The Ten-Thousand Reale Special (5)

The car rolled along at a steady pace, making the palace grandeur more impressive than it should’ve been. The building was at least ten stories tall, covered in pure white stone and topped with a blue-tiled roof. Three spires protruded from different parts – one more of a watchtower in shape, the other two cylindrical. Barring entrance was a four story, rectangular red brick wall, with smaller spires along each of the corners. All in all, it was a rather industrial yet opulent castle, matching perfectly with its rather open and clean interior design.

For otherworlders, this was the place to receive quests and rewards, each one offering more reales than the previous. It didn’t matter what kind of trouble you caused or were in, the kingdom would wholeheartedly support your every action. To them and the people, you were the ‘hero’: the one summoned to save the world from evil.

But to me…

“You never wanted to come back here.”

Yeah, I really didn’t. I had no hard feelings from my time sneaking out of the palace, but after hearing what the usurper king was doing, I couldn’t see it in a positive light. Maybe if I hadn’t disappeared, if I simply listened to the spiel and became a hero, I would’ve been able to change something. No country would disrespect someone who supposedly stood head and shoulders with the strongest in the world. How could they?

“But you wouldn’t have been happy.”

That’s right. Like back then, I felt that same aversion that washed over me when I first arrived. Originally, I thought it was the difference in mana between the people of this world and mine. But it was obvious that feeling was much more fundamental – something that told me to run away and never look back.

“And yet you returned,” the familiar voice smiled, or at least I think she did.

Unlike last time, we passed through the entrance on the east side. Compared to the south, it was much more heavily guarded, with even our driver stopping to provide some identification. Once we were let through, the rustic atmosphere was replaced by a smooth-laid roundabout – a lush forest on the outside, and a golden fountain garden on the inside.

Eventually, the car came to a stop thirty feet from an ornate door nearly five times my height. They slowly creaked open, revealing two lines of knights marching on both sides. Reaching our ride, they made a quarter turn before slamming their feet, echoing through the silent mood.

“Apologies for the military salute,” the captain sneered. “We are welcoming such an esteemed guest of His Majesty.”

“Thank you for such a cold welcome,” I replied with a smile, masking any other emotions as I stepped out. Some might consider such a grand display as a sign of respect. However, this was clearly an intimidation tactic to show their – rather lacking – might.

“So what are you going to do?”

I’m going to play it by ear and find out why they called me here.

“But you already know why.”

I can only hope I don’t.

I waltzed on through the open doors to the throne room, the knights following a step behind. This place was as ostentatiously luxurious as I remembered. A stupidly high ceiling, supported by columns attached with balls of light. A red carpet straight down the center, both enticing the entrant while rendering them submissive. And at the far end, ten steps higher than everywhere else, was a single chair embroidered with precious gems. A man sat there, with one leg crossed over the other, in a suit of white and a cape of red. You could say he emanated a sense of power and authority, yet at the same time, he looked out of place in such a scene.

“We greet His Majesty Dolon Engres,” the captain began.

““““We greet His Majesty Dolon Engres,”””” everyone else echoed. Aside from the king, the knights stood along the sides of the hall, while mages flooded the front and back. There had to be around a hundred and fifty, maybe even two hundred, encircling me. Not that it really matters. I’m just gonna keep hovering near the exit while my illusion takes the spotlight.

“Welcome, o great sage. Do not worry, I do not expect you to kneel,” the usurper king boomed, his voice clearly covering the entire throne room.

“Thank you for your inauspicious welcome. I take it we’re having a rain check on that lunch?” I responded, showing no respect whatsoever.

“That is simply how fate is sometimes,” he chuckled. “I have called upon you to request your help. Our kingdom is facing a grave threat: one that could shake the very foundation of our people.”

Of course it does. Are there ever any others? I sarcastically thought.

“Too long have I remained idle out of reverence for their previous deeds. However, their strength far exceeds our meager abilities to quash their spreading malice. So, I must ask, no I implore you to–”

“Assassinate the queen, right?” I bluntly stated, eliciting murmurs from the crowd.

The usurper king gave a solemn nod.

Damn it. I hoped it wasn’t true, yet it seems like I’m right again. But… “And what makes you think I will agree to something as… how shall I say… stupid, as that?”

He remained silent, seemingly flabbergasted, before crafting his response in a chiding tone. “Can you not see the danger we are all in?”

“No, I can’t.” He could speak as passionately and brownnose as much as he wanted, but it wasn’t going to convince me of his oh-so noble cause. He was simply trying to use me for his goals. But still, it looks like I’ll be able to return her favor before I leave.

“...I see,” he cold-heartedly responded. “A hundred thousand.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“A hundred thousand reales if you take on the assassination. I will also give you an id card.”

“...what makes you think I want one?” He wasn’t even trying to hide his intentions anymore.

“Without one, you will not be able to enter or leave any city or town. You will not be able to take on work. All you will be is a criminal on the run.”

How’s that supposed to stop me? “And if I still refuse?”

“Then I will simply ask someone else to do it.”

…ah. I understand now. I wasn’t bargaining with the usurper king. He wasn’t even threatening me. With the way he spoke, he likely already had someone else in mind who could. I was just a tool to reduce the damage it would cause, nothing more, nothing less.

“So now you know. But what will you do?”

“Tell me, what is your answer?”

“I–”