Chapter 105: Certain Buried Truths (2)
Meanwhile, in a spacious room aboard Elwin's airship, three people were seated.
They were Elwin, Jana, and the King of Batevil, Albinious II.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
Only a seamless silence enveloped the room.
None of them spoke first.
At least, two among them were exchanging meaningful glances, sizing each other up.
That is…… only Elwin and the King of Batevil.
‘Why am I.’
Here, suffering?
Before Lewin’s party left for the surface, the urgent instructions he had left for Jana.
-Miss Jana. Please give your clothes or accessories to Miss Nero. As for the clothes Miss Jana will be wearing…… for now, please borrow Miss Sercia’s. I will apologize to Miss Sercia separately later.
-After that, until I return, please hide in the shadows so Nahr doesn't notice you.
Then, Lewin’s party returned.
Coincidentally, she had business with him, and Lewin had said he had something to tell her, so she had come.
-Vice-Commander Legisel. Did you summon me?
In the room they had moved to from the messy meeting hall, there was someone else besides Lewin and Jana.
-Have you arrived? Your Majesty.
-……Your Majesty, you say?
Of all people, the king who ruled a nation had graced them with his presence!
Jana felt like she could cry.
She, who at best, only knew how to perform a little (?) assassination artistry, was insignificant.
Sharing a table with the king of a nation!
Was this even plausible?
……Actually, Jana had been casually sharing tables with a Top Hunter, a being even greater than a king, all this time.
She had only been able to maintain her composure because she didn't know that the person she knew as Lewin was such a being.
‘Why, Lewin……!’
He could have called me after talking with that person.
She swallowed the words she wanted to say, words of protest to Lewin who had brought her here.
‘……Awkward. Save me, Oridion.’
Just as Jana was fidgeting with her fingers under the desk, the sound of a door opening broke the silence.
“Perhaps because it’s night, the temperature has dropped. I am concerned that our noble guests might harm their health. Please drink and converse comfortably.”
Nahrhan placed teacups in front of the three people and a plate with dessert in their center.
The antique teacups held steaming, light-colored tea, and on the plate were bite-sized pieces of lemon tart.
“And this.”
Nahrhan also brought thick woolen blankets for the three.
Elwin declined, but Jana and the King of Batevil accepted the thoughtful gesture.
Tinkle.
Lastly, Nahrhan offered Elwin a small golden bell.
“If you need me, please ring the bell anytime. I will come immediately.”
“Thank you, Nahr.”
“Serving my master is my greatest joy.”
Then, he bowed respectfully and exited the room.
Thanks to him, the dry atmosphere eased considerably.
“My apologies for the late hour, Your Majesty.”
After a brief silence, the first person to speak was Elwin.
“I know your esteemed body must be weary…… but I have something urgent to discuss, so I have unavoidably requested an audience with Your Majesty, who was about to rest.”
Elwin gave a neat nod, expressing his apology for the discourtesy.
It was a discussion with the king representing a nation.
No matter how much Elwin was his benefactor, it would be troublesome if there was even the slightest deviation in speech or etiquette.
The King of Batevil was not a man to be shameless towards his benefactor.
But apart from his individual character, one couldn't be sure about Albinious II as a statesman, as a politician.
Originally, the more responsible a person is, the more dramatic their reaction tends to be when cornered.
‘Neither I nor Pan have any intention of interfering in the Batevil Kingdom’s national affairs due to this incident…….’
Elwin’s discreet gaze shifted to the king, who was stroking the woolen blanket.
‘But the King of Batevil or his retainers wouldn't know that.’
Moreover, his current identity, ‘Lewin Legisel,’ was not even a Top Hunter, who was considered equal to a king or emperor, so it was perfect for finding fault.
He needed to be careful with every single action.
“……Hmm.”
The king elegantly lifted his teacup, momentarily deferring his answer.
He held the appropriately cooled tea in his mouth.
The fragrant aroma enticingly pricked his nasal passages.
First, a sweet taste touched the tip of his tongue.
Soon, the sweetness disappeared, and he was immersed in a soft, deep flavor.
But even that soon evaporated, leaving a bitter aftertaste…….
“……Kia’s First Love, I presume.”
It was a tea that seemed to embody the fleeting magic of first love.
That was why it was the most luxurious type of tea even in the Arad Kingdom, famous as the home of all tea.
Because one could taste several flavors at once with just a single sip.
Moreover, the amount that could be harvested in a year was limited, making it difficult even for the royal family to secure a supply.
“It is my favorite tea. Thanks to you, I get to drink it after a long time.”
As the warm tea went down his throat, its energy spread throughout his body.
A strange strength surged through his mind and body, which had been severely fatigued by the tragedy that had occurred in a short time.
Only then did he feel alive.
“And this lemon tart, it’s made in the traditional Batevil style, isn’t it? This woolen blanket too, it’s woven from the wool of sheep that roam the vast fields of Batevil.”
“Indeed. You recognized them immediately, Your Majesty.”
“Naturally. How could I not know.”
The king once again stroked the cozy blanket.
The soft touch of the wool seemed to provide comfort.
“Things from my beloved Batevil…….”
The king showed a faint smile.
Consideration for him was woven into even the smallest details.
The setting, furnished only with the King of Batevil’s favorite things, helped to soothe his keenly on-edge nerves.
As he took another sip of tea, a different thought suddenly occurred to him.
‘……Was the World Hunter Association’s intelligence network that good? To the extent of knowing the king’s likes and dislikes.’
Considering the source of how they knew such private information, it sent a chill down his spine.
But soon, the king shook his head.
‘……No, no. Even if it’s the Hunter Association, it’s impossible for them to secretly interfere in a nation while shaking off the checks of several major powers.’
A world overrun by Geoma.
Naturally, the influence of the World Hunter Association was bound to be powerful.
However, nations, being alliances of interests, were contradictory.
Because while they desperately desired the World Hunter Association’s assistance, they were also extremely wary of their involvement in their own country’s affairs.
If the World Hunter Association had tried to approach the Batevil Kingdom to learn its confidential information.
‘Queenzel, who would have noticed it first, would have thrown a fit.’
The Queenzel Magic Kingdom was also the homeland of the Top Hunter of Black.
Of course, she had no interest in the countries of the Northern Continent other than Queenzel.
But the ‘Northern Continent’ itself was her domain.
And Munas Queenzel was by no means the type to tolerate anyone touching her territory.
Similarly, the Eastern Continent, where the Arad Kingdom, a nation cherished by the Azure Hunter, was located.
And the Southern Continent, where the Adalgarvis Empire, ruled by the wife of the Top Hunter of Red, was situated.
‘The Top Hunter of White in the Western Continent, unlike other Top Hunters, has no ties to specific countries. But there…….’
It was where the world’s worst villain organization, Familia, had taken root.
‘The Familia Boss…… is said to be strong enough to be called another Top Hunter.’
It was a hushed rumor, as one couldn't audaciously call a mere criminal a savior, but it was a fact everyone was well aware of.
Then, only one possibility remained.
‘Is it simply that this person, individually, has good capabilities?’
At the simple and clear conclusion, the king couldn't help but be inwardly impressed.
‘From the first impression, I felt he was an extraordinary individual. That was correct.’
……Of course, this was merely because Elwin knew about the ‘original work,’ but the king, unable to guess this even in his wildest dreams, had misunderstood.
‘Even if he prepared all this, there would be nothing to gain from me, a fugitive, now.’
Therefore, this meant it was purely a tactful kindness offered to him by the boy named Lewin Legisel.
And the king was neither so dull as to not recognize it, nor so cunning as to pretend not to know and just take the benefits.
“I wonder how important the story you have to tell me is. What is it…… I will hear you out.”
“Thank you for your generous decision.”
The King of Batevil’s gaze, which had glanced at Elwin’s light nod, subtly shifted towards Jana.
“By the way, I haven’t seen this young lady before. Who might she be?”
“……!”
At those words, Jana flinched visibly.
But then, as if agreeing, she subtly, yet quickly, nodded her head.
As if she wanted to say he had forgotten and called her by mistake, and to please send her outside quickly.
“Ah, this is the person I wished to introduce to Your Majesty.”
However, Elwin betrayed Jana’s expectations and introduced her to the king.
“What?”
The king’s eyes widened slightly, showing his surprise.
“Whaaat?!”
But the one most astonished here was Jana herself, who had been suddenly mentioned.
She had absolutely no reason to be acquainted with the king of a nation!
“L-Lewin? Me…… why?”
Jana had certainly lived a virtuous life…… well, she couldn't even say that in jest!
But still, after her change of heart, she had never murdered a civilian or committed a crime.
However, wondering if her past as a Depicio assassin might be a problem, Jana inadvertently fidgeted with her fingers again.
“I am about to tell you the reason now. Please lend me your ear. It is closely related to the series of incidents and to Depicio. And……”
For a moment, Elwin’s eyes glinted.
“To the two of you present here as well.”
“……Kheuung.”
“Yes? What do you mean by that, Lewin?”
Unlike Jana, who couldn’t grasp it at all, Albinious II let out a low groan, as if he had some prediction.
“Could it be related to our…… Batevil royal family’s secret history?”
“Yes, it is.”
The king let out another groan and asked.
“Then why did you call this young lady and me together? Surely, she has no connection to us.”
“Ah~ about that. It’s not that there’s no connection at all. In fact, you two are very strongly connected.”
“What is it? Speak clearly!”
The king frowned as if he didn’t understand.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t formally introduced you, have I?”
Elwin, unfazed by the king’s angry voice, soon smiled brightly and politely extended one hand.
Then, pointing to Jana with his fingertips, he opened his mouth.
“This lady’s name is Jana Bartwell.”
“……!!!”
Before those words even finished, the king shot up from his seat, his eyes widened to their limit.
The chair, pushed by a strong force, fell over, making a loud noise.
As if he had discarded the dignity he had maintained until just moments ago, the king’s mouth hung agape, clearly displaying his astonishment.
“Y-Your Majesty? Why are you doing that…….”
Before Jana could even express her confusion, Elwin continued.
“It’s your first time seeing your daughter-in-law, isn’t it?”
No, he dropped a bomb!