Published: March 21, 2026
In the valley of the mountain, within a gorge, stood that enormous building.
It was larger than Reytis Castle and quieter and cooler than the Elf race's castle.
I’d thought the bloodthirsty Beastmen’s castle would be noisy.
“This is the royal castle. The ground can be slippery, so please be careful.”
Maybe because it was built over a waterway, it felt damp, but not unpleasant.
I looked up and sighed.
I couldn’t see the highest part of the castle.
Somehow it reminded me of that magic academy.
“If it’s surrounded by mountains like this, wouldn’t we be sitting ducks if an enemy launched a surprise attack from above?”
After we disembarked from the boat I asked Ria while staring up, and she smiled and shook her head.
“The Royal Castle is covered by a spherical barrier that includes the skies and the underground, so there’s no worry about intruders.”
If Ria was wearing a smug look, then the barrier in place had to be the divine barrier.
I responded with a noncommittal hmm and looked up again toward the sky where I could faintly make out a membrane.
If it was the divine barrier, was it really safe?
“Now, Lady Amelia, Lord Akira, this way to the audience chamber for King Igusamu.”
The room they led us into for the audience was unbelievably vast.
Reytis Castle—and here as well—why did they need rooms this large?
A space the size of a school student council room would have been more than enough.
In practice, the only people in the audience chamber were a lion Beastman who looked like a king sitting on the throne and a horse Beastman who stood beside the throne like a knight.
Presence detection told me those two were the only ones there.
So, including the three of us, five people occupied that enormous space.
It felt unsettling.
“Father-in-law, I bring forth the Elf race princess Amelia Rose Quartz and hero summoner Akira Oda.”
Ria bowed as she spoke, and we bowed our heads in return.
I’d confessed about the hero summoning to Ria myself, so this was inevitable.
I’d wanted to keep it hidden as much as possible because it was troublesome.
The king, who had been talking with the knight beside him, looked up the moment he was addressed and turned to us.
“Oh! My apologies, Ria. Please, you two come this way.”
He smiled broadly as he spoke, but his eyes were raking over me.
I pretended not to notice his gaze and approached the throne.
The knight standing beside him shot me a glance and snorted.
Apparently, even if Amelia was welcomed, I was not.
When Ria stood a little behind the throne, King Igusamu began to speak.
“Welcome, Amelia-dono, Oda-dono.”
He smiled cheerfully and rose from the throne.
I didn’t know the proper etiquette toward kings of other races, so I copied Amelia.
I felt no need to be overly polite since we’d come because he asked, but I didn’t want my actions to give Amelia any cause for complaint.
“It’s been a while, King Igusamu.”
“It has! So, have you considered that matter we discussed?”
When King Igusamu said that, Amelia wore a face like she’d swallowed a hundred bitter things.
What was “that matter,” anyway?
Also, Amelia’s expression was intense. Was it that unpleasant?
As I watched with detached curiosity, Amelia glanced at me.
“I already have Akira.”
Amelia blushed.
Really, what were they talking about?
King Igusamu frowned for a moment, then returned to his cheerful smile.
“I see. That’s a pity. …Well then, let’s finish pleasantries and move to the main topic.”
As King Igusamu, who hadn’t looked too disappointed, sat back on the throne, the knight who’d been standing by his side stepped forward.
“Princess Amelia, it is an honor. I am Victor, the royal guard knight serving King Igusamu. I’m at your service.”
He bowed with a smile clearly meant to charm the ladies, then gave me a glance.
Amelia nodded to Victor and looked to King Igusamu.
Victor’s displeasure at her curt response showed as a vein on his forehead, but King Igusamu began speaking and drew attention away.
“First, though she’s adopted, I heard you rescued my daughter in the Brute Labyrinth. As a king and as her stepfather, I offer my thanks. Thank you.”