41. Vesteria Kingdom and Elite Guard [4]

The capital of Vesteria, Arlond.

We were guided by a group in formal dress through the castle towering over the surroundings.

(That’s amazing…)

The castle was decorated with magnificent sculptures that make you feel the history of each piece, gorgeous chandeliers, and unique paintings that looked like masterpieces. It was a completely different world from the countryside where I grew up.

「It’s only been 3 months and yet… I feel a little nostalgic.」

As we walked down the wide hallway, Ria expressed her thoughts.

「Oh yeah, for Ria, this is your home.」

There are times when I sometimes forget that she is a princess, since we’re always together..

「Yeah, I used to run around the castle when I was little.」

「Ahaha, I can easily imagine that.」

「…Nee, Allen. Is that a compliment?」

「Un, I wonder?」

「Mou, don’t tease me!」

When we were conversing as such,

「-Beyond this point is the throne room. Please take care not to be rude before His Majesty the King.」

The five, in formal dress, bowed their heads deeply.

Apparently, only I and Ria will be going to the throne room.

「…Let’s go.」

「Un.」

And then we started walking forward.

(Fuu… I’m nervous)

I was born in the countryside and have never talked to someone of high rank such as His Majesty the King.

Good manners, behavior, language, etc… There are so many things to worry about.

And then,

「It’s alright, Allen. You are invited as a friend of mine today. Just be confident as a guest.」

Even if you say that…

The other party is the king of a country – I have to take care of manners and conduct.

「F-For the time being… I’ll be careful not to be rude.」

Then we walked straight for a while – there was a big, regal door.

On both sides of the door stood two guards clad in sturdy-looking armor.

They turned their cold, sharp gaze towards me for a moment, and soon after, they saluted Ria.

「Welcome home, Ria-sama.」

「His Majesty the King is waiting. -Please enter.」

When the two guards opened the heavy doors, there was a figure of the King sitting on the throne and Claude-san standing behind him.

(So this is the King of Vesteria – Gris-Vesteria…)

Sharp big eyes.

Shortly cut, same bright blonde hair as Ria.

The well-groomed imposing goatee is a little grey due to age.

He seems to be in his mid-forties.

A golden crown was placed on the head, and the figure wearing a red cloak was exactly that of a king.

「Oo! You’ve returned, Ria!」

His Majesty Gris got up from the throne and rushed to Ria with a full smile.

「I’m home, father.」

「Oo, Oo! I’m really glad that you’re doing well! Papa was worried sick about you…」

「Thank you. But I’m already 15 years old now, so you don’t have to worry so much.」

After that, when the conversation between the two seemed to have ended, I started to introduce myself politely.

「Nice to meet you, my name is Allen-Rodore, I am a first-year student of Thousand Blade Academy. Getting along well with Ria-san–」

「So you’re the bastard, Allen-Rodore!」

His Majesty Gris cut me off and turned his hateful eyes towards me.

「I heard from Claude! You used crooked means on my daughter and fiddled with her body and mind – the worst of the worst!」

「N-No, that’s not tru-」

「Show your strength.」

「…Eh?」

「If you want my daughter, demonstrate that you are the strongest in all of Vesteria!」

His majesty gave himself up to anger and shouted in a loud voice that reverberated throughout the castle.

(…This line. Now that I think about it, I think it came up in one of the stories Ria told during summer camp…)

I never thought I’d be in that position though.

(A-Anyway, this is bad…)

I have to get rid of the misunderstanding quickly before the story takes a weird turn…!

「Your Majesty Gris, please listen to me! Actually, there was a big misunderstanding about the matter-」

And as I somehow tried to explain things,

「Shut up, shut up! I’ve heard that you’re a crook who excels in the art of conversation, and can easily seduce the party you’re talking to!」

He didn’t listen to me at all.

Claude-san, who was behind His Majesty, curled the corners of his mouth into a disgusting smile..

(That Claude-san…)

To call a person a crook… It’s a little too much of a dramatization.

And when I was forced into a precarious position, Ria flared up at His Majesty from his side.

「Father! Listen to what Allen has to say!」

「No! That guy is a devilish man who was able to deceive you, who was stout-hearted. If I give him even the slightest chance, even I’ll be ensnared!」

「Allen is not such a bad person! If you talk to him properly, you will know right away!」

Ria clearly expressed her opinion, without fear of His Majesty’s loud voice.

However,

「…Damn it! My daughter has been brainwashed this far… I won’t forgive… I won’t forgive you, Allen-Rodore!」

Her struggle was in vain, and the situation worsened over time.

(…It doesn’t seem like he’ll hear me out anymore.)

In that case, I should first listen to the other person’s story and seize the beginning of the conversation.

「Well then Your Majesty, can I know how I should demonstrate being『strongest of Vesteria』?」

And then,

「Fuun, let’s see… It’s unfair to say,『Fight an adult Holy Knight』to a student… It would be too petty as the King of Vesteria…」His Majesty, said while massaging his goatee.

「…Yoshi, I’ve decided! The swordsman of the same age in this castle! If you show that you are the strongest, I will admit that you are the『next strongest of Vesteria』- and I will not bring up this matter again!」

「I-Is that true!?」

「Umu, I promise on the name of Vesteria.」

Inside the castle – and against swordsmen of the same age, which means I have a chance.

(…No, wait. His Majesty, who blindly loves Ria, has bothered to make this proposal…)

He must have the conviction that he definitely wouldn’t lose.

(However… the probability of winning is not zero!)

And when I strengthened my resolve,

「But if you lose the battle, Ria’s studying abroad will be stopped immediately! Don’t even hope that she’ll ever return to Thousand Blade Academy!」

「「Wha!?」」

His Majesty smiled wickedly and continued to speak.

「Now, what do you want to do? You have the option to turn tail and run, you know? Of course, in that case – Ria would go to『Vesteria’s Swordsmanship Academy』!」

And then,

「J-Just a minute, father! What’s that! I will not accept such an unreasonable argument!」

Ria immediately voiced her protest, but His Majesty was stubborn and did not give up.

「No! You must listen to papa once in a while!」

「NOOO! I won’t listen at all!」

「Absolutely not! This is one thing I will not yield! Even papa has things that I cannot yield as a parent!」

「Mugugugugu…!」

「I won’t give up no matter how much you glare! You’ll polish your swordsmanship in our Vesteria and become a fine swordsman! – Damn it. If I didn’t fall for Leia’s temptation at that time, things wouldn’t have turned out like this…!」

The last line – His Majesty gritted his teeth, grumbled something with a small voice.

And then,

「What are you going to do now, Allen-Rodore! I tell you, you have no chance of winning! This is not a threat. It is absolutely impossible for you to win! I think it’s a smart choice to run away with your tail tucked between your legs…」he said, and left the choice to me.

「A-Allen…」

Ria pinched the sleeve of my clothes a little anxiously.

(I… want to be together with Ria.)

Moreover, she also wants to learn swordsmanship at Thousand Blade Academy.

(If His Majesty Gris is so confident, then surely he must have quite the number of swordsmen under his arm…)

But – no matter how difficult it is, if the possibility is not zero, I’ll face it.

「I’ll show you – that I’m the next strongest of Vesteria.」

「Fuun… It’s a stupid choice. After all, you’re just a child… Then, starting at ten o’clock tomorrow, we will conduct the duel at the Great Arena! You’ll have to face three swordsman of our choosing, but… You have no objection, do you?」

His Majesty raised three fingers and laughed as if to shake me up.

「T-Three!? Father, the conditions are unfair!」

「-It’s alright, I have no objection.」

「A-Allen!?」

This match is a match of the heart.

(Even if I complained and the opponent was reduced to one person – His Majesty will not recognize my strength.)

I have to completely win against the three swordsmen that he confidently sends out.

If I don’t show my power, then His Majesty will continue to try and take back Ria by various means…

「Fuun… I’ll recognize your spirit at the very least.-Claude!」

「Yes!」

「For the time being, he’s a guest. Prepare the guest room for Allen-Rodore.」

「Certainly!」

After giving an order to Claude-san, His Majesty sat on the throne.

It seems that today’s meeting ends here.

「-Oi. This way, filthy worm. Follow me.」

Then I and Ria left the throne room, following after Claude-san.

When the heavy door was completely closed by the two guards, I took a deep breath.

(Haa… that was ridiculous.)

I was just going to talk, but I never thought this would happen.

(But – for Ria’s sake, I definitely won’t lose tomorrow…)

In this way, tomorrow, I was going to face an important battle with Ria’s academy life at stake.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep