BXBX NOVEL Chapter 290: A Little Bit of Rest
Chapter 290: A Little Bit of Rest
[So you are planning to persuade the Heroes to join your camp?]
When I asked, the Mad Emperor seemed to be thinking about it, as his fingers gently brushed his lower lip.
After a slight pause……
[In fact, my subordinates have already made several contacts behind the scenes with a certain S-Rank Hero.]
[…………………….]
This in itself was quite a surprise to me.
I knew they would try to make contact with them at some point.
However, they have already succeeded huh.
[I\'d like you to especially keep this conversation confidential.]
This was the most serious tone the Mad Emperor had today.
[Understood. However, for you to have already succeeded in contacting them……]
"He\'s also going to reveal that information?"
Beside Hawk, who bated his breath as he seemed to wordlessly ask, the Mad Emperor spoke.
[When the signs of a big invasion from the Great Demon Emperor\'s army began to appear, it became reasonably feasible to send out a spy to Alion\'s royal capital, Enoh. With the Great Demon Emperor\'s assault at full swing, it seems like the Goddess doesn\'t have the room to watch everything around her.]
From what I heard, the Great Demon Emperor is apparently the natural enemy of the Goddess.
Naturally, she would prioritize her attention more on her natural enemy.
Before Mira rebelled, she would have been even less aware of them.
…….Even so, an S-Rank Hero huh.
[I had become acquainted with a female S-Rank Hero named Ayaka Sogou…… but was she the person you had come in contact with?]
[No.]
In that case……
It would be either Kirihara or the older Takao———–
[Her name is Hijiri Takao.]
So it\'s the older Takao huh.
[So far, her responses seem to be positive. Apparently, the S-Rank Hero named Hijiri does not trust the Goddess very much either. The other party\'s responses have also become more favorable since I told them that "there is a way for them to return to their original world without relying on the Goddess". We\'ll also talk to the other S-Rank Hero, Ayaka Sogou, when we see the opportunity———– but we have just received contact from Hijiri Takao through our spy. The next report still hasn\'t arrived though……]
They want to try pulling in Sogou as well huh.
……I guess that\'s possible.
If it\'s Takao Hijiri who convinces her, she might be able to do it.
[From the reports I\'ve heard, Hijiri seems like a clever person. She says that her A-Rank sister will follow her as well. However…… I still do not completely trust Hijiri Takao. Unlike Asagi Ikusaba, I haven\'t met her in person. I need to avoid getting caught in Goddess\' plans in an attempt to win over an S-Rank Hero.]
[By the sounds of it…… It seems like your Majesty has not yet told Hijiri Takao that you have brought Asagi Ikusaba and her group to your side?]
[It\'s still too early to tell her about Asagi Ikusaba and the others\' allegiance with us. I would like to meet with Hijiri Takao in person first to ascertain what kind of person she is. I first need to determine whether she\'s someone we could truly trust or not.]
……If they\'re successful in persuading her……
I don\'t think Sogou Ayaka would stand as an enemy.
If she and the Takao Sisters were to join our side, the obstacles to defeat the Goddess will significantly decrease.
The disappearance of the concern by the existence of Sogou in the enemy lines is quite great.
However, would that sh*tty Goddess overlook the betrayal of an S-Rank Hero so easily……?
The hurdles seem high.
However, if Takao Hijiri were to make her move……
The bunch over at 2-C might be able to settle in better than expected.
In other words……
[If we\'re able to deal with the uncertain factor, the Heroes…… the only problem in this battle would be the Goddess herself.]
[That is indeed the case, but there are still many things we don\'t know about that Goddess. That\'s why we have to be sure if we\'re going for the kill. Failure is not an option. Therefore, I want to obtain the secret of the Forbidden Curses.]
Here, for the first time, the Mad Emperor\'s gaze clearly fixed on Munin.
Meanwhile, Munin fluffily sat on her seat with a good posture and moderately relaxed.
[That secret sealed room you mentioned before, yes?]
Munin asked softly, to which the Mad Emperor nodded in assent.
[Umu…… According to documents, among the Forbidden Curses was one that could even weaken the Goddess.]
Perhaps, he would be talking about the Nullification Curse Munin learned the other day.
Of course, it\'s possible that there\'s another kind of Weakening Curse.
[If there\'s a Spellbook of that Forbidden Curse in the sealed room, it will increase the reliability of Asagi Ikusaba\'s trump card…… That\'s what I think.]
Ikusaba Asagi\'s trump card.
Her Inherent Skill huh.
……Perhaps, this would be a suitable time to probe what it is.
[Her trump card, you say. Your Majesty mentioned at the time of the negotiations how "it\'s a power that can bring down even Gods".]
[That\'s right. Her trump card could, in a sense…… kill even a God.]
Her Inherent Skill had an effect that made him say that much huh.
……A sudden thought comes into my mind.
For example, if it weren\'t a skill under the Abnormal State System———–
Would it have been effective against her, piercing through that annoying <Dispel Bubble>?
(T/N: Goddess\' Spell Breaker / Dispel Bubble)
If that were the case, Asagi would be able to deal with the Goddess with her Inherent Skill even without the Forbidden Curse.
However, it seems like the Mad Emperor really isn\'t willing to reveal its detailed effects.
I can tell from the atmosphere around him.
In that case……
[However, that is quite surprising. For the Heroes from Another World to betray the Goddess……]
[It seems like they\'ve completely lost their trust in the Goddess.]
After she had been invited, Asagi apparently told the Mad Emperor such:
"If we follow Zine-chin rather than Goddess-chin, there\'s a better chance that everyone in my group will be able to return to our original world safely."
That\'s certainly just like Asagi……
Well, I agree that the Mad Emperor seems more trustworthy than that sh*tty Goddess.
……Ikusaba Asagi huh.
I really can\'t help but think she somewhat resembles me.
Like, how it felt like she\'s playing a different character from how she originally is.
However, that\'s not all.
It may seem like she\'s letting herself go along with the situation……
But in fact, it isn\'t wrong to say that everything was within her calculation.
There\'s some part of Asagi that\'s hard to read.
She\'s always ambiguous with her words.
It\'s difficult to know where her true intentions lie.
Even her emotions were hard to see through.
[………………….]
I may have vaguely sensed this for some time.
Feeling as if something rather out of place in regards to Ikusaba Asagi.
She may look normal, but she isn\'t "normal" at all.
Having this in mind, I inwardly sighed.
Mad Emperor.
Ikusaba Asagi.
While in this country, I think I would need to be at my utmost guard……
After that, the Mad Emperor inquired about the Sorcery I use.
There, I gave him the explanation I had prepared before so that it wouldn\'t be revealed as the Inherent Skill of a Hero.
I may not have told him a lie, but I went with my usual way of doing things, covering up what needs to be hidden.
I\'ve also revealed the existence of Pigimaru to him (The Mad Emperor appears to be quite concerned about this).
I was also able to hear some stories in regards to matters around Mira from the Mad Emperor.
While we\'re in the carriage, Hawk explained to us about what would happen after we arrived at the castle.
And then finally, as noon came———– the carriage went through the gates of the castle.
▽
The carriage came to a halt when it reached an open area that reminded me of a rotary.
A crowd of greeters then emerged from the castle doors.
First to get off the carriage was Hawk.
Next was the Mad Emperor.
Then, I got off.
We have three main objectives in this place.
The Signing Ceremony.
Acceptance of the items listed in the Great Treasury.
Then, the sealed room which apparently had a Forbidden Curse stored in it——— and the unsealing of this room.
At that moment, Slei, who had been following us, came up to me and started fawning on me.
She had been following our carriage for the whole ride, but it seemed like she got a little anxious.
While patting Slei, I turned my gaze to the side.
At the end of the gentle cobblestone slope that our carriage had just climbed on——-
From the top of this hill where we are now, I could see the East side of the Imperial Capital, where the guardhouse we came earlier is located.
Judging from the city walls, the royal capital seems to be well defended.
The appearance of this place feels like it\'s a military stronghold.
Incidentally, when our carriage was getting closer to the castle, the Mad Emperor made us open the curtains.
That\'s why, we had a chance to see the imperial capital while in our carriage.
It was supposed to be a time for war for them, but the atmosphere around the city people was less tense than I had expected.
Well, compared to when I met Eve back in Urza, there was still a sense of tension around them.
Having this thought in mind, I looked back at the castle behind us.
Castle walls forming the shape of a ring.
Spires acting as watchtowers.
Arrowslits.
Stone pavements.
And then——— the grand and gorgeous castle towering in the center of the imperial capital.
When looking at this place from above, the castle would be surrounded by three walls of defense.
From the outside, they would need to go through the Third wall, the Second Wall, and then the First Wall to arrive in the center, where they would be a castle of chalk stands.
In my former world, the outer area of the imperial capital would have been the Third District, then within it would be the Second District and the First District————
And within those three districts would be the Inner Citadel.
The overall color scheme of the castle is based on white.
However, not everything is white.
For example, the grooves on the walls are mainly painted in gold and silver.
This contrast in color accentuated the white background, making it brightly colored.
……It kinda feels like a castle made by some fashionable designer.
Now then, just as I had mentioned earlier, the imperial capital where this castle is located is divided into three main sections.
The Central Section is the residence of the Emperor, his blood relatives, and high ranking nobles.
Those within the first wall were the "core" of the government, so to speak.
The area outside the Central Section is occupied by nobles of modest rank and powerful merchant families———-
In other words, those with middle-class status live there.
This area is called the Second Section.
Outside the Second Wall that protects the Second Section is the Third Section where the rest of the population lives.
And outside the royal capital\'s walls, there are also some people who make their living by farming, animal husbandry and hunting.
Roughly speaking, that would be how Mira functions.
At that moment, I saw a man who seemed like a civil official in a long robe approaching the Mad Emperor at a quick pace.
[Your Majesty.]
[You seemed to be in a hurry?]
[Hah…… A small problem had occurred. Ah, ummm…… Please lend me your ear.]
The civil official-looking man lowered his voice and began whispering something to the Mad Emperor\'s ear.
Eve\'s ears might have been able to hear what they were saying.
But as expected, my ears weren’t sharp enough to overhear them.
At that moment, ripples of admiration exclaimed around us.
It seemed like they were reacting to Seras, who had come down the carriage after Munin.
……Even these fellows who are accustomed to the Mad Emperor\'s beauty are like that upon seeing the undisguised Seras huh.
[Fufu. It seems like you\'re caught up in this situation every time, Seras-san.]
Munin, holding Seras\' hand as she got off the carriage, chuckled.
Seras wryly smiled in response, with a hint of blush on her cheeks.
[I guess it really would be better if I also wear my mask……]
At that moment……
[Discourteous it may be, I have an urgent matter to attend to, so I will be taking my leave.]
When the Mad Emperor said this, the attention of everyone around quickly shifted from Seras to him.
The Mad Emperor then turned around.
[Hawk, I leave guiding the Fly King Squadron after this to you.]
[By your word.]
[My apologies, Belzegia-dono.]
[No, we are currently at war. Sudden change in circumstances is to be expected.]
[I\'m glad to hear you say that. Ahh——– I have no problem with that matter and the transfer of the articles from the Great Treasury, so don\'t worry about that.]
By that matter, I assume he meant the sealed room.
Leaving those words, the Mad Emperor disappeared into the castle with his retainers and guards in tow.
After watching the Emperor\'s back as he departed, Hawk turned to us and spoke.
[Well then, let me first take you to the guest house where the members of the Fly King Squadron will be staying.]
▽
[As expected, this place sure looks extravagant……]
Sitting on a chaise longue, Seras restlessly looked around the room.
We finally managed to calmly settle ourselves after entering one of the rooms of the mansion we\'re brought to.
Floor plan-wise———- in terms of usability, this room is like a living room.
We were taken to a mansion built beside the main castle.
It was a little bit like a luxurious "vacation home".
There are also several mansions like this with varying sizes scattered around.
[Piggiii! Pigiii! Pigiii! Piggiii! Pinyuiii!]
Meanwhile, Pigimaru was bouncing around all over the room.
[Poyon! Poyon! Poyoyon!]
Is it because of how spacious this place is or how luxurious the stuff here is?
Anyhow, it seems like he\'s quite excited.
……I wonder what\'s with Pigimaru.
Incidentally, Hawk left a while ago after explaining to us about this and that while we\'re staying in the castle.
And so, there are currently only the members of the Fly King Squadron here.
Sitting down on the couch, I turned towards restless Seras.
[You used to live in a royal palace, right, Seras? In that case, why do you seem fidgety?]
As if to ascertain how it feels, Seras gently brushed the feathers used in the couch.
[The way it feels in the hand, it feels like they used a different material…… Even if only one material is used…… I\'ve heard rumors, but I didn\'t know it was this good……]
[Unexpectedly, they may have assigned us to the best mansion they have.]
In fact, compared to the other mansions, this would be the biggest one.
At that moment, Munin, who had put down her luggage, totterred towards my direction.
She then flopped onto the feathered-padded sofa……
[Haahhhn.]
—–and leaned her back against the backrest, her long silver hair flowing like a clear stream beside her.
[It seems like you\'re very tired.]
[I\'m sorry……. I just get tired really easily with my wings hidden….. Oyoyo……]
[As long as we keep the curtains closed, I think you can keep your wings out here. Besides, your wings have already been revealed to the people here back in the previous negotiations…… So it shouldn\'t be a problem if we\'re the only ones in this place.]
That\'s right, keeping her wings hidden takes a toll on her stamina.
[It\'s better to rest when you can.]
[Really? Yaaaay? Then, I\'ll let my wings out and change to comfier clothes……]
[Wait——— M- Munin-dono!?]
[Ara, Seras-san? Is something the matter?]
[If you\'re going to change, a- at least do that somewhere Milord can\'t see———–]
[——–Hah!? Y- You\'re right…… Oh my, what a blunder? My guard was completely relaxed around the Leader that I forgot…… Haahhh….. How embarrassing……]
[…………………..]
[Uuuuu…… T- That\'s how it is after all…… Moreover, even if Belzegia-san were to see an old lady like me changing in front of her…… That would be damaging to the eyes…… Poison……]
(T/N: "That would be damaging to the eyes" here is written as "me ni doku", which can also be translated as "a tempting sight")
[That\'s not the case at all, so just change your clothes in the other room.]
[Yeeees?]
Munin then disappears into the next room with a change of clothes.
Watching intently at her retreating back as she closed the door, Seras let out a sigh.
Thereupon, seemingly making a follow-up for her actions, she smiled.
[M- Munin-dono is innocent and mischievous…… but she\'s too pure……]
[……Someone you\'re not really good with.]
Kachak!
[Wait right there, Leader!? Were you, by any chance just now, talking about me behind my back!? Geez! If that\'s the case, that\'s mean!]
Munin, whose area around her shoulders were slightly exposed, peekes halfway through the door.
[You probably already know what we\'re talking about though……]
[Fufufu, if I\'m found out, I guess it can\'t be helped? Fufu…… I\'ll quickly change my clothes, so please wait a moment.]
Slam.
The door closes again.
That was quite…… She was like those people…… A moodmaker.
She had been the Head of her tribe for a long time huh.
Making sure the atmosphere around everyone don\'t get too serious, she\'s looking out for us————
[Kyaaahh! My bottom had become too tight, and I can\'t take it off! Ahh, this is bad! Seras-san, please help me take it————]
Kachak!
[Mu———- Munin-dono!? I- It\'s not good to come out in the middle of getting dressed! I- I\'ll go over there!]
[Seras-san, could this be…… Have I gained weight!? I- I think my bottom half has gotten fat! Seras-san!?]
[E- Even if you ask me that———–]
……She\'s looking out for us, right?
▽
After that, we finished a quick check of the building.
There doesn\'t seem to be anything suspicious about the place.
It seemed like this was just a building used for receiving important guests.
[We were told we\'re free to take a stroll if we want.]
Though they say that, there are obviously some places that are forbidden to enter.
Peeking out of the nearby window, I observe the outdoor yard……
[As expected, they have observers assigned to us huh…… It doesn\'t seem like they intend to hide either.]
That Mad Emperor, I guess he\'d also taken into account of us knowing they have people observing us.
[……I\'m going to take a little stroll around the area. You two must be tired, so get some rest.
I exchanged glances with Seras.
[Understood. Well then, I will wait for you here with Munin-dono.]
Munin had sprawled on the backrest of the sofa again, seemingly asleep.
I perceived that she had accumulated a certain amount of fatigue on the journey to this point.
She had just stepped into the outside world she isn\'t familiar with.
The amount of information that she was receiving was incomparable to what she was used to.
It must have been mentally exhausting.
She seemed to be acting so that we wouldn\'t notice.
I could tell from the tone of her voice and the speed of her responses that she was fatigued.
Therefore, it would be better to let Munin rest for a while.
However, we can\'t leave the Kurosaga girl here alone.
Seras seemed to have guessed my intentions right away.
……Well, it\'s also easier for me to move around while I\'m on my own.
The three of us walking around together would just be too conspicuous.
I\'d certainly like Seras\' ability to verify if one is telling the truth or not…… but I think Munin takes priority here.
[I\'ll leave things here to you, Seras.]
[Take care.]
▽
Leaving the mansion, I continued on the cobblestone path, passing by flowerbeds and thickets.
Exiting the guesthouse area, I turned right.
After passing through a small garden at the end of that path, I arrived at a passageway.
And there, at the end of the passageway, was a door and two soldiers were standing guard nearby.
Noticing my arrival, the soldiers looked somewhat nervous.
[You are Fly King Belzegia-dono, aren\'t you? Can we help you with something?]
[I wanted to take a tour around the castle. As you may know, I have received permission from his Majesty.]
[Yes, we were told to let you in when you arrive——— Please come in.]
The soldiers opened the door, and I was able to smoothly step inside the castle.
A long, carpeted hallway.
The floor…… is this made of marble?
Large, well-cleaned glass windows.
Even the window frames seem to be made of high quality materials.
Perhaps, because it\'s still quite bright outside, the candles placed at equal intervals on the walls aren\'t lit.
Leaning my back against the corridor wall, I pull out the floor plan of the castle from my pocket, given to me by Hawk.
The areas that we are allowed are color-coded.
Well, in the first place, this castle floor plan is drawn for the "guests".
There\'s no way they would provide guests a map that covers everything in the castle.
Naturally, the sealed room doesn\'t seem to be on this map.
[………………….]
As for my observers…… They have three on me huh.
One of them is very good at hiding their presence.
However, they aren\'t as good as Eve.
I don\'t think I need to worry about them so much.
Acting as if I hadn\'t noticed them, I continued down the corridor, arriving at an open space.
It was a large space with high ceilings.
I could also see a staircase with ivory-colored railings that led to the upper floor.
I suppose this would be the atrium connected to the second floor.
And then……
[………………….]
[Orya?]
At the top of the stairs———— at the second floor……
Someone who looked like she was just about to go down the stairs noticed me.
[I was wondering who this person was, but this Fallen Hero appearance, isn\'t this Fly King-chin?]
[Ahh, if I remember correctly……]
Looking at her direction, I uttered her name.
[Asagi Ikusaba-dono.]