Ch.1818. The Hearing (5)

“Her Majesty Queen Agnes Blanche Lumiere, the rightful ruler of the Kingdom of Kairos, strict judge, great warrior, and benevolent protector of her people, is entering!!!”

At that moment, all ministers seated in the assembly rose and turned around. Even the minister who had been sitting on the floor quickly came to his senses and scrambled to his feet.

Click, click.

The sound of her heels was arrogant yet dignified, befitting a monarch, commanding presence without ostentation. The queen entered through the open doors. I quickly lowered my head to avoid looking at her face, and the other ministers likewise bowed their heads as she passed.

The queen’s footsteps remained consistent—neither louder nor softer, neither faster nor slower. It meant she had complete control over her body, applying uniform weight to each step. Her breathing was also textbook-perfect in its stability, with no unnecessary movements.

“[She’s strong.]”

That was the Holy Sword’s assessment. A brief comment that explained much about the queen.

Agnes Blanche Lumiere—Agnes is one of the most exceptional swordmasters in the Kingdom of Kairos. No, that description alone doesn’t do justice to her talent with the sword. In terms of sheer combat ability, she would rank among the best not just in the kingdom, but in the entire original story.

It’s almost a waste that she can’t personally hunt down the calamities. If she weren’t the ruler of the kingdom, she would have made significant contributions as part of the hero’s party in defeating the calamities. In the original story, her prowess was only briefly glimpsed when the “Sixth Calamity” descended upon the kingdom.

Click. Click.

The queen gradually slowed her pace and stopped about five steps away from me. The residual energy that the Holy Sword and I had left lingering in the air was being absorbed and dissipated by the queen’s presence. I quickly paid my respects before she could speak first.

“I am honored to be in Your Majesty’s presence.”

“Raise your head.”

The queen responded without delay. I slowly lifted my head. The queen’s appearance, dressed in a white gown with minimal ornamentation, gradually came into view from her feet, to her ankles, up her legs, and finally her full figure.

The queen I saw for the first time had a face as cold as frost on a window pane. A slender face with fair, smooth skin contrasted by jet-black hair. Lips that weren’t rigid but seemed like they would never curve upward. And eyes with slightly downturned corners. The pupils within them glowed as red as blood.

“It’s been a while, Hero Ilroy. Not long after you defeated the ‘Third Calamity,’ I wonder if you’ve been doing something unnecessary.”

The queen’s voice lacked inflection but wasn’t particularly hostile. I’m not sure how she originally felt about Ilroy, but at least she didn’t seem to bear him ill will.

“Not at all, Your Majesty. Though I am a hero, I am also a citizen of this country—how could I consider this unnecessary?”

As I spoke, I glanced sideways at the minister who had been foolishly handling the Holy Sword. Clearly feeling guilty, he avoided my gaze, lowered his head, and broke into a cold sweat.

“Indeed. I’m glad you’re taking this graciously.”

The queen said this and then turned away from me to face the ministers. Every movement she made exuded authority. She seems to have a firm grip on her subordinates.

“I apologize to Bishop Andre who came all the way from the Holy Nation. It seems we’ve shown you an unsightly scene.”

Bishop Andre shook his head with his usual gentle smile.

“Not at all, Your Majesty. Such things can happen anywhere people live.”

The bishop’s response was exquisite. He subtly didn’t deny that it was an unsightly scene. I wanted to snicker but settled for a smile instead.

“Your Majesty, you who have watched over the hero from the beginning—don’t you know how arrogantly and unilaterally the hero has led the expedition?”

“I believe I’ve heard that statement enough times throughout this hearing to form calluses on my ears. Minister of Internal Affairs, have you forgotten that this is not your playground, but an official hearing attended by representatives from the Holy Nation?”

So that person was the Minister of Internal Affairs. No wonder he was particularly aggressive toward me. Having failed to win me over, his pride must be wounded. I glanced at Viscount Wallace, the minister’s aide, who had fallen completely silent.

“That’s precisely why—!”

“Enough. While I’m not unaware of his unilateral actions, his merits far outweigh his faults. Besides, now that your proposal has ended with the hero proving his qualifications, you have nothing more to say.”

The queen’s words carried the pressure that she would not tolerate any further objection. The Minister of Internal Affairs completely crumpled his face and lowered his head. The queen shifted her gaze from him and looked around. The pack of wolves that had shut their mouths had now become completely submissive dogs. The queen sighed softly as she looked at them.

“Does anyone else have questions?”

If there were any brave souls, I’d be fine with letting them hold the Holy Sword. When no response came, the queen turned toward Bishop Andre.

“What about the bishop from the Holy Nation? How do you intend to conclude this matter?”

“The matter of Saint Isis’s expulsion doesn’t seem particularly problematic. I will report as much to the Pope. However, we should discuss what additional support the Holy Nation should provide to the hero.”

The queen nodded without further inquiry. If relations with the Holy Nation remained intact, there was no reason to prolong the hearing. The committee chairman perceptively spoke up first.

“With that, we will conclude the hearing for Hero Ilroy. I extend my gratitude to all the ministers who attended…”

It’s over. I let out a deep sigh. Though there was unexpected help, I had managed to change the situation somewhat according to plan.

“[You’ve overcome one hurdle. Well done.]”

At the Holy Sword’s words, I shook my head. Merely getting through a hearing hardly counted as overcoming a hurdle. The calamity battles awaiting me would be incomparable to this.

“Hero Ilroy.”

The queen’s cool, dry voice reached me. I quickly bowed my head again in respect. The ministers remained in place, holding their breath as they watched the queen and me.

“Your Majesty.”

“Once is sufficient; you need not show such formality every time you see me.”

The queen said this as she turned and began walking toward the assembly doors. Her parting words clearly pierced my ears.

“Follow me. I wish to have a brief conversation with you.”

The gazes around us returned to me. I nodded slightly to Bishop Andre, nudged the still dazed George to wake him up, and followed the queen out of the assembly hall.

==

In stark contrast to the commotion at the hearing, the palace garden was serene. The queen stood beside a rose bush, fingering its petals. As her fingertips touched a rose just beginning to bloom, its delicate petals trembled slightly.

“The roses are beginning to bloom.”

Though the words could have sounded sentimental, the queen’s voice carried no emotion whatsoever. She merely stated the fact that roses were blooming.

“In a short while, this entire area will be covered with roses. Then the air in the garden will be heavy with their scent, almost suffocating.”

The queen slowly walked on, releasing a rose that was the exact same color as her eyes.

“It’s a spectacle that never grows tiresome, year after year.”

The queen said this as she turned to look at me. Wearing heels, she was tall enough that the top of my head barely reached her nose. She pierced me with her red gaze. Then, her eyes moved to my right arm. Though it was still wrapped in bandages under my sleeve, I could move it somewhat now, so I had removed the cumbersome splint.

“You’ve injured your arm.”

I reflexively hid my right arm behind my back. The queen’s gaze followed my right arm to the left, then returned to my face.

“It’s not an injury from when you vanquished the ‘Third Calamity,’ is it?”

“No, those injuries have already healed completely.”

“Then, may I ask how you injured your arm?”

It’s not exactly something to be proud of. I slightly furrowed my brow, then hesitantly opened my mouth.

“I was injured while hunting monsters for training. It’s an embarrassing reason, nothing significant.”

“Explain the circumstances fully. And do not lie. Don’t you know that no matter how insignificant it may seem, an injury to the hero is never something to be taken lightly?”

It’s really not something I want to boast about. I explained everything except for the fact that I could now communicate with the Holy Sword and that I had intentionally gone to unlock it. I told her about going monster hunting alone for training, coincidentally meeting three adventurers and traveling with them, encountering a spider monster called Aragradra, and fighting it after sending the adventurers away.

After hearing my account, the queen nodded slightly and exhaled softly.

“As a hero, what do you think is more important? Vanquishing or saving?”

There was no need to hesitate. I knew what answer I should give.

“I am not an avenger, but a protector. I hope that answers your question about what I prioritize.”

“…I see.”

As if she had something to contemplate, the queen remained silent for a while. Through that silence, the Holy Sword’s voice reached me.

“[Why were you reluctant to reveal that you saved those people?]”

It’s not such a noble deed, really. If I hadn’t accompanied them in the first place, they wouldn’t have been in danger.

“[You’re strangely modest in certain areas. Well, that’s just like you.]”

…Like me? I questioned inwardly with confusion, but the Holy Sword offered no response. At that moment, as if taking the Holy Sword’s place, the queen spoke again.

“Can you guess why I granted you that level of authority?”

Honestly, that was something I was curious about too. There was something that couldn’t be explained by external prestige and face. In the original story, the queen continued to support Ilroy until he lost his life facing the fifth calamity.

“…To be honest, I’m not sure.”

“The word ‘hero’ is harsh.”

The queen declared.

“Doesn’t it sound like someone who must save the world alone, without fail?”

I gave no response to the queen’s dry voice.

“If that’s the case, then at the very least, one should not hinder him even if one cannot help him.”

The queen said this and continued walking. At the end of the garden where roses were beginning to bloom, there was a wide plaza with a massive fountain.

“There isn’t much time left until you go to vanquish the Fourth Calamity.”

The queen looked at me.

“From now on, the ministers in the assembly won’t bother you. I guarantee it. You should focus solely on preparing to confront the Fourth Calamity.”

“I am deeply grateful for your kindness.”

This is truly something to be thankful for. Not only will it completely block other ministers from politically interfering with me, but I also won’t have to get entangled in annoying factional disputes.

“In exchange, make sure you become stronger. How can a hero who breaks his arm fighting mere monsters hope to defeat a calamity?”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

Her words struck a nerve. The Holy Sword delivered the final blow to my wavering heart.

“[She’s right. I’ll train you properly soon, so steel your resolve.]”

Sorry, but that comment just dampened my motivation a bit.

==

“The vacation is over now.”

A week had passed since the hearing ended. George had started going back to work three days ago, and Daphne had been training with me as usual. And I had completely removed my bandages and started wielding the Holy Sword again. My previous experiences weren’t entirely in vain, as I could now achieve Stage 1 release without much difficulty.

“Isn’t it time we checked on our bet?”

George asked me pointedly. I slightly turned my head toward Daphne, who was watering the plants by the window.

“You mean about Daphne?”

“Yes. Now that it’s time to coordinate and prepare for the Fourth Calamity attack, we should also check on our bet.”

I gave a bitter smile as I turned back to George.

“So, if you win, you’ll do exactly what you said before?”

George frowned with dismay and shook his head. It seemed that after spending the last few weeks constantly facing Daphne, George had also begun to recognize her as a comrade.

“…I won’t report to superiors or do anything like that. But a bet is a bet, Ilroy, so you should at least grant me one wish to make it fair.”

I nodded with a hearty laugh. Well, just not expelling Daphne was already a significant gain. That crazy mage is much worse than Daphne, I tell you. As I laughed, George made a sour face, and while Daphne was watching this, we heard the sound of someone rushing up the stairs.

“Heroooo-!!”

A piercing voice that could split one’s ears. George turned his head toward the door, and Daphne shrank her shoulders with a frightened expression. I put on a rotten smile and prepared myself mentally to greet the approaching person.

The one I really should expel from this party, that crazy mage, was now coming here.