Audience with His Majesty the Emperor

After a day of practice, it was time for the audience.

The solemn audience chamber. White pillars like those of a temple, and a red carpet.

Seated on a golden throne three steps above the rest was a handsome middle-aged man with silver hair. Raverio Empire's Emperor, Lionel Raverio.

And standing beside him was a young and beautiful white goddess… our very own Haku-san.

We were wearing luxurious rented outfits and kneeling on the carpet below the steps.

I was at the front, with Wataru and Rokuko to my left and right respectively. Behind us were Gozoh, Roppu, and Shikina, and further back were Niku and Ichika.

Additionally, Sally-san the knight commander was present as Haku-san and the Emperor's guard, along with several other civil officials. There was even a scribe, making it clear this was an official audience.

"Raise your heads."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Just as I'd practiced plenty the day before, I looked up at the Emperor.

"Kehma Golen. You have driven off a Flame Dragon. Is this correct?"

"Yes, it is correct… Please accept these."

Saying that, I handed Flame Dragon scales (what remained after giving some to the blacksmith) and a claw fragment (apparently it chipped off during grooming) to a civil official. The official placed them on a silver (probably mithril) tray and delivered them to Emperor Lionel.

The Emperor picked up the scales and the claw fragment.

He examined them for a while with interest, murmuring things like "Ho ho" and "This is… hmm." But when Haku-san gave a little cough, he said "Oh," and placed the claw fragment back on the tray.

"Indeed, these are the scales and claw of a Flame Dragon… Very well. For your distinguished service in eliminating the threat of a Flame Dragon from the empire, we bestow upon you the title of Baron. Those who accompanied you shall also be granted the title of Ventulier. As for Count Nishimi, we shall grant the gold coins he requested."

"""Thank you, Your Majesty."""

Baron. This was as discussed beforehand… well, yeah. Normally, B-Rank adventurers would become Ventuliers, but apparently that wasn't sufficient for the achievement of the main contributor. Even though Wataru was there too.

From the bottom, it goes Ventulier, Knight, Baronet, and then Baron, so that puts me three ranks above everyone else. A four-rank jump from commoner to Baron… the kind of thing that'd kill you two or three times over. Incidentally, Baron is a hereditary title that can be passed down to children. Yay.

And since I'd been granted the rank of Knight or above, only I underwent the ceremony of having a ceremonial jeweled sword tapped on both my shoulders, then swore fealty to the empire.

… This is definitely a ceremony some hero taught them. I've seen this in manga and light novels. Thinking that to myself, I received the ceremonial sword just as I'd practiced.

By the way, I get to keep this sword. It's apparently also proof of being a Baron, so I'll display it in the office when I get back… This isn't one of Haku-san's magic swords, right? This blue thing embedded in the hilt is just a regular gemstone, right?

Anyway, with this, all the scheduled procedures were complete. All that was left was to wrap things up.

No need for witty banter during an audience with the Emperor. Seriously though, being summoned all the way to the imperial capital just for this… couldn't they have just handled it with a letter? Well, I guess they couldn't.

"You may ask the civil officials for further details. Now then, you may with—"

"Alright, could I have some time now? From here on will be unofficial."

Haku-san interrupted the Emperor with a smile.

And there it is. Haku-san's interruption. I'd been expecting this ever since I saw Haku-san in the audience chamber.

Haku-san waved her hand, and the civil officials scurried out of the room. So this is what they mean by clearing the room.

The only ones left were us, Haku-san, the Emperor, and Sally-san… I wanted to leave too, but that probably wasn't an option.

"Rokuko-chan."

When she was called, Rokuko blinked and looked like she didn't know what to do.

Of course there was no way this was in the script we'd prepared yesterday.

"Come, come over here."

"Oh, okay."

Called over casually by the white goddess herself, Haku-san, Rokuko trotted right up the steps to Haku-san's side.

Hey. The person who taught us etiquette yesterday said those steps represent the absolute gulf in status, you know? Why are you just casually walking up them? Those steps carry way more weight than the decorative ones in our dungeon.

In fact, the Emperor was also furrowing his brows as if to say "Seriously…?" This was definitely Haku-san acting on her own. Absolutely.

"Ufufu."

"… Huh? Um, this is different from our rehearsal, isn't it?"

Rokuko asked someone nearby who wasn't Haku-san.

Hey, Rokuko. The person you're asking that question to is this country's Emperor, you know? A really important person? Not some old weapon shop guy? I mean, asking Haku-san instead might not be much better, but still.

"… … … I wasn't told about this either. Would you explain, Ancestor-sama?"

"Of course."

Then Haku-san placed her hands on Rokuko's shoulders and smiled.

"Let me introduce her. This is my younger sister, Rokuko. Rokuko, this is Lionel. He's the Emperor, so address him however you like."

"… … … Um, nice to meet you, Emperor Lionel?"

"… … … I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Rokuko-sama."

Huh? That's weird? His Majesty the Emperor just used -sama for Rokuko… What happened to the pecking order here?

Gozoh and the others wore expressions like "Ahh… yeah" and "Figured as much."

Ichika, Niku, and incidentally Wataru didn't react much. The "we knew" faction.

And Shikina, as expected, looked completely lost.

"Um, Haku-neesama. Didn't you say that me being your sister was a secret?"

"This is unofficial right now, so it's fine. Since Rokuko-chan came here naturally, I was able to squeeze in a little time. Now listen, everyone. This is unofficial. If you go around talking about it, that's treason, okay?"

Everyone nodded vigorously. Nobody wants to die.

The Emperor was nodding too. He really can't go against Haku-san, huh.

"Now then, Lionel."

"… Yes?"

"Rokuko-chan is my precious little sister. You understand?"

"… If you wish for me to abdicate the throne, I would gladly—"

"That's not what I mean."

So he'd actually gladly abdicate? I mean, it wasn't what she wanted. But still. Not that I'd want the throne even if it were offered to me. Seems busy.

"I'm telling you to look after her if anything comes up. Understood?"

"… If that's all, there was no need to interrupt the audience like this…"

"There are various noisy people who would cause problems if I didn't introduce her to you this way."

"Indeed… I appreciate your consideration, Ancestor-sama."

Oh, so he agreed to that. Still though, Haku-san could have just used her dungeon functions to sneak into his bedroom or something— oh.

Could it be that she's keeping the dungeon a secret from the Emperor?

From the Emperor? He's supposed to be this country's leader, you know? He doesn't know about dungeons… even though he's Haku-san's descendant?

No, wait. But he's not a Master, so maybe it's better not to tell him? The fewer people who know the secret, the better, but… the Emperor?

… Maybe she's only told him that the dungeon is completely under Haku-san's control?

Come to think of it, Sally-san did say the other day that he was "supposedly Haku-sama's descendant," but did that mean they aren't actually blood-related, or that he hasn't been told many things?

Given how readily the Emperor offered to abdicate, it's entirely possible he's just a pawn created solely to run a puppet government.

And Haku-san talking about Rokuko in this situation, with non-dungeon people present… was it to prevent me from saying anything unnecessary? To make absolutely sure I wouldn't leak any dungeon-related information to the Emperor?

Ugh, when I think about it that way, this is incredibly troublesome. What's actually going on here?

"Well then. If we take too much time, those noisy people will start chirping, so let's wrap this up. Rokuko-chan, it's sad to part, but I'll see you later."

"Okay. Haku-neesama."

Saying that, Rokuko casually hopped down the steps and came back.

Yeah, you know what, you're fine just the way you are. Welcome back.

And so, the audience with His Majesty the Emperor concluded, with a minor incident, but safely.

… Safely, right…?