Volume 2 Chapter 86 Servant Of The Dark King II
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The Shajar group tightened their lips at Guy’s answer.
(Well, I admit my body and equipment are not the belongings of a perennial lowest-rank adventurer until 2 months ago.)
Just then, a dark elf woman named Rufna stepped forward to answer Shajar’s question.
Her gray eyes flickered from behind a black veil.
It felt like she was observing hun intently.
”Hmph…?”
Sharp, slanted eyes and a high nose.
Her lips were full and painted with pale pink lipstick.
She had the beautiful face typical of elves, and her body’s curves were voluptuous.
She wore loose white clothes, but the thin fabric made her skin translucent.
Her long silver hair was neatly tied in a side ponytail, adorned with hair accessories, but there was a wild impression from her gaze and mouth.
’She looks like an exotic dancer. A beautiful woman indeed. Kian, do you know her?’
(I have no memory of her. Honestly, I had little interest in the Nakash family aside from Sarah.)
Kian opened his mouth slowly.
”I believe my achievements are due to my consistent training. It’s been 14 years and a few months since I was exiled──I have been training as a warrior monk all alone. Along the way, I also honed my skills as a scout to survive. I think these efforts ultimately led to results over time… that’s all I can say.”
”That does make sense. There’s no way to answer vague questions like, ‘Why are you strong?’”
Guy muttered that and shrugged his shoulders.
However, Shajar pressed on, unconvinced.
”The adventurer’s handbook includes tachyonian cell counts, yet there seems to be a clear discrepancy between the blood cell count recorded here and the amount of energy (ki) you’re currently exuding. It feels like you’re getting a supply from somewhere.”
”So, Lord Shajar wants me to expose all my adventurer secrets? You plan to forcibly snatch my techniques through power?”
”It’s not a plan if you have to spill everything; otherwise, there’s no way to make a judgment.”
”──Lord Shajar.”
Maribel quietly raised her voice.
She had unusual anger glimmering in her dark blue eyes.
”Aren’t we getting off track? It seems trivial to discuss how Kian gained his power in the context of whether he is ‘Azrael’s Death Sword User.’ Isn’t it more crucial to consider whether he has an alibi? He has the fact that during the murder incident in your country from the 10th to the 12th of last month, he was undertaking a quest through the Adventurers’ Guild. At this point, it’s hard to believe Kian is the culprit, isn’t it?”
”──Hey.”
Renaud, who had been silent beside them, shot a bloodshot glare.
”It seems you don’t understand the situation, so let me enlighten you. You should be grateful I’m allowing you to ask questions first. Your country invaded my harbor without declaring war. Do you understand that? Regardless of whether this man is a Death Sword User or not, it’s unacceptable. If it weren’t for Your Excellency’s words, my family would have raided your territory just the same.”
”――――.”
”Renaud, I understand how you feel, but please calm down. We plan to discuss that in detail later.”
”Hah, I can’t wait to see how he explain himself.”
”Sir Shajar.”
The dark elf woman placed her hand on the shoulder of the elderly Twelve Divine General.
Shajar spoke with visible distress.
”──We have learned from official records that he has an alibi. However, there are many things we do not know about Kian Vahid, and our country cannot fully accept that he is not the one impersonating ‘Azrael’s Death Sword User.’”
”Isn’t it too far-fetched to say you can’t acknowledge this simply because it’s suspicious?”
”Before sending the apostle, we hadn’t gathered such detailed information. Moreover, there isn’t enough diplomatic relationship with your country for us to seek cooperation. Please understand it was a necessary means.”
”It seems to me your judgment and methods are utterly self-serving, Lord Shajar.”
”I believe it was a reasonable decision for our country, but it seems there is a slight difference in recognition. At this point, we should establish clear standards between our nation, Ul, and your territory, Margrave Izerland. It has been 5 years since Lord Godfrey passed away. I think new international norms are necessary.”
”Exactly. After we establish those norms, I would like to request for this matter to be considered an exception retroactively. Considering the circumstances around the norms’ establishment, I feel it’s a reasonable thought on my part, but what do you think?”
”────”
Shajar made a face like he had bitten into a bitter bug.
No matter how persuasive the words were, he could not escape responsibility at this point, as the warrior monks under Shajar’s command were wreaking havoc in Izerland.
With Kian having an alibi, Shajar was trapped in every aspect.
”Owl, please continue with the security arrangements.”
’Understood. I will contact you if anything comes up.’
”Lord Shajar, can’t you ask that mercenary about the truth?”
”This man is just a backup. …If there is a public record like this, there is nothing to question. It all ends with one phrase, ‘as per the record.’”
”By the way, it seems unlikely that Oswald is the culprit.”
”…What?”
”Isn’t he also listed as a suspect? Considering his background, I can only think that way.”
”────”
”He was participating in a tournament at the ‘Knights of the Sun’ fortress from the 10th to the 12th of last month. There are plenty of witnesses, including myself.”
”…I see.”
Shajar exhaled softly and sank back into the sofa.
He directed his black eyes, the same as Sarah’s, toward Kian.
”Very well. Kian Vahid, very well. I see… that’s all I have to ask about him. ──Rufna, take Randy and leave the room.”
”Understood.”
Maribel also directed a gentle smile toward Kian.
”Thank you for your hard work, Kian. Please leave this to me from here on. You can retreat to the back room and relax for a while.”
”Yes. I appreciate your kindness.”
”Your kindness means nothing; Kian was just forcibly summoned to those Twelve Divine Generals, after all. I apologize for being interrogated over something so unfounded.”
”────”
Maribel’s words were directed more toward Shajar than Kian.
The aging Twelve Divine General had a crinkled expression around his eyes.
It was a look Kian had seen many years ago.
Thinking back to that time, he realized how much older the man had become.
”Why did you kill Almeisa?”
Just as Kian placed his hand on the door, that question flew at him.
What foolishness was this old fool asking?
He was genuinely exasperated, but under the circumstances, he could not ignore it.
Kian turned back with a blank expression and replied.
”From the context, I would guess I was one of the assassins──but they attacked me first. No one would let themselves be killed by an assassin without resistance. Assassins are all formidable, without the luxury of holding back.”
”That’s true.”
Guy chimed in mockingly.
”──. What about Natra? What happened to her? She was still a teenager, with a future ahead.”
”I apologize, but I only brushed off the sparks thrown at me. The situation was critical, leaving no time to discern who was who.”
Kian assumed a somber expression and offered a bow.
”I pray that you may encounter Natra again somewhere. ──Well then.”
* * *
Afterward, he was led by Guy’s knight to a guest room far from the meeting chamber.
The room was quite spacious, with an area of about 30 square meters.
The ceiling was high, with several white stone pillars stretching upward.
The floor was polished marble, covered with a carpet woven with red and gold threads.
At the back of the room, there was a balcony overlooking the casino street, with plates of fruit, nuts, and hard-baked oat biscuits placed in front of it.
The contents of the nearby bottle were likely water.
The knight who had guided him said, “If you go out into the hallway, the servants are waiting, so please let them know if you need anything,” before leaving.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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