#32 – Invitation
The great sword rotated in the air.
The katana that had been swept up, as if being wound back, had knocked the blade out of the man’s hands.
And then in the next instant, the katana was pressed against the man’s throat.
‘And the victor is Yukito!!’
And then crowds cheered.
A battle to determine the strongest in the empire.
The spectators were especially passionate about it, and it was not unusual to hear booing, if it did not live up to their expectations.
In other words. These cheers and standing ovations showed that he was being accepted as someone real.
“See? See? It’s just as I said.”
The woman jumped with excitement. Next to her, Thomas Fildio held a camera in one hand and muttered vaguely.
The excited woman was called Konomi Abanesy. A reporter who had also witnessed Yukito’s fights in Viskinel.
Though, Thomas had not believed half of it.
After all, recently, the majority of winners came from the capital or the south city of Almatio. They were just on a different level from the other cities.
Especially Almatio, which was a direct neighbor of the Cecilia Kingdom. A potential enemy. They had the finest soldiers and due to having more monsters, high level Hunters.
The only winner from Viskinel was the Hunter they called Behemoth.
“No! There is no doubt about it! Yukito will be this year’s winner! You must allow me to interview him! He will recognize me!”
She declared. Thomas sighed.
While she was passionate, she also tended to make big mistakes. Especially during times like these.
He hoped it would not be the case, but… He looked ahead, and saw someone unexpected.
(McClain Barrows…?)
His eyes widened. The Gold Lion was usually busy in the imperial castle or army headquarters, and was rarely seen in public. After all, he was a number one target when it came to enemy assassination attempts.
Why was he here now…?
(Could it be…)
Thomas looked down at the young man who was sheathing his blade.
Had the Gold Lion come to see him?
“…Hey. Konomi. I suppose you really can get an appointment?”
“Huh? Well, uh…maybe…”
“You already said it once, so you must do it no matter what. If possible, an exclusive interview.”
“What!?”
Thomas pulled out his portable device from his pocket.
It was instinct. As a reporter.
…The smell of a big story.
“Yeah, it’s me. There’s something I need you to look up for me…”
◆ ◇ ◆
After the day’s fights had ended, we reunited with Ms. Iria and the others.
And then we returned to the hotel, where a single man was waiting for us.
“Excuse me, but are you Mr. Yukito?”
He said with a bow. An elegant looking man in perfect butler uniform. He appeared to be in his 30s, which was much younger than Mr. Gre, who worked for the Count.
However, he was just as professional, and seemed to embody what a butler should be.
“It is an honor to make your acquaintance. Allow me to introduce myself.”
He said, while handing me a card.
“What!”
Ms. Iria gasped as she looked at it.
Ms. Aize and Ms. Sherry was also surprised.
After seeing that I was puzzled, Ms. Iria whispered into my ear.
“This coat of arms. It is the Prime Minister.”
“…Prime Minister?”
Only the most powerful nobles had coats of arms.
The Prime Minister was at the top of that. The brains of the empire. The Black Prime Minister.
“And what business would he have with me?”
“Someone who is very important to you, is staying with him as a guest. And he would very much like to meet you tonight.”
Upon hearing those words, I immediately thought of the old man.
He had been at the opening ceremony.
However…
“He really wants to see me?”
The man nodded.
“Teacher. I don’t think it would be a good idea to refuse the Prime Minister…”
“…”
Ms. Sherry said as she saw me hesitating.
I knew that I should not refuse. If he really did want to see me, then there was no option but to go.
In the end, I nodded, and the butler thanked me with a bow and smiled.