「Oi, is it really alright to leave that guy behind?」
On our way to the designated place to receive the prize, Kurou, who was walking next to me, asked that .
Akira was sleeping on the sofa even as we were about to leave, so we decided that it was best to not wake him .
Even though he was speaking in a somewhat polite tone this morning, Kurou had already returned to his usual way of speaking .
Just what was that this morning?
When he called me, he wouldn’t use “you” or “Princess”, but “you” .
TN: the first “you” is omae while the second is anata . Omae is somewhat more polite, but they both essentially mean the same thing .
On top of that, he spoke as if he knew what I did, as if he knew about Kirika’s matter .
In those days, every continent was informed about the dungeon monsters that attacked the elves .
Due to the attack of the demons, it was required that any information related to monsters and demons be reported .
As a result, the information about Kirika having mistakenly scattered a large amount of monster bait became known, but because the elves had erased the doc.u.mentation of it at the time, it was not recorded in the books .
In other words, if he was alive at that time, then it wouldn’t be a surprise if he knew about Kirika’s matter .
However, although I can’t recall the specifics, it was quite a long time ago, so taking the beastmen’s lifespan into consideration, there shouldn’t be anyone still alive who knew about it .
I had an impulse to ask him about it, but if I was mistaken, and I exposed Kirika’s secret that everyone desperately tried to conceal, then I… .
When I thought that, I couldn’t get the words out .
「…Akira has been overdoing it lately . Besides, it’ll be fine since we’re returning to the hotel once we’ve obtained the prize . 」
After getting it, there’s no point in staying any longer .
Depending on when Akira woke up, we could leave right away .
Akira too, was probably just lacking sleep, and would wake up when it was time to leave .
「I see . …it would be good if we could return safely . 」
The last few words that Kurou had murmured, did not reach me .
「This is the place…right?」
Ueno-san dumbfoundedly muttered this when she saw the building that was in front of us .
It was also because I was surprised when I saw the building, that I didn’t catch what Kurou’s words .
The designated place was a filthy looking hotel that was on the verge of collapsing .
It was far from a place where one would expect to receive the pageant prize .
In an instant, everyone was tense .
I had thought that somehow, everyone was on edge today, but did they predict this .
「…who is it!!」
Turning around at Kurou’s sharp voice, there was a man in black standing there .
All eyes landed on him .
「If I remember correctly, you are the committee chairman… . 」
My eyes widened when I heard Hosoyamsan’s words .
Certainly, if you looked closely, that face and those white rabbit ears that could be mistaken for white hair looked familiar .
He was no longer timid and trembling, seemingly afraid of something like he was yesterday; he was standing there imposingly .
「…it seems that he is targeting you . 」
Coming back to my senses when I heard Kurou’s voice, we were being surrounded by men who were clad in black just like the pageant committee chairman Rapan .
For them to come this close to us without me, the hero party, and Kurou, who was a former member of the hero party although he’s retired, realizing it, they seemed to be quite skilled .
There were twenty of them .
They had completely surrounded us, without even a gap .
「…I a.s.sume you’re Princess Amelia . 」
My name came out of that person’s mouth .
The hero party members rushed towards me, surrounded me, and looked around with vigilance .
Their movements, it seems that they’ve long since prepared for this .
However, this was not the time to care about that .
「That’s right, is there something you need . 」
Narrowing my eyes, I responded, and the men in black looked at each other and nodded .
Though I lacked the『Perception』skill, I could sense that this was not the time for us to calmly discuss this .
「Gram-sama has called for you . Come with us . 」
Standing next to me, Kurou’s bloodl.u.s.t rapidly rose when he heard the name “Gram” .
He was the enemy of Kurou’s younger sister .
「The princess of the elves, has to heed the summons of a mere lowly guildmaster?」
Normally, it was impossible to call upon royalty like me .
It was etiquette for the other party to come to me .
When I replied as such, the men in black tightened their encirclement .
It seems that they plan on using brute force .
Behind them, Rapan gave a vulgar laugh .
「However, that won’t do… . To think that an elderly person would be brought to this kind of place by women and children . It seems that the boy who’s always with you is not here today . 」
It seems that Akira was the only one among us who he was vigilant of .
…did they not know about the hero party?
Just as Akira said, information should be collected beforehand .
Sighing, I held my hand out in front of me .
「『Gravity』」
In response to my magic, the men in black all fell to their knees .
Back then, I did not know how to differentiate between enemies and allies, but I’ve learned how to do so when I lived in the dungeon with Akira .
Because I had used『Magic Creation』this morning and had consumed an enormous amount of magic power, I was still a bit fatigued, but I could still take care of such weak opponents .
「And, where will you be taking me?」
I looked down at the kneeling men and asked this .
My eyes were definitely flas.h.i.+ng icily .
A sharp look in my eyes, that definitely could not be shown to Akira .
If they don’t answer, I would not mind torturing them here .
After all, I was not brought up like a princess .
For hundreds of years, high elves have done various unspeakable things in order to govern over the elves as well .
I was not as beautiful as Akira thought I was .
I may always appear foolish, but I won’t stand by when I’m being targeted .
「If you don’t answer me, then be crushed to death . 」
I lowered my hand a little .
In accordance with that motion, the men’s bodies collapsed and sank into the ground .