Conia barged into the Foreign Minister's room and found Hikaru, who was neither fl.u.s.tered nor ashamed. In fact, his att.i.tude seemed to suggest he was waiting for her to come. And that irritated Conia, which surprised her. She had never harbored such hostility against someone before.

The Foreign Minister stared at her, astonishment on his face, bringing her back to her senses.

Lord Gilbert is probably getting to me, she thought as she calmed herself down before speaking.

「Adventurer Hikaru. You are suspected of a.s.saulting a Gray Deacon. Please come with me for questioning.」

「I don't recall ever hurting anyone, and I don't have time for this nonsense.」

「If you truly believe you didn't do anything wrong, then just tell me everything.」

「Let me ask you, then. If you were in an unfamiliar land to carry out a mission and you were accused of something you have no knowledge about, the authorities even using force on you, would you follow them quietly?」

「We're not using any force. We are fair and impartial, not siding with anyone.」

「How can you insist you're harmless when you bring armed men with you?」

「That's because you didn't keep your word and instead went into hiding!」

「What word? Ah, you mean about waiting at the Adventurers Guild. I was there, but you didn't come so I left.」

「Nonsense! I went there first thing in the morning! I already know you left in a hurry after learning of our visit!」

「I had a stomachache that day.」

「Why, you…!」

「Now, now.」

Conia was flus.h.i.+ng when the minister cut in, raising his hand.

「I'm having a hard time following. This adventurer is a messenger our kingdom hired to deliver a letter. I didn't receive news of any trouble.」the old man said.

「That's because there isn't any.」Hikaru said.

「Oh, there is.」Conia said.「I heard you hit a Gray Deacon on the face.」

「I did no such thing.」

「Like I said, come with me to explain—」

「Now, now.」The Foreign Minister sighed.「We won't get anywhere like this. Miss Blue Knight. You're aware that we're delegates from Ponsonia, yes?」

「I believe you are the kingdom's Foreign Minister.」

「Then you should know that coming here armed is a diplomatic problem.」

「In case a delegate is suspected of a crime, we Blue Knights have the right to arrest the suspect.」

「Indeed. Then we will use our special right as diplomats as well.」

Conia's expression turned to shock. The temple knights with her didn't seem to follow and whispered to her.

「What's the matter, Lady Conia? I thought Blue Knights had the right to arrest without question.」

「The special right would mean we can't lay a hand on them until the arbitration is over.」

「So it's a truce until then…」

Conia nodded, biting her lips.

「I understand.」she said.「Let me just confirm this, Sir. The special right applies to all members of the party. So you're saying that adventurer is a member?」

「Indeed.」

「But after the arbitration, the right applies only to the amba.s.sador, in other words, you, Sir. Surely, you're not going to tell me afterwards that this adventurer is the amba.s.sador.」

「Haha. Of course, not. This a.s.signment was given to me by Princess Kudyatoria. I can't hand it over to someone else.」

「Understood. That's all from me.」Conia turned around to leave.

「Hey.」Hikaru called to her.「What you see isn't always the truth. I hoped someone of high status would understand this.」

「What do you mean?」

「Only kids are allowed to play the innocent card. But for someone in a position of power, ignorance is a sin.」Hikaru wore a displeased look.

Conia turned around.「What are you trying to say?」

「That face and voice… I wish you'd get straight to the point and say something that would surprise me… I know I'm just being selfish, but still…」he muttered in a low voice.「I apologize for stopping you.」he continued.「I have nothing more to say.」

「If you'll excuse me, then.」

Conia turned her back once more and left the room. She had no idea at all what Hikaru was trying to say.

「All right, then.」Hikaru said.「Was making me a member of your party really necessary? Look, they're all fuming.」

The other men's eyes glinted with rage. They didn't understand why the Foreign Minister treated the boy with great care.

「You're the one who used me, though.」the old man replied.

「I hope you don't mind. You benefited from it, anyway. I must say, your creation of an established fact was excellent.」

「Haha. You did well in inducing me to use it. I didn't expect you to know about the special right. Listen, how about actually studying diplomatic relations?」

「I just happen to be friends with a n.o.ble who had the knowledge. Well, then. I'll be taking my leave.」

「Are you sure about this? You'll turn back into a wanted person once you leave the Tower.」

「Now's my best chance to leave since they probably won't expect it. They'll think I'll be staying here for a while. I really just wanted to talk to that Blue Knight.」

「I see.」

「If you'll excuse me, Sir. Thanks a lot for the help. I'm sure the kingdom will enjoy peace with you around.」

Hikaru shoved the signed papers into his pocket and left the room. As soon as he was gone, the Foreign Minister burst into laughter.

「Hahaha. He even predicted the knight to barge in here. What an amusing boy.」

「Sir!」

The men who were quiet until now finally spoke.

「Please explain yourself! We're on a very important mission. I know those were just empty words, but how could you let that boy into our group?!」

「He did a wonderful job as a delegate.」

「You mean his mission to deliver the letter? That was a request through the guild—」

「No.」

「What?」

「He mentioned an established fact, correct? I exercised the kingdom's special right, which the Blue Knight acknowledged. In other words, I made her acknowledge that Princess Kudyastoria had royal authority.」

「Ah—」

The men froze. They knew exactly what that meant. Conia was a person of high status within the Tower, a Blue Knight. Even though the Red Priests were in charge of the arbitration, and it also might've just been a slip of the tongue, Hikaru still made a Blue Knight acknowledge Princess Kudyastoria's right to the throne.

Hikaru was hinting at wanting the Foreign Minister's protection. He knew the special right was the only option the old man could use for that.

The Foreign Minister himself was aware that only the diplomat of the rightful ruler could exercise the right. He concluded that making the Blue Knight acknowledge that would be to their benefit.

「Y-You thought of all that in such a short time?!」

「Yes. This is what it means to be a diplomat.」

The men went completely silent.

「He thought I would exercise the special right. If I didn't get the hint and failed to help him instead, the opposite would've happened. He would've given up on me… no, the whole kingdom. Not just him either. If someone incompetent held a position of power, even the citizens would turn their backs on the kingdom. That boy was trying to tell us that.」

The Foreign Minister's expression turned gentle.

「Although, he seems to have some attachment to that knight. I suppose, his young age has something to do with that.」