45 – Speed-9

“The emperor is stingy.”

The glass filled up as if Visa and Cristina had been waiting for it.

“Those who have nothing sympathize with that extreme ideology, but those who have tried first and sacrificed first are neglected.”

His cheeks were slightly red. He looked like he was drunk, but I was sure that even that expression was within his calculations.

“Do you know where the princess was when the demon king invaded and requisitioned soldiers? It was a goblin den in the slums.”

It was a cold and calm voice, but anger was wriggling inside. Maybe this is the truth.

“It was the monsters there that kept the number of tramps, rapists, and pickpockets at least. And since the princess destroyed them at will, the worthless people are seething as if it were my own world.”

“I see.”

“All of the blue bloods, who should teach courtesy and respect, are acting like lowly people under the pressure of the princess’s power and authority.”

I’ve heard enough. I nodded and responded appropriately to what he had to say, but I didn’t listen any further.

“We must no longer be caught in their tyranny. In the Empire, there are many more victims like you.”

Finally, he asked my consent.

He was trying to arouse my anger. Few people feel that they are being treated according to their values. Everyone wants more money and more fame.

Perhaps, I might have agreed with what he said. The emperor deceived the person who was chosen as a hero, and even if nothing else had happened, he would have used people skillfully.

But, unfortunately, my case was a little different.

To put it bluntly, it was self-sufficient.

Perhaps noticing that I didn’t have sincerity in my eyes, he took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry for making you tired with boring words. Now rest.”

It was undeniable that the treat he prepared for me was wonderful. It was literally a place dedicated to me by consuming money and people without sparing, for only a very few.

“Since the meal is over… Let’s enjoy the night soon.”

“That’s fine. I guess I’ll have to get out soon.”

“…Don’t you like Christina’s good looks?”

“No. You have a beautiful daughter.”

It was true that it was cold for a while. Like many of the girls I met here, Christina was beautiful.

However, the relationship with the warrior party members, which seemed fine on the outside at least, also ended in catastrophe. I couldn’t be happy in my relationship with Christina, who was on the verge of a bomb with the wick on fire.

“Thank you. I wish you all the best in what you do.”

With a meaningless compliment, I got up from my seat. He put on a slightly distressed expression, but then politely got up and greeted me.

/////

“No, weren’t you with that nobleman…?”

I don’t know if I should speak politely or use respect. The silver-haired maid smiled and followed me with her luggage.

“I was only staying there for a short time. I was going to follow my master from the beginning!”

He was a person who didn’t seem to be able to get away even if I forcibly dropped him. It was better to be able to respond immediately than to leave it unattended and create strange things.

“Where next?”

“First, we have to go back to the inn.”

When I came out curiously, there were no clues. Should I put aside the remains of the phoenix for now and start looking for unicorns and demon dragons?

Considering that no one had pursued me so far, the emperor did not seem to be hostile to me either. However, there was no guarantee that they would cooperate again.

“Should I go further…”

If there is no way inside the Empire, there is no choice but to leave the Empire eventually. Should I go back to the Imperial Palace Library and search for information properly from the beginning?

“It’s getting piled up…”

Once you have an adventurer’s hand, you can travel freely to some extent. However, missing information does not appear instantaneously.

At the very least, it was necessary to outline the approximate milestones of which products can be obtained in which country and through whom, and what tasks must be performed for a certain period of time to obtain them.

Besides, my strength wasn’t even that transcendent.

He could fight Reinhardt or Eleanor, the best swordsman in the empire, and win. However, at that time, the warrior party did not do their best.

I saw them fight up close. Even if she accidentally obtained the power of a hero, it is far less than Eleanor who fought as a hero.

Even if you don’t have such transcendent power, if you try to hunt me while consuming soldiers and knights in wheel battles, you will eventually be caught.

Then, should I be strong first? But even if I tried to become stronger, I had no idea how to become stronger.

Physical training is meaningless. Even now, I could feel the strength of a warrior dormant in my body, and with just a little bit of strength, it would pierce every single muscle like a bullet.

However, this is not enough. I can’t use magic or divine power, so I have to make up for what I lack with my own power.

“Well?”

The moment I reflexively opened the inn door, I remembered that I had been thinking about something wrong.

This is not my home, this is an inn.

And, of course, of course, even if it was the inn where I stayed yesterday, I have no right to stay here again today.

When I first entered this inn, I paid for three days’ accommodation, but after meeting Christina, I immediately canceled and got my money back.

So, to enter this room, I had to pay the lodging fee again.

I forgot about it as I was lost in thought. this is not my room

And, of course, opening the door of an inn with other people in it is the greatest rudeness, even in this world.

However, the person lying on that bed was someone familiar to the bone.

“What are you doing? Nerwen?”

“Huh?”

The elf archer, who was breathing heavily with a red face, shook his head for a moment.

“Sah, I’m here to apologize!”

“Like that? Besides, isn’t it me who came here right now?”

“You can’t get in the way of having a good time with the nobles…”

“I’m surprised that you had such culture. But now, I can’t believe that…”

I couldn’t speak and closed my eyes. Was the smell that terrible?

That wasn’t enough considering what she’d done to me, but I was happy with it right now.

“What do you want to say?”

“I’ll do anything. So, even as a slave, please me…”

I strode over and grabbed her by the neck.

“I, now, must go on an adventure. To finish the ritual that the damn wizard ruined, and to return home.”

It was the first time I had ever held her by the neck. It was a neck that looked too thin, not befitting her quick and light movements.

“And take you? Do you want me to go on another adventure with you?”

“Is it okay to hit me, keuk, kka… I’ll carry the burden, and even if I curse and harass you…”

“I don’t know what people like you may think, but I’ve never been very angry with others.”

Her body was begging for air. I can feel that desperate struggle through my throat.

“It’s hard to get revenge, get angry, and hit. It’s exhausting. It’s unpleasant, awkward, unfamiliar, and uncomfortable. So, please stop going. Or, would you please die?”

My mind was definitely more stable than when I just failed to summon. However, unlike wizards and saints, there was no reason not to kill elves.

“Kek, kuk, ugh… Jeong, boo… yes, kheuk. Uh…”

After thinking for a moment, I let go of my hand holding her neck. The elf’s head fell unsightly onto the bed.

“I don’t think your information is meaningless. Just in case you don’t know, I’ll let you know what I need. Phoenix’s…”

“I have.”

“…yes?”

“The phoenix’s… Whoa, haa. Remains. It’s not exact, but I can tell you where you’re most likely to find it.”

Desperately catching her breath, she tried to make eye contact with me. The piercing aura in his eyes did not fade, but it seemed to have carved a fear of me into his soul.

“…That shouldn’t be a lie. No, that’s fine. But I don’t need your help.”

“I’m sorry! Ha, but… maybe I was being manipulated by someone!”

I closed my eyes. A moment of silence passed.

“You know. Whether it’s a hero, a wizard, or a saint. They’re all really ugly and feel bad… but at least those people didn’t make such filthy excuses.”

“I’m not sure, but it’s possible! Someone was manipulating your relationship with me…”

“You have to be sure. You have to be able to take responsibility. If that’s true, I’ll apologize to you from the bottom of my heart.”

Nerwen is trembling. In front of me, she sat down with her legs weak and desperately catching her breath.

“Please explain. Why did you think that way? I’ll listen to the story one last time.”

I took out the holy sword from the scabbard. Fortunately, she didn’t say anything, realizing that the atmosphere was unusual.

It’s not sharp yet, but even this can kill elves. Nerwen looked at me and the blade in turn, then slowly opened her mouth.