The Hearing, Part II
Click, clack. Tap, tap.
The sound of meticulous dusting echoed through the room. A pleasant breeze drifted in through the crack in the open window, but I couldn't even enjoy the white noise. Instead, I was pretending to read and review the documents scattered across my desk.
"Elroy, you have a visitor downstairs," Daphne said, waving her hand to brush away the dust floating toward her face. She had a kerchief tied around her head, looking as though she had truly resolved to clean this room top to bottom.
By the way, was she going to pretend she hadn't seen what just happened? I was grateful, but that actually made it more embarrassing. Should I just tell her the truth? 'The Holy Sword suddenly started talking to me!'
For a divine relic known as the Holy Sword, her language was surprisingly colorful. Come to think of it, between her and Harvey, the adventurer I met last time, I seemed to be encountering people—or things—that could read my mind far too often lately. I let the Holy Sword's words slide out of my mind and picked up another sheet of paper.
Wait, so she really could read my mind. I was so taken aback I almost replied out loud. Did that mean she could hear what I was thinking every single second of the day?
The Holy Sword spoke as if offended. Though I wasn't entirely sure if I could actually rest easy.
"Elroy?"
Daphne's voice broke through the Holy Sword's rather unwelcome remarks. I pulled my attention away from the sword and looked up at Daphne. Well, I looked in her direction, but I couldn't bring myself to meet her eyes directly.
"Sorry. You said a guest is here?"
"Yes. They seem to be from the palace, though I don't know their exact identity. They were wearing very expensive-looking clothes... I think a rather high-ranking noble has come to see you."
A high-ranking noble. Considering they showed up right after I received the summons to the hearing, they definitely had an agenda. To be honest, whether they wanted to help me or not, I wasn't thrilled. If they wanted to help, they'd want something in return; if they didn't, they'd just be a nuisance.
They only come because it's me, and they know I have no choice. A normal adventurer could just flip them off and run away if things went south, but I have to maintain this uncomfortable partnership no matter what.
...But wait, this sword isn't even answering my questions, yet she's getting all the answers she wants from me.
"Yes, yes. I understand."
I blurted the response out loud without thinking. Glancing around quickly to make sure no one had heard me, I made my way down the stairs.
At the Holy Sword's words, I looked up. Sitting on the sofa in the lobby's reception area was a stout, middle-aged man. Just as Daphne had said, he wore incredibly luxurious clothing. It wasn't gaudy; rather, it looked like a highly sophisticated, custom-tailored suit. He was almost completely bald on top, but a thick, bushy beard swept from behind his ears to cover his lower face.
"Ah, you've arrived, Sir Hero."
"...Hello."
The man stood up, his face lighting up with a warm smile as he approached and grasped my hand in a firm handshake. I offered an awkward smile and shook his hand in return. I felt a bit bad, but I had no idea what his name was.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Wallace Bigwan."
His voice was cheerful yet husky. He had a surprisingly strong grip, though he was clearly neither a knight nor a mage. Wallace tapped the emblem pinned to his chest with a boastful air.
"I hold the title of Count, and I serve as the Assistant Minister of Internal Affairs at the royal palace."
Assistant Minister of Internal Affairs... is that a high rank? Honestly, I didn't care about his title or his rank. In fact, I didn't even care about his name. I just wanted him to leave me alone and get lost. I stared at Count Wallace, keeping my expression as flat and unimpressed as possible. In stark contrast to my cold demeanor, the Count began to speak with a broad, beaming smile.
"By the way, I see you've been injured. Are you quite alright? I could recommend an excellent physician if you'd like."
"Thank you for your concern," I said, taking a step back as Count Wallace tried to peer at my right arm, forcing a tight smile.
"I assume you received the summons delivered by Commander Georg?"
"Yes, I did. They certainly put a lot of effort into writing a simple summons."
Whether he took my words as a compliment or sarcasm, Wallace let out a hearty laugh. "Of course! It is a document from the royal palace, after all. We must use only the finest materials in the kingdom, even if it is just a single sheet of stationery."
Yeah, we definitely weren't going to get along. I kept my sour expression firmly in place.
"At any rate, I am sure you can guess what kind of questions await you at the hearing. Most of the palace vassals will descend upon you like wolves, trying to tear you apart and drag your name through the mud. They will start by asking why you banished the Saintess and the mercenary, throwing sensitive questions at you and demanding accountability. They will treat you like a criminal."
Wallace's voice took on a solemn, grave tone. Well, what he was saying was exactly what I had already anticipated. The hearing was an opportunity. There were bound to be countless opportunists eager to use the Hero as a stepping stone to elevate their own voices within the palace.
"Those men are like jackals. They would sell out their own parents for a promotion. And to them, you look like nothing more than a perfect sacrificial lamb. In truth, you will find yourself in quite a predicament once the hearing concludes."
"So, what is it you actually want to say?"
At my blunt question, Wallace smirked.
"However! If you were to take my hand, Sir Hero, the story would be quite different. Do that, and I shall drive those jackals away for you. I am offering to actively defend you at the hearing. A man of my standing can easily silence those second-rate fools."
And so it begins. Just how pathetic did they think the original Elroy was to try and threaten him under the guise of conciliation? Then again, the original Elroy would have accepted Bishop Andre's proposal, shifted the blame to the Saintess, and avoided the hearing altogether, so this situation wouldn't have even happened.
"Of course, this hearing won't be easy, but I am more than willing to fight on your behalf. That is, as long as you continue to maintain a... mutually beneficial relationship with me in the future."
I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh. Become my dog. In short, that was what he was saying.
"I decline. Having my ankles chained to someone doesn't suit my personality at all."
I cut him off without a single second of hesitation. At my response, Wallace's face crumpled like a rotten tomato.
"I suggest you think this over carefully, Sir Hero. Not only will you survive this hearing unscathed, but you will also gain a powerful political patron. There is absolutely no downside for you. Why on earth would you reject my offer?"
"You're making me repeat myself." This time, I deliberately made my tone as rude as possible.
Wallace's face distorted further, looking like a rotten tomato that had been stepped on. Seeing his smug, triumphant expression crumble brought a natural smile to my lips.
"You will regret this."
"How strange. Someone asked me recently if I would regret my choices, and I told them I absolutely never do."
"When you see me at the hearing, I will be standing among your enemies." Man, this guy was incredibly persistent.
"Well, do whatever you want. And if you're going to keep talking nonsense, please leave."
I lowered my voice and let a fraction of my aura flare. As I took a step forward, Wallace swallowed hard and stumbled backward. I offered a bright, pleasant smile to Count Wallace as he backed up all the way to the entrance. Who do you think you're trying to put a leash on?
"...Hero. I do not know what gives you such foolish confidence, but you will learn at the hearing. You will realize exactly what kind of mistake you have made."
Dropping the honorifics entirely now, are we? I smirked, curling one corner of my mouth, and politely opened the door for him. The warm breeze of late spring rushed into the building.
"Then, I shall see you at the hearing."
Count Wallace Bigwan looked out the door, then back at me, before practically fleeing the building. I bolted the door shut and sat down on the sofa in the empty lobby.
"There's no need to shackle myself just to get through a temporary crisis. Besides, I can handle a simple hearing like this on my own without relying on a guy like him."
Rather than genuine concern, the Holy Sword's questions felt like a test—as if she already knew the answers and was merely probing my resolve. I actually welcomed it. At the very least, it meant I had gained an exceptional ally.
"That's the beauty of being the Hero. Even if I make an enemy of him, there's not much he can actually do to me. Well, conversely, it's not like I can do much to him either." I muttered, gently tracing my broken right arm.
"And... if I had defeated the Seven Calamities while holding his hand, Count Wallace would have used the Hero's soaring reputation to wield absolute, unchecked power." And I would have been dragged around on his leash forever.
The Holy Sword spoke with a note of satisfaction, letting out a soft hum.
"Right, you said you'd give me an answer. Why did you just watch in silence all this time, only speaking to me when I was on the verge of being killed by that spider?"
So, in the end, I had to practically cross death's door to get her attention. I frowned, glaring down at the Holy Sword. She let out a low chuckle, speaking in a soothing tone.
A trial, huh? The realization that I was truly playing the role of a Hero—a fate I had never asked for—hit me all at once, and I let out a deep sigh.
Friday. I sat in the waiting room, staring blankly into space as I waited for my name to be called. From young court nobles to half-retired fossils with false teeth, all the heavyweights of the kingdom had gathered. It was clear just how much attention this hearing was drawing.
I stared at the firmly shut door of the waiting room. Beyond it, the low murmur and rustle of a massive crowd were clearly audible.
"Who wouldn't be tense in a situation like this?"
I suppose so. I adjusted my collar. I hadn't known there was a specific uniform for the Hero, and wearing it made me feel incredibly self-conscious. Aside from the black undershirt, it was a stark, pure white suit. Apparently, I was required to wear this attire for official public events.
Thanks for the reality check. Just as a bitter smile formed on my lips, the door creaked open, and a man who appeared to be a low-ranking noble poked his head inside.
"Sir Hero, it is time for you to enter."
I nodded and stood up. Through the widening gap of the door, the roar of the crowd grew even louder. The Holy Sword left me with a parting word, her tone carrying a hint of anticipation.
Right. Time to shut those jackals' mouths once and for all.