Request For Support

The next day, I woke up around the time the sun had completely finished its ascent. It seemed that staying up late last night was indeed the cause.

“Good morning.”

When I went down to the living room, everyone except me was, naturally, already awake.

“Good morning. I have prepared a meal for you before you head to the Royal Palace,” Aria said to me.

I had an appointment with His Majesty at 1:00 PM today. I needed to finish eating and get dressed by then. Well, there were still about two hours left, so I’d make it with time to spare.

“Thanks. I’ll dig in.”

I took my seat and proceeded to eat my “breakfast” (which was effectively lunch). After finishing the meal in a few dozen minutes, I got ready. While I was doing all that, it became time to depart.

“Hana, let’s go.”

“Y-yes!”

At the sound of my voice, Hana emerged from the living room.

“Master Vim, please take this.”

Aria helped me into my freshly laundered robe. With this, I was back in my usual attire, radiating the aura of a proper magician.

“Thanks. We’re off.”

“Please take care. Have a safe journey.”

Seen off by Aria, Hana and I left the mansion. From there, we walked the path to the Royal Palace. Even at a leisurely pace, it only takes about twenty minutes from my estate.

“Are you nervous?” I asked Hana, whose expression was stiff as she walked beside me.

“Y-yes. I’m a little nervous.”

“I bet. It’s your first time, after all.”

I remember being more than a little tense the first time I entered a palace, too.

“It’ll be fine. His Majesty and the palace staff are all good people.”

“I… I understand.”

At the very least, there was no one in the palace who would hold a prejudice against Hana’s status. Besides, if anyone did have something to say, I intended to blast them away—even if they were palace officials.

“We’re here.”

“Wow, it’s so big…”

While we were talking, we arrived at the Royal Palace.

“Master Vim, I presume. We have been expecting you. Please, pass through.”

The gatekeepers seemed to have memorized my face, as we were let through without a hitch. As we walked to the entrance of the palace itself, the doors were opened for us.

“Welcome. His Majesty is waiting. This way, please.”

A royal attendant led us to a room that looked like a reception parlor.

“I apologize for calling you here when you’re busy. Please, both of you, take a seat.”

“No, please don’t worry about it.”

At His Majesty’s urging, Hana and I sat on the sofa opposite him.

“You must be Hana. I am Eldred Leoria. I am the one entrusted with this country.”

“I am Hana Sharon.”

“Ah, nice to meet you.”

His Majesty reached out his right hand and shook Hana’s.

“I-I look forward to working with you!”

“There’s no need to be so stiff. I’ve heard you’re a talent Vim has kept his eye on, so I was looking forward to seeing what kind of person you were.”

“Thank you very much.”

His Majesty must have already been informed of Hana’s status. Seeing that he didn’t change his attitude in the slightest made me think that he truly was a king fit for this meritocratic nation of Leoria.

“I apologize for the haste, but let’s get down to business,” His Majesty said, shifting his posture on the sofa.

“Understood.”

“Currently, the 3rd Knight Order is conducting a subjugation mission in the Eastern Forest. However, it appears the magical beasts there are twice as strong as usual. They are struggling, and casualties have actually been reported. Therefore, I would like you and your companion to go and support them.”

Knight Orders are required to perform regular subjugation missions. I had heard that Leoria’s 3rd Knight Order was a collection of particularly excellent combatants. If that Order was being pushed back, I could expect a fairly formidable enemy.

“Of course, I will see to it that you are handsomely rewarded.”

“I understand. I accept the task.”

I had no reason to refuse. If we hurried, we could reach the Eastern Forest in about half a day. We should be able to take a carriage to the nearest town.

“I’m glad to hear it. You there, bring the item.”

His Majesty spoke to a steward waiting in the corner of the room.

“As you command.”

The steward placed an ornately decorated box gently on the King’s desk. His Majesty opened it and took out two objects that looked like cards.

“These are cards bearing the crest of my Royal House. With these, you can pass through any checkpoint in our country without stopping. Please make use of them in your future adventures.”

“Thank you very much. I accept them.”

The cards, shining in gold, appeared to be made of iron. they had a significant weight and felt sturdy. Being able to pass through checkpoints without stopping was a massive advantage. Sometimes it takes dozens of minutes just to pass through one; with these, that time would be significantly reduced.

“It is also proof that the Royal House will back you should anything happen. Go and let loose as much as you like.”

As he said this, His Majesty wore a smile like a mischievous child. Behind that smile, I felt a sense of high expectation directed toward me.

“Understood. I’ll go and let loose then.”

I had been taught that expectations are things to be met. I tucked the card into my shirt pocket.

“Hahaha. Just please, try not to blow the whole country away.”

“I wouldn’t do that. Not even I.”

Seriously, what exactly does this man think I am?