is just a coincidence. It's Telm, Kecak Chakka and that treasure house that are to blame, not His Highness Murina and me at all. I'll be happy to take on that guard for you!