As we cross into the city limits, I'm taken aback. The smell, the grime…the number of people in rags sitting in the streets…they don't treat their commoners well here. As we continue further into the city, the conditions improve, but that only makes the earlier scenes more appalling.
It takes a while, but eventually we reach the castle wall gate. The guards there see our escorting guard, whose name I still don't know, and they nod at each other and open the gate. As we pass, they eye my party and me tensely.
Ahead, I see a stone walkway lined with armed guards leading up to the castle doors. Again, they are all watching us closely as we pass, but magic sense tells me they aren't making a move behind my back. Still, this is obviously getting dicey.
[Everyone, stay nice and close to me so I can get you to safety if needed. I'm still hoping to talk my way into a non-hostile relationship with the Emperor, but not at the risk of your lives.] (Mizuki)
[Fufufu…you are being far too generous, Mizuki. They obviously intend us harm.] (Nina)
I groan internally…yeah, I didn't need Nina's ESP to tell me that. Call me an optimist.
We walk through the palace doors, into a massive throne room. It looks like the only other doors or hallways are at the back of the room, behind the throne. The place is brimming with armed guards, all staring at us. Magic sense tells me that they are all 3 or higher power levels and alteration class, and there are probably sixty of them.
This is absurd. From what I've gauged of humans, that combo is so rare that it wouldn't surprise me if this was every such individual in the entire country. It can't be anything other than a cherry-picked elite squad.
We walk further into the huge room and stop halfway to the throne. I look up to see a muscular man about my height, around age 30 with brown hair and eyes, sitting on the throne. He's wearing armor, a…cape…, and a short sword, and he has magic attributes like the guards.
He has his face propped up on his hand, leaning against the side of his throne, and he's wearing a smug and amused expression. Yup…real douche vibes. Based on the tone of the letter, I'm guessing that's Emperor Belmod.
Our escorting guard kneels in front of us, then calls out to who I assume is Belmod.
"My Exalted Emperor, allow me to introduce the S-rank party you summoned, and their leader, Mizuki!" (unnamed guard)
The guard gestures at me, and I give a light bow. Belmod's expression becomes surprised, then almost hysterically amused.
"Yes, yes, that will be all, Lobe. Come guard the western hallway until I need you." (Belmod)
Belmod makes a dismissive gesture, and I get the impression he basically just told our man Lobe to count grass. Lobe voices his assent, then rises and walks to the right side of the emperor to stand in front of a hallway.
Belmod turns his gaze to me and looks down condescendingly.
"So, are you really the leader of an S-rank party? You look like a runt to me…one barely old enough to grow hair on his chin." (Belmod)
I smile politely and give another bow. I sense irritation from Nina…she's starting early this time.
"That is correct, Emperor Belmod, my name is Mizuki. Allow me to offer my sincere thanks for extending us your invitation to Rodsgard for this audience." (Mizuki)
Belmod shakes his head in amusement.
"Fufufu…you're quite the polite runt, at least. It's hard to believe you gave my men so much trouble at the gate. Also, let me give you some advice…the proper way to address me is, My Exalted Emperor. Now…I hear that you were personally endorsed by the elf queen. Does that mean you've been to their kingdom?" (Belmod)
Jeez…this is really going to hurt my pride, but I need information, and I think he's just cocky enough to give it to me if I play nice. Unfortunately, I'm beginning to sense actual anger from Nina.
"You are correct, My Exalted Emperor. My party and I have been granted special permission to visit the Elven Kingdom at will." (Mizuki)
Belmod gives a surprised look and leans forward curiously.
"Really now? How did you manage something like that?" (Belmod)
His eyes narrow at me expectantly, and I have a sneaking suspicion that he already has a theory. Hmm…how to avoid telling him the truth, without angering him. I can't think of a lie he'd believe and not be upset about. Maybe I can make it into a joke? If I were a self-absorbed meathead douchebag who looked down on everyone else…what would I find funny? I'm guessing, 'she loved my poetry' won't do.
"The elves were plagued by an Elder Dragon, and I faced the beast in single combat. Using only my bare hands, I beat it into submission, and sent it away with its tail between its legs. Our visitation rights were a reward for my fearless taming of the beast, My Exalted Emperor." (Mizuki)
I sense a huge rush of amusement from Nina…good, she's not murderous. Glancing at Belmod, he's staring at me dumbfounded. Shit…I misjudged him.
After several moments, he begins laughing hysterically, and I feel a rush of relief.
"Hahahahaha…dear god, runt, you're really something else. Fufufu…even my jester hasn't made me laugh like that. Do you want his job?" (Belmod)
This D-bag has an actual court jester? Actually, that tracks.
Regardless, now that he's distracted, I need to redirect this conversation to learn something. I bow humbly.
"Naturally, I'm not fit for such an honor, My Exalted Emperor. May I inquire as to why you so graciously summoned my party and me here?" (Mizuki)
Belmod's hysterics slowly fade into a slightly amused smile, and he nods agreeably.
"Sure, there are two reasons. The first was, I'm curious about the Elven Kingdom. The prior emperors couldn't even get our spies into the place for basic surveillance. Once, my father sent in a man with an ultra-rare invisibility spell, and even he was never heard from again. I'm hoping to learn more about the elves and their country from someone who's been there. What can you tell me about it?" (Belmod)
Yeah…that screams 'I want to invade' to me. I make an expression like I'm thinking it over.
"Regrettably, my trip was not thorough enough to meaningfully comment on it. All I can tell you is that they were prosperous, peaceful, and very devoted to one another, and the one city I happened to see was impressively built." (Mizuki)
Belmod seems to be watching me carefully, and he continues his nodding.
"Hmm…not thorough enough, you say? That's a shame. Could you go back if you wanted to?" (Belmod)
I think I know where this is going, and that conversation would cause issues.
"Yes, that's what I was told. I'm sorry that I couldn't be more help with the first reason for your summons, My Exalted Emperor. Perhaps I could assist with the second reason, if I can inquire what that is?" (Mizuki)
Belmod looks surprised by the change in topic, then stares at me suspiciously as he responds.
"The second reason has to do with an incident in one of my southern cities. It happened quite some time ago…but it remains rather mysterious. You see, there was a heavily guarded warehouse containing valuable merchandise in a city called Cedonia, and one night everything in it disappeared without a trace. Guards, merchandise, everything, as if they all turned to smoke." (Belmod)
I put on my most confused expression.
"My…that's extremely mysterious. I confess that I'm confused why you'd honor me with the assumption that I could solve such a mystery, My Exalted Emperor." (Mizuki)
Belmod nods and smirks, but the amusement is gone from his face. After a moment, he continues.
"Well, runt, that's because the merchandise that went missing was elf and wolf-kin slaves. As it happens, only a few weeks after that, your new S-rank party was announced – approved by the Elven Kingdom. What's more, the guild records show that the two newest members of your party are an elf and a wolf-kin, and they joined shortly after our little incident. If you stole some elven slaves from us and returned them to their country, that might earn the elf queen's S-rank approval, don't you think?" (Belmod)
Sounds pretty damning…ironically, it's incorrect that me freeing the elves was the primary motivator for my S-rank endorsement. Still…I suspect I don't have much more time to try and glean information from him. So far, this meeting hasn't been super informative.
"Well, My Exalted Emperor, that is certainly quite the coincidence, but I don't know anything about your city's incident. Furthermore, I'm sure that my party members here are not slaves." (Mizuki)
Belmod narrows his eyes, and he stands up from his throne. He begins leisurely walking towards me with a glare.
"Is that so? Hmm...trader!" (Belmod)
Trader? The hell?
A nervous looking man in his forties, unarmed but in fine clothes, steps out of the line of guards to our side. He looks towards Alto and Zara, trying to peer under their hoods. He seems to make eye contact with Alto, and then I see Alto's face contort in rage. Shit…is that who I think it is?
The trader steps back towards the line of guards meekly, then turns to Belmod and nods furiously.
"Yes, My Exalted Emperor. That elf is definitely my slave. I can't tell for sure with the wolf-kin, but she looks familiar. I…don't know why their slave contracts aren't in effect." (trader)
Belmod turns back to me with a smug expression and his eyebrows raised, and he stops about eight meters away with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Well then, still insist you didn't steal those slaves, runt?" (Belmod)
This is a problem…he definitely seems like he'd resort to violence. That would force me to respond. Honestly, I'm not opposed to Belmod dying, but these soldiers are just protecting their jackass emperor. Probably not all of them agree with his actions. So, I really don't want to have to kill all of them.
I try and direct another puzzled expression at Belmod.
"Well, My Exalted Emperor, perhaps this trader is mistaken? He says there is supposed to be a slave contract, which couldn't be broken without the master's consent. Also, it is my understanding that forced slavery is outlawed in the Empire, and elves would not sell elven slaves. Therefore, if this man had elven slaves, they would be illegal and not something that could be stolen. Given his confession, I assume your orders will be to punish him severely?" (Mizuki)
Belrod snorts at me derisively. Yeah…no dice.
"No, I won't be ordering that. I don't know about what the elves would or wouldn't do, but this human has told me they were his slaves, and there is no evidence otherwise. So, no law was broken by him. You, however, are in possession of his stolen property, and I would be within my rights to punish you, runt. Since you obviously don't have what it takes to have dealt with those warehouse guards, your dual class friend would be punished as well." (Belmod)
Belmod glares at me…letting his point sink in, presumably. He might as well just say that he doesn't give a shit about the laws, and that elves and demi-humans have no rights in his country. I sense Nina absolutely seething…I'm not sure how much longer she'll hold out.
Belmod continues his monologuing.
"However, I'm a gracious emperor. So, I'll let you make up for disobeying me, runt. Your emperor orders you to use your access within the Elven Kingdom to surveil them, and you'll report back to me. Comply, and I'll let you leave here. We can forget this whole mess." (Belmod)
Tch…what should I do? I might still be able to avoid slaughtering those guards. If I just agree to his 'orders', I can feed him false information on Elira's behalf, while I investigate his country covertly. After all, it sounds like he wants to invade, and I don't think that idea would die with him. I can come back and kill him anytime, and I could kill the trader tomorrow if I wanted. Hopefully, my party will understand if I explain it later.
[Zara, Alto, Nina, please just trust me and follow my lead. I know it's going to be hard.] (Mizuki)
I grit my teeth, and I bow my head deeply.
"You are too gracious indeed, My Exalted Emperor, I humbly accept your orders. We will take our leave at once to see your will done." (Mizuki)
I turn to walk towards the palace door, but before I can take a step, I hear Belmod's amused voice.
"Fufufu…you're still funny, runt. I said you can go, but your party isn't going anywhere. The dual classer will be executed, of course, for killing all those Empire citizens. The elf slave…she'll be tortured for information about her country, and we'll be checking it against yours. After, she'll be turned over to her rightful owner along with the wolf-kin girl…perhaps I'll pay to visit her if she's still in decent shape." (Belmod)
I freeze mid-step. I…what…did he just…