第１４掘：協力者 (Part1)
Dig 14: Collaborators
It has been about a week today.
The total evaluation score has exceeded 10,000 points, and there are 5,000 favorites registered!
Well, I don't know if that's a big deal.
The rankings have also been consistently high every day.
My thanks to everyone.
I don't know if it will be a good commemoration, but I'm thinking it would be nice to introduce the characters with my own illustrations next time.
Now, please enjoy.
Collaborators
side: ???
"Let's have them explain from the beginning: the current situation, the collaborators, and how they prevented the assassination, so these two can follow along. Though, I'm surprised you managed to prevent it; I thought there was a 90% chance of failure."
"Don't be ridiculous! Were you planning to abandon my sister Aria to her death!?"
On a flat surface called a monitor, Princess Seraria, the Second Princess of this country, was lunging at the man who had just spoken. So, it was true that Mauve and his group were involved with the princess.
"I said I'd explain. Elju and Oriel, hold that drill down, because the conversation won't progress otherwise. That's how it is. If we carelessly ignore this princess, we won't get anywhere, so I know it's a hassle, but let's start from the beginning."
"Sister, please calm down."
"Princess Seraria, I admit Yuki is irritating, but the conversation won't progress, so please restrain yourself."
And I felt relieved at her sight, pulling Princess Seraria away. Elju Lowe Roschur. Unlike the fake me, she is a true Saintess blessed by Goddess Lilishe.
This incident was orchestrated to assassinate Elju Lowe Roschur.
"Hahaha! What a spirited princess! She's quite different from Princess Elju."
Mauve was laughing. I've heard from him how he met the princess, but being able to become so open after such an incident is both a strength and a weakness.
"Be quiet! You said your name was Mauve, didn't you? I've heard about your actions from Elju. No matter how much Elju forgives you, I won't. When we meet face to face, let me punch you a hundred times!"
"What?! Shouldn't it be one punch?! Well, I guess that much is necessary for a princess with such slender arms?"
"You said it. This princess with slender arms is a Level 63 Valkyrie."
"Gah?! Your level is higher than mine, and you're a female-exclusive vanguard class?! Wait, if I get punched a hundred times without resisting, I'll die!"
"Oh, it's fine. Just like what was done to Elju, I'll heal you and keep punching you. Fufufufufufu..."
Indeed, this is why Princess Seraria is called a "martial artist." Even I, meeting her for the first time, was surprised by her profession. And in reality, she's no mere ornament. She's cut down both monsters and people, stood on battlefields, a war goddess who lives up to her profession.
"Whether it's a comedy routine or an execution, just start talking."
But who is this man? From the conversation, it seems he's leading the discussion. The princess is a party involved, and Mauve and his group helped me. But who exactly is this man?
"Alright, Princess. For now, the hundred punches are on hold. I request a reduced sentence."
"Rejected. Now, tell us the full story up to this point."
For now, it seems it will be a while before I can interject. I also want to hear the details of this incident.
"Right, where should I start..."
"Sir Mauve, please start from after I fled with Princess Elju and Princess Seraria."
"I wasn't there at that time, was I? If I had been there, would I have gotten some leniency?"
"No. Rather, be glad that I was almost unconscious from poison at that time. If I could have moved, I feel like I would have beaten you all to death."
"Oh, scary. Alright, I'll explain from around there."
side: Mauve at that time
"Alright, this is my first time at this guild, are there any promising jobs?"
I had split from Raiya and the others to look for slaves, but then I got a message from Yuki saying, "I'll check out your taste in women," so I felt reluctant to buy slaves alone and was planning to involve Raiya and the others.
"It seems Yuki's unwanted delusion came true. If this is the case, I need to investigate various things. It's bad. As instructed, I'll monitor the army's movements. You go to the Adventurer's Guild and gather information."
And that's how I ended up here. But things are really starting to smell fishy now. It doesn't look like it'll end with just killing some black-hearted small fry.
While I was thinking that, the guild receptionist answered me.
"Well, quests are somewhat biased depending on your guild rank, but for all ranks, the quest volume at this branch is as usual. By the way, excuse me, but what is your rank? I can't assist you without knowing."
"Oh, sorry. Here."
I took out my guild card from my pocket. A guild card is a convenient item that records accepted quests, monsters defeated, can store money, and can only be used by me. When I told Yuki about this guild card, he said, "Tch, it's half-assed, but superior to what we have over there. This is why fantasy worlds are..." I guess there weren't any guild cards in his hometown; that must have been inconvenient.
"Oh! You're Mauve! The Hero of Protection!"
When the receptionist raised her voice, the gazes of everyone in the guild gathered on me.
"Hey, Mauve, is that *the* Mauve?"
"Guild cards can't be faked, so it must be the Hero of Protection."
"What's this Hero of Protection thing?"
"You don't know? Though they're completely hostile now, a monster horde apparently attacked a town in Gartz. At the time, the lord and his main soldiers were away fighting bandits, and the town was on the verge of destruction."
"Ah, and at that time, one man stepped forward, rallied the adventurers who were there, and successfully defended it."
They were talking about my younger days. Honestly, normally I'd put my hand over the receptionist's mouth to shut her up, but this time it's different; this makes things easier.
"Um, I heard Mauve was exclusive to that town..."
What, they hadn't heard about it here? Even though they've been pushing Princess Elju forward as their banner.
"...Well, that town was lost in the recent war."