Chapter 417.2: Target to Protect
“Here, here, calm down…… I think that was just an oversight. I think they realized that I wasn’t doing it on purpose. Maybe it is a good thing that I left the area right away――.” (Cry)
In response to my guess, Zaza *bunbun* shakes his head vigorously, looks into my eyes, and says.
“Cry-san, you are wrong. We are not outside…… We are not outside the area. The first thing we have to learned about is the sanctuary that we must not enter. This is still the King’s territory!” (Zaza)
That’s………… Certainly strange. I raise my head and see the rows of weapons and mechanized soldiers facing me.
However, if they aren’t attacking, that means we have been given a reprieve.
“Zaza, let’s hurry up and get out of here now-no. Before the King gets angry――” (Lulu)
“Lulu is right. Sightseeing is over, let’s go home quickly.” (Cry)
I don’t want any more trouble. I run up to the small Spider laying over there and pick it up.I don’t know what material it is made of, but the little spider is light enough that even I can lift it. Zaza is still stunned, but Lulu brings him back to his senses by tapping him on the cheek.
I have done enough sightseeing. I have gathered some information, and I am curious to know what happened to Kryhi and the others.
Let’s go back to Ohii-sama’s place before anything else happens.
§
I safely escape from the King’s area, I summon a normal Spider and wait for them when the mechanized soldiers lent by Ohii-sama return. It seems they have stopped right in front of the King’s territory. I wish they had stopped me too……
We climb into the Spider and I finally breathe a sigh of relief. I am sure I will be able to get back to our base while dozing off.
…… Right, first I need to drop off Zaza and Lulu at Nora-san’s place, right?
If I remember correctly, a certain Class level is required to summon a Spider. At this rate, Zaza and Lulu will have to walk back from Ohii-sama’s area.
I say to Zaza, who has not been able to hide his agitation since earlier.
“Shall we stop by Nora-san’s area on the way home?” (Cry)
“!? Eh!? How did you know? I wanted you to stop by there!?” (Zaza)
Zaza exaggerates his surprise. Oi, oi, do you think I cannot be that considerate?
For the first time in a while, I make a badass smile and try to look cool.
“You don’t even need to tell me that for me to understand. I am known for being a Divine Strategist outside, you know.” (Cry)
“Hahaha, Onii-chan, you’re so funny!” (Lulu)
“………………
Lulu laughs while thinking I am lying, while Zaza falls silent.
That’s right, calling me a Divine Strategist for something of this level is just a joke. To begin with, I think the very idea of me being called a Divine Strategist is a bad joke――.
Zaza looks at me skeptically for a while, but eventually thanks me in a quiet voice.
“…… Thank you, Cry-san. The truth is, Nora-sama has been calling me repeatedly to bring you over. Maybe you have noticed it, but……” (Zaza)
…… Eh? Nora-san is, why?
Come to think of it, when I woke up, Zaza said he would contact Nora-san. I am Ohii-sama’s Royal Guard, not Nora-san’s――Well, I won’t bother with the small details.
After all, Nora-san is also a target to protect, just like Ohii-sama. From what Tony-san said, I can see that Kaiser and Saya are doing a good job, so I decide to try and pretend to do my job a little bit too.
The Spider arrives in front of a familiar crimson building. When I get off the Spider, Zaza pulls me by the hand, urging me to go inside the building.
Nora-san’s home base is as always not in a good mood. It is still better than last time when the Knight Order restrained me the moment I stepped in, but the stares I am being directed at from all sides are not pleasant, to say the least.
According to Zaza, only selected members of the Knight Order are allowed to be at Nora-san’s base. They are the closest of Nora-san’s closest aides and are the goal Zaza and Lulu are aiming for. The higher-ranking members are also designated as Nora-san’s Royal Guards, and since they are given the rank of noble, they must truly be the elite.
On the top floor of the building, in the throne room, Nora-san is waiting. She is wearing a crimson dress, different from the last time I came but the same as the one she wore when we first met. This is probably formal attire. Her features are quite stern, and from her appearance, she looks more like a queen than a princess.
Zaza and Lulu see her figure and prostrate themselves on the spot. Before I can follow suit and prostrate myself, Nora-san says.
“Zaza, Lulu, great work on guiding him around. And Cry, it seems you had a terrible time at Tony’s place. But you got what you deserved. You are gravely mistaken if you think that all Royalty are as generous as me.” (Nora)
“I don’t really know what it was, but it seems like there was some kind of mistake. I mean instead of a terrible time, all I did was sleep, sooo yeah……” (Cry)
Since there doesn’t seem to be any problem with my health, I don’t intend to delve into it. In fact, I don’t want to dig too deep into it.
“Don’t worry. I’ve told Tony to make sure this never happens again. Tony has always been a strange guy. Please forgive him.” (Nora)
“? Talking about forgiving him or not, it is not like it had bothered me……” (Cry)
Nora-san’s eyebrows *pikuri* twitch and the corners of her mouth twist. However, she quickly regains her composure and continues.
“By the way, I heard you did a tour of my area. How was it? Since we have a connection…… I gave you special treatment. Right, Zaza?” (Nora)
“Y-Yes………… You have given us many tools that even nobles cannot obtain. I am deeply grateful for Nora-sama’s kindness. And you even gave us permission to visit the arena and the research lab.” (Zaza)
“Eh? Did we visit the research lab or something?” (Cry)
I open my eyes and Nora-san stands up and glares at me.
“Hh…… I gave you permission to go, but you didn’t try to go, you fool! Don’t turn down a visit to my research lab on enhanced human technology, which is state-of-the-art even by this Code’s standard, by saying you’re not interested! What do you think my generosity is!” (Nora)
…… Somehow I am sorry. Sytry likes to visit research laboratories and such. What I like is to go around visiting sweet shops. Suddenly, Nora-san changes her easygoing attitude and starts complaining. As I am wondering what to do, she points her finger at me and declares.
“Ah, god, this is so long and tedious. Soft-heartedness is not necessary on my path to supremacy. Cry Andrich, I’ll get straight to the point. Cooperate with this Nora Code. If you do, I’ll guarantee the Spare’s life!” (Nora)
What is this Ojou-sama suddenly saying? Considering how she was in the prison, is this her being normal?
Zaza and Lulu are frightened while still prostrated. Nora-san’s eyes are shining brightly like those of a carnivorous beast.
Uuun……
“Okay.” (Cry)
“I will not give you some time to think. I’ve already given you enough time………… What, come again ?” (Nora)
“Okay.” (Cry)
In fact, I wondered the same thing when we were at the prison, but what makes Nora-san think that I am her enemy.
For me, Nora-san is not an enemy.
――She is a target to protect.
“You know, that means…… Having the 《Lightning Emperor (Raitei)》 cooperate with me, you know? Are you okay with that?” (Nora)
“Un, un, that’s right. I guess it depends on the situation, but………… Surprisingly, Kryhi can only blow everything away, you know?” (Cry)
Well, it is entirely possible that Nora-san just wants to blow everything away tho’.
“It can’t be…… Then, why are you, trying, to get in my way――” (Nora)
Nora-san is *butsubutsu* muttering to herself. I wonder when I tried to get in her way. I even tried to let her go first. Then, I realize that I have forgotten one thing.
“However, Nora-san, I have one condition.” (Cry)
“!! Hahahaha, I see, that’s what I thought, huh! How arrogant of you to try and give me, Nora Code, a condition. But I’ll listen just in case. Go ahead and say it.” (Nora)
Nora-san is laughing loudly like she is in her element. I don’t know why she is so happy when I tell her there is a condition, but it is not like it is going to be a grand one.
“Is it status? Or resources? Or maybe, you said you wanted Relics, right?” (Nora)
I don’t need either status or re-sources? . I want Relics, but that is not what I am talking about right now.
“No, it is not something that difficult. I just want you to stop calling Ohii-sama a spare.” (Cry)
“………… What?” (Cry)
The self-proclaimed King of Code also said it but it is a weird way to call her. Even if Ohii-sama is really a spare, they are sisters so there should be other ways to call her.
“That’s a stupid condition. So what should I call the Spare?” (Nora)
“………………『My Very Kawaii1 Alisha-chan』 ?” (Cry)
The atmosphere freezes at my joke.
Thanks for reading! Despite what everyone said and how intimidating Nora seems to be, Cry never perceived her as a threat. What can mere royalty do to a god! And now Cry is also going to fix the royal family relationship with Alisha, sasuga Master~!
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- Kawaii: it means cute.