After a short silence, the audience chamber was in utter chaos.
「 Why, within the presence of the King is he carrying a sword?? 」
「 In the King’s presence! 」
「 What are the Imperial guards doing?? Quickly, arrest him! 」
The civil servants edge back, the Knights on standby move forward. Inside the castle there is basic equipment. Like the Knights in the summoning room, all these Knights have the same short spear.
「 Please wait! 」
Imeraria cried, standing in front of Hifumi with her diminutive body.
「 Hero-sama too, please hear my story. 」
「 ….. Go ahead 」
「 Thank you very much…. 」
On her words not being disregarded, Imeraria was relieved a little. However, thinking about the problem, she braced herself.
「 Wait, Imeraria. 」
Imeraria looked up on hearing the King’s voice.
Though he was sitting on the throne in a relaxed manner, his countenance showed irritation.
「 First of all, speak with us. Hero, we are Wilburken Godenhaim Orsongrande, the King of this country. 」
(TN: I took some liberties with names, but tried to stay as close as possible to the original. Also, the King is using a form of ‘me’ that is typically used by royalty. Hence, the ‘us’)
Hifumi did not look away from Imeraria.
「 H-Hero sama? 」
「 I said I would listen to what you had to say. Say it quickly. 」
On seeing Hifumi’s complete disregard for him, the King angrily struck the armrest of the throne.
「 Ignoring us! Even a Hero is not permitted to ignore us! Guards, arrest this fellow! It’s fine if he’s injured a little! 」
Four members of the guard charged forward at the Royal decree, all of them were cut down in a single breath. Without being flashy, a precise swing of the sword killed efficiently. Watching the elegance and cruelty, everyone in the audience hall held their breath.
「 Hero-sama 」
「 What? 」
「 Your name, please let us hear it. 」
「 ……. Hifumi. 」
Thinking a little, Hifumi answered with only his given name. His family name of Touno he might as well throw away. Killing the God, crossing over worlds, killing people.
Though there were no lingering attachments to his family, Hifumi had come alone, he may have wanted to persuade himself of that.
Hearing his name, Imeraria looked Hifumi in the eye and said
「 Hifumi-sama, due to our selfish convenience, you were called to this world. I sincerely apologise to you. Truly, I am very sorry. 」
The surrounding people murmured on seeing Imeraria bowing deeply.
A member of the royal family is bowing to a rude person. In this world, where status is fixed and hierarchical relationships are the norm, this is clearly the exception.
「 This situation, it is my fault. To calm Hifumi-sama’s anger, I will do anything I can…. My life, you may end it right here if you wish. 」
