《Stranger’s Handbook》Chapter 5: Frontier Count’s Ambition
Advertisement
Royalty usurpation…….
By ‘usurpation’ he refers to snatching away, right; and he’d asked me to become a leader……
If that is the case, he wants me to be a political one? Don’t say he wants me to be the leader of a rebellion by any chance?
……..Hmm? Wait a sec……
“Err, your Excellency, royalty…?
When I inquired that, he deepened his smile into a broad grin.
“Precisely, royalty. There’s a kingdom in the vicinity of our empire….”
Holy smokes! Such an evil face……I sip some of my tea while nodding to the old man.
Ah! This tea is delicious.
“I can’t possibly begin to imagine why this country has chosen a Crown Prince that is so unthinkably idiotic…..”
Crown Prince, huh……..the next ruler of a country.
So he wants me to meddle in other family’s internal squabble?
“And, you know, this Crown Prince is an adept of the discrimination ideology.”
………What?
“The supremacy of the human race……he practices such a doctrine.”
Al-san had an annoyed look on his face and the ‘finger-cutting’ knight didn’t show an amusing expression either.
Well, you might say that in a country that prohibits discrimination that’s quite a……no, that’s an extremely awful Crown Prince.
As ever, the old Frontier Count……..old man Razatonia had an evil smile on his face.
“That’s why, it’d be troublesome if such a guy gets to be the next king.”
…….Uh huh, that’s the official stance.
It might be true in fact, but……I bet he doesn’t think this is unforgivable out of good will, does he.
Unintentionally, I looked doubtfully at the old man Razatonia.
He was smirking………
Hii! Scary!!
“You sure have guessed right! This is the perfect opportunity to invade this fussy neighboring country. It would be great if we can destroy it from the inside, and it would be even greater if we can cut into its pillars.”
Advertisement
“And it would be best if the royalty usurpation succeeds. Will you turn it into a puppet country?”
I somehow forced myself to say this and sipped some of the now flavorless tea.
“Fufufu*! Well, well, the hero-dono this time is very perceptive, it actually helps. So, what do you say?”
……I came to another world, became a hero and my job is internal squabble, huh?
Oh well, it’s not like I have knowledge of martial arts and I guess I’m quite worthy as a salesman who can smooth talk.
I wonder if it makes it less objectionable when the only thing he didn’t ask of me was to fight.
“Yes. Certainly, your Excellency Razatonia.”
I bow my head respectfully.
If I disobey it would only mean death, I can only answer with yes or yes.
“Is that so? Excellent! The conversation didn’t go as smoothly with the other strangers. They kept on pushing their country’s ideology on us, like human rights and the sort…”
I nodded and started to sip on my flavorless tea…..Ah, there’s no more…..
“I am pained to say this to hero-dono, but their number sadly decreased…well, don’t feel bad about it!”
…………?
What would it be………just now, I have the feeling I was told something terrible.
“Eventually, I will allow you to meet the surviving strangers, but I will be a little busy for a while. I want you to have patience and cooperate. Ah, but don’t worry. I will guarantee you freedom to some extent and offer you training in magic. It shouldn’t be too bad of a deal for you.”
So, a few of those who were brought here together with me died? In normal circumstances that’d be an absurdity.
But, there’s nothing the current me could do about it.
Advertisement
For a stranger like me who has no power apart from being more or less good at smooth talking, I have my hands full with just struggling to keep myself alive.
“Yes. I’ll try my best, your Excellency Razatonia.”
The old man Razatonia nodded and quickly raised his right hand.
Then, a part of the room’s wall opened similarly to a door and a man showed up.
Is he in his 20’s? He has chestnut-colored hair and eyes and he wears an approximately 180cm long blue robe with a fine pattern.
I’m sorry to say but he’s a good-looking guy……It’s frustrating……
“How was it? How’s our hero-dono’s magical power?”
The robed man in question lowered his head while twisting his good-looking face.
“Yes, your Excellency. I find it difficult to give you an answer.”
The corners of old man Razatonia’s mouth moved with a slight twitch, but his faint smile was still in place.
He can’t answer? The robed man, who was most likely a subordinate, said so indeed.
A subordinate can’t answer his superior’s question? Is something like this allowed in this world, when the other party is a noble?
As usual, the two knights have bitter faces…..no, they’re restraining their anger.
That’s how their faces looked like.
“I see. That’s too bad. Ah! Hero-dono, I prepared a guide for you, so you shall move rooms. We still have so much more to talk about, but you might be hungry and might also want to take a bath to help you refocus.”
He said this and exchanged looks with the ‘finger-cutting’ knight, then the knight opened the door.
“Understood, your Excellency. I shall excuse myself.”
I will quietly obey.
I was finally offered food and shower and I have no reason to refuse.
“Yea. See you later.”
I bowed to the old man Razatonia, who still wore his faint smile, and followed after the knight.
We climbed up the stairs and I was blinded by the sunlight; it seems we entered a beautiful garden.
First of all, I’m so darn hungry…..It seems I’ll be living for the time being……
I nonchalantly followed the knight while thinking about these things.
Inside the room I left earlier, I had no idea such a conversation was taking place…….
“So, about his magical power? Now that he left the room you can say it, right?”
“Yes, your Excellency. His magical power is undoubtedly more magnificent than my master’s, than a first rate imperial mage’s power.“
“T..t….t….t…this can’t be…….He’s not stupid and he also has such a high magical power……He’s too precious to only be used as a hero…….”
It was the first time I saw his Excellency Razatonia smile so atrociously…..I thought the world was going to end.
That’s what Al-san told me later on and only the thought of it made his tail tremble severely.
As I figured, I think I’m gonna die.
*ふふふ = giggling sound; laugh
Advertisement
Ætla Verǫld
AV Online was just a flash in the pan—a harsh, experimental land which lost most of its players in mere weeks. Only the dedicated few remained, carving out their destinies in corners of the vast abandoned world. Lily Quinn wasn't one of them. With a career worth millions in the esports world, she didn't have time for a game like Avo—but when an exclusive beta test for the new version showed up on her doorstep, she couldn't say no… as much as she wanted to. Literally hooked into the simulation, Lily reluctantly entered a world beyond anything she'd ever dreamed of. Accompanied by seven other beta testers desperate to save their beloved game, Lily dives into a vibrant, beautiful world, where mystery and adventure waits around every corner. Despite her reservations, Lily finds a joyful escape in Avo, shattering her cold, hollow reality. It was just a game though… until the group discovered they couldn't log out. Trapped in a game with no rules, and surrounded by cutthroat players eager to kill for a quick windfall, Lily and her ragged band have no choice but to fight their way out, or die in a game that has turned all too real. Hi there! I'm setting off on yet another adventure, come join me :3 Unusually for me, there's only one perspective this time, and it's quite a bit more action-oriented than I usually write. Don't worry, though: everything's still as character-driven as always, and I never get tired of writing dialogue. Just to acknowledge it up front: this story is heavily inspired by EVE Online and the many stories generated by that world. However, since this is a fantasy setting, not sci-fi, don't expect any real parallels. Chapter publish rate for this one will be whenever I write them, as with Epilogue. I don't expect to move as fast here though, since it's not for NaNo. The plan is chapters somewhere in the 4k-5k range, and hopefully frequently. The Last Science takes priority as always though. Special thanks to Reaver and Ace Arriande for pushing me to get this going, and to all my fellow writers whom I've stolen from been inspired by. You're all wonderful people and I love you Quick reminder: Patrons get to read ahead of what's published! Also, try my other works: The Last Science — A Tale of Modern Magic Epilogue — A Post-Fantasy Psychodrama What are you still doing on the synopsis? Get to reading! Cover art (fullsize): Forgotten World Coliseum, by taenaron (Tobias Roetsch), modified by Etzoli. This story has not been posted or published anywhere else besides RoyalRoad.com, at this URL: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/22103/atla-verold
8 213The Last Elturien
Disclaimer: This story deals with heavy violence and gore. Some themes might be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer Discretion is advised. After her father’s death, El vowed to finish her father’s legacy. And after seven years, she's still searching for the answers. But how do you cure a world that refuses to die? Alongside her, a knight who goes by Karter, wants nothing more than to keep her from harm. Waiting for the day she and only she alone can fulfil her promise to him. However, the rest of the world isn’t so kind as rumour has spread of a way to rid one’s self of the Undying plague. And El is stuck in the middle of it all. As it is her blood that can save them, or so they think. An Elturien can save them, but to what end is she willing to go to?
8 120Star Launch Academy
Star Launch Academy. Home to the brightest minds heading to the Final Frontier. Well, the brightest and some times most arrogant. It took a lot to get here, to qualify for an Officer Position in the Star Launch Fleet, most only ever dreamed of being a part of the Ship's Crew just to escape the overpopulated planet they had called home. In Gregorian Year 2430, Flight Command Zeta arrives at Star Launch Academy, a floating cathedral orbiting the Earth at breakneck speeds. For the members of Zeta Flight, their journey to the Stars, has just begun. (Chapters are titled based on Character Perspective of the Chapter)Updates Every Friday (with occasional Bonuses)
8 89Half a Demon Lord's Journey
Goals are by no means the end. Sequencee Arch was Anna's son, the product of a demon and human, a half-demon. Together with his mother, he lived a life of adventure, going around the empire, exploring the many facets of the world. -- Until she died. An army of demonic beasts led by a black knight wiped out his home land. He was spared, realizing then that– he was the son of the leader of all demons, The Sovereign. 3 years later, he plans to join the academy to befriend the new hero that will soon be ushered into this world. His wish? Become the hero’s companion and kill his father.For chapter notifications (or for anyone who doesn't have a RR account) and series illustration, link here: https://discord.gg/aKt4GDhW69
8 82Dependence - Book Two (Wattys 2013 Finalist)
‘’ Ladies and gentlemen of Panem, for the Pageant of the one hundred and twenty fifth annual Hunger Games, or the fifth Quarter Quell, we have a special treat in store. Here in Panem, we are all depending on something, the Capitol depends on the twelve districts for goods, the districts depend on the Capitol for food and protection but also, the districts depend on each other. To highlight the fact that the districts of Panem are so dependent on each other, the tributes in this year’s Hunger Games will be randomly paired with one another. The pairs will be connected via a new Capitol invention that will mean when one of them dies, so does the other. This will mean that the pairs will have to protect each other, because their lives are in their partner’s hands and vice versa. As you may be wondering how this will affect the final outcome, I am very excited to announce that for the first time ever in Hunger Games history, two tributes will be able to win! Yes, you heard me correct. There will be two victors! You will all hear more about this after the Reapings have commenced, until then, I bid you all adieu. The one hundred and fiftieth annual Hunger Games has officially begun!’’
8 200forbidden love I : yuchae
a cringe yuchae ff story where in, chaeryeong started to have feelings with her step-sister, yuna.
8 170