The Royal Audience
Chapter 78. Let's see, who was the king ruling this kingdom again? He wasn't even an NPC, just a character mentioned in passing through text. He barely appeared for a few lines before vanishing, the very definition of an "extra." No matter how hard I racked my brain, the name refused to surface. It was supposed to be a simple name, one that felt like it was right on the tip of my tongue. If it had completely slipped my mind, I could have just asked, but this half-remembered state only fueled my stubborn pride. It was like staring at a walkthrough that was right in front of me, yet insisting I'd clear the stage with my own strength. That kind of infuriating situation.
"Master? You don't look well. Is something wrong…?"
"Gerard."
"Yes, Master."
"Just stay quiet for a moment."
Only after silencing even Gerard, who was worried about me, did I finally manage to recall that the head of the royal family was Carlos II. For about a second, I felt a surge of triumph—"Finally, I remembered!"—but it was immediately followed by a crushing wave of self-loathing. Every so often, in rare moments like this, it became painfully clear that I wasn't exactly in my right mind either. Then again, only someone truly insane would have spent three hundred million won on this game within a single month.
"Master, why do you look like that? It's like you just came out of the bathroom feeling refreshed but forgot to wash your hands."
"…Iris. Even when you try to phrase things nicely, it always comes out like that. I told you to watch your manners around your master."
"Sorry, senior brother. But honestly, anyone could see that's exactly how Master looked just now."
This was why having a disciple with such sharp instincts was exhausting. While thinking that, I clicked my tongue at Gerard and turned to him.
"Gerard, let me ask you something."
"Ask anything you wish."
"Just stay quiet for a bit. Lower your voice."
"Ah, yes. My apologies."
"The current king is Carlos II, right?"
"Yes. King Carlos II."
"What's the general opinion of him? Both the objective public view and your personal assessment."
"Hmm… Well, if I start with the public perception, most people simply call him an ordinary king. He keeps the nobles in check to a reasonable degree and has implemented quite a few pro-commoner policies."
"Being good to commoners alone doesn't make a good king. If it breeds noble resentment and sows internal discord, there's no greater fool of a ruler."
"I agree. In fact, the backlash has made the nobles increasingly hostile toward the commoners."
As a prime example, while not openly, the nobles had begun using monsters and magical beasts as bait or deliberately withholding aid more frequently. Until now, it had been the local nobles, not the royal family, who protected them. Now that the commoners were turning their backs and making demands instead of obeying quietly, the nobles were furious that the commoners dared to hold their heads high in their presence.
The irony was that the royal family enacted the policies, yet it was the commoners who had to endure the consequences. Caught between the two sides, they were gradually turning into Demon God Worshippers. The royal family felt wronged, the nobles had their own grievances, and the commoners were simply doing as they were told—yet they still earned hostility. It was a ridiculous situation that continued unabated.
"What about the forces supporting the king and his countermeasures?"
"Not many. The Royal Guard and the capital defense forces stationed in the palace are the reliable military strength, and there are a few noble houses connected by blood ties."
Given the royal family's immense power, that might have been sufficient. But every nation has its golden age and its dark age. From what I could see, this kingdom's golden age had long since ended, and it was now sliding through decline into darkness. The only reason it still held together was because there was only one nation on the continent, and the nobles still feared the royal family enough to maintain the status quo. On the surface, it looked like a powerful empire that had unified the continent, but in reality, it was riddled with holes from within. One solid strike from the world's malice, and the whole thing would come crashing down. That was the current state of continental affairs.
"That's why the royal family is wary of the Heroes, yet doesn't treat them as enemies."
"Becoming an enemy would be a burden, and gaining them as allies would be a burden too. I understand that part."
"In any case, because of all this, my personal assessment is… not favorable. Good intentions without solid evidence, lacking the resolve to push them through, and a king who doesn't raise his voice strongly because the royal family is already weakening."
"So in the end, he's neither one thing nor the other. Thanks for the honest evaluation."
Thanks to that, I could finally reach a clear conclusion on how to deal with Carlos II. I'd worried he might be a complete idiot incapable of grasping the situation, or someone with a nasty personality for no reason. At this level, I could probably coax him appropriately while applying just the right amount of pressure.
"This way."
Before long, we arrived right in front of the audience chamber. The vice-captain who had been guiding us quietly stepped back. Gerard, Iris, and I waited briefly before the doors to the chamber opened.
Though the kingdom had declined significantly, it was still nominally the nation that had once ruled the entire continent. The grandeur of the audience chamber before us was impressive no matter where you looked. I nearly let out an involuntary "Whoa…" but stopped myself. Neither Gerard nor Iris showed any reaction. As the master of the Heroes, I couldn't afford to look overly impressed. Maintaining a neutral expression, I stepped forward.
"Welcome. Heroes who fight to protect the peace of the continent."
When we reached the throne, the middle-aged man seated there greeted us. Carlos II, the king of the continent who had existed only as text with no illustration. A quick sidelong glance revealed he looked like a nobleman of some refinement.
"We greet Your Majesty the King."
I had been a little worried he might demand we kneel. But according to the vice-captain, if someone hadn't sworn fealty, even the king couldn't order them to kneel. Thanks to that, Gerard, Iris, and I simply bowed at the waist without issue.
"The Guardian Hero Gerard. I heard the rumor that you protected an entire city. Thank you."
"I merely did what I had to do."
"Nameless One, you as well. They say you wiped out all the monsters that gathered on the plains."
"…I was hoping there would be some strong ones, but I was disappointed."
I had worried Iris might speak informally, but fortunately, she maintained at least the minimum courtesy without causing offense.
"And… we have one more guest today."
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."
"I've heard the story. You single-handedly repelled those who attacked the Holy Hero."
"That's correct. I was fortunate."
"Fortune never favors the weak or the idle. In that sense, you seem worthy of receiving such good fortune."
Carlos II slowly rose from his seat. He descended from the throne and walked to the center of the audience chamber.
"Are you truly the master of the Heroes?"
"I am."
"From the Sword Hero to the Poison Hero—each one defies explanation except by being called extraordinary. And you claim to have taught all of them, like a parent?"
Parent… that was a bit much. Though one of my disciples did treat me like a parent.
"Truly… remarkable. You look no older than your mid-to-late twenties at most. If it's not too rude, may I ask your age?"
"I am older than Your Majesty might think."
Even after more than ten years had passed, I still possessed the same body I had when I first arrived in this world. While my disciples had all changed with time, I remained unchanged. Thanks to that, the little kids who used to follow me around now all saw me as a romantic prospect.
"I see. In any case, allow me to express my gratitude once more. With unrest stirring from all directions and many suffering, it seems we could no longer remain silent."
"In truth, I came here because I judged there might be trouble in the capital."
I had no intention of beating around the bush. It was better to get straight to the point and secure what I wanted.
"…What do you mean by that? Trouble in the capital?"
"We've been eliminating magical beasts and Demon God Worshippers in places unseen, in the shadows. As a result, we've obtained information that they are planning something decisive and extremely dangerous in this country—something that will bring great chaos to the entire continent."
"And what exactly is the connection to the capital?"
"Isn't it obvious? They've chosen this place as their next stage."
Carlos II fell silent for a long while. Not only the king, but the knights guarding him and the several retainers standing behind also wore slightly furrowed brows. I had expected that reaction. Even as chaos erupted across the continent, with monsters rampaging, magical beasts appearing without warning, and Demon God Worshippers steadily expanding their influence through proselytizing, the capital and its surroundings had never once experienced such turmoil. It was only natural. The Royal Guard, staffed with numerous high-ranking knights, was stationed here, and the capital's soldiers, trained to the highest standards, stood firm. Above all, most people here held strong loyalty to the royal family. If anyone suspected another of being a Demon God Worshipper, they would report it immediately out of that loyalty and launch an investigation.
According to Gerard, even the Demon God Worshippers had barely touched the capital. No matter how hard they tried, the shield was simply too thick to penetrate.
—From their perspective, my words were denying all of that.
—But according to Iris, and based on her experience, the capital had ultimately been breached. Someone on the inside had betrayed them, prepared to summon magical beasts, and spilled enough blood to bring forth a Fragment of the Demon God. Even the capital they trusted so completely would fall.
"…I believe you are well aware that the capital possesses stronger defenses than anywhere else."
"Of course. But humans are creatures that make mistakes, and where people gather, gaps always appear—and enemies never miss those gaps."
"There are no gaps here. Loyal subjects patrol the capital and its surroundings day and night without rest, preparing for any eventuality. If there had been a gap, something would have happened long ago."
"Perhaps the enemies were simply biding their time while preparing?"
At my words, King Carlos II stared at me in silence for a moment before adopting an expression of incomprehension.
"So you came here because you were worried about the capital. That's quite commendable. However, there's one thing I don't quite understand."
"What is it?"
"With Gerard and Iris, who are already well-known as Heroes, and now you openly entering the capital, the Demon God Worshippers wouldn't be foolish enough to cause trouble here, would they? With two Heroes and their master present, what kind of madmen would still try to carry out their plans?"