Chapter 96

This story is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictional and have no connection to any real entities.

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091 - I Suggested Reinforcing the Knights to the Princess

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The next day, after getting ready, I brought Annelise, Rosalina, and Jojok to the castle. I left the three of them in the waiting room and went to the princess's room alone. As usual, many officials were waiting their turn in the waiting room in front of the princess's room. The thought of having to wait my turn made me feel weary.

"Baron Footsickle, please come in."

Hmm, I don't have to wait my turn?

I entered the princess's office while being glared at by the officials. I didn't cut the line on purpose, so please don't glare at me like that.

"Your Highness, it's been a while."

It had been a while since I performed the noble's etiquette. I'm glad I practiced the forgotten manner. If Annelise hadn't pointed it out, I wouldn't have done the noble's etiquette (laughs).

"It's been a while, Baron Footsickle."

The princess is trying to hide her dark circles with makeup, but they're still there. She seems to be having busy days.

Now, this room is filled with knights guarding the princess, and among them is that troubled appraiser. Is he going to appraise me?

Well, it's fine even if he does, as there's nothing to worry about.

"I called you today regarding the dungeon exploration. How far have you progressed?"

What, it's about the dungeon exploration? I was called without doing anything, so I was reflecting on my actions. If it's about this, you should have said so.

"Yes. We have cleared the 8th floor and are now on the 9th floor."

"Really, you've already progressed that far. I thought you were excellent, Baron Footsickle, but you've exceeded my expectations."

No matter how much you praise me, nothing will come out of it.

Besides, you probably called me because you heard that I cashed in a large amount of materials from the 8th floor monsters.

The princess must be concerned about the progress of the capital dungeon, so she must have a network of information.

"At this rate, it won't take long to thin out 1,000 monsters on the 10th floor."

You're asking with a smile, but I don't know if it will happen soon. If the 9th or 10th floor is a difficult field to explore, the progress will drastically slow down.

"I'll do my best to meet your expectations."

I can now give a safe response. Maybe I've grown up a bit.

"By the way, Baron Footsickle, I heard you bought a mansion in the capital."

You're quick to hear things. Of course, you would know since a messenger came.

"Yes. I felt uncomfortable continuing to stay at the Duke's mansion, so I bought a shack."

"I heard it's in the commoner's district. If you had told me, I could have provided a mansion for you."

No way, I absolutely don't want that. Besides, if I did, the Duke would grumble, and I don't want to be tied to the princess.

"Also, I heard you're making the children pick up trash?"

How did you know that?

"I heard you're giving meals to children who pick up trash. What's your intention behind this?"

Your gaze is sharp. Even the princess can have such a look.

Now, how should I answer?

Should I say it's a charitable activity because the royal family doesn't do it?

Or should I say it's for the beautification of the capital?

Well, I'll just say it's a means to give meals to children.

"There are many children in the capital who can't eat properly. Giving them meals is easy, but it might make them think they can get food without doing anything."

"So you're making them pick up trash and giving them meals as a reward, right?"

"Yes."

The princess put her hand on her chin, thinking.

"Baron Footsickle, that's somewhat disrespectful to the royal family."

Dren, the princess's aide, glared at me. What does he mean by that?

"Did I say something impolite? I'm originally a commoner, so I don't know the etiquette. I'd appreciate it if you could be lenient with me."

"We're not talking about etiquette."

I thought it was about etiquette when you said it was disrespectful. So what is it?

"From what you just said, it sounds like you're saying the royal family doesn't give meals to children."

Oh, that's what you mean. The royal family doesn't do it, right? If you don't like being told that, just do it and avoid being told.

"Ah, you're talking about the children. I don't understand what's disrespectful about it."

"The royal family isn't doing anything for the children, is that what you're saying?"

I didn't say they're doing nothing. I know there are facilities for raising orphans. I understand that the royal family or the country is taking some measures, but I think they're insufficient.

"Are they doing nothing? That's not good."

I'm still a child if I let myself be criticized like this.

"There are facilities for raising orphans."

"So?"

"…So?"

"Is it enough just to have facilities?"

"The royal family is taking measures."

"Has the number of children dying from hunger or cold become zero?"

"No… that…"

Don't hesitate. You exaggerated this issue. Try to defeat me with your words.

"Anyway, I don't think the royal family can do everything. I don't have any complaints about the royal family."

It's a lie. I want them to do more, but I also understand that there are limits to what any state can do.

If you hadn't exaggerated, the princess would have ignored it. Do you understand?

"So, I'm just teaching the children the meaning of work by giving them meals within my reach. What's disrespectful about that? If you call it disrespectful, you should help all the children first."

"Ugh…"

"Baron Footsickle, let's stop here."

The princess cut off the conversation.

"Baron Footsickle is just reaching out to children who have fallen through the cracks of the royal family's policies. We should be grateful to Baron Footsickle, not complain. Do you understand, Dren?"

"Yes, I apologize."

Who is this apology directed at? Well, it's fine. I can't save everyone either.

"Baron Footsickle, the royal family will provide some financial assistance."

It's not a significant amount, so it's fine. There are better ways to use that money, so I hope you'll use it for something else.

"Your Highness, I have a proposal."

"What is it?"

"This is just a proposal, so it's fine if you reject it."

"Let's hear it."

"Whether they have parents or not, how about gathering poor children and training them? We know the conditions for becoming a swordsman, spearman, archer, and other jobs. It would be good to recruit explorers, but I think it's better to train soldiers ourselves to strengthen the knights. If there are children who can study, we can make them officials."

"It's an attractive proposal, but there are budget issues."

You just said you would provide financial assistance. I think it will require a lot more money compared to what I'm doing.

"I don't mind if you can't do it."

If I don't expect it from the beginning, I won't be disappointed if you don't do it.

▽▽▽ Side Elmerda ▽▽▽

After seeing Baron Footsickle leave the room, I turned my gaze to the appraiser, Samdahl.

Samdahl is the best appraiser not only in this country but also in other countries. There is no one he cannot appraise.

I thought it might be impolite to Baron Footsickle, but I had him appraised.

I heard his job is a Swordmaster. He actually used a sword to overwhelm the hero, Akaba.

To know the secret of Baron Footsickle's strength, who has reached the 8th floor of the Jorze Labyrinth, commonly known as the capital dungeon, in a short period, is something I cannot avoid as a leader of the country.

Having to do such things is a difficult position for a ruler.

Moreover, I believe Baron Footsickle has a unique skill. It would be difficult for even a Swordmaster to reach the 8th floor in such a short time.

Even if his subordinates are excellent, it would be impossible to reach the 8th floor so easily. Therefore, I believe he has a unique skill.

"How was it?"

"Y-Yes…"

Samdahl's face doesn't look good. What happened?

"What's wrong? Report quickly."

"Baron Footsickle's job is Heroic Sword King."

"Heroic… Sword King… Are you sure?"

A job with the name "Hero" is one of the strongest, on par with the hero. Moreover, "Sword King" implies that he is a swordsman without equal.

"Yes, it's definitely Heroic Sword King. His level is 35."

"Level 35? It seems a bit low to clear the 8th floor… What about his skills? Does he have a unique skill?"

"All his skills are those of a Heroic Sword King, and he doesn't have a unique skill."

"He doesn't have a unique skill… Are you sure?"

"I checked multiple times. It's definitely correct."

I thought he had a unique skill, but maybe my intuition was wrong.

However, his job is not a Swordmaster but a Heroic Sword King. Hmm, that's strange. If he had such a job, I would have heard about it.

Could he have some connection with the temple? However, I found no connection between Baron Footsickle and the temple after investigating.

"Does Baron Footsickle have a priest among his subordinates?"

I said it out loud, but the temple wouldn't stay silent if that were the case. When someone becomes a priest during a job change at the temple, they are forced to join the temple.

However, there is a possibility that a priest slipped into the city during the chaos of the high priest incident.

If Baron Footsickle is hiding and job-changing a runaway priest, it makes sense that I haven't received any information.

But that doesn't explain his level 35. It hasn't been that long since the incident, so level 35 is impossible.

Then, Baron Footsickle must have job-changed to Heroic Sword King a long time ago. Could the Duke of Galderland have hidden it? I need to investigate.

Sigh… Problems keep coming one after another. When will I be able to sleep peacefully?

I want to have a friendly relationship with Baron Footsickle, but he has too many mysteries. Until