「What's the meaning of this!?」???
A large and deep voice boomed throughout the vast training ground.
Just as the practice match between me and Yuna against the soldiers under Vanessa-neesan's command ended, a large muscular old man and with two other men arrived at the training grounds.
Just the old man's looks was enough to scare the living daylights out of anyone, not to mention how intimidating his voice was. And when one looks at his uniform, one could easily notice a General's insignia decorated on it.
As for the men accompanying them, they both have the rank of "Commander". Although one of the men was about the same age as the general, the other was pretty young. Just about the same age as Vanessa-neesan.
『Appraisal』.
-----------------------------------
【〔Anthronoid〕】
【Name】Edward Sallerta
【Race】Human
【Sex】Male
【Age】52
【Status】Healthy
【Mana Capacity】2,623 【Mana Quality】C
【Combat Power】3,547 【Threat Level】A
【Attribute】Wind 【Spell Proficiency】64%
【Class】Lancer 【Art Proficiency】64%
【Physical Enhancement】67%
【Ability】...
-----------------------------------
【〔Anthronoid〕】
【Name】Albert Keene
【Race】Human
【Sex】Male
【Age】48
【Status】Healthy
【Mana Capacity】1,769 【Mana Quality】C
【Combat Power】2,097 【Threat Level】B
【Attribute】Ice 【Spell Proficiency】57%
【Class】Ravager 【Art Proficiency】55%
【Physical Enhancement】59%
【Ability】...
-----------------------------------
【〔Anthronoid〕】
【Name】Ranzel Filastra
【Race】Human
【Sex】Male
【Age】23
【Status】Healthy
【Mana Capacity】1,910 【Mana Quality】C
【Combat Power】2,370 【Threat Level】B
【Attribute】Lightning 【Spell Proficiency】58%
【Class】Swordsman 【Art Proficiency】59%
【Physical Enhancement】62%
【Ability】...
-----------------------------------
Whoa... What a terrifying trio. If they were to join forces with both Kurt and Vanessa-neesan, they would give any S-ranker a hard time.
「What happened to the soldiers!?」Edward
The general yelled loudly, and when Vanessa-neesan heard those words, her eyes went swimming immediately. She looked guilty.
「Dear, you're responsible of this, aren't you?」Kurt
When no one answered the general's question, the young commander took the initiative and approached Vanessa-neesan. And as he approached, Vanessa-neesan tried her best to not look at his eyes.
「"Dear"?」Yuna
「He's onee-sama's husband.」Kurt
「Eh? Vanessa-neechan is married?」Yuna
「Yeah. They married about three months ago.」Kurt
So he's Vanessa-neesan's husband, huh...
I had a guess that that was the case when I saw that his surname was the same as Vanessa-neesan, but to think that her husband is just as powerful as her...
Well, even if I say that... it still sounds odd to be coming from me, since Yuna and I are both S-rankers and all...
Anyway, this is my first time seeing Vanessa-neesan so shaken. She can't even look directly at her husband's eyes.
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「I... I don't know what you're talking about...」Vanessa
「Then why can't you look at me in the eyes?」Ranzel
「N... No reason... I just want to admire the scenery... 」Vanessa
Vanessa-neesan responded. She still couldn't make eye contact with her husband. It was so obvious that she was the one responsible for what just happened.
「Haah... Seriously, you should stop causing troubles. You'll get scolded a lot by the general because of it and that's not good for the baby's health.」Ranzel
「S... Sorry...」Vanessa
「As long as you understand. Anyway, I'll go explain things to the general. Promise me to not do something like this again.」Ranzel
「Alright...」Vanessa
「That's good to hear.」Ranzel
When Ranzel-san heard Vanessa-neesan give her promise, he gave her a light kiss on the forehead and then headed to where the general was.
That's sweet and all, but I think I just heard something weird. Did he just mention a baby? Don't tell me...
In search of an answer, not just mine, but Yuna's eyes also shifted to Kurt. As for the person in question, he was able to tell easily what was on our minds.
「Ah, right... We forgot to mention, onee-sama has been pregnant with their first child for two weeks now.」Kurt
Eh? Ehhh?
「「Ehhhh?!」」Grey and Yuna
The answer was so shocking that Yuna and I uncontrollably screamed our voices of disbelief throughout the castle.
After the situation about what happened to the knights was explained to the general, everyone calmed down and Vanessa-neesan got scolded a little bit. After that, we properly introduced ourselves to each other.
As for the soldiers, they were ordered by the general to continue with their training, which they did so without voicing any complaints.
「I'm terribly sorry for what my wife did, it must have caused quite a lot of trouble for the both of you.」Ranzel
「It's fine, we weren't hurt anyways.」Grey
「Un. Actually, we're more concerned about the soldiers.」Yuna
「Don't worry about them. They're trained to endure against that. Actually, it would be more troubling if they can't endure that much.」Edward
「Haha... ha...」Grey
To the general's response, all I could do was laugh dryly.
If we didn't hold back, not just enduring it, the knights would have had a hard time surviving our blows. No, there was a 100% chance that they would have died from it.
「Still... To think that such young people were the ones who helped Commander Vanessa and Brigadier Kurt raid the Bellowing Specter's hideout. The word amazing would just be an understatement.」Albert
「Their achievement really is something to look up to.」Ranzel
「Yep, Yuna-chan and Grey-kun are really amazing!」Vanessa
Ah... This again...
I want to deny their praises but at this point, I'm already tired of doing it. Why can't Yuna and I just have normal livー Ah, right... It's because we're S-rankers...
Haah... Give me a break......
「Oh, right. Vanessa, His Majesty has approved to have an audience with you.」Edward
「Ah, I completely forgot! Grey-kun, Yuna-chan, come with me, we still have to meet His Majesty!」Vanessa
「Sallerta-sama, Keene-sama, Filastra-sama, please excuse us.」Kurt
Wait, did Vanessa-neesan just say we're going to meet the king?!
Before my mind could even process what was happening, Vanessa-neesan already went ahead and grabbed both Yuna and I by the wrist towards the throne room.
We tried to resist, but since we were in a place where Vanessa-neesan was an important and influential figure, it was useless.
On the way there, whenever we met servants, they would always bow their heads to Vanessa-neesan and Kurt. It just showed how much respect they have for them. And of course, Vanessa-neesan has switched into her graceful self.
After walking for a couple minutes, we finally arrived in front of two massive doors. Although the size of the door was eye catching, the crest of the royal family carved on it was even more eye catching. It was easy to guess that it was where the king was. It was the throne room.
「Good afternoon, Vanessa-sama, Kurt-sama, His Majesty has been waiting for you.」
The knights greeted with a bow and then opened the two massive doors slowly but steadily. When they did, what greeted us was a large room with knights standing guard in both the left and right side of the room.
But what garnered my attention the most wasn't the knights nor the fanciness of the room. It was the throne wherein a man in his forties sat comfortably. He was the king of Alfrione.
Besides him were two other men. One resembled him but was much younger whom I assumed was the crown prince, while the other one was someone of the same age and seemed to be the prime minister.
Without saying anything, Vanessa-neesan and Kurt walked towards the king and when they were a certain distance from him, they both kneeled to the ground and bowed their heads. Of course, Yuna and I followed suit after them.
「Greetings, Your Majesty. We have returned with the news of completing the task you have bestowed upon us.」Vanessa
「I'm delighted to hear that. But first of all, I would like to learn the identities of the guest you have brought before me.」King
「Umm... They are......」Vanessa
Vanessa-neesan wanted to answer the king's question but there were too many people in the room. She was hesitating.
「I understand. Knights, take your leave.」King
Thankfully, the king understood what she was trying to imply and ordered the knights to give us privacy. And the knights receiving the order, saluted to the king first before leaving in an orderly manner.
Hm, if I remember correctly, his majesty's name should be Ernes Helvor Alfrione. I wonder what he's likー
「Ahh... It's so tiring to act that stiffly...」Ernes
「I agree, otou-sama.」Prince
「Your Majesty, Your Highness, I have to remind you that we still have gー」Minister
「Galleus, did you hear something?」Ernes
「It might have just been the wind, otou-sama.」Galleus
「Your Majesty, Your Highness, please take this more seriously!」Minister
「Anderson, you're just too serious. Relax a little bit, will you? Also, Vanessa, Kurt, and guests, you can stand now.」Ernes
Eh?
Far from what I've expected, the king was just as relaxed as Vanessa-sama. It made me think that there was something wrong with the kingdom's leaders.
For a couple of minutes, the comedy bit between the prime minister, the king, and the prince continued. It wasn't until when Kurt faked a cough that they stopped.
「Your majesty, Your highness, Anderson-sama, we still have an important business to deal with if you would mind.」Kurt
Woah～ Kurt is so courageous... He's even lecturing three of the most important figures of the kingdom.
「Ah, sorry.」Ernes
「I apologize as well.」Galleus
「Thank you, Kurt-sama. You're intervention was as helpful as usual.」Anderson
「It's my pleasure.」Kurt
With Kurt's intervention, the three stopped with whatever they were doing and ordered them to come back to the throne room.
I wonder, has it always been like this? Judging by how the prime minister phrased it, this happens pretty often. I kind of pity him a little bit.
「So, Vanessa, who are these young guests of ours again?」Ernes
「Ernes-sama, these are Grey-kun and Yuna-chan. The ones I told you who helped us out in subduing the Bellowing Specter.」Vanessa
「Ohh... They're just like what you said, they really are young...」Ernes
「They're even younger than I am...」Galleus
The king and prince commented as they scrutinized the two of us from the throne without blinking. It was really uncomfortable.
Thankfully, they weren't staring at certain parts of Yuna's body. Otherwise, something ugly might have happened in the throne room.
Even if they were kings, princes, prime ministers, or whatever, I'll surely beat them half to death if they stare at Yuna's body with lecherous eyes. And since the kingdom of Alfrione only has an A-ranker as a general, it would be easy to do it no matter how much they try to strugglー
Ah, crap. I'm letting my thoughts run wild again. They haven't done anything yet. I need to cool down...
Maybe I'll start by introducing myself.
「Your Majesty, Your Highness, and Honorable Anderson-sama. I am called Grey, it's a pleasure to meet you.」Grey
「And my name is Yuna, it's also a pleasure.」Yuna
「Oh, how rude of us. I am Ernes Helvor Alfrione, the king of the kingdom of Alfrione. I'm grateful of your help in the raid.」Ernes
「I feel the same as my father. I am Galleus Helvor Alfrione, it's nice to meet you, Grey-san, Yuna-san.」Galleus
「Pardon my late introduction, my name is Anderson Elbourne, the kingdom's current prime minister. It's a great pleasure to finally meet you.」Anderson
Except Kurt and Vanessa-neesan who already knew all of us, one after another, we gave our own introductions and greeted each other.
And as one would expect from being greeted casually by important figures, I felt really nervous while doing it. I'm sure it was the same for Yuna.
「I heard that you were able to take down an opponent as strong as a lesser dragon. Was it true?」Ernes
「It is, Your Majesty, but it was just due to mere luck that I managed to do it.」Grey
「Luck, eh... I see, I see. But you don't need to act so stiffly, you know. You can be more casual towards us.」Ernes
「Otou-sama's right. We already have enough serious people here. We don't need some more. It's really tiring.」Galleus
The prince said as his eyes shifted back and forth from Anderson-sama and Kurt, obviously implying that he was speaking of them.
「That's right, Grey-kun, Yuna-chan. You can act more casual in front of Ernes-sama and Galleus-sama. They really won't mind.」Vanessa
And of course, Vanessa-neesan didn't let herself have no say in the topic. She really loved sticking her nose into things.
「Then would "Ernes-sama" and "Galleus-sama" be suffice?」Grey
「It could be better, but that will do... Oh, right. Vanessa, you said you've completed the task I've given you right?」Ernes
After we came into terms about how to address them, Ernes-sama casually shifted the topic into the task Vanessa-neesan had been talking about.
Even though she has mentioned it many times, I still have no idea of what it was. All I know is that she's going to involve me and Yuna in it.
I just hope it isn't too troublesome. Although Yuna and I could refuse Vanessa-neesan's request, it's another matter if it was a direct order from the king. That's something that we can't just simply refuse.
「I did.」Vanessa
「So, when are they going to start?」Ernes
「I really haven't gotten their consents yet, but you could ask them yourselves, Ernes-sama.」Vanessa
Vanessa-neesan responded as her eyes shifted towards Yuna and me. It was a sign that confirmed that we are going to receive a direct order from the king.
「I see... They are really more than perfect for the job... So, Grey, Yuna, what do you say about becoming instructors for the Royal Academy's alpha class?」Ernes
...... Ehhhhh??!!
CHAPTER 56 END