novelInvigoration
| ← Ch.079 | Ch.081 → |
Edited by EverydaySoCloudy
Queen:"Kitamura-sama, do not get Bitch's name wrong."
Motoyasu's mouth hangs open in astonishment.
What did he think would happen?
Queen:"As a princess her name is Bitch, and as an adventurer she is known as Whore."
Motoyasu:"Wha......You! Are you even Mein's parent?"
Queen:" Yes, that's correct. But that was her previous name, now she is Bitch."
The queen instructs the soldiers with her eyes.
Bitch was peeled off Motoyasu.
Bitch:"Wait! What are you doing! I am-"
Queen:" What is a mere adventurer saying? You have no authority here."
Motoyasu:" What are you doing to her!"
Queen:"Kitamura-sama...... If you do not address her correctly, for every time that you call her incorrectly I will have to add another burden for her to shoulder."
Motoyasu has an unbelievable face and glares at the queen.
Queen:"There were many reasons to change her name. First of all, she falsely accused Iwatani-sama of rape, and then pettily took advantage of her younger sister life during the crisis, there are various other reasons but those are the main reasons. This is already a rather weak punishment."
Motoyasu:" What are you saying!?"
Queen:"I believe you would want to thank Iwatani-sama for this lenient punishment."
After not getting what he wanted, Motoyasu glared at me in displeasure.
Motoyasu:"The brainwashing-"
Naofumi:"There was no such power."
Queen:"Yes, That's right. Do not be deceived by false rumours spread by the Three Heroes Church. Iwatani-sama has gained the trust of the people with his own strength."
Naofumi:"That's right."
It seems that the queen is becoming slightly irritated.
Since her daughter's reckless behaviour is uncontrollable.
Did she not learn her lesson?
Though I still don't believe in her completely, the queen is really quite pitiful.
The queen raises her fan upwards.
Queen:"I declare that any allegations about raping adventures that have been placed on Hero of the Shield Iwatani Naofumi-sama to be nonsense!"
An applause breaks out.
When I glance at Motoyasu he is looking around the hall restlessly with an incredible irritated expression.
Motoyasu:" You, you think this is funny?"
What? You still think I'm a sex offender?
Is your desire for a harem so strong that it doesn't matter what a woman does?
Queen:" Now then, Kitamura-sama...... Please use her correct name. Keep in mind that every time the wrong name is used, her debt to the country will increase."
Motoyasu:"Stop joking around!"
Motoyasu glares at me for some reason.
Queen:" Iwatani-sama is not related to this. Now, call her name."
Motoyasu:"Wh-Who would call her that!?"
Queen:"Then I shall separate you and Bitch, and she will have no way to repay her debt. Isn't that right, Iwatani-sama?"
Naofumi:"Mhmm"
Queen:"This child-"
Bitch:"No, no way!-Motoyasu-sama!"
Bitch notices the situation deteriorating and begs Motoyasu for help.
However, everybody except for Motoyasu understands this is only for self-protection.
There is no way she could change so quick......
Motoyasu:"Gu......"
Queen:"Kitamura-sama should understand by now. Because she was born a coward, and grew up looking down on others."
Motoyasu:"She is not like that! This guy is the evil one!"
Motoyasu points at me and declares.
Do you even understand that the ground you're standing on is gone? Are you still blindly believing the lies you were fed?
It would be fine to leave it to the queen. But, maybe I can solve this without violence.
Naofumi:" Very well. If you want a match so badly, I'll keep you company."
Queen:" Iwatani-sama......Is this fine? It is fine to fight each other to prove who is correct, but killing is forbidden."
Naofumi:" Yeah, I understand. But, please remember that this is one-on-one."
I said that since I remember being struck in the back by magic.
Motoyasu:"That's a given!"
Naofumi:"Well, it can't be helped if you want to fight. But, stop and think for a second. Who was it that you could never land a finishing blow on?"
Motoyasu was a little startled and continues to stare at me.
Naofumi:" If you seriously fight me without your companions, can you win?"
Motoyasu:"Ku......"
Naofumi:"By the way, I can heal myself...... I'm sure you can imagine the outcome in a war of attrition."
Though at that time I couldn't attack, unlike now.
As expected, Motoyasu's fighting spirit has been dampened thanks to that experience.
Naofumi:"Hey, if you've given up just say her name."
Motoyasu:"Sh*t......"
Queen:"If you do not say her correct name then I will separate you two."
Bitch:"Mama!"
Motoyasu:"Ah......"
Bitch shouts at the queen with a mortified expression. Motoyasu murmured inaudibly with an expression full of distress.
Motoyasu:"Whore......"
Bitch: "Shield! I'll never forgive you!"
Naofumi:"Say what you want, Bitch!"
The queen gives instructions to release Bitch.
Queen:"That's enough, please understand that you cannot make absurd demands against Iwatani-sama by abusing your power any more. Because my policy is to treat all heroes equally."
Motoyasu:"What about this is equal!?"
Queen:" Oh my. Did you think I would just overlook the misfortune that Iwatani-sama was forced to put up with while I was away? Did you ever treat all the other Heroes equally?"
Ren and Itsuki approach while this was happening.
Queen:"Hero of the Sword-sama, Hero of the Bow-sama, please understand. My daughter, Bitch falsely accused Iwatani-sama. As her punishment her name has been changed to Bitch. This was the result of sympathy as well."
Ren:"Ah......Sure"
Itsuki:"U-Understood."
Queen:"Please treat the current situation as repaying Iwatani-sama for his past troubles. Since the rest of you hero-samas have already received plenty of preferential treatment compared to Iwatani-sama."
The queen said I would be receiving preferential treatment only for now......But these fellows don't look convinced.
Motoyasu is standing worryingly beside Bitch while she looks at the queen with an unpleasant expression.
After Ren and Itsuki confirmed the situation and figured out it that everything is under control, they just stood there with unreadable expressions.
Rather, a feeling of "That's right......." could be felt from them as they look at Motoyasu and remember him being favored.
Queen:"Bitch. I'll be adding to your punishment seeing as the change of your name was not completed thoroughly, and that you have once again brought trouble to Iwatani-sama."
Bitch:"Shut up! Do not call me Bitch!"
Queen:"It seems you have not reflected in the slightest......It cannot be helped."
The queen claps her hands and a wizard brings a familiar ink bottle to her.
Motoyasu:"Wh-What are you going to do!?"
Motoyasu notices the threatening atmosphere and raises his voice.
The soldiers hold Motoyasu back while the magician begins the ceremony on Bitch.
The queen pricks her finger with a needle and drips her blood on the ink.
That is......ahh I see, so that's what is going to happen.
Bitch:"N-No! Release me!"
As expected of Bitch, she understands the current event as well.
She violently struggles but the soldiers keep her steady.
Although Motoyasu doesn't understand what is happening, but he recovers and readies his spear.
Motoyasu:"Stooooooooooop!"
As if they would.
Naofumi:"Shield Prison!"
While controlling my anger I change to the Wrath Shield and trap Motoyasu.
Bitch:"N-No! Stay away! Who do you think I am!?"
Queen:" Aren't you just a plain adventurer? No wait worse, you're a criminal. This is punishment for the failed assassination attempt of giving poison to Iwatani-sama."
As the queen is reminding Bitch, she gives the signal.
Ink is dropped onto Bitch's chest, and a pattern is carved there.
Bitch:"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
After Bitch screams for a while, then the pattern disappears as if it was never there.
It's different from Raphtalia's. Raphtalia has a tattoo, while nothing can be seen on Bitch.
Queen:" This is a high-class slave crest. It is not usually visible until certain conditions are met, and when it appears, punishment is dealt."
Something like Firo's demon crest?
Queen:"The condition is attacking Iwatani-sama. Whether by direct attack with magic or indirect attack with poison, nothing is allowed!"
Bitch glares at the queen with watery eyes.
Motoyasu:" Mei......Whore, are you all right?"
Motoyasu is released from the prison, runs up Bitch and holds her.
I wonder if that was a smart decision. After receiving a serious counterattack, Motoyasu and Bitch must be extremely frustrated.
Queen:"Now then, shall we get down to business?"
Ren:"......What would that be?"
What a quick change of gears.
Is this the dignity of a queen?
It's quite nasty.
Ren and Itsuki's expressions are also cramping up.
Queen:"Yes, I think Hero-samas would enjoy this news very much."
What the queen is going to say?
While holding some doubts I listen attentively to the queen's story.
Queen:"A country that is off the coast......Cal Mira Island has become active. I request the participation of all Hero-samas."
......What island? How is it becoming active?
"""Uoooooooooooo!?"""
The three of them have gotten excited.
Motoyasu......are you forgetting Bitch?
You were looking extremely mortified a little while ago.
Naofumi:" What's that? Is there something there?"
Queen:"Since Iwatani-sama does not know I'll explain. That island is only active once every 10 years. There is a phenomenon where experience earned in that area greatly increases during that time."
The queen's long story can be summed up like this.
The island, Cal Mira Island is famous as a holiday resort, and various demons inhabit the location.
It's also famous for adventurers who want to Level up quickly during its active period every 10 years.
It seems this event will greatly help the four Heroes who are a bit weak right now.
Queen:" Of course, we have already requested for the island. So everyone, please participate."
In online gaming terms would this be considered an event dungeon?
Do the enemies have an extremely good Experience to strength ratio?
If you are a gamer then you would be extremely pleased with this event.
If anything......
Queen:" Preparations have been completed already, and I would like the Hero-samas to participate in this big event."
Naofumi:"Event?"
Ren:"What will we be doing?"
The queen answers after hearing our questions.
Queen:"It is just the Hero-sama's will be having a staff and information exchange with each other at Cal Mira Island. Of course, only if all four of you agree."
........................
Heroes: """"What——-!?""""
The queen drops quite a ridiculous request.
The next day.
Trash:"Nuoooooooooooo!"
The queen is torturing Trash by freezing him in front of me.
I feel refreshed while looking at Trash's face in pain.
Queen:"Seriously......Iwatani-sama sure is resourceful."
After hearing the story of Cal Mira Island, I agreed so that we could increase our levels.
According to my conversation with the queen, Cal Mira Island is also a great location for hot springs.
Moreover, it seems the hot springs have a healing effect on curses.
But there is a bad problem.
Even if I am good, Raphtalia and Firo still haven't Classed Up yet and cannot gain levels.
When I told the queen, she brought in Trash and thus such a situation happened.
Trash is being frozen and finally begins confessing after a while.
Queen:" It can't be helped. Please start your journey after receiving Class up at the Hourglass of the Dragon's Era for your companions."
Naofumi:"Are you not coming to the island?"
Queen:" I have some internal affairs. Instead, the shadows will be dispatched."
Well, I figured.
Naofumi:"Speaking of which, why are we doing an information and staff exchange......?"
It seems the atmosphere has become unpleasant.
Queen:"Did you not like the idea?"
Naofumi:"Nope, I hate those guys."
Queen:"Well, you might be able to learn a different method to get stronger from the information exchange with the other Hero-samas."
Naofumi:"Well......"
That is one possibility.
What can I say......Though it would be a problem to beat those guys without the Curse Series.
It should only be a matter of time before those guys obtain their own Curse Series, though by then they will be quite behind.
I don't like it, but it might be helpful.
Naofumi:"Why do we have to exchange personnel?"
Queen:"So that you can take into account how their companions fight while working together."
Naofumi:" Is that it?"
Queen:" No, this also doubles for information exchange. If they are careless you might be able to learn how they get stronger."
I should consider this very carefully. The reverse is also quite possible.
But with consideration of the wave, it s important for all of us to get stronger.
In the future when we will be fighting together, it would be helpful to know how these guys fight.
Queen:"For Trash to have such a good idea."
Naofumi:"This was proposed by Trash!?"
Queen:"Yes, though originally the plan was to give preferential treatment to Kitamura-sama."
I see.
In order to steal information from the other heroes to help Motoyasu.
This Trash, what a cunning old man.
Though I don't think I would have been included in the trip to Cal Mira Island.
Queen:"With that said, will you be going?"
Naofumi:"It's a good idea. It may be beneficial."
Queen:"I do not know how much aid money I can provide to Iwatani-sama yet since the treasury count is still incomplete. Please look forward to it after returning."
Naofumi:"I'm assuming that living expenses there is already paid for."
Queen:"Of course, those expenses have already been prepared. Now then, shall we go to the Hourglass of the Dragon's Era? Since preparations have been completed, let us make haste and begin the magical contract there."
Naofumi:" Understood. Let's go."
Raphtalia:" Okay"
Firo:" Okay~!"
By the way, Firo slept with Melty last night.
Melty also wanted to sleep in Firo's feathers...... I remember the teacher who walked in on that in the morning and screamed.
Thus, with the queen and Melty, we head towards the Hourglass of the Dragon's Era.
| ← Ch. 079 | Ch. 081 → |