“Uru, we’re going to the Royal Castle. Prince Michael has some business with us.”
“E-Eh?! Did Uru do something wrong? Will I be killed?”
Uru was understandably flustered. It was no wonder, being summoned to the Royal Castle out of the blue like this.
“If you don’t know why you’re being summoned, then you’re probably not going to be killed. Most likely, he wants you because he took a liking to you at the martial arts tournament. Something like that.”
Uru looked up at me with teary eyes.
“Is Uru being abandoned? Does Master hate Uru?”
…That actually tugs at my heartstrings. As expected, a woman’s tears are the ultimate weapon.
“Rest assured. I will never let you go. If Prince Michael tells you to come with him, refuse if you don’t want to. If you do, I will protect you with everything I have. You are mine, after all.”
“Uru… is Master’s.”
Uru seemed relieved, hugging me tightly.
She’s still young, so I’ll let her do as she pleases for now.
And so, I allowed Uru to indulge herself for a while.
Rainana Royal Castle
“You’ve come. Absolute Ark, and the slave Uru. Welcome, well, take a seat.”
Upon arriving at the Royal Castle, we were led to a guest room and seated. However, the reception was far from amicable.
“What’s the meaning of all these Royal Guards, Prince Michael? It seems like too many for a mere escort.”
The Royal Guards stood surrounding us as we sat in the guest room.
…Too obvious to be a mere threat. Prince Michael is quite dangerous.
I mentally raised my vigilance level against Michael.
“Is that so? I am to be the future king. My guards are quite insistent that nothing should happen to me. It may be a bit stifling, but please bear with it.”
Prince Michael shrugged theatrically.
Uru’s tail was raised in警戒and I lightly stroked her back to calm her down.
“Understood. Now then, may I inquire about the purpose of today’s meeting?”
I wanted to get this over with quickly, so I decided to get straight to the point.
“Oh, it’ll be over soon. If you agree quickly, that is. Hand over your slave to me. If you do, I’ll let you leave unharmed.”
…I expected him to say that, but to take such an aggressive stance… Is this guy an idiot? I’m the next head of the Ark House, who is responsible for the nation’s defense from the shadows! If I turn my back on him, this country will be finished in his reign! Well, this makes it clear. I won’t work in the shadows while receiving slander for the sake of someone like him. I’ll have to reconsider my involvement from now on.
“I refuse. Was that all? Then, we shall take our leave.”
I tried to stand up, but then a sword was pointed at my neck.
“…What do you intend to do? Why are the Royal Guards drawing their swords? This is a warning. There won’t be a second one. Sheath your swords.”
I warned them, but the Royal Guards showed no sign of sheathing their swords.
“Kukuku! To think that the infamous Ark House would have such an idiot! What can a kid like you do against this many Royal Guards? It seems like you need to be taught a painful lesson! How about it, slave? If you come to me, I might just save you.”
Michael asked Uru, but her answer was already clear. Uru clung to my arm.
“Uru is Master’s! Master will never lose to guys like you! Pbbbbt!”
Michael’s brow furrowed.
“Hmph, is that so… It seems you both wish to die together. You will be killed by the Royal Guards for drawing your sword against me. That’s how it will be. Kill them!”
““““Yes, sir!!!””””
At the signal, the Royal Guards swung their swords down… or so they thought, but they had given me too much time.
“W-What is this?! Black hands are wrapping around my body and I can’t move!”
【Dark Hole】.
It was my magic. I had extended the dark magic from my feet, spreading it throughout the room.
Now, I could manifest magical arms from anywhere in the room.
“W-What? What’s going on?”
Michael could only panic, unable to comprehend the situation.
Confirming that everyone was immobilized, I gave Uru an order.
“Uru… leave this room and call for help. Tell them that Prince Michael has gone mad and ordered the Royal Guards to kill a member of the Ark House.”
“Yes, Master!”
Uru immediately ran out.
Now it’s just a matter of time…
I snatched a sword from a Royal Guard and began severing the Royal Guards’ arms.
“Mnnn!”
I used the 【Dark Hole】’s arms to cover the Royal Guards’ mouths, preventing them from screaming, so only groans echoed in the room.
“…You all have faces that seem to ask why I’m doing this, didn’t I tell you? There won’t be a second time…”
After finishing cutting off the Royal Guards’ arms, I used 【Dark Hole】 to collect the fallen limbs and blood, concluding their punishment.
I turned to face Michael.
“What… what were you trying to accomplish, in the end? You wouldn’t try to kill the successor of a high-ranking noble for just one slave, would you? Normally.”
Mutter…
“…I don’t like you.”
Michael said something, but I couldn’t hear him.
“What? I can’t hear you.”
“I don’t like you! Your eyes!
Your attitude! Your existence! You’re an eyesore!”
…I’m really hated, huh? Is this also because of the 【Absolute Evil】 skill?
“………I see. But you tried to kill me. You know what will happen now, right?”
I activated the 【King’s Rule】 skill, intimidating everyone in the room.
The Royal Guards and Michael turned pale from the immense pressure, only able to tremble in fear. They were so pathetic that it was hard to tell who was royalty.
Just then, the door burst open and someone entered.
“That’s enough! Both of you, drop your swords!”
To my surprise, it was the king who had entered.
“Well, well, Your Majesty. How are you faring?”
I, who was feeling displeased, said with sarcasm.
“…Terrible!”
The king looked at the miserable state of the Royal Guards who had lost their arms and at Michael’s appearance, glaring resentfully at me.
As soon as the king arrived, the skill was dispelled, and the Royal Guards and Michael fainted in relief.
