Chapter 4: Makoto Takatsuki Comes Back from a Night on the Town
“We’re back!” I called.
“Ugh, I wanna take a bath...” griped Sasa.
It was dawn by the time the two of us hauled our ragged selves back to the inn. We were both exhausted, though for different reasons: I’d been frantically using Dodge to dodge the sand dragons while Sasa had been tearing through the swarm and tossing them all over the place. By the time she’d finished, there’d been practically an entire mountain made of their corpses. The dragons were a danger to the adventurers and merchants that traveled through the wilderness and desert, so it wasn’t a bad thing in that respect...but I did kind of worry about our impact on the ecosystem.
I set those worries aside. I was bone-tired and wanted to get some rest ASAP. Princess Sophia, Lucy, Furiae, and Twi had probably finished their breakfast and were likely enjoying some tea, but Sasa and I just staggered toward our beds.
“Good morning, Hero Makoto, Aya Sasaki,” greeted Princess Sophia, her voice slightly cold.
“You two vanished last night... Where’d you go?” Lucy asked. Her voice was different as well. I didn’t think I’d heard her sound like that before.
“Mornin’. Sophie, Lu...I’m so sleepy...”
Sasa didn’t seem to notice any difference in their demeanors, and I was really tired as well, so I figured we’d talk it out later.
Furiae stroked Twi and said, “The two of you seem like you enjoyed yourselves.” There was a slight sharpness in her voice.
“Hm?”
“Wha?”
Yeah, Sasa and I couldn’t just let that one pass. Both of us turned around. Princess Sophia and Lucy both held icy looks in their eyes.
“H-Hey, guys,” I said, going for a cheery greeting.
“My, how carefree for someone getting back at this time in the morning,” Princess Sophia said.
“We were waiting for you alllll night,” Lucy added.
Ah, we’d had a miscommunication... Their gazes were getting sharper and sharper.
While I was in the middle of figuring out how I’d reply, Fujiyan and Nina burst in.
“Sir Tackie!”
“Everyone’h! It’s awful’h!”
Nice timing!
“What happened?” I asked, wanting to change the subject anyway.
“A ridiculously strong monster has appeared in the plains!” Fujiyan exclaimed.
“Oh? Tell me more,” I pressed.
Princess Sophia and Lucy reluctantly looked his way as well.
“Lady Nina, if you would.”
“Right’h! There was a rumor in the adventurer’s guild this morning’h! All of the sand dragons on the plains were wiped out’h!”
Huh?
Sand dragons?
“What?!” Princess Sophia cried.
“All of them?!”
Lucy and Sophia were both in shock. I glanced toward Furiae, but she didn’t seem to care and was scratching Twi’s chin now.
A bunch of sand dragons had been wiped out... That was huge news, apparently. Though, really...sand dragons?
“Unbelievable...” Princess Sophia murmured. “The adventurers and army have been unable to even make a dent in that swarm of calamities...”
“Right’h... They are the rulers of the plains’h. It’s unthinkable that they would be wiped out in a single night’h,” Nina said excitedly.
“Even the elves talked about that nest when I was young...” Lucy murmured.
“I was certainly told to stay away from the plains in Great Keith,” Furiae said.
So these dragons were famous enough that Lucy and Furiae had heard about them. R-Right. What exactly did we do now? I glanced over at Sasa.
She’s sleeping on her feet?!
Yeah...we’d definitely been the cause of this. Should I explain? But...Sasa had actually done it all, and I’d just spent the time running around! Explaining that would be way too embarrassing.
“My esteemed Tackie...” Fujiyan’s Mind Reading had apparently done the job for me.
“This cannot be left alone. Clearly, something is afoot,” stated Princess Sophia. “I shall gather information from the castle.”
“I’ll go ask around the guilds’h.”
“I’ll help!” Lucy cheered.
They were all ready to go investigate... N-No, I had to explain!
As I was faltering, Fujiyan stepped in to support me. “Please, wait, if you would. It seems our Sir Tackie here knows about the occurrence.”
“What?” everyone uttered in unison, looking my way.
Sasa was just breathing softly. Damn her... I’d have to explain it all.
“Well, you see...” I then launched into the whole explanation.
“So...Aya wiped them out alone?” Princess Sophia asked.
“N-No way’h...”
Both Sophia and Nina seemed completely taken aback.
“Aya! Aya, wake up! Is Makoto telling the truth?!” Lucy demanded, shaking her back and forth. Sasa just kept dozing, though. She must have been tired.
“Even if we tell the truth, will the government believe it?” Fujiyan mused, scratching his head.
It was apparently such a big deal that we couldn’t just say, “Yeah, Sasa took them all out on her own,” and expect to be believed.
“Still, we cannot say nothing. The country is in the midst of a huge investigation into what happened. Not revealing the truth will only worry the populace,” Princess Sophia reasoned decisively. She then began preparations to leave.
“Shall I come too?” I asked. I’d been there after all, so maybe having a witness would be useful.
“No. You being there may complicate matters. I will go alone first.”
“I see.” I felt kinda bad. Sneaking a glance at the other witness, I found her mumbling and giggling in her sleep.
“Not there, Takatsuki... Man, you’re such a perv.”
Sasa...you’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you?
The room lapsed into silence. Lucy and Princess Sophia were giving me painful looks.
“Aya! Wake up already!” Lucy demanded, squishing and pulling Sasa’s cheeks.
“M-Mmmm?”
Oh, guess she’s awake now.
“Uuuh...? What’s up?” Sasa asked, squirming in embarrassment as everyone stared.
“You’ve really done it now, haven’t you?” Lucy said accusingly.
“Huh? What do you mean, Lu?” Since Sasa’d been sleeping through the main conversation, she wasn’t following Lucy’s train of thought.
“Congratulations, Lady Sasaki,” Fujiyan added.
“You’re a stone rank adventurer on paper’h...” Nina murmured. “The guild won’t know what to do with you’h.”
Fujiyan and Nina exchanged looks and grumbles.
“Hero Makoto. There is a chance you will be summoned to explain. Remain ready so you can respond,” instructed Princess Sophia. “Aya, you should do likewise.”
“Got it, Sophia.” I nodded.
Sasa just blinked dazedly. She eventually realized that everyone was talking about her, so she cautiously opened her mouth. “Wh-What did I do?”
◇
I bathed and then spent several hours collapsed on my bed, unable to sleep. I just couldn’t rest while the sun was up. Out of curiosity, I peeked into Sasa’s room and saw her sleeping like a log.
My boss had told me to be ready, so I decided to practice water magic in my room. I only half slept, so I’m still tired...but not enough to actually sleep more...
So, I sat down and focused—at least partially—on my training. Suddenly, there was a weight on my back.
“Lucy?”
“You usually notice me,” she commented.
When had she come in? She was leaning against me, using my back like the backrest of a chair.
“I just can’t concentrate,” I said.
She gave an uninterested hum and removed her jacket. I heard it slip to the bed. She wasn’t wearing much now, just something like a camisole. I figured she must have been hot, considering how warm the country was.
“I’m melting,” she complained. Before I could say anything, I caught sight of her moving to take the camisole off as well.
“Uh, Lucy? What are you playing at?” Yeah, I had to comment.
“It’s hot, so I’m getting undressed.”
In my room! I cut off the extra perception from RPG Player and tried to use my water magic, but I just couldn’t do it. Before I knew it, I was just sitting on top of the bed next to an undressed Lucy. What was with this situation?
“You’re the type not to feed the fish you catch, aren’t you?” she asked.
“Fish?”
“I saw mama and my sisters when I was a kid—I used to think it was immodest for a woman to be making the moves.”
“H-Huh...” Well, considering how proactive the women of that family were...
“I was wrong, though! Mama was right. You just never try anything!” She wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
Hot! She’s burning up! And I thought she’d been controlling her mana better...
“Guess I’m going to have to make the first move.”
“It’s kinda sudden, isn’t it?” I asked.
She pulled me around and pushed me onto the bed. Then, she started pulling at the buttons on my—
SLAM!
The door burst open without even a knock.
“I can heeeaaar you.” Sasa walked in, rubbing her eyes
We weren’t even being that loud. Maybe the evolution had improved her hearing?
“Lucy, leave the playfulness there,” Princess Sophia said, stepping in behind Sasa.
“Yup, that’s enough, Lu.”
“Aw! Come on, just a bit more!” whined Lucy. “Just a bit!”
“No. We’re doing that together,” Sasa replied, pinning Lucy’s arms and dragging her out. Lucy didn’t really make much of an attempt to resist.
Is she kidding...? I watched the two playfully leave, and then a chill ran down my neck. Princess Sophia was standing right next to me.
“Come. We need to talk.” She pulled me along into her room. Her hand was the exact opposite of Lucy’s—ice cold.
Ah, she’s pissed.
“Hero Makoto,” she said once we were in her room.
“Y-Yes?” I asked, straightening. She was my fiancée and had just been to the castle to gather information. Meanwhile, I’d spent the night out with Sasa, had come home early in the morning...and had then been caught playing around in bed with a significantly underdressed Lucy.
Put lightly...I suppose I’d been acting like trash.
“I have information from the castle to report.”
Oh. I’d been worrying about the scolding I’d endure, but the princess had jumped straight into the serious topic.
“The upper echelons have accepted that you and your comrade have wiped out the nest of sand dragons... Though they seemed unconvinced.”
“Wait a minute—I didn’t actually do anything.” I’d just spent the whole time dodging. Sasa had done all the work on her own. Why didn’t the report reflect that?
“I trust your word, of course,” said Sophia. “However, this is a different matter. Do you think I can admit the truth? The reality that our State-Authorized Hero and a single girl fought a swarm of monsters...but the hero himself did nothing?”
“Sorry... I was in the wrong.” What kind of useless hero would that be? It had been a good idea to let Princess Sophia control the narrative.
“I also informed them of what you heard regarding the Snake Sect’s purchases in the slave markets. General Talisker had presumed you’d never been to the market, so it would appear they are watching your movements.”
“Then the disguise was the right call.” I was glad Sasa and I hadn’t just wandered in.
“Regardless, the slave market is a dangerous place at night. Please be more careful.”
“R-Right.”
I’d probably been a bit hasty. The top brass hadn’t noticed this time...but I’d better hold off in the future.
“However, your slave friend is a concern. I tried to discuss that issue as well...”
“What happened?” I asked eagerly, but her tone darkened.
“The noble wishing to buy your friend Keiko Kawakita seems rather taken with her. He has no inclination to let her slip away...”
“I...see.”
“The noble in question is the third son of the Bunnahabhain family and spends his time building a squad made entirely of strong women fighters and mages.”
“What a scumbag!” Just gathering women stronger than him to make a party... That really annoyed me.
The princess just looked flatly at me. Huh? Did I say something odd?
It’s pretty similar to your party, isn’t it? Noah asked.
Right... The women in my party were all stronger than me...
“Hero Makoto?” Sophia was staring at my face. I hurriedly focused.
“It’s nothing. So it’ll take a lot of effort to free her.”
“It will... The Roses family will continue our negotiations.”
“That’s a real help.”
She didn’t reply.
“Sophia?” I asked after a minute.
She suddenly pulled me by the hand to a sofa and then sat next to me. Our shoulders were just on the verge of touching. There was a pleasant scent drifting up from her hair.
“Hero Makoto,” she said, calling my name just like she had when we’d first come into the room.
“Y-Yes?”
This time, though, she was less than twenty centimeters from me. Her dark-blue eyes stared into mine. She was silent for a while, but then her lips parted.
“You were out late with Aya last night, were you not?”
“I was...”
“And you were enjoying yourself with Lucy a while ago.”
I let the silence hang for a while. “Right...”
I’d let my guard down. It wasn’t just work she wanted to talk about. I was really in for it now...
“I really should be closer for this.” Her voice wasn’t angry. She moved in toward me, resting her head on my shoulder.
“Sophia?”
“Janet Ballantine was making passes at you in Springrogue.”
“She wasn’t. Who told you that?” Who would have said something like that to Princess Sophia of all people?
“Eir.”
“E-Eir?!” The hell? That mouthy goddess.
“She also said ‘Mako—Makoto Takatsuki is weak to assertiveness, so push him down and have your way.’”
“There’s a lot wrong with that,” I mumbled. What the hell was that goddess telling her priestess?
Suddenly, I was flipped onto my back...and the princess hovered over me.
She was right there, and I could practically feel the breath from her almost statue-like face. Well, there was a slight flush to her cheeks, so she definitely wasn’t expressionless like a statue. She peered down at me through her eyelashes, almost glaring.
“You’re leaving me all alone,” she murmured, eyes watering. That was so damn cute... I almost felt dizzy.
I...
I didn’t think, just wrapped my arms around her shoulders, then—
“Mako! It’s awful!”
I blinked, and Princess Sophia’s eyes turned from blue to gold. Her tone of voice also changed.
“Uh? S-Sophia?”
The mood was gone.
She looked just the same as usual—other than her eyes—but her mana was different. It was almost prickling at my skin as it overflowed her body.
“Eir?” As a goddess, she was overwhelming...even compared to the demon lord and Grandsage. Also, Eir was the only one who ever called me “Mako.”
“Oh?” Her eyes went wide. Then, she seemed to notice that I was reclining...and the princess was on top of me.
“Am I interrupting something?”
I paused for a second. “A...bit.”
“Damn it!” she exclaimed with a look of chagrin. “Just as she got her courage up too.”
“You shouldn’t be telling her those things.”
“She’s a late bloomer, though. She needs a push.”
Yeah, but telling her to push me down was too much. It was really risky actually. Eir was way too precise with it!
“What’s so important?” I asked, getting us back on topic.
“Right! Well, Great Keith is in danger!”
“Is that the thing Furiae was talking about?”
Looks like he already knows from the moon priestess, doesn’t it? Noah interjected.
“Aww!” whined Eir. “There goes my chance to have him owe me a favor!”
“We’re looking into it,” I said. “Do you know anything?”
The Sacred Deities probably haven’t heard anything, explained Noah. That’s why they’re asking my elementals for help.
So that’s what the goddesses had been doing earlier when they’d ignored me...
“Did you find out anything?” I asked.
Well, you know how it is... Noah muttered.
Damn. They’d been my last hope.
Eir then hummed and put her hand to her chin. The gesture didn’t really suit her.
“The underground is looking fishy,” she suddenly said.
“The...underground?” What was I supposed to do with that sudden hint?
Makoto, people in the underground follow Typhon, Noah told me. They must have some hidden shrine or temple where they make their offerings. And, to hide it, they probably keep it underground where people won’t stumble upon it.
“I see. So we need to look for an underground temple.” That was easy to understand, but... “Gamelan is pretty big...”
It was the largest capital city after Highland’s and was also a huge center of trade, so there were lots of people from other continents here. Gamelan was a real melting pot of culture—it was also the exact opposite of Highland’s rigid system of dwellings and status.
Gathering information here was going to be tough.
Could we ask Sól about it? proposed Noah.
Right. This was Sól’s country, so she’d be the best to ask.
“Hmm...” mused Eir. Her voice (which was still coming out of Sophia’s mouth) didn’t seem particularly enthused.
“Is it a bad idea?” I asked.
“Well, she’s a war goddess,” Eir explained, “so she’s pretty bad at sneaky information gathering.”
Oh, right. She’s a musclehead. Noah cursed. It was kinda sad that we couldn’t rely on Great Keith’s goddess. Don’t bother with Sól. Your friends Fujiyan and Sophia should at least be able to pool their connections to find an underground shrine. The real issue is whatever the sect’s planning. It must be a pretty huge scheme if they’re putting so much effort into throwing us off the trail... Be careful.
“Understood,” I replied, nodding in answer to her warning.
Well then, see you! she called out. And with that, Noah was gone.
“I’m heading off too!” said Eir. “You and Sophie enjoy yourseeelllves...”
At that, Princess Sophia suddenly pitched forward. I quickly caught her soft frame with a yelp.
“Mmh...” Her eyes opened. “Oh... What in the world?”
“You were probably tired,” I explained. “You fell asleep.”
“That can’t... Was it Eir...?”
Ack, caught. I couldn’t move from where I was supporting her soft form. Just as I was thinking about what to do, there came a knock at the door.
We quickly separated.
“Who is it?” the princess called out.
“It is me, Lady Sophia. I bring news.”
“Enter,” she replied once she’d adjusted her clothes and hair. Her voice was the same as always. It was a pretty impressive transformation.
Her guardian knight was the one to enter the room. “My apologies for disturbing the two of you,” he said.
“Think nothing of it. What news do you have?”
The knight’s serious expression didn’t falter as he began to speak. “General Talisker wishes to speak with the State-Authorized Hero of Roses.”
Sophia’s eyes immediately sharpened. She’d been spot-on when she’d mentioned it earlier.
◇
“This way, Sir Makoto.”
The geezer guardian knight led me as we arrived at a huge estate. This place was close to the castle and a cut above the other high-class houses in the area. There was a huge gate surrounding the estate and massive gardens just past it.
There are water elementals too, I thought. If the worst comes, I should be able to protect myself.
“Welcome.” A man who looked like a butler greeted us as he stepped out of the estate. “Sir is waiting. Allow me to guide you.”
“Farewell then, Sir Hero.”
“Thanks, geezer,” I replied, entering the estate alone. Apparently, the general wanted to talk to me on my own. That’s the worst...
Usually when I was around the big shots, I had Fujiyan, Sasa, and Lucy with me. That way, I never needed to speak much. That hadn’t been the case with Princess Noelle, but Sakurai had been there that time. I cranked Calm Mind up to the maximum and nervously followed the butler.
The place was decorated with all kinds of statues and paintings. I didn’t know how much they were worth, but they definitely demonstrated the wealth of the mansion’s owner. The butler didn’t lead me inside, but to a place in the garden.
In the garden, there was a small stage—a woman wearing thin clothes was dancing along to some music. Torches were flickering around the stage, making the scene look even odder.
“Please, that way.” The butler pointed. In that direction was the general, wearing much more casual clothing than the last time we’d met. He was sitting on a platform three steps higher than the rest of the area...and he was looking down at me. A lavish array of fruits was spread out before him, and he was being served by two beautiful women—one on each side.
He’s THE Big Shot.
It was almost like a scene out of a painting: Gerhardt Talisker, the father of the Hero of Incandescence, Olga Sól Talisker, and the leader of Great Keith’s army. He was the most influential person in the country after the king. Apparently, he was also pretty close to said king. This was one of the people I couldn’t defy while in Great Keith.
“My thanks for your invitation,” I said, kneeling on the platform like Sophia had told me.
“No, Hero.” Suddenly, the general stood and pulled me up onto the platform. He bade me sit at his side. “You are our guest of honor tonight, Hero Makoto. We have been waiting for you.”
He sounded much friendlier than before. Yet, the smile didn’t reach his eyes, and he was watching me like a hawk.
“Thank you,” I said nervously, sinking down into the seat he offered.
“Bring the hero some victuals,” he ordered. “Let the dancing and music begin!” The music sped up and the dancer began moving almost lasciviously. Several women suddenly appeared at my side—they poured me a drink and brought food to my lips.
H-How am I supposed to be calm here?!
I had to tell them I’d eat by myself—I also took some of the fairly weak fruit wine. For a while, I listened to them talk about the food and dance, and I acted out the correct surprise and praise when needed.
Once the party had been going for a while, the general brought up the sand dragons. “Hero Makoto. You have my thanks for dealing with the sand dragons.”
This was probably the main thing I was here for.
“Well, we were just lucky...” After all, I’d just stood there watching as Sasa took care of them.
“I have to admit, I heard you were a mage...but the sand dragons were all slain by physical attacks, not magic. You seem to be a skilled fighter as well.”
I stayed silent. It wasn’t like I could tell him that Sasa had taken the dragons out barehanded...
“You are usually seen with only a dagger—do you perhaps usually use another weapon?” he asked firmly.
“Well...I can’t really say.”
I couldn’t tell him that my stats were too low for anything heavier...so I chose to just not answer anything. He didn’t seem to actually need my reply and didn’t appear bothered. However, I’m sure he thought I was hiding something.
It’d be so much easier to just say Sasa did it all.
One of the women suddenly spoke up. “How heartening it is to have you here, Hero... You defeated such awful monsters.”
“I’ve always been scared of them, ever since I was a child,” another added. She paused for a moment. “Would you...allow me to show my thanks?”
Suddenly, the women were draping themselves over me. They weren’t wearing much, so it ended up with their skin against mine. Though I wanted to pull away, I was boxed in.
“Oh, those two seem to have taken a liking to you. If you wish, you could spend the night.” The general said this to me casually, like he was just recommending a dessert.
“I’d do anything the hero asked,” the first woman said.
“My, so would I. Tell us, Sir Makoto—what are your tastes?”
Can these women just say anything? Wait, that’s not the point!
You good over there, Makoto? Noah asked in exasperation.
You don’t need to tell me, Noah. I know.
Will you get caught in General Talisker’s honeypot?
Yes
▶No
Even my skill was warning me outright!
“General, while I appreciate the offer, I need to head back tonight,” I said, offering a polite refusal.
That’ll work, right?
“So the fancy didn’t take you. Those two are some of the most beautiful in the capital, but I suppose if you prefer a different type...how about the dancer over there?”
Even as I was mentally saying, “No way,” I looked at the dancer. She was beaming a charming smile at me. She’d definitely been ordered to try and tempt me as well.
I looked at the first two again. They were pretty good-looking.
Still...
I remembered telling Fujiyan and Sakurai that I wasn’t good with attractive women—they’d both looked shocked. I’d then had to explain that I wasn’t gay... I was just shy, so I couldn’t deal well with people I didn’t know. Beautiful women just made me more nervous. My old friend Sasa and my adventuring partner Lucy were exceptions. I’d also gotten relatively used to Princess Sophia recently. As for Furiae? If it wasn’t for my skill, I wouldn’t be able to meet her eyes.
This reticence was probably why I was still a virgin.
I had Calm Mind set to 99% even now, and I used RPG Player to look around.
There were so many beautiful women in attendance—the general had probably arranged for them to be here. But, to me, that beauty just made them tiring to talk with. Also, comparing them just made me remember Noah, who was the self-proclaimed most beautiful woman in heaven.
They just don’t hold a candle to her... I thought. I didn’t say that out loud though.
I heard Noah giggle. It’s not fair to compare them to me, Makoto.
Yeah, I know that. There isn’t anyone who can compare to you.
I was sure that the cool look on my face indicated that their plan wasn’t working.
“You’ve barely had anything to drink, Hero. Here, try this thirty-year vintage,” the general said, switching tracks to food and drink. That expensive wine was really nice...
Suddenly, as the party hit full swing, a woman arrived. “My apologies for disturbing you. Uncle Talisker, Hero of Roses.”
She was wearing the same kind of thin clothing that was popular for women in Great Keith, but her behavior and accessories were a clear cut above.
“Lady Dahlia. Is your business urgent?”
Ah, I recognize her. The general’s statement made me remember. This was the Priestess of Fire—Dahlia Sól Great Keith. The same woman who had spoken with Princess Sophia the other day.
“Indeed, General. Could I ask for some privacy?” Her face was smiling just the same as always, but her eyes were still flat.
“Move back,” he instructed the serving women. Only the two of us were near the priestess now. The music was still going, so people would be unable to eavesdrop unless they were right next to us.
“So?” the general asked.
“Members of the Snake Sect have infiltrated the city and are plotting something,” Dahlia said.
“I’ve heard the same,” General Talisker murmured. “Capturing some peon will not inform us of their plans, though. The ringleader is likely the only one to know the whole story, and we have yet to find the serpent’s head.”
The party mood around us had vanished, replaced by cast-iron seriousness.
“True...we do not know the identity of the ringleader. However, I do know what they are planning,” Dahlia declared. She offered up the first proper smile I’d seen from her.
“They grow more tight-lipped as they rise through the ranks,” General Talisker pointed out. “The rank and file will know nothing but misinformation. Can you trust it?”
“I managed to install a few Temple Knights within the sect several years ago. Several lost their lives when discovered...but they have served us well.”
Oh, going undercover! That was a pretty modern tactic. The priestess seemed to notice my look since she offered a smile.
“It is all for the peace of our land,” she said.
“I-Impressive.” Roses would do well to learn that pragmatism.
“So, your plan?” the general pressed.
“Three days hence, there will be a gathering in an underground cemetery on the city outskirts. Ordinarily, that place is rarely used, but the sect will be gathering there on that day. And while they are all there...we take them out.”
“Very well,” agreed the general, his tone hard. “Let us keep this completely secret. I will make sure we have sufficient forces.”
“Apologies for the interruption, Hero of Roses,” Dahlia said.
“Not at all...” Honestly, should I be hearing national strategy?
Just as I decided to say my farewells, the general turned to me with a grave look.
“Hero, I would like your cooperation three days from now.”
“A splendid idea, General!” exclaimed Dahlia.
I started. So...that’s his game. He wanted to know how I’d defeated the sand dragons...and the priestess wanted to evaluate me as well.
The two of them observed me.
Will you participate in the attack against the Snake Sect?
Yes
No
RPG Player was giving me a selection screen. Hmm, what should I do?
It’d probably be a good chance to avert the future Furiae had seen. Though...it didn’t really have anything to do with us, and just me joining in wouldn’t make a difference.
Would it?
Great Keith and Roses were neighbors and had a lot of diplomatic ties. Politically—and considering my position as a State-Authorized Hero—it might be an issue if I turned him down.
While I was worrying about that, a conversation I’d had with Princess Sophia came to mind:
“Hero Makoto, if the general makes any request, you can answer it as you wish.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. After all, I was a political amateur.
“I am. I will trust in your decisions.”
“Princess Sophia, he acts without thinking a lot of the time,” Lucy warned.
“Yeah, Sophie,” Sasa interjected. “Takatsuki’s a bit of a weirdo sometimes. Don’t trust those decisions too much.”
Hey, guys? You could both believe in me a bit more. Though...I agreed with them.
The princess smiled. “I have decided to put my faith in him,” she declared.
The princess had left it to me, so...
“Very well,” I told the general and Dahlia. “I will aid you.”
I selected “Yes.”
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