Welcome to Hell! - Chapter 249: At the Royal Castle (2)

After crossing the narrow drawbridge, our carriage reached the back entrance of the royal castle. We were instructed to disembark and park the carriage there. Having come this far, I had no intention of resisting, so I complied and stepped down from the carriage.

Contrary to my expectations of being thrown into a dungeon, we were led to a large ordinary room. It was sparsely furnished, without any luxurious decorations, which made me think it might be a room where the servants stayed.

“I’m sorry. It was my swords that gave us away.”

“No, it would be unfair to blame you for that. It’s a mistake on all our parts for not considering that someone might recognize and remember master’s sword.”

“Mika is right, boss. Don’t worry about it too much.”

I apologized to my comrades once we were settled, but Mika and Zald laughed it off and told me not to worry about it. While I appreciate them saying that, at the same time I couldn’t help but feel guilty. Mika has often told me I take on too much responsibility, but changing one’s nature is not so easily done.

However, not everyone was content. Bolts was visibly irritated and he was muttering under his breath and glaring at me resentfully. His frustration was so apparent that Zald asked him what was wrong, but he didn’t give a clear answer.

“So, what are they planning to do with us now? Surely, they didn’t call us here for nothing.”

The one I questioned was the knight who had remained in the same room and had realized I was a demon. Did he intend to take responsibility until the end after he brought us here? Or did he want to claim the credit for bringing us all by himself? Somehow, I felt it was the former. Despite the short time since we had met, the knight seemed honest.

He must be well-regarded by his subordinates, at least. There were about three other knights remaining in the room, and they frowned at my words, which could be taken as provocation. Those turned into demons are usually of low status or criminals. It would be difficult not to feel displeased to see such a person speaking insolently without using polite language.

“By the way, we haven’t introduced ourselves yet. My name is Crus Kroytz. I fought on the central front until I was injured and had to withdraw.”

“I’m Antares. I rarely went to the central front and I don’t remember fighting alongside the knights of the Harlasia Kingdom… Where did you see me?”

“I saw you when I was traveling back and forth as a liaison in various places.”

A knight from a country not usually present at the front, who had seen me by chance while serving as a liaison, had coincidentally returned home due to an injury and happened to be in a place where he could see me. How many coincidences had to occur?

I had felt something similar before. When was it…? As I tried to recall, Crus Kroytz began to reminisce nostalgically.

“I can’t forget that shock. Cutting through the front lines, indifferent to the rain and hail of bullets, climbing the castle walls with terrifying speed to take control… As someone who knows the demons of my own country, I was astonished by you.”

“Wow…”

It was Chirik who expressed admiration upon hearing Crus’s story. Come to think of it, I had shared our circumstances, secrets, and objectives with Chirik, but I had never spoken about the battlefield. They themselves were war orphans and had just lost many comrades. I had been considerate, thinking it best not to speak of war.

However, it seemed my concerns were unfounded. Having heard just a bit of my story, Chirik was all ears, eager to hear more. It appears that the desire to hear tales of heroism is common even in a precocious genius boy.

“Huh? Does that boy not know of Mr. Antares’ fighting?”

“This child is not a demon. He’s a war orphan we took in during our travels, and now he’s my disciple. He’s unfamiliar with my actions on the battlefield against the Republic.”

“Is that so… Young boy, would you like me to tell you the stories I know?”

“P-please, I would love that!”

It might be rude to say it was unexpected, but Curs seemed to be a skilled storyteller. Although he had only observed me for a brief time, he managed to embellish and exaggerate my battles with an array of words.

The reaction from Chirik who was listening was dramatic. By the end of the story, I could feel his gaze filled with even greater respect than before. Despite his severely limited vision, his eyes eloquently expressed his emotions.

“Why did you agree to take the boy as your disciple? He seems too young to wield a sword…”

“He’s not a disciple in swordsmanship but in spiritual arts. This child is a prodigy in spiritual arts, and his skills are similar to mine, which is why I’ve taken it upon myself to teach him. In terms of fine control, he has already surpassed me.”

“Such well-developed spiritual power… It doesn’t seem like a joke. He might become a legendary spiritualist in the future.”

Saying this, Curs smiled with interest. Chirik who was flattered by the praise seemed embarrassed and shyly lowered his face. Indeed, there’s no doubt that Chirik is intelligent and has a knack for spiritual arts. While I still surpass him in the sheer amount of spiritual power, it’s likely that within a few years, his control will reach a level I could never match in my lifetime.

However, precisely for that reason, I felt it necessary to ensure he didn’t become overly conceited. After all, part of a master’s role, as I understand it, is not only to expand one’s skills but also to impart lessons on mindset and attitude.

“While I can’t deny that, he has still a long way to go. It’s problematic if your spiritual power’s quality and quantity can be discerned just by thinking about it.”

“I might think it’s a bit harsh… but I can’t deny it either. Hiding one’s capabilities, unless there’s a reason to show them, is a basic strategy. Having a mentor with high expectations can be difficult, young boy.”

“No. I’m happy that you have high expectations of me, teacher.”

“Hahaha! That’s an excellent attitude for a disciple! Often, the more talented individuals tend to rebel against their master’s stern words, but it seems I don’t have to worry about that with you!”

Curs seemed particularly pleased with Chirik’s response and he broke into a broad smile. While he was laughing, our room’s door was knocked on, and several men entered and started whispering something to Curs. When he heard what they had to say, he tightened his expression and stood up.

“We need to move. Mr. Antares, please come with me.”

“Am I to go alone? Where are you taking me this time?”

“It will be a surprise… or so the person said, but make sure to use formal language, okay? The person might not mind, but there are those who would become furious if they knew disrespect was shown.”

By the time Curs issued his warning, I had a good guess as to whom I was being taken to meet. The caution to hide our movements yet the threat of anger if disrespected pointed to someone specific in my mind.

After reassuringly patting Chirik, who looked up at me with concern, I began to follow behind Curs. Though we were parting ways with them, I wasn’t worried at all. Even if something were to happen, it would be easy to escape if they cooperated.

The room we were brought to was on the second floor. In front of the door stood fully armed strong knights who glared at me as if intending to kill me with their gaze alone. I got the impression that any sign of disrespect from me would lead these knights to cut me down without hesitation.

Feeling that any action I took might displease them, I remained silent until Curs gave further instructions. When he requested that I leave my weapons before entering, I complied without protest and handed over my twin swords with their sheaths and all. The guard knights snorted disdainfully before knocking on the door to announce my arrival.

“Enter. Make any strange moves, and you’ll be cut down.”

Facing the barely concealed killing intent, I stepped into the room as instructed. It was a neatly cleaned space with a large, clean bed, a fine desk, and a pair of sofas facing each other across the desk.

The room I found myself in bore a striking resemblance to the one I had stayed in at the Aiwass mansion, albeit far more luxurious. It seemed to be a guest room within the royal castle. It was a room where people who were invited as guests to the royal castle stayed. So it’s no surprise that it’s this luxurious.

“Ah, you’ve arrived. I’ve been waiting for you.”

In the guest room, a person was lounging comfortably on a sofa. He had a rather neutral-looking neat appearance with shimmering, silky platinum blonde hair and golden eyes, but judging from his physical appearance, there was no doubt that he was a man.

Although cleverly concealed, his fighting spirit and spiritual power were quite refined, and in terms of ability, he would be able to lead the front line in the battle against the Republic. The sword propped up within easy reach on the sofa, while ornately decorated, was thick and clearly intended for real combat, the kind one would expect to see on a battlefield.

He was dressed casually within the royal castle, yet he was granted the privilege to wear a sword. This individual’s status became clear to me the moment Curs and the others saluted him upon entering. I realized that my prediction was correct, so I immediately got down on one knee and bowed my head.

“There’s no need for such formality. You are not my subject, but my guest.”

“.……”

“Ah, my apologies. Let me speak more directly. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Carl, king of the Harlasia Kingdom. I hope we can get along.”

Despite King Carl’s friendly tone, I remained silent and didn’t respond. Or rather, I chose not to, as my better judgment advised caution in this unfamiliar situation.

It seemed like my judgment was not wrong as I could feel an intense readiness from the knights around me, excluding Curs by my side, to act at the slightest provocation. Their vigilance likely stemmed from a deep loyalty to King Carl. The fact that they admire him so much is the best proof of his virtue.

“Ah, I’d really like to see your face as we talk. Don’t worry about those around us; please, lift your head.”

In the face of such a direct request, it would be considered impolite not to comply. Only after I felt the menacing aura behind me ease slightly did I reluctantly raise my head.

King Carl then leaned forward and he intensely studied my face before reaching out to my iron mask. I did as he asked and removed the mask.

“Ah, I see… It makes sense you’d want to keep this hidden; it’s quite conspicuous. And you’ve applied an illusion to the upper half of your face as well? I couldn’t tell at first glance, but the separation becomes clear once the mask is removed.”

King Carl was quite forthright with his remarks. I wanted my mask back, but he was casually playing with the it in his hands without any intention of returning it to me. There was no way I could forcefully take it back, so I just remained silent and then King Carl grinned and brought his face closer to me again.

“This must be fate. Would you consider serving me?”

“””…. Wha?”””

King Karl’s proposition was so unexpected that it caught everyone, including me, completely off guard. To the point that all those present could only react with bewildered expressions on their faces.