Chapter 11
“Ah, excuse me! Allow me to introduce myself…”
The Guild Master hunched over slightly as he spoke,
his posture gradually bending under the sheer pressure radiating from me, the Black Knight.
Cold sweat poured down his face as his back grew lower and lower,
until finally, bowing deeply, he offered me his business card with trembling hands.
“Hmm.”
I nodded solemnly and accepted it.
“Have you come here for some specific purpose, Sir Black Knight?”
“Ah… yes.”
“Might I inquire as to the nature of your business?
As the Guild Master, I may be able to assist with your needs…”
Oh crap.
There’s no way I can just say “I ran away from home to goof off.”
But wait—this might be my chance!
If I play this right, maybe I can gloss over the whole ‘I caused a panic by bringing a pet dragon to Japan’ situation!
“Heh… kukuku…”
A small laugh escaped my lips.
“Ugh…” The Guild Master’s heart skipped a beat.
He froze, terrified.
What kind of outrageous demand is coming?
No matter what it is, I must fulfill it—for the sake of Japan!
After all, this was the savior of the Hero Party…
No, the savior of Japan itself!
He resolved in that instant to do whatever it took to meet my request.
“…”
“…”
“Well, you see, it’s… uh…”
“Yes!?”
Crap, what’s the right answer here?!
Something vague… something harmless…
Oh! That girl from before—the one who was attacked by thugs!
I wonder if she’s doing okay?
That could work! That sounds heroic!
“I came to check up on things,” I declared.
“…On this country, perhaps?”
“Huh? The country?”
I replied absentmindedly, my voice cracking embarrassingly at the end.
“Ah—no, never mind!”
The Guild Master’s cold sweat intensified.
Did I overstep? he thought.
But maybe… maybe he really is checking on Japan itself!
He’s observing the nation—to see if it’s worth saving!
If he deems it worthless, maybe he’ll abandon us like before!
Wait, what?
I just wanted to check on those girls, not… the whole country!
How am I supposed to check on an entire nation?!
I don’t even know everyone in my own country!
The Guild Master—this sweaty old guy—looked like he was catching a fever.
I didn’t want to risk catching it myself, so I decided to leave.
I turned my back on him.
“Please wait! Sir Black Knight!
A-ah, allow me to be your guide!
Surely you’re unfamiliar with the area!
If you find my service unsatisfactory,
you may take my head in exchange—but please, allow me to help!”
I turned around slowly.
“I don’t need it.”
The Guild Master slumped to his knees in despair.
Huh? What does he mean, “take his head”?
Why would I even want that?!
Do I look like some kind of severed-head collector?!
How did this conversation even get here?!
Someone please explain!
…Still, I guess having a guide wouldn’t hurt.
I don’t know the way around here, and I don’t have any local currency.
Maybe I can borrow some money from this overly eager old man.
He’s desperate to tag along anyway.
Though now that I think about it… is he really the Guild Master?
He’s starting to seem kinda sketchy.
“I don’t need your head!
But… hmm… I might let you guide me—depending on my mood.”
I said it with a supremely arrogant tone.
Hey, don’t judge me!
I am a prince.
I’ve been trained to act all high and mighty.
Deep down though… I’m just a socially awkward mess.
