When we entered into the room, it was a fairly plain room with little decoration and there was a table large enough to hold about 30 people. On the upper seat of the table sat a man, the Emperor of the Hoelscher Empire, Gaharudo D. Hoelscher, who had a fearless smile while resting his chin on his hand. There are 2 people behind him, they had a keen air about them in the sense of “We’re capable” as they stood waiting.
And, although we couldn’t see their figures in the room, there was also 2 more people on the other side of the wall, 4 people in the ceiling, and Hajime also felt 2 people soundlessly outside the closed door they came though. It wasn’t only the 2 behind Gaharudo, the other hidden men seemed to have been considerably skilled as well.
[So, are you Hajime Nagumo?]
When Hajime’s group entered, Ririana also introduced them, while completely skipping the greetings to Kouki who was the hero, Gaharudo released pressure while looking at Hajime with a piercing gaze.
It was pressure from the overpowering man who ruled over several hundred thousands of people who were wild and strong and believed in the nature of power. It was no joke. Ririana who was also in a royal family voiced a small groan from the stifling pressure, Kouki’s group backed away instinctively.
However, from such overpowering pressure, these 5 people, Hajime, Yue, Shia, Teio, and Kaori, were calm. In the first place, even Kaori who had little experience survived from the attack of an immortal monster thats been alive since the ancient times at the [Merujine Undersea Ruins].
So although the Emperor had an overpowering pressure, when compared to the monsters in the great labyrinths, it was nothing more than a soft breeze.
Gaharudo’s mouth lifts up more and more in interest when he sees that Hajime’s group is unphased, then Hajime answered.
[Yes, I’m Hajime Nagumo. Its an honor to have been known by you, your Majesty the Emperor]
[ [ [ [ [!?] ] ] ] ]
While placing his hand on his chest and lightly bowing, Kouki’s group looked at Hajime with astonishment at his words.
Their eyes opened wide and clearly conveyed, [Who are you!]. Especially Ririana who was shaking in unease. While receiving Gaharudo’s overpowering pressure and raising a small groan, though her expression hardly changed, it wasn’t able to conceal that she was staring at Hajime with an aghast expression.
Hajime also knows of the TPO*Time, Place, Occasion*. However, he was always just ignoring it.
But, because he had business in the Imperial castle this time, he didn’t want to be thrown out because he disrespected the Emperor. Since he shouldn’t believe in God anymore, the title of “God’s Apostle” is probably not effective anymore. The only way to pass is with the title of Hero. Thats why, he judged that he needed to at least use the bare minimum amount of etiquette. Although the changed person was definitely still Hajime.
[Kukuku…..I never even considered this. What happened to your usual arrogant attitude? N? It’s quite different from the cries of a certain princess somewhere?]
However, Gaharudo only makes fun of him while laughing.
Hajime glanced over at Ririana. [Princess~, You, just how much did you unnecessarily talk about, A~a?] Ririana who was receiving Hajime’s glance, ~Pui~! looked in another direction. When Gaharudo asked what kind of person Hajime was, she unintentionally yelled and complained a great deal about her treatment.
[.......Ha~a, that’s right. hm then, as usual]
[Kuku, then it’s fine]
Though they were surprised of Hajime’s sudden change, they sat down in order.
Finally after Gaharudo removed his gaze off Hajime, he noticed Yue and them who took up their positions by Hajime and observed them interestingly, his eyes seemed to significantly glance at Shia in particular. Following that, he turned his gaze towards Kouki’s group…..he looked at Shizuku who was next to Kouki and a grin appeared on both his lips and eyes.
[Shizuku, it’s been a while. Have you finally decided to become my wife?]
[O, oi! Shizuku already declined before!]
Kouki reacted to Gaharudo before Shizuku did. Gaharudo’s glances over at Kouki for an instant, then back at Shizuku and started laughing hysterically. Kouki had the “I don’t care” attitude but veins were appearing on his forehead.
While sighing at the 2 people, Shizuku had a clarified face and answered.
[I have no intentions to take back my previous words. I’ll have to decline your Majesties offer]
[Quite heartless. But, it wouldn’t be interesting otherwise. More than the world, allow me to tell you it’s good. I await the day when that clarified face is dyed in red from longing for me]
[That day will never come throughout all of eternity. …..Or rather, don’t you already have an Empress?]
[What about it? Are you dissatisfied as a concubine? Fumu, there are a variety of problems when you become the legal wife……]
[I didn’t mean it that way! You’d place your hands on other woman other than the Empress…..]
[What are you saying? I’m the Emperor? 10 or 20 concubines are normal]
[Gu~......that’s right. A, anyways, I will not become his Majesties. Please give up]
[Ma~a, since you won’t be returned by God anymore, you’ll probably be stuck in this world for a while, I suppose I should take my time to convince you. Kuku, prepare yourself, Shizuku]
It appears that Gaharudo really likes Shizuku. As expected of a greedy Emperor, he won’t give up even when he’s been refused. His sharp eyes were completely locked onto Shizuku. Though Shizuku looks away with an expression that seemed to hate him from the bottom of her heart, she also seemed to not care at all.
Then, at that time, the direction that Shizuku looked in, by chance, aligned with Hajime’s sight. From Hajime’s glance at that time, [As expected of the worldly-wise man (laughs)] a color of amusement and interest was clearly included.
The angered Shizuku just used her finger to play with the sugar cubes that were prepared for her tea. Although it wasn’t as strong as Hajime’s, the sugar cube flew with excellent power, it’s aim was accurately flying towards Hajime’s hateful face……
However, it wasn’t a direct hit, it flew into Hajime’s mouth and was caught. ~Mogo Mogo~ Hajime’s mouth moved around with an air of flamboyant pride, after the sweetness of the sugar cube was firmly satisfied, he swallowed it. Shizuku’s face was mortifying, however Hajime’s was clarified.
When Gaharudo saw her in such a state, he turned his sharp glance back at Hajime. It seemed to convey a variety of things.
[Fu~n, this is quite the interesting situation. …...Hajime Nagumo. Though I have a mountain of questions that I want to ask you, first of all, answer this]
[Ah? what is it…….]
[You, have you already embraced*sex being implied* my Shizuku?]
[ [ [ [Bufu~u--!?] ] ] ]
To Gaharudo who abruptly asked such an unexpected question with an eager expression, several people including Shizuku blew out air.
Even the guards that were waiting behind Gaharudo, [Your Majesty…...the first thing you wanted to ask, was that……] with a pained expression. They also seemed to be worldly-wise men.
[Wai-, your Majesty! Just what are you suddenly saying….]
[Shizuku, you remain silent for now. I’ll hear it from Hajime Nagumo right now]
Naturally, although Shizuku tried to burst Gaharudo’s bubble with a tsukkomi, Gaharudo turned his eyes to Hajime, ignoring it. On the other hand, Hajime had an amazed expression.
[What did you think about to reach that conclusion]
[It appears that Shizuku has the heart to forgive you…...Judging from that manner, it’s not impossible, so just in case]
[Ha~a, there’s no way that would happen]
[......Fumu, that’s not a lie right. Then, what do you think of Shizuku?]
To that question, all the glances in the room turned to Hajime. Eyes conveying various meanings from Yue’s group and Kouki’s group pierced him.
Hajime let out a sigh about why the first question asked by the Emperor after meeting him was about his relationship with Shizuku, anyways he turned his gaze over to Shizuku. Shizuku’s expression was supposed to be extremely amusing. Hajime looked at Shizuku who was inclining her neck.
It appears that Shizuku’s ears began to slightly redden…..
For the time being, the answer (real intentions) was given.
[......She’s like a mother]
[OK, that fight you’re looking for, you’ve won it. Get off the table, Nagumo-kun]
a young 17-year old girl was being held down, of all the things to say, why was it “She’s like a mother”, is what Shizuku who was still sitting on her seat and was getting up was conveying with hatred in her glare at Hajime. The delicate atmosphere from a while ago had already disappeared. Suzu and Kouki who were next to Shizuku were panicking and desperately tried to hold her down.
[......I didn’t think it would be such a boring answer…...ma~a, fine. Shizuku, don’t go accidently falling in love now? Because you’re mine]
[I’ve already said this but, I have no intentions of being his Majesties and I’ve also not fallen for Nagumo-kun! Just stop with the nonsense and get back to the main subject]
[I get it, I get it. Don’t get so angry. An excessive denial will only be taken as a positive one?]
[Nuguu~u……]
Shizuku instinctively tried to raise a groan in objection to Gaharudo but decided to sit down loudly. Suzu calmed her with a wry smile, however for some reason Kouki was glaring at Hajime.