Chapter 9 - The Sudden Request

[I'll destroy every single world, wipe out every single life, and you're not going to stop me. You are all nothing but stepping stones for our goal.] (?)

H-Huh...

Who is that...?

Wait a minute...

Where am I, anyway?

[I can't let you have your way!] (Zero)

Huh, did I just hear my voice...?

I-Is that me?

What the heck am I wearing...?

What the- Is there a fight going on...?

[C'mon now, ^$%#&*! Finish them off and bring despair to every single being!] (?)

Wait a minute... Isn't that guy-!

Ugh-!

My head... It hurts...

...

[Uhmm... Hmm...] (Zero)

[Nyan~] (?)

[Huh...?] (Zero)

[Nya~] (?)

[Koneko-chan, good morning... You really like scratching my head, early in the morning...] (Zero)

[Nya~!] (Koneko)

Ah, I guess it was a dream...

It was a weird dream.

Somehow, it felt like a bad omen.

Lichtia-sama?

Are you there?

Did you see and remember the contents of my dream?

Lichtia-sama?

Hmm...

She may be sleeping somewhere within the Realm of Gods.

Well, she is a busy Goddess after all.

Her work must be tiring, though I don't exactly know what it is.

...

It's been almost a week since we bought our new clothes.

Iris trained her Magic to the fullest while Ace and I dueled almost every day... but neither of us were strong enough to defeat the other.

It resulted in extremely long fights that gradually intensified over time.

It always came to the point where the onlookers (whom the two of us never notice) get extremely terrified.

Well, thanks to that, my innate stamina and durability improved.

Although because of that, Iris decides to stop us with her incredibly powerful and new Skills.

Even the two of us couldn't do anything about it...

Once we get restrained by her, the fight ends there.

Oh, Koneko-chan here is a kitten that Iris rescued in the middle of our fray...

Ace and I decided to sneak out one day to slug it out deep within the forest.

That way, we won't bother anyone the same way they were bothering us!

Then suddenly, a small kitten nonchalantly started walking in between us while we were exchanging lethal blows.

She was about to get hit, and we didn't get to notice since we were so absorbed by the battle.

Good thing Iris found us right on time to get Koneko-chan away.

That time, she let us finish our battle, which inevitably ended in a draw.

Simply put, we collapsed at the same time.

It was pretty weird that a kitten, a domesticated kitten, was wandering around in the middle of the forest.

But since there weren't any "Missing Cat" posters or "Search and Rescue" Quests regarding Koneko-chan, Iris decided to adopt her, and named her as such.

She is a cute white cat with blue eyes, but at night, her right eye seemed to turn green.

Basing it from that, I can say that Koneko-chan's eyes might contain some sort of magic.

Either way, I'm kinda glad she's here.

Stroking her white fur puts me at ease.

*Knock Knock Knock*

[Zero, are you awake? Breakfast is ready.] (Iris)

[Yeah, I'll be there shortly.] (Zero)

I headed downstairs with Koneko-chan on top of my head.

We ate breakfast as usual.

After that, we geared up and got ready for the day.

We can't waste our time by relaxing, after all.

For all we know, Karmen-san might finally return and we can take Quests again!

Ace and I will continue to train -or at least, that's what we call it-, and improve ourselves steadily.

Iris on the other hand, borrowed many books from the local library yesterday to learn more about magic.

It appears like she's taking Koneko-chan with her back upstairs...

But before we could head out of the door, someone went inside in haste...

[Y-You guys... A-Ace William-dono's P-Party... right...?]

He was panting rather heavily...

I wonder if something serious happened?

[Yes we are, but... do mind telling us who you are?] (Ace)

[U-Uh... I apologize for the sudden intrusion. I am Gihal Hutchette, a messenger from Ilram's Guild. I was sent here by Yanzo-san to call you...] (Gihal)

I haven't seen him here before, even in the original series.

Did he go with Karmen-san on her journey?

[What's the reason for Yanzo-san to summon us this early in the morning...?] (Zero)

[That is... Karmen Dixey-san... has arrived back from her journey.] (Gihal)

[Really?!] (Zero/Ace/Iris)

Our eyes widened from the sudden news.

It certainly is a good news.

We left Koneko-chan in the care of Glen-san.

The staff seem to treat her well.

Maybe we'll bring her some snacks when we get back.

-Scene-Change-

The three of us walked our way to the Guild with Gihal-san in front of us.

[She's back from the Capital City, huh?] (Iris)

[We can finally take in Quests again!!!] (Zero/Ace)

[All you think about are Quests... as usual. Well, it's not like I don't want to do some adventuring, so I guess it's great.] (Iris)

A crowd is usual here in Ilram... but the number of people in front of the Guild today is... abnormally high.

Geh-...

That's one fancy carriage.

It's guarded by two armored knights as well...

That crest... The Zephyrine Royal Crest!

Oh boy, I think I know what's going on here...

While the three of us gazed upon the crowd and the carriage, Gihal-san opens the door.

[We have arrived. Yanzo-san, I have brought Ace-dono's party.] (Gihal)

[Oh, good work, Gihal. Yo, you three. Seems like today is your day, huh?] (Yanzo)

Yanzo-san... was being himself, as usual.

But his post behind the receptionist table was occupied by someone else.

[Oh, Ace-san's Party. It's been a while. Ho... seems like you're looking well with your new outfits.] (Karmen)

The three of us entered the Guild in complete astonishment.

Inside... the Adventurers were kneeling with their heads down.

In front of us were Karmen-san, a bunch of Royal Knights... and... the king?!

What the heck is that king doing here...?

[Y-Your Majesty!] (Ace)

Ace and Iris immediately prostrated themselves as soon as the king entered their field of vision.

He was sitting on a throne-like chair.

The chair itself was very well made, with the same design that almost the same grandiose as the king's real throne at the Royal Palace.

It's been shown a number of times in the Anime and I've seen illustrations of it from the Manga and Light Novel as well.

It was specially made for events like this, although kings visiting Guild branches are extremely rare situations.

I, on the other hand, remained standing since I was spacing out a little, trying to grasp the situation...

[Hey, Zero! Zero! It's the King! Bow to the king, dummy!] (Iris)

Iris strongly whispered as she pulled the sleeve of my coat.

[Oh... Ah- My apologies... your Majesty...] (Zero)

...

[Raise your heads, the lot of you. All of the people in here have done good service towards the Kingdom to resist the Demon Lord's reign. And as the king of that Kingdom, I, Tyreon Xavier Zephyrine am grateful for your efforts.] (Tyreon)

Guhfft...

Even though I've known it from the original series, the king's name is still kind of hilarious.

It's the same as my favorite character from Game of Trains...

(Author: Derailers and Dragons.)

W-Wait a minute, that's not what this is about.

Anyways, all of us, including the bowing Adventurers stood up and looked intently towards the King.

He won't come here for no reason, after all.

Though I can assume that he's here because of us we can't be sure just ye-

[Anyway, my business here is with Ace William-dono, Zero Hashura-dono and Iris Kinsley-dono.] (Tyreon)

Nevermind! He was here for us after all!

Is it that arc already?!

It's too fast!

[Karmen-dono, could you please explain to these young Adventurers what my intentions are?] (Tyreon)

So it's okay for everyone to hear?

It's a public announcement about us?

[Very well, your Majesty. Now then...] (Karmen)

Karmen-san let out a vicious smile...

Despite knowing the original series, which was literally about this world... I absolutely have no idea what she's about to say...

The three of us could do nothing but wonder while our fellow Adventurers were looking at us with curiosity...

[First of all. It's about the 'Depraved' Lizardmen Tribe in Shahalia Forest that made a grand march towards Durnica Town planning to invade it and massacre its citizens.] (Karmen)

The Adventurers, who were listening quite intently, murmured about how they recalled seeing that Lizardmen Subjugation Quest.

I see...

So that's what this is all about...

The Adventurers were really intrigued.

Even until now, that incident was still the talk of every town.

The Party that completed the said Quest was still unknown.

Rumors say that they were heroes sent by the heavens to save the world from the Demon Lord.

Some say that they were hermits who came down from the mountains to exhibit their strength.

The list of exaggerated rumors goes on...

It can't be helped since no one actually witnessed us fighting them off.

Well, our identity as the ones who completed the Quest was (unintentionally) hidden, until now.

Hopefully, Karmen-san clears up the ridiculous details about it so we could just go on and have our normal Adventurer's life...

[Some adventurers fought around twenty Lizardmen Scouts. They reported the matter to us, saying that Durnica will most likely get attacked again.] (Karmen)

[The town's mayor asked us for help regarding this matter. We expected an attack with the same range in the number of their forces, so the Guild issued a Quest at the higher end of the Copper Rank Section.] (Karmen)

[Ace-dono's party took the Quest and they headed towards the location after a brief preparation.] (Karmen)

[But, not long after that, intel arrived with information saying that there were about a hundred Lizardmen Warriors within the Tribe and there was a large possibility that the Lizardmen, who were described as "Depraved" or "Controlled", might launch an all out attack.] (Karmen)

The Adventurers gasped in suspense.

[So, without the help of the Royal Army, we of the Guild can only rely on Adventurers to defend Durnica. A hundred Lizardmen Warriors against a Party of four or five Gold-Ranked Adventurers should've been enough... But we were too late. Even if we move the Quest to its new designated Rank, Ace-dono's party had already went there... But to our surprise, they managed to complete the Quest and defend Durnica from impending doom.] (Karmen)

[These three completed that Quest?] (?)

[Wasn't that their first Quest ever?!] (?)

[Three Copper-Ranked newbies... against a hundred Copper-Ranked enemy warriors?!] (?)

[And they wiped them out, returning alive! That's insane!] (?)

The whole room was producing quite an uproar.

I looked at King Tyreon.

His hair was long and white, which was connected to his magnificent beard.

His face was firm, showing strength when he was in his prime.

King Tyreon's always wore an "I won't give you my daughter" type of face... maybe because he only has Saffrina-hime as his sole heir.

He was an amazing king... and I still believe that he's the same in this world.

He was smiling with a hand by his chin.

It's like he was watching quite an amusing play.

This old geezer...

He sure knows how to glorify victories to the extreme...

[BUT-!] (Karmen)

The room went quiet as Karmen-san's voice exploded like thunder.

[We we're horribly, horribly wrong about the real situation.] (Karmen)

The Adventurers inside numbered more than fifty.

A lot of them were buffed grown men, ranging from Silver Rank and above.

They liked hearing stories of adventures and victories, like how Karmen-san narrated our story earlier.

But even they felt nervous suddenly hearing Karmen-san's ominous way of talking.

[We immediately sent our scout to stop Ace-dono's party and verify the situation. But alas, the fight has already started. Our scout was relieved to see them holding their ground...] (Karmen)

Karmen-san's eyes became extremely serious...

[But he was suddenly dyed in despair when he looked at the enemies closely. As expected, the Lizardmen were indeed "Depraved", but that wasn't where the calamity was... Counting the enemy forces once again... their numbers... amounted to more than three hundred!] (Karmen)

Hearing that, the Adventurers made a wide array of expressions.

Some were astonished, some were terrified, but most of them were skeptical.

Although with the king's presence, no one could voice out their thoughts.

[That's only half the reason why even I was terrified of our scout's report.] (Karmen)

[There's more?!] (?)

[You've got to be kidding...] (?)

It was getting quite noisy...

[The numbers of their enemies tripled, but that was actually just a small thing, a speck of dust compared to the odds that had stacked against Ace-dono's Party...] (Karmen)

The Adventurers swallowed their saliva, anticipating another ridiculous detail about the story from Karmen-san.

[When our scout finished confirming the enemy's numbers, he immediately sent a pigeon with his message. After releasing the pigeon, he decided to move closer towards Ace-dono's party, hoping to help them... There he saw...] (Karmen)

At this point, it was like they were listening to a horror story.

Everyone was nervous, even the most fearsome ones in terms of appearance.

[The Lizardmen they were fighting weren't using their typical short sword. As for their clothes, it wasn't the usual rag-clothe wrapped around their waists...] (Karmen)

Karmen-san smiled fiercely as she continued.

[Yes, the Lizardmen were wielding great swords while wearing metallic armor!] (Karmen)

The Adventurers lost their shits in an instant!

[Elite Lizardmen!] (?)

An Adventurer shouted.

[Impossible! That would only mean-!] (?)

[K-Karmen-san... You can't just make stuff up...] (?)

[Elite... That's going too far!] (?)

[This is too ridiculous... too unbelievable.] (?)

Despite the noise, Karmen-san just proceeded with her story.

[As for our scout, he's just a Silver-Ranked. We all know Ace-dono's party were up against opponents with the strength of a Gold or Platinum-Ranked Adventurer. He was no match for them so he fled. He ran back to the Guild and told the people inside what he has witnessed.] (Karmen)

[But, he was too late!] (Karmen)

Her voice exploded once more.

It seems like we're getting to the climax of our heroic endeavor...

Sigh...

[I wasn't there anymore. Asking permission directly from his Majesty with my treasured Swiftwind Swallow familiar, his approval was quick. His Majesty let me borrow an army of Royal Knights that was on an expedition near Fronto City. Their strength were around Bronze and Silver, numbering more than two hundred. It was a force more than enough to wipe out the three hundred Lizardmen whose strengths were just at Copper...] (Karmen)

Karmen-san suddenly showed a smile of defeat.

[Unknowingly, my group and His Majesty's Royal Knights were actually heading towards our death. Just thinking about it still gives me shivers to this day... We would've been massacred, killed indiscriminately by those Depraved "Elite" Lizardmen who have gone berserk...] (Karmen)

Everyone inside felt something heavy on their chest.

As Adventurers, they knew that one small mistake might actually cost them their lives.

Somehow, they sympathized with Karmen-san a little bit.

[But when we finally got there... Durnica was unharmed. We met the equestrian, Garret-san who helped in evacuating the citizens. He guided us outside the town where Ace-dono's party of three faced the full force of three hundred Elite Lizardmen...] (Karmen)

[I was worried to death. They were so young... and to die such a horrible death was just too cruel... But I was perplexed to point of utter disbelief... There wasn't a single sight of any Lizardman. We saw the three of them, lying on the ground, full of wounds and gasping for breathe. By the time we made contact, they were already unconscious.] (Karmen)

[After heading back, we met with the scout who was drowning in anxiety. He felt responsible for His Majesty's knights and my inevitable death. When he saw us come back in one piece, he cried out of relief and told us everything. After that, he decided to quit his job as a scout for his negligence. I didn't want stop him if that was his way of atoning and easing his guilt.] (Karmen)

Everyone was silent, eager to hear every last detail about what happened.

[I had two Clerics nurse Ace-dono's party while they rest inside Cathedral Insomnia. Their bodies were beat up and their Mana was almost completely depleted. But they didn't die. I wrote a report to his Majesty about everything that happened. I doubted our scout when he first told us about the Elite Lizardmen, but Garret-san, who was someone that I trust, confirmed it as a primary witness. He was the one who accompanied Ace-dono's party, after all. Even I can no longer doubt it since I almost suffocated from the enormous amount of thick miasma.] (Karmen)

[I personally wanted to sent the message so I headed to the Capital with his Majesty's Royal Knights on their way back, accompanied by two other Guild personnel.] (Karmen)

The Adventurers were constantly murmuring as they listened.

Karmen-san story was too unreal, but they didn't sense a hint of deceit from her words.

Then suddenly...

[Eherm... Karmen-dono, would you mind if I finish it up?] (Tyreon)

[I understand, his Majesty.] (Karmen)

His Majesty, the king, opened his mouth.

Everyone inside the room became stiff and quiet.

[According to Karmen-dono's story, the Copper-Ranked Party of Ace William-dono, Zero Hashura-dono and Iris Kinsley-dono has successfully subjugated more than three hundred Elite Lizardmen, saving the lives of everyone in Durnica Town at the same time.] (Tyreon)

He says that, but the Adventurers remained skeptical.

They were murmuring with each other, full of doubt, while occasionally glancing in our direction.

[Hm. It seems like you lot are full of incertitude. Very well. Ace William-dono, would you and your companions come forward?] (Tyreon)

[Y-Yes, his Majesty! Guys, c-c'mon...] (Ace)

Ace was nervous, but visibly excited.

The three of us moved towards Karmen-san's direction but we stiffened as we got near the king.

He sure gives off that Royal presence...

[Dear Adventurers, should we clear the doubts in your hearts and minds? Then, why don't prove the credibility of these three young Adventurers before me?] (Tyreon)

Yanzo-san and a Royal Knight carried a table between the king and and three of us.

On top of it; was a special Registry Orb with what looks like a Magic Tool attached to it.

Karmen-san touched something behind the it's base and it went... online?

Anyways, light came out and woah-!

It's a hologram!

A holographic screen, which was big enough for the entire crowd inside to see, suddenly popped up.

So it's like a projector...

[Now, lend me your Guild Cards.] (Karmen)

[Okay...] (Ace)

We gave our Guild Cards to Karmen-san and she didn't spare a moment in scanning them through the orb.

I see.

So we're going to update our Guild Cards.

[Geh-! What the heck is this?! I knew you guys became stronger but I never expected this much...] (Karmen)

[Then, watch the Registry Orb sap their experience and re-determine their Ranks!] (Karmen)

King Tyreon sat on his chair.

He smiling expectantly towards the result.

The crowd let out a loud "Ooohhh" as the Registry Orb emitted a blue light.

Not long after...

...

Name: Ace William

Race: Human

Job: Adventurer

Class: Cavalier-Guardian

Rank: Orichalcum

Status:

HP: 6000

MP: 300

P.ATK: 2572

M.ATK: 500

SPD: 2003

P.RES: 2498

M.RES: 2471

AGI: 2018

INT: 101

LCK: 120

T.DMG: 10%

(At the Back)

Skills:

- Enhanced Regeneration – Passive – Level 5

- Enhanced Physical Attack – Passive – Level 5

- Adrenaline Rush – Passive – Level 5

- Ethereal Slash – Active – Level 5 (Max)

- Crimson Sword Lance – Active – Level 5 (Max)

- Belgarius God Slash – Active – Level 7

- Red Night of Demise – Active – Level 7

- Divine Blade – Active – Level 10 (Max) [Legendary]

Titles:

- Hero

- Demonic Lizardmen Slayer

...

Name: Zero Hashura

Race: Human

Job: Adventurer

Class: Assassin

Rank: Orichalcum

HP: 5000

MP: 1000

P.ATK: 2233

M.ATK: 2106

SPD: 2576

P.RES: 2080

M.RES: 2099

AGI: 2577

INT: 150

LCK: 100

T.DMG: 10%

(At the Back)

Skills:

- Enhanced Regeneration – Passive – Level 5

- Enhanced Movement Speed – Passive – Level 5

- Muffled Step – Passive – Level 5

- Adrenaline Rush – Passive – Level 5

- Furtive Dash – Active – Level 5 (Max)

- Slice and Dice – Active – Level 5 (Max)

- Execute – Active – Level 7

- Moonlight Blade – Active – Level 7

- Crimson Edge – Active – Level 10 (Max) [Legendary]

Titles:

- Hero

- Demonic Lizardmen Slayer

...

Name: Iris Kinsley

Race: Human

Job: Adventurer

Class: Sorceress

Rank: Mithril

HP: 5000

MP: 2500

P.ATK: 700

M.ATK: 3242

SPD: 1500

P.RES: 2145

M.RES: 2309

AGI: 1500

INT: 120

LCK: 110

T.DMG: 10%

(At the Back)

Skills:

- Enhanced Regeneration – Passive – Level 5

- Enhanced Magical Attack – Passive – Level 5

- Limitless Knowledge – Passive – Level 0

- Instant Invocation – Passive – Level 0

- Fireball – Active – Level 5

- Magma Pool – Active – Level 6 – Fire

- Ignition Blast – Active – Level 10 (Max) – Fire [Legendary]

- Water Jet – Active – Level 5 – Fire

- Aqua Cutter – Active – Level 6 – Water

- Tidal Wave – Active – Level 10 (Max) ��� Water [Legendary]

- Quicksand – Active – Level 5 – Earth

- Stone Grip – Active – Level 6 – Earth

- Fissure – Active – Level 10 (Max) – Earth [Legendary]

- Gust – Active – Level 5 – Wind

- Breeze Blow – Active – Level 6 – Wind

- Cyclone – Active – Level 10 (Max) – Wind [Legendary]

- Blinding Ray – Active – Level 5 – Light

- Javelin of Light – Active – Level 6 – Light

- Disintegration Beam – Active – Level 10 (Max) – Light [Legendary]

- Night Pulse – Active – Level 5 – Dark

- Javelin of Darkness – Active – Level 6 – Dark

- Asterian Nightmare – Active – Level 10 (Max) – Dark [Legendary]

- Recovery – Active – Level 1

- Restoration – Active – Level 1

- More...

Titles:

- Hero

- Demonic Lizardmen Slayer

A brief silence passed before murmurs filled the room.

[O-Oi... This a joke... right...?] (?)

[What's up with their Status... It's ridiculous...] (?)

[Nevermind that. Look at their Rank!] (?)

[O-! Orichalcum Rank, right off the bat... from being Copper...?!] (?)

[And... And on top of that... They've learned Legendary Skills...] (?)

[Their Sorceress knows and has a Legendary Skill in each element! And not just that... She also knows Healing Magic...?!] (?)

The Adventurers are making a fuss.

Well, if I have to be honest, our Status are worthy of the King's attention and their reactions are perfectly natural.

But still... It's noisy...

...

[I-Impressive... I've never known such Adventurers that became as powerful as you lads in such a short amount of time... And at a very young age at that... You have my utmost respect, Ace-dono, Zero-dono and Iris-dono.] (Tyreon)

The king bowed his head to us as he said those words of recognition.

The Adventurers, the Guild Staff and even the Royal Knights were surprised and slightly shaken about the King's sudden gesture.

[Y-Your Majesty... Please raise your head! We appreciate your acknowledgement but this is too...] (Iris)

Iris pleaded the king to raise his head.

[What humble people... It's rare for talented young ones to not be arrogant and conceited, and for you to show such humility, I am overjoyed.] (Tyreon)

He smiled. It's a smile of a good man, and a loving father.

[You see, Karmen-dono here, predicted this outcome and calculated everything with some researchers at the Royal Palace.] (Tyreon)

[Ehehe... What an honor, Tyreon-ou-sama.] (Karmen)

Karmen-san replied before finally facing us.

[Well, I tried calculating your Experience-gain based from the number of Elite Lizardmen you've defeated and hypothesized a big possibility that you could reach at least Mithril Rank... But based from what I'm seeing, you've gained more Experience points than I've anticipated... Well, let's not mind the small details.] (Karmen)

That's beacuse... of that Lizardmen General...

(Note: "Ou-sama" means King.)

[So this means we're Orichalcum Ranked Adventurers now?! That means we can take more awesome Quests?!] (Ace)

[Well, that's only logical! We can battle a lot of powerful monsters now!] (Zero)

[You two... are overexcited as usual. Well, it's not like I'm not overjoyed by this. I can't wait to tell my parents!] (Iris)

[*Gohon*] (Tyreon)

Tyreon clears his throat.

[I-Is there any problem, your Majesty...?] (Iris)

[No, no. Hmm... Normally, your party would be called to the Capital. But since that would take more time, I decided to do it here...] (Tyreon)

Oh right, if I'm not mistaken, it's the {Hero Ceremony}.

It's where the king, emperor or ruler of any country officially grants the Adventurers the Title of a {Hero} once they reach at least the Mithril Rank.

Ace and his Party in the original series also went through this ceremony... but not this soon...

[The Hero Ceremony-?!] (Ace)

[Yes, exactly. Since you've reached the Orichalcum Rank, I shall baptize you three as official Heroes. Then, shall we start the ceremony?] (Tyreon)

[Yes!] (Zero/Ace/Iris)

The people inside could do nothing but watch us in awe.

They gave space for the Royal Knights to line up.

Our group knelt like knights as the king used his sword to complete our 'Hero Birth'.

[Then, Ace William, Zero Hashura and Iris Kinsley, I, Tyreon Xavier Zephyrine, hereby appoint you as Heroes of Humanity. May you be blessed by the gods and find your way to protect humanity from the hands of the Demon Lord!] (Tyreon)

*Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap*

All of the people inside gave us a round of applause as we become "Heroes".

[One step closer to our dream, huh?] (Ace)

[You're right, Ace.] (Iris)

[But one thing...] (Zero)

The sound of their claps gradually faded as I turned my face towards the king to ask him a question.

[Your Majesty, may I ask you why the Hero Ceremony for our Party is urged to be done now? From what it looks like to me, you seem to be in a hurry.] (Zero)

[Z-Zero... I don't think you should speak like that to the King...] (Iris)

[You bastard! How dare you talk like that towards his Majesty-] (?)

A Royal Knight beside the king suddenly became furious and tried to confront me.

Well, I did somewhat disrespect his Majesty but...

To the knight's surprise, he was interrupted by the king himself.

[Stand down, Bernard. My apologies about that, Zero-dono.] (Tyreon)

[Not at all, your Majesty. It was my insolence that drove the 'dog' barking.] (Zero)

[You-!] (Bernard)

Hoho... So it's this bastard, huh?

I didn't recognize him immediately since he wears a helmet.

But now that the king said his name, I remember.

That act of loyalty was just a play.

He's one the traitors working for that scum Lawrence, the General of the Royal Army.

I love teasing him like that, his reactions are really amusing since he has a really short fuse.

I'm surprised he could hold back his anger at this point.

[Allow me to apologize once again. The reason that the Hero Ceremony was rushed is for my own selfishness.] (Tyreon)

[Would you mind telling us, your Majesty?] (Ace)

[Hmm... Most Heroes in my Kingdom are currently in an expedition with Heroes from other countries to subjugate the Demon Lord executives. So... I'm asking you three, who are strong Heroes to complete a Mission that is exclusively requested by me.] (Tyreon)

Once again, the Adventurers let out a big "Ooohhh" in accordance to the King's words.

[I would like this matter to be talked about privately. Could you please hear me out?] (Tyreon)

[It's an honor, his Majesty.] (Ace)

[Then, please proceed this way.] (Karmen)

Our Party was led by Karmen-san and the king with a bunch of his army to the Guild's Conference Room.

It was a room with air-tight security meant for the meetings of big people.

It is guarded by Soundproofing Spells to avoid eavesdropping, Locking Spells to avoid unwanted intrusion and powerful Barriers to protect the people inside from bombardment.

We seated on empty chairs as we entered the room.

[Now then... Karmen-dono, Ace-dono and his Party, my most trusted knights and I shall talk about this serious matter.] (Tyreon)

Hehhh... I guess Yanzo-san isn't around.

[The king's attendance here in Ilram is known by very limited people. The citizens in Ilram might already know that Tyreon-ousama is here, but that's alright. We shall execute the plan that Ace-dono and his group would come up with by tomorrow.] (Karmen)

[Even the Nobles and Aristocrats of the Kingdom don't know anything about this. I'm afraid I can't trust anyone from them any longer. Any of them could be a spy-] (Tyreon)

[Spy?! As in traitors? Are there any countries planning to invade Zephyrine?] (Ace)

[Not exactly... I wouldn't be 'requesting a Quest' if this were to be an external affair. If war would be involved in the matter, I would stand and fight... But I'm afraid... that the problem is inside...] (Tyreon)

[Hehhh... So there is a plot against the king himself, huh? Well, it was obvious from the start.] (Zero)

Fufun. Even if I didn't know the situation from the original series, I would still guess the identity of the traitor easily.

The only problem here is this Bernard.

It seems like the king doesn't know that he's one of them.

That would've been really bad.

Ho... He's looking at me sooo sharply with such bloodlust and anger.

I'm scaaared~.

[Oh? Do you have something in mind, Zero-dono?] (Tyreon)

[Everyone, you still haven't noticed? Except for the Nobles and Aristocrats, who's the person that's supposed to be here, leading every Royal Knight to protect the king at all cost, but isn't?] (Zero)

[The... Royal... General.] (Iris)

[Perceptive as always, Zero-san. Yes, you're exactly right. It's General Lawrence Dormunn. The Recon Agents of the Guild and Calypso have observed odd behaviors concerning the General.] (Karmen)

Calypso; the king's hidden Elite Force.

They are equal in power with Orichalcum or even Adamantium-Ranked Heroes!

[Sigh... I was always worried about how General Lawrence acts. He's too violent towards his knights and the citizens. Though I can't just remove him from his position for that reason since his skills and abilities are great, worthy of that of a General... I never thought he would betray me and the Kingdom... I still can't believe it until now. But, the evidences point out the same thing and I'm not that naïve to keep myself unguarded from him.] (Tyreon)

As expected of the King.

He is a smart and calculating man even in the original series.

But, he had no one to assist him like what we are about to do now.

That's why in the Series, he was caught off guard and didn't have strong enough guards to protect him.

The entire forces of Calypso were defeated by General Lawrence and his army.

Fortunately, the Guild's forces went to the Kingdom with Ace, Iris, Harvey and Melany, and managed to rescue the king in the nick of time.

Apparently, General Lawrence's motive was his twisted ambition of ruling the Kingdom with his dictatorship.

Anyone that would oppose him would die a horrible death along with their families.

Sigh... What a guy...

To be honest, I thought he was a bad villain for the first volume since it felt like he was evil for the sake of evil...

I wonder if that's still the case in this world...

Well, even the king knew how ridiculous he was.

There's no way King Tyreon would let his Kingdom suffer at Lawrence's hands.

But this Bernard...

It would've been really bad if I didn't know he was a traitor too.

Hmm... I think, I can make this work.

[Hm, I see, I see. I'll come up with a strategy. His Majesty, would it be alright if the plan would solely be thought by me?] (Zero)

[I have nothing against that, Zero-dono. I can surely trust someone with 150 INT Value. Please, lend us your mind for this matter.] (Tyreon)

[Thank you very much. Now everyone. Listen. Intently.] (Zero)

I can't help but laugh.

The bastard, Bernard is looking at me with very arrogant and hateful eyes.

Oh god, look at him!

He thinks he just outsmarted everyone in this room!

[First, I would like ask you, his Majesty. How much casualties can you handle?] (Zero)

[As much as possible, I would like no blood to be shed.] (Tyreon)

[As expected of his Majesty. But what if, hypothetically, the General and his knights were doing these...] (Zero)

What I'm about to say... is true.

These things are what Lawrence and his knights are doing behind the King's back.

[Illegally smuggling weapons to raise their manpower. Taking in and raping Beastwomen slaves and even women prisoners to satisfy themselves. Indiscriminately killing prisoners to relieve stress. And abusing innocent citizens for fun...] (Zero)

Upon hearing my words, the eyes of everyone inside the room contracted intensely.

[Kah-... O-Outrageous!] (Tyreon)

[No way... such things...] (Iris)

[Hypothetically everyone, hypothetically.] (Zero)

Sigh... It was really sad and angering, even if it was just an Anime, Manga or Light Novel...

But now that it's real and I can do something about it, I should move fast and do what I can to help.

[If such atrocious things are true, then I would surely punish them with public execution! I can't risk the precious lives of my citizens in the hands of a tyrant!] (Tyreon)

[Eherm... His Majesty, I haven't mentioned this, but the Guild is currently investigating those matters. There are a lot of credible evidences that point those things out to be true... But Zero-san... to think that you'd specifically guess those things... Just how much do you know...?] (Karmen)

I can see Bernard's surprised and distorted face.

He can't seem to hide his anger towards me for accurately announcing their crimes.

[Who knows...? Lucky guess, I think.] (Zero)

...

*SLAM!*

[Unforgivable!] (Ace)

Ace slammed the table out of anger.

[Ace...?] (Iris)

[I can't forgive them. Those bastards. Just let them try and overthrow the king and hurt the people. I'll bust their faces off their head. Zero, go ahead and think of a plan. Use me in battle as you see it fit.] (Ace)

[I agree too. Isn't that right, Tyreon-ou-sama?] (Karmen)

The king nodded. The knights straightened their stances as everyone in the room faced me, intending to listen to what I have to say.

[Oh...? Hm, alright. Listen well, everyone. Tomorrow, at the Royal Palace of the Zephyrine Capital City, we're gonna raise some hell...] (Zero)

Hehe... This is gonna be fun.

Strategizing in the face of a spy?

I wonder what kind of smile I made.