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"Mmm... I slept well."
As I sat up while rubbing my sleepy eyes, I found that everyone had already finished their morning preparations.
"Good morning, Master Lloyd. It seems the guide sent by the Queen has arrived. Come, let us get you changed quickly."
Sylpha said this as she began undressing me.
Now that she mentioned it, the Queen had mentioned yesterday that she would send someone to show us around the city.
Peering out the window, I saw a man standing at the entrance of the inn, dressed as flashily as a carnival barker. He held a flag inscribed with phrases like "Welcome to Elfrieden" and "Sightseeing Ambassador," and his clothes and hat were adorned with vibrant primary colors like red and yellow, drawing an immense amount of attention from everyone nearby.
"...He's certainly flamboyant. He stands out like a sore thumb."
"He's drawing quite a crowd out of curiosity. It’ll be a hassle if a mob forms, so let's head down quickly," Ren of the Poison Moth said while wiping my face.
True. I had a lot to do, and lounging around would be a waste of time.
Once I finished my preparations in a hurry and stepped out of the inn, the man caught sight of me and called out as if he had been waiting for this very moment.
"You’ve finally come out! You kept me waiting far too long, dear customer. Now, they say the customer is God, but that’s strictly a matter of the provider’s mindset; it doesn't mean the customer gets to do whatever they please, you know? If I weren't such a man of peace, I’d be giving you a piece of my mind right about now. Keep that in mind, if you please!"
"This needlessly long-winded speech..."
Black hair, black eyes, a medium build, average height, and a plain face. He had a look that would normally fail to leave any impression at all, but his characteristic way of speaking ruined everything. It was him—the Holy King.
He was the one who reigned at the top of the Holy King Court as a messenger of God; specifically, he was an eccentric whose Magical Song possessed the power to seal even Demon King Beal.
"Oh, if it isn't Lloyd-kun! What a coincidence to meet you in a place like this, seriously!"
"What are you doing here, for that matter?"
Not too long ago, we had worked together to resolve the incident in the Celestial Realm, after which he was supposed to have returned to the Holy King Court. Why was he in a place like this?
"Hmm, it’s a long story if I explain it all, but to put it simply... I suppose I was stranded?"
"Stranded...? Didn't you come by carriage? I'm certain it was waiting for you when we parted ways."
"That’s true! But while I was doing a li—ttle sightseeing in Saloom, they ended up leaving without me! It was only for about three days, so isn't that just cruel? ...Well, I figured walking home for once wouldn't be so bad, so I was trudging along. Then I looked at a map and realized that if I went through this forest, it would be a shortcut! And then, before I knew it, I had wandered off the path."
"He's a fool, Master," Grimo muttered.
"He's an idiot, Master," Jiriel added.
Grimo and Jiriel looked at the Holy King with identical faces of exasperation.
This was the Forest of Bewilderment, a magical domain one couldn't enter without proper preparation. Even if it were just a normal forest, it would be impossible for the Holy King—who could hardly use any magic—to traverse it on foot.
"No, no, it’s not like I was without a plan, you know?! I tried to use my Magical Song to command the forest animals and have them lead me to the other side... It just seems they didn't understand the concept of 'the other side of the forest,' so we just ended up going around the woods in circles!"
"He really is a fool, Master."
"He really is an idiot, Master."
The thoughts of us humans don't translate to animals of different species. Even if they can be made to follow some instructions, they are strictly limited to short, simple commands. Issuing a complex order like cutting through a forest to reach the other side is impossible... although Alieze-neesan, the animal charmer, might be able to pull it off.
"And so, as I was wandering through the forest, I reached this country without even realizing it and was rescued by the Elves. Honestly, I have wonderful luck! I suppose it’s thanks to my daily conduct? Ha, as expected of me—I am the being closest to God, after all! Hahaha!"
"That's nothing to brag about..."
"He likely isn't thinking at all..."
Grimo and Jiriel directed cold stares at the laughing Holy King. He was as flighty as ever. Even I would act with more foresight than that.
However, quite a bit of time must have passed since the incident, so I wondered why he hadn't gone home yet. The Elves were kind enough that they likely would have escorted him to the edge of the forest... Perhaps he was staying to pay back the debt of their care? He might actually be the type to feel a sense of gratitude.
"So he is the famous Holy King... How should I put it? My image of him is crumbling..." Sylpha remarked.
"Yeah, he's just... messy?" Ren of the Poison Moth added.
"How cruel!"
Wounded by their scathing evaluations, the Holy King collapsed theatrically.
Now that I thought about it, this was the first time Sylpha and the others had met him directly. ...And there was something I had wanted to ask him if I ever saw him again.
"By the way, Holy King, about Guisarm..."
"Now, let's go, let's go! This is the job of a Sightseeing Ambassador! I’ll guide you through every little detail of the Land of the Elves, so be sure to thank me!"
My words were drowned out before I could finish.
The Demon I had defeated previously, Guisarm, had been with the Holy King. I had wanted to ask about that connection... well, thinking logically, the Holy King was likely using his song to control him.
His Magical Song displayed extraordinary power against the Demon race. It wouldn't be strange if he were able to revive even a vanished Guisarm.
Well, even if he were to attack again, I could finish him in an instant now, so it didn't really matter. ...Besides, Ren of the Poison Moth was here. It might bring back painful memories for her, so there was no need to go out of my way to bring it up.