V5C4

Volume 5, Chapter 4: Release

"Oh? Have you already returned?"

Aoi looked extremely surprised.

The police carriage that carried us returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Patolida.

"Ah, once I explained that something was strange, they understood," I said.

"I apologize."

The police officer who brought us bowed his head.

"Normally, they would torture you to make you talk, right?" Murasaki said, sounding very scary.

"But still, something's not right. If I remember correctly, the first queen, Lady Uraka, is from a prominent noble family in this country, right? Normally, why would they bother detaining people from another country for an internal issue? Even if it's said to be the family of the second queen and it becomes a diplomatic issue, what will happen when their son becomes king? It will severely affect the reputation of the other country and put our own country in danger," I replied.

"Well, yeah. If they're a prominent noble family, they should understand those aspects," Aoi nodded as well.

"Moreover, the first queen's eldest son should naturally become the king, right? Is there any point in taking such risks? I mean, if the first queen is from another country and the second queen is also from another country, it could be seen as a proxy war between nations, but this is undoubtedly just the people beneath the first queen going out of control," I continued.

"Well, now that you mention it, the chain of command was indeed strange. I might have been dazzled by the prospects of promotion or something. It feels like I've awakened," said the police officers, bowing their heads.

"As you said, we have mistakenly apprehended the wrong person. We will convey that it was a mistake," they apologized.

"Please do. Do you have a bag with money?"

After responding to the police officer, I turned to Murasaki and asked.

"Yes."

Murasaki replied. He opened the bag and handed one leather pouch filled with gold coins to a police officer.

"For now, I don't know who was behind this, but there might be some demotions or exile for a while. There might even be suspensions. Please share this among yourselves to get through it. I will make sure that all of you can be promoted through Kazan Zakisu-san and the important officials of Yamato. And later on, I will personally give you a thank-you payment. However, the money I just gave you must be distributed equally. If there are complaints about how it's divided among your comrades, it might lead to unexpected consequences," I said.

"Is that alright?"

The police officer was surprised.

"Yes. However, this is a secret, okay? I hope we can maintain a good relationship even after you become important. We also plan to expand our business here, so..."

I bowed my head.

"You've become quite the merchant," Mitsuki sighed.

"It's not a bad thing. I want to be called a wicked person too," I said with sparkling eyes, earning a bewildered look from Mitsuki.

"Someday, let's name our store 'Echigo-ya,'" I chuckled.

"Brother. What's Echigo-ya?" Apolto seemed curious.

"It's a store name that seems like the status of a wicked merchant in another world."

"I see. Is that so?" Apolto nodded with interest.

Well, it's actually just a story from a historical drama on TV.

"Ah, you're always saying such pointless things. Anyway, I'll stop it right away. I contacted Yamato and Patrida with the Skyfish, the fastest monster," Mitsuki sighed.

"Oh, please stop quickly. Yamato will be troubled," I said.

"Yes, yes, I was planning to have Yamato and Asanato send their fleet. Ah, I also asked Levia-san, your brother, to come here with a thousand Sea Serpents and a hundred Wyverns," Mitsuki said.

"W-Why?"

"To reduce Tera to ashes."

Aoi and Mitsuki said at the same time.

The police officer dropped the leather pouch containing gold coins in astonishment.

"Why are you so extreme?"

"Well, it's normal, isn't it?"

Mitsuki said with a face that seemed natural.

"That's right."

Aoi also answered with a smile.

"You guys are dangerous."

I was taken aback.

"Well, they're Yamato's royal family after all," Aoi said with a smile.

Kazanzakis-san will cry again.

"We haven't been fighting much lately, have you? Isn't it just during the time with Alexia?"

Murasaki also seemed dissatisfied.

"Hey, hey! Murasaki! What are you saying?"

I panicked when the name Alexia was mentioned.

"Alexia..."

The police officer had a shocked expression.

"Oh, it's nothing."

I desperately waved my hands.

Please spare me.