The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

A dazzling woman in her thirties wearing a magnificent dress.

Rifare, as she introduced herself -- Her Majesty the Queen of Stoania, laughed as if mocking herself.

"Well, the royal position in this country is just for show. Politics are decided by democratic resolution in a parliamentary system, and there's no aristocracy, so there's no bloodline principle. Even my recommendation as queen had aspects of gathering votes from the citizens. So there's no need to be overly formal, young man."

"I see."

It seems the politics here are completely different from Mataisa.

If anything, it might be closer to Japan.

Well, if the queen herself has given permission not to be on guard, that makes things easier for me.

"I'm the adventurer Ruruk. The one sleeping over there is my party member Seori. This elf is Karmarike. Though Karmarike isn't an adventurer."

"Ruruk-dono, I've known about you for about a year. Aren't you the top dungeon conqueror in our country?"

"You knew about me? Then, about Seori too?"

"Of course. The princess of Bargia becoming an adventurer caused quite a stir in the inter-country parliament. No country wants to intervene unnecessarily and risk angering the moody Dragon King."

"...I understand that feeling."

It seems I'm not the only one troubled by that doting parent.

Rifare cleared her throat and continued,

"Ruruk, you have done us a great service. As the queen, let me express my deepest gratitude."

"Your words are too kind. I would be troubled if Stoania disappeared too. I have many friends here, and this country is one of my favorite places."

"Hmm, those are pleasing words."

Rifare and I laughed together.

Just as I thought we might be able to build a good relationship--

"Your Majesty! We can't have you acting on your own like this!"

The one who burst into the room was a small man with a goatee.

He looked at me with his thick eyebrows furrowed.

"W-We haven't decided how to deal with this person yet. As he's an adventurer from another country, the parliament is still debating how to respond. It's too hasty for Your Majesty to make contact. Please return to your room immediately."

"Fool. What kind of national representative doesn't even offer a word of thanks to the hero who saved our country while leisurely discussing?"

"Even so, is it necessary for you alone to come and offer thanks unofficially? If anything were to happen to Your Majesty, it could become the responsibility of the entire parliament."

"I don't care about the parliament. You just don't want to take responsibility, do you?"

"If you're going to say that, then Your Majesty, didn't you just give in to your curiosity?"

"Fufu fu."

"Please don't laugh it off."

The goateed man sighed in exasperation.

He seems like someone who's been through a lot.

The small, goateed old man let out a big sigh and bowed his head to me.

"Ruruk-dono, I apologize for Her Majesty disturbing your rest. Pardon my late introduction, I am Suparo. I'm serving as the speaker of the parliament this term."

"Thank you for your courtesy. I'm Ruruk."

"Now then, I'll be taking Her Majesty back. Ruruk-dono and your companions, please relax until the preparations for the victory celebration are complete."

"...Victory celebration?"

"Yes. We plan to hold a celebration for defeating the Maguu Empire's army in the plaza in front of the castle this evening. We'd like Ruruk-dono to attend. It won't be a formal affair, so please feel free to join us casually."

"I see. Understood."

If I don't need to be too formal, I can participate in something like that.

Actually, the mood seems surprisingly welcoming.

"But Suparo-san, is this okay? Aren't the politicians wary of me?"

"Wary? How could we be! The debate in parliament is about what level of courtesy to extend to the hero. Whether to treat you as an S-rank adventurer from another country or as the highest level of state guest, that's the kind of discussion we're having."

"I see. But despite that, it seems you've hidden soldiers ready to kill me at any time?"

"Eh?"

"What did you say?"

Suparo's eyes widened.

Rifare, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes and glared around the room.

"W-Who would do such a foolish thing..."

"Ruruk-dono, is this true?"

"Yes. There are fifteen people surrounding just this room."

"Can you prove it?"

"If you don't mind it being a bit rough."

"I don't mind. I give you permission. Do it."

"Then -- [Rending Bullet]."

The hidden soldiers, who must have been listening to our conversation, tried to quickly escape.

Before they could, I shot small rending bullets at the same spot on each of their ankles.

"Gyaaah!"

I directly burst their nerves, so they were hit with pain worse than an injury.

As screams were heard from all around, Rifare frowned.

"...Indeed. It seems there are those who would do such an outrageous thing."

"W-Who's there! Capture them immediately and find out who gave the order!"

When Suparo shouted, soldiers rushed into the room and began searching the hidden passages and ceiling.

Soon, all fifteen were restrained. They all had their faces hidden and were bleeding from their feet.

They were probably just following orders to keep watch, and it's not necessarily wrong as a national response. The rending bullet might have been a bit excessive, but I hope they take it as punishment for making Karmarike anxious.

"I've taken revenge for you, Karmarike..."

"But I didn't die though."

As we were joking like this, Suparo was on his knees, bowing deeply.

"I sincerely apologize! As the representative of parliament, I, Suparo, don't know how to express my regret! We will immediately find the mastermind and deliver appropriate punishment!"

"Please raise your head. I understand it as a political decision, so I'm not angry."

"What generous words!"

Well, they were skilled professionals that wouldn't have been noticed without x-ray vision skills.

As Suparo continued to apologize, we were asked to change rooms. Since I'm not brave enough to relax in a place where fifteen dangerous people have just been captured, I gratefully accepted the room change.

Just as Seori woke up, we moved to a larger room than before.

High-quality tea and sweets were prepared for us, and this time we truly relaxed, just the three of us. Seori, who loves sweets, happily dug into the confections.

While waiting for the victory celebration, Suparo brought a bag of gold coins as an apology. He also reported that they had identified the parliament member who had ordered the dangerous watch on us, and who had arranged to have us killed depending on the order. He was immediately expelled and sentenced to imprisonment.

I wasn't particularly interested in that, but I had no reason to defend him, so I just nodded silently.

Also, when I asked if it was alright to send Karmarike back to the Elf village soon, she shook her head.

"Absolutely not. I've heard that Karmarike-dono's archery skills left even our archer corps speechless. We'd very much like her to attend the victory celebration."

"But I don't have a dress or anything?"

Karmarike's outfit is the light gear she wore for patrolling the forest when she was kidnapped-- ahem, when I brought her along. It's not suitable for a party.

"Then we'll prepare something for you. This way, please."

A waiting maid said this and took Karmarike away.

Shortly after, Karmarike returned wrapped in an expensive dress made of spring green fabric with gold embroidery.

Seori stopped eating her sweets in surprise.

"S-So cute..."

"Hehe, it's embarrassing."

Karmarike laughed shyly.

As expected of an elf. When dressed up, she really looked like a sculpture.

"...Ruruk-sama, how do I look? This is my first time wearing something like this, so I'm not sure..."

"It suits you very well. You look as delicate as a new flower bud opening towards the morning sun."

"Mmmmm."

When I accidentally activated my noble skill, Karmarike's face turned bright red.

The maid behind Karmarike nodded in satisfaction at my response.

While this was going on, the time for the victory celebration arrived.

We were led by the maid who came to escort us to the plaza in front of the royal castle, but--

"And this is the hero who saved our country, the adventurer Ruruk, who defeated many monsters with a single blow!"

"Waaaaaah!"

Thunderous applause echoed.

...I was naive.

I thought the queen would declare the end of the war, and then there would be a festival of drinking and singing throughout the royal capital.

Well, I wasn't wrong about that. Stalls were lined up everywhere, alcohol was being served, and people were happily singing and dancing.

However, I didn't expect to be this conspicuous.

We were standing on top of the outer wall of the royal castle. Below us was the plaza in front of the castle, and a crowded mass of people was looking up at us.

The one giving the speech was the fierce-looking Knight Commander. Next to him were Her Majesty the Queen and the Guild Master. The Knight Commander was holding a microphone in his hand, and his voice was coming from speakers set up throughout the royal capital.

As expected of Stoania, the great nation of theoretical magic. It seems they had already developed broadcasting equipment.

And the three of us were positioned to be the most noticeable on the castle wall.

The Knight Commander continued in his booming voice,

"You must have heard of him! The young adventurer who cleared the 100th floor of our country's dungeon nearly a year ago! This is that Ruruk! He gallantly rushed to our country's aid and destroyed countless monsters! He is our hero! Now everyone, praise the hero! Go Ruruk! Yay Ruruk!"

"Ruruk! Ruruk!"

What is this?

I thought the Knight Commander would be more stern. Isn't he a bit too cheerful?

"And be amazed, everyone! The one next to him is the dragon princess Seori-sama, the only daughter of the Dragon King Vasky Bargiria of Bargia! Despite her delicate appearance, her fighting form is fierce! The way she blew away terrifying monsters with her breath was truly befitting the dignity of the strongest species!"

"Dragon Princess! Dragon Princess!"

"Hmph, listen well, you mortals! Before me... evil shall not prosper!"

"Woooooah!"

Seori in chuunibyou mode is in top form. She looks like she's really enjoying herself.

"And listen closely! This lovely and beautiful elf girl is the bow saint who captivated our archer corps with just a single arrow! Her form when drawing the bow is graceful, and her godlike skill of slaying all distant enemies with a single arrow was like a goddess descending onto the battlefield! Her name is Karmarike! She is Ruruk-dono's lover!"

"Karmarike! Karmarike!"

"L-Lover..."

Karmarike covered her face with both hands.

Hey Knight Commander, what have you been saying all this time? Are you drunk?

"Of course, this result was only possible due to the achievements of many soldiers, adventurers, and mercenaries that I couldn't introduce! It was because of these unsung heroes that we were able to settle this war in just one day! The civil officials, officers, merchants, and citizens who supported us fighters... they too are nameless heroes! I am proud of this entire country! Heroes, let us sing, dance, and shout tonight!!"

"Ooooooh!"

In response to the Knight Commander's words as he raised his fist, hats and cups flew into the air all over the plaza.

After that, it was just a big commotion of drinking and singing.

People were linking arms with anyone and everyone, singing victory songs.

"That was a good speech. It will likely go down in history."

The queen applauded, praising the Knight Commander.

"Your words are too kind. I only did what I could."

"I see. Well then, from here on it's an informal gathering. You should enjoy yourself to the fullest."

"Yes. Then if you'll excuse me... here I go!"

The playful Knight Commander jumped down from the castle wall and charged into the plaza.

Rifare seemed to be in high spirits too, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Then I shall return as well. My husband is waiting in our room. You all should enjoy yourselves to the fullest tonight."

"We'll do just that."

The Guild Master nodded quietly, watching Rifare return to the castle with her soldiers.

Amidst the deafening uproar from the plaza, the Guild Master looked at me and said quietly,

"Hmm... so you've finally hidden all your stats."

"Yes. It became too troublesome to keep adjusting them minutely."

The Guild Master had noticed that my level had become 264.

However, it would be quite troublesome if others found out. Of course, the same goes for the change in my race.

That's why I've applied perception interference to the fullest so that nothing can be seen even if someone tries to appraise me now.

"I see. Well then, Ruruk, I have something important to discuss."

"What is it?"

"It's a bit too noisy here. Shall we go to my room?"

"Eh... what are you planning to do taking me to your private room? I'm straight, you know."

"What are you saying? Really, you never stop with the jokes."

Well, I was just kidding.

It's true that I'm not a citizen of this country, so I don't feel much joy about winning the war. I don't mind not participating in the festival, so I decided to accept his invitation.

We went to the guild, and he unlocked the closed guild door and went up the stairs. In the Guild Master's room on the third floor, when he closed the window, the noise became a little quieter.

"It's been a year since I came here. It's been a while since I've been in this room too."

"Has it only been a year? You've become strong so quickly."

"Well, half of it is cheating."

Half... or rather, it feels like it's all cheating.

It's all thanks to Roze.

"So, Guild Master, what did you want to talk about?"

"...I hesitated a bit too. But you all are already beyond common sense."

The Guild Master handed me some documents that were on his desk.

They were signed by the Guild Masters of Stoania, Bargia, and Mataisa, and read as follows:

"Regarding Ruruk, the leader of the S-rank party [Rozewill]:

He has mastered short and long-distance transfers, and has the ability to take down even S-rank monsters with just a short sword. He has single-handedly become a royal existence, and with just his intimidation skill, he can shut down an entire city. He has the power of annihilation, able to slay tens of thousands of monsters in a single blow. Recognized as one of the strongest on a world scale.

Regarding the magician Elenora:

Despite being a minor, she has mastered multiple forbidden magics, and her growth rate is abnormal. It is guaranteed that she will become a royal existence in magic -- a Demon King. In terms of technique and talent, there is no comparable existence in history. Like the leader Ruruk, she has the ability to take down S-rank monsters in a single hit. Recognized as one of the top magicians on a world scale.

Regarding the versatile swordsman Saaya Schreine:

This is confidential information, but she possesses the blessing of the Dragon God and is guaranteed to become a hero. The usefulness of her hero skills is high, and it is expected that she will become one of the strongest warriors, on par with Ruruk and Elenora. She is also excellent in intellect, able to gain the upper hand in negotiations with high-ranking nobles. She is already highly regarded as a person of integrity and has public opinion on her side.

Regarding Dragon Princess Seori Bargiria:

She is, needless to say, of the strongest species - a True Dragon. With a single breath, she can slay hundreds of high-ranking monsters and has the power to destroy even underground dungeons. Despite being royalty of the sky's rulers, she diligently carries out her duties as an adventurer. For better or worse, she operates on a large scale, but she is obedient to Ruruk and is honest and pure. We hope she will continue to be an ally of humanity.

Regarding the pure swordsman Nagi:

This is confidential information, but she is a demon species unable to use magic. However, she excels in martial arts and can outmaneuver even SS-rank level vanguards, with the ability to cut down any kind of magic. Although her level is still low and her stats are not high, she is currently undefeated in close combat. Even the aforementioned Ruruk has lost to her in close combat, and she serves as the combat skills instructor for the party. As her level increases, there is a high possibility that she will become one of the strongest vanguards on a world scale.

These are the combat strength evaluations for [Rozewill]."

"...And that's the gist of it," the Guild Master said.

The Guild Master folded the documents and put them in an envelope.

Oh, it seems they're quite appreciative of us. That makes me happy.

With a broad smile on my face, I looked at the cover of the envelope... and froze.

"Huh?"

"To: The Supreme Commander of the Adventurers' Guild

Regarding the SSS-rank recommendation for the S-rank adventurer party [Rozewill]"