第３７４堀：覇王との出会い (Part2)
With that decided, I joined the others and we headed toward the place where King Noble was waiting.
"This way, everyone."
Arne seems to have remained our caretaker, serving as our guide as well. However, we walked right past what appeared to be the audience chamber.
"Oh? Is this not the audience chamber?"
Popuri-san seemed to be thinking the same thing, as she posed the question to Arne.
"Yes. Since you have come here at our request, His Majesty felt it would be improper to meet in the audience chamber, so he has arranged for a guest room instead. Especially considering your contributions to magic, Popuri-sama, this is only natural."
Hmm. So, he’s showing us a modicum of respect, then.
"I see, that is appreciated. However, while Lara and I are fine, is it alright for everyone else to join as well?"
"Yes. I have been instructed to bring everyone. I assume it is not a matter that needs to be kept private. However, should you be asked to leave, I would appreciate your cooperation."
"Ah, understood."
So, we’re allowed in too, huh? Is this a good thing for us? Or is there a risk of us being rounded up all at once?
While I was pondering this, we arrived at the guest room, and Arne turned to face us.
"Please wait here for a moment."
With that, she turned toward the door and knocked.
"Who is it?"
"It is I, Arne! By the King's order, I have brought Popuri-sama and her party!"
As Arne answered, the door opened. A lanky man stepped out. He wasn't wearing armor, so he didn't look like a soldier—perhaps someone of higher rank?
"I see. Indeed. Please, come this way..."
The door swung wide, and we entered the room. Standing there was a man so handsome it made me think the world is truly unfair—the kind of "pretty boy" you just want to punch.
"Welcome. I am Noble, who governs this Kingdom of Ex. You must be tired from your long journey. Please, take a seat."
His words of gratitude and his smile were equally irritating. Ah, if only I could kill with hatred. Well, I have a wife, so I’m not bothered by it at all. Really. I’m not bothered in the slightest.
Setting that aside, we waited for Popuri-san and Lara-san to sit before taking the chairs prepared for us in the back.
"Once again, I thank you for responding to such a rude letter. I wish to express my deepest gratitude, and at the same time, apologize for sending such an impudent missive. It was disrespectful to the President of the Magic Academy. I am truly sorry."
Oh? So he actually bows his head. I had imagined some sort of selfish king or a Demon Lord-type figure, but he seems different. If anything, he’s more like Firia-san.
"Apology accepted. In the future, just contact us through normal channels and there won't be any issues. Honestly, it was an interesting letter, so let’s leave it at that."
"I appreciate you saying so. However, Popuri-dono, I had heard you were young, but I didn't expect this."
"I, too, never imagined that Your Majesty Noble would be this young. I heard you ascended the throne some thirty years ago."
"Alas, it is merely a youthful appearance. Though I call myself a Conqueror King, my prime has long passed, and I feel the weight of age pressing down on me. Honestly, if not for the mages of my country that you helped foster, my decline would have been even more rapid."
"I see. So, you are saying that my students developed something that stagnates the aging process?"
"Not quite 'stagnation.' It merely slows it down. But it is a sufficiently marvelous thing."
...What a load of nonsense. Both of them are ageless anyway.
"I understand. If you have created something of that caliber, then I suppose you couldn't easily send your talent to our school, could you?"
"Indeed. It would be difficult to have my research leaked and surpassed while still in development. For the past twenty years, I have refrained from sending my top mages to your academy, choosing to raise them within my own borders instead."
"And now you’ve decided to announce it?"
"That is why I have requested the presence of Popuri-dono, the leading authority on magic. If it meets your approval, I intend to promote it to other nations as well."
"So you want my seal of approval."
"Exactly. But because I want a genuine assessment, if you find it lacking in practical application, I want you to tell me honestly without reservation. I have no intention of proudly announcing a defective product."
"Understood. We shall be strict. And I will document the reasons in writing."
"I am grateful. I would like to start immediately, but please, take it easy today. You must be tired from your hurried journey, and I—shamefully—was not expecting you to arrive so quickly, so I have left my work unfinished. It will be done by the end of the day, so tomorrow, we can formally finish the greetings for your Dragon Knight, Amanda-dono."
With that, Noble bowed his head toward Amanda.
"I am truly sorry for such a rude reception. I hope you will forgive me as we hold a formal ceremony tomorrow."
"N-no!? T-that is... too much honor!! I-I'm not bothered at all!!"
...Yeah, a little bit of training isn't going to fix that, is it?
"Your Majesty Noble, our young one is troubled, so let's leave it at that."
"...It seems so. However, to command a dragon at such a young age—I envy that talent. If possible, I would like to maintain a good relationship with you all from here on out."
"Y-yes!! P-please, treat us well!!"
And so, the conversation proceeded. Yet, I couldn't see any hostility at all. How should I judge this?
The first contact is finally over!! What kind of image did you all have? Well, it was a suspicious exchange on both sides. They look like good people, but in reality, it’s all a sales pitch. But that’s common in this world, isn't it?
Next time, we’ll have a recap of Yuki’s members. Since so much is moving at once, I’m sure everyone has forgotten who is who or is feeling a bit lost, so I’ll put together a summary. Look forward to seeing them get beaten to a pulp by these guys.