Chapter 95

Chapter 94

The royal mages looked at me with bright eyes.

"Can't the Lady lead us?"

"Sure. I'll solve the problem."

I stopped as I approached the door that had yet to open.

"I'll give you the food, but can I take the rest?"

"Rest? Is there something other than food?"

"Sometimes there are gold coins as rewards."

"Oh, there were such rewards!"

The royal mages, who had been well-fed for five days, laughed heartily.

"Of course, you can take everything. You should."

The royal mages were a people who didn't mind losing a little money.

'They've never seen any rewards other than a small amount of food, it seems.'

Ding!

[Seiza 'SodaPass' has donated 100,000 coins.]

[If you saved someone from death, you should give up all your possessions if you have a conscience.]

I completely agreed.

Scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble.

As I started writing numbers in the blank space without hesitation, the royal mages jumped.

"Hey! Wait a moment, Lady!"

"Ah, no, if you write without thinking, the food inside will...!"

Creak!

The door opened.

"What? What is it?"

"Nothing."

I gestured to the royal mages, who were standing with their mouths agape, to point inside.

"Shall we go in?"

* * *

Rain drizzled in the Royal Park.

Yujis was smoking under a large umbrella held by a servant, avoiding the rain.

The pungent smoke of a cigarette that didn't suit his taste spread thickly through the drizzle, mingling with his discontent.

The head servant, Bain, reported politely.

"Your Majesty, there's no sign of the rain stopping. Should we go in now?"

The emperor flicked the ash from his cigarette and said something else.

"When will that be resolved?"

He pointed with his chin at a black, ominous stone door that stood out in the serene Royal Park.

It had appeared suddenly during the preparation of Tereze's funeral.

Moreover, a horde of monsters had suddenly appeared in the nearby village, forcing Raoul to lead the knights on an expedition to deal with the situation, making the funeral a chaotic mess.

"Ten royal mages have entered the dungeon to clear it. Good news will come soon."

"Yes. I sent ten noble-born elite mages to their deaths."

Deploying ten royal mages to clear the dungeon in the Royal Park was an unprecedented decision.

It was only possible because the emperor strongly desired to clear the dungeon quickly and complete the state funeral.

"But why has there been no news for five days?"

It could be a dungeon where magic is controlled.

It could be a scenario-based dungeon that requires physical time.

Or it could be a dungeon that even ten people can't clear...

There were several explanations, but Bain didn't mention any of them.

None of them would be the answer the emperor wanted.

At that moment, a royal knight approached hurriedly and knelt on one knee.

"Your Majesty, Duke Squire was injured and had to retreat while dealing with the monsters due to the sudden appearance of a flying monster."

"Is it a serious situation?"

"His life is not in danger, but the situation is not good, and they have requested increased vigilance."

If he had died, I could have buried him with my daughter.

"I have already strengthened the security in the area, but please take cover, Your Majesty."

Yujis felt a headache coming on.

He had high hopes for this state funeral.

'I tried to provoke Raoul by having the Magic Association members raise suspicions that Tereze Squire was controlling the monsters, but why has everything gone so wrong?'

Moreover, it had been raining non-stop since the day Tereze's death was confirmed.

People were saying nonsense like the world was mourning the loss of a hero.

A hero?

Was it not an excessive title for a reckless girl who died a dog's death in a dungeon?

But people are always overly lenient towards the dead.

"I'm bored and tired. Let's return to the palace."

The emperor stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray offered by the servant and was about to move.

"The dungeon has been cleared!"

Yujis, who had already turned halfway, thought it was a fortuitous timing and turned his head.

The dungeon door, which had been tightly closed, was now wide open, and all the royal mages in their uniforms had returned unharmed.

Along with Tereze, who was thought to be dead.

Murmurs!

The Royal Park, where many knights and servants were guarding the emperor and some nobles were staying, was instantly filled with shock.

"Is it really Lady Squire?"

The bewildered voices of those who saw but couldn't believe it filled Yujis's ears.

He wanted to crush the necks of those who were annoying him.

"I greet the great Emperor. Tereze of the Squire family reports her safe return to the noble Emperor."

He could only stare down at the woman who was reporting her return with his mages.

Yujis's lips twisted.

"...Welcome back, Lady Squire."

* * *

As soon as I came out of the dungeon and saw Yujis, I inwardly cursed.

After barely surviving a life-or-death situation, I had to face a madman who looked like he wanted to kill me.

'Has my favorability changed since then?'

I need to check first.

Ding!

[Channel Manager-Ozworld is restoring the system.]

[System restoration due to system error (4%)]

'...What? A system error?'

Ding!

[Seiza 'ExplanationFan' has donated 100,000 coins.]

[It seems the system was overloaded due to the delayed death judgment. It might take some time to restore everything after resuming the broadcast.]

Not being able to check the favorability, which is the most important element in <God's Play>.

'I have no choice. I have to observe and assess the situation with my own eyes.'

At that moment, Yujis, with a clear awareness of his surroundings, helped me up.

"It really was you. I received a report that you died in the dungeon that appeared in Valhalla. What happened?"

I lowered my eyes, feigning confusion.

"I don't know why I was dragged into another dungeon."

"Dragged into another dungeon?"

When Yujis raised his eyebrows, the royal mages explained the situation in the dungeon, defending me.

And they added at the end.

"If it weren't for the Lady, we would have been completely wiped out, Your Majesty."

Hmm. If they had any sense, they wouldn't have said that.

'Can't you see Yujis's angry face?'

Yujis was extremely displeased with my return, not only for surviving but also for saving ten royal mages and clearing the dungeon.

"The Lady is quite talented in many ways."

"I am glad that my humble skills could be of help to the Emperor."

"By the way."

Yujis, as if something had just occurred to him, opened his mouth.

"I received a report that your father was injured while dealing with the monsters."

"......What?"

As my expression worsened, Yujis's face brightened.

"Don't worry. He is not in danger of losing his life."

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry, but I need to see my father."

"I would like to allow it, but I cannot. The situation is very dangerous with the sudden appearance of a horde of flying monsters. The Lady should wait here."

It made sense, but it wasn't for my benefit.

He was just enjoying my suffering!

"I will deal with the monsters, Your Majesty."

"Royal mages are already dealing with them. Moreover, the Lady just returned from the dungeon."

As I anxiously bit my lip, Ilya approached with his usual indifferent face.

[Seizas supporting the 'Ilya' route cheer.]

I called out to Ilya, relieved to see him.

"Professor!"

For a moment, it seemed Yujis's gaze fell on my face, but I couldn't confirm it as Ilya approached me.

Ilya didn't show excessive respect to the emperor as others did.

He only showed a moderate, unobjectionable level of respect.

"Professor Bernstein. You will protect Lady Squire?"

"Yes. I will personally take Tereze back to her family, and it would be best for Your Majesty to return to the palace."

Yujis, with a blank expression, stared at Ilya and nodded.

"That sounds good. Lady Squire, rest until I call for you."

At that moment, a warning trumpet sounded, and a knight shouted urgently.

"Flying monsters are approaching! Take cover quickly!"

By the time the report was made, the horde of monsters had already darkened the sky.

'Why now!'

I couldn't ignore the situation and go check on Raoul. Damn it.

At that moment.

Flash!

The back of my hand glowed, and the silver pattern that appeared when I made a contract with the baby humpback whale ghost floated up.

"What's this suddenly...?"

Whooosh!

I suddenly looked up.

A bright sun pierced through the ominous gray clouds that sprinkled drizzle, and a silver-bodied whale descended.

Then a golden mother whale followed.

People couldn't hide their amazement at the mysterious and overwhelming sight.

"Look! It's Ghost!"

"These Ghosts are the ones we've only heard about...!"

"We're saved! We're saved!"

A smile naturally spread across my face as I saw the whales.

"Kids!"

It was the appearance of a powerful ally.