Chatting With The King

A late morning in the Royal Capital.

I walked down the main street with Liricia.

I stopped by the Adventurer Guild and only accepted herb gathering.

Looking at the board, I learned a bear had appeared and that the Forest Wolf leader was a dire wolf.

I left the shop to Sophia.

I let Rāna the Sacred White Dragon do as she pleased.

I had Teti go herb gathering.

I already knew today’s guild requests would only be herb gathering anyway.

I confirmed through the sub-device that she was collecting them while playing with the pegasus child Ciel.

Liricia’s detection showed there were no bears or wolves in the forest, so I figured it would be fine.

After passing several gates and moats, we reached the castle.

A tall castle.

When I told the gatekeeper my business, they checked my identification. I showed my guild card.

Then we were led to a waiting room.

It was a room for commoners with many chairs. The furnishings were fairly luxurious but not very spacious.

I sat in a chair and waited absentmindedly.

It was my first time being made to wait.

Back when I was a hero, showing the hero medal almost let me meet the King directly.

Even meetings with foreign envoys were postponed for me.

A hero’s job was originally defeating the Demon King. It was a top-priority matter above all.

That system had applied even in peacetime.

…Though during my active years, it had been foretold a Demon King or evil god would definitely appear.

After quite a wait, a knight came and called Liricia and me.

Following the knight through the castle, I thought, huh?

We weren’t heading toward the throne room.

Wondering about it, we were led to a balcony overlooking the garden.

The King sat at a shaded table drinking tea.

The moment he saw me, he smiled gently and beckoned.

“Oh, you’ve come. Come here and have tea together.”

“Thank you, King.” “It has been a while, Your Majesty.”

When we sat, tea and sweets were brought.

They were my favorite sweet baked treats.

I took a bite and drank tea.

“Yeah, I haven’t eaten this in a while but it’s still good… Liricia, aren’t you eating?”

“Master… not until His Majesty speaks first…”

For some reason Liricia seemed surprised beside me.

The King spoke.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Our relationship allows it. So, what happened after that?”

“Well, I opened a shop, defeated a dungeon, and went to the Yamata Kingdom.”

“Oh ho! That sounds interesting! Will you tell me?”

“First, about the shop…”

As the King asked with a smile, I talked about recent events.

Starting the potion shop, going to the Yamata Kingdom to help acquaintances, and so on.

After listening happily while sipping tea, the King showed a mischievous smile on his wrinkled face.

“As expected of you, Alec. Shall I record this adventure in the Book of Adventures?”

“King, I’m not a hero anymore.”

“Hohoho, just a joke. A king’s joke!”

The King laughed in good spirits.

Seeing his kindly old-man smile, I could only smile wryly.

—Heroes had a duty to report to the King.

What feats they accomplished, whether they found clues about the Demon King.

They had to report to the King who appointed them.

Normally a scribe would record it in a book called the Book of Adventures.

Well, since it was peaceful, it was mostly monster hunting.

Heroes often fought in remote frontiers, so the King always enjoyed hearing about strange sights and customs.

While eating tea and sweets, our friendly conversation continued.

Sometimes important matters came up.

Because Marius’s fraud was exposed, the appointment of a new hero had stalled.

To check for lies, bribery, and actual ability, a third-party committee had been formed to reevaluate hero candidates.

While speaking of it, the King kept glancing at me.

Eyes as if he wanted me back as hero.

—This could be used in negotiation.

So I made up my mind.

When conversation paused, I spoke seriously.

“King, I brought a souvenir today.”

“Oh? What might it be?”

The King smiled brightly.

I took out five Puchi Elixirs from my magic bag and lined them on the table.

“King, this is the Puchi Eli I mentioned earlier, sold at my shop.”

“Oh ho, so this is it.”

The King picked one up and examined it closely.

Believing I wore a friendly smile, I said:

Any physical discomfort? One bottle should fix it.”

“My knees have hurt recently… then I shall try it.”

The King opened the bottle and drank.

Liricia beside me seemed flustered, but I didn’t understand why.

Puchi Eli should be good for the body.

“How is it, King?”

“Fooo! Wh-What is this!? The pain in my knees! My back! All gone!”

The King widened his eyes and stood energetically.

He did squats and jumps beside the table. He seemed very lively.

His complexion even looked better.

I spoke seriously.

“I’m glad it worked. …However, King. This Puchi Eli is now being counterfeited. More precisely, people dilute the ones bought from us with water and sell them.”

“What!? Have you not applied for a manufacturing patent? I shall arrange it immediately!”

“The method is special, so it cannot be disclosed.”

“I see… that is troubling… I want to help, but…”

The King’s wrinkled face twisted sadly.

I leaned forward over the table.

“You’re troubled without a hero right now, right?”

“Hm? —Oh! Will you return!?”

There it was.

I shook my head dramatically.

“Sorry, King. That’s impossible. I have her too.”

“I could personally cover the penalty fee and slave contract cancellation application…”

“But I’m getting old. However, I can train successors. Not hero magic, but I can teach holy sword techniques.”

The King stroked his chin and pondered.

He muttered things like “Even if not now… should maintain ties?”

Then he nodded firmly.

“I see. In exchange, you want protection for Puchi Eli?”

“Can you? Your influence should have increased greatly…”

The King grinned.

“Indeed. Lord Thomson held strong influence but turned out an evil cultist. You prevented a crisis. As expected of you, Alec.”

“Then…”

“Yes. I shall grant royal warrant use of the crown emblem along with the Puchi Eli name. And… I shall certify it under my name as ‘no doctor needed.’”

“Thank you, King.”

“Your Majesty, thank you. This means imitations using similar bottles or names will be punished, correct?”

Liricia confirmed carefully while thanking him.

The King nodded strongly.

“Of course. Especially for my grandson-like Alec, I will enforce strictly.”

“Thank you, King.”

When I thanked him, the King smiled gently.

“You have served long. No thanks needed. Come visit again.”

“Yes, King.”

“Thank you sincerely for granting us audience.”

Liricia lifted the skirt of her white nun outfit and bowed. Her silver hair swayed richly.

After that we were taught the crown mark design. A crown pattern.

—If I tell Kou, he can probably engrave or dye it onto the bottles.

Escorted by a guard knight, we headed outside the castle.

I spoke to Liricia beside me.

“Now only we can use the Puchi Eli name.”

“As expected, Master… though we now have a monthly delivery obligation.”

“500 free per month and 500 at regular price. Getting national protection for only a thousand is cheap.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Liricia smiled in relief.

I nodded and left the castle.

Midday main street.

People hurried across the stone pavement.

It was lively.

I remembered the earlier question and asked Liricia.

“By the way, why were you surprised when the King drank it?”

“Yes. He drank without a poison test first, so I was startled.”

“Eh? But I brought it.”

“There is always a chance of poisoning. He must trust you greatly.”

“I see. The King is soft on me.”

I shrugged.

—He really is too kind. Next time I’ll be careful.

Liricia tilted her head.

“What will we do now?”

“Well… meet Edgar for progress, hire Cheryl for Teti, or eat lunch somewhere—”

—Then.

The sub-device vibrated.

Confused, I held it to my ear.

“What’s wrong, Kou?”

“Alec-san, help— nooo!”

“That voice, Teti!? Hey, what happened!?”

“Master! Teti-san and Ciel-san are being attacked in the forest!”

“What!? I’m going now!”

I put away the device and ran. Luckily the shop was nearby.

I called to Liricia running behind me.

“Teti is being attacked in the forest! Once we reach it, detect immediately!”

“Yes, Master!”

I rushed into the shop with Liricia.