Chapter 169 – The Work of the Otherworld Ambassador

“So the date for the banquet has been decided. How are the preparations coming along?”

I informed everyone about the banquet date I’d heard from Alfred.

“The dresses have been ordered from the tailor. They should be ready by the deadline. I’ll go check on their progress just to be sure.”

“The Royal Castle… I’m nervous.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

The dresses were for Sheila, Irmhild, and Seraphina. When visiting the castle for formal occasions, appropriate attire was necessary.

“I see. Then it should be fine. What about you, Claudia?”

If anyone deserved credit for the battle against the Duoveris Cult, it would be Claudia, but she probably wasn’t included in the “everyone” invitation – or rather, she likely wasn’t expected to attend.

I asked about Claudia’s plans thinking she probably wouldn’t want to show her face at the Royal Castle – but she said:

“I’d like to attend the banquet as well. I think I should speak properly with King Verdgar myself. About the monsters, and about you.”

“Are you sure that’s alright?”

Even if the Verdgar royal family wasn’t directly involved, if her withdrawal from engaging with the outside world stemmed from being betrayed by humans once before… wouldn’t going to the Royal Castle be a major decision for Claudia?

“As long as I limit who I reveal my identity to, it shouldn’t be a problem. Fortunately, King Melvin seems to be a wise ruler, and the Contract Magic I formed with the Verdgar royal family is still active. I can also prove my identity.”

“How so…?”

“I can open the door to the sanctuary.”

I see. That’s something only King Melvin and Claudia can do indeed.

As the ruler of Verdgar, the king formed Contract Magic with Claudia. If the kingdom were to attempt to claim the depths of the labyrinth, it would violate this contract.

I suppose it’s my job to arrange a meeting with King Melvin for her, ensuring she doesn’t have to deal with unnecessary people.

Regarding how to handle Claudia – King Melvin has entrusted me with dealing with her as amicably as possible. I’ve already informed him about gaining her cooperation in the fight against the Demon, and that she generally prefers not to interact with the outside world… but I’ll also need to discuss our engagement with King Melvin.

That Claudia herself expressed wanting to speak directly with King Melvin is probably partly due to our changed relationship, and perhaps also because she wants to reconfirm the relationship between the kingdom and the labyrinth. Indeed, with King Melvin’s cooperation, matters concerning the Labyrinth Village residents would progress more smoothly.

“Understood. I’ll arrange things according to your wishes.”

“Yes. I’m counting on you.”

She smiled at me. I want to properly live up to that trust.

That said, suddenly showing up on the day saying “I brought her along” wouldn’t give the Royal Castle side time to prepare their reception or mentally ready themselves. Which means I need to go to the Royal Castle and inform King Melvin beforehand.

“Is it alright if I tell King Melvin certain things?”

“Well, if it’s too troublesome, I could explain everything myself.”

“No, no. This is part of my job too.”

The work of an Otherworld Ambassador hasn’t changed.

“Then I’ll head to the Royal Castle for a bit today.”

“Understood. Leave things here to me.”

Grace nodded. Well, I’ll leave Caduceus behind.

“I’ll be studying magic today since Lady Rosetta is here.”

Ashley said.

For Ashley, who attends Peresford Academy, studying at home with Rosetta essentially means receiving private lessons in Healing Magic.

In that case, Rosetta will probably be with Ashley all day today. If she’s still here when I return from the Royal Castle, I’ll ask her about contacts for buying the vacant house next door. She should be able to connect me with whoever manages the houses in this area.

“What about you, Marlene? Want to come along?”

When I asked Marlene, who was brushing Lavigne’s fur, she thought for a moment before smiling and shaking her head. She’ll stay home, I suppose. Well… I always meet Albert at his workshop anyway.

And so I immediately headed to the Royal Castle on Lindwurm.

When I was shown to the usual salon and waited, King Melvin arrived.

“Oh, you’ve come. I heard it’s about the labyrinth.”

“Yes. It’s a report concerning the girl believed to be on the labyrinth management side.”

“Her name was Claudia, I believe. Your relationship with her seems favorable…”

Well, favorable it is, but.

“Actually, she has expressed hope to accompany us to the Knight Order’s banquet. Accordingly, I’d like to request that you prepare reception arrangements for that day.”

“That is rather…”

King Melvin’s eyes widened.

“She doesn’t just want to see the banquet, does she? She has something to discuss with me, I presume?”

King Melvin is quite perceptive, as expected.

Claudia seems to understand that if she’s going to marry me in the future, she can’t remain of unknown origins, and it’s been decided that we’ll explain the circumstances to King Melvin.

“I believe it will involve discussing the labyrinth’s origins and confirming the royal family’s intentions. She appears to be the master of the labyrinth.”

“Meaning… she’s the one who formed the contract with the royal family?”

“Yes. And on that note, this also concerns me personally -“

I proceeded to explain her circumstances and our engagement to King Melvin.

Even King Melvin seemed quite surprised by various aspects.

“–So this is necessary to maintain the labyrinth in its current form. As king, I’ve also considered the relationship between the labyrinth and Goddess Shuath… I see…”

“My apologies for the sudden news. If you find it hard to believe, we have methods to prove her identity…”

“No, that won’t be necessary. She said she can open the door to the sanctuary, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then, combined with her contributions in the recent battle against the Duoveris Cult, that’s more than sufficient. As long as I can confirm she’s not a proxy, that’s enough for me. Acting as intermediary between the labyrinth goddess and the royal family will likely be quite troublesome for you.”

He smiled wryly. King Melvin didn’t ask many questions about how the engagement came about. Probably because he realizes it was Claudia’s idea, since I wouldn’t have access to such information otherwise.

“At any rate, I understand. Regarding this engagement matter, I’ll offer my support as well. However, thinking about what might have happened if someone else had won the goddess’s trust sends shivers down my spine.”

“How so?”

“You’re already engaged to Marlene, after all.”

“That is…”

King Melvin grinned.

Since we’ll be relatives anyway, there’s no need to worry about desertion or rebellion.

“Because it’s Contract Magic, unless I’m at fault, the goddess cannot break it, and the royal family’s position ruling Verdgar remains unchanged. In that sense, I have neither need nor reason to doubt you or the goddess. I know this from the contents of the Nation Protecting Ceremony.”

“I see…”

The royal family maintaining the labyrinth so it doesn’t expand, and my lineage that will maintain the labyrinth’s direction. If we become relatives, the royal family has nothing to rush about.

If the goddess can open the sanctuary door, that proves she’s genuine, not a proxy. Therefore, there’s no reason to doubt a goddess who desires governance through contract, and no worry about the monarchy being threatened.

“Verdgar being a rich and peaceful country is because the blessing-bringing labyrinth exists in its current form. If this is necessary to maintain that, I cannot refuse. Please tell the goddess that I look forward to our meeting.”

“Understood. I definitely will.”

Well then… Now all that’s left is to wait for the banquet date.