The Paladin of the Holy Kingdom: Part 1

Still, it was a different matter for Gustavo, who did not know the Sorcerer King like Neia did.

“Your, Your Majesty. What, what is that?”

“Oh, this?” The Sorcerer King indicated his bed. “I made it with magic. As for this blanket, well, I also made it with magic. That said, I have no idea where this one hundred percent wool came from, but it feels good to lie down on. I’m sure you could have a comfortable rest on it.”

Even after receiving that answer, all Gustavo could do was stiffly reply, Ah, ahh. However, Neia did not have an intention to criticize him for it. After all, she too was looking into the distance and thinking, Magic really can do anything~

“Now then, I understand why Miss Baraja has returned. But why have you come as well, Vice-Captain-dono?”

“Ah, ah, yes! While I have no intention of slighting Squire Baraja, I felt that it would be more appropriate, as the Vice-Captain, to conduct the upcoming briefing myself; hence my presence here.”

“Hm… if that is what you all think, then I as an outsider have no room to disapprove. However, I would like to say something.”

Just then, something black seemed to blend with the crimson points of light which served as the Sorcerer King’s eyes.

“I gave her those orders because I felt she could carry them out. Interfering in the matter by weight of your position as a superior is comparable to slighting my judgement. I trust you understand how that would displease me, no?”

Until now, no matter how he had looked at her, no matter how he had treated her, the Sorcerer King had never once shown Neia his unhappiness. However, for the first time, he was showing his anger before Neia. This anger was born from his trust in Neia, and it caused a current of heat to course through her chest. He was the only one who held that opinion of her.

“I sincerely apologize!”

“That apology should be directed at her. Still, well, nevermind. Go ahead and brief me.”

Gustavo briefly summarized the details of what had been said, but his only answer was a vague Hmm.

“I see. Then — what do you expect me to do? Or are you saying you have truly come just to inform me of this?”

“Of course not; I wished to ask if Your Majesty had any opinions about this operation.”

So that was it.

He wanted to borrow the intellect of the Sorcerer King. That was what had worried Neia about his insistence on coming along. Ordering that paladin away was also for that reason. If he overheard what Gustavo said, if he learned that the Vice-Captain had bowed his head to the king of another country, who was also one of the undead, things would go very badly indeed.

At this point, what’s the use of covering things up...

It was plain to see that they were helpless without the might of the Sorcerer King. That being the case, news of this would certainly circulate throughout the people. It was only a matter of whether it took place sooner or later.

What the people of the Holy Kingdom should have done was to spread the word of the Sorcerer King’s mercy and compassion throughout the land, and then treated him with gratitude.

While I understand they’re wary of him because he’s one of the undead, I don’t think the Sorcerer King’s that kind of man...

Still, even if Neia told everyone, it was likely that no-one would believe her. They might even think she was the subject of a 「Charm」 spell or similar magic.

What can I do to make everyone trust the Sorcerer King? In the end, it seems I’ll need to do something to change the first impression of him. However, I can’t possibly say something rude like, “Please let more people accompany you…”

While Neia pondered the matter, the Sorcerer King was still speaking to Gustavo.

“...No, I’ve already said this. I will not comment on your battle plans.”

“I pray you will furnish us with a solution on this point, because we have nowhere left to go. We would like to avoid the possibility of failure, however slight.”

“And that is the reason why I will not. If you heed my suggestions and the operation ends in a failure, what shall be done? I do not intend to shoulder that responsibility, you know?”

“Yes. Therefore, I feel that what we discuss here should remain with my heart, that of Your Majesty’s, and Squire Baraja’s.”