Chapter 14.1 (1/2)

Chapter 14.1

「We pretty much ain’t got nothin’ more to do in terms of healing.」

Whether it be from medical interview or Mio’s palpations, the results gave Hiroshi the confidence to declare Elena’s state. After a week of healing in the hot springs, Hiroshi and the others had returned, immediately finishing Elena’s examination.

「Right. Which means I no longer have any purpose in staying here.」

「Right.」

Elena murmured dejectedly, and Mio nodded with a similar expression. Though they had been there only for a short time, she had grown quite fond of the soft-spoken girl.

「Well, I think it’s up to Lay to decide.」

「Even so, I doubt that he could postpone things very much. Besides, since he instructed us to finish up the bathing and come back, that means that everything is ready for Aearis and I.」

「True…」

Hiroshi agreed with what Elena had said. Elena coming back meant that Aearis would also be returning to the palace.

「So how far should we tag along with y’all?」

「Not really sure myself. I think you would at least be meeting with Father……」

Elena made a disturbed face as she said that. Hiroshi and Mio had sour expressions. There was the simple fact that they weren’t familiar with etiquette, so that would be a drag, but more troublesome than that:

「From everything I’ve heard, there doesn’t seem to be any assurance that we’ll come out in one piece.」

「Yeah, I unfortunately can’t deny that.」

Mio’s comment and Elena’s reply demonstrated just how troublesome their situation was.

「If Father, Layotte, and the High Priest did their parts well, then at least on the surface, there shouldn’t be anyone who condemns you as criminals.」

「However, even if you ‘n Elle don’t bring up any issues, we don’t know that there aren’t other ways to fabricate cases against us……」

「Though it’s true that the monarchy allows plenty of special privileges, nobles can’t just go around and fabricate crimes and felonies. The administration of justice here isn’t that rotten. To add further, as long as there is no clear sign of having affronted or slandered someone, you can’t be convicted of lese majeste or defamation. I at least guarantee that.」

「On the flipside, if they come up with compelling evidence, we could be made criminals at any moment.」

「Yeah, cause it feels like that sorta bunch would at least perfect that. Besides, if they’re liable to even practically make up defamation accusations, that in itself is scary.」

Clearly getting that Hiroshi and Mio did not trust the imperial court nor the government, Elena found herself sighing, unable to argue.

「It’s quite vexing to be utterly powerless in this regard, despite all that you’ve done for me…」

The fact that she roped these generous, life-saving people into a totally unrelated political war, unable to do anything to be of use to them…To Elena, who was possessed by a strong sense of duty, this reality was harsh in many ways.

「Well, either way, we’re probably totally on the mastermind’s radar, so it’s not like we have any option other than to give it our all and jump into the fight.」

As Elena was lamenting at her own powerlessness, Haruna had just returned with some tea, giving her words of console. Incidentally, this was at about the same time that Hiroshi was discussing defamation.

「Mark’s probably already been there since savin’ Elle.」

「If anything, it would be weird for him not to be marked, right?」

Even assuming their identity had been known fairly recently, it wouldn’t be odd if their very existence was detected from when they had struck down the piaranocks. The only reason why their opponent had not acted was probably because it was unclear as to whether Aearis was alive or dead, and they had feared bringing unnecessary trouble upon themselves.

In actuality, just like the case this time, it was possible to deduce that their opponent had laid traps in the event that they were saved by unbelievably good luck. The skink lizard’s tail had told them as much. The only potential flaw in their planning was that they hadn’t envisioned Hiroshi and Haruna being high-class enough to break through all the traps they had encountered.

「Anyhoo, the biggest problem right now…」

「Sensei, this would be fatal in your case.」

「Heck, I don’t even want Hiroshi to go to any public parties. It would suck if something similar were to happen to the time when we saved Elle-chan.」

「There’s that too… But even before all that gynophobia business, stuff like personal connections, bargaining… I can’t do nothin’ in regards to those things.」

On top of his helpless fear of women, Hiroshi was also no good at interpersonal relationships. Even if he were to engage with only males, being forced to bear the brunt of negotiations, he wouldn’t know what kinds of promises he’d be forced to make.

「That’s where I think Tatsuya and I will have to do our best. Makoto-san states her opinion all the time, so it doesn’t seem like she’d be suited for the kind of situation where you need to put on airs, and then with Mio-chan, before we even address her personality or the way she speaks, her age just isn’t going to cut it.」

「I’d probably just be treated like an extra. So I expect a lot from Haru’s beauty and Tatsu’s handsome aura.」

「Although it’s not like I have confidence in that field……」