Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: 12. Survival Competition (6)
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“Freedom from hell.”
“There's still a bit left.”
“Gredo rests for a long time too. Yay!”
Big Sis Leimi lay down on the grass and closed her eyes, probably thrilled at the thought of finally getting some proper rest after so long. The rest of us—everyone except her—weren't quite so desperate for the feel of solid ground, so we just sat on the grass, enjoying the breeze.
As we paused to catch our breath and wait, a group of carriages bearing the imperial crest came into view from the distance.
Since our starting point had been closer, we'd timed it just right to meet them with only that small gap.
We straightened up and observed the proper etiquette—Big Sis Leimi included, despite her lounging about—and from the lead carriage that soon arrived, it wasn't one of His Majesty's aides who stepped out, but the Emperor herself.
“No need to stand on such ceremony. I won't say we're equals, but we're comrades gathered here to strike at the demon race, the enemy of all humanity, based on the intelligence we've gathered.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“I have high expectations for you in particular. I look forward to seeing you melt the hearts of the dwarves with your skills and sever the demons' heads.”
“...As you command.”
It was clear she also expected me to handle the diplomatic side of things.
The problem was, if I actually won over the dwarves enough to stand in for the Emperor diplomatically, they'd keep coming to me afterward too.
The moment someone asked, “Where's that Yulius guy?” the dwarf-Pallan Empire diplomatic relations would sink into an unpredictable quagmire.
To fix that, I'd have to stick around and keep helping out.
Ah.
I caught on to her little scheme and shot her a glance, and she responded with a knowing smile.
She was probably pleased that I'd figured it out, included.
I let out a silent sigh and smiled back at her. Fine. If she wants to do this because she likes me, what can I do?
All I could do was work hard.
With my resolve steeled, she walked over to me without a word and spoke once she was right in front of me.
“Good. It seems you've come fully prepared.”
“Body, gear, mind—all squared away.”
“Excellent. Whatever happens later, I'll trust in you alone. Would you come here for a moment?”
I caught a glimpse of Big Sis Mina's expression souring as the Emperor naturally hooked her arm through mine and led me away, but what could she do? She couldn't exactly smack the Empress of the Empire around like she would Mr. Dras, so she let me go.
“Seeing you out here in the open like this feels fresh all over again.”
“Aren't your retainers watching?”
“They're the ones making a fuss about finding me a partner anyway. They'll be thrilled if I'm friendly with a man.”
She chuckled and shifted the topic, speaking loudly enough for me to hear clearly from right beside her.
“...I sent off the one who caused this mess, but I can't rule out the others being connected in different ways. There aren't many bold enough to target my neck directly, but if the dwarves let them in and they cause trouble, it'll be hard to handle.”
“I can't monitor everyone.”
“It's fine. Not everyone's suspicious, and don't you have that sharp-sensed elf? Plus, I've asked someone truly trustworthy to keep watch too.”
That was true enough.
I nodded for now.
“So, I handle diplomacy on stage, monitor the shady ones, and take down the demons? That's a lot.”
“Ahem. No matter how many talents you gather, it's never enough.”
“I agree, but this is a bit much...”
“I-I'll make it up to you later. Promise.”
“...Should I believe you?”
“Of course. I don't make promises lightly. I'll repay you in a way that satisfies you completely.”
After that playful exchange, the Empress brought up something more serious.
“And from here on, it's a rather delicate matter.”
“Wasn't what we just discussed pretty sensitive too?”
“This is even more so. You're aware that the Imir Kingdom's royals and our imperial family are in close cooperation, right?”
“Lately, yeah.”
“But word came in to watch that wild tomboy princess because she's acting strangely.”
“Princess Kanila... you mean?”
“Yes. That empty-headed flower child.”
Did Kanila have a motive to act? Back when she was obsessed with me, she'd clashed with Duke Calamity herself just to make me her fiancé. She was a total loose cannon.
Of course, His Majesty's efforts had quelled it, but that didn't mean she'd given up.
And the worst part was, aside from her personality—no, their personalities were both awful anyway—every other ability outstripped Rias's.
Looking back now, the fact that what was essentially an upgraded version was after me must have been a huge stressor for Rias.
“The key point is that they warned the imperial family. It means she's scheming something involving the Empire.”
“That woman stalked me too. What if she found out where I am...”
“...I don't even want to imagine it.”
She's truly without restraint. Not arrogant, just oblivious to others' gazes.
You could call her a psycho who doesn't care if the whole world points fingers at her.
And she's brutally harsh on unworthy men—any half-baked servant's flirting could end in a peanut harvest.
If someone like that came to the Empire and threw a tantrum, it'd be the worst-case scenario. She's a VIP, so physical restraint isn't an option; it'd be a walking nuke.
“This is shameless of me, but could you handle it?”
“...You've been asking a lot lately.”
“I'll repay you all later...”
“With what?”
“...Eek.”
The Empress struck some kind of sexy pose or whatever, but when I didn't react, her face fell into a pout.
When I asked for something practical instead, she looked even more dejected.
“L-Later. For real. I'll make it up to you big time.”
“Ugh, fine. I'll take your IOU.”
“Yeah.”
Suddenly meek, I told her she was an attractive woman too, and after seeing her mood lift a bit, we both got up and returned to our groups.
When I reached where my three regulars were passing the time, Big Sis Mina jumped up first, ran over, hugged me, and asked,
“What was that about?”
“Just sorting out what we'll do once we're inside the mountains, and she told me to watch out for my stalker from the Imir Kingdom.”
“Stalker?”
“One princess.”
I didn't even want to think about it.
If a guy flirts to get ahead, she harvests his peanuts.
No joke—she was a terror even to women, with rumors swirling about what she'd do to them.
“Anyway, we'll figure that out on the way back or whatever. Inside, Her Majesty will take center stage, and I'll back her up from the sides. There are a few suspicious folks among their group this time, so Big Sis and I, with your sharp senses, will handle watching them.”
“Watching people. Piece of cake.”
Imperial bureaucrats wouldn't spot her tailing them from a safe distance.
Sis gets a bit foolish when I'm involved sometimes, but she nails her jobs near-perfectly, so I could trust her.
She took the handed-over list of names and faces, glanced at the files, said she'd memorized them all, gave them back, and I burned mine too—no evidence left.
“...So what about me?”
“Big Sis Leimi, your real work starts when the imperials engage in combat, so you can relax in the mountains until then?”
“I know some dwarves handling magical artifacts.”
“Might as well check them out like Mr. Dras said.”
“Yeah. Came all this way—gotta gain some knowledge to make the carriage trip worthwhile.”
Big Sis Leimi, who'd nearly died from motion sickness, perked up now that she had something to study. Color returned to her face.
Good.
“And Mr. Dras?”
“I'll help Miss Leimi at first, then wander around later. It's changed a lot since my time.”
“After looking around?”
“Nothing much. Meet an old connection, share a drink maybe.”
As he said that, he pulled out the coffee liqueur and other liquors I'd gifted him, one after another.
Grinning proudly as he showed them off, Mr. Dras packed them away again and added,
“Truth is, there's a guy I want to introduce you to, Shopkeeper. If he likes your booze, it'll give me a chance to brag and chat.”
“Sounds like you're bragging about your son.”
“Not far off. If he were mine, I'd boast to everyone I know.”
“Ahaha.”
I wondered what a real father was like.
Would the day come when my father and I understood each other?
For now, Mr. Dras felt like a better man than my own dad, so I laughed and told him to do as he pleased.
After all the trouble to come here, I hoped everyone got something out of it.