Volume 2 Chapter 11 That's That, This is This
I and Belle were waiting in the reception room of Reichner House for His Excellency Duke Hoffman.
Lene had already left with Minori and Suzu, since she was feeling exhausted.
"What's wrong, Belle? Are you nervous?"
I ask her casually, sipping the tea the maid had brought us while she fidgeted restlessly.
As always, the tea here is delicious.
I wonder what kind of tea leaves they use.
Or maybe it's because the container isn't a beaker.
"A-A-After all! That's the Steel King! Mr. Ryuuji, why are you so calm!?"
Well, I suppose that's understandable.
We've already met with His Majesty the King, so our senses might be numb.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Ryuuji."
"Ah, thank you for your time, Your Excellency."
As Duke Hoffman appeared from behind the door, I stood up and Belle quickly followed suit.
She's so tense, I wonder if she'll be alright.
"So, you're the lynx girl. It's nice to meet you. I am Gottfried von Hoffman. His Majesty the King has bestowed upon me the title of Duke and the position of Commander of the Royal Guard."
"Oh, oh my! My name is Belle... Belle."
...Is she really okay?
"Haha, no need to be so nervous. Please, have a seat. I'd like to hear your story."
"Yes, excuse me."
"Heh, yes!"
I sat down first and then explained in detail what I had seen and what had happened in I'mCattle Village.
During that time, Belle was emitting an uneasy aura from beside me.
"I see, a cult's altar. We can't leave that be."
"Yes. Because of that barrier, the crops in the fields have lost their strength, and instead, plants that bear addictive fruits have started to grow. The causal relationship around that is just a guess, though."
"A phenomenon that isn't occurring in other areas is happening there. It's natural to think there's a causal relationship. So, it means──"
His Excellency Duke stared at me with a sharp gaze, something I hadn't seen before.
Belle held her breath under the intense pressure of the〈Steel King〉.
...Is this it?
"How did you know it was a cult's altar? Being able to judge it as a cult means you had involvement with them in the past, right?"
Well, I knew he'd ask that.
It's no exaggeration to say that involvement with cults and the Evil God is prohibited in all countries.
If someone managed to escape unharmed after such involvement, they have an obligation to report the details to the appropriate authority──the Inquisition Bureau, an institution that transcends national boundaries.
Recently, we also had to go to the royal city of Raudinger to report, even though it was a hassle, after crossing blades with Ferron.
Now, how should I respond?
Belle's face next to me had turned pale, but maybe I could let the conversation get a little more heart-pounding.
"Your Excellency, about that, I can't talk about it now."
"Oh?"
A wave of murderous intent washed over me from Duke's back.
I want to stop because Belle might faint, but this situation also depends on my response.
But I can't back down and give a half-hearted answer here.
With Duke's kind of personality, I have to approach this aggressively.
"That's because I and Belle, who is here, were the only ones who could determine that the altar was a heretical one."
"........."
Duke stares at me silently, radiating killing intent.
Neither I nor Belle.
If you think about it, the answer to who else judged the altar as heretical is obvious.
Minori and Suzu are my sisters.
"Besides, that's not really important right now. The important thing is that a heretical altar existed. I'd appreciate it if we could put minor details aside for now."
"Ugh...kukuku..."
Duke Hoffman glares at me, but gradually bows his head and begins to chuckle softly.
Belle, next to me, looks like her soul is about to leave her body.
Get back here.
"Understood, understood. I'll leave that brave act alone for now.Completely, dismissing a connection with a heretical sect as a trifle.... You're unflappable."
"Your generosity is touching."
It seems like he's decided to let this go for now.
But, I need to have a proper talk with Lene about this later.
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