Chapter 243 (1/2)

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Chapter 243 – Intervening with the World

Hikaru and Lavia left the guild and made their way to Grand Hotel Pond. They left the materials for now and let the receptionists pick what they needed.

「Hikaru. About that silver mask… Are they referring to you?」

「Probably.」

Hikaru visited Quinbland's capital once before to see Emperor Kaglai. G. Quinbland. The emperor, who belonged to the same race of Man Gnomes as Unken, read the letter that the former guildmaster entrusted to Hikaru. As reward for his efforts, Hikaru was given the Dimension Dragon Box.

Now a silver mask was displayed on the castle gates. There was no doubt that the emperor was summoning him for something.

「Whatever it is, I think it's related to Vireocean.」

「Do you really think so?」

「There are suspicious movements there and the higher-ups are concealing any information. Vireocean's the number one suspect right now.」

They strode through the hotel's entrance. As expected from the best hotel in Pond, the lobby was huge.

「Excuse me. We're booked under the name Paula Nohra.」Hikaru said, then froze.

「Yes, we have you here.」the woman replied in a sluggish voice.

She had a pair of cat ears extending out on top of her head. Wait, what? Wasn't she working in that business hotel?

「Is there something wrong, Sir?」

「Uh, no…」

He wanted to ask if they had met before, but it sounded exactly like a cliched pick-up line that men used so he couldn't say a word.

「Hikaru?」A voice called to him.

「Oh, it's really you! Where'd you even go?!」

Hikaru turned around to see Selica Tanoue.

Selica was still not fluent in this world's language, so she wanted to speak in j.a.panese instead. Lavia, who was exhausted, went to their room.

They sat facing each other in the lounge. As always, she wore a fine-quality cloak.

『So, I heard you were summoned to the capital. What are you doing here?』Hikaru asked.

『We were summoned because they needed people to protect the Princess… or rather, Her Majesty the Queen, from harm. Sarah and Selyse should be more than enough for the job, so I'm free to roam around.』

『Is she in danger? I thought the war was over.』

『Prince Austrin gave up once he learned that Einbeast was withdrawing. The grand chamberlain who instigated the whole matter is the mastermind. He basically had no future ahead of him once the prince gave up. He did a lot of awful things, after all. So he escaped and disappeared. Apparently, he's after Queen Kudyastoria's life, hoping to turn things around.』

『Hmm, I see. Looks like you rank Bs have it rough.』

『You should try to get promoted too.』

『No way. There's no benefit to it whatsoever.』

『You'll earn lots of money—Oh wait, you're already loaded. Rich people like you should experience the sufferings of the lower ma.s.ses.』

『Big words coming from someone who s.n.a.t.c.hed ten percent of my winnings.』

Hikaru invested the ten percent of the hundred million he won from Senkun into Selica's business.

『Looks like the hotdog chain is doing pretty well. I was surprised when I found out you were hiring retired adventurers.』

『Well, you know how life isn't really valued highly in this world, right? There's plenty of risks for only few opportunities. One mistake and you're done for in life. I wanted to save those kind of people.』