“Shall I ask about the other one too?”
King Ernest said, turning his gaze towards Kousuke.
Kousuke had requested two rewards. One had been fulfilled, but the other was yet to be achieved.
“Yes. Then, this one,”
Kousuke said, taking a small, transparent crystal sphere from his pocket and handing it to the King.
“……Hmm?”
King Ernest tilted his head, confused.
“Could you please take it in your hand?”
“Hmph. ……Very well. You there.”
The King nodded once and gave instructions to a man standing nearby. It was impossible to hand it directly to the King. In a world where magic tools existed, one could never know what dangerous object might be handed over. Kousuke understood this, so he handed the item he held to a retainer who approached. The retainer carefully examined it, but quickly determined it was not dangerous and presented it to the King.
“There is no problem.”
“Is that so? So? What are we supposed to do with this?”
“Yes. Just holding it is fine.”
“Hmm?”
The King tilted his head, not understanding. Those around him, while safety had been confirmed, remained wary, suspecting something might be hidden.
Mere seconds after King Ernest took it into his hand, the situation changed. The room they had been in was replaced by a completely blank white space. Furthermore, only Kousuke and King Ernest were present. Mentally cursing himself for trusting too easily, King Ernest, without changing his expression, asked Kousuke,
“What is the meaning of this?”
Kousuke, meeting the King’s gaze, nodded once.
“Well, I understand your unease, but please wait a little longer. They should arrive soon.”
“What do you mean?”
King Ernest tilted his head, but then immediately understood Kousuke’s words. Standing opposite Kousuke, with him in between, was a woman they hadn’t seen before. The woman was dressed in luxurious attire, even by King Ernest’s standards. Her attire clearly indicated a noble status.
The woman’s gaze briefly flickered towards King Ernest before she offered a smile to Kousuke.
“How unusual. What happened?”
“Floria, I’m sorry. Were you at a party or something?”
“Don’t worry about it. No one minds if I’m away for a short while.”
“That’s good.”
Yes, the woman who appeared was Floria. Kousuke had temporarily summoned King Ernest and Floria into a space he had created. Naturally, the transparent sphere he had given to King Ernest was the catalyst.
***
Observing the two conversing familiarly, King Ernest’s mind raced to understand the situation. Seeing King Ernest’s reaction, Kousuke wore a slightly troubled expression.
“Please don’t be so wary. I have no intention of harming you.”
Watching Kousuke say this, Floria laughed and said,
“I don’t think saying that will do any good? If I were brought to a place like this by anyone other than you, I would also be wary. It’s better to introduce us quickly.”
“That’s true. King Ernest, this is Queen Floria of the Razekamamiya Kingdom. Floria, this is King Ernest of the Thausen Kingdom.”
“It’s the first time we’re meeting directly, isn’t it?”
Accustomed to Kousuke’s actions, Floria said this casually and gave a slight bow to King Ernest. King Ernest, on the other hand, was still in a state of stunned disbelief.
“……Queen Floria?”
Indeed, the woman before him seemed to possess such dignity. Her appearance, clad in a luxurious dress, matched the descriptions he had heard. However, his mind refused to accept it. After all, just moments ago, he had been in his own castle. It was impossible for him to meet the Queen of the Razekamamiya Kingdom, a nation on another continent.
As if reading King Ernest’s thoughts, Floria, with a slight frown, shook her head.
“King Ernest. I understand your reluctance to believe, but if you are surprised by every action of an Avatar, you won’t be able to manage.”
Hearing Floria’s words, King Ernest’s eyes widened, and he looked at Kousuke. He then repeated the name, as if savoring it,
“Kou… An Avatar, Kousuke… So, that’s what it was.”
Finally understanding, King Ernest’s expression became one of acceptance. At the same time, he directed a complex expression of respect and awe towards Kousuke. Kousuke, receiving such a look from King Ernest, appeared somewhat apologetic.
“Please forgive me for the rather forceful method. It was an opportunity, after all.”
As Kousuke said this, King Ernest, whose expression had been stiffening slightly, made a gesture as if taking a deep breath.
“Are you… truly a god?”
Floria was the one who reacted to King Ernest’s question.
“King Ernest. It’s wrong to apply the concept of a traditional god to Kousuke.”
Floria said this, chuckling softly. Then, her expression turned serious, and she continued,
“However, there is no doubt that he is a god. Be careful, as the two people beside him won’t permit it if you handle things incorrectly.”
Following Floria’s advice, King Ernest recalled the figures of the two beautiful women beside Kousuke. At the same time, he understood what kind of beings they were.
“……Queen Floria, thank you for the warning.”
“Don’t mention it. If I don’t say it clearly, it might cause trouble for me too.”
“I see.”
King Ernest nodded with an expression of great understanding at Floria’s words.
***
Kousuke watched their exchange with a subtle expression before turning his gaze to Floria.
“Did you bring what I asked for?”
“Of course.”
While King Ernest tilted his head, Floria took something out of a bag she was holding. Visually, it was almost indistinguishable from the transparent sphere Kousuke had given to King Ernest earlier. However, this sphere was attached to something like a pedestal.
“……What is this?”
King Ernest, receiving it directly from Floria, took the object, which appeared to be a magic tool, while tilting his head.
“You must have heard the rumors? It’s a communicator given to those close to us.”
Hearing this, King Ernest closely examined the communicator. As Floria said, rumors had been circulating among the upper echelons of various countries that the royal family of Razekamamiya had independently developed a communicator and was distributing it to close associates. This communicator, while extremely expensive, was a remarkable item that, unlike conventional ones, could be used repeatedly. It was an item that countries were desperately trying to obtain.
“This is it, then.”
“Yes. I came all the way here specifically to give it to you.”
Kousuke’s objective was for King Ernest to have a direct means of communication with Razekamamiya. Therefore, even if it was a bit forceful, he had decided to have him come to this place.
“As soon as the King obtains it, the owner information is registered. It will be unusable by anyone else besides you.”
“Hmm.”
King Ernest nodded with a solemn expression at Kousuke’s explanation. This communicator would also be very beneficial to King Ernest. After all, he would be able to converse with the top official of Razekamamiya without any intermediaries. While the effects this would have on the Thausen Kingdom were not yet clear, King Ernest was confident that it would bring about some form of influence.
Floria has appeared!
The space where the three met can be said to be a unique world created by Kousuke. It is small, though lol. Kousuke is steadily demonstrating his power as a god.
