Chapter 525

525 Consultation

When I woke up the next morning, Fiona was already gone. However, my face felt a bit stickyshe mustve played a prank on me after she got up.

Even so, I felt somewhat refreshed after a nights sleep. While my concerns and problems hadnt been resolved, I felt rejuvenated. Perhaps, having Fiona sleep beside me was more relaxing than I expected. Apparently, taking the plunge was worth the effort.

Still, in the end, Lily didnt come backeven in the morning. Itd be safe to a.s.sume that she wouldnt be returning for a while.

I felt truly depressed, but a new day had begun.

Take care, Kurono.

Yeah, I should be back by evening.

Breakfast pa.s.sed without a hitch Actually, when I was about to feed Sariel, Fiona intervened with Ainz Bloom. Other than that, I made all the necessary preparations and left the dormitory.

By the way, for the first time in my life, I experienced the so-called Deep Kiss.

As I waited until the bubbly sensation subsided, I went straight for my destination. Even so, it was a distance of only 5-minute walk. Located on the seminary grounds, it was a dormitory exclusive for cadets.

Come to think of it, Ive never been here before.

I came to visit my best friend, Will. He was none other than the second prince of SpadaWilhardt Tristan Spada.

Above all, Im glad that youve returned safely.

For the first time in a long while, I was reunited with Wilhardt. Partly because I visited before the start of the cla.s.s, I didnt miss him or get stuck in a queue.

Wilhardtwho cried tears of joy at our reunionregained his composure as we went up to his room. There, his maidCeliaserved us tea. He was as emotional as ever, and I was relieved at that.

Even more so when my relations.h.i.+p with the Element Master had undergone such a drastic change.

Ill ask this just in case, but you arent in the middle of a cla.s.s, right?

Pfft, since ancient times, its been said that, Once a friend returns from the battlefield, theyre no longer fun! As if Ill let something as trivial as a cla.s.s hinder our reunion!

Looking at how Willan exemplary high school studentproudly declared that he was skipping cla.s.s, I was a bit worried Still, I was grateful towards him.

I see, thats a relief. Let me warn you, its going to be a long story?

Dont worry, go ahead. I also have a lot of questions.

Thus, Will and I settled down and started talking.

As a matter of course, our run-down dormitory couldnt be compared to the one that was dedicated for executives. Due to the well-built construction, I didnt have to worry about being eavesdropped.

Celiathe escort maidwas present alongside him. Shed inadvertently hear our conversation, but it didnt matter. After all, it wasnt something that should be kept secret for a long time.

After making that decision, I filled him in on what happened at the end of the Galahad War and the teleportation magic. Afterwards, about how I hid in a cultivation village until the snow melted, before returning to Spada. I briefly summarized the outline.

Hmm, generally speaking, it went as I expected. Besides, Lily had also informed me about a letter from Kurono that confirmed his safety.

Surely, Lily informed him while returning to Sparda to prepare equipment such as the Predator Coat.

Still, what worries me the most is the fate of the 7th Apostle, Sariel, our greatest enemy. Did you kill her? Or did you spare her?

About that, theres something Id like to discuss. Or rather, thats the reason why Im here today.

What are you?

I captured Sariel alive. Shes in my dormitory right now.

W-w-w-w-what!?

However, when Wilhardt was about to scream, both me and Celia rushed to block his mouth.

Forgive me, Lord Will. We cant possibly let such a story leak to the outside.

Mm, nn

Will made a slightly painful okay gesture. For the time being, Celia and I let go of him since hed calmed down.

Before anything else, let me affirm thisI have no ill will towards Sariel, as she no longer retains her power as an apostle. Moreover, shed awakened to the divine protection of Dark Knight Freesia.

We also dont have to worry about her escaping?

Thats right. If shes going to escape, shed have done so since long ago. No, she might even be able to finish me off while I was asleep.

No way, you cohabitated with the enemy general for three months

Well, thats one way to put it.

I nodded deeply.

Hm, even if such is the case, I dont really understand. Kurono, why would you let your nemesisthe apostle, live?

Of course, hed be skeptical.

To be honest, the series of events that led me to sparing Sariel wasnt exactly a pleasant memory that Id like to recount over and over again. After all, Lily had traumatized me by running away in tears. Despite so, I still have to explain the circ.u.mstances.

For the time being, it was easier to talk to Will, who was on the same wavelength as me. Above all, he knew that I was summoned from another world, making everything simple.

Actually, Sariels true ident.i.ty is

Thus, I revealed all the circ.u.mstances.

Ugh, guh I see, so thats how it is, howhow painful it must be!

As a result, Will burst into tears and expressed great sympathy for my situation.

I was glad that he understood me as a friendbut on the other hand, I felt bad for making him sad.

It was rough, yes. I was really worried. Even now, there are still some loose ends. Nevertheless, Sariel is an apostle, and the former commander of the Crusaders. I cant keep it hidden forever. First, Id like to know what options I have in that regard.

I see, I see I understand what youre getting at! Well, thank you for relying on me! Leave everything to me! This prodigal Wilhardt Tristan Spada shall guide you to your desired answer!

I received a very reliable reply. For some reason, Will even stood up and spoke confidently. His cape fluttered, while his monocle shonehe looked like an intelligent and keen character.

Then, what should I do?

Well, simple, we just have to make sure that the prisoner of warformer Crusader Sarielstay by your side.

Thatd be best But isnt it quite difficult? I heard that the 8th Apostle, Ai, was sealed in the royal castle.

Will provided a detailed supplementary explanation of the circ.u.mstances leading up to Ais incarceration.

After her capture in Galahad, due to her special status as an Apostle, hostage negotiations and subsequent treatment within the country were supposed to be decided by a military trial. However, King Leonhartwho was aware of the danger of her powerimmediately sealed her in the royal castle. Apparently, he even issued a royal decree.

Therefore, would it really be okay to bring Sariel to the royal castle in the middle of Spada? Not to mention, it was said that the lowest level of the dungeon there was the impenetrable. After all, the structure was fundamentally different from ordinary prisons, which were simply carved with steel and sealing magic.

The prisonwhich used a part of the ancient ruins, seemed to even freeze time. However, the mechanism behind it was left vague because modern magic technology couldnt accurately study its principles and effects. While the details were unknown, those who were put in said prison would be frozen in time. Theyd fall into a state where they couldnt even think, let alone move.

Since the prison itself seemed like a huge block of ice, it was called the Gap of Cocytus, probably after the frozen h.e.l.l of ancient mythology.

Ai, who was sealed in such a majestic prison, would be thawed from time to time. However, it was limited to her head. They did it to interrogate her about the crusaders and the apostles. It was expected that itd take some time to successfully extract information from her.

Even though Sariel lost her divine protection, she was still an apostle. As such, Im worried that shed be thrown into the Gap of Cocytus like Ai.

But as of the present, hasnt Sariel been reduced into a state where only her left arm remains? Since our army also wants information about the enemy, if possible, wed like to keep her in a state where shed still be able to answer questions.

If Will knew that she could use both blackening and thunder element to make up for her missing limbs, would his response change? Well, it wasnt like she could just regenerate her missing limbs. Besides, there were many ways to deal with her.

At least, her current divine protection will be examined by the Pandora Temple. If we can prove that she indeed has the divine protection of Dark Knight Freesia, we might be able to lower our level of vigilance even further.

But isnt that just a difference between going into Cocytus or going into a regular prison?

This is where it gets importantwe wont just be sitting idly. Kurono, you have to appeal to my fatherKing Leonhart.

Appeal directly to the king? Dont make me nervous.

Theres nothing to worry about. Youre the Gladiator of the Fourth Squad. Celia, fetch me something from the third row from the top of the bookshelf; the fourth and the seventh from the right; and the third from the bottom left.

Will gave instructions without even glancing at the large bookshelf that occupied a considerable amount of s.p.a.ce in the room.

Does that mean he remembers the position of all the books? Is it thanks to his memorizing skill, or hes just proficient at storing them? Either way, thats so cool!

I believe these are the books youre asking for? 96s Spada Laws, Interpretation of Ancient Law II Vol. 1, and Doki! Dungeon Capture Full of Busty Elves Mansion of Succubus?

Y-you idiot! Dont include something from the hidden row! Its the third from the bottom row to the left!

Excuse me, then is it, Adventurers Rights Protection Vol. 3?

Thats correct. Thank you for your a.s.sistance. First of all, according to this Sparda law

Hey, Will? Just now, I heard a strange t.i.tle.

Huh, what are you talking about? The maid just made a trivial mistake, dont be so nitpicky.

I-I see Well, if you dont mind, may I borrow it next time?

Of course, my collection is the best. You may borrow whatever you want.

After deepening our bond as a man, Will returned to the main topic.

If an officially recruited adventurerin other words, a Gladiator, was recognized for his merits on the battlefield, theyll have the right to negotiate their merits.

However, the request of the Gladiator usually went through the officer from Sparda Knightor at the most, the general who led the corps. In this case, itd be the first princeEisenhardt, who held the highest rank as a negotiating partner. After all, if everything was left to the king, there was no end to it.

However, since the outcome of the battle depended on you, your achievements could be considered to be immense. It can be said that they are almost on par to my fathers success in toppling the Dragon King Garvinal in a single combat.

I-is that so? It wasnt that great

Dont say that. The most important thing in negotiation for military achievements is how you exaggerate your own achievements. While humility may be a virtue, it wont serve you any good in this one.

Admittedly, I wasnt good at that sort of thing, and Will saw through me.

Regardless, your military exploits remain an object of admiration. Even if you were to remain silent, Im sure my father will even bestow a t.i.tle upon you.

I have no intention of becoming a n.o.ble, but But if its as you said, I wonder if my selfish request would be granted.

Thats right. Your odds of winning are decent.

With a firm nod, Will opened the erotic book Celia had broughtnot, but a Spadas thick law book, before continuing.

Fortunately, your side hasnt been bestowed with any rewards, yet. It seems that both Lily and Fiona dedicated themselves to your rescue are also not rewarded as of yet.

Even if they confirmed my safety through the letter, they were inadvertently worried. Especially because there was no follow-up from me. After all, sending a second later would prove to be too risky for me, since I might be rooted out by the Crusaders.

Apparently, Lily promptly returned to Galahad Fortress after making preparations for her rescue in Sparda, where she and Fiona spent three months together until the snow melted. Suffice to say, they went through a lot.

Since I enjoyed a slow life in the cultivation village, I couldnt help but be a.s.sailed by tremendous guilt.

There are several types of rewards for adventurers. While most of them are basically paid in money, there are also objects; such as expensive armaments, magic instruments, magical artifacts, or even land and business rights. Also, as I mentioned earlier, there have been several precedents in history for a statussuch as a peerage const.i.tuting as a reward.

The fact that there was a similar case in the past would make it easier for me to proceed with the request. That way, I could ask for the same.

But Neither money, physical goods, or status are related to Sariels freedom.

Bwahaha! Dont be so hasty to decide, Kurono! Ive already found a surefire way for this negotiation!

R-really?

Amazing, as expected of Will!

If all goes well, the current issue may as well be half-solved.

It may sound pathetic, but I wasnt good at dealing with stress. If possible, I wanted to get rid of the burden as soon as possible.

Hey, the answer is actually real simple

Fufu, Will showed a perfect smile

You should appeal to have Sariel as your slave.