Chapter 10

At least a part of what Hazel said is true.

Because the underground isnt just tunnels, neither is it completely a maze. On one side of the path is a wall reinforced with stones, while the other side has little rooms that look like residences at regular distances from each other. One is even a house with old pans and other simple items, proof that people lived here once.

A few hundred years ago, this was indeed a city.

And it was a large, unknown underground city.

Although I heard that there are ruins underground, I never thought they would be this large in scale.

After walking for around an hour, Saralegui seems to sigh with emotion. In contrast to me now, his condition is much better than it was a while ago. He handed the only torch to us, and is walking at a distance from us. Its amazing how he can walk so steadily without a torch.

Of course, he hasnt forgotten to walk with his right hand on the wall. If he didnt do that much, he would be a lot worse off.

Walking in an uninhabited cave or tunnel without touching the wall, is a very dangerous thing to do. If you got lost in the bottomless darkness of the square, you wouldnt even know which way to walk. For all you know, the next step forward is a ravine, or the side a cliff.

But the underground is a lot warmer than the surface, so we didnt make much use of the thick jackets we have in place of sleeping bags. Ahead of us, Saralegui looks perfectly fine in his summer clothes.

HeyDidnt I say that its really dangerous to walk in front on your own?

Relax, Yuuri, Ill be fine. This is much better than fighting those rotting corpses.

I think no one likes being attacked by the undead.

Looking at Saraleguis happily hopping back, I punch Josaks upper arm once with my fist. Because the exceptional spy has not been himself the entire time, continuously wallowing in regret.

If that time I hadnt rushed in, and had pulled the two of you out instead

What are you saying? If you hadnt followed us in, the two of us would be completely nerve-wrecked by now!

And even if he wanted to pull us back, there was no time and space for both Saralegui and I to pass. If he tried to pull us out by force, chances are high one of us would have gotten stuck. Since I cant be at ease leaving Sara on his own, then Josak following us is the best decision we could have made.

But theres still good news, Gurrier.

What

According to Hazel, this underground tunnel seems to head north. So as long as we dont go off track, we should be going against the path she took to get here. That way we can head for the royal tombs or the facility where Jason and Freddy are kept. However

Even as I say that I feel Im being too optimistic, so I add self-condescendingly,

Well have to see if everything goes so smoothly.

It will.

Heres to hoping.

And I hope we dont encounter those terrifying things Hazel was talking about. How terrifying must it be to make the woman that is courage incarnate, Hazel Graves, so scared? Is it the darkness? Or monsters? Or maybe illusions?

How I envy Josak, who couldnt understand what she was talking about back then.

Once my attention leaves that topic, my mouth unconsciously mentions the name Im extremely worried for.

I wonder, is Conrad all right?

Since he said it himself hell be fine, then there shouldnt be a problem.

The spy shakes the hand that isnt holding the torch, relaxing his shoulder muscles as he replies,

If he was forcing himself, he would definitely give you a huge smile, yknow. Especially when it comes to you, this attitude of his is even more noticeable.

You say hell reply with a smile, really?

Really.

Then I should better believe his words, words spoken by the childhood friend who went through thick and thin with him.

The Young Master is gentle to everyone, so I understand your pain. But dont be deceived by how we look, we have survived many battles to make it to today, yknow. So were really lucky, and we wont just kick the bucket that easily. Especially Captain, if he were to die in a battle with the enemy, who knows how the next generations will laugh at him, so he would fight even harder. Besides, hes only up against ten fermenting bodies, to Lord Weller, thats like the second cup of red tea in the afternoon.

Urgh~~

You mean lemon tea left for a few days. Since Josak, who knows Conrads strength better than anyone else, said that, then ten or twenty of those resurrected group should be nothing.

Maybe the fact that a weakling like me is worrying about him is an insult in itself.

Josak raises his head carelessly, and then shrugs his shoulders,

Theres another trench. Watch your step, we already passed two since just now.

Mn.

Up until now, we have indeed passed two identical trenches. The wall underneath our fingers sinks in a little there as well, so we can detect them immediately.

Although we call them bumps, they are actually ancient fences. Under the not-so-bright firelight, we can see a stone slab about 50cm thick above us. The heavy stone will fall under a certain condition, sealing up the tunnel. Its something like a floodgate in modern times.

Since its that thick and heavy, it can probably block a rush of water and sand. But right now I cant feel any hint of underground water at all, and ahead of us is an endless, gentle slope. At this angle, even if there are falling rocks and soil, it wont become a landslide. If its not to stop water or debris, then what kind of threat would need such a large slab of stone to stop.

I shudder once in spite of myself.

If youre squashed by that kind of stone, thats an instant bye-bye.

Probably.

Saraleguis happily hopping back ahead of us, is swaying like a ghost in the dead of the night. Although his clothes are pale green, but under the illumination of a single, not very reassuring torch, all we can see is a blur figure of white.

Why is he in such good spirits?

Maybe its because he got rid of the thorn in his side.

By the thorn in his side, you mean Conrad?

Gurrier nods three times in succession.

How could Conrad be the thorn in his side? Doesnt Sara really like Conrad? Like when we were on the boat, he was even bossing him around No I meant, didnt he keep Conrad by his side at all times?

Ah, so you saw that after all?

Not only did I see that, I even saw that time when he didnt care at all what others thought, and used him as a living clothes rack. And I was thinking, maybe its because that guy is an only child, thats why he was so happy to have an older brother, so I was happily watching from the side. You know, that time We were all so sure that Saralegui was an only child, we had no doubts whatsoever.

After saying that, I sigh deeply, covering half of my face with my free left hand,

Am I too quick to trust others?

Although theres no breeze, the flame is dancing. Above me, Josak retorts, Why are you saying this all of a sudden?

My brain may be worse than other peoples, Josak. Otherwise why would I make the same mistake over and over again?

I asked you, why are you saying this all of a sudden?

Its the same with Sara.

My right hand is heating up from rubbing against the wall too much. Although the stones and soil are as cold as ice, but the fingers touching the wall feel hot from the friction. Its a bit like that numbing feeling from holding ice tightly.

The first time we met was in the bath, right? Werent you there too, Gurrier? If only I was a bit more observant, and saw Sara for the type of person he was, we wouldnt have to be here now! If only I could activate my self-defense instincts, I would have known that whatever that guy says cannot be trusted.

You couldnt have helped it, after all back then you were bathing with the sheep, right? So of course your heart would have been a-flutter, its not something you could control.

He can use his feminine voice to comfort me, only this time I cant cheer up. Its all because I keep making the same mistakes, getting myself in trouble over my stubbornness. Not only me, even my most important comrades are in danger because of me.

I really, truly feel that Im a useless Maou. Vaguely I remember a saying, people with a foolish king are unfortunate.

Even if you say that, Young Master

The unfortunate minister representativeHis Majesty the Maou's Spy 0043, points his finger onto the top of my head,

Up until now, when Your Majesty believes in someone and takes what seems to be rash and selfish action, has it ever ended badly?

My mind starts listing out everything that has happened since I was first flushed down the toilet into Shin Makoku. The capital, Van dar Via, Sverera, Hildyard, Caloria, Shimaron.

I think there should be a lot more. In places Im not aware of, a lot more things should have happened.

And then comes Seisakoku.

I feel as though this is all because everyone protected me, otherwise considering that I didnt even have time to practice before I was hastily put on the throne, theres no way my position could be so stable until now.

Mmhaheiahaa

Josak suddenly makes a strange sound that sounds like a sigh but isnt a sigh. If it wasnt for the fact that he has to touch the wall and hold the torch, I think he would have raise his arms and shouted into the sky.

Gurrier, whats the matter!?

Im really so useless, eh. Thats why, His Excellency doesnt want to summon me back to the country, and keeps me as an international employee only good for running errands--!

Whats wrong, is he not happy with his current job? My hand leaves the wall to grab the spys clothes.

Youre not happy with your current work environment? And I thought you enjoyed it! If so, you should have said so earlier, Ill tell Gwendal subtly, Ill definitely use plenty of subtlety.

Its not what youre thinking, Your Majesty. Actually, me, Im trying desperately to comfort dejected old you, yknow!

He points at Saralegui ahead of us with his chin, and even says in a purposely loud voice,

Setting Captains absence aside, theres really no need for you to worry about that kind of guy.

He actually dared to call the Shou Shimaron boy king that kind of guy, as expected of the unbeatable Gurrier.

But no matter how I try to comfort you, its no use at all! MmhaheiahaaLooks like, I really am a useless soldier, huh~ If it was Lord Weller, right now he would brilliantly use one line and his strange smile to solve this, right~~ Ah, is this not strange enough?

The image of Conrad tying the sack tightly appears in my mind.

Recently he can be quite mean sometimes, too.

Exactly

Gurrier frowns, his head cocked almost all the way to his shoulders, and then he uses the left hand with the torch to wipe his forehead. It seems to me that his hair is moments away from being burned by the flames.

That black-hearted mans words can comfort you, while I, pure white and innocent Gurrier, no matter how I try Maybe its because Im no good with my words or my smile is too normal, so I cant get Your Majestys spirits up no matter what. What a useless soldier I am, huh.

ItoldyouYoure not useless!

And besides

Josaks hand leaves the wall, his calloused fingers messing up his orange hair.

Its my fault too, that that important Lord Weller isnt here.

Eh, Josaks fault? Why, did you guys fight?

What are you two talking about--? If its anything interesting, I want to listen too

Saralegui waves at us, all carefree. Why can he continue moving forward even without a torch? So unlike me, scared of the dark.

Josak bends down, pretending to scrutinize my complexion, his eyes staring straight at me. Those eyes, bluer than I expected, reveal a lot of anticipation and some regret,

I talked that hesitant[1] man.

I ask back in reflex, What did you talk to him about?

I told him to think carefully on what he really wanted. I said that, and I even told him not to simply approach you until he comes to a conclusion.

My mind is still stuck on What did you talk to him about? Recently, this brain of mine that has started using English a lot often reacts directly to how SVOC[2] is arranged.

I asked him, Which side are you choosing?

Aah, youre talking about Conrad?

I finally get it.

In other words, he forced Lord Weller to decide between Dai Shimaron and Shin Makoku. Maybe he even told him not to get too close to me until he decided which nationality he wanted, or something like that? Both of them have human and mazoku parents, so maybe its easier for them to communicate.

But, even if you force him to say which one of these will you choose as your hometown, its probably not that easy to cut off the ties.

And at the end he actually sulked. That bastard, he really did refuse to approach us.

No way, he cant be sulking, can he? I mean, theres no need for him to sulk over such a small thing, is there?

Hes already an adult of over a hundred years old, how could he sulk over a small thing like that? I refuse to believe it, but at the same time I imagine Conrad crouching on the ground and drawing circles. Finally I cant help but laugh out loud.

Thats why Gurrier ended up being the one with you. So sorry, Young Master.

What are you saying, Josak gives me a feeling of security as well, yknow! And the ultimate transformation techniques you use at the critical moments, are always a sight for sore eyes!

Thats exactly right, I love Your Majesty the most~~

I dont hesitate to punch his back, and he doesnt hold back when he forcefully rubs my neck. Although its nice to see him smile, he sure is using a lot of strength there, I wish he would control it a bit. Although the two of us are exchanging friendly banter at the back, Saralegui doesnt seem to care in his happy mood, until he turns around suddenly and says with certainty,

It seems to be something alive there.

Even though hes been leading the way since we started the downhill slope, this time hes looking back. And hes even looking beyond our shoulders, at something even further behind us.

Hey Dont do this, SaraIf you tell me theres something on my shoulder, from tonight onwards I wont dare to go to the toilet on my own.

ReallyYoung Master is being too polite. If you dont mind, Gurrier can accompany you to the toilet anytime!

I dont want a stalker like you who most likely will peep at me accompanying me to the toilet

Saraleguis completely taken aback by our conversation. Right now, his expression really is very cute.

Accompany? No, Yuuri, Im not talking about accompaniment here. I saw something alive behind your shoulders, in other words higher up the slope we just passed.

You can see so far!?

And the surroundings are so dark, too. Basically Josak and I are taking turns holding the torch, so Saralegui has basically no light to show the way. Even so, he can detect something alive and moving in the distance.

Sara, are your eyes really good?

The person in question smiles gently, like a flowing cloud, and then caresses his long eyelashes with his middle and index fingers,

Didnt I say so before, Yuuri? My eyes may be such a bright gold, but they cant stand heat and light. Especially sunlight.

I know that. The reason he wore glasses, isnt because of his eyesight, but to protect his eyes. Even now, I still occasionally think those thin colored glasses really do suit him very well.

Thats why my eyesight is very good in the darkness instead, because theres nothing blinding me. Even if I suddenly enter total darkness, its only a little blur in the beginning, but I can get used to it immediately. No light is actually easier for me.

Eh, get used to Dont tell me you can see?

Yeah, I can? Cant everyone see after a period of time?

Normal people cant see--!

Really?

His expression of disbelief leaves a normal person like me at a loss.

So that means that the door to his memories is open now, too? Ohh~~ No wonder he turns off the light when everyone is asleep. No, wait, does he sleep because the lights are off? Turns off the lights so he can sleep? I mumble away, saying the interesting things above.

This counts as a super convenient power, doesnt it? Although you say you were exiled from the country for not having houryoku, I feel this is a really cool houjutsu.

At least this is more special than Ajiras translation houjutsu. I always feel that thats definitely the product of hard work. Saralegui, who doesnt understand the pain of those hard-working types, presses a pretty finger to his lips,

Is that so? Even though theres a difference in degree, I always thought everyone could see.

I hate geniuses who can compete with others on talent alone the most. But instead of hate, I should say I envy them.

Underneath the gentle torchlight, Saralegui narrows his eyes and smiles like an angel,

But still~~ I dont have any hopes for houjutsu anymore, Yuuri. Even without the power bestowed by the gods, humans are still unbeatable. Even if Im not grateful to the gods, I can still rule a country, and get whatever I want.

I put one hand into my pocket, my right touching the wall, and mutter with a sigh,

If I heard that a month ago, I would have been so touched.

Now that I know what your true colors are like, I wont find your words cool anymore. Sure, you need power to rule a country, but the reason you can get whatever you want, is actually because of your unscrupulous methods, isnt it.

What Im concerned about is the living thing youre talking about.

Josak stretches his arm, trying to illuminate as much behind us as he can.

In this underground with no apparent food source, are there really large living things that the eyes cant see? Or are those corpses right on our heels?

Those inhuman soldiers cant reach this area, because Mothers power cant reach so deep underground.

What on earth is your mom trying to do? Why would she send zombies to kill her own son?

I dont know why, either.

He uses an unbelievably cold tone to say his own mothers name,

The Empress Alazon, probably wishes me dead, huh? Or maybe shes scared Ill manipulate Yelshi, and claim Seisakoku as my own.

Even so Theres no need to kill you, is there?

Thats what shes like, extremely obsessed over power.

Impressive, just like a puppet.

Josak says that with a tone of contempt. Perhaps feeling insulted, Saralegui raises his head and looks at the man so much taller than his with a severe gaze.

Who do you mean by puppet?

You, of course, Shou Shimaron king.

Me?

Before I can intervene, the two of them have ignited ice cold sparks. His entire face red with anger, Sara deliberately suppresses his emotions,

Which part of me is like a puppet to you?

MnAppearance, actions, the way you cant escape your mothers grasp Once you add it up, all of you, I guess.

I have escaped Mothers grasp!

Sorry, sorry, then should I say you want to use the underground as your puppet, and be the puppeteer that controls the country?

All right, all right.

I feel as though its pitiful for Saralegui to be called a puppet, so I raise my hands and step in between the warring parties. The three of us are really different in body size.

Please, can you guys not argue in a dangerous situation like this? Our luck on this journey has been bad enough. And dont you think its strange? Gurrier and Sara, your relationship shouldnt be this bad. Normally, you guys cant sustain a conversation beyond a few lines, right? So whats this now? It feels like youve disliked each other since a long time ago. Why are you suddenly like this? Could it be that while I was unaware, we sucked in some poisonous gases that will trigger your fighting instinct What sound is that?

Just like a television with a finger holding down the volume up button, the seismic noises and slight tremors are rapidly approaching us, and the sound is getting louder. Theres a sound like tiny claws on the ground, and high-pitched squeaks that tense up every nerve in your body. What looks like a grey wool carpet is sweeping towards our direction.

Tens of thousands of rats are slowly moving down the slope.

This!? This is the living thing Sara saw!? Goodness, theyre rats! Im terrified of rats! Calm down, Young Master. Pretend to be a rock, quickly pretend to be a rock and wait it out!

I raise my hands and present a banzai pose, shutting my eyes tightly and leaning on the wall. Pretend to be a rock, pretend to a rock One, two, mnI cant eat anymore. Crap, this is Bancho Sarayashiki[3].

If youre bitten by these things, youll either get the plague or end up like the cat-shaped robot, or youll get sent to Maihama[4], so its one out of three!? Gurrier doesnt know about the terror Doraemon had to go through[5], thats why hes so carefree. Waatheyre on my legs, theyre on my legs--!

Whatll I do with you~~ Since youre so scared, Ill lift you up in a princess carry.

Never mind, thanks for the offer.

I grew up in the sports field next to the river and Im this scared, so Saralegui who was raised in the palace must be even more terrified. I look beside me, but not only has he turned his face this way calmly, hes even staring at something higher up the slope. He doesnt seem to care the slightest about the swarm of rats by his feet either.

Soon after he raises his hand up high, as though challenging an invisible person who isnt there, and then he reaches out his fair, slender hands, pointing at something that looks to me like an empty spot in the darkness. Even underground, those golden eyes are still sparkling. He looks like an angel declaring the death of a human, or maybe a demon.

Those eyes that can see through the dark, can they see other things as well?