The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

brothers’ factions.
But, for the sole Great White Knight that controls my escort to have repeatedly committed fraud…how deplorable.” (Fals)

Hearing the prince’s words that are full of rage, Remrona genuflected on the spot.

“…Your Highness, I’m most apologetic.” (Remrona)

She apologized.
But, older and younger brothers’ factions, huh?
As expected at first, there seems to be a first and a third prince.
Fetters exist everywhere.

“Stand up.
It’s nothing you have to apologize for, Remrona.” (Fals)

“Yes.” (Remrona)

“It’s not your fault.
Rather, you are too serious.
After all, this is Great Knight Saril’s wrongdoing for having a hand in this injustice.
Not only that, I will be suspected as well.
He’s my guardian Great Knight on paper, so…if this account book had become public in a different way, I would have likely been criticized as well.” (Fals)

Remrona nods at his words.

“That’s true.
If it had fallen into the hands of the Duke, it would have turned into a disaster.” (Remrona)

I guess Saril is similar to a treacherous friend.

“I was truly saved by you.
Well done, Remrona!” (Fals)

“Your Highness! I’m unworthy of those words.” (Remrona)

“Alright, Galkiv!” (Fals)

The prince calls out to the huge knight that protected the room.
Being summoned, Galkiv came running towards us with a force that makes the floor creak due to his heavy steps.
Because Galkiv has a large build, the armor he’s wearing seems to be awfully heavy.
He has no protection on either of his arms, but mana leaks from his entire body as if spilling out.
Mana is especially accumulating around his instep and feet.
He seems capable of using Magic Combat Style.
However, this Galkiv is just leaking mana.
Does he have no talent in mana manipulation? There appears to be some kind of reason.
Going by his appearance, he seems to be a warrior type.
Is that the cause for his poor mana manipulation?
Galkiv bows in front of the prince.

“…Your Excellency, you called for me?” (Galkiv)

“As of now, I have decided to dismiss Great Knight Saril.” (Fals)

Bewildered by the sudden dismissal of Saril, Galkiv looked at the prince while raising his eyebrows.

“Wh-! —Yes, Your Excellency! But dismissing a Great Knight all of a sudden? What’s that about…?” (Galkiv)

The prince nods at Galkiv’s words and replies,

“Great Knight Remrona was able to obtain grave evidence that many nobles, including Great Knight Saril, have committed illegal dealings.
But, before I can accuse the other nobles, it’s very likely that my administrative ability will be called into question instead as my own guard took part in the fraud.
That’s why we will make a move to forestall that.
If it’s Great Knight Saril, it’s possible to arrest him right away with just us.” (Fals)

“…Understood.” (Galkiv)

Appearing to agree with the prince’s argument, Galkiv replies after lowering his head to the prince.

“Galkiv, where’s Saril right now?” (Fals)

“I believe it’s time for him to be on patrol in the sky.” (Galkiv)

“I see.
Is he going to come back here right away?” (Fals)

“Yes.” (Galkiv)

Galkiv nods.

“You will capture him as soon as he arrives then… I will deal with the official decree.
—In the name of Fals Load Oseberia, member of royalty, I order you here; 7th ranked Great Knight Galkiv, with the help of the 9th ranked Great Knight Remrona, you are to arrest Viscount Saril Dollar.” (Fals)

“—As you order, Your Highness!” (Galkiv)

“Understood.” (Remrona)

The prince exclaims with enthusiasm.
He waves his hand off to the side while making his blonde hair sway a bit.
Having heard his order, Remrona and Galkiv both bow their heads at the same time and gave their acknowledgment.

“And, Remrona, you said that the people behind you are your cooperators, but…?” (Fals)

Does the prince have an interest in Viine and me? He implicitly tells Remrona to explain.

“Yes.
The name of the tall man is Shuuya Kagari.
At a glance, he seems to be a normal adventurer, but he’s the person currently being gossiped about among the bigwigs of the underworld.
He’s the ‘Lancer’ who has various nicknames attached to him.” (Remrona)

I didn’t know about any nicknames.
Since I was introduced by Remrona, I guess I will give our names for the time being.
Let’s do a polite greeting.

“—Your Highness, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.
The one next to me is my attendant, Viine.” (Shuuya)

“…”

Did Viine believe that there’s no need for her to talk? She lowers her head a bit while staying silent.

“…An adventurer, huh? Did you hire them, Remrona?” (Fals)

The prince stares intensely at Remrona with his striking blue eyes.

“…Yes.
I’m sorry for acting on my own.” (Remrona)

Remrona apologizes after a short delay.
She doesn’t deny the prince’s wording.
It seems she plans to go all-in with pretending that she hired me.
It looks like she intends to keep the our deal hidden.

“I see.
Are they possibly…connected to your excellent younger sister?” (Fals)

Excellent younger sister? Remrona has a younger sister?

“Ah, y-yes.” (Remrona)

Remrona nods and replies after revealing a slightly panicked expression.
Looking at Remrona’s face while floating a subtly strange face, the prince returns a complacent smile, looking as though he realized something.
He looks into my eyes and says,

“…So that means that these people had been hired by Remrona.
As a result, I’m the employer of these people.
Adventurer Shuuya or whatever, didn’t you go through many troubles to obtain this secret account book of Eribol Macabyn?” (Fals)

The prince has a really joyful expression.
Well, let’s give him a report matching with Remrona’s by mixing in a few lies.

“…No, it’s something like having obtained Remrona’s cooperation while cleaning up some trash that was in my way.” (Shuuya)

“…Oh, what an excellent occasion.
By the way — about the matter with that cooperation…as your employer I’m considering what to give you as a reward.
Is there something you wish from me?” (Fals)

He will give me a reward?
Well, leaving that aside, it looks like it’s the truth that the prince and Remrona are pretty close.
I feel like the prince included some kind of…sarcasm in the word “cooperation” as he was replying; it looked like he threw a glance at Remrona.
“I have grasped how you got your hands on the account book, for the most part, you know?” That’s the kind of vibe that look might have had.
Well, even if I only imagined it, there’s nothing I can do about it now.
Given that a reward has been granted to me from my meeting the prince, I will turn down any further rewards,

“…I don’t need any rewards.” (Shuuya)

“You decline without asking for anything? You don’t have any needs? What an admirable fellow you are.” (Fals)

The prince says and looks at me as if slightly glaring.
I wonder, would the prince have felt safer if I had demanded money instead?
It’s not like…I lost to the pressure of the prince, but I guess I will speak my mind a little.

“I received my reward already, after all.” (Shuuya)

The prince looks bewildered by my reply.

“Mmh? What do you mean?” (Fals)

“I’m still a C Rank adventurer.
Meeting and speaking with you, Your Highness, is a great reward.” (Shuuya)

I said with a smile, looking earnest.

“Pfft, hahaha meeting with me is a reward? You are an interesting one.
But, modesty isn’t good.
Even if you are a C Rank adventurer, you still made this Remrona allow you to meet with me.
It’s impossible for you to be ordinary.
Going by your nickname of Lancer, I’m sure that you are skilled, correct? I don’t know what school you belong to, but at least you possess a full mastery of spearmanship.
It’s unclear to me whether it’s from a true master of the Ruler Style or some rank of the Eight Divine Spear Kings, but you are their favorite pupil, or am I wrong? Remrona.” (Fals)

The prince brings up the topic with Remrona.
Remrona starts to talk with an indifferent tone like Viine did.

“—As expected of you, Your Highness.
Your intuition is sharp.
However, it’s not like I have actually seen the spear arts used by Shuuya Kagari.” (Remrona)

“What? So then why did you bring them along?” (Fals)

The prince stares at Viine and me as if ascertaining us.

“Yes.
But I was suppressed one-sidedly by something strange used by Shuuya Kagari.” (Remrona)

“—What did you say!? A Great Knight lost, even if you are at the lowest rank…?” (Fals)

The prince mutters quietly while looking frustrated.
It looks like he was somewhat shocked that a high-ranking military officer-like person had lost.

“Yes.
It’s my blunder, but I lost.” (Remrona)

“…Though I heard that outstanding talents exist even at lower ranks.” (Fals)

The prince’s blue eyes sparkle.

“That’s true.
He’s a C-Rank adventurer and it’s also a fact that he possesses the Dragon Slayer title.
And it’s also a truth that he safely finished the adventurer’s job of driving an enemy dark guild into annihilation.
His ability is likely the real deal.
Moreover, there’s his attendant, Viine, and the black cat on his shoulder that’s believed to be his familiar.
I judge that these people are abnormal… This is a personal opinion after going through the information of my family’s spies, but this Shuuya Kagari possesses uncommon strength and on top of that there’s almost no mistake about him excelling at appraising others.” (Remrona)

The way Remrona talks about me uses a phraseology that feels as if she investigated all of it objectively.
I recall the time when I was questioned by her in the room of the 【Great White Nine KnightsWhite Nine】.

“…It’s rare for that Remrona to praise someone this much.” (Fals)

The prince mumbles as if expressing his strong admiration.
Even Galkiv, who watched from the side, reacted by twitching his thick eyebrows and gazes at me as if licking my entire body.
The serious gaze of a rough gorilla face is kind of scary.
Moreover, he stares at Rollo with eyes that seem to have become bloodshot.

“…This much of a lancer? I’d like to request a duel by all means.” (Galkiv)

Galkiv, who stopped staring zealously at Rollo, bent himself forward, twisting his gorilla face into something like a broad smile and made such a request to me.
I don’t get the meaning, but he has taken a unique muscle pose by pushing out his large biceps with his two arms while accentuating his muscles by bending his waist.

『Your Excellency, that pose is novel!』 (Helme)

The small Helme appears in my vision as if dancing.
Excited, she points her finger at his butt while puffing her cheeks.

『I-I see.』 (Shuuya)

『…His butt looks firm, it will be of good use as a reference.』 (Helme)

…Helme-san, just where are you headed…?

“Haha, you immediately zeroed in on him, huh? Even though you retired from the frontline, your blood from the time you were called The Spear Warrior of the Kingdom boils, eh? Galkiv, you are a lancer of the Ruler Spear Style, referred to as the main spear school, and a member of the 2nd ranked Eight Divine Spear King Sei Arrival’s school, weren’t you?” (Fals)

The prince evaluates Galkiv as a warrior.
Certainly, going by his appearance, he gives one the image of Zhang Fei and Ma Chao, who are both famous military commanders appearing in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

“Yes.
I’m in front of you, Your Highness, but I got a little interested in Shuuya-dono, a dragon slaying lancer.” (Galkiv)

“Don’t worry.
How about it, Shuuya, do you want to try having a light spar with a Great Knight? Galkiv is strong, you know?” (Fals)

The prince says while giving a carefree laugh in a good mood.
Not a chance.
If it’s the beautiful Remrona, I will gladly keep her company, but I have no interest in a macho-like guy.
Let’s avoid that without being rude.

“I’m sorry.
Because I’m an adventurer, I have to refuse.” (Shuuya)

“I see.
That’s regrettable.” (Galkiv)

Galkiv becomes crestfallen and withdraws his warrior-like, manly body.
Hearing my words, the prince openly shows a bored expression.
It looks like he wanted to watch Galkiv’s battle.
The prince speaks up.

“…How boring.
But, if the person himself says so, it can’t be helped.
But, the matter with the reward is rejected.
I won’t be able to save face if I was satisfied by just having a conversation with you.” (Fals)

That makes sense, seeing that he’s royalty.
Let’s yield and agree here.

“As you say.” (Shuuya)

“Therefore, how about receiving a reward in the form of tying a personal contract?” (Fals)

A contract with me?

“…I’m an adventurer lacking manners, but is that alright with you?” (Shuuya)

“It is.
I’m mentioning a contract here exactly because you are an adventurer, Shuuya.
Since you are an adventurer living in this labyrinth city, it’s only natural for you to join a party or a clan, and dive into the labyrinth, right?” (Fals)

“Yes.” (Shuuya)

“In that case, I’d like to make a contract with you.
I have a fondness of collecting special relics of rare, high, legendary, and divine rank that are found in the labyrinth.
I also gather cursed items.
You saw the rare items in the room over there, didn’t you?” (Fals)

The prince guides my gaze by staring into the previous room.
Certainly, various rare items were on display there.
The tastes of high-ranking nobles seem often similar or close to each other.
My friend, the feudal lord of Holkerbaum, gathered rare items as well.
I can’t understand if it’s items of bad taste, but I understand the feeling.
They wish to see yet unknown treasures.
If it was something like an amazing magic spear, even I might desire it.

“…Yes, certainly.
So, what kind of contract is it going to be?” (Shuuya)

“I’d like you to give me first rights to buy the rare items you obtain in the labyrinth, Shuuya.
If you get your hands on something that will be exhibited at the underground auction at the end of the year, it will allow you to make a higher profit than putting it for sale there.” (Fals)

The prince talks with a smile plastered across his face.
…The underground auction, huh? An event I plan to attend.
I suppose it’s only natural for the prince ruling this city to be aware of it.
Is he going to use it?
It’s labeled as underground, but does it actually have official authorization from the country?
No, I think the possibility of that is low.
Marquess Chardonnay said words along those lines as well.
If they used it publicly on a grand scale, it should have a very different name.
Certainly, royalty is participating in the auction, not in their public role, but as an incognito visitor, I think?
Well, rather than that, it’s unknown how many of such treasures I will obtain in the labyrinth, but it looks like a good idea to get on with that story here.
There’s likely no doubt that he’s very rich as a royal sponsor.

“…Got it.
If I get my hands on rare items, I will consult with you, Your Highness.” (Shuuya)

“That settles the contract.
Shuuya Kagari, I’m anticipating your possibilities.” (Fals)

“Yes.” (Shuuya)

I nod.
The prince continues talking,

“By the way, there are also other clans that have tied a contract with me, okay?” (Fals)

Huh? There are others?

“And I’m famous as a big patron in the labyrinth city.
There’s a lot of business from clans that dive into the labyrinth.
In the first place, I won’t make a contract with a normal clan.
There are cases where I even refused clans among the top six.
Thus, please consider signing a contract with me, the prince, from face to face as plenty for this time’s reward.” (Fals)

Indeed…that’s plenty.

“Yes.
Thank you very much.” (Shuuya)

“Alright, this contract will be only orally.
My guards Great Knight Galkiv and Great Knight Remrona will serve as witnesses.
Everybody, that’s okay, right?” (Fals)

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

“I clearly ascertain it with my own eyes.”

Remrona and Galkiv each give their acknowledgment.

“Then, adventurer Shuuya, let’s meet again.
—Galkiv, Remrona, carry out your previous order.
I will head back inside.” (Fals)

Once the prince dismisses us quickly, he turns on his heel and returns inside his bedroom.

“”Yes, Your Highness!””

Galkiv and Remrona bow in succession.
Alright, I formed a connection with the prince.
It seems I will be able to continue to work as an adventurer from now on.
I guess I will take Viine and Rollo and go back to the inn.
Hereafter, it’s their job to verbally attack the nobles mentioned in the account book, and to arrest Great Knight Saril.
Even if I’m asked to carry out undercover work to purge the nobles by the prince, I plan to refuse.
Though I would consider it if Remrona asked me directly.