第４５０堀：しんのゆうしゃはまけない (Part2)
"I appreciate it. I'll be sure to invite you to a party somewhere eventually."
Yeah. *I really don't want to go to some royal party.* But I can't exactly say that out loud. Still, they have their own face to maintain. The world is a complicated place.
"Um, excuse me, but could I go ahead and share the information obtained from the battle earlier?"
As we were sharing wry smiles, Taiki-kun spoke up timidly.
"Ah, my apologies. That’s more important right now."
"Right, information aside, who is that fallen warrior rolled up in a mat over there?"
It’s fine to get back to the main topic, but in the corner of the conference room, there’s a blond, handsome-looking guy—or maybe he’s handsome? It’s hard to tell because he’s covered in grime, and his hair is either balding or scorched to look like a kappa.
"Mmm!! Mmm!!"
He’s shouting, clearly feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze, but since he’s gagged, I have no idea what he’s saying. Well, there’s only one reason a guy in that state would be in a conference room.
"Is this the commander who led those monsters earlier?"
When I asked, Ruth nodded and opened her mouth.
"Yes. He is Ray, the vice-captain of the Royal Guard who was fleeing with Princess Vixen."
Ah, I see. Well, we can’t exactly torture him. He’s clearly the princess’s right-hand man. After all, they were supposed to be lovers.
"With that in mind, I thought we could all hear what Ray has to say. Is it alright if we do that before the official report?"
"I don't mind. I’m curious to see what he’ll spill."
"It would be better to hear from him before we organize the data anyway. I agree."
Once I confirmed that Teague and I were in agreement, Taiki-kun signaled the soldier standing next to the mat to remove the gag. The moment it was off, the man named Ray screamed.
"So you’re Yuki!! You dare to order around a Higher God!! You great villain, trying to take the world into your own hands!! I, the True Hero, will stop your ambitions!"
...Hmm. I really don't know what to say to that. It’s clear he’s been fed a bunch of nonsense and is completely delusional. Or maybe he’s in on the scheme. I shouldn't just stand here; I need to say something back...
"...Um, is your head okay?"
"That’s your doing, you fiend!! You used demonic power to annihilate my strongest army, and you think you’ve won, but I know that was your limit!"
Uh, I just used up some ammunition. I didn't even use the amount allocated for training exercises.
"Ruth!! Untie these ropes at once!! I might forgive you if you do it now!! I’ll put in a good word for you with the Princess!"
What is this convenient interpretation of reality? What is going on inside his head? Ruth, being addressed by name, looks genuinely horrified.
"Why would I ever listen to you?! You are nothing but an enemy, Ray!"
"You wretch!! After all I’ve done for you, is this the attitude you give me? Where is your loyalty to the Royal Family?!"
"I don't recall you ever doing anything for me! And the current Royal Family is Lord Taiki!"
"You’d take the side of that fake hero?!"
Honestly, you calling yourself the "True Hero" is the real joke here.
"...This is pointless. Take him away."
"You!! Let me go!! Fake Hero Taiki!! Do you think you’ll get away with this?! Soon, the Sword God and Vixen, the Goddess of the World, will attack this place and destroy this country! Are you prepared for that?!"
*The True Hero used Intimidation!*
"If that’s the case, then bring it on. Besides, you won’t be around to see it anyway. You’re being executed tomorrow."
*But it had no effect on Taiki!!*
*Taiki countered with: Execution Sentence!*
"D-don't joke around!! If you kill me, there’s no path to salvation for you!! The True Hero never loses!"
*The True Hero turned pale. It was super effective!*
*He tried to act tough, but he lacked the presence to back it up...*
Just like that, the "True Hero" was easily dragged out of the conference room.
"Well, we have a general idea of the situation now."
Teague opened his mouth with an unreadable expression.
"Yeah. It seems they advanced with the expectation of victory. It’s confirmed that Vixen and Nogosh are backing them."
I replied with a feeling of *'well, that's that.'* It’s honestly sad that he was their "strongest force." They were probably trying to farm DP, too.
"It’s a good thing Ray was dumber than I expected. Now, if we announce the execution date and make a big show of it, Vixen and Nogosh will surely make some kind of move."
Taiki-kun said that, and I think his judgment is sound. Whether they move or not, we’ll gather information, so it’s a win-win. Though, I really hope they don't try to storm the place on the day of the execution. That would invalidate all the careful, cautious planning I’ve done. It’ll be fine! Surely they aren't stupid enough to show themselves just for the sake of a lover's execution! I choose to believe that!
"Um, what about the battle report?"
" " "Ah, pass." " "
"Fine, fine. I’ll write it up as a document later. I know our heroic deeds will be cut anyway. I expected as much."
Can't be helped. We got the important parts, and the main content of the battle was just us wiping them out. Well, don't mind it, John! Look, the "True Hero" always has his friends come to save him in a pinch! That’s just how these things go.
So, the commander was Vixen's lover, Ray. The reason he didn't have a name before was that I hadn't thought of one. Man, "Ray" sounds like a protagonist's name, doesn't it?
Also, my cold is dragging on. But I’m not going to stop playing games! It’s a matter of pride!