Chương 227: Chapter 14: “Yu is Summoned to the Capital Dandama”

A few days after teaching Qi Sword Art, an official summons arrived from the capital. That guy Cochran must have reported it. 『Come to the Parliament House in the near future. 』 Summoning me with just one line, they sure are acting high and mighty. But since I said I'd go, I had no choice but to take the train.

"So, why are you guys here?"

"We followed you!"

"Followed you." Alice made a peace sign with a lively smile, and Milia stuck close to her side as if hiding, staring at me intently. I sighed in exasperation.

"Listen. I'm not here to play."

"Now, now. Isn't it fine? It's my first time coming to the Royal Capital. Right?"

"I'm looking forward to it." When Alice sought agreement, Milia smiled back. These two have become really good friends before I knew it.

"Do whatever you want if it's sightseeing. I'm going to pretend I have nothing to do with you." Leaving the two fully in sightseeing mode, I strode down the platform of the Capital Station with large steps.

"Ah, wait up!"

"Please wait." Capital Dandama. Although it is now the Centria Republic, it is still called the Royal Capital as a remnant of the monarchy era. The beautiful Parliament House towering in the center is a repurposed royal castle. Centered around it, the city has an intricate streetscape. This was intended to make it difficult for foreign enemies to attack, but in these peaceful times, it just makes it easy to get lost. Exiting the station, rows of red brick houses jumped into my eyes.

Right there was an uphill slope, and as I walked, I felt there were many slopes. The roads are paved firmly everywhere, and no bare ground can be seen. Where the slope is steep, there are stone stairs, and there were several scenes of going up and down. There are many winding roads, cluttered, giving the impression of a maze just as I heard. As expected of a capital, there are more people on the streets compared to Sacris. However, rather than the glamour befitting its scale, I felt something rather calm.

If Sacris is a commercial city full of the vitality of the magic industry, this place is a city where you can feel history from ancient times. It's not flashy, but this scenery has its own flavor. Eventually, we passed by the Metropolitan Museum. It's a position where we can reach the Parliament House in another ten minutes of walking from here. I stopped, approached the two who were chatting and walking behind me, and said.

"I'm going to the Parliament House alone. Let's meet in front of that museum. How about this time?" I showed them my watch and pointed to the time.

"Okay. Be careful."

"Alice and Milia, don't get lost and go into the slums. I hear the public order is bad. Especially Milia looks precarious."

"Y-Yes." Milia answered fidgeting.

"Oh my. You're worried?"

"Not really. I just hate increasing unnecessary trouble." I intended to answer curtly and honestly, but Alice was smiling.

"When your business is done and we meet up, let's look around the city together, Yu. It's boring to just go and come back, right?"

"Since we're here, I guess so. If we want to go back, we can return immediately with Teleportation." Since I marked the capital, I can return to Sacris anytime with the Teleportation Magic Inea taught me.

"Why have you been grinning since a while ago?"

"Nope. Yu has become a little more honest lately too, hasn't he?"

"S-Shut up." Milia started giggling.

"Hey. What's so funny?" When I questioned her, Milia quickly hid in Alice's shadow. Poking just her head out, she was staring at my expression. Alice scolded me with a "Mehh."

"Hey. Don't threaten her immediately like that again."

"No. I didn't mean to..." When I was at a loss for words, Milia smiled again.

"I'm okay. Because I understand." Before I could ask what, she continued.

"But I think you should be careful. It's a little scary."

"Right?" Alice nodded in agreement. Being told by both of them, I felt awkward.

"Ugh... I guess so. I'll be careful."

"You really have become honest, haven't you?"

"Shut up." This time I raised my voice unintentionally, but Alice and Milia just looked at each other and grinned. Strange. Was I such a teased character? For some reason, I feel like I can't win against these two. I arrived. So this is the Parliament House. After parting ways with Alice and Milia for the time being, I stood in front of the gate of the Parliament House. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

As expected of a former royal castle, it has a structure far larger and more magnificent than other buildings. The feeling is close to a British royal palace, perhaps? It's heavily Western-style. When I tried to proceed, I was stopped by a gatekeeper.

"Who are you? Do you have identification?" When I showed my student ID, I was told to wait there. After a while, the man who conveyed the message during the instruction the other day came. This time, instead of recruit gear, he was wearing brilliant swords and well-maintained full armor. On his chest were the crest proving he was a national elite and medals indicating his rank. He bowed lightly in front of me.

"Sorry for being incognito the other day. I am Cochran Miked of the Parliament Direct Guard Corps." I don't feel much malice from this guy himself. His attitude seeming cold and arrogant feels like he's just doing it as a job. Soldiers shouldn't be underestimated, after all.

"It's a job. I understand."

"I appreciate your understanding. I will guide you to the Prime Minister's reception room."

"Prime Minister? The top is coming out personally?" Unlike the Masked Group, they were geographically distant, so I hadn't investigated in detail. I assumed some influential noble had personal business. Surprisingly, a big shot came.

"I don't know the details well, but the Prime Minister seems very interested in you."

"I hope it doesn't become troublesome."

"That, I cannot say." We arrived in front of the reception room. Cochran knocked on the door. The door opened with a heavy sound, and a fat, bearded, seemingly self-important old man appeared. I shouldn't say this, but rather than a Prime Minister, he looks like an evil minister sticking to the side of a king. His name was Nikelb Orangey, if I recall correctly. I bowed lightly.

"Oh. You are Yu Hoshimi. I've been waiting for you. Now, please come in. Cochran-kun, you may withdraw."

"Yes, sir." Cochran withdrew. Following the Prime Minister, I entered and sat on the recommended black leather chair. It was comfortable, seemingly of the highest quality. A servant came in and poured Yuuf. Yuuf is a drink equivalent to black tea on Earth. The flavor is similar, but it features a slight spiciness. The servant left, and we were alone in the room. After both taking a sip of Yuuf and settling down, the Prime Minister started talking with a pasted-on smile.

"I've heard rumors about you for some time. You excel academically and even defeated that genius Argus Ozbein—""Save the flattery. It would help if you could get straight to the point briefly." The Prime Minister's smiling face twitched slightly. Natural, since I'm taking a quite rude attitude. But I'm not the type to change my language depending on the person much. The Prime Minister returned to a smile immediately and continued the conversation. However, his eyes were not smiling.

"I took the liberty of investigating your magic value." As I thought. That woman talked.

"Over one hundred thousand... I never imagined a person with this much magic power could exist. You are an existence that could be called a weapon." It wasn't even a smile anymore. There was clear awe in that voice. Being treated as a dangerous object so honestly is rather refreshing.

"Maybe so. I don't intend to do anything if nothing is done to me, though." I say what he's probably worried about first. Relief mixed into the Prime Minister's complexion.

"I'm relieved to hear that. If you were one to harm the nation, we would have had to muster all our forces to defeat you."

"That's good to hear. But surely you didn't call me just to make me say that?"

"Yes. Could you please lend us your strength?" The Prime Minister bowed deeply. The top of a country bowing to a brat like this isn't normal. It seems there are quite serious circumstances.

"Depends on the content. I'll listen."

"Edel. The magical superpower where immense wealth and power are said to sleep. Although it has sunk deep underground now." Again. I seem to have a connection to it.

"You know the Masked Group, right?"

"They meddled with me the other day. I drove them away though."

"Hoh." The Prime Minister nodded impressedly.

"Actually, we are fighting with them. We, the Noble Parliament, intend to obtain that country first. It is necessary for the further development of our country. It is not something such a cult should have." —He is lying. To me who can read minds, it was obvious. He probably genuinely believes the Masked Group shouldn't have it, but this guy himself probably doesn't intend to resurrect Edel. Position or something makes him say so. While picking up his true feelings, I stated my honest opinion.

"A country with excessive power will eventually destroy itself. They say Edel perished that way too. Do you intend to repeat it?"

"That may be true. But we are different. We consider the safety and interests of the people first. We won't make mistakes." It didn't seem to be his complete true feeling. To be able to say it so smoothly is quite something. No. Conversely, if he weren't like that, he might not be in this position. While inwardly evaluating this man who looked like small fry, I decided to refuse to the end. Actually, I'm not interested, and that's probably what this man hopes for too.

"I can understand the ideal. But it has nothing to do with me."

"Of course, we will prepare appropriate rewards. Could you please cooperate? They have been expanding their influence more and more in recent years."

"Not interested. Why don't you guys just fight it out on your own? Don't try to drag me into it."

"Is that so... That is regrettable." His tone was disappointed, but emotionally, there was something relieved. Posing is important, I guess.

"Is that all?"

"Yes. Sorry for making you come all this way."

"No, it's fine. Confirming the will of a dangerous person is necessary." I felt sad saying it myself, but it's a fact. If I get serious, I think I could even become a threat to the country.

"It helps greatly that you understand quickly."

"Do you intend to continue surveillance?"

"We will likely attach a watcher just in case, but we will guarantee a generally free school life. I truly hope you will use that talent for our country."

"I'll think about returning the favor in some form." If I remain in this world until then. After that, we chatted a bit, and finally exchanged Simming with the Prime Minister, ending the meaningful meeting. I was satisfied that the Prime Minister was surprisingly a man I could talk to. After leaving the reception room, I took a piece of paper from my pocket. I wrote a memo, folded it carefully, and cast magic on it. I called out to Cochran quietly.

"Cochran."

"What is it."

"Give this paper to the Prime Minister. Keep it confidential. Never open it. I cast magic so it vanishes after reading." It's not the Prime Minister. Someone is behind him. Some influential noble or something interested in Edel's resurrection. And that faction is planning an all-out confrontation with the Masked Group. Wanting to borrow my power means that, too. Without dirtying their own hands, by moving the country from behind. The flow has become suspicious.

It has nothing to do with me, but I want to grasp the situation at least. Leaving the Parliament House, I headed to the front of the museum to meet Alice and Milia. Alice and the others were there first, and when they recognized me, they waved.

"Welcome back. How was it?"

"Just greetings, mostly. I was asked if I wanted to work in the Guard Corps someday." Lying naturally, I'm quite something too. No, it's a fact that I was invited.

"That's amazing!"

"It is amazing." Milia's eyes are sparkling. It seems the reason she was spaced out during the Magic Combat with Argus was because she admired him. It seems certain that she harbors similar feelings for my strength, which is equal to or greater than his. The reason she was strangely halting until recently seems to be because of that too. After that, the three of us wandered around the city appropriately. Since both Milia and I are reserved, Alice takes the lead in deciding where to stop.

We even watched a play at the theater. Finally, we stopped by an accessory shop. Both of them are looking at the products with sparkling eyes. Girls probably like this kind of thing, but it's an uncomfortable space for me. At times like this, if I were a girl. I might have been able to enjoy it together. Well, it's useless to make impossible assumptions. Alice seemed interested in a bracelet, and Milia in a pendant. Both have cute designs, but they are brand items and expensive. It was a tough expense for students.

Since they seemed to be worrying quite a bit about whether to buy them, I proposed to them.

"Shall I buy them for you?"

"Eh, no way. That's bad."

"I'm sorry." Then, I took out several bills and showed them.

"Actually, I have a little to spare right now."

"Wow. Where did you get that money?"

"Earned it." Actually, I received a hefty instruction fee during the Qi Sword Art instruction. I won't use it much even if I have it, and it would be good to return the favor to Alice who took care of me, and Milia as well.

"You didn't do anything suspicious, did you?" Milia stared at me with jittery eyes.

"I didn't. Just think of it as a return for usual."

"Really!? Thanks!"

"Thank you very much!" Alice and Milia, wearing the bracelet and pendant respectively, showed them off to me with genuinely happy faces.

"How is it?"

"How... is it?"

"Yeah. It suits you both well."

"Right! I'm happy."

"Ehehe." Alice frequently holding up her hand, and Milia hugging the pendant preciously. Seeing them so happy makes it worth buying. At that moment. Alice looked at me and softened her eyes as if looking at something heartwarming.

"You really are cute when you smile. You."

"That's true." Huh.

"Was I laughing just now?"

"You were laughing normally. Right?"

"Yes. You were laughing."

"I-Is that so." Suddenly feeling embarrassed, I turned my face away.

"Alright. Let's go back soon. The sun is setting."

"Ah, he glossed it over!"

"Please look this way."

"Shut up! We're going back." Recently, I feel like I'm finding things fun sometimes. It's an emotion I never felt when I was on Earth after losing my best friends. The people of this world are warm. To the extent that it's wasted on someone like me. Actually, I should have avoided them more. But they come close without hesitation. That's why it's no good. Maybe I was influenced before I knew it. —I might not be able to say we are just acquaintances anymore.