Chapter 25: Pandemonium in Throne Room
"Excuse me..."
"Yo! Erhard! I'm back!"
While Raphtalia has announced her arrival timidly, I have declared my presence casually. We enter the weapon shop to find Erhard standing next to a weapon rack and wearing an apron.
"You're..." Erhard thinks for a bit before continuing, "Bow-Boy? Little Miss?"
"Yup!" I reply and give him a once-over. "What's with that apron? Are you changing your job from blacksmith to maid, Erhard?"
Erhard snorts at that and replies to my barb, "In your dream, Bow-Boy!"
Erhard moves to the counter and leans his waist there, folding his thick arms in front of his chest. With one brow climbing up, he says, "You two came early. Do you need anything? New weapons? Equipment? Or perhaps, maintenance?"
I stop not far from Erhard with Raphtalia staying close to me. I shake my head and say, "I need a favor from you!"
"I'm not gonna give you any discount, Bow-Boy," Erhard replies, giving me a deadpan.
"Ouch!" I react exaggeratedly and put my free hand on my chest, "I felt hurt from your lack of faith in me, Erhard."
"Overdramatic much, Bow-Boy? Are you compensating for something?"
I roll my eyes in response to his teasing. As much as I enjoy our verbal sparring, I don't have time for this and turn serious. "Joking aside, I really need your help."
Erhard mimics my change and gives me a serious gaze. "What's it?" He asks.
"Could you watch her?" I jerk my chin in Raphtalia's direction. "I don't know other trustworthy people, and I must attend an important business in the castle. I don't need to tell you the reason why I need you to watch him while I'm not with her, do I?"
Erhard has a conflicted expression before sighing exasperatedly. He nods his head in defeat and says, "Fine! I'll watch Little Miss when you're away."
"Don't worry, man. I promise I'll buy your wares later."
Erhard perks up at my promise. "I hold you on that, kiddo," He says seriously.
I turn in Raphtalia's direction and crouch down to meet her at eye level. I give her a head pat before saying, "You'll stay here with Erhard until I return, okay?"
Raphtalia looks at my eyes searchingly before nodding her head hesitatingly.
"Good girl! I'll return back at noon. In the meantime, behave."
Raphtalia nods her head in understanding.
After that, I walk out of Erhard's shop and enter an inconspicuous empty alley. In there, I create a ring that allows me to turn invisible.
It's true that I can create the skill directly, but I've decided to do this because I can hand over the item to Raphtalia after learning the skill.
After cloaking myself in a powerful Presence Concealment and learning the skill to perfect mastery, I make my way to the castle.
It's still early in the morning. I enter the castle and walk to the throne chamber. There are some people there, but they are mostly the knights guarding the place. I make myself comfortable in one corner and wait for Trash and his entourage entering the room.
I waited for 30 minutes and a bit more when Trash and his entourage enter the throne room. I see his livid expression while his vassals following after him nervously. Not far from him, Bitch in her adventurer's equipment, albeit torn in some spots, is sobbing miserably.
She's faking it. Her green eyes don't portray the grief and distress that should match her pitiful state. Her friend, Lesty, is acting as a supportive friend as she helps Bitch move.
(So, it's going to start anytime, huh? Let's see how this farce goes...) I remark silently.
I listen to their conversation. As I've expected, Bitch's acting as a r*pe's victim and states that Naofumi is the r*pist. Meanwhile, Lesty supports Bitch's claim and says that the drunk Naofumi has invited Bitch to his room last night.
Trash demands Sword and Bow Heroes' presence for Shield Hero's trial, but only Ren heeds his summon. His vassals report to him that they are unable to find me. Well, it's understandable that they won't find me unless I show myself.
Meanwhile, they didn't even try to find Motoyasu, likely because of his open support for Naofumi yesterday.
Soon, we all wait for Naofumi's arrival. Ren and his companions are already here. The Sword Hero seems aloof, but when you look closely enough and know where to look at, you'll see his discomfort. He's holding well.
Then, Bitch, weeping next to Trash because there are no heroes for her to manipulate, accuses Naofumi of r*pe, and Trash asks Ren to help in the trial. Despite he seems bothered, Ren agrees to Trash's request.
Before long, Naofumi enters the throne room while being manhandled by the knights. I've resolved to be an Observer because I know that Motoyasu will save Naofumi.
As expected, I hear a commotion from outside of the throne room. Then, Motoyasu enters the room forcefully, his face contorted in outrage.
"O-oh? Kitamura? What are you doing here so early?" Trash is feigning his confusion, but Motoyasu seems to have none of it.
"You!" Motoyasu points his spear at Trash as he roars in rage.
"Myne! Lesty!" Naofumi calls out for help from his companion, unaware that he has been betrayed. His expression shows his confusion.
Bitch wails louder and shrinks in Lesty's embrace. Trash, Lesty, Ren, and everyone else, except for Motoyasu and I, glare at Naofumi.
"Huh? What's with those looks?!"
"You mean you really don't remember?" Ren asks condescendingly.
"What are you talking about?" Naofumi looks at everyone in askance, confused.
"Wait!"
Motoyasu has tried to get everyone's attention to no avail. There are soldiers between Naofumi and Motoyasu, covering the latter from the former.
"King, I—" Motoyasu tries to get Trash's attention once again, but Trash ignores him.
Trash declares, "We will now hear the charges against the Shield Hero."
"Charges? But... But... I—" Speechless, Naofumi is trying to say something, but he's too confused to properly speak.
"Sob… sob… The Shield Hero drank too much, and he came bursting into my room. Then he… He held me down, and…" Bitch narrates in a distressed voice between her sobs. It goes according to the scene in anime.
"What?" Naofumi has a disbelieving expression at Bitch's words.
Bitch continues, "He held me down and said, 'The night is still young, Baby.' Then he started to rip my clothes off…" She continues her play while Naofumi only produces unintelligible "Huh?" and "What?"
Finally, Naofumi realizes what is happening and loudly speaks, "That's it! Your Highness! I've been robbed! My money, clothes, equipment—everything but my shield has been stolen! Please bring the person who did this to justice!"
"Silence, scoundrel!" Trash roars at Naofumi before continuing in a furious tone, "Any act of sexual aggression committed against the people of my kingdom against their will is barbaric and unforgivable! If you were not a hero, you would be put to death immediately!"
"But this is all a mistake! I didn't do it!" Naofumi tries to defend himself, but Trash has none of it.
Finally, I hear Motoyasu's loud roar, "You're in my way! Brionac!"
A laser beam is shot from Motoyasu's spear and hits the knights in front of him. His attack doesn't kill them but throws them back.
Everyone is left speechless and the room falls silent when they see the soldiers go flying through the air. Motoyasu seizes his chance and points his spear at Trash and Bitch.
"I believe Father. He didn't do it. This is all a conspiracy, I say!" He announces loudly and continues when he sees Naofumi's confusion, "You seem intent on doing something thoughtless while the real boss is out, but if you're going to try to harm the Shield Hero, then I—the Spear Hero—will not allow it, I say! It goes against that which is love!"
He points his spear threateningly at the soldiers who are restraining Naofumi.
"Let go of Fa—the Shield Hero, I say! I don't care who you are. I won't forgive anyone that interferes!"
The knights hastily release Naofumi, and Motoyasu glares at Ren. "That goes for you as well. You are no match for me in your current state."
After that, he crouches low in front of Naofumi and offers his free palm. "I have come from the future to repay your kindness, Father!"
I can't hold my smirk when I watch the two heroes. At the very least, it has proceeded closely to what I remember.
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I_Am_Not_Siscon
I_Am_Not_Siscon Another chapter to show my appreciation for your power stones and comments, dear readers.
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