Chapter 5 - The Worst Possible Scenario

Arousing from my slumber the next morning, the realisation that this wasn't a bad dream finally dawned on me.

“Ahh, wait, shit, it's actually real... Fuuuh...”

It was a nightmare I desperately wanted to wake up from, but not like this.

"Haa... Well, how long did I sleep?"

Last night was a much earlier sleep than what I would normally get; whether it was due to the lack of modern technology to keep me up or the inordinate stress I was experiencing the entire day, I suppose I could be thankful for that at the very least.

Still, laying motionless in this fluffy bed that felt as if it used cotton straight from heaven, my drowsiness made me even lazier. As expected from royalty, this superb quality...

"......"

...Ah.

"Too comfy. It's dangerous. Hup-!"

Fearing I'd get carried away back to a noxious dreamland otherwise, I forcibly flung myself out of bed and roughly got myself dressed while eating some of the bread I snuck away from the banquet yesterday for a quick breakfast.

“Hm?”

In the midst of preparing myself, I heard a strange rustling in the clothes I was just putting on.

“What’s this...?” I muttered to myself, shoving my hand into my pocket and pulling out a folded piece of parchment and a thick pen.

“...Oh, right; the map.”

Recalling that I intended to burn it at some point, I glanced at the fireplace in the room.

“So, how does this thing work...?”

Fumbling around with it for a bit and examining the pit all over and throughout, I simply couldn’t figure out how to set it alight.

“No way, it actually requires magic...?”

My expression froze as I came to the distressing realisation. I didn’t know how to work it at all, but the more I thought about it, the more certain I became that the fireplace required at least a minimum level of magic knowledge in order to work.

“For fuck’s sake, you’re not kidding...”

Heaving a sigh, I was exasperated. Not knowing what to do, I decided to just hide the map underneath the pile of parchment already sitting atop the desk.

I had the idea to dump it out the window in my room, but I thought that was more conspicuous; additionally, if there happened to be any guards patrolling the outside or even just anyone who found it on the ground, then I’d be a goner even faster than if I were to do absolutely nothing.

So, I placed it neatly underneath the other sheets of parchment and put the magic pen back where it belonged. Like this, nothing seemed out of place even to me, the perpetrator.

By the time anyone found this map, I would hopefully be gone with the wind anyway, so there was no need to worry about someone finding it.

And then―

Ring~~!

―As if intentionally timed, the distinct ringing of a clockwork bell suddenly resounded throughout the palace.

It was the same bell that indicated last night’s dinner, and although I first wondered what the hell was going on this time, I quickly understood that its purpose was likely to wake everyone up on time in the mornings.

Waiting a few minutes before exiting my room to not raise any eyebrows, I witnessed everyone else also just starting to emerge―some even in pairs―whilst yawning and complaining about the early wake-up call.

Evidently, the whole class was either too anxious or worked up about the current situation to sleep, so they stayed up late and were consequently tired.

Normally, I would probably be like them too.

But, unlike these guys, I had to focus on how I was going to survive.

As I momentarily reflected on yesterday’s events, armoured royal knights began to appear.

Their abrupt, sharp appearance made me flinch.

Glancing at the sheathed swords by each of their waists, I wondered if, or more likely when they would be drawn and aimed at me.

It was an unquestionably unnerving image that made my flesh crawl in perturbation, yet one I just could not seem to erase.

Perhaps it was the realistic consideration that I can see it happening quite vividly.

Or perhaps it was simply my own internal anxiety kicking it up to the nth degree.

Whatever the case, looking at the intimidating figures of these soldiers trained and built solely for war and battle, I couldn’t imagine seeing them from the back.

It was not a natural thought that occurred to me, just as the situation as a whole didn’t feel like a natural progression so much as a forced one by the royal executives.

Led by the scar-faced lady I spoke to last night, I spotted her brief glance in my direction before she claimed that they were here to guide us Heroes to the royal throne room, where we would be meeting the king for the first time.

Throne room... I hadn't been able to visit it yesterday because it was strictly off-limits, but wasn’t it close to the entrance hall? That's good. Oh, right, the toilets are close by as well, aren't they? And the toilets have windows to ventilate the smell. Maybe I could escape from there...

My confidence shot up with the idea, but that immediately changed when I chewed on the words of the knight captain.

"Heroes".

It felt funny, but I wasn’t laughing. Well, whenever they say it, it takes me a moment to catch that they’re talking about us.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I don’t feel like someone who should be called with a title as grand and glorious as Hero, after all.

In the first place, was a Hero someone with a curse? Or were they related to sin? Perhaps in the opposite sense, but wasn’t the distinction quite clear between them and me?

I hadn’t been quite as observant of the others as I normally would’ve been since I’ve been focusing primarily on saving my own back, but I think I would’ve noticed if someone had as menacing a Status as my own.

All in all, I don’t think my behaviour has been that strange, but couldn’t it appear otherwise to an outside observer?

In short, I’m not a Hero.

I obviously don’t think it’s a good idea to follow these knights, but do I have much of a choice but to follow along?

Then, just as we all started moving along, I began to have a bad premonition.

'Something bad will happen if I go with everyone else.’

That type of feeling. Well, actually; to be exact, I already subtly felt that way. It’s just... Now, that anxiety was being exacerbated by the fast-pacedness of the situation; the rapidly swelling improbability of me being able to escape in one piece.

...But, again. I don't have a choice, right?

Nonetheless, I should at least try.

More determined than ever before, I attempted sneaking away as our group walked, but one of the dozens of knights watching over us quickly caught me and kept his steady eye on me for the rest of the trip.

―Plan failed.

Alongside the quickening of my tension-filled heartbeat, my ‘bad feeling’ continued to worsen. I knew it was nothing more than simple paranoia, but in the current situation, such paranoia seemed like nothing less than certainty.

Supported by some of the other students, our teacher is also here, although he still looks a little... Rough after yesterday's incident. Anyway, there are simply way too many knights here for me to do anything.

This... is unfair.

How the hell am I supposed to escape now?

I underestimated their meticulousness... No, well, it was a normal level of caution from their perspective, but even that was enough to stump me completely.

There's no way I can find an opportunity to escape when it's like this.

It’s frustrating... Argh, shit, wait, this could actually wind up really bad for me, couldn't it?

What am I supposed to do?

How many guards are there?

Are they watching me?

How many of them are watching?

Would they notice if I hid behind that corner?

What if I say I forgot something in my room?

Maybe I could ask to go to the toilet?

―My thoughts ran at light speed, trying to come up with any sort of plan to gain some distance from the rest of the group.

And yet.

There was nothing.

There was no way to get out without at least one of the knights catching me now that I’m under supervision and if I tried asking to go somewhere else, then even if they somehow allowed it, they would just follow along to keep an eye on me.

At this point, I felt instinctively that nothing could be done.

Whether it was because there was truly no hope or simply because I was too stupid to figure out a plan, no matter how fast my mind worked to come up with something―anything to flee this place, I just couldn’t do it.

Eventually.

It didn’t take long for us to arrive at our destination.

The Seronian Royal Great Hall.

I probably don’t need to describe what it looks like―literally just an unnecessarily gigantic room with a resplendent throne perched gently above some raised white marble stairs at one end. Also known as simply the Great Hall, even the knights beside me gulped as the massive, gold-encrusted doors swung wide open.

From what I’ve heard them mention previously, this was apparently the most famous place within the royal palace due to not just its splendour but also rumours of events that have taken place here.

As we entered, I glanced around to see if I could find anything that could be used as an excuse to get out of here.

Alas, the attempt was in vain. I expected it, though, so I didn’t let it bother me.

After all, it's not like this is a T.V. show or book series where I am the protagonist.

Things won't just go my way that easily.

Lifting my eyes, I found my gaze landing on perhaps the person with the most noticeable aura in the room.

It was a man; an intimidating man, yet one who looked intelligent.

He bore an imposing air of dignified regal dominance and wore a look that seemed to penetrate through the eyes and into the soul itself as he rested atop the white-gold throne at the end of the room.

Despite being a person I had never seen before, guessing his identity was unnecessary.

There was no crown on his head.

There was no sceptre in his hand.

Nonetheless, I knew it at a glance.

This person was the king.

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Standing adjacent to the king were a duo of similarly silent attendants. Comparable to the positions of Camilla and the old mage by Princess Eleanor’s side, there was a contrast between them like that of push and pull. More specifically, in terms of the political roles they played.

A bulky and rough-looking man who exuded a powerful sense of force―the one who acted as the king’s ‘push’.

And a more slender, sharp woman who observed with droopy yet piercing eyes―the one who acted as the king’s ‘pull’.

Aside from the two advisors who rarely presented themselves in matters where they would not be making an active move, there were a select number of other individuals in the room that clearly held a different status than that of a steward.

The identity of the half-dozen or so individuals who all immediately shut their mouths upon the class’s entrance, was in reality all those belonging to the highest form of aristocracy in the Kingdom of Seronia.

In other words, the dukes of the kingdom; being the grandest nobility besides the royal family itself, these blood-tied descendants and distant relatives were to be present for today’s events as one of the greatest moments in the country’s history.

Of course, the students had no way of knowing this and could only view them as more highly important people they needed to act cautiously around.

Brushing his glance over the anticipating peerage, Jae noticed Camilla interacting with another knight of seemingly similar rank as indicated by their plated insignia. Watching him whispering something to her, she then nodded and quietly left the hall.

What, she’s not staying? Did something happen? No way, did they find my map or something...?

His brain already being set to a mode of the utmost agitation and concern, Jae couldn’t shake the thought that whatever had happened was related to him.

What should I do if they confront me about it? Do I say I was just lost and figured I’d make a map since the place is so big?

Tap tap tap tap.

Subconsciously, Jae began to knock the side of his thigh with his finger.

No, that wouldn’t work; the lady I spoke to last night probably thought I was acting suspicious, so if they found out I was making a map too, then maybe they’d think I infiltrated the palace as a spy or something...

His spiralling thoughts couldn’t be stopped by logic, but even if he understood that there was realistically no way for most of his deluded hypotheses to be true, it wouldn’t help his state of tension.

Or, worse, if they possessed a tool that could check my Status nonconsensually, then wouldn’t my last breath be on that spot? After all, if someone ordinary like Lucas can do it, then surely someone like a king would also have the power to do so, right...?

Shoving these thoughts to the back, Jae attempted to pay attention to what was going on without losing himself in his woes.

In front of the class, Eleanor presented herself with a smile; beside her was the same robed old man from the day before. In his hands was a flat, transparent plate―similar to something like tinted glass, yet strangely somehow starkly different. As those who noticed it stared at the questionable object with narrowed eyes, it was then that the princess began her speech.

This time, however, she spoke not just with the students as her audience; rather, everyone here within the closed-off Royal Great Hall:

The king and his attendants by the throne;

The high nobility at the sides;

Even the silently spectating royal knights that lined the hall;

As if rehearsed in advance, everyone peeled their ears in harmony when the youngest’s silver tongue began to act.

“Greetings, all, and good morning."

"Today is a momentous occasion; not just for those of us present today but for all the citizens of our magnificent state. I would love nothing more than to welcome each and every one of the outstanding people who took precious time out of their schedules just to be here today."

"However, as there are indeed many people present whose time shan't be haphazardly wasted, I shall keep introductions and pleasantries brief. I do hope you pardon me for my uncouthness.”

Despite claiming to be in favour of saving time, the princess’ purposeful drawl and use of unnecessary flattery seemed to state otherwise.

“On behalf of my esteemed father, King Gaius II of Seronia; I, his daughter, titled Second Princess of Seronia, will be the presenter for today’s long-awaited event, of which I am eternally grateful for the gracious opportunity.“

Taking a moment to breathe deeply, perhaps with the intention of raising the audience’s anticipation, Eleanor then raised her voice and announced with an exaggerated tone.

“Then, I, Eleanor Astavau de Seronia, officially declare the Summoned Hero Status Appraisal Ceremony―commenced!”

...Huh?

A proclamation that dropped Jae’s spirit to below the floor within an instant.