CHAPTER 59
The Ex-Demon Lord and the Holy Nation
As soon as this decision was made for us, Ireena and I returned to the school dorm to pack up our things. When we started to leave the building, Ginny and Sylphy had looked at us with expectant faces that begged to take them with us, but…
Unfortunately, that was not in the cards this time.
It was better to perform this mission in small numbers. If you only think about it in a broad sense, having more guards might seem like it would provide tighter security, but that just didn’t take everything into account. It would be easier for the enemy to locate a larger group. A crowd surrounding a single person would practically scream there was someone important in the middle.
Ginny and Sylphy were smart enough to understand that.
“I pray for your safe travels, though I’m confident Ard won’t need it.”
“You better bring back some souvenirs!”
After saying good-bye, Ireena and I made our way to one of the carriage loading zones spread out across the capital. From there, we met up with Queen Rosa and Prime Minister Valdr in commoner clothing and boarded the custom carriage that had been prepared for us.
“Custom,” but not outwardly lavish. In fact, the exact opposite. They didn’t want this to turn into a parade for the queen, which was why the exterior appeared to be a standard model used by common folk. The inside, however, was outfitted with state-of-the-art technology, making the vehicle a cut above the rest. The carriage materials were imbued with magic, boasting an unbelievable durability incongruent with the aesthetics.
“Hey, Rosie. How long will it take us to get there?”
“As we shall be passing through a host of cities, I would say…one week.”
“I knew we’re gonna be on the road for a while.”
Ireena began rummaging through her bag in the cramped carriage space.
“To pass the time, let’s play a card game!”
“Oh, lovely. I cannot recall the last time I enjoyed such diversions.”
Rosa’s interest was piqued, but Valdr next to her…
“…Should we not take this a bit more seriously? There is no telling when we may be attacked,” he admonished, letting out a sigh, but Rosa and Ireena didn’t even seem to be listening.
“Whether one frets or not, it will not change anything.”
“Besides, we’ve got nothing to worry about! Right, Ard?”
Ireena was convinced there was nothing to fear with me there.
I nodded in agreement. “Yes. Please leave everything to me.”
“…Hmph! Be careful not to slip up!” Prime Minister Valdr warned with a hideously sour look.
Including the cantankerous prime minister, we amused ourselves with card games. It was an uneventful moment in time, though Valdr and I did not lower our guard during the entire game. We were poised to respond to any problem at any given moment, which meant we exchanged few words.
Rosa and Ireena, on the other hand, were chatting without a break, which must have been because they felt so safe. The topics were silly—nothing noteworthy—so I found myself tuning them out, until—
“By the way, Ireena, how does thine school life fare?”
“School is so fun! Like, it’s a blast, even if there are some bad eggs in the mix! Ard keeps me on my toes, and I’ve made tons of friends!”
“Is that so? You seem to be doing quite well.”
Why did I choose to fixate on this conversation?
Rosa’s words and expressions were perfectly inoffensive…but felt contrived. Not that I was picking up any malice. I didn’t know what to make of it…
What is she thinking? I thought, trying to figure her out.
“Lady Ireena… Erm, I suppose Miss Ireena would be more appropriate,” Valdr began. His voice was heavy. “I see you are at the top of the world right now. However, you mustn’t forget that you were born with a troubled fate. Even if you’ve let someone into your inner circle…you must never reveal your true self. Otherwise…”
The prime minister cleared his throat. Valdr’s face grew even grimmer—and his tone grave.
“Otherwise…you will lose everything you’ve gained. Because people fear what they do not know.”
Ireena’s expression clouded over, and she was silent.
“…But no matter what happens, we would never abandon you, Ireena,” I argued, as if disputing in her stead.
Valdr looked at me without saying a single word. I imagine he saw right through my hesitation.
Because Ard Meteor…didn’t trust anyone in the deep recesses of his heart.
If it was ever revealed to the public that Ireena…and I…were far from the norm…I knew Valdr’s prediction would come to pass.
…I hated that about myself.
People fear what they do not know.
I would turn those words over in my mind until our journey’s end.
The carriage trip took about one week. On the way, as we threaded through cities, we avoided running into any major obstacles.
As he handled the horses, the coachman’s voice reached the carriage. “We have arrived.”
Ireena and Rosa instantly threw open the side windows.
It was around noon. Sunlight streamed into the cabin, and I was blinded from the brightness for a moment.
“Oh! How long it has been since I’ve laid eyes on this scenery!” Rosa exclaimed.
“It’s so picturesque! A real work of art!”
Our carriage had apparently just passed through the gate to Megatholium. Ireena and Rosa were starting to fidget in excitement. The church bell pealed as if welcoming the two girls to its town.
“Y-you’re being indiscreet! The enemy might notice your presence! Close the window!”
“Thou art far too faint of heart. Even if we are noticed, it is of no consequence.”
“Rosie’s right! After all, we’ve got Ard! We should be bold!”
Valdr held his head in his hands as Rosa and Ireena gazed out the window to take in the sights.
This man was an anxious one, too. Feeling sorry for him, I looked past the girls to observe the town.
A country made up of a single city. I could see Ireena was right: Megatholium’s townscape was a work of art. The rows of buildings seemed almost historic… The symbol of the United Creed was carved into each edifice, as expected of a holy nation.
The coachman called out again as we took in this foreign scene.
“We will be arriving at the loading zone shortly. Do take care not to be swept away by the sea of people.”
I imagine he wanted to tell us that we shouldn’t drop our guard because an assassin might be hiding among the civilians.
Soon after he informed us, our carriage arrived at the destination. Valdr and I got out first to inspect the area. After confirming there was no one who seemed shady or exuded killer vibes, I offered my hand to the girls in the carriage.
“Ireena, please give me your hand. Do watch your step.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as she alighted, I offered my hand to Rosa…
“How dare you try to touch Her Majesty, you cur!” Valdr smacked my hand away. “Come now, please take my hand.”
“Heeey. I do not wish to take hold of thine withered hand. I want Ard.”
“It is not withered! I, Valdr, can still be of service!”
It seemed their relationship was more indicative of a parent and child than a master and servant.
We headed out onto the main avenue. Our destination was a manor, our temporary residence. Nothing but smooth sailing on this part of the journey, too. In fact, we were at ease.
We made our way through the city to the residence, slipping through a tall gate and passing through the courtyard. Upon entering the main building, a host of servants came to welcome and lead us to our appointed rooms. We all had our own rooms, which were ridiculously spacious and lavish to the point of excess.
After confirming our sleeping quarters, Valdr looked at each of us as we stood in the hallway.
“The meeting is in six days. Until then, we’ll remain in the manor on standby. Going outside is strictly forbidden. If you need anything, have a servant prepare it for you… All right, Your Majesty?”
“Hmph. Why dost thou only warn me?”
“…Because you are the most unlikely to listen.”
“How rude! I am an adult of model prudence! In important times, I would not dare to defy a senior vassal’s counsel!”
…About thirty minutes later…
“Ard Meteor! Let us explore the sights of Megatholium!”
I had thrown myself down on the bed in my room, trying to recover from the trip, when the door swung open, and Rosa called out to me.
…For crying out loud.
I sighed once, sat up, and looked over at the door, where I found Rosa…and…
“C’mon! Hurry! Let’s get outta here before the party pooper catches us!”
…Ireena’s eyes were sparkling like a child who loved pranks.
“I believe it is best to heed Master Valdr’s instruction…but well, I suppose I can’t talk you out of it.”
I wanted to go sightseeing with them. Giving a weary sigh, I went along, trying to slip through the entrance, but—
“I knew you are not one to listen, Your Majesty.”
Valdr was waiting for us there, trying to make himself seem bigger. He glared, attempting to tell us that he wouldn’t bend to our will.
“If you wish to pass, it will have to be over my dead—”
“Take this! Queenly puuuuunch!”
“G-blergh?!”
Rosa’s body blow struck the old prime minister right in the solar plexus. Valdr’s unshakable decision to stop us was pulverized by a single attack.
“Hmph! ’Tis ten billion years too early for thee to stand up to me! Jerk wad!” Rosa stuck out her tongue.
“Grrrrragh…!” Valdr doubled over and clutched his stomach.
Rosa ushered Ireena beyond the gates.
“Um. As their bodyguard, I will take responsibility for their well-being. I hope this alleviates some of your worries.”
“Aaaaargh…!”
The punch must have been really effective, because he gave no response. I bet this man would find no rest until the day he died.
That made two of us. I followed after the girls.
As we stepped out into the city, we meandered through the country without any destination in mind. Of course, I was constantly taking note of our surroundings. I repeatedly told them to keep their faces hidden beneath their hoods.
“Your Majesty. Your hood is slipping. Your face is visible.”
“Who cares? That is of little concern.”
“No. We must not allow the enemy to become aware of your presence.”
“Sigh. Yes, very well. Goodness, thou art stronger than any other yet still a bundle of nerves.”
The queen pouted but obeyed my instructions. Though she looked mature, she was a small child on the inside.
…Speaking of children.
Ireena had been running around like a toddler.
“I’ll never get bored of taking in this city! My mommy was right!”
“…Ireena, has your mother visited this land before?”
It was Rosa who answered my question.
“Indeed. Megatholium once held an international conference. I was still queen at the time, but I traveled with mine father. One of our guards was Ireena’s mother…Lady Claudia.”
“I see… So Ireena’s mother was named Claudia.”
“Hmm? Haven’t I told you?”
“Ah yeah…”
I had always considered talk of Ireena’s mother to be a sensitive subject, which was why I’d never brought it up before.
“Lady Claudia, huh? Her name has an austere ring to it.”
“Only a ring? Lady Claudia was a hundred times stricter than Valdr and a hundred times scarier. Neither Ireena’s appearance nor personality bear any resemblance to her.”
“I guess I used to be a little scared of my mommy, too.”
“A little? When Lady Claudia was here with us, thou were far more rambunctious. Back then, all I remember is seeing thou burst into tears from spankings.”
“Th-that’s not true!”
“Oh? What else do you remember?”
“Huh?”
“Dost thou have any other memories besides spankings?”
“I—I…don’t, but…”
Rosa cackled as she watched Ireena mumble to herself.
“Heh-heh-heh. I told you… Dear me, I never imagined I would get on so well with one such as yourself. This world does work in mysterious ways. To think my closest companion would be the very type of person I dislike.”
Rosa had a far-off look in her eye.
A thought occurred to me. Out of everyone in this world, Rosa has stayed by Ireena the longest.
…Childish rivalry welled up inside me.
Hmph.
Even if Rosa had been with her the longest, I was Ireena’s first friend. I was obviously the winner if you tallied up the points.
I was Ireena’s best friend. And I wasn’t about to relinquish that title to anyone.
“…Hmm? What ails you, Ard? Something on my face?”
“Nothing.”
“Heh-heh. I see. Thou art entranced by my beauty. Well, I suppose that is only natural.” Rosa looked smug, thrusting out her voluminous chest.
Ireena’s smile slipped away.
Agh, how was I going to talk my way out of this one? My mind turned as I searched for the right words—
“Hmm? Here alone, miss?”
“Did you lose your mommy and daddy?”
There was a crowd of people against the wall of a nearby building… I spotted a young girl surrounded by a group of shady orcs.
“Um, well, ah…”
“I know. Why don’t we help you look for ’em?”
“C’mon. Let’s go.”
Their words seemed generous enough…but malice seeped out of their tone.
“Hmm. I guess there’s still crime in the holy nation.”
I bet they were trying to attempt a kidnapping. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one to pick up on this.
“We’ve gotta help her!”
“Heh-heh. I haven’t let loose in so long.”
Ireena shot daggers at them. Rosa cracked her knuckles. They looked like they were ready to jump them at any moment. I stopped them with my hand.
“Wait. We must not let Her Majesty’s presence be known. Allow me to settle this.”
I approached the orcs and went to call out to them—
“Hold it!”
Before I could make my move, someone else butted in.
…The sonorous voice reverberated through my stomach.
I’d heard it before.
…No, it couldn’t be.
But if it was…this was the most inconceivable of coincidences.
I was thinking of the events of the school trip. It couldn’t be…
I nervously turned toward the newcomer.
Sure enough, standing there was…an elderly man in a black top hat, donning a dark suit. He was tall and slim with eyes like a hawk. With well-kept white hair and a grand beard, this man was…
…my former subordinate and greatest fighter.
A Heavenly King, Lizer Bellphoenix…
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