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The Capital City of the Kingdom Part 9
Translators: Frostfire10
Separating from Sebas, Climb reported to Renner about what happened. What happened in the alley, Sebas' story and the woman he wants to help.
When Climb asked if it was possible to shelter the woman, she did not hesitate. At a speed that could only be described as instantaneously, Renner's reply was a positive one.
"No, I don't mind."
"Thank you."
Climb bowed and felt a deep gratitude for the kindly smiling Renner.
As princess, Renner's territory was quite wide, and it would be simple to shelter a single woman. If she entered a village from outside the territory, there would not be a lot of information leaked. Basically, her safety was guaranteed.
Ignoring the fact that he suddenly appeared, he could reply his debt to Sebas for training him. And since Renner agreed, the chance that this would case a problem was low, and Climb patted his chest in relief.
"Was Climb….worried? That I would refuse?"
Renner's words were slightly tinged with sadness, and Climb raised his head as if shot.
"T, that is not true! I believed that the kind Renner-sama would never refuse. However, as your follower, I cannot allow for you to be troubled! And thus I was worried that this would trouble Renners-sama!"
Since the day Climb was picked up, he believed that Renner was the world's most kind woman.
Seeing the panicking Climb, Renner's lips loosened into a small smile. This showed that her earlier attitude was a joke, and Climb sighed a breath in relief.
The woman known as Renner should never be saddened. Climb's feelings could only be understood by a man whose lover was shining brightly.
"….I would like to meet that old man."
"Yup yup, but since he's an old man, it's too bad."
"….Haa."
Lakyus listened in from the side and spoke as he interest was peaked. And Tia shook her head in agreement.
These were the words that had the will of the Kingdom's strongest A+ Adventurers.
A person that Climb viewed as Gazef-class, Sebas. If such a person existed, they should have knowledge about it, but the two of them had none. He was an existence that they should pay attention to.
"He might have disguised his appearance."
"Yup, he might have."
"There are no old male A+ or A Class adventurers after all."
"From his appearance, he does not seem to be a hermit."
"Then shall we promise to meet once about the woman. We shall ask him then. Would it be possible to arrange a meeting with him."
"Eeh, please do so, Climb."
"Understood."
Climb lowered his head to Lakyus, and signaled the end of the conversation. However, Renner easily changed it.
"By the way, Climb. Do you have something you want to say?"
Suitable for the position of princess, her calm yet regal voice reverberated through the room. Lakyus and Climb looked at each other, and had a discussion with their eyes. Tia lazily looked at them, but that air of hers formed a wall that said, don't look at me.
"….I'm sorry?"
Swallowing with a gulp, Climb asked Renner. What met him were Renner's questioning eyes.
"Climb would like to say something else right? You want to ask me for something different right?"
Despite Renner's smiling face, Climb felt cold sweat trickle down his back.
Lakyus was sitting at the same table and her face was one of slight suspicion, then she predicted what would happen, and then scowled.
Climb wanted to ask one thing.
Can you save them?
It was just that.
There were other people kept prisoner, could they not be saved as well. However, Climb should not speak those words.
If he closed his eyes and acted dumb, everything would end without a problem. A small amount of guilt was left, but it was much better than having losses.
"There is no such thing, simply Renner-sama's misconception."
"Really? I mostly understand Climb well though?"
"T, then this will be your first mistake. I, I do not really have anything to wish for."
"Truly?"
Renner looked at Climb, as if peering into him.
"Y, yes….It is as you say."
While feeling the sweat down his cheek, Climb made his words ambiguously. From here on out was a realm filled with disadvantages. If he thought about his master, Renner, he should throw away his idea.
The reason why Lakyus was frowning, was because she understood what Climb wanted to say.
"Hey, Alvein. Could you investigate the area where this Sebas-san found the girl?"
Her answer to that was a sigh.
"….This is not something you should stick your head into though?"
"Why?"
"Why you ask…."
Renner tilted her head innocently, and Lakyus collapsed into her chair and explained.
"It would be best to avoid sticking your head into the Kingdom's underworld. Well, nothing will happen to you, but you should not see it."
There were victims, and one could give them the hand of salvation. This was a wonderful act. However, the problem was not that simple. Even if they had the absolute authority as royalty. This was as saving them, would put them at loggerheads with their oppressors.
The underworld was born of desire, and was the rotten part of society. Of course, in terms of interests, there would be criminals with relations to the royal family. In a certain meaning, it was a necessary evil. Opposing them might create a giant pitfall for the weakening royal family.
That was why Climb did not say anything about saving them.
Lakyus was lost.
Was it okay to let the most beautiful person in the Kingdom to see this trash. If she learnt about them, would the woman known as Renner make any strange moves.
—She could not come up with an answer.
"Could you please, investigate it?"
Lakyus stared at her friend's face. This friend was dense about the feelings of others. However, she was strangely sensitive to Climb's emotions.
It was to the point whether she questioned whether or not she was simply acting that she was dense and could not read the air.
No—
Lakyus shook her head. Even she would not act detrimentally against herself or her family.
"Impossible."
"Then who can I ask—"
"—Stop there. This is a warning from a friend."
"Then I should ignore those in pain?"
"….That is…."
"It can't be helped? One should give up because their luck was bad?"
Originally, Tia was a member of Ijaniya and her words had no mercy.
"The people are in pain, so the royalty should ignore them?"
"…….."
"….Mu."
Neither Climb nor Lakyus could speak.
It was true that this was an act fitting of the woman known as Renner.
This woman was called golden, and thought of the people, of the weak and reached out to save them.
She was such a woman.
Climb suppressed the feeling of love and respect that appeared in his heart. Climb himself was extremely happy, despite it not being a good thing for Renner.
Renner and Lakyus looked at each other, and Lakyus folded.
"Hah, I got it. I'll go investigate so go wait for a bit. Tia come with me. We'll buy information from the thieve's guild using your connections."
"We've finished."
These were the first words coming from Lakyus, who returned after three hours.
She was wearing a dress earlier, the current Lakyus had changed, and was wearing clothes that were easy to move in. They were clothes that adventurers wore under their armour. However, since she was in front of the princess, she had chosen ones that looked good. There was no mud, stains or blood on it.
With every move she made, a small scent of flowers could be smelled. There was no way adventurers would use perfume as it would give away their position, but she was paying attention to the situation.
"Welcome back. Take a seat."
Renner directed Lakyus and Tia to their seats from three hours ago. The figures of them relaxing in their chairs showed how much trouble they went through to collect information.
"T, that was fast."
While preparing drinks for Lakyus and Tia who had sat down, Climb asked.
Pouring water into something like a decanter, the smell of citrus permeated throughout the room. Grabbing the glass, Lakyus emptied it in one culp. As her beautiful, healthy and without a trace of imperfection, throat moved, the juice immediately collected in her stomach.
"Haa—"
Having the glass placed down with a thud, Climb poured in juice again. His gaze moved to Tia sitting next to Lakyus. She was grabbing the glass with both hands, and in a fashion reminiscent of a hamster, she was sipping it, and her glass had enough juice in it.
Confirming that, Climb sat down in his allotted seat.
"Thank you, Climb."
This time, Lakyus wetted her lips with the juice, and sighed.
"Umm, originally, even the thieve's guild believe they are dangerous. Since they had investigated them, we easily got the info. Shall I begin?"
"Eeeh, please."
"….Hey, Theiere. I don't know how to tell you this. I believe that you have to know this world exists, but I wonder if that is right."
"….Tell me Alvein. It is something I should know."
"….Then I won't hide anything. And I won't pick my words. Do you mind?"
Renner smiled at Lakyus who was staring at her. It was as if she had no thoughts, but yet had a strong will. Lakyus stared at her again, and slightly tilted her head. She could not read her.
"Firstly they have three shops…." Lakyus' expression hardened. "One is where they use children or young people. Another is with middle-aged people. The last is….where the people who have been damaged in the two shops are sent, and are intended to be disposed of. A place that attracts the lowest of the low."
Hesitating, Lakyus finally spoke.
"There, the Eight Fingers of Divanack do lots of business there."
"Divanack? The Demon God of Corruption and Pleasure?"
Climb asked from the side.
Divanack was different from the Demon Gods the 13 Heroes defeated, but was a Demon God, and ruled rotten desires. He was burned by the Fire God, and locked in the Demon Realm.
The eight fingers he had, contained the meaning of the eight desires that humans had.
"Then, do they have a cult behind them?"
"It would be great if that were true. They are simply using that name. According to the guild."
If there was a cult, then eradicating them would be a great justice. Even if there was a noble supporting them, this was a grave sin. Those who made enemies of even the temple would not be supported by the nobles of the same faction.
"Umm, five out of the eight are good at fighting. The other three handle the finances, legal and the connections with the nobles. We were informed about any physical characteristics and skills they have."
Lakyus took out multiple sheets of thick paper and placed them on the table.
"Excuse me."
Climb reached out his hands and read the words on the paper. The handwriting was female, and thus either Lakyus or Tia wrote this.
Their name, appearance, main fighting style, and their choice of weapon was written in detail.
Renner who was looking at the same page returned it as she lost interest. It was natural as Renner was a princess and this would not interest her.
"Umm, are they strong?"
"….From whose point of view. To us they are nothing much. But to Climb, they are beyond strong."
Probably three of them. Maybe one more.
Climb read the whole stack of paper and determined so.
"Umm, it seems that that shop was originally a place for selling woman for cheap and have them work there. On top of selling them, they would be disposed of. They were probably used for the most vile fetishes. They seem to be many corpses from that last one especially. They were probably killed. Separated hands and legs could also be found."
As if a cloud covered the sun, a small shadow covered Renner's beauty. Seeing her expression, two contradictory emotions were born in Climb: That she should not know about this world. But yet she should know.
"The most dangerous thing is that behind them is Earl Iselk."
Hearing Lakyus' words, Climb frowned more than Renner did earlier.
Any political war within the Palace was a large flame that could easily reach Renner. So he had worked hard to understand the political world of nobles. Of course, since he was rejected from both factions he did not have much information, but from looking at the interactions of the soldiers in the canteen and training hall he had a rough grasp.
Places covered in darkness were still unknown, but what from Climb knew, Earl Iselk was—
"—One of the backbones of the Royal Faction."
So it seems, Lakyus said has she shrugged.
While she was a noblewoman, as a famous adventurer, he knowledge of noble society was less than Climb's. But she easily answered Climb's question.
"I asked at the guild. Of course the thieve's guild investigated their backer. Apart from what I mentioned earlier, it seems to be used for the strengthening of the faction and betrayals. He fulfills his bestial lust but there are no further complications."
Lakyus practically spewed out her words.
"Now, so this was the gist of it. How was it?"
"Perfect."
"Yes, thank you, Tia. Now, what should we do?"
Silence filled the room. The person who cut it apart was Renner.
"Mobilise the troops, and smash them."
"Impossible."
Lakyus refuted her. With such a strong reply, Renner did not say anything further, and thought of other possibilities.
Because she was a princess, mobilising troops was extremely difficult.
If the princess had soldiers directly under her it would be fine, but the only one she had was Climb. So to mobilise them there would need to be orders. Then the soldiers of the Royal Faction would move.
However, the one behind them was Earl Iselk of the Royal Faction. It was not clear what connections they had, but the chance that the soldiers would be deployed late was extremely high.
But what if the soldiers of the Noble Faction moved?
This was a chance for them to deal a blow to their opposing faction, and it was given to them by Renner. They would fulfill their orders, and save the trapped people. However, as a result the authority of the Royal Faction would drop, and cause rifts in the faction.
Basically mobilising the troops using Renner's authority would bring no merits. Then the next thing was—
"The problem would be solved if we activated adventurers right?"
"……..Probably."
Lakyus mumbled a reply, but there was hesitation in her eyes. Tia explained for her.
"Adventurers can solved the problem. However, it does not solve the problem with Earl Iselk."
Should they destroy Earl Iselk's business in the dark, the source of evil would definitely remain. Even if it were the princess' orders. No, because it was her orders. This was an act that damaged one of the hearts of the faction, so it would cause waves in the faction.
If they put Earl Iselk on trial, it would be a worse problem.
Basically any move they made would damage the Royal Faction. Thus Lakyus was against it. As both were detrimental to Renner.
"Why? If we imprison Earl Iselk would the problem not be solved?"
"It's not that simple. The Factions would be shaken."
"….Is there a need for such a terrible person in the faction?"
"….Factions are not that simple. In a way, Earl Iselk is a necessary evil."
"Can't we hide the identity of the requester?"
"The guild will investigate that, and it will be difficult to completely hide that Renner requested it. You could hire workers….but their reliability is doubtable."
"Then what about hiring Alvein?"
"Spare me. I am a noble girl. If things go badly, it will cause trouble to the family."
"Really? But it is the right thing to do…."
"Haah….Fine? I will somehow handle Earl Iselk's shop, but one must negotiate with him. One has to silence him with pressure."
"As a princess can I not do it?"
Right? Renner said as she looked at Climb and Lakyus.
I don't know, Lakyus implied in her glances at Climb. The meaning in her gaze was easily understood.
"….Renner-sama. Honestly, pressuring them will be difficult. Everyone will understand Renner-sama's kindness since she has thought this much for them. However, this is an extremely sensitive problem. It is a good plan to grit our teeth and keep our head down."
Climb did not believe so, but Renner did not understand the importance of laying groundwork, and was the headstrong type. If there was a sensitive problem like the one they were facing, the chance of large problems occurring if they charged in was high. It could not be ignored.
There was no man who wished for the woman he loved to get hurt and go down a road of pain. Climb was the type to hurt himself and open up a safe path for her instead.
Imprisoned, treated like slaves and sent to die. Such people were pitiful, and he felt disgusted by the people who put them there. However, he thought that it could not be helped that the woman most important to him had to avert her eyes to them.
"You should have a personal guard apart from Climb."
"Maybe."
"Even if you have one it does not solve the problem with the nobles."
"The Princess is a beautiful decoration after all."
"Tia!"
"It's the truth."
Silence fell. Lakyus sent a sharp gaze at Tia, but she had no changed in expression.
"Alvein, Climb. I really am a decoration."
"T, that is not true!"
Climb shouted. It was an attempt to gloss it over, but Renner was not fooled.
"….Really?"
" Umuuuu…."
As if being swallowed by Renner's pure eyes, Climb could not continue. Because he thought Tia spoke the truth.
Renner closed her eyes, and faced upwards.
A few seconds passed. Climb was thinking to console her, but not words came to mind. Lakyus was also silent, and kept a scowl on her face.
"….We have no choice. Call for Marquis Raeven. He has had meetings here for various reasons, and should still be in the capital."
"The Marquis?"
According to Climb's memories, he was one of the Six Great Nobles, and was part of the Royal Faction. However, he was a strange one, and the soldiers of Marquis Raeven did not mix well with other soldiers of the faction.
Why such a person? Climb wondered, but Renner's orders took first priority in his head. However, he still voiced one of his thoughts.
"….Will it be fine despite being quite late though?"
Climb glanced out the window to check the outside. The sky was filled with stars, and was ruled by the darkness of dusk. However, it was not yet dinnertime, and calling someone without an appointment was not a good thing now.
Of course, there was no way a Great Noble would refuse an invitation by Princess Renner.
"I don't mind. If I say that I have an urgent message for him, I believe he will come."
"Understood. Then I will be calling for Marquis Raeven."
Climb slowly stood up from the chair.
"Aindra-sama, please excuse me."
"Eeeh…. Hey, Theiere. What are you thinking of, calling for the bat?" (TL Note: I am aware this contradicts the earlier chapter. Author's problem not mine. I checked.)
While hearing Lakyus' question from behind him, Climb left the room.