After that, the journey went on without any problems...
　As planned, they arrived at the royal capital five days later.

　The royal capital was many times larger than Horizon, and the entire perimeter of the city was surrounded by high stone walls.
　There are entrances in places, and they are checked by knights every step of the way to prevent suspicious people from entering the city.

　We entered the royal capital through the royal family's own doorway.
　We were able to enter the capital without much inspection, thanks to Sarya's face pass.
　We are thankful for this.

　We went to the castle with Sarya.

　The royal castle is located in the center of the capital, protected by walls and gates that are even higher than the city's outer walls.
　There is one entrance and exit, and a large number of knights are always stationed there.
　So the protection is called an iron wall.

　Thanks to Sarya-sama, I was able to get inside easily here too.
　Seeing Kanade and Tania, the knights were wondering what was going on....
　Nevertheless, I was able to enter the royal castle with only a light check.

　Once again, I realized that Sarya-sama was a princess.
　Even though she is the third princess, her power is very great.

　First of all, I was led to the guest room, where we parted ways with Sarya.
　It seems that she will talk to the king, and he wants me to wait here until then.

Wow, what a great room!
Isn't this room alone as big as our house?

　I should say that's as good as it gets.
　Kanade and Tania were strolling through the drawing room without fear.
　They let out a strange snorting sound as they looked at the finely crafted furniture and furnishings.

　I, on the other hand, wasn't as free as the girls...

'Oh?　Lane, what's going on?　You look kind of weird.
Are you nervous, by any chance?

　Sola and Luna noticed me and called out to me.

'I've never seen Lane so nervous before.
You know I get nervous sometimes, too.

　He even followed me into the royal castle to thank me for helping him...
　I hadn't expected to meet with the king.
　I had thought that Sarya would thank me and that would be the end of it, but.......
　'As royalty, we can't do anything so appropriate,' he objected, 'and we're going to get the word directly from the king.

　It makes me sick to my stomach.
　I didn't even ask for that, though....

Well, it can't be helped. If you have helped the princess, as the king who rules the country, you can't afford not to say a few words.
'I rather think it's only natural. I wondered if Rain had thought that far ahead and saved that princess.

　I'm sorry for helping you without any particular thought.

Hmm ... don't I think Rain did a good thing ...
That's why. The fact that he doesn't think about his future is a bit of a reflection on him, but still, the fact that he can help people without hesitation is a good thing about Rain's husband.

　Nina and Tina followed up with that.

'Excuse me,'

　There was a knock on the door and a knight appeared.

'You are ready now, please come to the audience chamber.

　It's time.
　Nervously, I left the drawing room.



----------



Heads up.

　Our heads were down, and we looked up softly at the king's words.

　We saw the Lord of this continent, Argus Van Lollies, the ruler of this continent.
　He is said to be over sixty years old, but the supremacy he wears is not that of an old man.
　He is a warrior of successive battles, and when you face him like this, you can even feel the pressure.

　The king sat on his throne and next to him was Sarya-sama.
　Unlike when she was traveling, she was adorned with dresses and jewelry.
　She's so beautiful that you can't help but admire her.

'Sarya told me about you. I heard that you not only saved me from the demons, but also helped me capture the disloyal ones?　You're welcome.
Ha, that's too good to be true.

　He bowed his head in response to the king's words.
　Everyone else bowed their heads as well, as if to imitate it.

　I was worried that Kanade and Tania and others would say, "I don't know anything about human etiquette..." but...
　They weren't, and they were properly polite.

'Thanks to you, I was able to flush out the disloyal person sooner than I expected. We've accomplished our goal. You deserve a reward. What would you like?

　I learned something that stuck with the king's words.
　Reveal?　Purpose?

　Think about what that word means...
　Not long after, I arrived at an assumption.

　Maybe it's just my imagination, but....
　But strangely enough, it didn't feel wrong.
　I felt like this was the right answer.

　If that's the case, then I'm........

In lieu of a reward, may I ask you one question?
Yeah?　What is it?
'Could it be that the king was aware that there were people in Lady Sarya's vicinity who were after him?
"Law.

　The king looked like he had found something interesting.
　Everyone was behind him, so he couldn't see their faces, but he could feel the atmosphere of surprise.
　Sarya-sama.....carried a quiet smile.

'Do you mean to say that this me, daring to have someone who wanted my daughter as a guard.......?
Yes, sir.
Hmm, let me assure you. What makes you think that?
It's...

　Lady Sarya has to leave the castle with only a few guards due to highly sensitive official business.
　An assassin has been chosen as that bodyguard, an assassin who aims to kill Lady Sarya.
　And it's not just one assassin........all of them.

　How much of a coincidence is this possible?
　

　But the king is not an incompetent one.
　He is a wise and strong man, as you can see when you meet him like this.
　A man like that would never choose an assassin to protect his daughter.

　But what if he did dare choose an assassin?
　What if he was deliberately letting the assassin, who is cautious and doesn't let him grab his tail easily, have the perfect opportunity to swim on purpose?
　It makes sense.

　So, this king....
　He was trying to use his own daughter as bait to flush out the treacherous people who were nesting in the country.
　Perhaps the plan was to rescue Sarya-sama from somewhere and round her up, even if I didn't go in to help.

'Hmm, I see.

　When I told him what I thought, the king laughed lightly.
　Even at a time like this, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

''You, you would do such a thing to the king...!
Do you wish to be beheaded for being so rude?

　The king's entourage shouted, but it wasn't me who was frightened by it.

'It's an interesting idea. No flaws. But you have no proof, do you?
Yes, I have no proof. But would a would-be king dodge a charge?
"Hmm.
If I'm delusional, I'll pay with my life. But if I'm not...
Then what?
Please apologize to Lady Sarya.
....

　The king's eyes roll back.

''Perhaps Sarya-sama was aware of this strategy. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to respond flexibly. But........I don't think it's permissible for a parent to take advantage of a child, even if it's for the sake of the country.
Don't tell me, kid.

　The pressure gets stronger.
　It's as if I'm facing the strongest species.
　Still, I don't stop speaking.

'Even if Sarya-sama was aware.....there must have been some thoughts. Even if your body wasn't hurt, your heart must have been hurt. So please apologize. That's the reward I want.
d*mn it...
Good.

　An aide tried to step forward, perhaps to have me beheaded, but the king stopped him.

　The king stared at me...
　Eventually, he laughs vigorously.

"Haha, very funny. Very funny. It's been a long time since I've felt this good about myself that I've felt this good about myself.
Father...?
'Sarya, these adventurers you have brought with you are very interesting.

　I'm not sure what's going on here, but...
　I was ready to say my head, but he liked it the other way around.

　The king laughed happily for a moment.
　Then he stood up from his throne and bowed his head towards Sarya.

'I'm sorry, Sarya,'
Father...!　 If I can make myself useful for my country, I'll be happy to help.
'You're growing up to be a good princess. But you're too good a girl to be spoiled. What I have done is just as wrong as the adventurer says. I had to expose the transgressor as soon as possible in order to protect the others, so I carried out this plan, but it could have been done better. I regret that.
Father....

　It seems that Sarya had her own thoughts.
　Hearing the king's apology, Sarya seemed happy.

Well.....

　The king sat on his throne again and looked at me.

'Is that all right?　I'm an adventurer.
Yes, I'm sorry.
Good. I am grateful to you for this opportunity. Therefore, there is no punishment for you. You understand?

　The king said this to his entourage, as if to remind them.

'You may stay at the castle tonight. I want to reiterate my thanks for helping Salya.
Yes. Then I'll take you up on your offer.
'Oh, by the way I forgot to ask you your name.
Oh, excuse me. My name is Lane Shroud.

　The moment he uttered his name, the king's face changed.