Chapter 200 (1/2)

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Chapter 200 – The Boy's Advice

Conia barged into the Foreign Minister's room and found Hikaru, who was neither fl.u.s.tered nor ashamed. In fact, his att.i.tude seemed to suggest he was waiting for her to come. And that irritated Conia, which surprised her. She had never harbored such hostility against someone before.

The Foreign Minister stared at her, astonishment on his face, bringing her back to her senses.

Lord Gilbert is probably getting to me, she thought as she calmed herself down before speaking.

「Adventurer Hikaru. You are suspected of a.s.saulting a Gray Deacon. Please come with me for questioning.」

「I don't recall ever hurting anyone, and I don't have time for this nonsense.」

「If you truly believe you didn't do anything wrong, then just tell me everything.」

「Let me ask you, then. If you were in an unfamiliar land to carry out a mission and you were accused of something you have no knowledge about, the authorities even using force on you, would you follow them quietly?」

「We're not using any force. We are fair and impartial, not siding with anyone.」

「How can you insist you're harmless when you bring armed men with you?」

「That's because you didn't keep your word and instead went into hiding!」

「What word? Ah, you mean about waiting at the Adventurers Guild. I was there, but you didn't come so I left.」

「Nonsense! I went there first thing in the morning! I already know you left in a hurry after learning of our visit!」

「I had a stomachache that day.」

「Why, you…!」

「Now, now.」

Conia was flus.h.i.+ng when the minister cut in, raising his hand.

「I'm having a hard time following. This adventurer is a messenger our kingdom hired to deliver a letter. I didn't receive news of any trouble.」the old man said.

「That's because there isn't any.」Hikaru said.

「Oh, there is.」Conia said.「I heard you hit a Gray Deacon on the face.」

「I did no such thing.」

「Like I said, come with me to explain—」

「Now, now.」The Foreign Minister sighed.「We won't get anywhere like this. Miss Blue Knight. You're aware that we're delegates from Ponsonia, yes?」

「I believe you are the kingdom's Foreign Minister.」

「Then you should know that coming here armed is a diplomatic problem.」

「In case a delegate is suspected of a crime, we Blue Knights have the right to arrest the suspect.」

「Indeed. Then we will use our special right as diplomats as well.」

Conia's expression turned to shock. The temple knights with her didn't seem to follow and whispered to her.

「What's the matter, Lady Conia? I thought Blue Knights had the right to arrest without question.」

「The special right would mean we can't lay a hand on them until the arbitration is over.」

「So it's a truce until then…」

Conia nodded, biting her lips.

「I understand.」she said.「Let me just confirm this, Sir. The special right applies to all members of the party. So you're saying that adventurer is a member?」

「Indeed.」

「But after the arbitration, the right applies only to the amba.s.sador, in other words, you, Sir. Surely, you're not going to tell me afterwards that this adventurer is the amba.s.sador.」

「Haha. Of course, not. This a.s.signment was given to me by Princess Kudyatoria. I can't hand it over to someone else.」

「Understood. That's all from me.」Conia turned around to leave.

「Hey.」Hikaru called to her.「What you see isn't always the truth. I hoped someone of high status would understand this.」