Chapter 64: Clown
"――Let me go! Who do you think I am, saying such a thing!"
Shouting, Greg and the others involved in this incident were being taken away by soldiers from the Knight's Tower.
It seems they will undergo a magical trial. Normally, individuals of high status like them wouldn't undergo such a trial, but this time is different, given the circumstances.
With reliable witnesses like Mercedes and Chester, and even a criminal like Jasper, it's not surprising. Of course, Greg and those close to him will likely be questioned in some way.
I negotiated to go to the castle as a party involved, and Sheila agreed to return home.
I can provide evidence if needed, so it's sufficient for me to go alone.
"How did you manage to reach the scene?"
"Our companions noticed Jasper and his group tailing us, so we decided to tail them in return."
"...You say it so casually, but they must be feeling quite unfortunate."
The soldier who was now questioning me had a smile that seemed almost frozen on his face.
While it's necessary to explain the situation, there's a stark difference in how we're treated compared to Greg's group.
If this were modern Japan, I might be thoroughly questioned as well, but thanks to the magical trial, I don't have to spend extra time in unnecessary interrogations. Well, that's a relief at times like these.
"Understood. That's enough. Now, may I guide you to the room?"
After a few more simple questions, the soldier led me to a room in the guesthouse.
"We don't anticipate many issues. Please wait within the castle for a while longer. If you need anything, the servants will assist you adequately."
"Thank you."
With a bow, the soldier exited the room.
A little while later, replacing the soldier, Mercedes and Chester entered the room.
"Lord Theodore, you're here."
"It's a relief to see that neither of you were seriously injured."
"Being captured was unfortunate, though."
Mercedes shook her head, a small smile on her face. Although it was an ambush, being taken prisoner was humiliating, she seemed to imply.
"In any case, Lord Theodore, you saved my life and the lives of my subordinates. Allow me to express my gratitude."
"I also extend my gratitude."
Both of them bowed their heads.
"We aligned our interests, so you don't need to be so formal."
"It's not that simple."
Mercedes gave a wry smile. Despite her light words and demeanor, she seems quite down.
"Promising not to get involved and still causing trouble. ...I'll take my leave now. I have a lot to think about."
Saying this, Chester left the room.
As I watched his departing back, Mercedes shrugged her shoulders.
"Your way of fighting was quite shocking. Even I was surprised."
Mercedes said.
"Is that shock about how I subdued them?"
At least that's what I assumed, given her comment.
"Well, it was intense, but... I think it was the right thing to do. It aligns with the guidance I received from the Knight Commander earlier."
"...The Knight Commander is quite an intimidating person, isn't he?"
"Not as much as you were back then. He looks his age now."
A vague smile was the only response.
As I chatted with Mercedes about the labyrinth for a while, a voice echoed down the corridor, "He's back!" The hallway and outside the window became noisy.
Looking out the window towards the training grounds, I saw Fernando walking from the labyrinth into the training area. He had a wide smile on his face.
"...Didn't you catch him before he reached here?"
"Because there was a risk of him causing trouble or escaping in the town, they brought him inside the royal castle, sealed off his retreat, and then captured him. Seems like he really angered His Majesty."
Mercedes turned her gaze towards the tower. Following her gaze, I saw King Melvin on the balcony.
"This is His Majesty. Please allow me to introduce you formally and pay my respects."
Fernando's smile vanished from his expression upon recognizing King Melvin's figure. However, whether he saw this as an opportunity to directly report to the king or not, he spoke up.
"Hmm. Lord Fernando. Is there something interesting?"
King Melvin, asking this of Fernando who gave a vassal's bow, wore a smile around his lips but his eyes didn't reflect any amusement. It seemed that whatever Fernando and Greg had done... had managed to greatly anger the king.
"Well, there's quite a concerning report."
"Go on."
"I encountered the soldiers of Lord Mercedes' exploration team while they were heading for the labyrinth. They were attacked by a horde of monsters within the labyrinth and barely managed to escape through a dimensional stone in the Twilight Forest."
Beside me, Mercedes herself closes her eyes and shakes her head.
All I can think is, "Oh my..."
Is this part of King Melvin's disciplinary measures? To have someone make a public explanation, displaying their disgrace, as a warning to others?
"In a hurry, I went to the labyrinth with him... but it was too late. The location he had guided me to had several bloodstains, and there was no sign of Lord Mercedes' exploration team. I wandered through the Twilight Forest, seeking her whereabouts."
Fernando shows a dramatic display of putting his hand to his forehead as if feeling dizzy, and mourns with exaggeration. He's quite the performer... This situation is truly lamentable.
"I spent a considerable amount of time searching, but I couldn't find any trace of Lord Mercedes. The soldier who volunteered to accompany me also fell to the hands of monsters during the search and, unfortunately... To think of his regret, it makes my heart feel like it's about to burst. I wanted to continue searching the Twilight Forest as long as my strength held, but due to circumstances beyond my control, I returned."
"Hmm... And then? What are these circumstances you're talking about?"
King Melvin's voice is relatively calm, but if you listen closely, there's a slight tremor in the later parts, likely due to anger. However, Fernando, who's absorbed in his role, continues without realizing the nuances of King Melvin's mood.
"Yes. It was a difficult decision, but because we made a significant discovery, I felt it was necessary to inform Your Majesty first. Though I'm deeply concerned about Lord Mercedes' safety..."
Fernando says proudly, "I've fulfilled your royal command. I'm here to report that I, Fernando, have discovered the sealed door in the Twilight Forest."
"I see. So you've carried out my order?"
"Yes. That door with the relief carved on it should undoubtedly be the sealed door we were seeking. One of the adventurers who accompanied me attempted to open the door by touching it... but it seems he burned his hand."
"I see. Then tell me. What kind of relief was it?"
King Melvin turns to his attendant and extends his hand. The attendant hands him a paper with deference.
Ah, that paper... It's a copy of the relief made since I came to the royal castle. It's as if they're presenting it as evidence of their earlier discovery, but the one I gave to Mercedes was probably collected by Greg and the others and most likely disposed of, so I had to make a new one.
"Indeed. It was depicted as several spheres and ellipses overlapping..."
"Was it something like this, for example?"
King Melvin extends the paper he's holding towards Fernando. Fernando's expression freezes upon seeing it.
That paper is something I made anew after coming to the royal castle. It's an exact copy of Caduceus's relief, stuck onto it.
While it might imply it as evidence of their earlier discovery... the one I gave to Mercedes would have been collected by Greg and the others and probably disposed of, so I had to make a new one.
"Do you think I know nothing?"
King Melvin glares at the immobilized Fernando.
"Both Mercedes and Chester have already returned to me. I'm well aware of Greg's disloyalty. So, Fernando. Do you have anything to explain in light of this?"
"Huh...? What, huh?"
It's only now that Fernando seems to notice the veins popping on King Melvin's temple.
He looks around in bewilderment, then seems to realize the fully armed soldiers everywhere. His face turns pale.
"There's no need to await interrogation any longer. Detain him. If he resists, don't hesitate to strike him down."
King Melvin says with annoyance, and then he flips his mantle and goes back into the building. As if on cue, the soldiers begin to move.
"Wait... Stop!"
There are many things I've decided, and I've been pondering some things, but it seems the situation has taken an unexpected turn.
Fernando, who must have felt cornered, has... for some reason fled to the reception hall, swinging his sword to fend off the soldiers. I inadvertently lock eyes with Mercedes.
No matter how few personnel they've positioned, running into a building won't change the fact that he's trapped. When one is cornered, their judgment tends to falter...