Chapter 47 - The Trial of Fire

In the audience chamber, Lespar knelt before Queen Laevateinn III. As a Knight Commander and the Queen’s nephew, he is one of the candidates for the throne in the absence of her direct children.

Suppapan, the other candidate, had been arrested for the (staged) attempted assassination of the Queen, leaving Lespar as the only one left to be officially recognized as the heir to the throne.

...That was the summary of events up until now. However, the Queen was not generous enough to hand over the right of succession for free!

She declared a trial!!

"The Spirit of Fire, residing in the scorched land of death...!?"

"Indeed. Napalm, the Fire Spirit, takes a liking to humans and wishes to test their mettle. If you are acknowledged by him, you will surely be granted the 'Pyro-Stigma.'"

The story had suddenly taken a turn toward high fantasy. Lately, it had been all power struggles, investigations, and cabaret clubs—mostly modern-style drama—so this felt rather fresh.

"If you wish to be King, you must bring back the 'Pyro-Stigma'!"

"I understand! ...But what sort of treasure is this 'Pyro-Stigma'? It is difficult to imagine its shape from the name alone...!?"

"You shall know it instinctively when it appears before you."

An unexpected lack of hints.

It felt as though the hurdles were being raised higher and higher on a whim of the Queen, but since overcoming them would guarantee him the throne, Lespar had no choice but to accept.

"I... I understand! I shall bring back the treasure without fail and have my aunt—no, Her Majesty the Queen—acknowledge me!"

"Furthermore, the time limit for this trial shall be twenty days starting from today."

"A time limit!?"

"If I did not set one, you would simply be able to challenge it indefinitely, would you not?"

"But Aunt, did you not just say that the volcanic region where the Spirit dwells is an eight-day journey by horse!?"

Moreover, that’s just one way. A round trip totals sixteen days. Those days would be consumed by travel alone. 20 - 16 = 4, meaning only four days remained for the actual conquest. And since one can't exactly set out without preparation—and she said twenty days including today, which was already half over—the net time available for the mission would be two or three days at best.

The schedule was going to be incredibly tight!

"Once you are King, there will be cases where you are forced to make difficult decisions without being given sufficient time. Consider this a practice run for such occasions."

"U-Understood! Then I shall depart at once!"

Lespar hurriedly began to rise. There wasn't a moment to lose. He had to prepare at full speed and head toward the Spirit with the speed of the wind.

"Wait, hold on a moment."

"What is it!?"

The Queen stopped him. Was she perhaps just playing with her nephew?

"Haste makes waste. I have not yet presented all the conditions for the trial."

"There is still more!?"

"Yes, one last thing. ...Sao."

Huh? Suddenly, my name was called. I wonder what’s up.

"You shall accompany Lespar on this trial. Consider yourself the observer."

"Observer?"

"I wish to hear a detailed account of exactly how Lespar clears this trial. If you wish, you may even lend him a hand."

"That is wonderful!" Lespar exclaimed.

"I have been eager to see the strength of Sao-kun—who is so well-regarded by my aunt—up close for myself. If he is to assist me, it will be as if I have the strength of a thousand men. I would be delighted to have him join the expedition."

"Then proceed as you see fit."

◆

By this point, I’ve started to gradually understand the Queen’s hidden agenda. Despite everything she had been saying, she was actually moving in alignment with my own intentions.

Between the two candidates, Lespar is the one who smells most like the mastermind behind the attempted assassination. The reason the Queen went along with the plan to arrest the framed Suppapan was to let Lespar have his way for a moment, creating a gap in his defenses.

Just as planned, as soon as Suppapan was arrested, Lespar immediately sought an audience to pressure the Queen into naming him the successor. However, the trial the Queen handed down in response would be an extremely troublesome invitation for Lespar—assuming he truly is the mastermind.

This is because the trial forces Lespar to leave the Royal Capital for a considerable amount of time. Even if he is the mastermind, he can't very well prevent people from digging up the various pieces of evidence he's hidden behind the scenes if he isn't there to stop them.

Of course, he likely has subordinates managing his secrets in his stead, but their accuracy and speed will drop significantly compared to his own judgment.

It seems the Queen intends to thoroughly re-investigate everything while Lespar is absent from the Capital.

Setting a time limit on the trial was also a brilliant move. Because of it, Lespar is forced to depart in a hurry; even if he needed to destroy evidence, he simply doesn't have the time to do it. Even if he tries, it will be a rushed job, and rushed work always leaves flaws.

And those flaws are exactly what the investigators should strike.

Even though it looked like she was only half-listening to my claims, she went and laid such a meticulous trap. Her Majesty the Queen really is a terrifying person...!

The only thing I find inexplicable is... why on earth do I have to accompany Lespar?

◆

"Sao-kun, I'll be counting on you during the journey." 

"Sure thing."

Lespar completed his preparations for departure that same day and left the Capital at sunrise the next morning. His efficiency was impressive. I couldn't help but feel that if one can't manage at least this much, they shouldn't bother trying to be King.

"It is a stroke of incredible luck for me that you are coming along! Your abilities have made a name for themselves in many circles!" 

"Wait, really?" 

"In fact, I suspect my Aunt sent you as a helper. You are a grand gift. Tell me, won't you reconsider joining the Eighth Knight Order under my command!?"

"I'm still a student..."

I deflected him with my usual line.

Lespar's outward demeanor was entirely frank and friendly. Despite his royal status, he showed no trace of discrimination toward a commoner like me, nor did he display a shred of loathing. Indeed, if a person like this were to stand at the top, the nation might truly be stable... but I don't know. There was something about Lespar's affability that felt somehow manufactured.

"Let us hurry. My Aunt has imposed extremely harsh conditions. Whether or not we clear this trial depends entirely on how much we can shorten our travel time." 

"Roger that."

For this trial, Lespar had prepared over ten magnificent horses—even though there were only three people, including myself.

These were likely relay horses meant to maintain maximum travel speed. A horse carrying a human tires easily from the weight; as soon as their pace slows due to fatigue, you switch to another horse—one that has been running alongside without a load and has full stamina. He was that desperate to hurry. I could feel his determination to seize the throne.

"Despite the rush, you have very few companions," I noted. "It had to be that way. The more people there are, the slower the pace becomes."

That’s true. One or two people are one thing, but once you move in units or armies, setting up camp becomes a chore, and a large crowd is limited to certain roads. In group movement, you must always match the pace of the slowest person.

There was no way to make the Queen's 20-day time limit like that. A small elite group was the natural choice.

"My Aunt didn't limit the number of companions, but I'm sure that was deliberate. Did she think I would organize a massive legion and waste time moving at a snail's pace?"

So, the successor candidate didn't fall for that booby trap and narrowed it down to an appropriate number...

"Now then, allow me to introduce my companion. Sao-kun, this is Martha Curly."

I was introduced to the third member of the group. As I mentioned, there were many horses but only three people: Lespar (the subject of the trial), myself (the observer), and this Martha Curly.

And let me tell you... she was a giant. I had to look up just to see her face.

My eye level was exactly at her chest—though it was covered in full-plate armor. Being looked down upon from such a height gap gave her an immense presence. Feeling the pressure, I reflexively took two or three steps back.

"Even the 'prodigy' is intimidated by Martha's size, I see? It's only natural. It's rumored her physique is the greatest in the nation, let alone the Capital!" 

"Wait, her!?"

"Does that surprise you as well? Despite being a woman, Martha is taller and sturdier than any man. I welcomed her into my Eighth Knight Order because of that imposing stature. She lived up to my expectations by achieving numerous feats, and now she is the head of my personal guard."

The personal guard?

"It's an elite unit I personally organized by hand-picking the most exceptional warriors in the Order. If you joined, Sao-kun, I'm sure you could become a personal guard too, but Martha is the strongest among them. She isn't just big for show." 

"I'm honored..." I mumbled.

When the massive Martha bowed her head in a greeting, it felt like the ceiling was falling; it was terrifying. That aside, her voice was actually quite cute and feminine.

"Sao..." 

"Yes!" 

"I hear you are of commoner origin. Is that correct?" 

"Yes! It's true! I'm not lying!"

It was the same kind of fear as being cornered by a delinquent in a back alley.

"I am also of commoner origin. I was of low birth, and with this height, I was an outcast to everyone around me. Only Lord Lespar saw my worth. Because he welcomed me into his Order, I am the peerless 'Giant Knight' I am today."

...Are there giants in this world? I couldn't help but wonder.

"Lord Lespar, who evaluates others regardless of status or appearance, is the only one fit to be the new King of this country. Let us work together and do our best to help him. Let us raise this man to the throne."

"Hahaha, Martha. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but do not force him. Sao-kun is here strictly as an observer from my Aunt." 

"M-my apologies..."

The giant—no, the giantess—obeyed Lespar with total submissiveness. She seemed completely devoted to him.

"Well, enough with the greetings. It's time to depart. The time my Aunt gave us is short. I want to arrive at our destination even a day early. It will be a forced march, so both of you be prepared!" 

"Understood..." 

"Got it."

And so, unexpectedly, I found myself heading toward the trial grounds with Lespar. I have a mission to find evidence of his secret schemes while he's away, yet I'm leaving the Capital with him.

Why!?

◆

No, I get it now. A "burglary-style" background investigation targeting someone's absence can be executed by anyone; it doesn't necessarily have to be me.

In fact, that’s exactly the kind of thing Dark-chan—the assassin who defected to my side—is specialized in. It’s actually better to leave all of that to her.

On the other hand, it seems word has secretly gotten out that I am pursuing the mastermind under the Queen’s direct orders. Naturally, Lespar must know this as well. If I were to stay in the Capital while he was away, he would undoubtedly remain on high alert. Even in his haste, he might take extra care to destroy any evidence before leaving.

However, if I accompany him and leave the Capital at the same time, Lespar will feel relieved and his guard will inevitably drop. Was I brought along specifically to induce that lapse in vigilance?

In addition, no matter the circumstances, it is necessary to monitor him from the closest possible proximity.

She moves Lespar away from the Capital, lures him into letting his guard down, and yet ensures he is strictly monitored at the same time. The Queen, who achieves all of these effects with a single move, really is terrifying.

So.

◆

"Tomorrow we reach the volcano..."

This is our sixth consecutive night camping out. However, it looks like we’ll arrive tomorrow.

Wait, does that mean we succeeded in shortening a journey that usually takes eight days by a full day? Incredible.

"You never know what will happen once you're on-site. It’s not a bad thing to have as much time to spare as possible."

The one speaking as she stared into the campfire was the giantess knight, Martha. The wood crackled and popped as it burned.

"Lord Lespar must become King, no matter what. I will do anything for that goal. I am prepared to offer my very life."

"You're quite passionate."

Despite the rush of the journey, having spent several days together, I’ve started to understand Martha-san’s character. Her massive size is blinding and intimidating at first, but inside, I’ve begun to think she might be a very charming and sensitive woman.

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