Volume 5, Chapter 44 – The Second Audience

“From the White Moon Kingdom: Saint Fiene Argentata-sama, Holy Knight Christina-sama, and two others, requesting an audience!”

We had returned to the Imperial Capital from Chi Tien and once again found ourselves in the First Audience Hall of the palace.

As always, the color scheme of vermilion and gold was painfully bright.

I performed a lady’s curtsy, with the other three following my lead and bowing behind me. Then, that mysterious chanting began again.

“””His Majesty the Emperor, long live! Saint-sama, long live! Long live! Ten thousand years of happiness!”””

The moment the mysterious chanting ended, I immediately straightened up.

“Hmm. You may raise your heads.”

“His Majesty the Emperor says you may release your bow.”

Once again, the mysterious interpreter stepped in, but I had already stopped bowing before receiving permission.

This was my way of lodging a protest.

“Now then, Saint. How did matters fare?”

“His Majesty the Emperor—”

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“Yes, we discovered and suppressed the location that appeared to be the base of the Undying Beast.”

I spoke over the mysterious interpreter, who tried to take every opportunity to assert dominance.

Since this was the second time, the reaction wasn’t as strong, but the civil officials around us were still buzzing.

I honestly wish they’d just get used to it by now.

“I believe General Lu Fei will provide a formal report, but it appears to have been a facility where some kind of experiment was being conducted. I have bestowed a Blessing upon the swords and arrows in Chi Tien, so the Undying Beast can be defeated using those. Furthermore, it has been determined that the beast can be defeated by striking it with Purification Magic while it is regenerating.”

“I see. You have done well. I shall send a reward. Do you have any requests?”

“No. Here is the invoice. These are the fixed prices specified by the Temple of the White Moon Kingdom, so please pay this amount for the request to subjugate the Undying Beast.”

“H-hmm. I see. You are quite thorough.”

“Also, Your Majesty, while in Chi Tien, we suppressed a Monster Stampede led by a Goblin King.”

When I brought this up, the Emperor narrowed his eyes and looked at me. A slightly menacing atmosphere began to emanate from him.

“Does the Saint intend to request a reward for that as well?”

“Normally, yes. However, although they failed to penetrate the inner city walls, the fields were devastated and so many lives were lost that the reconstruction of Chi Tien will not be easy. Therefore, rather than monetary compensation, I would like to ask for your cooperation in searching for a person.”

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“Hmm, searching for someone?”

“Yes. Actually, the Elf accompanying me, Lumia, is looking for her younger sister. The sister’s name is Leia; she is one year younger than Lumia and shares the same hair and eye color. There is a very high possibility that she has been forced into slavery via an Enslavement Curse Mark, and I am determined to liberate her and return her to her family no matter what.”

“…I see. Very well. I promise that if such a person is found, our country will take her into protection.”

“I am grateful.”

I gave a small bow.

“Now, what of the matter of accompaniment? In terms of martial prowess, I believe he is the strongest…”

“I decline the General’s accompaniment.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“His personality is incompatible with ours. Even if the General were chosen by the Holy Sword, I would still decline.”

“Hmm. Is that so? I thought his martial skill would be of great use. Very well. Then you shall have no complaints if someone else is chosen by the Holy Sword, yes? Bring the Seven-Star Treasure Dragon Sword here!”

“Eh?”

Then, a single sword in its scabbard was carried in on a tray.

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Wait, so that’s how it is! I’ve been played!

“This is the Holy Sword passed down in our country: the Seven-Star Treasure Dragon Sword. Try taking it in your hand.”

“Yes.”

I hesitantly took the sword and slowly drew the blade from its scabbard.

The blade that appeared was a beautiful gold, with seven silver stars adorning the flat of the sword. It was a single-edged blade with a slight curve, and the grain of the steel surged like a dragon.

The sword was as light as a feather, and as I gripped it, a holy power flowed steadily into my right hand, feeling very pleasant.

It was similar to the feeling I got when I held Chris-san’s Se-something and Shizuku-san’s Kirinagi.

As expected of a sword called a Holy Sword, does this one also choose its owner?

The surrounding civil officials were buzzing loudly.

I could hear whispers like, “Oh, she actually held that sword,” so that must be the case.

“Very well. Bring the candidates here.”

At the Emperor’s command, a stream of sturdy-looking men entered the room.

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Despite being rejected so bluntly, the General was casually mixed among them.

Alright, let’s do this.

*—Excuse me, Holy Sword-san. I have no intention of increasing my number of knights any further, so please don’t choose anyone.*

The holy power transmitting through my hand stopped dead.

Yep, just like Kirinagi, this sword seems to have a will of its own.

*—I-S-T-H-A-T-S-O?*

I gathered Holy Attribute Mana in my right hand gripping the sword and then immediately let it dissipate.

Then, holy power began flowing intermittently into my right hand.

Yep, it seems it understands. Communication really is important.

I returned the sword to its scabbard and handed it back to the person who had brought it on the tray.

And so, the ceremony to decide the master of the Seven-Star Treasure Dragon Sword began.