New chapter of Let’s Create a Dungeon is out! (2/3 chapters)
The Empire’s Trump Card
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(POV switch – Claas)
“Yes, I have certainly received it.” (Claas)
As the sun had just begun to rise, I, the butler, received a letter from a fast horse at the gate of the baron’s estate. The sender was Karve, the Guild Master of Andal. Its contents described in detail the Demon King’s visit, the situation around the Demon King, and his actions, and at the end, it included matters concerning the deputy placed in Andal.
I was impressed by the fine work and took a moment to consider. The first decision was to dismiss the deputy assigned to Andal. I hurried the preparations to welcome the Demon King and preemptively blocked any potential actions that the master of the house, Baron Farce, might take. Moreover, we currently had a guest. The delay in delivering this letter could be easily justified. There was no time to lose. There was only about half a day left until the Demon King’s arrival.
The preparations for the welcome were almost complete. I had listed the candidates for the replacement deputy, confirmed each one’s role in handling the Demon King, and reviewed the communication protocols for emergencies. Everything I could handle was in order. The remaining concern was the Farce Knight Order. Unfortunately, as a butler, I had no authority over them.
The Baron was busy entertaining his guest, but I had already informed him about the Demon King, so I could only pray that there would be no rash actions. Just to be safe, I decided to ask the Baron to issue direct orders and headed to the reception room. He should be entertaining the guest at this moment. Maintaining my usual demeanor might be disrespectful while he’s hosting a guest, but considering how much trouble it would cause him if I were absent, I decided to act as I normally do.
I knocked and opened the door.
“Excuse me. A letter arrived from Andal a short while ago.” (Claas)
“Oh, so you’re the famous Claas. I’ve heard you’re quite capable.” (??)
Perhaps I had entered at the wrong time, I bowed my head while slightly regretting it.
The guest whom the Baron was entertaining was none other than the Emperor of the Empire, Gilford Gilua Gilbard. He was the highest authority in the Empire and a living legend who unified the post-war Empire within ten years. Behind him stood the captain of the imperial guard and the second court magician as escorts.
“Thank you very much, Your Majesty the Emperor. Though it may be humble, I intend to continue devoting myself to the Farce domain and the Empire with all my strength.” (Claas)
It seemed they had been talking about me. All eyes turned toward me. That much was fine, regardless of the topic. What was unfortunate was that the moment I entered, the Baron visibly relaxed, relieved by my presence. From now on, I should gauge the situation inside before entering.
“Indeed. So, you had business here, did you? Go ahead and proceed.” (Gilford)
Prompted by the Emperor, I handed the letter to the Baron. Naturally, I placed the issue regarding the Knight Order at the end to make him anxious. The Baron frowned as he read the letter and, upon finishing it, pressed his fingers to his brow.
“The seal was already broken. Was this not something I was meant to read first?” (Farce)
“I judged that you were busy and opened it myself. There is not much time left, after all.” (Claas)
“About the deputy… he is to be dismissed and replaced…” (Farce)
“Anticipating that you would say so, I have prepared a list of candidates for the position. Please read it later.” (Claas)
“We must hasten the preparations to welcome the Demon King–…” (Farce)
“They are nearly complete. We have confirmed each person’s role and double-checked emergency communication procedures as well.” (Claas)
Everything that could be inspired from the contents of the letter had already been addressed. The Emperor seemed pleased by this exchange, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth. In contrast, the Baron held his head as if searching for something else to add. It was only natural. At this rate, he would appear to have been outdone by his butler in front of the Emperor. However, either he couldn’t come up with anything, or he sensed that I had already dealt with it, and so he said nothing. Then he remarked that everything should be fine.
I nodded in agreement, then added.
“Ah yes, let’s hope the Knight Order doesn’t act on their own.” (Claas)
“You should have said that first!” (Farce)
The Baron bowed to the Emperor, received permission to excuse himself, and rushed off to the Knight Order.
Ah, what a fine sight that was.
“Hmph, what an amusing man. To act that way toward his master. How about it? Would you serve me instead? I’ll see that you’re well rewarded.” (Gilford)
The Emperor, who had up until now remained an observer, made an offer to recruit me. It was not a bad proposition. The salary, of course, would be excellent, and my position would rise, granting me a title above that of an average noble. It was a most attractive offer. However…
“I must apologize. Though it may be a short life, I intend to continue serving that man to the end.” (Claas)
No matter how appealing it may be, it is still impossible. I have no intention of leaving this place. He seems to have a look on his face as if he wants to ask the reason… but I cannot say it just yet. I should probably distract him with something.
“Your Majesty, please take a look at this letter as well. This Demon King is likely to be quite troublesome.” (Claas)
The Baron must have already spoken about the information obtained from Miss Ifrina regarding the Demon King. Even so, since this is someone we are about to negotiate with, it can’t hurt to have more information. Besides, this time we have the Emperor, His Majesty, as the strongest card in our hand. He is effective even when used plainly, but if used skillfully, we should be able to seize the initiative. For that reason, His Majesty must be just as well-informed about the Demon King as the Baron is, if not more so, or it would be problematic.
“…Heh, this is terrifying. This truly seems like a case too much for you all to handle. I never thought the inspection of a duke’s domain would turn out to be useful in this way.” (Gilford)
The particularly important contents of the letter were as follows:
The Guild Master of Andal had sustained a head injury, and the Demon King knew this. That means he had obtained information about Andal through some means. Moreover, he had acquired even such detailed information as a head injury.
The subordinates he brought with him were an Arachnid and a Lizard Commander.
There was no issue in him bringing companions. The fact that there were only two also suggested he was being considerate of us. The problem lay in the fact that their races were different. If they had been of the same race, we could have inferred that their species was the same as or close to the Demon King’s. But a spider and a lizard could not have been more dissimilar. Their only common point was that they were both demons who dwelled in the Great Forest of Owa.
Then, he spoke to the receptionist at the guild in a friendly manner and tried to gather information. It seemed this did not go well, however, as the receptionist was rather scatterbrained.
Finally, regarding the deputy. Apparently, he had secretly gathered adventurers and was planning to launch an attack on the Demon King.
Such foolishness. Even two skilled court magicians were no match for him, yet he thought a ragtag band of adventurers would stand a chance? It seems Karve managed to suppress the situation somehow. In short, the Demon King only provided the bare minimum of information about himself while skillfully hiding the rest, all the while gathering information about us. Whether this extends only to Andal or even reaches Mustung is still unknown, but he likely hasn’t overlooked anything.
His Majesty the Emperor must have understood all that in an instant as well. As expected—hmm? These footsteps…
“Your Majesty, I forgot to mention the reason why I declined your offer earlier.” (Claas)
“Oh? Let’s hear it now, then.” (Gilford)
“Yes. I was born as the third son of a certain viscount household that has already died out. However, due to certain circumstances, I was cast out and left to wander aimlessly. At that time, I was taken in by the former baron, who was then still a baron. Perhaps because he was of the military faction, there were few civil officials and their quality was poor.
So, I worked hard in my duties as a civil officer. Perhaps because of that, he often took notice of me. Even as a civil officer, he made me join combat training without warning, saying that even scribes must pick up the sword at times. During the busy end-of-year period, he would suddenly decide to hold field exercises without consultation, and I would run around desperately gathering the funds.
And finally, when he retired, he entrusted me with his son, saying ‘Take care of him’.
At that moment, I swore thatI would repay this favor (grudge) without fail.” (Claas)
“That’s a grudge!” (Farce)
The Baron flung open the door with force and entered.
Realizing who was in the room, he immediately bowed his head. His Majesty the Emperor did not seem inclined to rebuke him and graciously granted forgiveness. How troubling. If I hadn’t noticed his footsteps and begun this story, His Majesty might not have been so forgiving.
“Claas, the Demon King has already arrived just outside of Mustang. It seems things got a little tense with the Knight Order, but the coachman managed to smooth things over. Gather information on that situation and make the final preparations to welcome him.” (Farce)
“Understood.” (Claas)
I had thought we still had a few more hours of leeway, but it looks like things are about to get busy.
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