Chapter 101: An assassination request, part 3
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Translator: Denryuu; Editor: Ryunakama
After reading the letter, King Randolph wasn’t the least bit surprised.
「Well, those who hate me are showing themselves now. All I did was expose their wrongs and punish them. Just because of that, the nobles…」, he complained with a deep sigh.
He told me that he had expected this to happen all along.
「I know nothing will work against an assassin like you, but let’s imagine that we’re plotting against an enemy that isn’t infallible.」
「I hope your plan will work against that enemy, too.」
「I see that you too can say sentimental things sometimes.」
「I’m saying this as a close friend.」
「…You’ve changed, Roland」, he said with a smile.
I had parted ways with Lyla and Rodje once we were out of the forest. They were probably slowly making their way home now.
「This might be unnecessary, but…」, I said, passing him a few notes I had written the previous night.
「Hmm…? What’s this?」
「Some basic techniques that assassins employ. They’re not perfect, of course, but it’s something.」
「Huh. Has your ‘normal life’ finally taught you the meaning of kindness?」
「Don’t clown me」, I replied, to which the king burst out into laughter.
Having told him everything I needed to, I got ready to leave, but King Randolph called out to me.
「Roland. How familiar are you with the adventurers’ guild now?」
「Why do you ask all of a sudden?」
「Leyte-dono from the Kingdom of Vadenhaag mentioned the guild a few days ago.」
They had also come to visit me recently, probably since it was convenient for them to do so.
「Meiri’s mother… what about it?」
「There was no such system there before the Human-Demon War, and she wants to introduce it to her own kingdom. She doesn’t know how to run it, and nor does she know what an ‘adventurer’ does. Thus, she wants to borrow an exemplary person from us. How about it, Roland?」
「Well, I may be able to effectively operate the system, but that doesn’t mean I can build it from scratch.」
「You won’t be the only one, of course. We’ll send a few others too, like those trained in human resource development and those who can serve as role models to the adventurers.」
Guild Master Ta’uro, who was over there, had probably greenlit the idea already.
「I think Ta’uro will summon you sooner or later, but since you’re already here, I thought I’d tell you about it. After Leyte-dono went home, we were discussing who to send. Both Ta’uro and I immediately thought of you.」
「Looks like the guild employee Argan-san is trusted by all.」
「You don’t have to be sarcastic. For the rest, we might decide it internally or even leave it to you.」
「And I certainly have the right to refuse, don’t I?」
The king made a bitter expression.
「Uhm… technically you do, but… you have ties with that kingdom, right? I was thinking you could lend them a hand because of that…」
「If I go to Vadenhaag…」
「Mhm! What if you go…!」, exclaimed the monarch as he sensed that I was about to concede.
「…not everyone has to come along. However, there are some people I do want — both adventurers and employees.」
「Fumu. I’ll let Ta’uro know about this.」
「That’s only for now. No guarantees.」
Don’t say that now, said the king unhappily.
「There’s someone I need to discuss this with, who has the power to change my answer… what’s with that grin?」
「To think that you were once a cold-blooded assassin. A person you want to discuss it with… mufufu. It’s that person, isn’t it?」, he said, raising his pinky.
「You are free to speculate.」
「Don’t be self-conscious, now!」
He jabbed his pinky at me, and I blocked it with my palm in response.
「Owww!? I sprained it…!」
「It’s just a sprain, don’t whine so loudly.」
「For you to sprain the finger of the ruler of a kingdom… what has this world come to…」
「If you really wish to be treated like a king, then I will acquiesce.」
「…No, it’s fine. Just keep it this way」, he said, blowing on his pinky.
「What’s the real purpose of this employee mobilisation? You’ve never seemed particularly inclined towards charity」, I asked.
「We’re doing them a favour while we have the chance. It gives us the appearance of a friendly kingdom, and they’ll also be obliged to help us in the future.」
「As I expected. You are a scheming one.」
「And on top of all that, Leyte-dono is a great beauty!」, boomed the king.
He was a shrewd old man in every sense of the word.
After some more small talk, I headed home.
The Demon King was rather shocked when I told her what the king had said.
「I don’t believe it…」
By the time I got back, Lyla and Rodje were already there. Our dinner that night was prepared by Rodje. Although it wasn’t terrible, it wasn’t anything to write home about either.
「How about that, human. I can hold my own too!」
With a ladle in hand, the apron-clad elf laughed smugly. It was clear that my dishes had ignited the competitive spirit within her. Despite the effort she put in to impress Lyla, her master gave her no attention at all, only replying with a brisk ‘Fumu-fumu. I see.’ as necessary.
「Meiri’s kingdom…」
「If you object to it, then I can travel there alone using my ‘Gate’.」
「No, that’s not a problem at all. What do you think?」
「Although it’s a mammoth undertaking, it’ll nonetheless be an interesting assignment. In addition, Meiri’s the first kid I’ve ever taught my skills to. I’ll be lying if I say I’m not interested.」
Lyla smiled when I said that.
「True, true… what should I do, then?」
「Huh?」
「You know…」
She hesitated, unable to produce the necessary words. As I was figuring out what to say, Rodje lashed out at me.
「Idiot!」, she shouted, trying to hit me with her ladle, which I parried.
「Don’t think that you can lay a finger on me with pure aggression. Seriously… what’s she trying to say?」
「Lylael-sama means that she wants to follow you!」
Lyla looked at the ground when I shifted my gaze over to her.
「She didn’t say that, Rodje Sandsong.」
「That’s why I’m calling you an idiot, blockhead!」
「…That’s enough, Rodje. It’s embarrassing to have that said in full.」
「Look, now you’ve made Lylael-sama embarrassed…!」
She then tried her luck with the ladle again multiple times, but to no avail.
「Pipe down, idiot elf. You’re probably the reason why she’s like that.」
「You’re the one who doesn’t understand! All you have to say is ‘come with me’!」
Not letting her get lucky on the third attempt, I snatched the ladle away and bonked her on the head instead.
「Owie –!?」
「…Is she right, Lyla?」
「Personally, I’m interested to see how Meiri’s doing. Although short, we did live together for a while」, she began softly.
「If that’s the case, then you can come along.」
「Oi, human, how many times do I have to say that that’s not the way to say it…? Lylael-sama’s –」
Shaking with fury, she ran outside and came back with a book.
「This is the romance novel Lylael-sama’s been enthralled by! Look, there’s a scene like this right here… she’s been waiting for something like this to happen –」
I was aware that Lyla had been borrowing something from Milia, but I hadn’t thought about what it was until now.
「For goodness’ sake, that’s enough! Get out! Did you have to explain every detail!?」, shouted Lyla as she went beet red.
「Hmph. You’ve finally overstayed your welcome, human.」
「I think she means you.」
「Eh –!?」
「Get. Out –!」
「Why me, Lylael-sama? I explained your reasons so that the human would get it! Why?」
「That is precisely why!!」
With the dejected and forlorn expression of an abandoned dog, Rodje was finally chased out of the room. Panting, Lyla cleared her throat and sat down.
「Accompany me, Lyla, if you so desire.」
…Is that how I’m supposed to do it?
She nodded.
「Mm. Hm. Okay. I’ll follow…」, she muttered, her face still a little red.
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