CH 564

12-15 minutes

The moment Rei mentioned Axe of the Thunder God, Theorem stiffened up.

The name was, of course, familiar to Theorem. After all, he had taken Elk’s family hostage in order to try and use Elk to eliminate the person in front of him.

In other words, they definitely held a grudge against him.

「That is……I don’t know what to say. My honest feelings are that, if possible, I’d have liked it to have been someone else. Doesn’t Gilm have A and B rank adventurers besides Axe of the Thunder God?」

Hearing Theorem’s words, Rei shrugged his shoulders lighly as he brought his cup of fruit juice to his mouth.

It was noticeably warmer than when he had taken it out of the Misty Ring, but he still enjoyed the sweet taste in his mouth.

「There certainly are other A rank adventurers, but it seems like Elk’s party had been the only ones available at the time.」

「You know what I want to say, right?」

「Yeah. Of course, Elk has a big grudge against you. ……No, should I say he’s furious?」

Resentment and anger. They were similar but fundamentally different. You could consider the former to be buried and hidden while the latter was very outwardly apparent.

Because of that, Theorem was somewhat surprised by Rei’s words.

「In short?」

「To put it bluntly, Elk wants to fight you when he arrives with Daska.」

He understood that for Elk, harbouring outward anger was less insidious than feeling resentment, but his face couldn’t help but twist.

「Is there no way to avoid it?」

He asked Rei, hoping for a way out, but Rei nodded back as if it were to be expected.

On the contrary, Rei’s next words only made Theorem more dismayed.

「Rather, I would like you to thank me for getting it down to just that. It took the help of Min, Elk’s wife, to get it down to this point. As for Elk, he said that if you fight him head on, win or lose, he’ll let bygones be bygones……or something like that.」

From what Rei had seen in Daska’s office it didn’t seem to him that Elk would really leave it at that, but he thought he’d just say it just in case anyway.

In fact, considering Elk’s temperament, Rei didn’t think that Elk would be able to contain his anger for much longer.

Given that Min was coming along with him, Rei expected Elk’s state to be close to when they last met by the time they arrived at Goto.

(Even if he’s not quite at that point by the time they arrive, in a sense, Theorem’s just getting what he deserves.)

Elk might look like a grown up mischievous boy, but his affection for his friends and family was deep and pure.

Theorem had used it against him by taking his family hostage and threatening him to kill Rei, who Elk was on good terms with.

「……Do you want me to die?」

「Well, I don’t know. I can only tell you to do your best to survive. I myself don’t care much for that incident anymore, but it’s a different story in Elk’s case.」

Normally, it would only be natural for Rei to hold resentment. However, in the year since Rei had come to Elgin, he had run into trouble after trouble to the point he could care less about the smaller incidents.

「Vihera-sama.」

Theorem turned to Vihera, seemingly asking for help. However, Vihera just replied with a look of surprise.

「Unfortunately, from what I just heard, I can’t defend you. I’d much rather beat your guts back into shape than let you take hostages to make others fight. I can only say you got what you deserved. Rather, is it okay to leave him to you?」

Looking at Vihera, who seemed seriously worried for him, Theorem gave up on saying anything more.

Collecting his thoughts with a difficult expression on his face……Theorem let out a slow sigh after a few minutes and nodded.

「I understand. I’ll take on the fight fair and square. Come to think of it, if we can get through this, we might be able to pull in the strength of Axe of the Thunder God……」

「I don’t know about that. Elk was entrusted with escorting Daska-sama. Considering that, it would probably be a bit difficult to use him on your side……」

Rei said that as he recalled what Min had told Elk back at Daska’s office.

Considering that Min had told Elk that they were doing this to stop another war, Rei thought that it might be possible for Min to persuade Elk, even if Theorem couldn’t directly discuss it with Elk himself.

However, Rei quickly shook his head to dismiss the idea.

If Theorem pulled over Axe of the Thunder God for his side of the plan, they would be a considerable force. But the problem of Daska’s escort would come up again.

It wasn’t practical to just take Elk and Min either, leaving Rhodes to guard Daska.

「Well, it would be difficult.」

Vihera and Theorem turned to look at Rei, to muttered to himself as he thought about things, but seeing that he didn’t say anything else, they didn’t repeat the conversation and moved on to the next topic.

「The fact that Margrave Rowlocks is coming means that we have no choice but to change our plans a little based on that, huh?」

「I guess so. But I don’t see why Rei would have to deviate too far from his original plan of getting into the tournament and draw attention to himself as a diversion.」

Rei agreed with Vihera, who nodded at Theorem’s words.

「Well, you can just think of it as an increase in the number of people the upper echelons of the Bestir Empire will have to pay attention to. Regarding my participation in the fighting tournament, it seems that Daska-sama will put through a recommendation for me.」

「Wow……」

Vihera gave a wry smile at those words.

Rei and Daska had recently made a name for themselves in the Spring War. The two of them then went to the Bestir Empire together before requesting to participate in the fighting tournament. From the perspective of the upper echelons of the Bestir Empire, no matter how you looked at it, it could only be taken as Daska and Rei picking a fight with them.

「When it comes to the recommendation from Margrave Rowlocks, will it be from the tournament rounds……?」

Theorem frowned slightly.

He didn’t seem too happy about the delay in Rei’s name spreading through the capital.

However, Rei shook his head towards Theorem.

「Don’t worry, I’ll be starting in the qualifying rounds.」

「……Is that okay? Since it’s a battle royale, you won’t know what might happen. What’s more, if you’re participating under the recommendation of Margrave Rowlocks, it will definitely be more eye catching that we initially expected.」

「Isn’t that what you want?」

Theorem couldn’t help but sigh at Rei’s quick response.

「That’s true, but there’s a limit to things. You played a major role in the Spring War and Daska was the one who hired you. With both of you together, there is no doubt the burden on you will be much greater since they can’t touch Margrave Rowlocks.」

「It will be fine.」

「Vihera-sama?」

「To begin with, considering Rei’s ability, they won’t be able to do anything to him with only a few people. Besides, if they tried, it would only make things worse for themselves. I don’t think they’re reduce their own strength like that. ……In order to teach them a lesson, I think it will be necessary for Rei to beat down anyone who tries to mess with him as hard as possible.」

Vihera spoke those horrific words with a smile on her face.

Anyone who tried to mess with Rei or assassinate him would surely regret it.

「But, that’s only with regards to some factions. Be careful, it probably won’t be an effective deterrent against those working on their own.」

「……I’ll keep that in mind.」

When it came down to it, women were scary.

Thinking of that, Rei moved on to the next topic.

「So, I’m supposed to be helping you free the Third Prince, who is under house arrest……」

「Regarding that matter, I’m sorry, but I would like to keep those plans secret.」

「Hm? ……Oh, I see.」

Rei frowned for a moment at Theorem’s words, but he quickly nodded in agreement.

Basically, the role Rei had been entrusted with was to attract the attention of the upper echelons of the Bestir Empire. The people actually working to help the Third Prince was Theorem and the rest of the Third Prince’s faction.

Because of that, if Rei knew about their plans, there would always be the risk of him accidentally leaking some information out.

Considering that, it would only make things harder for Rei if he knew what their plans were, considering he didn’t actually need to help them out directly.

If the Third Prince’s forces weren’t strong enough, Theorem might have had to rely on Rei’s strength, but with Vihera around, he no longer had any worries.

「Then, is that all there is to discuss?」

「I’m sorry, but that’s all there is. After this……if there’s anything you’d like to ask, I’ll do my best to answer.」

When asked if he had any questions all of a sudden, Rei didn’t have much to ask about.

Will Vihera be safe? Rei thought about asking that for a moment, but it wasn’t a very meaningful question.

If there was no danger, Theorem wouldn’t have had to come all the way to the Mireana Kingdom to ask for her help.

Had he really asked the question, Vihera might have thought he was insulting her.

She was in this for the thrill of battle as well as the life and death situation of her blood brother.

「Ah, now that you mention it, it wasn’t that much of a concern, but what kind of prizes and rewards are there for winning the tournament?」

In the end, that was the question Rei asked.

If things went well for them, the tournament might end up being cancelled, but he was still curious about the prize and rewards.

The Bestir Empire was a superpower of sorts and this tournament would put their nation prestige on the line. With important people from neighbouring parties invited to attend the tournament, the prizes and rewards had to be plentiful.

Rei’s question was met with a faint wry smiles from Vihera and Theorem.

「……What’s wrong?」

「No, it’s true that the winner of the tournament will receive prizes alongside prize money, there is even an option to become an official or noble. You can even get an audience with the Emperor. However, for you, Rei, you have rare magic items like your item box and the Death Scythe. You even have a Griffon as a tamed monster……what do you think would be suitable as a reward for someone like you?」

「That’s right. I heard from Elena that you liked to collect magic items, but those are practical magic items, right? For example, you don’t care much for magic items that are works of art that are meant to be used as decorations and admired. Thinking about it……」

Speaking that far, Theorem’s words grew muddled.

Furthermore, in order to gain Rei’s cooperation in the matter, they had promised him a magic item worth of the Third Prince’s life.

Those demands were strict in many ways.

As for the tournament, it would probably end up falling apart regardless, so they didn’t need to worry about it too much. But in the case of Rei’s private reward, that had to be paid.

(……I wonder how we’re going to handle that. It’s good that we’re able to hire Rei for this, but it’s also very difficult not to be asked for something specific.)

Theorem started to get a headache as he thought about what he would give to Rei as he reward.

Vihera being Vihera, she also wasn’t sure what to give if told to provide a reward suitable for saving her brother’s life.

(As expected, I could give myself as the reward……but that would make Elena very angry.)

Vihera had said that in a joking manner back in Exil, but the more she thought about that, the better it began to sound.

Unfortunately, if she chose that kind of rewards, it was easy to predict that Elena would turn into a furious goddess of war when she eventually found out.

As someone who loved to fight, Vihera thought that it would be fine, but it was also true that Rei would definitely side with Elena in that situation.

As someone currently split between a maiden in love and a battle maniac, Vihera thought that it was quite difficult to balance the two.

Looking at the two of them, Rei started to think about what kind of magic item he could receive as a reward.

(I have the Death Scythe, the Thorns Spear, a magic tent for camping, the Dagger of Flowing Water that’s useful for cooking, and a pocket watch to tell the time……what kind of magic item would even be useful to me?)

After thinking about it carefully, Rei realised that he was quite satisfied with his current situation.

Thinking about it, nothing really came to mind.

Of course, that was only for now, there was a good chance he would think of something he’d want later.

All three of them focused on their own thoughts and, in the end, the house was wrapped in silence until Ruchard returned from the feast.