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095 The
Princess's Dark Circles (Volume 3: End)
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Translator : PolterGlast
"Baron
Footscythel. Thank you for your efforts in subjugating the demon this
time," the Princess said.
I gave a noncommittal
reply and engaged in a harmless conversation. At the same time, I noticed the
dark circles under the Princess's eyes. They were darker than before. Is she
alright? Managing one's health is important.
"Not only did you
subjugate demons not once, but twice, and this time I hear it was an
Intermediate Demon. If Baron Footscythel and his party hadn't been there, the
damage would have been much greater," the Princess continued.
"The area around
the Explorer's Guild seems to have suffered considerable damage, but was the
dungeon alright?" I inquired. The building like the Parthenon that covered
the dungeon entrance had also collapsed. If that meant the dungeon was
inaccessible, then the quest I received couldn't be fulfilled.
"The building
collapsed, but there is no problem with the dungeon entrance," the
Princess replied.
"That's
good," I said.
If the entrance were
blocked, explorers wouldn't be able to get out. Being trapped in a dungeon
would be the worst.
"Now, as you
might have guessed, I summoned you today regarding your reward," the
Princess stated.
It was easy to guess
that I would receive a reward. Therefore, I was quite apprehensive about what
the Princess would offer as a reward. The Duke had rewarded me by making me an
Honorary Baron. Now, what would the Princess present?
"Normally, I
would promote Baron Footscythel to Viscount and grant you territory, but—"
It really comes to
that, huh? I don't need it, though.
"Baron
Footscythel does not desire such rewards. I believe you have that kind of
personality," the Princess mused.
Oh, she gets it. She
must have investigated me quite a bit.
"Normally, Baron
Footscythel's promotion would also be for the sake of your retainers. If you
absolutely refuse promotion, I will consider other things, but please respond
with your retainers in mind," the Princess urged.
My retainers... Right,
if I get promoted, then Gandarvan and the others will also be promoted. I was
above many people, including Gandarvan. I had never thought about that before.
I wasn't alone now. I had Anneliese, and the reliable Gandarvan and his team.
Itsukushima-san and Yamato were also with me. If my promotion made everyone
happy...
"I'll need some
time before I can give you an answer. I also need to consult with Duke
Gardland. I will send a messenger immediately, but it will take at least a month
for the Duke to arrive in the capital."
I was the Duke's
retainer, so the Princess couldn't just arbitrarily grant me a reward. There
was still time until the Duke arrived in the capital. In the meantime, I would
consult with everyone and compile our requests.
"The reward
discussion will take place after the Duke arrives in the capital. If you have
any requests before then, I will hear them," the Princess stated.
"Thank you,"
I replied.
"Now, the matter
of the reward concludes here, but there is one thing I must confirm," the
Princess added.
Here it comes. It's
about my status, isn't it? She must have received a report from that workaholic
appraiser.
"Please tell me
about your job, Baron Footscythel," the Princess requested.
Confirming my job, huh?
"My job is Heroic
Sword Master," I replied.
"May I ask your
level?" she inquired.
She's even asking
about my level? Oh well. My current level surpassed Barbados's, so the Princess
shouldn't be hostile. I thought she was a person with that much discernment.
"My level is
54," I replied.
The surrounding
guarding knights stirred when they heard my level. The Princess cleared her
throat, and the commotion subsided. My Heroic Sword Master job had gained one
level after the battle with Intermediate Demon Motoro.
"Heroic Sword
Master, level 54..."
Since Sword Master was
gone, it was hard to definitively say I was a Sword Master. I could use the
Assassin skill Disguise to make my status appear as Sword Master, but it would
probably be exposed eventually, so I had no intention of hiding Heroic Sword
Master that much. Compared to Reincarnated Hero, Heroic Sword Master was still
better.
Previously, I heard
from Anneliese that the Hero (Yuusha) job can only be taken by people from
another world. However, Hero (Eiyuu) is a job that appears in people born in
this world. Therefore, even if Heroic Sword Master became known, they probably
wouldn't realize I was a reincarnated individual from another world.
"How did you
change jobs to that?" the Princess asked.
"I evolved from
Sword Master," I replied.
I had prepared an
excuse, just in case. Regardless of whether the Princess believed me or not, I
intended to assert that.
"I've never heard
of an evolution from Sword Master," the Princess said.
"I, too, was very
surprised when I evolved," I replied.
The Princess glanced
at the appraiser. The appraiser lightly nodded, as if responding to her gaze.
"Then, could you
tell me about your unique skills?" the Princess asked.
As expected, I was
seen at that time. When I changed my sub-job from Assassin to Reincarnated Hero
to fight Grissom, my disguise was dispelled, and I didn't think that the
appraiser would miss it. What's more, how much would I be asked? Even though I
was prepared, my heart pounded.
"I apologize, but
I cannot tell you about my unique skills," I replied.
"...So, you admit
you have unique skills, then?" the Princess pressed.
"Well, what do
you think?" I countered.
Killing intent was
directed at me from the guarding knights. You guys are very loyal to the
Princess, huh? Even that aide, Doren, has intense eyes.
I had no intention of
revealing my unique skills, but she had already received a report from the
appraiser, right? That should be enough.
"To be honest, my
subordinate, the appraiser, has seen that Baron Footscythel possesses unique
skills," the Princess admitted.
"If that's the
case, I don't think you need to ask me, do you?" I replied.
"I wish to hear
it from Baron Footscythel's own lips," the Princess insisted.
"I cannot tell
you," I stated firmly.
"Are you
absolutely sure?" she pressed.
"Absolutely,"
I affirmed.
The temperature in the
room dropped by about two degrees from the knights' killing intent. Two degrees
is subtle...
"Very well. I
will not ask further," the Princess conceded.
"I appreciate
Your Royal Highness's wise decision," I replied.
I had intended to
feign ignorance or simply refuse to say anything, but I didn't expect the
Princess to back down. Well, she already had my information from the appraiser
anyway, so there was no need for her to extract anything from my mouth now. But
there's a difference between hearing it from the appraiser and hearing it from
me. I had neither stated that I possessed unique skills nor that I didn't, so
the Princess couldn't make any requests regarding unique skills. She might make
a request, but I would simply refuse, saying I couldn't do such a thing.
However, how did my
status appear to that appraiser? The Princess's tone suggested she didn't know
I had the Reincarnated Hero job, right? If she knew about Reincarnated Hero, I
think she'd make more of a fuss. Maybe I'm overthinking it? Or does she simply
not care about Reincarnated Hero? Hahaha, that's impossible, right?
I don't think that's
the case, but is it possible that my sub-jobs aren't concealed? They're visible
to me with Detailed Appraisal, but the possibility that they're visible even
with ordinary appraisal can't be ruled out. If that's the case, I'm grateful
that she didn't make a fuss over it, but it's still painful that my unique
skills were revealed...
This Princess, with
her cute face... I think her heart is fundamentally good. Her face has nothing
to do with it, perhaps.
So she probably
wouldn't ask too much of me, but if it concerned the survival of the country or
the royal family, that would be a different story. If that happened, I would
have to flee this country, but I've grown quite attached to it, so I hope it
doesn't come to that.
"Very well, I may
call upon you again, but you may depart for today," the Princess said.
"Yes. With your
permission, I will take my leave," I replied, bowing respectfully and
exiting.
Phew, I managed it
somehow. However, a question remained. How did that appraiser report about me?
***
▽▽▽ Side Princess Ermelda
▽▽▽
My meeting with Baron
Footscythel required more care than dealing with a great noble. He is a person
whose depths I cannot fathom. I have dealt with many individuals who sought
honor or power before, and I thought I had grown somewhat accustomed to it, but
Baron Footscythel seems to have no interest in such things. Such individuals
are the most difficult to handle. Sigh...
Now, this time,
Samdaal the appraiser witnessed Baron Footscythel fighting a demon. According
to him, Baron Footscythel's status, while he was fighting, temporarily became
distorted. I don't quite understand what "temporarily" means. If it
were always distorted, I would think that was its nature, but why was it
temporary?
However, when it was
distorted, the unique skill section reportedly appeared. Due to the distorted
text, I couldn't ascertain the contents of the unique skills, but I believe it
is safe to assume that Baron Footscythel possesses unique skills.
Through our recent
exchange, he does indeed possess unique skills. I am now convinced of that. I
am very curious about what they are, but I clearly understood that Baron
Footscythel does not wish to speak of them.
I have no intention of
leaving Baron Footscythel as he is, but neither do I intend to antagonize him.
I wish to maintain a good relationship with him in the future. I believe that
would be for the good of this country.
Hehehe. It is
unthinkable for me to rely on intuition or emotions. Does he truly possess that
much charm?
He possesses military
strength and is intelligent. His origins are unclear, but his talent is
outstanding in this country. He can be a bit headstrong at times, but he also
shows a willingness to adapt to his surroundings to some extent.
I wish that the person
who becomes my consort could entertain me even half as much as Baron
Footscythel does. If such a person does not appear, then perhaps taking Baron
Footscythel as my consort would not be a bad idea. But if I were to say such a
thing, he might try to escape. He truly is a troublesome individual, one who
makes rulers despair.
Oh dear. I showed such
a terrible face with these dark circles. I hope he wasn't disappointed.
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