Hunting the Enemy and Heading to England (7)
While preparing to go out with Franc, a knock sounds outside the door of the room.
“Dad said he’d come in the evening, right?”
Thinking it might be a bodyguard, I check the outside of the door with Spatial Perception. I see the hotel manager who welcomed us in the early morning standing with a Western man and woman in elegant silk suits that look high-end.
Franc, having confirmed the arriving guests with Spatial Perception, flies to the entrance of the room, and I try to follow her, but she pushes my back as if to say “don’t come out” and turns me towards the living room.
“Whether it’s the raid team or an agent from some country, you don’t need to deal with it, Seoha. Just stay inside.”
Franc, taking on the role of escort, opens the door of the room after seeing me enter the bedroom.
The man in his mid-50s wearing the hotel uniform, not the head manager, is slightly surprised to see Franc coming out instead of me, then smiles and speaks.
“I’m sorry for disturbing your rest. I’m Deputy Manager J. D. Hobbes. I have a message for the Grand Blue Master, but is he inside?”
“He’s inside, but he just came back, so he’s not in a position to welcome guests. Please go back.”
Franc’s cold expression coldly replies to the man and woman standing behind him.
The man in the silk suit steps forward and speaks.
“Wait, I’m the Sub-Manager of G.S, the world’s number one ranked raid team under the official raid team of the US government. I have something to tell the Master of Lady…”
“The Master is tired right now, so I will refuse the visit. I’m sorry, but please go back since you came from far away.”
“Ah, wait…”
The man from G.S tries to say something more, but Franc, having said only what she wanted, closes the door without mercy.
If he’s the world’s number one, it’s a raid team with an A-class ability user as boss from the US, right?
The Sub-Manager man stares at the closed door with a dumbfounded expression, then looks at the Deputy Manager and the woman behind him with a puzzled expression, narrows his brows, and speaks with irritation.
“What an impolite spirit. Cutting off the conversation without listening to the end and slamming the door shut.”
“Haha…”
“The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US State Department came all the way here personally, and this is the response. At least, you should have informed inside. It seems you don’t even think that this could cause trouble in national relations because you’re a spirit. If you treat guests like this, the Grand Blue Master can’t be called wise.”
The Deputy Manager just smiles with a troubled expression, but the Sub-Manager human takes it as positive and keeps saying things like “Because he’s young, he doesn’t know the world” and “He didn’t even show his face to hear the conditions brought, so he must be looking down on the US, right?” and returns.
But the blonde woman in a blue dress that fully reveals her voluptuous curves doesn’t say anything, just smiles faintly, neither positive nor negative.
Is this blonde short-haired woman the Deputy Assistant Secretary? What rank is the Deputy Assistant Secretary in our country?
Looking at the Deputy Assistant Secretary’s butt crack visible through the thin dress with Spatial Perception and turning on the authenticator to look at the US State Department organization chart, it says from Minister, Vice Minister, Deputy Minister, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Director, Deputy Director down.
Where, is the Deputy Assistant Secretary equivalent to our National Director level? What rank is our National Director? What ranks are below National Director.
After closing the door and standing still for a moment to eavesdrop on the man’s actions, Franc approaches with a slightly angry and pathetic expression and says.
“According to Yeong-eun, it seems that the annoying ones are going to come now. Moreover, sending just a Sub-Manager and Deputy Assistant Secretary, the US must be looking down on Seoha!”
With an angry expression, eyebrows raised, Franc turns back to the door again and glares sharply.
“I should tell the head manager that since he said to contact if there’s a problem in the early morning, I should refuse visiting guests.”
“I’ll go call and come back.”
Seeing Franc talking on the landline phone in the room, I also send a text to Dad saying I might come home late at night.
As I try to leave through the hotel entrance, I suddenly check the lobby with Spatial Perception. There are many humans who don’t look like ordinary guests, including the two men and women who came all the way to the front of the door earlier.
…Are all these humans here to meet me?
At the right time, some of them say they came to the desk to meet me, but thanks to Franc’s message through the head manager that the visit is refused, the hotel staff are rejecting all requests with smiling faces.
“Let’s go out the window. If we go through the lobby, it will be troublesome.”
“Okay.”
However, the sight of Lydia heading this way from Buckingham Palace enters Spatial Perception.
Even without twins, she came alone in a limousine, but I thought she wasn’t going somewhere else, but the limousine’s direction exactly pointed this way.
Why is her expression so dark? Did she hear some bad story from meeting the Queen?
“Whatever the story is, if she came alone without the twins’ escort, it must be important, so it’s better to listen.”
“Maybe. If Lydia really came to see me, we can meet on the way.”
“Okay.”
After waiting a moment, the limousine stops in front of the hotel, as if she really came alone to meet me, and Lydia in a white lace dress, slightly covering her face with a wide-brimmed white hat, gets out of the white limousine.
At the moment she gets out of the limousine, from the roof of Savoy Hotel, I pull her waist as if kidnapping her and take her to the roof, and a commotion happens from below.
“Princess!!”
“Who the hell are you!!”
“Guard! Guard!!”
The man who seems to be the limousine driver gets out, pulls out a gun, and people pop out from every corner of the alley as if they are secret bodyguards, causing a commotion, but Lydia, who calms her startled heart, quickly waves her hand towards the bottom as if it’s okay, and the commotion subsides.
Pedestrians passing by, surprised, look up at us standing at the edge of the roof, then the traffic control of hotel staff, princess’s escort, bodyguards disperses, and soon the street returns to normal appearance.
“Huu, I, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for startling you. There are a lot of humans I don’t want to see in the hotel lobby.”
Looking at Lydia, who presses her chest with two hands in white silk gloves, and gives a shrug and a look as if going to a social gathering, I ask.
“Where did the twins go and you came alone?”
“Ah… that’s it.”
Lydia’s expression becomes gloomy, and she bows her waist.
“The twins received a self-reflection order for the action of monitoring Seoha-kyung’s condition. So, instead of the twins who couldn’t come, I came to apologize…”
“Hmm?”
“Will you forgive those kids? If there’s a crime, it’s just the crime of receiving the order. It wasn’t because Seoha has feelings.”
“If it’s an apology like that, shouldn’t the person who gave the order come instead of Lydia?”
“Of course, Her Majesty the Queen will also mention that matter and apologize. But the actions of those three children are also my responsibility… I’m sorry, Seoha-kyung.”
I stare at Lydia bowing her waist again and apologize. Since the princess is apologizing directly and the Queen is apologizing, I guess I’ll just let it go this time.
When I accept the apology, Lydia’s complexion brightens, and she tightly holds both hands and begs desperately.
“Then, can you accept the dinner invitation for tonight?”
“Dinner? Why dinner suddenly?”
“Her Majesty the Queen, due to a problem in the middle of the instructions, came to apologize for ordering the action to identify Seoha-kyung’s condition, and invited you to the evening dinner. The dinner will only have three people: the Queen, another person, and me… Can you come?”
“Who is the other person? Is it a man with black hair?”
“Ah? How did you know?”
It seems the other person is Aaron Tempest.
What to do… Although the Queen is apologizing directly, I can’t feel the sincerity in that part. If she’s a position like the Queen of England, she can bow her head as much as she wants for necessity.
If I think differently, she might not apologize because of the country’s image, honor, and pride, but since she said she would apologize directly, it’s likely the former.
Franc, thinking the same, shows a slightly troubled expression, then soon smiles and holds my hand.
Accept the dinner invitation?
Yes, accept it.
Looking at Lydia while exchanging glances with Franc through eye contact, I was clenching my fists, wondering what if I refuse again.
“Okay. What time does it start?”
“Ah…! If it’s okay for Seoha-kyung alone, I want to move right now, is it okay?”
“Now? It’s already 2 PM.”
Looking up at the sky, the sun is at its zenith. Why invite at this time and eat dinner until evening?
Seeing Lydia’s face brightened as much as her hair color, I asked, and realizing her mistake, her face turns red like a persimmon, and she stammers.
“O, after coming, we can have tea time…”
Whether she spoke without thinking or something, seeing Lydia’s slightly blushing face, I look at my outfit. White short-sleeve shirt, black pants, black casual shoes, and fedora.
I didn’t bring a suit… but it’s informal, so what?
I nod.
“Alright.”
Holding Lydia’s waist, we come down in front of Savoy Hotel, and Lydia turns on the authenticator on her left wrist to call the limousine that went away.
Looking at the long silk gloves that reach the elbow, and checking Buckingham Palace within Spatial Perception range, the Queen and Aaron Tempest are still casually chatting in the Queen’s office.
After a while, the white limousine she came in quickly arrives, and as I get on it, I ask Lydia.
“Is Aaron Tempest famous?”
“Yes, yes?”
I need to learn how to hide expressions. Because I can’t hide my expression, my inner thoughts are exposed.
When I suddenly ask about that person, her eyes twitch, and she shows a lot of agitation that I know about Aaron Tempest.
“If it’s famous, it’s a famous person. A member of the royal family and B-class, and yet he acts as a free-fighter. But why are you suddenly asking about that?”
Whoa, a member of the royal family? So he was a duke. By the way, Lydia seems to think Aaron Tempest is A-class. If not, there’s no reason for her to react so much to the sudden name of that man coming out of my mouth.
It seems the Queen is really raising Lydia.
“Just.”
“…Aaron Tempest-kyung… I think it would be better to hear that story directly later.”
“Why?”
As if asking why, I replied naturally, and Lydia, as if recovering stability, answers with a light smile.
“The other person who will gather for the dinner is none other than Duke Aaron Tempest.”
“Heh. If you’re having dinner with the Queen, it seems he has a high title.”
I already saw that he is a duke and A-class and talks with the Queen, but pretending not to know, I ask, and he nods lightly.
“Duke Tempest-kyung has given up all rights as a royal for Her Majesty the Queen and only performs duties. He is the person Her Majesty the Queen trusts the most. Moreover, he is above Her Majesty the Queen.”
So, that’s why Aaron Tempest was so relaxed in front of the Queen, and the Queen showed her inner thoughts.
Arriving at Buckingham Palace next to St. James Park with lush summer greenery, a stiff-looking 70-year-old butler grandfather is waiting for us.
While receiving curious tourist gazes, following behind, entering the palace, people in suits passing by one or two bow their waists when they see Lydia.
Lydia also raises her hand to respond, and as we pass, those people turn around and look at us without hesitation, whispering in very small voices “Is that person the Destroyer God?”, “He doesn’t seem like much, after all.”
Sorry for not being much!
I slightly frown, then turn my head, and see Franc who has a more frowning expression than me.
Lydia walking ahead of us by one step, not knowing our expressions at all, guides us to the bright yellowish-brown elegant reception room where the Queen and Aaron Tempest are.
The reception room is decorated with many paintings and portraits on the walls, and below them are numerous small frames with portrait photos.
On one wall is a gorgeously decorated fireplace, and in the corner of the office is a brown old-fashioned piano decorated.
In one corner of the office with many stand-type lamps emitting bright light is a reception table, and the Queen and Aaron Tempest sitting in front of it stand up and approach me.
“It’s an honor to be able to see you directly. Mr. Blue.”
Don’t call me little Destroyer God, right?’ I want to say, but I can’t do a stupid act that exposes my hidden lifeline by reacting.
Smiling slightly, I bow slightly and speak.
“It’s nice to meet you. Jung Seoha, the Master of Grand Blue Raid Team. When you were young, you must have been a great beauty.”
“Oh my. If you tease an old man, you can’t win.”
“Hahaha. Indeed, when Arceia V was young, she must have been troubled with suitors. Nice to meet you, little Destroyer God. I’m Aaron Tempest. I have a title of Duke but I’m lacking.”
This person seems to be a type that is all surface. Smiling like a neighbor’s brother, he extends his hand for a handshake, and I also smile and shake hands and speak.
“I thought there would be A-class in England, but I didn’t know you were affiliated with the British royal family.”
The Queen and Aaron twitch their eyebrows at my words. Hmm? I thought they already knew I could sense Phase Power? Was it to show off on purpose?
Aaron shrugs and releases the clasped hands and speaks.
“Could it be that by touching, I sensed that I am A-class? Indeed, I heard that Blue Genius can sense Phase Power.”
“Guess.”
My lively reaction, Aaron also shows a lively reaction, turns to the serious-faced Queen and asks playfully.
“Such~ I am the hidden sword of Britain, and I get caught so easily. Your Majesty, what should I do about this?”
“Duke Tempest…”
The Queen, thinking a sigh is an undignified act, covers her forehead with a hand in silk mesh gloves, looking quite troubled.
“Anyway, when you have time, will you have a duel with me? I really want to face a power user who is called the world’s strongest after Jeral Packard!”
Whoa, did Jeral Packard die?
“Did he die? I haven’t heard that story.”
“Haha. That man has been missing for tens of years. Judging by his age and the years he disappeared, he must have already died and become bones.”
Wow… That story, in the Alliance, the ability user alliance that idolizes Jeral Packard wouldn’t stay quiet.
“Duke Tempest!”
The Queen, thinking the same, shouts at Aaron with an angry expression, and Aaron closes his mouth with a guilty expression and turns his gaze.
“Would it be a bit angry if this conversation enters the ability user alliance?”
“Mr. Blue. The conversation just now is nonsense from an old man in the back room, so please forgive it.”
“Huh. Your Majesty! Calling it an old man in the back room, that’s too much!”
“Please… close your mouth. Duke.”
In the end, the story that he died is just the old man’s thought. Aaron sticks out his lips and mutters, and in the middle, he mutters “We’re getting old together. That’s why women are hysterical.” and gradually the Queen’s gaze becomes fiercer.
Anyway, seeing Aaron who wants to fight me, I shook my head.
“I understand your desire to fight, but I’ll refuse. Because my power is a killing-oriented power that I don’t know is moderate. Even though it’s a duel, if I die, it will be a problem, so no.”
“Haha. Even though I’m an A-class, you’re saying I won’t be able to oppose you?”
Aaron Tempest, who doesn’t feel unpleasant even though he heard a word that hurts his pride, rather shows his fighting spirit. The Queen and Lydia watch it with interested expressions, but don’t stop it? If so…
“Look at my fingertips.”
I simply point my index finger to the ceiling and hit a small wall of space with the thickness of a fingernail. Then, the three people concentrating on my fingertips twitch and are surprised when a cube-shaped wall of space appears.
“Have you seen the sign of the Space Wall appearing?”
“…I didn’t see it.”
“Do you know what effects this Space Wall has? What would happen if this is generated inside the body? Aberrants have energy fields always open, so they can endure a little, but ability users?”
“…”
It was a simple power demonstration, but the three people, having accurately understood the meaning of my action, stare at the Space Wall that appeared on my fingertips without saying anything.
“Does that mean you can make it up to tens of kilometers square…”
A slight silence falls at the grandeur of my ability, and Lydia, looking awkward, steps forward with a smile.
“Your Majesty, standing the guest like this is not an offense, is it?”
“Ah, what an offense. Please sit here, Mr. Blue.”
Only then, the Queen regains her senses, guides me to the empty sofa, sits herself, and Lydia and Aaron also sit in the empty seats.
But Aaron was showing a broken expression because of the story that he couldn’t be opposed, and seeing that, I thought he was an interesting person.
Sitting down, enjoying tea time with the car Lydia brought herself, and chatting, the Queen slightly brightens her eyes as if she is about to get to the main point and looks at Franc floating behind me.
Franc, no matter the situation or atmosphere, is a very thrilling thing to enter the palace’s reception room, so she slightly floats her body and carefully looks around the inside of the office.
“As per the rumor, a very beautiful and pure spirit. Just by getting such a spirit, it seems you know how excellent a man Mr. Blue is.”
“I’m still an immature kid. That’s why I went to the Edelberg family and caused trouble.”
“That’s not causing trouble, it’s your right to do so naturally. Rather, it’s good for me to end it nicely…”
“Quiet down, Duke.”
Aaron, reprimanded by the Queen, closes his mouth with a mischievous look “Yes yes~” and leans back on the sofa, raising both hands to show his palms.
Lydia and the Duke alternately covering their mouths with hands and laughing, the Queen eventually sighs lightly and bows her head to me.
“I would like to express my gratitude for this place for not using violence against the Edelberg family. Also, I apologize for ordering the children to incite and report on Mr. Blue’s movements.”
“…The problem with the Edelberg family is not yet over, and it seems too early to receive thanks. I will accept the apology for trying to monitor.”
Aaron, seeing my response, sticks out his mouth like a monkey and shows a surprised expression, and that face is funny, so Lydia hurriedly covers her mouth with both hands and bounces her body, and I also laugh.
Seeing me speak without being intimidated in front of the Queen, the Queen shows a bitter smile and nods slightly. She must have thought that a compromise is not simple.
Even so, such dignity has been trained by Yeong-eun, and existence has been trained by the Supergiant Turtle.