Will I End Up As a Hero or a Demon King (WN)

Chapter 152

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Chapter 152 – The Answer That Was Given

We returned to Hanfarest at the time when the bar seemed to be busiest and immediately checked the situation on the first floor.

“As I thought, the lobby is no good.”

Unless it’s late at night, the lobby is often filled with well-dressed, business-like people exchanging information.

Since drinks are also served from the restaurant on the first floor when ordered, the atmosphere at this time of day is similar to that of a modern bar, with a quiet, upscale bar atmosphere.

“(Wills-san―Alright.)”

After checking the lobby out of the corner of my eye, I walk over to the manager, Wills-san, who is keeping a watchful eye at the counter.

He seems to know the men waiting behind me, and Wills-san just watches my reaction without saying a word.

“Good evening, Wills-san. I’m sorry to be so sudden, but is that room on the fourth floor free? If there are guests already staying there, I’ll be fine with the room across the hall.”

“That’s fine. It’s still available today.”

“That’s great. There will be two people staying, and since we’ve already eaten, breakfast will be fine. Of course, the regular price is fine. Is it okay if we put these three people in the room? It seems like there’s something confidential to talk about.”

“I understand. It’s fine if it’s just a temporary entrance.”

“Thank you. Shall we go then?”

“”””…..””””

I know how things work, so I just take the key and go up the stairs.

It would be ridiculous for me to pay 400,000 Beeke to take a room on the top floor just because of a recruitment drive from the other side.

However, considering the future, this is probably unavoidable.

It would be easy to say “decline” at the very beginning, and even that steak restaurant could have done that.

However, considering the information from Yagov-san, I felt that each country’s desire to accept people from other worlds was quite strong.

I don’t think they’ll give up easily if we just keep saying “I’m sorry” and “It’s impossible” on the spot, and it’s not hard to imagine that they’ll try to make contact in any way they can, and there’s a possibility that it won’t just be a problem for me, but will spread to the people around me.

If that’s the case, it would be better to approach them with the determination to make them give up completely this time.

If they think that I would take a room of this level without hesitation, then they should also understand that any future attempts to recruit with money will be meaningless.

When we arrived at the room I wanted, I sat down on the sofa that was big enough for three people and led the three of them to the sofa across from me that was separated from me by a coffee table.

Ril tried to sit next to me, but in a situation like this, her presence would only be a negative.

I stopped her with my hand and then spoke to the three people across from me.

“Is it okay if she doesn’t sit with us? I’ve already booked a room, so I’d like her to wait there.”

“Sorry, but our destination is not you, but her. If she’s the only one staying, then I understand, but if it’s the other way around, then it’s pointless.”

“It is possible that she will leave the room and then leave the city. At least she has to stay in this room.

I suppose so.

Even if you want to bring someone from another world to your country, it’s useless if the person you want isn’t there.

But this will make it easier for me to get my proposal accepted.

“I understand. Then, Ril, go to the bed in the back and cover yourself with the futon.”

“Ah, I understand…”

“””……”””

The men, including me, followed Ril’s figure with our eyes, and after she hid under the blanket, she popped her head out to look at us.

No, it’s not that. It’s cute, but not like that. I want to tell her not to show her face because I don’t want them to read her expression, but I think Ril is curious about our exchange.

Well, if I really feel like it’s getting dangerous, I can just use Divine Communication to warn her, so I gather myself and turn back to the three people in front of me.

“I think this should be fine. I think you can always see her, and if you really want to ask her something, you can also hear her voice.”

“That’s right… Uh-huh. I’m Nilow, the chief auditor for Malta, and I belong to the Kingdom of Lagreath.”

“I am Fanmera, also an auditor in Malta.”

“I am Joyce, chief of the guards of Malta.”

“I am Loki, and that person under the blanket over there is Ril. It seems that we are suspected of being spies from another country, but we don’t belong to any country.”

“Hmm…”

Even if I say that, there’s no way they’ll just accept it.

I know that, so even though it’s true, I’ll just use it as a way to introduce myself.

The most important thing is to make sure that they don’t find out that Ril is a goddess.

Then I have to decide whether or not to confess that I’m from another world.

I have to adapt to the situation and use it to my advantage.

“Well then, I’d like to ask you about your specific goals… I understand that you are the captain of the guard, but you two are auditors, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Our job as auditors is to investigate and monitor the city and surrounding areas for suspicious or unruly people. This includes things like spying on other countries and discovering otherworldly things.”

“I see…then why are you asking us?”

“There are two reasons―first, Joyce, are you sure this is the boy?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“?”

“Loki-dono, from this afternoon until this evening, you repeatedly used powerful magic to the west of Malta, didn’t you?”

“Uh…um, I used magic a few times.”

“There were also intermittent noises in the city that sounded like thunder… Was it a sign of a natural disaster? So I had my soldiers investigate the cause.”

“So that’s how Joyce-san saw me, is it?”

“That is how it is. However, I was only able to confirm it from a great distance, considering the possibility of being caught in the magic. Think of it as me coming to confirm it again this time.”

Now that I’ve already confessed, it’s a little late, but whether it’s Investigation or Presence Detection, the current range is 30 meters, so if it’s outside that range, I can only detect it by sight. [T/n: I’ll change Exploration to Investigation from now on; sorry for the inconvenience.]

Especially since I was so engrossed in today’s experiment, even if he said he was looking somewhere, I wouldn’t know.

I braced myself for a moment, thinking that they might have noticed that my magic was black, but since magic only manifests at the moment of activation, it’s not something that can be seen from a distance.

And the Lightning Magic I was testing is said to be a powerful magic.

If it had been confirmed that I was the one standing next to the otherworlder named Ril that they wanted to get, then being seen might have been a good thing because it would have made them less likely to take strong measures.

“You don’t mean that the magic I used today is against the law in this country, do you?”

“Well, that would be…”

Even as he said this, the balding man who called himself Nilow looked at the bespectacled Fanmera-san sitting next to him.

“I possess the Mind’s Eye skill. It was a complete coincidence, but I used Mind’s Eye on Ril-dono because she was a woman I had never seen before. I never thought that she would have the Divine Eye skill, which is not even mentioned in the books, and on top of that, she has level 10 of it. In addition, she doesn’t have any other skills. Such a story could only happen to someone from another world, right?”

“……”

“By the way, I can’t see any skills that Loki-dono possesses. Therefore, the only thing I can say is that you have a high-level Concealment skill. I understand that this skill is highly recognized and acquired, but we have judged that if it is a high level, there is a high probability that you are someone in charge of national intelligence.”

“So you thought I was a spy for some country?”

“That’s right. Loki-dono’s face and skin tone are similar to those of people from the eastern countries. Therefore, we believe that one of the eastern countries, while operating in our country, learned of Ril-dono’s existence, recruited her, and then took her to their own country. We believe that Loki-dono most likely played that role―what do you think?”

“……”

Thinking about the future, I can’t help but sigh.

Even the goddesses can’t see my skills.

That’s why I wasn’t worried about people looking, but…

It would be too much of a problem if the goddesses’ split body possession skill was obvious to some people.

As long as there’s a limit of only one skill that can be set, if they want to hide it, they’ll have to use Concealment, so they won’t be able to use Divine Eyes.

If I don’t warn the goddesses soon, it’s likely that they’ll get curious and take a look, and there’s a high probability that this will lead to similar problems in the future.

And from here, I have to choose between two options―or rather, three options.

I think hard, prolonging the conversation and trying to keep my slightly intoxicated head clear.

“There is no such thing as a spy from another country, but even so, you probably won’t believe me, will you?”

“It would be hard to prove, so… how about we make a deal? If you turn Ril-dono over to us, we’ll let it go, no matter what the reason was for Loki-dono to be in Malta. In fact, we’ll even promise to pay a reward from the Kingdom of Lagreath if you help us recruit someone from another world.”

“What if I say that I won’t hand over Ril?”

“If that happens, we will have no choice but to temporarily detain Loki-dono and Lil-dono, who is his companion, on suspicion of espionage.”

“I see. I have a simple question―do you think you can arrest us?”

If it comes to that, Lil can just make the split body disappear, and I can fly into the sky and escape without being pursued.

As I stared at the three of them, thinking that it was impossible, all three of them flinched and shook their shoulders.

But…

“”…..””

“I-if we receive an order, we have no choice but to carry it out, even if we have to use all the soldiers in Malta.”

Unlike the two people who claimed to be auditors, Joyce-san, who is probably actually doing the work on the ground, looked at me with a strong gaze as if he had made up his mind.

Even though he knows that he may die if he opposes us, he still moves when he is ordered to, and I realize that this is because in this world where war is a normal thing, even the scattering of lives is a normal thing.

Phew~…

I looked up at the ceiling and hesitated for a moment.

“(If I hand over Ril, I’ll be able to move freely and get a reward as well. If it’s like this, I’ll be treated as a spy, so the possibility of being followed as a person from another world in the future will be pretty low. And even if I turn Ril over, if she gets rid of her split body, that’s the end of it. Even if they notice and panic, it’ll be too late. However, I can’t help but feel a little uneasy about the fact that Ril is being held captive, even if it’s only temporarily. And emotionally, it’s hard for me to see Ril being sold like that. On the other hand, if I declare that I am a spy for another country and refuse to hand her over… well, it would be clear that we are enemies. Even if I resolve the situation by force, I will no longer be able to function properly in the Kingdom of Lagreath, and it is doubtful that I will be able to return to Bezart. In that case, there is no other choice but this…)”

While I understand in my head that it’s probably not the best option, I mutter the answer I came up with.

“First of all, let me correct your idea, but I’m not a spy. I’m also a person from another world.”

“Huh? W-what did you say?!”

“…..”

“I see… that’s how it is…”

The three people in front of me all react to my prepared words, and I hear a slightly surprised voice behind me.

“Lo-Loki? Is it okay to say that…?”

“Yes, I think it is the only way to get out of this peacefully. For now, Ril, just listen quietly.”

When I looked at the three of them while reminding Ril to be quiet, only Joyce-san’s expression clearly changed to one of relief.

I guess he was relieved that if it was someone from another world, they wouldn’t be hostile.

I really hope that’s the case…

“Does this mean that Ril-dono is from another world as well?”

“That’s right. Ril is my older sister.”

“”””…Eh?!””””

Hey, hey, hey… I told you to shut up, so why are there questions coming from behind me?

“Lo-Loki-dono…? That’s a bit much, isn’t it?”

“You don’t look like each other at all. If we compare you to her dazzling beauty, your features are…”

“It looks like Ril-dono was surprised as well.”

“When I say she’s my elder sister, she’s my elder sister. She’s my important elder sister. If you deny it, I’ll get angry too, you know?”

“”””…..””””

It would be too much to try to convince people that Ril is not an otherworlder, but also not a goddess, since her skill has already been revealed.

I don’t feel like I can convince them no matter what I do.

Then, even if it’s just for show, I should make it seem like we’re related as brother and sister and make it harder for them to move.

That’s what I thought, but the glasses started making more noise than I had imagined.

“By the way, can you prove it? Even if you were related as brother and sister, if you were an otherworlder, you would have some kind of top-level skill!”

“Even if I had such a skill, there’s no way I’d reveal it here, right? That’s what the Concealment skill is for, right? It’s like showing your hand.”

“Guh… that’s certainly true, but… but then, the proof that Loki-dono is an otherworlder!”

“I don’t think there’s any need to prove it at all… well, never mind. Here.”

――Flight――

Float…

“””F-Floated…?”””

I lift my butt off the sofa in front of them and float lightly in the air.

Since I’ve already revealed that I’m from another world, it would be better for me to let them know that I also have Flight from now on.

“I’m sure there are no people in this world who can fly except for those who have wings, right?”

“T-That’s true…”

“B-by the way, are you sure that this is a skill called Flight? The method to acquire it is not even known to normal people! Is the skill level still 10?”

“Well, Fanmera-san? The purpose was to prove that I was from another world, right? That’s what you wanted, right? Why are you asking me questions that are unnecessary to prove that?”

“E-even if you say that, this is extremely important! This is an unprecedented event! Do you know how much this information will benefit the Kingdom of Lagreath?”

“That is not our concern, is it? As I said, we don’t belong to any organization.”

“So, if you could tell us how much information you have here, that could lead to a position in the Kingdom of Lagreath…”

“Ah… in that case, I must tell you the most important thing first. We don’t belong to any organization. I’m sorry, but we respectfully decline your offer.”

“Ah…?

Fanmera-san is visibly disappointed, but Nilow-san, who is standing next to him, seems to have anticipated this development and immediately starts chasing after them, dangling the bait.

“…You two will be given a residence in a prime location in the royal capital, and you will also be able to obtain the position you desire. Is that still not enough for you?”

“Even so. We are not interested in positions at all. In fact, we think they will be a hindrance, as they will restrict our actions.”

“I see. You don’t seem to need money…”

“No, we’re not in need. So if it’s a ‘deal’ where we answer questions like the one Fanmera-san just asked in exchange for some sort of compensation, then I can understand that, but please give up on the idea of letting us stay in the country. No matter how many times you ask, there is no possibility of that happening.”

“Hmm… by the way, Ril-dono? Just to confirm, do you feel the same way?”

When I turned around in response to this question, Ril nodded her head up and down.

It seems that the effect of telling her to keep quiet for now is working.

“I see… then there is no choice but to report to the country. Let’s call it a day for today.”

“Wait… Nilow-san! Are you giving up?!”

“There is no other choice. We’ve asked the two of them to give us their time, and what we’re doing is recruiting. If we can’t come up with a proposal that will convince them, then that’s the end of it.”

“Guh…”

Joyce-san seemed to be under the impression that I, who seemed to be Ril’s bodyguard, was the culprit of today’s roar, perhaps because ‘recruiting people from other worlds’ was outside of his original job.

And the boss, Nilow-san, seems like a decent guy, but his subordinate, Fanmera-san, is a bit dangerous.

Is the benefit of successfully recruiting someone that strong?

He doesn’t seem to have given up, and even now, he’s not looking at me but at Ril behind me.

“(Ril said that if there’s hostility, it’s the same for humans and monsters, so if I don’t give a warning, there’s a possibility that these people could cause a huge disaster…)”

“Just in case you don’t know, I’ll tell you anyway…”

I said to Fanmera-san.

“I don’t think it will come to that, but just in case, please don’t take any drastic measures just because Ril only has the Divine Eye. If anything happens, I will protect my sister with everything I have, and if I decide that you are an enemy, I won’t show any mercy.”

“Um, I understand.”

The three of them stood up and walked to the door, and finally, Nilow-san opened his mouth.

“I apologize for meeting you at such an inconvenient time. I hope you understand that we have no intention of being hostile to people from other worlds. Also, is it okay to report to the country about the ‘deal’ you mentioned earlier?”

“Well, it depends on the content and the compensation, but if the conditions are right, I guess so. Oh, but please don’t make me meet the king or any important people. I don’t know any manners, and just meeting them seems like it would be really tiring.”

“Fu-fuhahaha! I-I’m sorry. Normally, people would be happy to be granted an audience with the king. This has further confirmed that Loki-dono is an otherworlder. If you ever have the chance to go to the royal capital, please tell the palace guards that you wish to see Nival-sama. If you say that your name is Loki-dono, they will understand. I think Nival-sama will be able to talk to Loki-dono without any tension. Oh, of course, if you are interested, that’s fine.”

“Nival-sama, isn’t it? I understand. I’m planning to visit the royal capital at some point, so I’d like to think about it… By the way, what kind of person is Nival-sama?”

“He is the leading court magician of the Kingdom of Lagreath and the wisest man in the country. So―wouldn’t an ‘information trade’ be possible?”

“Hee~…”

Nilow-san, that’s good.

You understand my weakness.

I see, I see, so a magician of this world… Then, there is a possibility that I can get the information that I lack.

I will be more motivated to make a deal.

“I look forward to it.”

I mutter to the three of them as they walk down the stairs, and Nilow-san turns around and smiles at me.

“(Haa~…)”

The tension seemed to have been released, and a large amount of air escaped from my lungs.

I was mentally exhausted, and I had also revealed that I was from another world.

However, there were also several things that I would gain from this.

From the beginning, I had thought that whether to hide it or not would depend on the benefits, and I would propose a compromise called a “deal” after revealing to the person doing the recruiting that I was from another world.

This might be a good opportunity to test whether this would work or not.

I thought about this as I looked down the long corridor and the stairs that led to the end of it until the three of them disappeared from sight.

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