But, that was that. I mean, I had finally managed to clear that dungeon after
a long time. And just when I was going to depart for a world tour, the first
thing awaiting me was something akin to house arrest.
「Why do you think I'll agree with you appointing me as your knight at
your own convenience without even asking me? I don't have any intention
to accept that.」
The knights of Rose's group heaved sighs of relief.
「No, you'll definitely become my royal guard!」
I had never expected this woman to be so overbearing. Well, I had realized
her stubborn nature after seeing her actions a while ago.
「A royal guard is the face of the throne, right?」
「Yes, to be exact, the vase of the flower arrangement.」
「Then, doesn't that mean you need a more appropriate vase so that the
flower can shine even brighter? Moreover, the vase you choose is a failed
product like me. I'm far from being qualified to serve as your vase. Sorry,
but choose another.」
「There's no better person than you!」
「Ain't suited for that. How about those heroes of the kingdom? They seem
to be quite powerful, and in terms of popularity, choosing them is a far
better choice than getting me. Isn't that right?」
「The hero is our main force in the war against the demon king army. If I
play it wrong and appoint him as my royal guard, a civil war will break out
in the Amelia kingdom. And above all else, I don't trust them either.」
「Then, how about appointing the kingdom's knight leader-dono over there
when the king retires from his position? His strength, personality, and
competence have been proved right.」
「A royal guard only serves one king in their entire life. Even if His
Majesty The King retires, Arnold will still be his royal guard.」
「Then choose from your subordinates. Don't involve me in this mess.」
「Royal guard is the title bestowed to the strongest knight. Each candidate
needs someone with absolute power to protect themself. Unfortunately,
none of my subordinates have the qualification for that, at least for now.」
「…」
When Rose's knights heard this bold statement, frustration appeared on
their faces.
「That's why I want you as my royal guard!」
Rose declared so after looking around at her subordinates.
「That's your own reason. I've no reason to abide by that. Choose another
person.」
「No, no one is more qualified to be my royal guard aside from you.」
「And I refuse.」
「Are you sure?」
Rose asked me with a smile. For some reason, that smile sent a chill
running down my spine.
「What do you mean?」
I had no choice but to ask her.
「If you refuse, I have no choice but to appoint Rena Groat as my royal
guard.」
「Hah? She's just an amateur without combat experience!」
The matter today was as clear as the day. The opponent was a piece of trash,
albeit a cunning one. This was different from exterminating a monster. Her
attack was something that couldn't be blocked with a sword. Rose had to
have realized that this royal guard position had the worst compatibility with
the air-headed Rena.
「But still, she's a sword saint. In terms of sword arts alone, not even the
hero can hope to beat her. And above all else, it would also mean that the
sword saint's gift holder, who had saved the kingdom from peril in the past,
will become my royal guard. This matter will drive a wedge in the
kingdom. The other candidates to the throne will have to do something to
keep the sword saint in check.」
「What about Rena's will in this matter?」
No matter how soft-hearted that girl was, she shouldn't be so stupid as to
get herself involved with this extremely troublesome and trashy system to
decide the next king.
「She'll happily agree if I'm the one who asks her. She already said that
after all.」
THAT DUMB GIRL! Well, it's one of her troublesome traits that she can't
refuse a request from those she regards as her friends.
「What will happen to her if she becomes the royal guard?」
「In this kingdom, the Hero and the Sword Saint hold extreme significance
in the war against the Demon King Army. The Logistics department is more
important, but―」
「Enough. I understand already. In short, the danger Rena will face will
increase if she becomes the royal guard, right?」
「Yes.」
It was just as Rose had said. That idiot called Gilbert was a cunning man;
he was someone who had sold his sister to the empire after all. It was clear
that he would try every opportunity to get rid of his sister even if Rena
became her royal guard. Besides, I had clearly remembered something after
my old memories returned. I would never be able to see the girl called Rena
to suffer.
Nevertheless, it would be a mistake if Rose expected the current me to
succumb to such a threat.
「Is that… a threat?」
I released my anger as I asked Rose. That alone was enough to make the
knights around us, who were not directly exposed to my anger, fall on their
rear. Anna trembled non-stop as the colour drained from her face. The only
ones who stayed calm were Arnold and Rose, who I directly expressed my
anger at.
「My deepest apologies if the way I say it looks like I'm threatening you.
But, what I'm asking you is to make a contract of equality with me.」
「Contract? Where's the equality when you robbed me of my choice?」
She's way too arrogant. Well, she's royalty after all. Expecting her to not do
that is a pipe dream. The Kai Heineman who met her long ago lacked life
experience. I guess I can't always rely on the impression of the old me.
「I robbed you of your choice. In exchange, I will entrust my will to you.
How does that sound?」
「Hah? What did you say?」
「Use this.」
Rose searched her skirt pocket, took out a ring with a golden gem
embedded on it, and gave it to me.
I immediately used appraisal on the ring.
―――――――――――――――――――――
★[Slavery Ring]: The wearer of the golden ring can enslave the wearer
of the red ring. But, it won't work if the [Magical Power] wearer of the
golden ring is far lower than the [Magic Resistance] of the wearer of the
red ring.
・Item Rank: Intermediate
―――――――――――――――――――――
A ring that robs the will of the other party, huh! The red ring is already on
her left index finger. This means that Rose is completely at my mercy.
She doesn't even hesitate to offer her life to realize her ideal, huh! She
may have a self-sacrificing spirit, but this woman still doesn't understand.
She may be prepared to give her life to realize her ideal, she may be
prepared to give her everything, but she will never realize her ideal as long
as she relies on such a dubious item. Moreover, her way of making an
equivalent exchange with me is way beyond reckless.
「This slavery ring has been handed down for generations in our royal
family. It's a means to prevent betrayal when there's more than one royalty.
The way to use it is―」
「No need to explain! I get the gist of the way to use this ring. That aside,
what are you going to do if I use this ring to manipulate you from behind
the scenes and wreck this kingdom?」
I stopped Rose, who was about to explain the way to use the ring in public.
Then, I asked her another question with a half-dumbfounded voice.
""
「You're not the kind of person who will do such a thing.」
She confidently replied with a baseless answer.
「You fool! Humans are an existence filled with greed. The thing you seek
is nothing more than a mere childish fantasy.」
I had realized that things were getting more and more ridiculous. By now, I
could see that this dumb woman was similar to the Sword Emperor, a
greenhorn.
However, in her case, she would die if she followed her naivety. Her
political opponent was extremely cunning and unforgiving. Normally, she
had to concoct a plan to trap her political opponent and drive them into ruin.
At least, she had to think of a countermeasure against traps, but the current
her was far too naive to think that far ahead.
If she doesn't have a proper countermeasure against an experienced
opponent, she needs to at least think about a method to protect herself from
that idiot called Gilbert. But, since Arnold isn't Rose's bodyguard, that is
pretty much a pipe dream. The moment Arnold leaves her side, this woman
will become as defenceless as a newborn lamb. This may be why she offered
me an equivalent contract.
「My deepest apologies for using Rena to force you, but―」
「Enough.」
I heaved a deep, really deep sigh for the first time in thousands of
years(from my perspective) and crushed the golden ring in my hand.
「W-What――」
""
Rose was about to ask me something with a ghastly face when I also
crushed the red ring on her left index finger. Then, I turned around to face
Arnold, who had seen our conversation while crossing his arms.
「Al, you're still the temporary bodyguard of this tomboy, right?」
「Apparently.」
Arnold replied while shrugging.
「Then give some scolding to this dumb girl. The matter about the royal
guard can wait after that.」
If things stayed as they were, this dumb girl would try to do something
really dangerous. With that personality, I could see that she really was the
friend of Keith and Rena. That was why I thought of planting some sense of
crisis in this dumbass at the very least.
Anyhow, I have nothing to do for now. I might as well involve myself in this
farce until Rose finds a royal guard who can protect her.
「Yeah, let's do as you say.」
Arnold seized Rose's small hand and pulled her toward the tent.
「A-Arnold, I've yet to finish my conversa―」
「It's finished, Princess.」
「What do yo―」
「Forget that. Let's slowly talk about the speech and conduct you used a
while ago.」
Arnold pulled Rose into the tent as he cut off her speech with an easy-tounderstand smile on his face.
「Master, you ended up getting involved in an extremely troublesome
matter.」
Astaroth made a dumbfounded remark.
「Leave me alone.」
I shrugged as I walked into the forest to recall the battamans.