Lord: "Actually, a royal investigation team has arrived regarding the matter of Viscount Gitt."

Ryuu: "Shouldn't Princess Sophie have already explained everything about that?"

Lord: "I have no idea what's going on in that regard. However, the royal investigation team suspects that I used Ryujin to assassinate Viscount Gitt and take over his territory."

Ryuu: "The Lord has nothing to do with this. This is a nuisance for you. It seems you're the victim here.

Speaking of which…

Technically, I didn’t kill Viscount Gitt. I set things up, so it’s like I did. I even had Sophie’s permission. And Gitt tried to kill Princess Sophie, so I killed him in self-defense to protect her… right?"

Lord: "To be honest, I'm just stuck with Gitt's territory. I don't want it, so it's annoying to be accused of this…."

At that moment, the door opened, and several knights entered.

Knight: "So, the Lord claims he has no knowledge of this 'Ryujin' adventurer…."

The knights’ armor was different from the knights who had welcomed them. They weren't under the Lord’s command.

Ryuu: "…?"

Lord: "These are the royal knights who came to investigate."

Royal Knight: "Ryujin, right? The Lord says he has nothing to do with it, that Ryujin acted on his own. Do you admit to this?"

Ryuu: "Yeah, the Lord and I are not connected. This is our first meeting."

Lord (with a slightly brighter expression): "That's how it is. As I said, I have nothing to do with this. If you want to take over the viscount's territory, please do so."

Royal Knight: "Alright, if the individual admits to it, that's good enough. Ryujin, you are under arrest for the murder of Viscount Gitt."

Ryuu: "What?!"

Royal Knight: "You are accused of breaking into Viscount Gitt's mansion, killing all the knights and servants, and torturing Gitt to death. Are you denying these accusations?"

The knight's words weren't entirely wrong, which was the problem.

Ryuu: "Gitt was a pervert who kidnapped and tortured young women! He kidnapped many women, and he even tried to kill Princess Sophie. He deserved to die. Didn't you hear from the princess?"

Royal Knight: "We haven't received any reports of such a story from the Princess. Anyway, if you have any excuses, you can tell them at the trial in the capital. Take him away!"

However, the royal knights didn't move. Or rather, they couldn’t. Ryuu, annoyed, deployed a dimensional barrier that enveloped the knights’ bodies. They were all trapped inside invisible boxes that fit them perfectly. The space was so tight they couldn't even draw their swords and they began waving their arms in the air. Their movements would have made them masters of pantomime.

Ryuu: "No arguing? Then I'll have to resist. Are you prepared?"

Lord: "Wait a minute! This is a matter between Ryujin and the knights, don't cause trouble in my mansion!"

Ryuu: "I don’t even know you, and it’s true you have nothing to do with this, but you’re giving up on me so easily."

Ryuu didn't care and was joking, but Goran was genuinely angry.

Goran: "…Father! Even though Ryuu is an adventurer, he's still a resident of this town. Isn’t protecting your people the Lord's duty?"

Lord: "I can't sacrifice my territory for one adventurer. Protecting the majority of my people is the Lord’s job. As a Kingdom noble, I cannot oppose the King's order to arrest a suspect. If Ryuu's story about the Princess is true, then he should be able to defend himself without any problems."

Ryuu shrugged.

Ryuu knew the Lord was a fence-sitter, so he gave up easily, walked between the immobilized knights, and strolled out of the mansion.

The knights, completely sealed off by the dimensional barrier, were about to lose consciousness from lack of oxygen. The barrier finally dispelled, and they could move again, but Ryuu was already gone.

Royal Knight: "Damn it! What was that? Chase after him, don't let him escape!"

…

…

…

Ryuu didn’t attempt a desperate escape. He calmly walked out of the Lord’s mansion and strolled down the street.

Because of this, the royal knights on horseback quickly caught up to him.

Ryuu was surrounded by the royal knights.

Knight: "Think you can escape?"

Ryuu: "I decline your escort. Go back and ask the Princess about the situation."

Knight: "Don’t lie to us! There's no way the Princess would be associated with someone as dirty as you! We will take you by force if you don't cooperate."

Ryuu: "Just a warning. Leave me alone. I have no interest in messing with you, but if you become hostile, I won’t hold back."

However, the knights ignored his warning and drew their swords.

Knight: "Don't worry, we won’t kill you. We're just taking you in.”

Ryuu: "Okay then, I’ll go easy on you."

By then, a magic circle had already appeared under the knights' feet. They started to fade. Ryuu had used teleportation to send only the knights, leaving the horses behind.

The knights were teleported to…

… the ninth floor of the Dragon’s Lair, a level with trolls and cyclops.

It would take some effort to get out, but they were royal knights after all. They would survive.

…

…

…

Next Time

The struggles of the knights who are repeatedly teleported to the dungeon and Ryuu’s request to capture him from the Adventurer’s Guild.

Don't miss it!