by Aneko Yusagi
“Of course!”
“Yes! Mama! I’m not bad!”
“I believe I already disowned you, so please stop calling me mother. As for what to do with you… Ah, yes, perhaps I’ll have you pay off some of the country’s debts. Here you are.”
The queen paused for a beat.
She handed Bitch of sheet of paper with a number written on it. Bitch’s face went even paler.
Bitch was true to her nature. Apparently she’d been loose with the country’s purse strings too. I can’t say I’m surprised though.
“How am I supposed to pay this?!”
“That is the amount of money you asked the guild for. You cannot just take what you want from the treasury and not be expected to return it. I also took the liberty of adding the funds that were necessary to put out the forest fires you started. Just as that paper says, you will now work like a slave to pay off your debts to the Crown.”
“But that’s impossible!”
“If you don’t like it, then work with the Heroes to save the world. If you actually contribute, then I’ll think about it.”
Bitch finally shut up, so the queen turned to Trash.
“And look at you, feeling so safe that your daughter is the only one in trouble! All this goes for you too, Aultcray.”
Trash was so shocked he stumbled forward. The damn fool couldn’t even raise his head to the queen.
Couldn’t he behave a little more kingly?
“You will either fight for the future of our country on the frontlines against the waves, or abandon your responsibilities and become a normal adventurer. Make your choice.”
“Ugh… My wife… My QUEEN. I was deceived. That is all. Please have mercy.”
And who deceived him? The Church? Or me? Was he about to throw Bitch under the bus?
“Yes, Mama, forgive me…”
“I’m all out of mercy and forgiveness… Ah, I have an idea.”
The queen beckoned for me. I quickly stepped forward.
“Mr. Iwatani. How should we punish these two? I give you the right to decide.”
“Death! Put them to death!”
Chapter Twelve: Paying the Piper
I said it without even stopping to think. My subconscious must have hated them as much as I did—seemed natural enough.
Honestly though, there wasn’t really another option besides death. What else could finally rid me of my hate for them?
“Death, hmm? Well, considering all the trouble they’ve caused, it does seem appropriate.”
“Yeah, and they really mucked things up for Melromarc on the international scene.”
Ren and Itsuki were coldly calculating.
It was easy to be calculating about other people’s business. As long as they didn’t have to be held responsible for what they said, they could say whatever they wanted.
“But you! You…”
“You better be joking!”
The queen raised a hand, and they shut up.
“If we have them executed, will you truly be satisfied?”
I had the strange feeling that the queen’s magic was flowing towards me.
This is what people mean when they say that shivers go up and down their spine. “Ominous…” The word came to me and described the feeling perfectly.
“Of course they may be killed. However, there are other options as well. We could torture them, let them think they will be freed, and once their freedom seems secured, and a smile crosses their faces, THEN we kill them.”
“You’re… actually—go on.”
“I’m saying that simply executing them is boring. We could also give them simple jobs, and when they learn to make themselves useful, we could keep them around like pets… domesticating them to death. I’d enjoy that.”
To think that she could consider the disposal of her own family members without emotion… The queen might be the darkest person in the whole country.
“Do you think that she’s really been behind all of this? She looks capable of it.”
“You’re right. That was seriously cold.”
The stupid heroes kept changing the subject!
“Anyway, these are simply suggestions. I’ll say no more about the matter. Those were my final emotions.”
“Oh, I think I follow you.”
She was saying that I could do whatever I wanted, but that she didn’t want them killed. She’d punish them in some other way.
“After all the evil actions of the Church, it would cause quite a stir if the queen were to exercise her authority to kill off members of her own royal lineage. I believe it would have an effect on our standing in the international community.”
“On the other hand, after all the trouble these worthless cretins caused, maybe crucifying them would send a message to the community that we are serious.”
“Shield… You bastard!”
Trash was screaming, but the queen ignored him and spoke.
“Normally I would agree with you. But I don’t think that is applicable in Aultcray’s case.”
“Why not?
“This fool used to be quite impressive. In the past his deeds won acclaim all over the world. He was, and may still be, respected by others. If we were to kill him…”
I don’t know what Trash had done to distinguish himself—but whatever. I understood what she was saying.
He was too famous.
Besides, he’d been exercising royal authority this whole time. He was too well known.
Apparently he’d been a respected warrior in the past and had proved himself in many battles. The people that had worked with him and fought with him wouldn’t stay quiet if they discovered he’d been executed.
It might be interesting to see how it all developed. If Trash used to be a hero, then he dirtied his hands and still had to go on living without the respect that he used to bathe in, it might be interesting to watch it all unfold from above.
“Understood. We’ll go with your idea then.”
“Thank you.”
“—On one condition. They can live, but they have to suffer.”
“Naturally… Now then, what should their first punishment be?”
Yeah… I could do anything except kill them…
“We could start by ripping off their hands and feet…”
“Mr. Naofumi…”
Raphtalia was looking at me like she wanted to say something.
She was probably thinking that, while I had the authority to order such a thing, and while they deserved it, I should probably hold back a little.
What to do…
Besides, if I let them off the hook now, how could I be sure I’d get another chance?
“…Mr. NaoFUMI.”
Bitch wiped away her tears and pleaded with me. The way she’d pronounced my name was different than Raphtalia or Melty’s intonation. What was she trying to say?
Her eyes were filled with tears. They were sparkling. Her cheeks flushed red. It really did look like the depth of her sins was beginning to sink in.
She was a real actress when she needed to be. If I didn’t already know who she was, I’d have been fooled.
She probably used this routine on Motoyasu.
I suddenly realized that was the first time she’d ever called me by name.
“Please don’t do anything as foolish as to look for revenge. Revenge only breeds further revenge. If you, Mr. NaoFUMI, could bear to show mercy, then I’m sure the queen would be grateful…”
“Whoa…”
Ren was looking at Bitch like he couldn’t believe his ears. Itsuki was shocked too. He scratched his head in confusion. Melty held her head in her hands and stared at the floor. Raphtalia rolled her eyes in disbelief. Filo was… Filo cocked her head to the side in bewilderment.
As for myself…
…hm.
“Well…”
Later that day, soldiers mounted their horses, Filolials, and dragons. They rode whatever they had and were dispatched to all the villages and towns in the kingdom t
o deliver a message.
“To take responsibility for all the terrible things that have happened in Melromarc, from now until infinity, King Aultcray and Princess Malty shall be known by the names ‘Trash’ and ‘Bitch.’ Anyone who calls them by their previous names, for whatever reason, will be swiftly punished!”
They printed this on signs and fliers and bulletins and had them distributed and posted in all the cities, towns, and villages of Melromarc.
The citizens, irrespective of their place in society, all stood before the announcements and said the same thing:
“What?”
“What kind of idiot could put up with such a thing? You idiot!”
“What are you doing? You demon!”
Bitch’s face was all twisted up in rage.
From now on, when people spoke of these two they’d say things like, “So Bitch was…,” or “How about Trash…?”
It felt great. I never thought I’d get to see this.
“You earned it…”
“I think so too. It’s true that the punishment is terrible, but it also seems just.”
Ren and Itsuki couldn't keep themselves from commenting.
“You bastard!”
Trash’s red race grew even redder, and he shouted in anger.
“Ahahaha! Now THAT’s the face I wanted to see this whole time!”
Finally, the whole world would call him by my private nickname for him: Trash.
“’Revenge only breeds more revenge… bear it?’ Such beautiful worlds—I suggest you take your own advice, Princess Ma…. I mean, Bitch.”
“Shut up! I’ll never forgive you!”
She looked like she was ready to come swinging punches at me, but the queen’s guards wouldn’t let that happen.
“Don’t forget that Bitch also had a fake name for adventuring. What shall we do about that name?”
“Whore.”
“Whore…?”
Ren and Itsuki said nothing. They seemed to be a little offended. Guess I couldn’t blame them.
“Very well, I will register the new name as her adventurer’s title. She’ll no longer be able to use the name ‘Myne’ to register for quests or stay at inns.”
“I’ll kill you! If you turn your back, I’ll kill you!”
She was furious—seething. But I felt so good. Her little outburst couldn’t bother me.
“You’re welcome to try. If you attack me, you’ll be put to death.”
“Yes, she has lost all of her rights. If she acts out, the slave seal will kill her.”
I saw what she was saying. It would cause issues if the queen were to execute a member of the royal family. That is why she disowned Bitch first and changed her name. Then she would be free to kill her without worrying about the backlash. It was smart, efficient. I liked it.
Not only that, but it came with a rule that Bitch wasn’t allowed to attack me. She must have wanted Bitch to know how it felt to be me—unable to attack.
“Now, now... don’t you think you’ve taken this too far?”
Itsuki spoke up. I didn’t care.
“Nope! It feels great!”
“Now then, to fully earn Mr. Iwatani’s cooperation, we’ll have to fulfill his old request, won’t we?
“What do you mean?”
“Before all this happened you told Trash to crawl down before you on his hands and knees, did you not?”
The queen clapped her hands, and shadows and knights appeared behind Trash. They seized him by the shoulders and forced him and Bitch to their knees.
“Hey now, wait just a second! Just who do you think I am?!”
“Yes, I am the ki….”
“An adventurer and a soldier, am I right?”
The queen spoke down to them where they kneeled on the floor. She made them understand their new positions.
“Now bow to us. Of course, you too, Bitch. If you disobey, the slave seal will hurt you.”
“But… My Queen! I… No… I won’t bow! I wonnnnnnn’t!”
“You must be joking. Why would I bow to him? I….AHHHHHHH! OUCH!”
The knight grabbed the back of their heads and forced them down until their foreheads scraped the ground.
Bitch was furious. Even though the slave seal was burning into her, she still resisted.
They kneeled with their heads on the floor, surrounded by shadows, and continued to scream.
“Please…”
“AAARRRRHRHHH!”
“AAAAAHHHHH!”
Trash and Bitch were screaming to keep anyone else from talking.
“Shut up!”
The queen snapped, and Trash and Bitch were immediately gagged.
“MMMMGHHMMMM!”
“MMMMUUUUUHHHH!”
They used all their remaining strength to resist, but they weren’t able to put up much of a fight.
“‘Please! Shield Hero! Please help us!’ Just like that.”
“‘Shield Hero! Please fight for our country!’”
There were some excellent impressions of those two happening.
“How’s this?”
“What do you mean you were…?”
It felt so good to see the two of them forced to bow to me. It felt great, but…
I mean it REALLY felt good, but it wasn’t exactly what I wanted.
“They don’t seem repentant, do they? I guess there’s no choice…”
“Are you sure this isn’t taking it too far?”
Ren and Itsuki were whispering to each other.
I didn’t see a reason to stop it. Everyone needed to see who the real bad guys were here. They needed to understand.
Bitch and Trash were screaming and protesting so violently. It almost looked like they were going to have heart attacks and die right there.
Eventually they calmed down and shut up. Their gags were removed.
Bitch looked like… she looked like she’d been raped. Her eyes were just staring off absentmindedly, and thin streams of tears fell down her cheeks.
Did she hate me that much? Did she hate to kneel so much?
Ren walked over to Trash and waved his hand before his face. Trash didn’t react because he wasn’t able to see. Having confirmed this, Ren returned to where he had been standing. Bitch was still whining.
“Perhaps this is enough torture for these two.”
The queen raised a hand and shouted an order.
“Remove them from the throne room!”
“Yes!”
The two of them were taken out of the room.
After they were gone, I turned to see Raphtalia looking at me disappointedly. Melty seemed upset too. Filo was smiling and having a good time. But it seemed like they had revised their opinions on me.
They didn’t say anything, but they looked like they thought I’d taken it all too far.
“And that will end their punishment for the time being. Mr. Amaki, Mr. Kawasumi, and their parties will find rooms prepared for them in the castle. Please rest. I still have some matters I would like to discuss with Mr. Iwatani, so I request that he remains behind.”
“Ah… ah.”
“I would rather not put my faith in people that behave that way but…”
“Wait. Compared to the state they put this country in, this punishment is too mild. It might seem like a lot, but that is only because you were standing here to witness it.”
“That might be true.”
Ren and Itsuki were discussing the day’s events as they left the room with their parties.
“Now that we have punished them in this way, I would like to ask for your cooperation, Mr. Iwatani.”
“Well…”
I couldn’t think of a good reason to refuse her.
Still, was it wise to trust someone that would treat her own family this way? They DID deserve it, though. It was all their fault. You reap what you sow.
“What shall we discuss first? I’ve got an idea. Let’s talk about the Heroes from legend, shall we?”
The quee
n began speaking.
“I’m actually quite fond of the legend of the four Holy Heroes. It’s a little different than my own country’s legends, though…”
“How so?”
“Mr. Iwatani, I believe you’ve discussed these things with Melty. May I assume you have a basic understanding?”
I nodded.
“Well then, as you already know, the Shield Hero does not appear in this country’s legends. He was permanently deleted from the stories, and people speak of him as though he were a demon.”
“…Uh huh.”
The book I’d been reading before I was summoned to this world, The Records of the Four Holy Weapons, had no information in it about the Shield Hero. It had been completely blank.
I’d figured that the pages were blank because I had been summoned to fill them in… but could it be that the book had simply been a recording of Melromarc’s version of the legend?
Something didn’t seem right. I didn’t think that my guess was accurate, but I guess I’d have to just go with it for the time being.
“The Shield Hero worked with both the humans and the demi-humans. Because of that, there were many times when the other Heroes considered him an enemy. In the end, however, they were able to reconcile.”
Now things were making sense. If that was part of the legend, then it would explain why demi-humans had been so willing to trust me.
“As you know, Melromarc is a human-supremacist nation. We did prepare a special district where the demi-humans could live in peace, but they had very difficult lives.”
“Uh huh…”
I’d been in this world for more than three months now. I knew that the demi-humans were basically slaves in Melromarc.
“Because of these things, our relationship with Siltvelt is very bad. Our nations have fought many wars.”
The situation was the opposite in Siltvelt, where humans were considered a slave class. Melromarc and Siltvelt were like water and oil.
It only made sense for them to be at each other’s throats.
“Now, as you may be aware, Siltvelt’s religion also branched off from the Church of the Four Heroes, but instead of worshiping three Heroes, they worship the Shield Hero exclusively.”
“I had guessed as much. Seems I was right.”
“Yes… Now as for how the Church of the Three Heroes came to be… I imagine that you’ve already figured that out, haven’t you, Mr. Iwatani?”