第３３８堀：事態は駆け足で (Part2)
"Wha—?! Wait, wait a second, will you? My opponent was stronger than me, so this much should be allowed, right?!"
"Denied."
"Denied."
And just like that, the two judges delivered their verdict, and the match came to an end.
"Good work. You were surprised at the end, weren't you?"
"Yes. I never imagined the Sword King would discard his blade."
"I never thought I'd see Jessica make a face like that for anyone other than Yuki. So cute."
"That is impossible. Ria, that was merely a lapse in concentration. I am certainly not 'smitten' or anything of the sort. Please, do not use phrasing that could lead to misunderstandings, especially in front of Yuki."
"Yuki wouldn't think anything of it, right? Isn't that so, Yuki?"
"Jessica wouldn't do something like that. Well, it was a good learning experience, wasn't it? There are plenty of people like that in the world. If you're caught off guard, your reaction time will lag. You need to maintain a certain level of mental composure."
"Yes. I will continue to strive for improvement."
Indeed. One must not let their heart be swayed by such trivialities. Yuki is far more unpredictable, and the children have been acting quite lively lately. I don't have children of my own yet, but honestly, I'm glad I wasn't the first to give birth. I don't think I could be a mother with the same level of grace as Seraria or Rurua. I'd probably end up lecturing them too much out of sheer concern. In that sense, I'm glad I've had the experience of helping raise everyone's children. When my own child is born, I'll be able to show them a mother who is perfect at changing diapers and preparing meals.
Just as I was thinking this, the sound of footsteps came rushing down the hallway, and the door was thrown open with force.
"Your Majesty!! Please, come to the magic sword storage room immediately!! The members of the Dokusen family are armed and making threats!!"
Runou reported in a panic. Honestly, their actions are far too hasty.
"What?! Those guys... they're far too transparent..."
"Dokusen was also suspected of being involved in the sabotage against Enaria..."
"...It is likely related to that. There must be something incriminating among the confiscated cargo. That's why they're rushing in like this."
"But surely, forcing their way in like this will cause problems..."
"They intend to destroy the evidence and pin the blame on someone else. Runou here is Huge's daughter, and as luck would have it, she was the one guarding the magic sword. Since the other side holds a higher position, their words will be given priority."
"T-that's absurd!?"
"Well, calm down, Runou. We'll head over there right now. Sorry, guests. As long as you're here, come along as witnesses."
And so, we hurried to the storage room, only to find...
"Grr!! Move aside!!"
"By the King's decree, no one is permitted to enter!!"
The one shouting was the same man who had been accosting Duke Huge in the hallway earlier. ...He’s a busy man, running from left to right, even bumping into vases along the way.
"Yo, Dokusen. What's going on?"
"Y-Your Majesty!?"
"Sir, as I believe you heard from Captain Runou, Duke Dokusen insisted on inspecting the contents without your permission."
"Oh?"
"N-no, that’s not it. I simply forgot something in this storage room. I came to retrieve it..."
"In that case, perfect timing. We'll inspect it now. You can witness it. I'm sure you'll find whatever it is you 'forgot'."
"I-I cannot show it to Your Majesty..."
Lord Dokusen started to say, then clamped his mouth shut, glanced at us, and opened it again.
"Understood. I will witness the inspection. As Your Majesty says, perhaps I will find what I am looking for."
...That is the face of a man plotting something incredibly foolish. And the result?
"Hahahaha!! You’re all going to die here!!"
There was an idiot who grabbed the magic sword first and pointed it at us.
"...*Sigh*. For starters, let's hear your motive."
"Heh, fine. Consider this a parting gift. This is a magic sword anyone can use. I obtained it through a certain route. I’ll kill all of you with this, and frame that daughter of Huge over there for the crime. Then, Loday will be mine!!"
"Actually, my son is the heir."
"...... T-then I shall take the position of Chancellor..."
"Who would ever nominate a military man like you for Chancellor...?"
"......"
"..." "..." "..."
The pinnacle of stupidity.
"Alright, arrest him. Actually, I'll deal with him myself!! You know, if you're going to scheme in the shadows, at least put some effort into it!! You're making Loday look like a nation of idiots!!"
With that, the Sword King closed the distance to Dokusen in a single step, suppressing him before he could even use the magic sword. But it was already too late. Well, in a way, it was easy to understand.
"*Sigh*. Before we begin the inspection... Magic Guard, secure the Dokusen estate. Take the Royal Guard with you. There will be other things coming to light, and surely there is someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes. That is the real target."
"Yes, sir!!"
...However, even though things are proceeding smoothly, why do I feel so exhausted?
"Well then, I'm tired thanks to that idiot, but let's get this investigation over with."
Ah, I see. It's because we've been at the mercy of the Sword King from the very beginning. I just want to finish this and go home to sleep. Things are moving along quickly, but there's a limit to how fast is too fast. The Loday arc is moving not just at a sprint, but with the accelerator floored.