Chapter 27 - Isn't This a Little Excessive? (3)

Malik, a guard working in Kirdam, the capital of Callivan, had always enjoyed rumors. The reason was simple: for someone who spent all day on duty outside the city walls, gossip was one of the few ways to make those tedious hours entertaining.

That was why Malik had actually been looking forward to this day—or, more precisely, the day Count Pallatio arrived. Several days earlier, he had heard through the grapevine that the thug who ran wild under his master's protection, fearing nothing, had demanded to be summoned the moment Count Pallatio came.

Naturally, Malik had no idea why that thug wanted to see a count from another country, but he knew what would happen afterward. There was only ever one reason the man went looking for someone. So when Malik confirmed Count Pallatio's arrival that day, he expected a rather entertaining spectacle.

What he witnessed, however, was nothing like what he had expected. It was Biran getting beaten, not Count Pallatio—and the man beating him was Deus. One of Callivan's Master Knights, Deus had reached the pinnacle of knighthood in less than a year through his unparalleled talent. The man now known as Swordless was thrashing Biran.

That alone was an astonishing incident, big enough for word to spread throughout the capital in a single day. But Malik's surprises did not end there.

'Swordless actually bowed his head...?'

He stared openmouthed at Deus as the knight spoke with his head lowered.

"... Did Lord Swordless just bow his head?"

"Swordless did...?"

The other guards were gaping in astonishment at his behavior as well.

They were so shocked because, until now, Deus had never bowed to anyone except Callivan's reigning king. The incident in which he had slapped the second prince three times for harassing his only younger sister was still a frequent topic of conversation in the capital. His reputation had risen even further after that.

However much of a wastrel the second prince might be, a son the kingdom had effectively discarded, Deus had undeniably shown disrespect to royalty—and yet he had received no punishment whatsoever. That was as good as saying that not just the king, but the entire Kingdom of Callivan, valued Deus Makalian more highly than the second prince. His renown had only grown.

And yet Deus, who would not bow even to this country's royalty, was lowering his head to a mere foreign count.

"Please get in."

"..."

The sight was enough to shock and horrify everyone who knew those rumors.

Soon, all their gazes converged on a single person: Count Pallatio, walking ahead with a blank expression as though there were nothing remarkable about being personally escorted by the Master Knight Deus.

'Just who is Count Pallatio, for even Swordless to bow to him...?'

Everyone who saw the count's face, Malik included, gaped with that same question in mind.

'... This is an unusual situation, but why are they all looking at me like that?'

Bewildered by the astonished gazes directed at him, Alon turned at Deus's words.

"Please get in."

He looked at the carriage Deus had prepared.

'... It certainly stands out.'

Unlike the other carriages, this one was entirely black, making it immediately conspicuous. And then—

CLACK!

Seeing the knights lined up around it as though they intended to provide an impenetrable defense for the carriage itself, Alon felt he could understand the stares a little better. Even he thought this was rather excessive.

"Very well."

Still, after all this effort, refusing to ride in it would have been absurd in its own way. Alon quietly climbed aboard.

"Then I'll bring our carriage along."

With those parting words from Evan, Alon set off for the mansion with Deus, who joined him in the carriage, escorted by the black-armored knights.

####

A short while later...

'This is a mansion?'

Alon looked astonished at his first sight of Deus's residence. He had often heard that Callivan's capital was larger than those of other kingdoms, but even so, he had never seen a single mansion this enormous.

'Is this what success looks like...?'

After briefly entertaining that thought as he watched Deus's back, Alon stepped out of the carriage. Together with Deus, who had led the carriage procession, he made his way through the vast mansion to the office.

Once inside, he was greeted with, "Please take a seat."

"...?"

Alon looked slightly puzzled as Deus offered him the seat of honor without hesitation.

Alon knew next to nothing about aristocratic etiquette, but even he understood the bare minimum of courtesy.

'Doesn't the host usually take the seat of honor?'

Of course, things might have been different if Alon were a noble of truly exalted rank, but he was only a count. And not even a noble of Callivan—he belonged to the Kingdom of Asteria. In short, there was no need for Deus to treat him with such excessive deference.

... Admittedly, being treated this way made Alon feel like a father whose son had made it big, and it pleased him. At the same time, though, he was a little worried. He had quite a few favors to ask of Deus.

"Ahem..."

Alon cleared his throat and took the seat of honor. Deus naturally sat beside him.

"..."

"..."

A heavy silence settled over them.

'What am I supposed to talk about?'

He had a mountain of requests to make, of course, but even Alon knew that wasn't how conversation worked. He needed to exchange pleasantries first, even if only for appearances. Yet making small talk was awkward when he had never spoken face-to-face with Deus like this, much less exchanged letters with him.

CREAK

"I'm a little late."

Escorted by the knights, Evan entered the room, his eyes cautiously scanning his surroundings. Alon realized he had brought the gifts and spoke up.

"Evan, the gifts."

"Of course."

At Alon's instruction, Evan placed the gifts on Deus's desk.

"These are..."

"Gifts for you."

Alon answered Deus and let out a small sigh. He had been wondering how to start the conversation, and the gifts had at least given him an opening.

"Thank you."

Deus bowed his head to Alon.

"..."

"..."

"..."

And then, silence.

For a moment, the thought, Aren't we supposed to naturally start talking now? drifted through Alon's mind. At last, he managed to speak.

"... Aren't you going to open them?"

"That would be impolite. I'll open them later."

"..."

As far as Alon knew, gleefully opening a present right in front of the distinguished person who had given it to you was indeed rude. But Alon wasn't anyone so exalted.

'... Just what does he think I am?'

A slightly confused expression crossed his face, but his bewilderment did not last long.

CREAK!

"Brother...?"

Before he could pursue that thought, another girl entered Deus's office. The cute girl, whose eyes were purple like Deus's, glanced around and spotted Evan.

"Oh, Brother Evan!"

She immediately greeted him with familiarity.

"Oh, Silli!"

Seeing Evan rise with a welcoming smile, Alon realized she was Deus's younger sister—the girl he had ordered Evan to rescue.

'You can tell they're related just by looking.'

Psychedelia had only described where and how the younger sister had met her gruesome death, so Alon had never seen her appearance. Still, her resemblance to Deus was enough to make him nod in recognition. Then he glanced at Deus and flinched.

"..."

Deus looked openly displeased. His gaze grew even fiercer the moment Silli took Evan's hand.

"Silli. Evan isn't 'Brother.' He's 'Uncle.'"

Hearing that, Alon realized Deus was far more protective of his sister than he had expected.

Well, in other words—

... He had a sister complex.

Of course, Alon knew from the game that Deus carried a profound sense of loss and deprivation when it came to family, so he could certainly understand it.

While Alon was thinking that, Silli, who had been clinging to Evan and playing with him moments earlier, came over and began chatting.

"Excuse me, you're Count Pallatio, aren't you?"

"I am."

"Brother Evan told me you were the one who ordered him to rescue me."

Alon glanced at Deus, then looked back at her and nodded.

"I only did what needed to be done."

'Because if you died, your brother could have become a killing machine terrorizing the continent.'

"Thank you so much."

Watching Silli bow her head deeply, Alon felt his heart warm. He might have had an ulterior motive, but doing a good deed and receiving someone's gratitude was still a rather pleasant experience. He smiled faintly.

####

"Ahem..."

After Silli left, Alon lightly cleared his throat in the briefly relaxed atmosphere and gauged Deus's mood. Since his sister's departure, Deus had been casting subtly hostile looks at Evan.

"Deus, the reason I came to see you is that I have a favor to ask."

"A favor...?"

"...? Yes. Is something strange about that?"

Alon was just as bewildered by Deus's puzzled question.

"... No. Please, I'm listening."

For a moment, Alon wondered what that was about, but he paused before continuing. Now that it was time to ask, he found it difficult to get the words out. He had two favors to ask Deus, and both were very likely to put him in a somewhat awkward position. After hesitating, Alon began with the first.

"I have business in the north. Would you be able to accompany me?"

"I will."

"... Can you decide that so easily?"

Deus accepted so readily that Alon stared at him in momentary surprise before asking.

"I was due to set out on an expedition to the north anyway."

At those words, Alon felt relieved. In that case, his first request was effectively a minor one. Letting out a sigh of relief, he continued.

"I'd also like to borrow the Ring of the Arrogant from the Callivan royal treasury, if possible. Could you arrange that?"

He watched Deus's reaction as he spoke. Even for Deus, casually borrowing something from the royal treasury could be extremely troublesome. It was effectively asking him to put himself in the royal family's debt. After all, as long as he belonged to Callivan, even Deus could not escape political interests. But the Ring of the Arrogant was so essential to this plan that Alon had no choice but to make that unreasonable request.

"Of course, if this causes you any harm—"

Alon was about to offer compensation and make a small appeal to his emotions, but Deus interrupted.

"Understood."

"... Hm?"

"I will fetch the Ring of the Arrogant immediately."

Deus promptly bowed his head as he spoke, as though he truly intended to ask no questions and raise no objections. Alon looked bewildered once again.

'I mean, that's good... It is good, but... '

Looking slightly dazed, he asked, "... Did you hear where the Ring of the Arrogant is?"

"I heard you say the Callivan royal treasury."

"Wouldn't getting it be a little difficult?"

"Through the usual channels, it would take about a week. But if you wish, I can fetch it right away."

"... You have a way?"

The remark piqued Alon's curiosity. Deus fell silent for a moment, seemingly considering something, then answered.

"... The king would be a nuisance, but I think I'd only have to deal with about fifty people, so it shouldn't be too difficult."

"... Huh?"

Evan was momentarily stunned by those words. Though it did not show on his face, Alon was equally baffled and dumbfounded as he stared at Deus. Yet there was not the slightest trace of doubt in Deus's eyes.

'What is this? Is he saying he'd go that far for me...? Some kind of demonstration of his loyalty?'

Alon instinctively interpreted his words that way. After a brief silence, he replied.

"No, there's no need to go that far."

"Is that so...? Then I will retrieve the ring as quickly as possible."

Deus looked somewhat disappointed.

No, I'm only asking you to borrow it, not retrieve it, Alon briefly thought before nodding.

'... I'm truly glad he cares about me, but isn't this a little excessive...?'

With that thought, he stayed at the mansion while waiting for the ring to be borrowed. One day later—

"I've brought it."

"... Huh?"

Alon found himself looking at the Ring of the Arrogant in a precious jewel case. And then—

"... My lord, did you hear?"

"What?"

"... Apparently, Deus caused a scene yesterday, demanding that the kingdom hand over its treasure. I hear the second prince got slapped again."

"...??"

At the rumor Evan told him immediately afterward, Alon thought:

'... What the hell is going on???'

... He realized there was something strange about Deus.