Volume 1 Chapter 4 [Kingdom SIDE] Sky Vault
The hero community has decided to settle in Dragonstone Kingdom, and Princess Lucia is in a pickle.
With everyone holding a Luster Report, they'll need a rather large mansion.
However, it's quite a hassle to suddenly prepare such a mansion.
Of course, if a suitable mansion is found and someone is living there, they could negotiate with the intent of 'preparing it for the heroes,' and it could eventually be arranged.
Still, as Rangella, she didn't expect everything to be ready at once, and it's fine to take the time to prepare.
Lucia, a 14-year-old princess, is flipping through real estate documents with tears in her eyes.
Meanwhile, in the Diamante Kingdom, there's a loud shout echoing.
"This is all your fault, Zayte! If you had decided to keep the commoners, we would have had the power of the hero community. To let them slip away, your crime is grave!"
"I, I'm sorry, Your Majesty."
"Do you think an apology will solve this! And the enormous debt to the hero community, what were you thinking!"
"W, well, I heard the hero community offers a lot of aid to each country. I ordered my subordinates to collect money, but it turned out to be a loan instead of aid..."
"What did you spend it on! The businesses you invested in should all belong to the royal family──"
Zayte's face turns pale.
"D, did you spend it all on entertainment!"
"T, that is..."
"Come to think of it, you've been living quite the high life these past few years. Lots of expensive wine and delicacies... Did you buy those with borrowed money! You fool!"
Valzeil shouts.
Still... yes, for someone in Zayte's position, this situation is within the 'scope of what can be considered.'
The Luster Report led by Rangella became the 'hero community' after defeating the Demon Lord.
However, before that, the main members were just registered adventurers, gathered in the 'adventurer community,' and they were all commoners.
Even though he had some skill to prepare a decent amount of money, he was still just a 'commoner.' Just one word from Zayte, the powerful one, could make that debt vanish, 'even if asked to repay it.'
So, even if Zayte had accurate information that he was 'borrowing money from the Luster Report,' nothing would change now.
Honestly, there is too much underestimation of the Luster Report.
But there is a reason for that.
Everyone in the Luster Report is not only a commoner, but they also don't belong to any special birth.
They are not daughters of high-ranking priests.
They are not daughters of large merchant guilds.
They were not born into warrior clans, nor have they possessed 'holy swords' or 'hidden magic tools' from various countries.
They have many achievements.
However, to those who only care about the label of 'powerful,' those achievements seem shallow.
Yes... until they 'defeat the Demon Lord,' they were underestimated as 'doing okay for commoners.'
"Sir Zayte!"
The men in suits entered the teleportation room.
They wore badges of nobility, but they were not flashy.
They were probably the second and third sons of barons or viscounts.
Such men came in.
"What is it!"
"Um, Your Majesty. You are here. I-I apologize."
"...No, speak. What do you want with Zayte?"
Unusually, perhaps his 'intuition' was working, Valzeil spoke to the men.
"Um, Sir Zayte. The safe in the office is empty. Where is the operating fund?"
"Huh?"
"The safe is covered in dust, showing no signs of being used for a long time. It must have been moved elsewhere while a commoner was hired. Where is the operating fund?"
"Wha-what are you saying? Didn't the office worker find funds through side jobs or something?"
Zayte seemed to express genuine confusion.
But Valzeil felt a chill down his spine.
"Hey, you are in charge of the money for the clerks, right? What did you use it for!"
"U, um..."
"I'm asking you what you used it for!"
"..."
Zayte's face is still pale and he doesn't say anything.
"No way. You didn't give them money for activities, and you didn't pay them!"
"U, well, that..."
"How much did you spend? No way it's all..."
The moment Valzeil said the word 'all', Zayte's face turns white, even past pale.
"How did that happen!"
"W, well, I made a mistake, I put the bag with all the gold coins in my luggage, and I took it back to the mansion. B, but, the clerks didn't complain, so I thought they were getting money from a side job or something..."
"Oh, I see! He's a golem master that the hero recognizes. He can send golems to the dungeon near the royal capital and defeat monsters to get gold coins..."
Valzeil's face turns red.
"Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"
Valzeil's fist explodes on Zayte's face.
"Aagh!"
He couldn't react and was punched without resistance, and he falls to the ground.
Some teeth are broken, his cheeks are swollen, and he's holding his face and moaning.
"Do you understand how much you have done! Hey, call the soldiers. Put this guy in jail!"
"J, jail!? T, that's..."
"What's the point of an incompetent person who can't take responsibility begging! We'll decide later. But, your title will be stripped and all your property will be confiscated. Be prepared!"
"Wh, w, I'm the head Duke family!"
"That means the crime is even bigger. Take him away!"
The soldiers grab Zayte and leave the teleportation room.
"T, title stripped and all property confiscated. N, no! Please forgive me! Your Majestyy!"
Zayte is begging until he can't be seen anymore, but Valzeil doesn't care.
"Ugh, oh... W, what should I do? How can I get the power of the hero community? Ugh, ugh..."
Valzeil falls to the floor.
He is arrogant and clueless about the state of the castle.
He is a fool for having people like Zayte as his advisor, surrounding himself with yes-men.
But... there's one thing.
He understands how heavy the title of 'Hero' is.
And even though he uses the power of the hero's master, he gives nothing in return.
Valzeil himself is not someone who can forgive, so he doesn't know how to earn 'forgiveness.'
"Why, why did you say nothing? Why..."
It's an abnormal situation where he has to prepare his own budget, let alone receive a salary.
Why didn't Horace say anything?
Valzeil will never understand that.
And since he cannot understand that, he cannot understand Horace either, nor will he find out how to earn forgiveness.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)