The Paladin of the Holy Kingdom: Part 1

Not His Majesty, huh. They aren’t going to address him with respect?

Neia was irritated by the dramatic change in attitude they had shown the moment the Sorcerer King was gone.

If one understood the attitude of the citizens of the Holy Kingdom towards the undead, then their attitude was only to be expected. Rather, it was Neia’s displeasure which was abnormal. Why did she feel unhappy about this?

“Well, he’s still useful now, so it can’t be helped… and we’ve concretely seen how he can help us… but as priests, we might have trouble neutralizing that poison, no?”

What do you mean, useful? Someone notices a mistake we made and even goes on to supply a solution, but not only are they ungrateful, they’re still thinking about how to use him— Ah, so that’s it. That’s what I sensed from His Majesty, something which the Holy Kingdom now lacks… a sense of integrity. That’s why I feel like this...

How much of his grace had she received?

After sharing a carriage with him, she had been given the chance to realize the fact that despite being one of the undead, the Sorcerer King was a king that was worthy of respect.

Therefore, what she felt for these people would be more accurately termed “pity.”

“Speaking of which, Squire Baraja. What’s that bow you’re carrying?”

“Ah, yes. His Majesty said that he would lend me this weapon for the duration of my assignment.”

“...May I take a look at it, Squire Baraja? I wish to see if the bow is enchanted with any sinister magic.”

The priest extended his hand to her.

Normally, she would have handed it to him. However—

“Please permit me to refuse.”

The priest was stunned. It was a face that said he had not expected to be denied.

“This is a weapon I have received from His Majesty in order to protect his person. I will not allow it to leave my hands.”

She would not allow someone who was only thinking of using an ally to touch it for even a single moment. Neia lowered her head as she replied to keep the anger in her heart from showing in her eyes.

“Ahhh, Squire Baraja, hand that bow—”

“In other words, you don’t mind if I report this to His Majesty, then?”

The air in the room froze over.

“Enough. I understand. Let’s continue talking.”

Hmm~ so at least they still know that things will go poorly for them if His Majesty finds out.

“Before that, Captain Custodio, would it not be better to let Squire Baraja return to the Sorcerer King—dono’s side?”

Neia noticed one of the priests glancing at the bow for just a moment.

Neia understood the meaning he was trying to convey, but despite the anger boiling in her heart, she did not let it spill over to her words or actions.

“I apologize, but I am here to listen to everyone’s words by order of His Majesty. I would be very grateful if you would let me continue to remain here and listen to your words from the side.”

“True enough… Gustavo. What do you think we should do?”

“His Majesty said so in front of all of us. If we have her leave now, it will probably cause more problems in the future.”

“That’s true. So we’ll let her remain, then?”

Is this something you should be saying in front of the person in question? As Neia thought this, she bowed in silent gratitude.

“Now then, following on what the Sorcerer King has said, what should we do? Does anyone have any ideas about leaving this place and looking for a new refuge?”

Perhaps someone with her father Pavel’s ranger skills might be able to find a place for this many people to stay for extended periods. However, there was nobody like that here.

“The Sorcerer King — His Majesty said earlier that if we do not do anything, Jaldabaoth will not make a move either. In that case, why not search for a new place before they take action?”

That suggestion, made by one of the paladins, met with scattered approval. However, Neia knew very well that putting the matter off would not solve anything. In the end, all it would do was cause a pileup of problems in the future.

“The problem isn’t just finding a new place, but also the matter of provisions. While this is winter so food is easy to preserve, finding enough to tide us through the entire season is not easy. Even if we have not secured the Kingdom’s cooperation, shouldn’t we at least buy some food from them? Wouldn’t that help things?”