Also, I mentioned it before but the content of the chapters will slow down plot wise a lot coming up. If you check the chapter list on the index page from 115~ up until about 140~ when SS27 finishes the plot focuses a lot around the same stuff they've been doing up until now(there are some twists). Character development and leveling on the 7th floor. Along with that after 140-150~ the stuff that is plot related from the Reverse chapters starts to get mentioned so I need to go back and do those as well before then... All in all things are just going to feel slow for a while. Just wanted to give update and advance notice on that.
Anyway, next chapter ETA 7/15. See you then.
An Unfortunate Father And Son
Year 7445, Month 1, Day 15
"I, sub-Noble Toris.Kalstalan, swear upon the God of truth and law that I speak only truth."
sub-Nobility is the official ranking of those who border the line of nobility. Even if it's the eldest child of a Duke if they don't have any noble ranking at the time they're considered a sub-Noble. The exception is only for the prince and princesses of royalty.
We respond to the questions of the King who is the judge, prosecutor, and defense. The questions themselves aren't any different from the other trials. The date and time of the crime, the situation, and our impressions we just respond as we're asked. Well it's mostly just the same things we told the knight group of Baldukk when we handed them over.
"Once again I'll hand out the judgement. Suspect Misseru.Beirun will receive 10 lashes with a whip for the crime of attempted robbery. Adding 1 lash for denial of the crimes. Another 3 lashes for stating falsehoods during this trial. And for the crime of contempt of royalty he will be decapitated and have his head displayed on the prison gate for one week."
After he declared that things simply moved on to the next trial.
When I returned to everyone else I sat down with my legs cross sipping some tea and eating the wheat senbei (a confection made by just crushing wheat flour and adding that into the dough to be baked) while watching the remaining judgements. While watching I once again thought that I can't let my guard down around that old man.
Furthermore, the one who was acting as guard for the first knight group this time was lord Balkisas. Soon after the judgements ended, a member of the first knight group came to call for me so I went to the government office and the King and lord Balkisas were hiding behind a wall further inside. When I took the pose of a retainer in front of them the King made an unpleasant face while whispering something to lord Balkisas. Che...This old man, so he doesn't want to talk directly to me that much.
Well, it's just somehow but I also originally had an imagine of noblemen only talking intimately with their most loyal of retainers and officials and not directly speaking with commoners or of the lower classes, so thinking that I decided to join his game of telephone. Though if I think about it, just now he exchanged words with criminals and me as well so I guess that's not the case either. I'm sure it's that right? The studs. Yes I get it, isn't that great. This old man who's stamina is running out from his old age felt rejuvenated again making his women go hi~hi~ I'm sure.
..I guess there's no way that's the case huh? I don't know if there was any affection but it's like he just killed his own blood related son a short while ago. But, in this sort of world. Let alone parents or siblings, it might even be only obvious to harm your own son.
"..Greed-kun. I received the order to convey it to you without even a single mistake from his majesty but these aren't my worebu"
When Lord Balkisas was about to start giving an excuse the King hit him in the head from behind. At the same time the King whispered in his ear "It's fine if you don't say anything unnecessary." I can hear you~ I'll use {Charm.Person} and {Suggestion} on you~ old man.
"Hn, gohon. For you to not have brought even a single magic weapon since then, ow"
The King hit lord Balkisas in the back of the head again.
"It's not haven't brought. It's can't manage to bring. And also, don't forget to add brat. Convey things properly."
Hey now, I can hear everything clearly, old man.
"A~ br..brat, for you to not be able to manage to bring back even a single magic weapon, even though you're getting arrogant with the name {Slaughterers}, you're just at that level huh? If it's at this rate then won't it take over 10 years? If you can't manage something during the period I'm still the King then it's not my responsibility you know, id~iot"
Ku...He hits where it hurts. But, we've already long since gotten our hands on a magic weapon. Shut~up. The one who says idiot is the real idiot. I'll show you. In the first place it still hasn't even been one year since then. You're too impatient. Are you premature? However you know..I guess he was interested in it.
"..Oh my, that is quite. I'm quite surprised you know of this humble retainers movements.."
Suddenly the King flicked his tongue and made an unamused face. I'm not amused at all either.
"However, we've still only just started. I'm not in any hurry myself. In the first place I'm still a young 16 years old. It's strange saying it myself but since I'm still young I have an infinite amount of possibilities but..Oh my~ since I swore to only speak the truth to the God of law and truth just a short while ago so I can't speak anything but the truth but please humbly forgive me.."
I added some sarcasm. Even if he knows it I couldn't help but say it. I'm still plenty young.
"This..impudent brat...It's fine, let's go."
While the King had a bitter smile on his face he said that to his guards before disappearing past my side even further into the government office.
Since I boasted so highly about it, it's necessary to actually show him the possibilities thanks to my youth. If possible I want to somehow manage it this year.
I continued to remain in the pose of a retainer until the King and others were out of my sight.
I'm sure that method of yours was one method itself.
I'm sorry for your grief
We ended up having one extra day off thanks to the day of judgement but starting today we're entering the dungeon again. Just the same as usual, we aim for the 7th floor right away and hurry ahead. We continue to the 3rd floor without problem and then setup camp in the teleport room on the 3rd floor.
................
Year 7445, Month 1, Day 17
However, isn't this method just like giving me a warning?
Ah, I need to sleep already.
We did two round trips around the 6th floor and by the evening all of us had arrived at the teleport room on the 6th floor. This time taking into consideration what I was told my {Sun Ray} I left Giberuti from the start and brought along Basutoral. When I returned to pick him up {Sun Ray} was already gone. It seems they all teleported into the 6th floor.
Well, on the way I talked to everyone about things in regards to {Sun Ray}. Everyone was laughing but Basutoral's eyes were swimming. He panicked a bit when Toris poked fun at him but I'm sure anyone would want more money. Particularly since Basutoral has his circumstances as well. It can't be helped if they can touch his feelings while he still doesn't know much about the dungeon.
"Once you return your debt, if you really want to you're free to join {Sun Ray}. Don't hold yourself back."
However, if it comes to that, I won't forget that it happened though.
"That's absurd. {Sun Ray} was it? Most likely, their abilities are less than us {Slaughterers} right? That's no joke. What I was thinking is, someone could pretend to be deceived and enter their group intentionally, those sorts of moves are possibly as well, just that. But, when I thought about it once again I realized there's not much meaning in it either way."
Yeah. I thought of that as well. In reality Miduchi would be the best ability wise but I'm sure that would be exposed right away. The runner-up would be Bel but she's one of our old-time members including Zenom and Ralpha. Even when it comes to Gwine and Toris they've already been with us for two years so I doubt {Sun Ray} would think they'd join them either. The only one remaining is Basutoral but this guy is still an amateur and depending on how things go he could even slowing them down in combat.
What the, isn't everyone fine then?
I guess it's already fine to just not worry about it~