Chapter 10 - II - 

 

The Kingdom of Nerfes was a moderately sized human kingdom to the north of Chersea.  According to the history books, it was the bastion of human defenses against the armies of the demon lord during ancient times.  Since then, it formed a close relationship with the Holy Palatial Gardens, more particularly the Saints from the past.

 

“May I present to Your Holiness, the king of the Kingdom of Nerfes, James Walter Reed II.”

 

The colorful banners of the king and his accompanying vassals were displayed, and trumpets were sounded the moment his entourage appeared.  Palace guards lined up along the path leading to the dais where the Saint, flanked by the Head Maid and the Captain of the Paladin Corps, waited.

 

“A grand reception, huh?” Senshee commented as we watched from the window of my room, “It reminds me of the welcome my former master is being accorded to back in the Duke of Savoy’s court.”

 

“It looks like the ‘review of the guard’ by visiting heads of state back on Earth.” I casually said, “Pretty impressive.”

 

“Earth?  Is that the country where you came from, Master?”

 

I was surprised for a moment that I let my lips loose once again, so I spun a lie to avoid telling Senshee the truth, “It is.  And please stop calling me ‘Master’, Senshee.  Just refer to me as ‘Kuro’, alright?”

 

Senshee said nothing after that.  He’s fascinated watching the colorful parade of the royals from Nerfes.

 

The royal party then came into our view.  It was mostly composed of soldiers, probably the king of Nerfes’ guards.  The monarch could be spotted easily; he’s the one wearing that shiny gilded armor and purple cape.

 

“…”

 

Hmm…the king of Nerfes wasn’t what I expected.  When the Saint described him earlier, I thought of him as a foolish young guy or a bumbling old man.  

 

However, this king looks like someone else…

 

“…”

 

With his bulging muscles showing even under the armor, lots of scars on his arms and face, a dominating height above any other in his entourage, an intimidating expression on his face, and a red bandana tied on his head, I’ve only thought of one man…

 

RAMBO!

 

Yeah, I suddenly remembered that Vietnam War action movie hero that I watched on Earth.  The king of Nerfes reminded me of that gun-toting, testosterone-filled guy from the shows where Americans always win against the common farmers who defeated them in real life.  So anyway, I couldn’t imagine a person like him doing a clumsy thing such as breaking his cursed sword on a weak-ass monster like a Junki.

 

“!!!”

 

“Kyaaa!”

 

Everyone’s screams filled the air.  

 

Well, nothing serious happened.  It’s just that the king tripped and fell flat on his face.  As it was supposed to be, he should be uninjured; however, there’s a random stone placed conveniently in the middle of the path where the monarch was walking and hit his face on that.  He was still fine; though, I guess…until he hit his head on a conveniently placed tree branch above him.  

 

Where did those things come from, anyway?

 

“…”

 

Everyone relaxed when the King regained his composure and resumed walking towards Her Holiness.  Blood was trickling from his head, though.  I guess I had an idea where those awful scars came from…No wonder why the Junki can damage him.

 

“Your Highness!” I saw another figure from behind the king breaking ranks and approach him, “Please use this handkerchief to wipe the blood off your face.”

 

“Kyaaa…”

 

I heard another scream, this time, it’s from the maids who were watching the spectacle.  Well, technically, they’re not screaming; they’re swooning.  After all, that young man who came near the king of Nerfes got good looks.

 

It’s Sir Simon.

 

“Thanks, brother.” the King said as he wiped his face.  Sir Simon then returned to his former spot behind his monarch.  The servants and paladin guards were all ecstatic.  

 

What?  I thought you guys hate guys?  Is this the famous ‘Handsome:  Lover/Ugly:  Rapist’ analogy?  That’s just freaking unfair!

 

The Saint, in her dignified, holy costume and flanked by the Head Maid and the Captain of the Paladin Corps, greeted her visitors, “I bid you welcome in the Holy Palatial Gardens, king of Nerfes.  If it is healing that you seek, then may I invite you inside?”

 

To that, King Rambo replied, “Thank you for your audience, Your Holiness—” The monarch politely bowed before the Saint, but he went all the way down the floor for some unknown reason, smacking his face for another time.

 

This king is a klutz, huh?

 

After helping him, Lily gestured for the entourage to follow her inside the Holy Chambers palace.  And with that, I went back to reading.

 

 

My silent time was interrupted when Senshee woke me up.  I had fallen asleep with the book covering my head.

 

“Master, a soldier was asking for you outside your room,” he told me while pointing at the wide-open door.  A member of the Paladin Corps stood at attention by the doorframe, and she paid respects upon seeing me awake.

 

“Her Holiness is calling for you, Mister Kuro.” she explained, “I’m here to fetch you.”

 

“Oh?” I’m still half-asleep, but I dragged myself up, “What for?”

 

“I don’t know.” the guard shrugged, “She says that we hurry.”

 

“Okay.  Come with me, Senshee!” I said nothing more.  Deep inside, though, I was already wondering why she called for me.  

 

Perhaps Her Holiness wishes to continue the magic spell talk we left hanging earlier?

 

The guard led us out of the guest house where I’m staying and into the Holy Chambers.  Senshee and I just silently followed her.  It took us quite a while before we reached our destination…

 

“…”

 

If I’m not mistaken, this was one of the reception rooms of the Saint’s palace.  The royal guards of the king of Nerfes stood by the doors; seeing the female Palatial guard approach them, they quickly stepped aside and let us inside without questions.

 

“Ah, Kuro!” the Saint smiled when she saw me.  Then her attention turned to the one following close behind me, “And you must be Senshee?”

 

Senshee did a curtsy before Her Holiness.  I also followed him, not wishing to appear arrogant or something.  But, Senshee, curtsy is for girls, you know?

 

Her Holiness laughed silently; perhaps she’s reading my thoughts again?

 

“So this is the man who taught you a new principle in healing magic, Your Holiness?” it was the king of Nerfes, who was eyeing me from head to toe.

 

“Yes.  He’s pretty intelligent; I’m telling you, he’s the one who fixed that magic circle for me!” Her Holiness added.  Hearing her praising me made my heart jump for joy.

 

“I see.  He looks plain, though.” I could sense an air of hostility from the king of Nerfes.  This King Rambo…what do you mean by ‘plain’?  If you’d ask me, you look like a guy who’s so jacked-up on steroids!

 

I heard the Saint chuckle.

 

“Don’t be like that brother.” it was Sir Simon who spoke, “This man is honorable.  He was even called the ‘Hero of Arles’!”

 

“Hmph!” King Rambo replied to him with a look of defiance.  It seemed like this steroid boy didn’t believe Sir Simon’s words.

 

“Ah, Kuro and Senshee, so we meet again!” Sir Simon greeted us, “I’d like to give my thanks to you as the person who was used by Her Holiness to heal my brother, the king.”

 

“Nah, I just helped Her Holiness a little.  The entire credit should go to her.”

 

However, Sir Simon bowed before me, “Please don’t be so modest and accept this token of gratitude from the bottom of our hearts.”  He commanded one of their soldiers to give me a pouch.  I could feel the heavy metals clinking inside.  

 

“!!!”

 

Bewildered, I turned to the Saint; but she’s busy looking at something else.

 

“…”

 

No, make that ‘someone’ else.  I tried tracing where her eyes were pasted, and that intense, dreamy expression was the first that I saw from her since I was summoned.

 

“Ah, by the way, Mister Kuro.” Sir Simon graciously asked for my attention, “Let me introduce you to my brother, the King of Nerfes, James Walter Reed II.”

 

Nah, sorry dude, I prefer to call him ‘King Rambo’.  It’s way much better than calling him ‘steroid boy’, right?

 

I heard Her Holiness laughed softly once again.  And King Rambo glared at me as if he wanted to gut my stomach.

 

I have done nothing to you, Rambo.  Please don’t stare at me too much.

 

“Nice to meet you.” King Rambo stood up and offered his hand for a shake.  

 

“Thank you, Your Highness!”  Of course, I’d oblige; I didn’t want to appear disrespectful.  After all, Her Holiness and Sir Simon had been kind to me.

 

“…”

 

But yeah, I think the steroid-packed king of Nerfes wanted to kill me.  I could tell from how he shook my hand.  It’s as if he’d pull it off from my body. I turned to Her Holiness for help.

 

“…”

 

Nope, she’s still in a dream-like trance.  So, I instead looked for Sir Simon for help.

 

“…”

 

He also had the same expression.  And he was looking at…

 

Her Holiness?

 

Oho…now I understand.  Those meaningful looks being exchanged between the Second Prince of Nerfes and Her Holiness contained something for sure…

 

However, it’s not my right to know about it, so I’ll just leave them be.