Master and Slaves

I stroked Tiria’s back and gently patted her head over and over.

"I’m sorry, Hiroyuki-dono, but we must proceed."

Baldo, who completely failed to read the mood, spoke to me.

Well, he had been ordered to bring us quickly, so I suppose it couldn’t be helped.

But that wasn’t my problem.

In a bad mood, I untied the rope binding Tiria to the carriage and tried to climb back in.

"Hiroyuki-dono. As I said earlier..."

"I know!"

I cut Baldo off with my words.

When I looked at Tiria, she wasn’t trying to get on the carriage and wore a troubled expression.

However, I had never intended to ride with Tiria in the carriage from the start.

I shouldered the bag I had left on the floor, grabbed the katana I had leaned against the backrest and the Demon King’s sword, then immediately got off the carriage.

"From here, it won’t take long even on foot, right?"

I equipped the katana at my waist and the magic sword on my back, then took Tiria’s rope in my right hand and declared to Baldo.

"Fuu... It can’t be helped."

Baldo shrugged his shoulders with an expression that mixed resignation and unmistakable delight.

When I looked at Tiria, her face showed a complicated mix of troubled and happy emotions.

I pulled the still trembling-kneed Tiria close, then slipped one arm behind her neck and the other under her knees, lifting her up in my arms.

In other words, a princess carry.

"M-Master!"

Tiria’s face turned bright red in surprise.

It wasn’t the first time... Ah, right. She had been unconscious before.

Ignoring Baldo, who was smiling wryly, I passed under the raised portcullis that had somehow been lifted.

"Baldo-san, please lead the way."

I turned around and called out to Baldo on horseback.

"Understood."

Baldo dismounted, handed his horse to a castle soldier, and walked ahead to guide us.

While walking to the castle following Baldo’s lead, I thought about what was to come.

I was about to meet the king of this country.

What would my position be?

From Baldo’s behavior when we entered the city, it was clear they were grateful.

In that case, could I stand on equal footing with the king?

They should already know I came from another world.

If so, I saw no need to bow down to the king.

But what if I tried flattering him instead?

Not to the point of being servile, but what if I knelt before him?

The king’s dignity would be preserved.

...But I’d probably end up being worked to the bone.

I wanted to return to my original world, but they might not let me.

And then there was the uncertain factor of Tiria’s identity.

I had been avoiding reality until now, but I suspected Tiria might be a princess or someone important in this country.

If that were the case, there was even a risk I could be killed.

...What should I do?

The three of us advanced through the castle on foot.

We passed through several castle gates, walked across a wide garden while passing large buildings, and went through yet another gate. What appeared before us was a massive castle with a huge tower.

This was probably the main tower.

It towered right in front of us.

We crossed a plaza where many carriages were tied up, climbed the stairs, and finally reached the entrance of the main tower.

On both sides stood what appeared to be guards holding long halberds, who saluted us.

Baldo returned the salute.

It wasn’t directed at me, so I ignored it.

However, the reason their eyes widened in surprise was probably because I was carrying the naked Tiria in a princess carry.

Right after entering the main tower was a hall-like area, and beyond it stretched a long, wide staircase.

There was a line of people waiting, but Baldo ignored it and proceeded ahead.

At the top of the stairs was a landing, and climbing further brought us to a large door.

Two men who looked like royal guards standing in front saluted, and Baldo saluted again in return.

"This is the Audience Chamber."

Baldo explained to me.

He then approached one of them and whispered something. The guard looked at me in surprise.

When Baldo poked the man’s stomach, he jumped and ran off toward a side door, disappearing behind it.

"What was that about?"

Curious about the exchange, I asked Baldo.

"Oh, I just gave him a little scare. He’s fun to tease."

Baldo laughed heartily. He looked like a completely different person from the stiff and formal Vice Commander of the Royal Guard I had seen before.

I had felt that Baldo’s demeanor had changed since the incident at the castle gate—shifting from prickly aloofness to a friendly warmth.

After a while, the man Baldo had teased returned from the side door.

"Merchant of the Bentia Kingdom, Lord Nello=Gavana, is departing."

The man who returned whispered to the one waiting, and they opened the large door in front and announced loudly.

A fat man wearing luxurious clothes emerged, followed by two nearly naked men carrying luggage. He glared at us with clear annoyance.

We must have interrupted his conversation.

"The Summoned Hero and Vice Commander of the Royal Guard, Lord Baldo=fon=Otto. His Majesty King Rudolf=Ferdinand=fon=Torres summons you."

Once the front door closed, the man solemnly informed us.

"Hiroyuki-dono, are you planning to meet His Majesty in that attire?"

Otto whispered to me. Rather than scolding, his tone sounded amused.

Hearing Baldo’s words without any thorns, I looked at myself.

And then I noticed.

Tiria, in my arms, had a melted, dreamy expression as if her soul had flown away somewhere, staring at my face.

This was definitely not good.

I tried to set Tiria down, but she clung to my neck and continued gazing at me, showing no signs of returning to reality.

"Tiria. Hey, Tiria."

"Ah... Master."

I lightly tapped her cheek, and she finally came back.

"Can you stand on your own?"

"Yes. Um... thank you very much."

Tiria tried to kneel, but I stopped her.

After thinking for a moment, I held out the back of my hand.

Tiria also thought for a moment, then kissed the back of my hand.

She looked around, realized where we were, and quickly moved behind me in surprise.

"Please surrender your weapons."

One of the guard-like men spoke to us with an exasperated look.

Baldo handed over the sword at his waist.

I also moved to hand over my katana and the Demon King’s sword on my back.

"This one is fine. It is something I wish to show His Majesty."

Baldo stopped the guard who was about to take the Demon King’s sword.

I see. If this serves as evidence, I have to bring it in.

But...

"Is it okay for me to carry it?"

"It is. Because only you can hold it."

Baldo said with a wry smile.

Remembering what happened when the sword was examined before, I accepted that it was true.

"Tiria, hand over your weapon too."

"Yes."

Tiria removed the belt with the short sword strapped to her right thigh and gave it to the man.

The bag on my shoulder... I’ll keep that.

It contains things I must give to the king of this country.

After surrendering our weapons, Baldo stood in front of the door, so I did the same.

"May we proceed?"

"Yes, please."

The guard-like man asked, and Baldo answered.

"The Summoned Hero and Vice Commander of the Royal Guard, Lord Baldo=fon=Otto, have arrived."

As the door opened, the guard announced loudly into the room.

Baldo walked straight forward slowly, and I followed suit.

Tiria followed behind us.

I moved only my eyes to observe the surroundings.

A thick, luxurious red carpet with golden edges led all the way to the throne.

An opulent chandelier hung from the ceiling, shining brightly.

Thick pillars supported the ceiling on both sides, and between them stood numerous soldiers in white armor holding halberds, facing us.

Near the throne, many civil and military officials stared at us appraisingly.

And on the throne directly ahead sat a middle-aged man wearing a golden crown studded with jewels, radiating an overwhelming presence.

That was probably the king.

Baldo walked to the center of the room, then knelt on one knee and bowed his head to the king.

Behind me, Tiria was probably doing her usual—kneeling with both knees and pressing her forehead to the floor.

I... decided to remain standing as I faced the king.

The people around us, especially those near the throne, began to murmur.

"Silence!"

The king raised his naturally commanding voice and quelled the unrest among his subjects.

Surprised by that pressure, I still didn’t change my attitude.

"So you are the Summoned One who defeated the Demon King Geizer."

"Indeed."

I searched for suitably old-fashioned and haughty-sounding words and replied.

A brief silence.

We stared at each other.

Then, laughter came from the throne.

"Hahaha! I see. Then I suppose I should introduce myself first. I am Rudolf=Ferdinand=fon=Torres, King of the Torres Kingdom. State your name."

"I am Hiroyuki. Hiroyuki=Asahi."

Since the king had introduced himself first, I promptly returned the courtesy.

The room buzzed again.

Or rather, it was more of quiet whispering.

Ignoring the surrounding voices, King Rudolf spoke to me.

"I see. So you are Hiroyuki. Now, show us the proof of the Demon King’s defeat."

"The evidence is here."

A middle-aged man wearing a black mantle and an elaborate blue robe stepped forward from beside the throne and announced loudly.

To respond, I took out the greatsword I carried on my back.

The surroundings stirred, and the soldiers grew murderous.

"Silence!"

This time it was not the king, but Baldo beside me who suppressed them.

Baldo stood up and raised both hands toward the soldiers on either side who were pointing their halberds at us, signaling them to stand down.

The soldiers lowered their halberds.

"Please calm yourselves as well, esteemed lords and ladies."

He soothed the civil and military officials near the throne.

"Lord Mateus. I apologize, but could you come over here? This sword is likely impossible for anyone other than Hiroyuki-dono to even lift. Besides, we cannot allow an armed outsider to approach His Majesty."

"Oh? Even Lord Baldo could not lift it?"

"I am ashamed to admit it."

The middle-aged man Baldo called Mateus spoke to him in a slightly mocking tone.

But Baldo remained unfazed.

"Very well."

Mateus exchanged a few words with King Rudolf, then descended toward us.

I lowered the greatsword with the tip pointing down, placing it on the floor as quietly as possible.

Mateus came right up to me and stared intently.

Then he suddenly looked away, placed his hand over the greatsword, and began chanting.

"I desire all that is true within. Both the small and the great, without distinction. Reveal everything and expose it to me."

"Analyzed Something."

I had expected a blinding light like when Baldo used it, but the chant was different, so I felt slightly relieved.

Mateus kept his hand over the greatsword with his eyes closed for a while. Eventually he opened them, turned around, and reported to the king.

"Your Majesty, there is no mistake. This is the Demon Sword Destroyer that the Demon King Geizer used."

For the third time, the room stirred.

"I see."

King Rudolf stood up from his throne.

"Hiroyuki-dono, as king of this nation, allow me to express my gratitude. Thank you for defeating the Demon King."

He then bowed deeply.

The room fell completely silent. Then, almost immediately, everyone present—including the soldiers—bowed their heads.

Even Baldo beside me bowed toward me.

It carried more pressure than the Demon King himself.

I never expected something like this.

I had certainly tried to earn goodwill, but...

I stood there stunned, unable to do anything.

King Rudolf raised his head and sat back on the throne.

The others raised their heads as well, and Baldo turned back toward the king and knelt on one knee.

"Bring the Chief Chamberlain here."

At King Rudolf’s call, a plainly dressed middle-aged man in formal attire appeared beside Baldo and bowed.

"How are the preparations for the banquet?"

"Yes. They are complete."

"Good. First, we must prepare the guest of honor. Johan, guide Hiroyuki-dono."

The man called Johan bowed once to King Rudolf, then walked over to us.

He bowed to me as well, stood on the opposite side from Baldo, and bowed toward the throne.

"..."

There was an unnatural pause before King Rudolf’s next words.

His gaze went past me and looked behind.

I immediately understood where he was looking.

And for a split second, his face twisted.

Just for an instant.

...So that’s how it is.

"Then, we shall conclude today’s audience here."

"Your Majesty, please wait."

I interrupted King Rudolf.

I lowered the bag I had been carrying, took out two accessories, and held them forward.

"These."

"What are they?"

"They are the keepsakes of Lord Lloyd and Lord Dale."

I felt Tiria tremble behind me.

"Baldo. Bring them here."

"Yes."

Baldo received the ring and necklace from me and carried them to King Rudolf.

"Mateus. Baldo. What do you say?"

"Yes. This belongs to Dale."

"...This belongs to Lloyd."

Mateus confirmed Dale’s ring, and Baldo confirmed Lloyd’s necklace.

"I see."

King Rudolf closed his eyes after hearing their affirmations.

Then he spoke to me.

"I must thank you once again."

"No need."

"Johan. Treat him with the utmost hospitality."

"Yes."

"Then, the audience is over."

When King Rudolf declared this, Johan whispered for me to follow him, bowed once more to the king, and headed toward the door we had entered from.

I bowed to King Rudolf the same way Johan had, helped Tiria stand, pulled her rope, shouldered my belongings and the Demon King’s sword, and followed Johan.

I had wanted to ask about returning to my original world, but reading the atmosphere, I decided not to bring it up.

Well, I could ask later. It shouldn’t be a problem.

"The Summoned Hero and Chief Chamberlain Lord Johan are departing."

As the door opened, the guard’s voice rang out.

We passed through the door and left the Audience Chamber.