Vol 1 Chapter 4 – Audience【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

Haah—still as huge as ever.

I stepped into the Royal Castle and couldn’t help blurting out a note of awe.

Sure, I’m the M-Hero, but that doesn’t mean my head is always full of masochistic daydreams—sometimes I blurt out normal remarks like this.

“Hmph, of course it is. This is the kingdom’s most important stronghold, where our great King Rei resides. The castle itself must be just as magnificent.”

The knight who slashed me earlier answered my little soliloquy.

He feels no guilt whatsoever—which is fine, because I’d love for him to slash me again.

But yes, the workmanship really is superb.

Ordinary citizens will never set foot in here, and if I hadn’t been scouted as the Hero, I’d never have entered either.

“…Acting all grand despite building it with taxes wrung out of the people.”

Miriam muttered her venom.

Because of our agreement, she said it so softly the knight didn’t hear.

Delightful. The thrill that she might get caught at any moment is a reward in itself.

And if she does get caught—well, that’s fine too.

Either way, I win.

“The king awaits you two. You’ve had the honor of an audience many times, so act accordingly.”

“Right.”

“…”

I nodded, but Miriam pointedly looked away.

Royalty and the knight order are hardly her favorite people.

Irritated by her silence, the knight’s face tightened.

“Hmph! No manners, no charm—nothing’s changed.”

“You’re the last one who should talk.”

“What was that!?”

He belittled Miriam; she fired right back.

Oil and water, those two.

Still, I must protest the ‘no charm’ part.

True, she rarely shows emotion on her face, but she’s plenty expressive underneath.

Whenever I’m injured, she worries over me so much.

Thinking that, I stepped between the glaring pair.

“Sir Knight, isn’t the king waiting? If so, this isn’t the place for an argument.”

Miriam’s sharp gaze burned into my back, while the knight’s hatred pierced me head-on.

Heh… it feels wonderful.

“Tch!! Nothing vexes me more than being unable to kill you two with my own hands!”

He scowled at us a bit longer, but—finding some merit in my point—started walking again.

I am the Hero, after all. Killing me at whim would cause a scandal.

That’s why he wounds me but never deals a fatal blow.

Well, I can’t die, so a lethal strike would be welcome.

“Here.”

“The throne room? Surely it’ll be crowded with—”

The knight stopped before a massive set of doors.

This is the hall where the king greets visitors.

I’ve stepped inside a few times, and each visit it was packed with guards and nobles clustered around the king.

The way they stare at me like I’m something foreign—exquisite.

But apparently my expectations will go unfulfilled; the knight smirked as if to mock me.

“Hmph, don’t get cocky. Hero or not, you were born a lowly farmer. Important people don’t gather for someone of your level.”

“…Yet you owe that ‘lowly’ Erik your life.”

Miriam, if you’re going to talk trash, please speak loudly enough for the knight to hear.

It would delight me.

“But His Majesty is inside. Get moving!”

“Whoops.”

He gave me a hard shove in the back.

Seems he’s done escorting us.

Only Miriam and I are permitted past this point.

I flashed her a bright smile.

“Shall we? You can hide behind me if you like.”

That way, every spear of hostility will jab right into me.

“I’ll try not to bad-mouth anyone.”

Oh, you don’t have to try.

Punishment sounds lovely…

“Well then—”

Still brimming with impure thoughts, Miriam and I entered.

The hall was vast, yet—as the knight said—hardly anyone had gathered for my sake: the elderly king on the high throne, a handful of high-ranking nobles, and perhaps ten guard knights.

…How many strikes would I endure if I fought them all?

And they’re elite enough to guard the king.

…I’m getting excited.

But now isn’t the time to bask in fantasies.

Because the aging monarch is watching us.

Displease him and our heads could roll in an instant.

Not that I’d mind.

“I, Erik the Hero, humbly present myself.”

“…Miriam, his attendant.”

We knelt and paid our respects.

…Miriam’s bow seemed decidedly reluctant.

Me? Submitting to someone in humiliation is nothing but a reward.

See? I’m already feeling good…

“Welcome, Hero. You have endured a long journey.”

“Hardly.”

The king offered polite words, but they were clearly hollow.

If he truly cared, he wouldn’t have drafted me into hero-hood by force.

That royal conscription—utterly delightful…

“Hmm… Yet, Erik, I hear your name often these days. They call you the Altruistic Charity Hero.”

“It is far more praise than I deserve, Your Majesty.”

His bulging eyes fixed on me as I bowed.

Really, it’s completely the wrong title.

A better one would be… Masochistic Hero, perhaps.

I acted solely to satisfy myself, yet they pinned a noble label on me. I don’t get it.

“Sounds accurate.”

Miriam’s mutter made me flinch.

If she says ‘Masochistic Hero’ fits, that’s a little scary—no, wonderful.

I want her scornful gaze.

“Indeed, indeed. Your exploits surely reflect well on my reign.”

“Which is otherwise nothing but ill-affected.”

Miriam’s sniping never stops.

Still, if I shine, the king who discovered me may reap prestige.

…Though, as she said, the common folk rate him poorly.

“Continue to serve as I command, and—”

He paused, then smiled slyly at us.

“—your home village will prosper once more.”

“…Very well.”

“…!”

That is excellent.

I get pain and pleasure; in return the king protects our impoverished village.

A perfect win-win.

Miriam, however, looked like she’d swallowed a bug.

Well, from outside it sounds like blackmail; to me, it’s a bonus.

“So, why have we been summoned this time?”

“Ah, yes. Praising you was one purpose, but the main point is something else.”

Right—there’s no way he’d call us just to pat me on the back.

I wonder what absurd task he has in store.

My heart’s racing…

“Enter.”

While I quivered with anticipation, the king spoke briefly.

The throne room doors opened again, and a small child walked in.

Oh… that girl…

“Hi!”

The lively girl beamed up at me.

I knew her well—and had hoped to see her again.

“This is my beloved daughter, Debora.”

So the king introduced her.

Yes—I know.

There’s no way a masochist like me wouldn’t know of the infamous “Spoiled Princess.”