Chapter 7: Preparing for the First regret route, Part 2

Footsteps

I grab my bag and head downstairs.

“Oh, it’s checkout time already. Come again, Allen!”

“Yes. I’ll be back whenever I can.”

I phrase it vaguely so he won’t be surprised if I don’t show up for a while.

I’ll come back when I need more ingredients, but I’m not making any promises.

“Alright, take care!”

I set off towards the royal palace.

After walking for a while, I reach the capital.

The plaza is packed with people celebrating the Demon King’s defeat.

The hero’s party is at the center of it all, basking in the glory.

But they don’t look happy. They look… uncomfortable.

Because I’m not there.

Of course, the public doesn’t know I even existed.

They’re cheering for the hero’s party, oblivious to the internal conflict.

I bypass the plaza and head towards the palace.

The route is a bit more complicated, but I avoid the crowds.

…

I arrive at the palace gates, guarded by two not-so-intimidating soldiers.

“Good work, you two.”

“State your business. If you wish to enter the palace, identify yourself!”

If I say I’m a commoner, they’ll turn me away. If I pretend to be some unknown noble, they’ll interrogate me.

“I’m Allen, a member of the hero’s party. If you ask His Majesty, he’ll confirm my identity.”

“…!”

They exchange glances, clearly surprised.

They’re hesitant.

My claim is outrageous, but if it’s true, and they turn me away… it would be an insult to the heroes of the kingdom. They could be imprisoned.

They’ve probably heard of Allen, since he was at the palace with the hero’s party before.

But they’re too scared to confirm it with the king directly.

“…!”

They’re playing rock-paper-scissors to decide who has to go inside… The soldier on the left wins.

The one on the right looks annoyed as he heads into the palace.

“…Wait here. We’ll be in touch.”

The soldier on the left tries to maintain a stern demeanor, but his smug expression betrays his relief at not having to go inside.

A while later, the other soldier comes running back, out of breath.

“Huff… His Majesty… huff… requests… your presence…”

I got the answer I wanted. The soldier on the left is shocked, realizing I was telling the truth.

“Shall we go, then?”

“Y-Yes… huff… Right this way… huff…”

He’s completely winded.

“Not you. Him.”

I point to the soldier on the left.

“Huh?”

He looks surprised. It’s just escorting a visitor to the king…

Of course, he’s probably terrified of facing the king. But that’s not my problem.

He probably wants to punch me, but he knows better.

Insulting a member of the hero’s party could have serious consequences.

“…F*ck…”

He grits his teeth, barely suppressing his anger, and leads the way.

I give a thumbs-up to the other soldier as I follow, and he nods gratefully.

The palace interior is as magnificent as I imagined.

Not just magnificent in a general sense, but specifically magnificent in the way it was described in the novel.

The layout was explained in detail, but the interior design wasn’t.

But I’ve seen enough clichés to know what a royal palace should look like.

I take my time, admiring the architecture, confirming that it matches Allen’s descriptions.

Soon, we arrive at the throne room.

“Y-Your Majesty! I’ve brought… Allen of the hero’s party…!”

He gives a brief introduction and practically sprints out of the room.

He probably finds the king intimidating or annoying.

Judging by the other soldier’s reaction, he’s not alone.

I don’t understand why everyone is so afraid of the king.

Because…

“Ahahaha! Allen! It’s been a while! How have you been?!”

He’s boisterous and welcoming.

He might look intimidating, with his lion-like mane and strange markings around his eyes, but he’s actually a kind and gentle person.

He’s one of the few genuinely good people in this world. He was my favorite character in the novel.

Most isekai kings are incompetent or corrupt, a common cliché.

But this story subverted expectations in some areas, while embracing them in others.

The king was one of those subversions.

His background is unclear, but according to Allen, he was a wise and benevolent ruler.

His reforms after taking the throne improved the lives of his people.

He enjoys leisure, but he’s not lazy or corrupt.

A genuinely good person, both as a king and as an individual.

“I’ve been well. I hope Your Majesty is in good health as well.”

Allen wasn’t well, but I am. And he’s not going to pry.

“It’s just the two of us, no need to be so formal! You can call me ‘Your Majesty’! Just between us! Haha!”

There are several things wrong with that statement: there are other people present (the advisors), “Your Majesty” isn’t any less formal than “Your Majesty,” and… what’s with the “just between us” bit?

Still, I appreciate the sentiment. He’s been unusually friendly towards Allen from the start, even though Allen was a commoner. He was also kind to Yerin, but she’s the hero, so that’s understandable. But Allen? I still don’t get it.

Why is everyone so obsessed with how I address them?

“…Wait a minute.”

The king’s smile vanishes, replaced by a serious expression.

He suddenly looks… intimidating. What’s going on?

“…Before I ask why you’re here, I have a question for you. I was planning to have a nice chat, but it seems this is more urgent.”

“Huh…? Your Maj— I mean, Your Majesty, what do you mean…?”

Is he upset that I didn’t immediately switch to the less formal address?

“Follow me. Advisors, stay here. This is a private matter.”

He gets up and walks away briskly. I grab my bag and hurry after him.

“This is…”

He leads me to a secluded area, a place not mentioned in the novel. Even my cliché radar is silent.

“Your… Your Majesty? Why did you bring me h—”

Wait… bringing me to a secluded area like this… is he planning to… kill me?

A sudden wave of fear washes over me.

Gulp

I swallow nervously.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you. I brought you here because I need to discuss something… confidential.”

Confidential…? Is he giving me a heads-up before he kills me?

“This is a secret place in the palace, known only to me.”

Oh great, now no one will even know I died…！

And I don’t have the resurrection or reincarnation ability yet…

“…So, I imagine you’re curious about what I want to discuss.”

Very curious.

“Wh-What… what is it…?”

I’m ready to run if he threatens me…

“Allen… no, should I call you something else?”

“…Huh?”

His words confuse me.

I relax slightly, wondering if there’s some hidden detail about Allen I don’t know.

My mind races, trying to come up with possibilities.

“You’re… not Allen, are you? You’re in his body, but your mind, your soul… it’s someone else’s.”

“…!!!!”

My mind shuts down.

“H-How did you…?”

I’m so shocked I can’t even maintain my composure. I’m about to ask how he knew, but he interrupts me.

“…You… the one inside his mind…”

He asks, “You’re from Earth, aren’t you?”

My shock doubles.