The Hero Will Be Arriving In One Week

“Well done. My daughter Patricia, and… hero Jonah.”

“!?!”
“!?!”

At the words of Emperor Karl, seated on the throne, Jonah and Patricia gasped.

Why was Jonah being called a “hero”?

“I have heard of Jonah’s exploits from ‘Silent Archer’ Quylindra, the hero of the ‘Human-Demon War’. That he felled one of the Demon Lord Army’s commanders—the ‘Hunger’ Zarichu—a long-sought wish realized. And Patricia, your slaying of the White Dragon this time is likewise a deed comparable to the old champions and heroes.”

“Ha… ha…”

“Y-yes…”

Jonah, still bowed with a servile expression, wore a complicated look upon learning that Quylindra was the one who had informed Emperor Karl about him.

Patricia, kneeling a little in front of Jonah, also couldn’t catch up with events and ran thoughts around and around.

Considering Jonah’s ability, it was understandable that he could defeat a commander of the Demon Lord’s Army. Even so, she had never imagined that someone who knew hero Quylindra and met Patricia would have accomplished such a feat before their meeting.

However.

“Your Majesty. With all due respect, I believe that is highly unlikely.”

“Hm… what do you mean?”

“Yes. During the expedition to slay the White Dragon Lindwyrm I met him… Jonah and spent time with him. I admit he is quick-witted and a promising youth, but I cannot believe he possesses the kind of power to defeat a commander of the Demon Lord’s Army. At least as he is now, I don’t think he can be named a hero.”

Patricia deliberately argued that Jonah was not a hero.

From what she saw, Emperor Karl still seemed half in doubt about Jonah’s abilities. If so, she judged that, having brought Jonah this far herself, she could refute it.

If Emperor Karl learned of Jonah’s true power before them, he would surely be used by the Empire.

She would never allow her dear friend, Jonah, whom she loved like a younger brother, to be exposed to such sordid machinations.

“Hmm… If Patricia, who was beside him, says so, perhaps that is the case.”

“Yes… However, Quylindra’s jesting has gone too far. A single misstep might have led us to misjudge state policy. As an empire, we should lodge a stern protest with Quylindra.”

It was unclear with what intent Quylindra had told Emperor Karl about Jonah, but in any case Patricia decided to put a pin in it.

If the Empire officially protested, people hearing it would acknowledge that Jonah’s achievements were false, and even if Quylindra spread word of Jonah later, no one would believe it.

“Very well. I will accept Patricia’s words and the Empire shall protest to Quylindra. Yes…”

Emperor Karl stroked his goatee and made a contemplative gesture.

But his expression clearly suggested he was scheming something.

“If swift, Quylindra will come to this Imperial Palace in one week. At that time, Patricia, you shall act as my deputy and lodge the protest.”

“…!?”

As expected, Emperor Karl uttered such words.

Patricia recognized him as an excellent ruler, yet even so he sometimes did things like this, as if testing people.

That said.

“Understood. I, Patricia, shall, by the Emperor’s command, protest to hero Quylindra as his representative.”

She had her own feelings toward Quylindra, so this was to her liking. Patricia accepted willingly.

“Very well. Then Patricia and the hero… no, that was not so. Guest Jonah, recover from your travel fatigue.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Emperor Karl rose, took a few attendants and the captain of the guard, and left the audience chamber.

By their sides were.

“……………………”

“Hmph.”

One looked at Jonah with a somewhat disappointed expression, another glanced at Patricia and snorted.

They were Crown Prince Leonardo and the second prince, Wulfe.

“…Jonah, let us head out as well.”

“Y-yes.”

They left the audience chamber together with Patricia and headed to her room.

“Th-thank you very much.”

As soon as they entered the room, Jonah bowed deeply.

Of course, it was regarding her having advised Emperor Karl that “Jonah is not a hero.”

“Don’t worry about it. More importantly, what was Quylindra thinking when she told His Majesty about Jonah…?”

“Ah, ahaha…”

Jonah gave a wry smile to the indignant Patricia.

Jonah knew that Quylindra, who led the Elf as their chief, was responsible and would not, at the very least, repay kindness with treachery.

Still, Quylindra had deliberately leaked information about him to Emperor Karl.

Jonah also wished to know Quylindra’s purpose.

“Well, in any case, His Majesty said Quylindra will come to the Imperial Palace in one week. Hence we shall wait until then.”

“Yes…”

To meet Quylindra again in one week.

Jonah looked out the window and thought not of her but of her daughter… one of his cherished people, Titancia.