# 346
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346
The brief argument between Helmut and Area naturally resolved itself over time.
A few hours later, Area opened the door and looked at Helmut with eyes that said, ‘There’s nothing we can do about it.’
“I…”
“That’s enough.”
It was a ‘that’s enough’ that had many meanings.
[It’s a good thing my expectations were low.]
Elaga added a sarcastic comment on the sofa.
I really wanted to swing my fist, but this wasn’t Elaga who would be hit. I was in a slightly awkward atmosphere when the door opened with a clicking sound.
“His Majesty the King is looking for you.”
They were led straight to the king. Elaga was left there, not knowing what to say.
“Welcome.”
A solemn voice rang out.
It was not a very large hall. The King was sitting on the dais while Luke Jaeger and a dozen other members of the Knights of Palma inspected him.
The king, with a white beard stretching down to his chest, was an old man with the dignity of the ruler of Basor wrapped around his entire body.
The King of Veneta was like that too, but monarchs, regardless of whether they are weak or strong, give off a different feeling from ordinary humans.
“Are you the ones who said they eliminated the scourge of the desert?”
It was a sharp voice. His eyes looked correct, but his body’s energy was weakened, which I instinctively felt.
His life did not last long.
But did you say that the second prince was a good king? Now that he has a strong successor, there will be no major chaos in Basor.
Helmut and Area bowed their heads to show respect. The King’s question fell.
“What are they doing?”
“This is mercenary Helmut.”
Helmut answered. The king’s gaze moved to Area. Although he was understandably agitated, his eyes were calm.
“I am Area, a wizard from Greta Academy.”
“What brought you to Basor?”
“I’m researching monsters. “I was interested in the monsters of the desert, so I came to Basor with them.”
“Do you have any intention of working for Basor?”
It was a typical public relations remark. The ruling class seemed to throw away once they saw a useful talent.
“I don’t want to be tied down somewhere. Research on monsters is not viewed favorably in the temple. “I want to leave quietly and unnoticed.”
It was a valid reason. The king nodded his head.
“I heard you don’t like making a fuss. “It’s a reward from me, so take it.”
The king granted them a rather large sum of money.
Area took the gold coins given by the king into her subspace.
Somehow Helmut’s rights had been taken away.
It was definitely Helmut who killed the spider, but Area took the monster’s core and money. Of course I couldn’t complain there.
The king didn’t seem to be very interested in them. Or maybe I don’t have the energy to show interest.
“The knight commander said that you don’t want a loud banquet.”
I said I wanted to stay as quietly as possible.
Since Helmut may have turned the temple and Rinosa into enemies, Luke Jaeger meekly accepted his words. It seems like it was conveyed properly.
Helmut answered.
“That’s right.”
“But that doesn’t mean we can just let those who have made contributions go. Stay at the palace for a few days and rest comfortably. The story about you will not leave the palace. “You can leave when you want to leave.”
Since you have made a contribution, you are rewarded. It was a conversation that did not deviate from the formula to the point of being cold.
After the conversation, they left right away. There were some familiar faces among the Knights of Palma, but they did not seem to recognize Helmut.
Hyde and Helmut have different hair colors, eye colors, and even facial expressions.
No matter how keen your eyesight, it would be difficult to recognize him four years later.
Luke Jaeger, who followed, whispered into Helmut’s ear.
“Your Majesty the King only knows the reduced facts. You guys took care of all the monsters we caught. “If I highlight you for no reason, it will be difficult if His Majesty shows a desire to recruit you.”
Monsters don’t get tired that easily, but they were blinded by being chased by the Palma Knights. So it is true that it was easier to catch.
‘The king didn’t seem to have the energy to be enthusiastic about the recruitment.’
However, Luke Yeager seemed unaware of the king’s condition. Since it was only a guess, Helmut had nothing to say.
“But I heard you didn’t touch the food prepared in your quarters. Aren’t you hungry?”
“I’m a little hungry.”
As soon as I came in, Area was so angry that I couldn’t think of anything to eat.
Helmut was also aware that Area was not eating alone outside after closing the door.
Neither Area nor Helmut are particularly bothered by hunger, but it has been quite a while since they have starved. It felt like it was going to make a gurgling sound.
“The meal is ready, so let’s go. There is one more person I need to meet. “By eating together and talking.”
After biting the attendants, they walked along with Luke Yeager. Helmut asked after a moment.
“If only one person.”
It was obvious. After a moment of silence, Luke Yeager spoke in a serious voice.
“Unofficially, His Majesty the King entrusts the country’s big and small issues to His Highness the Second Prince. I will submit a report to His Majesty the Second Prince, collect it, make a decision, and His Highness the Second Prince will report it to His Majesty the King. The same goes for you guys.”
Talking to the second prince was not something Helmut had expected.
Through Luke Jaeger’s words, Helmut was able to know that the process of succession to the throne had begun in earnest.
But there was one question.
“Why is it informal?”
“Because there might be bad rumors going around about His Majesty’s health. The King of Basor must remain strong until the moment he dies. That is the king of the desert.”
Helmut changed his mind. It seemed like Luke Yeager didn’t know.
“You said you had something to talk to me about. “That wouldn’t just be something to say to ‘Luke Yeager,’ would it?”
Helmut answered obediently.
“You are the Commander of the Knights of Palma, and that is an inseparable fact from you.”
“I cannot do anything that will harm Basor. But I owe you something. That means you can’t make objective judgments. So it’s not me who makes that judgment.”
So Luke Yeager was as talented as Darian when it came to swords, but he wasn’t very bright in other areas.
Rather, the problem was that I viewed people too favorably. Even though he was the second prince, he couldn’t have known about his problems.
The 2nd Prince, who is recognized as the king’s talent, will complement Luke Yeager’s poor judgment excellently.
The Second Prince must have had that in mind when making the young and inexperienced Luke Yeager the commander of the Knights of Palma.
Helmut asked as if confirming.
“So is the Second Prince on your side?”
“I am the commander of the Knights of Palma. “His Majesty the King has entrusted all matters to His Highness the Second Prince, and I am only following his orders.”
“I asked if the Second Prince was on your side.”
Even Luke Yeager would know the difference.
“It is true that His Highness the Second Prince cares about me.”
Luke Yeager is a good and honest man. They are not unnecessarily greedy and do not try to show off their authority or abuse their power.
He is faithful to his duties as a knight and is close to neutrality.
From Helmut’s perspective, his temperament would not change easily.
He is suitable as the leader of the Knights of Palma and has a charm that attracts people. For the second prince, it would have seemed like the best idea for Luke Yeager to become the Commander of the Knights of Palma.
“Do your words have any influence on the Second Prince?”
“You don’t ignore what I say. Because I am the Commander of the Knights of Palma. But it’s difficult to think that I will take your side. “This is a public affair, a public affair.”
The way he was secretly proud while saying it was official work seemed similar to four years ago.
“But your irreverent way of speaking. It must not be seen in front of His Highness the Prince.”
Luke Yeager left a final, stern warning.
Helmut wasn’t sure which part of his tone was rude, but he nodded roughly.
“Of course.”
Area just walked silently to the side.
*
A rich dinner was prepared in the restaurant they entered.
The maids who would normally wait by their side left their seats as soon as they arrived.
A man was already sitting on the other side of the table.
“The person who killed the red scorpion is able to kill the monster that inherited the power of the red scorpion again four years later. “Should I say it was a coincidence or fate?”
The second prince, whose expression did not change much from four years ago, opened his mouth.
A man who would become both a prosecutor and a monarch. The power felt in his tone of voice and posture was extraordinary.
Even though it was clear that Luke Yeager was stronger than him, the feeling he felt was stronger.
“Isn’t that so, Hyde? No, I guess I should call him Helmut now. Nice to see you again after a long time. “Sit down.”
“It seems like everything has been said about me.”
Helmut, Area, and Luke Jaeger, who nodded lightly, took their seats and sat down.
The table was so large that there was quite a bit of space between them. But it was enough distance to have a conversation.
The order was the second prince, Luke Jaeger, followed by Helmut and Area. It also meant that Luke Yeager would block the attack on the Second Prince.
The 2nd prince accepted the words calmly.
“I already knew. Because the Commander of the Knights of Palma was looking for a boy with excellent swordsmanship named Helmut. What did you find it through? “By using Basor’s information power.”
Luke Yeager looked embarrassed.
That means it couldn’t be hidden from the beginning. The intelligence agency will also be in the hands of the second prince.
“So naturally I was able to find out about you. And even the fact that you are missing. “I had to put quite a bit of thought into it.”
Those were meaningful words. The second prince’s eyes deepened.
He is the one who will inherit the throne of Basor. The Second Prince’s incompetence cannot be compared to Luke Yeager’s shallow thoughts.
“I guess I brought up an uncomfortable topic first. Let’s eat first. “Speak slowly.”
Despite the heavy atmosphere, Helmut and Area started eating without any trouble.
The meals at the court were excellent, even if they were crude Basor’s.
Area openly used magic to check if there was any poison or medicine in the meal.
Her magic was even able to capture ingredients that would become poisonous when combined. But there was no problem.
The second prince did not find fault with her suspicions. His expression as he watched them eat was close to calm.
