episode_0139

“Well, I heard the story well. It’s a story if it’s true, but there was enough value to bring my busy body all the way here.”

Argantir expressed satisfaction with a snake-like smile and shrugged his shoulders.

Honestly, I didn’t expect much, but I brought back better information than I thought.

“I never expected you to ask for this kind of information. It was worth the effort to thoroughly block rumors about the hero while suffering.”

Then he said to me as if reproaching me. He was the one who blocked rumors about Freide.

Because if rumors spread that the missing hero of the Line Kingdom is wandering through Herbor’s territory killing pursuers, unnecessary conflicts could arise between the two countries, right?

For that reason, it is said that Argantir was thoroughly blocking only the information that there is a holy sword hero next to me, leaving rumors related to me alone.

Distorting rumors so that others would not be interested in Freide’s existence, saying that I was running around alone or something like that.

…Should I be grateful for this?

I don’t know.

Thanks to the fact that information about Freide did not spread, I also benefited somewhat…

…If he had the ability to block rumors so thoroughly, it means he could have also helped block rumors related to me to some extent.

“….”

Expressing gratitude is quite ambiguous. So I just remained silent with a bewildered face.

I guess I would have been in trouble if I had tried to express gratitude from the start. The reason he was twitching when he saw me was probably because of that incident.

That thing he said earlier, that he went through some trouble to prevent my escape from turning into an international conflict involving heroes, right?

So, it’s unlikely that the culprit, me, would look good in that scenario.

Of course, now that I know what information I brought back, my thoughts have changed a bit.

‘The Abyss Priests are trying to kill Heid, and to cover it up, they are inciting conflict and clashes between the Line Kingdom and the Herbor Kingdom.’

Even to someone like me who knows almost nothing about politics or espionage, this story, if proven true, was top-notch information with endless utility.

Especially the information that the Abyss Priests planning such atrocities are using a noble from the Argantir family as a pawn would be very useful.

Argantir may wish for Heid’s death, but even so, he would not wish for him to die according to such a plan.

It might be different if he were fighting monsters or demons, but annihilating the Line Kingdom army through the Abyss Priests’ plan would cause both the Goddess Sect and the Line Kingdom to erupt simultaneously.

“Anyway, it was worth listening to, so… I should pay the appropriate price for that information. Tell me. What do you want in return?”

Argantir asked. What I wanted in exchange for the information. It was the question I had been waiting for.

“Yes. So, what I want is—”

“Don’t tell me it’s money that you’re after? I’m curious. Just what excessive reward are you seeking that prompted you to call me out so boldly and daringly.”

“….”

…He really keeps mocking me openly.

Continuing to hear that openly mocking tone, I felt like my inner commoner butcher was about to burst out.

Since Argantir was not a commoner but the top third-ranking elite of the kingdom, he didn’t actually burst out, but still.

◆◆

Clutching my fist tightly under the desk, I told Argantir everything I wanted.

The difficult situation I was in due to the false accusations pinned on me by Gunter and his party members.

Having Freide by my side, I could attempt to explain, but given my actions, until I am strong enough, it would be hard to avoid being seen with suspicion and malice.

So, first of all, you need to build up your strength, and for that, you need a place with enough time and strength to grow.

Therefore, it is said that we need someone to provide us with that time and place.

“Hmm….”

Argantir, who heard my demand, smiled with a subtle expression that was hard to describe.

No, was he smiling?

Since he naturally had a smile in his eyes, it was difficult to tell if he was really smiling or just expressionless.

“It’s quite a bold request. It seems like you want me to personally raise a talent that will become a core force of the Line Kingdom in the future.”

Argantir tilted his head as if he couldn’t believe it. It seemed like he was indeed smiling. It was more of a smirk than a smile, which was problematic.

“Requesting an act of treason from the Crown Prince of a kingdom. ‘The Knight of Betrayal’ also seems to have a unique way of thinking.”

Oh, does it really work like that…?

Listening, it seemed like a reasonable statement in general.

The current heroes and hero parties are not candidates to defeat the Demon King but rather strategic weapons that will be developed into the top forces of each country.

In short, my proposal was no different from saying, “Make a nuclear weapon with your money and hand it over to a neighboring country.”

Which crazy ruler would entertain such a proposal?

“…That’s not what I meant.”

I hurriedly explained.

What Jourdain and Freide want is simply to fulfill the duty of a hero bestowed upon them by the goddess. It’s not to protect the kingdom’s interests.

Even if my name is cleared, my explanation meant that I have no intention of thriving in the kingdom and acting as a weapon of war.

In other words, once my name is cleared, I will focus solely on exploring deep dungeons and beheading the Demon King.

“Oh, you’re traditional heroes and their companions? Well, I didn’t realize you were so devout.”

This is ridiculous.

Argantir openly mocked, looking at me as if to say, “What era do you think you’re in to say such things?”

“…I mean it. Neither I nor Freide have any interest in wealth and power. If we can fulfill our duties as heroes under the protection of the goddess and with good fortune, we plan to retire and live peacefully together.”

I continued with a look full of sincerity.

After beheading the Demon King, regardless of what conditions the kingdom offers, I will reject them all and choose a nice place to buy a house and live leisurely.

While Freide looked at me with a face questioning when she ever said such things, when I mentioned living together, her expression relaxed as if to say, “When did that happen?”

It’s simple. So cute though.

“That’s not a very trustworthy answer. Try to think from my perspective. If you were in my shoes, could you trust those words?”

“Well… Yes. Honestly, it would be difficult.”

Conversely, Argantir, who was not simple, had a lot of doubts, making him truly unfortunate compared to Gunter or Heid.

“This is truly a difficult situation, isn’t it?”

Argantir sighed heavily and said.

“Someone who knows very rare information about me has come to me with a difficult request that I find hard to comply with. She even offers valuable information as a reward.”

Through his slightly narrowed eyes, his red pupils pierced through me like blood. His irises were slightly darker than Heid’s.

“What do you think I’m feeling right now?”

“Um… It’s very suspicious…?”

Argantir shook his head.

“I’m pondering where to send you. Underground, beneath the river, the kiln of the crematorium, or the underground interrogation room. Which of the four should I choose for you?”

Hmm… Right now, this is a threat that I have to shut you up by killing me, isn’t it?

It seems like they’re telling me to choose between being buried alive, drowned, or burned. Or else endure a lifetime of torture and spill all the information I know without holding back.

…Crossing the line. This guy.

I didn’t expect such blatant threats, but it seemed like I had once again chosen the wrong option.

“Sigh….”

I raised my head and looked up at the cabin ceiling, letting out a deep sigh.

Well, what can I do? My life is almost always like this.

Even though I felt like luck was finally on my side lately, unfortunately, it seemed like even that luck was coming to an end now.

“…In that case, you must choose carefully.”

I lowered my head again, staring straight at Argantir as I spoke.

“Whatever you choose, Prince, you must come with us.”

Blatant threats. Courtesy was thrown out the window. I wasn’t the kind of person to be polite in front of someone threatening to kill me.

“Oh? That’s quite… an interesting escort request.”

Argantir smirked as if amused, pulling out a poem from his pocket and putting it in his mouth.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem fitting, so I’ll have to decline.”

“If we match, it ends there. Shall we test it?”

Argantir’s mocking question about whether I could kill myself at your level. I responded with a challenge to give it a try.

“Hmm….”

A tense atmosphere enveloped the calm cabin.

The two knights guarding the prince showed signs of readiness, and Freide, lowering his right hand slightly, clenched the air.

At any moment one of them made a sudden move, the clash of swords would begin.

Of course, before that, Argantir’s head would shatter under my fist.

The issue was the aftermath; killing Argantir sitting in front of me wasn’t really that difficult.

“The results will be heard there. You won’t hear them in the afterlife.”

I took a deep breath, awakening the power embedded in Brunhilde’s body. It seemed like the situation that could be resolved through conversation had already ended.

The formidable strength of Valquiria, capable of crushing a human’s head like a biscuit.

As the powerful fist, brimming with that strength, was about to extend like a pulled trigger—

– Clang.

“Hahaha! Excellent, very good!

With clear applause, Argantir laughed heartily like a madman with mania.

“It’s a pass. This should be trustworthy.”

The atmosphere changed suddenly. The two kingdom knights withdrew their readiness, and Freide also relaxed his grip.

“…What?”

I stared blankly, wondering why this guy suddenly acted this way.

“A perfect title for a traitorous knight. Who can work under such a character? Unless the Laine Kingdom has gone mad, they wouldn’t employ a lunatic who tries to kill a prince just because he feels threatened.”

Argantir explained why he had burst into laughter with a tone full of amusement.

He implied that someone who would consider killing even a prince at the slightest provocation was unfit to serve under anyone. No kingdom would tolerate such uncontrollable madness.

In short, it was a sign that he might finally believe my words about retiring as a crazy woman who messed up climbing to a high position.

“…I see.”

I nodded with a bewildered expression.

Regardless, it was something to be thankful for that he believed in me… But honestly, I wasn’t grateful at all.

How could I be grateful for being called lucky because I’m a lunatic?

Using a shield to protect someone is exactly what you say about someone like him.