Chapter 127

「Oi, is it really alright to leave that guy behind?」

On our way to the designated place to receive the prize, Kurou, who was walking next to me, asked that .

Akira was sleeping on the sofa even as we were about to leave, so we decided that it was best to not wake him .

Even though he was speaking in a somewhat polite tone this morning, Kurou had already returned to his usual way of speaking .

Just what was that this morning?

When he called me, he wouldn’t use “you” or “Princess”, but “you” .

TN: the first “you” is omae while the second is anata . Omae is somewhat more polite, but they both essentially mean the same thing .

On top of that, he spoke as if he knew what I did, as if he knew about Kirika’s matter .

In those days, every continent was informed about the dungeon monsters that attacked the elves .

Due to the attack of the demons, it was required that any information related to monsters and demons be reported .

As a result, the information about Kirika having mistakenly scattered a large amount of monster bait became known, but because the elves had erased the documentation of it at the time, it was not recorded in the books .

In other words, if he was alive at that time, then it wouldn’t be a surprise if he knew about Kirika’s matter .

However, although I can’t recall the specifics, it was quite a long time ago, so taking the beastmen’s lifespan into consideration, there shouldn’t be anyone still alive who knew about it .

I had an impulse to ask him about it, but if I was mistaken, and I exposed Kirika’s secret that everyone desperately tried to conceal, then I… .

When I thought that, I couldn’t get the words out .

「…Akira has been overdoing it lately . Besides, it’ll be fine since we’re returning to the hotel once we’ve obtained the prize . 」

After getting it, there’s no point in staying any longer .

Depending on when Akira woke up, we could leave right away .

Akira too, was probably just lacking sleep, and would wake up when it was time to leave .

「I see . …it would be good if we could return safely . 」

The last few words that Kurou had murmured, did not reach me .

「This is the place…right?」

Ueno-san dumbfoundedly muttered this when she saw the building that was in front of us .

It was also because I was surprised when I saw the building, that I didn’t catch what Kurou’s words .

The designated place was a filthy looking hotel that was on the verge of collapsing .

It was far from a place where one would expect to receive the pageant prize .

In an instant, everyone was tense .

I had thought that somehow, everyone was on edge today, but did they predict this .

「…who is it!!」

Turning around at Kurou’s sharp voice, there was a man in black standing there .

All eyes landed on him .

「If I remember correctly, you are the committee chairman… . 」

My eyes widened when I heard Hosoyama-san’s words .

Certainly, if you looked closely, that face and those white rabbit ears that could be mistaken for white hair looked familiar .

He was no longer timid and trembling, seemingly afraid of something like he was yesterday; he was standing there imposingly .

「…it seems that he is targeting you . 」

Coming back to my senses when I heard Kurou’s voice, we were being surrounded by men who were clad in black just like the pageant committee chairman Rapan .

For them to come this close to us without me, the hero party, and Kurou, who was a former member of the hero party although he’s retired, realizing it, they seemed to be quite skilled .

There were twenty of them .

They had completely surrounded us, without even a gap .

「…I assume you’re Princess Amelia . 」

My name came out of that person’s mouth .

The hero party members rushed towards me, surrounded me, and looked around with vigilance .

Their movements, it seems that they’ve long since prepared for this .

However, this was not the time to care about that .

「That’s right, is there something you need . 」

Narrowing my eyes, I responded, and the men in black looked at each other and nodded .

Though I lacked the『Perception』skill, I could sense that this was not the time for us to calmly discuss this .

「Gram-sama has called for you . Come with us . 」

Standing next to me, Kurou’s bloodlust rapidly rose when he heard the name “Gram” .

He was the enemy of Kurou’s younger sister .

「The princess of the elves, has to heed the summons of a mere lowly guildmaster?」

Normally, it was impossible to call upon royalty like me .

It was etiquette for the other party to come to me .

When I replied as such, the men in black tightened their encirclement .

It seems that they plan on using brute force .

Behind them, Rapan gave a vulgar laugh .

「However, that won’t do… . To think that an elderly person would be brought to this kind of place by women and children . It seems that the boy who’s always with you is not here today . 」

It seems that Akira was the only one among us who he was vigilant of .

…did they not know about the hero party?

Just as Akira said, information should be collected beforehand .

Sighing, I held my hand out in front of me .

「『Gravity』」

In response to my magic, the men in black all fell to their knees .

Back then, I did not know how to differentiate between enemies and allies, but I’ve learned how to do so when I lived in the dungeon with Akira .

Because I had used『Magic Creation』this morning and had consumed an enormous amount of magic power, I was still a bit fatigued, but I could still take care of such weak opponents .

「And, where will you be taking me?」

I looked down at the kneeling men and asked this .

My eyes were definitely flashing icily .

A sharp look in my eyes, that definitely could not be shown to Akira .

If they don’t answer, I would not mind torturing them here .

After all, I was not brought up like a princess .

For hundreds of years, high elves have done various unspeakable things in order to govern over the elves as well .

I was not as beautiful as Akira thought I was .

I may always appear foolish, but I won’t stand by when I’m being targeted .

「If you don’t answer me, then be crushed to death . 」

I lowered my hand a little .

In accordance with that motion, the men’s bodies collapsed and sank into the ground .