Once I had cleaned up, I changed into my knight uniform. “Is there anything else?”
“Just one thing!” the maid enthusiastically responded, clenching her fists so hard that I could see the blood vessels in her hands. “Please give them hell!”
For a civil servant stationed in the capital, it was apparent she had not lost her fighting spirit. Her outburst captured the very spirit of Sacula. Those in Sacula were normally calm and polite people, but they were not afraid to act when needed. For example, when I was delegating tasks to the usually reserved Lady Renge, she looked at me with eyes full of fighting spirit and wished me a good battle. I had never heard her use such a deep voice before. And yet, while aware of this, the crown prince and the central nobleman were still picking a fight.
I nodded with a huge smile on my face, pitying those who had the wrath of Sacula coming for them. “Yes. I will be sure to let them know exactly how you all feel.”
Well, time for me to go. I sprinted through the streets of the royal capital, eventually arriving at the gate to the royal castle. It was still a gaudy waste of stone, however, as I was already brimming with frustration today, I found it even more annoying than usual. Because of my sudden arrival, the guards readied their spears with shocked expressions. I could not waste time settling a ruckus, so I slipped past the tips of their spears and tapped the shoulder of what appeared to be a high-ranking knight.
“Ahoy there, I see you are all working hard as always. I am Ash George Fenix, a knight of Sacula. I am here to attend the royal council meeting, and I was wondering if you would allow me to enter.”
“Eep! F-Fenix?!”
Surely there is no need to be that surprised? It gives a lot away. Although I had gotten faster, I was not quite as nimble as Maika’s headhunting technique.
“Yes. I am Fenix from the House of Sacula. I heard that the meeting is being held in the east wing of the castle, could you please guide me?”
Giving no room for refusal, I started walking while pushing against the knight’s back.
“W-Wait, Sir Fenix!”
“Yes? What is it? Is there something you wish to talk about? Please go ahead,” I said, but I did not wait. I continued pushing the knight with me toward the east wing.
“S-Stop! I was told that the meeting has already begun, so we can’t let you in!”
“What’s that? The meeting has already begun! Then we must hurry!”
“Huh? Are you even listening? Stop pushing me! Stop! STOP!” No. While I am listening, I am just choosing to only pay attention to half of what you are saying. It seemed these guards were stationed at the palace gates ahead of time to block me from participating in the meeting. Unfortunately, I am not so nice a person as to take orders from my enemy. “What do you take this meeting for?! A lowborn nuisance such as you can’t simply join the meeting late!”
“Ah, dear knight, could you please tell me your name? Thank you so much for guiding me here. I owe you my thanks, I will be sure to return the favor someday.” I thanked him with the same formality as I did Sir Argos. However, my intentions this time were much more hostile. While asking his name, I focused on a certain scent in the air. I could not expect them to lead me to the meeting, so I would have to find it by my own means. Fortunately, my five senses had been strengthened thanks to my mysterious power, and I was able to identify the scent of the meeting’s attendees and locate it that way. There it is. The scent of Princess Alicia’s perfume. It was the same as Maika’s, so I was able to identify it immediately.
“Please do tell me your name. We have almost arrived,” I said, ushering the knight onwards.
“Hey, you insolent brat! Oi, you hooligan!” The doors to the meeting room came into view and the knight called out to the two guards standing in front. “Don’t let him through those doors!”
“Huh, Sir Graham? Whatever is the matter?” asked one guard.
“Weren’t you supposed to be standing guard at the main gates?” asked the other.
The knight—named Graham, apparently—ordered them once again to not let me through. He seemed to be of a higher status, and the two dutifully crossed their spears and blocked the entrance to the meeting. Well, that confirms this is where it is being held. I let go of Sir Graham’s hand and grabbed the crossed spears. Using my mysterious power, I was able to push them away easily. It was with a force that could easily shove a werewolf. Unlike the stalwart guards of Sacula, these guards gave in and let go of their weapons. With both my hands still holding onto the spears, I had to open the doors to the meeting with my foot. Sorry for my tardiness, I thought as I kicked them open.
For some reason, everyone’s gaze turned toward me. Strange. Since the meeting had already begun, I figured that everyone would be too distracted by a fiery discussion to notice my arrival—that seemed not to be the case. In fact, this was a good thing. I ought to apologize for my tardiness. I was planning on a polite bow, but I didn’t really know what to do with the spears I now wielded. They had blocked my way, so I decided it would be best to destroy and dispose of them. They are not very high quality. I easily snapped them in two, then bowed with a smile.
“I am Ash George Fenix, a knight from Sacula. I have just arrived, but I deeply apologize for my tardiness. Sacula is quite a distance away from the royal capital,” I said with a grin directed at the crown prince. “While I ask for your forgiveness, I believe you understand that I’ve been occupied with the unfortunate disaster in the Yanga territory and its displaced citizens.” My performance seemed to be novel to some, and their only response was to hang their mouths agape silently. Though, there were also those present who were very used to my performances. The first to stand was His Excellency Count Gentoh.