Ihoujin, Dungeon ni Moguru

【187th day】

「There's no way I can, isn't it? I turned him down」

I responded to King Lemuria with a note of exasperation in my voice.

It was a little before noon, and we were at his usual table in front of Tyutyu's store.

Quite unusually, there was no sign of Melm, and the king was sipping his weak drink alone. It was just right, so I discussed with him what had happened the previous night.

「For a hero to personally request the assassination of a magistrate………Souya, that's very amusing」

「It's not funny to me」

I hadn't expected to run into this big of a problem when I still had no clue as to how to clear the floor. What the heck is going on with my life?

What's more, after I had refused him, that Khius guy had said, "Let's revisit this another time," and then disappeared. He had completely ignored my refusal.

「In the first place, why would he want one of his own assassinated?」

「It's simple. The stronger and larger an organization becomes, the more it’s your own people, rather than external enemies, that get in the way」

That makes sense. But I get the feeling that it doesn't end there.

「What about corruption?」

「That's part of it. There's also the movements of the black elf's new Vindoobunikuru army. The day when the reach of the center continent is pushed off the left continent is near. And when that happens, the center continent will likely become the site of the decisive battle. As for the magistrate's visit, I was only informed of it yesterday. It's all too sudden」

There must be a reason for such a sudden visit to an allied country.

The original role of the “magistrates” was to manage the knight orders during times of war.

However, weakened through generations of hereditary succession, the influence of each knight order is now practically non-existent. What remains is only empty authority and the grisly duties that are performed to maintain and protect that authority.

The torture of slaves, persecution of beastkin, and religious conversion of the godless that these people are carrying out in various places are essentially meaningless, and are only meant to show that they’re fulfilling their duties.

And a part of this declining country that's becoming more and more corrupt are the people known as “magistrates”.

Such people are coming to Lemuria.

If that's the case……

「Does this mean that Elysium is facing imminent defeat?」

They intend to flee to this land, don't they?

「You can never know the outcome of a battle until it begins. However, there are many among the Popes and those close to them, the nobles, the merchants, the magistrates, and so on, who value their wealth. It's a fact of life that when there's a fire, you'll see many rats running away. Speaking of safe places outside of the center continent, there's the archipelago to their east, which is under their thumb. And then there's this country. Despite everything, I'm still someone who gained the throne on the authority of the Wanderer King. I have every reason to protect and safeguard their wealth」

The Wanderer King, I believe that's the nickname of the Fifth Pope.

I've heard that he's an eccentric who's roaming the world while hiding his identity.

But more importantly……

「I wonder what the fattened pigs from the center continent taste like?」

「I'm not so sure about that. Though I'm pretty sure that the things they hold dear must taste delicious」

King Lemuria put on a wicked smile.

Yup, as I thought, this baldy can’t be trusted. In a way, Khius might be more trustworthy than him.

「Khius and the magistrate's sudden visit. I thought for sure that it was you who was behind them, King Lemuria」

「That's not the case this time. I have no connections to Khius, and I don't even know what he looks like」

I have my doubts.

But not knowing what others look like is a normal thing in the alternate world. You can't tell what a person looks like from poems or rumors. Humans are vain creatures, and King Lemuria himself is a young man with luxurious hair in all his portraits.

「Putting that aside, Souya, I wanted to show off something to you」

「Huh?」

It better not be another young woman. I'll tattle on you to Lanseal.

「Hey, Rutsuko-kun~! Is that thing ready~?」

「――――――――Yes~」

In an ingratiating voice, the baldy called out to Rutsuko-san.

Hey, if you're aiming for her, you better stake your life on it.

「Thank you for waiting」

Rutsuko-san set food down on our table.

「This is………」

「How's that? This has to be an unusual thing, even for you」

The contrast of yellow and red.

Chicken pilaf topped with a fluffy yellow omelet.

「There's more to the surprise」

King Lemuria smugly produced a knife and cut through the omelet. Runny egg yolk spilled out and covered the chicken pilaf.

It was a delicious-looking omu-rice(Japanese omelet rice).

「And that's not the end of it」

He poured a sauce from a glass. The sauce was brownish, resembling curry. But its aroma………

「Rutsuko-san, when did you make demi-glace sauce?」

「It's not made in this store though. I simply got the flame religion to share some of what they made with us」

「Eh, the flame religion?」

Now I'm even more curious when they made such a thing.

「Remember when we made the ramen together, Souya-san?」

「Yeah, I do」

「But we ended up not using much of the ingredients, isn't that right?」 𝐟𝚛e𝐞𝙬𝗲𝒃𝓷𝒐𝘃e𝒍.c𝑜m

「Indeed」

The pork bones and the other ingredients were leftovers from the Adventurers' Guild. Even after using some of the vegetables and meat to make the broth, there was still a lot left over.

「After that, it was my turn to get the same request, so I re-created demi-glace sauce. I only had a vague idea of how it's made, but I guess you never know unless you give things a try」

「That's proof that you're a capable woman, Rutsuko-kun」

「No no, I'm not that great」

Rutsuko-san easily shrugged off the old man's praises.

That’s the response of a capable woman.

「And then, the chicken pilaf is made with the red sauce for the hot-dogs, with more ketchup added. I think it turned out pretty delicious. Please give it a try」

So there's this way of using the red sauce, huh?

「Well then, itadakimasu」

With a spoon in hand, I took a scoop of the omu-rice and put it into my mouth.

The soft and fluffy egg melted in my mouth. It also mixed with the sauce and coated the chicken pilaf. I could feel the individual grains of rice in my mouth. The small pieces of chicken and the green peppers that had been cut into tiny pieces went hand in hand and did a line dance with the egg-coated ingredients.

And then, there was its taste.

The sourness of the tomato sauce, the subtle mildness of the cheese, and the concentrated flavor of the demi-glace sauce.

How could it possibly taste bad?

There’s no way it would.

「De! Deli………………deliciousssss!」

Its taste makes me yearn to become a kid again and jump up and down.

In front of this omu-rice, even an old man returns to being a bug-catching boy.

Omu-rice, a slightly more fancy dinner than usual.

That's right.

Let's have omu-rice today.

「Rutsuko-san, it's unbelievably delicious」

「No no, you're exaggerating」

「Souya, you've had enough of a taste, right?」

「Eh?」

King Lemuria snatched the plate and spoon from me.

「Mmm, Rutsuko-kun, the eggs are much fluffier than before. Mm-hmm, you've really improved. Mmm」

A grown man well into his years snatched away other people's omu-rice and then proceeded to eat it with gusto. He was scarfing it down so quickly that I was put off.

It made me want to shout, "Everyone in the Kingdom of Lemuria! Here is your king!"

The person who heard the voice of my heart was……

「What's this delicious-smelling aroma?」

……a hero of Elysium.

「Oh, fancy meeting you here, Souya. Are you having a late breakfast? Let me join you」

Khius unceremoniously took a seat at our table.

While gobbling up the omu-rice, King Lemuria gave Khius a piercing look.

Undaunted, Khius asked genially.

「Good sir, what's that dish called?」

「It's called Omu-rice. To take an interest in it, you really have a good eye」

He had made a good first impression.

「The waitress over there, I'll have………………three of this omu-rice」

「Rutsuko-kun, three for me as well. I want pickled root vegetables and edamame as side dishes too」

「Alright~, coming right up?」

With a swish of her skirt, Rutsuko-san disappeared into the kitchen.

And for some reason……

「What are you guys doing?」

……two Gunmerrys came up and stood on either side of me.

『………………』

They remained silent, exuding a subtle murderous air.

Unaffected, King Lemuria made some small talk.

「You look like a top-notch swordsman………no, you're a knight, aren't you? Despite your habit of keeping your back perfectly straight, you leave no openings. In addition, that imposing physique and air about you……you're no ordinary person. Why have you come to this country?」

I wasn't sure if I should say something, but I decided to keep my mouth shut.

「I’m here for sightseeing. I'm the third son of a noble family, you see? I've left the family affairs to my elder brothers and have been going around enjoying the pleasures this world has to offer. As you've astutely observed, I’m indeed a knight, but that's all thanks to the robust body my mother gave me. That, and having a good teacher. To eat any and all delicious food without distinction. That's the reason why I’m a knight」

I don't know what the heck is going on here, but Khius had lied through his teeth.

No, maybe he can say it so confidently because it's the truth? He sure seems used to this.

「If you're from a noble family, then you must be from Elysium」

「That's right」

King Lemuria seemed to have caught on to something.

「However, eating only delicious food will poison your body. Eating equal amounts of sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy foods is what's best for your health. It's easy to miss this when one is as young and spirited as you are」

「Oh, that's great advice. By the way, good sir, you have an air about you. A vitality that belies your advanced years. A fighting spirit that makes me think that you've seen many battles. All these are things no ordinary person possesses」

Khius put on a thin smile.

King Lemuria returned him a similarly thin smile.

Have these two really not met each other before?

「Why, I'm just a retired adventurer. I'm now living out the rest of my life in comfort, as you can see」

「Ohh, an adventurer, huh? Won't you share a story of your adventures with me? My kids are always begging me for stories」

「Kids, you say? How old are they?」

Not all tales of adventure are about glory. When one gets to become the king of adventurers, they will likely have all sorts of stories, some bitter and some sweet. And some age-restricted ones as well.

In response to King Lemuria's question,

「My youngest is an infant and my oldest is probably twenty-two」

「That's quite an age gap between them」

「I got my first kid when I was 14. Since then………………how many were there? I remember the celebration we threw for the eighth one, but there must have been at least four or five more after that. Including the kids my women brought along, all of whom I've adopted, I've long lost count of the total number」

「That's quite gallant of you」

Khius has so many children that King Lemuria looks a bit put off. Come to think of it, I’ve also heard talk that King Lemuria may or may not have more illegitimate children.

It feels like there will be a dispute over the succession of the throne. I hope I don't get dragged into it.

「Speaking of children, there’s this interesting little anecdote」

In a hushed voice, King Lemuria pulled out the weapon at his hip, scabbard and all.

「Good sir, that's quite an unusual weapon. It looks like Souya's」

「This sword is called a katana, and it was forged by a dwarf using techniques from foreign lands. For some strange reason, the children of this city call it the "King's Sword". They say that if someone gets their hands on the "genuine" katana, they will become the king of this country」

「That's certainly interesting. Then with you and Souya here, that means that we've got two kings at this table, does it not?」

King Lemuria grinned. He loosened the katana from the scabbard and drew it out a little to let him have a glimpse of its blade.

Khius' gaze became as sharp as any weapon.

「Oh-ho, how interesting. It's a blade that embodies chaos. It's as if the taint of humans was gathered and encased in the steel. And maybe that's what gives it its sharpness」

Looking at the Damascus steel katana, the hero gave his impressions.

「This is but a copy. Souya, let him see yours」

Just as he had done, I loosened my katana from the scabbard and exposed a length of its blade.

「What the heck is this?」

The hero scrunched up his face when he laid eyes on the demonic katana.

That's only natural. This is a one-off weapon that every blacksmith in Lemuria and even the dwarf who had forged it had given up on replicating.

The reason for this is Lola’s claw, which was used as a material for this katana. I’ve let it drink too much blood.

The claw has assimilated the metal covering it as well as the blood it had been exposed to, altered its nature, and reformed itself into a single blade.

The hamon pattern on the blade is red and turbulent.

It looks a lot like Damascus steel, but that’s a mixture of metal and metal, and this is a mixture of living things and metal.

There's nothing more ominous than that.

Furthermore, its red hamon…… Watching it, it's clear that it moves. At times, it even seems to pulsate like a heartbeat.

This katana here is the ultimate in demonic swords, and has completely become a work beyond human ability.

「How very interesting」

I ignored the hero's outstretched hand and slipped the demonic katana back into its scabbard.

This thing gives off a strange "air" that mesmerizes people. I try to be careful with it and not draw it unless absolutely necessary.

「How do our katanas measure up in your discerning eyes, Knight-dono」

「Hmm, they're deadly blades. A king's weapon………………」

Khius suddenly went deep into thought.

「No, I have no words」

In response to the king, he said something odd, then seemed to have some reservations.

I'll leave it at that for now.

「So, good sir, this king's katana or whatever, where is it?」

「Now, who can say where it is? Some say that it's in the hands of a dragon, some say that it lies in an abandoned city far to the north, and some say that it's waiting somewhere in this city for the【True King】」

「I see, the true king, huh?」

Khius appeared impressed.

「Oh, that's right, Knight-dono. If you would like to have a replica of the katana, you can buy it from the blacksmith run by the country. You should buy some as souvenirs for your children」

「Thank you for that. I'll definitely buy some to take home」

A replica that only imitates the shape of the katana. It's apparently quite popular. I've even heard that there are plans to give it the royal seal in the near future. Don't tell me, has he been going around promoting its sales like he just did? As I thought, this baldy sure is shrewd.

「Good sir, may I ask you one last thing?」

「What is it?」

Khius posed a question to King Lemuria.

「What is a true king to you?」

「Hohoho. That's a peculiar question. In this old man's humble opinion, a true king is a person who studies, trains, devises plans, and never lets opportunities slip through their fingers. And they must not let themselves get carried away because of their good fortune. Neither can they let their good fortune go to waste. In addition―――――」

In addition?

「They must be the kind of person who can't pass up a good woman」

In your case, you chase after them instead.

「Those are some pretty wise words」

It’s obvious that Khius was only being polite. It appears that those words had not resonated with him.

Sensing this, King Lemuria asked him back the same question.

「Then I'll pose the same question to you. What is a king?」

「Someone strong. The strength of martial arts, the strength of men, the strength of courage, the strength of wisdom, the strength of family and friends. Someone strong enough to crush all those」

It's truly succinct.

It's just……how do I say this……

「You………………are you really from Elysium? Are you sure you’re not someone who serves the Myriad Kings of the left continent?」

King Lemuria was wondering the same thing as I was.

「I’m an Elysium man born and bred」

It's from the horse's mouth, so I guess we were wrong. I have my doubts though.

『So』

Khius and King Lemuria opened their mouths at the exact same time.

What about you? said the looks the two of them gave me.

「No no no」

Why are you asking an ordinary person what a king is? is what I want to say, but I doubt that’ll fly.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Rutsuko-san setting six plates of omu-rice on a tray at the back of the store.

The two Gunmerrys eased up and went over to help.

Just why did these guys stick to my side?

Because of them, I was unable to find a good moment to escape.

It can't be helped. I'll just answer suitably.

「To be honest, I have no idea what makes a king. But there is one thing that makes me think of a person as being king-like」

「Quit beating around the bush and just say it」

King Lemuria rushed me.

The faces of those advanced adventurers came to mind.

「It's someone who has achieved success and refuses to step aside」

『Hmm?』

Perhaps the translation magic of the alternate world was acting up, but the two of them didn't seem to understand my words very well.

「There's a saying that states that it's better for the world if those who have achieved success don't stay in their positions forever, but instead retire as quickly as possible」

『………………Hmmm~』

They both struck the same pose and contemplated my words.

Did I say something weird? I had tried my best to grasp its meaning from what I could only vaguely remember. The response is pretty bad though. Be more impressed, you two.

「Here you go, six omu-rices and an assortment of pickled vegetables. These drinks are on the house. We managed to procure some good tea leaves today, you see?」

Rutsuko-san laid out the dishes.

「Umu, I’ve been waiting for them!」

King Lemuria was the first to leap at it.

「Right when I was getting hungry from all the weird talk!」

Khius followed suit.

As if they didn't care one whit about what I had said, the two of them started to gobble up the omu-rice.

Hmm…what a long chapter of not much happening lol. We did get to learn a lot more about all three, I guess. After all the jam-packed chapters we’ve had lately, it’s good to have a breather, I suppose. And we’ll have the titular arc starting next time, so stay tuned!