Chapter 196: Incident at the Castle and Invited Crisis

"There is someone targeting Hiroyuki-dono."

Speaking the main subject suddenly without greeting is rare for Baldo.

Does that mean there is a possibility it will become dangerous immediately?

But...

"Why am I targeted for my life?"

I tried asking Baldo but I roughly understand the reason.

Finished using, that kind of thing.

But Baldo uttered an unexpected reason.

"You are suspected of communicating with those of the Demon World."

"Ha?"

It was completely unexpected so I unconsciously asked back.

"From Priestess Birga’s talk I heard you wandered into the Demon World, made the daughter of Demon King Geizer who was there a Dule and returned."

Birga apparently reported firmly to Helene and the others.

"Aa, that’s right... I see, Gejia."

Because Gejia is a resident of the Demon World they thought she has contact with the demon kings I suppose.

The talk seemed long so I sat in a nearby chair.

Harold wanted to hear the talk but he cannot leave his subordinates in training and returned to training.

"That’s right. From there a question arises whether you actually did not defeat Geizer. That you were petrified is also a lie..."

"No, Helene should know that!"

At Baldo’s words I refuted raising my voice a little.

"Yes. So we do not suspect at all but there are some who hold such suspicion. Then Hiroyuki-dono disappearing and the royal capital falling also fits, they say. Though that is a mere pretext and most are fellows trying to distance Hiroyuki-dono from power."

Baldo explained while sighing.

"I have no interest at all."

"It does not matter what the person himself thinks. How it is seen by surroundings is important. And..."

"And?"

"Those who cling to something assume others also cling to that. They cannot understand those who have different thoughts from themselves."

Baldo sighed again.

Baldo’s words who is in the middle of schemes are heavy.

It makes me think.

"The talk strayed. So I came to warn Hiroyuki-dono to be careful."

"I see. Thank you. But then I worry about the house."

While I am gone we might meet an attack or the Dules might be taken hostage.

"Muriel."

"Yes, immediately."

Muriel apparently understood my intention, answered then walked to the edge of the training ground.

She will contact someone at the house, probably around Sophia, with magic I suppose.

"For now they should attack from the front. That way the wounds can be "seen." And even if they set a sneak attack on Hiroyuki-dono the possibility of being counterattacked is high."

Baldo told me the opponent’s way of coming out in the latter half half laughing.

"Front means?"

Will they formally challenge me to a duel?

"Using something they socially erase Hiroyuki-dono."

Socially erase, huh.

"So Gejia."

"That’s right. If Hiroyuki-dono is a monster spy he disappears from the power struggle."

That’s how it is.

"Then if you have considered that far you seem to know roughly who is involved."

I tried setting a trap for Baldo.

"Aa, because it was disputed in this morning’s audience conference."

...Thinking about it that’s obvious.

Yesterday to today.

At the point of yesterday the only one who knows I made Gejia a Dule is Birga and even if Birga reported to Helene and the others those who know at today’s stage are limited.

If Baldo knows that far at today’s point he should naturally know who too.

But... to have such things known in detail by Baldo.

Are they guys who cannot do underground work or a situation where they do not need to.

I see, so from the front.

They think Gejia’s existence is a convenient pretext just right to bring me down.

"In this morning’s conference from Priestess Birga’s report Hiroyuki-dono’s treatment became an agenda. At that time the one who insisted to capture Hiroyuki-dono was... Marcel."

Aa, that guy who led the archer unit.

"Hiroyuki-dono, if they come from the front they cannot lay hands on the Dules who are Hiroyuki-dono’s property until the charges are established and even if they come from behind those who use Dules as disposables will consider Dules have no hostage value. But there is a possibility they attack that Demon King Geizer’s daughter so it is better to be careful. And..."

When Baldo cut his words once he patted my shoulder.

"Hiroyuki-dono yourself too."

...

Baldo left into the castle.

After this I planned to meet Julius and Helene, when I said that I was told better not to come.

And Hiroyuki-dono does not need guards I suppose, he said looking at Muriel returning this way and left.

"Did he leave?"

Returning Muriel asked me.

"Aa. ...Shall we return early."

Baldo said that but I still mind.

It is not that I do not trust Sophia or Sara or Tiria but if something happens where I am not I will regret it.

And I do not know if Sophia can control Gejia.

"Understood."

Muriel also nodded with a meek expression.

We left the training ground with training only briefly.

...

Leaving the castle there is a square in front.

There priests of the Anirofe order are examining.

Of course Rosina also examines here when she goes to the castle.

Rosina is popular and when Rosina examines a long line forms but...

"Today they are not lining up."

Today Rosina should be examining but a line of people did not form.

"Did she already return?"

I said that to Muriel while descending the stairs from the castle to the square.

Then a man’s yelling voice was heard.

"You, you were a Dule!"

—-

"You, you were a Dule!"

Looking in the direction of the yelling voice it was the place the Anirofe order examines.

A man was seen yelling at a person who seems a priest.

Nearby flustered figures can also be seen.

Those are Rosina and Sheena.

"That’s right. I’m sorry for keeping silent. But..."

"What? Was I being healed by a Dule?"

Perhaps drawn by the man’s yelling voice people started gathering.

"I even consulted this one about my worries."

"That’s how they’re trying to make us slaves!"

"After all Anirofe is a slave god!"

"「That’s right! That’s right!」"

The guys gathered in the square yelled that one after another.

Not only Sheena Rosina also started flustering oro oro.

This is bad!

I immediately tried to rush but my way was blocked by a woman.

"Lucia!"

She is a priest of the Anirofe order who is Rosina’s colleague.

"Won’t you just watch silently."

Lucia took my arm and said to me with an indescribable expression.

"But if it stays like that..."

Someone will start using violence on Rosina and the others.

Then...

"If you come out it will become even more complicated."

Lucia said gently.