Summoned Slaughterer Chapter 24: Welcome to the Black Parade

Clown: Howdy folks, guess whos here!

Pierrot: Who? A fool?

Clown: No, a clown!

Pierrot: And who the hell would you be?

Clown: Clearly a nobody

Pierrot: So why are you introducing yourself?

Clown: So that people know who translated this chapter!

Pierrot: And who would that be?

Clown: The two-person in one bodyClown and Pierrot!

At the break of dawn Hifumi and the others had departed the border. After simply passing through Fokalore, they quickly, they sped towards the Imperial Capital.

After storing their carriage away, they proceeded on horseback. Origa and the others were not carrying people, so Alyssa clung to Hifumis back riding the sa horse.

Goshujin-sama, what would you be planning to do from now on?

As Pajo had said, I will et Iraria. Ill summarize the matters at that point, so do wait until then. And though it may be early, but upon reaching the capital I intend to discuss your release; so I intend.

But if we dont catch Beirevra, we wont be able to prove our innocence, would we?

Her horse running parallel, Kasha looked back on the road representing the bright and cheerful days.

Beirevras na appears in the docunts procured from Vichy. Labeling him as the Centers Spy, even. And though Arycelles testimony, who is being escorted as we speak, is also necessary, what we have and know should suffice for the ti being.

The Vichy conspiracy of the Viscount led to two won adventurers falsely accused and reduced to re slaves. These two girls were singled out by the quasi-knight and adventurer with a secret mission Hifumi, and even rescued a girl who was about to be killed by her allies.

Furthermore, the declaration to the rest of the country had also been decided, prompting Pajo to request that they pass along this ssage to Iraria.

Will it be alright?

Listening to Hifumis explanation, Alyssa felt as if she were being treated as so tragic heroine.

After reaching the Capitals vicinity without a major problem, they saw a number of knights standing beside the road.

Yo, its been a while

One of the knights was Midas.

Dropping of his horse, Hifumi raised his hand and called out.

It has been a long ti, Hifumi-san

Whats up, why so formal?

Its not about . The information Hifumi-san had delivered. It has caused the Imperial Castle to fall into a panic. For the ti being, Queen Iraria herself has announced this incident to the people, and has decided to reward you for your efforts.

Hifumi neither planned nor wanted neighboring countries to find the current absence of a king and financial difficulty as an ideal ti to push their luck. However, the current state was too bizarre for them to ignore. Thus, using the Queens permit and the fact that he had entered Vichy quite a few tis, Hifumi had chosen to bring about so grand result and immobilize them by proclaiming Vichys errors.

Up to this point, Iraria should have amassed quit so support. She was manipulating the temporary, just-crowned prince and guiding the nation as its true leader.

Moreover, they have been discussing the matter of your promotion

Whether I will beco a knight?

No that

Hifumi, who had already beco a rumor in the guild, was so flashy in dealing with Vichy that the castle town broke out into wild revelries. With no one discussing the possibility of war, proclaiming him a hero who had appeared during this peaceful ti, the common folk could not help but feel touched but a story of a young man carrying out wons tragic revenge and saving them in the process.

So to punish Hifumi now, considering that the citizens are still recovering from their Kings sudden death, would only lead to animosity between the people and the crown.

Though it is not yet decided, the title is bound to be well above a common knight. We have co to escort Hifumi-san to the castle and protect you from the crowd. Contrary to our expectations, you have arrived quite quickly.

And, since youll be promoted to a rank above a knightabove , so will call you a hero and others will give outright ignore you Midas bitter smile seed to convey; Hifumi acknowledged and asked for a carriage to be prepared.

Frankly, we too had thought that Hifumi-san would be moving more discretely. Even after becoming a noble, we had figured you wanted a freer lifestyle

Dont expect to move according the wishes of nobles or countries

After a carriage had been prepared, Hifumi jumped on his horse and looking down on Midas, laughed.

I had intended to create this situation.

Eh?

Even so, I did not expect to stand out this much. Well, its been a long ti; lets go et Iraria.

Hifumi went off ahead, and Midas hurried to catch up.

A large group of people had gathered by the front gate awaiting the heros return.

Whether prompted by a lack of happenings in the past years, and due to the rumor that Hifumi would be soon arriving, the people had gathered at the gate to catch a glimpse of this hero who fought for justice and save the two enslaved beauties and the lovely girl.

Even when the King had passed away suddenly from illness, the people did not react with such interest; and though the fact that it was a funeral, the castle towns silence could be attributed to the fact that they took it as a strangers problem.

The people even brought out food stalls, displaying the strength of the citys economic appetite.

In so sense, I too am a traitor from Vichy, but I had not expected this kind of welco

Alyssa, who was in the cart, began crying from nervousness upon seeing the great uproar that the city was in.

Seems like we Kasha and I wont be treated as Goshujin-samas extras this ti around.

Seriously, it will be what it will be. I often dont understand what Goshujin is thinking, but I cant do anything about it at this point.

From Hifumi and Midas conversation, the three understood that they too had to accompany Hifumi to the castle. Which caused them to worry.

Sitting in the coachns seat, having just admitted to giving up on understanding Hifumis ways, Kasha felt anxious to enter the Castle for the first ti.

And while the wheels of the carriage turned, the gates opened releasing a flood people, who, as if finally having found Hifumis group, raised their voices.

Kasha. Stop for a second in front of the gate

Understood

Nodding to Hifumis instructions, Kasha dropped the speed.

And coming straight to the gate, stopping his horse, Hifumi addressed the crowd.

Open a path! I must go atone for my sins to Her Highness Iraria!

The people, who had been awaiting a heros triumphant return, were bewildered by his words. They turned to each other, murmuring.

I have heard from the knights who had co to et . That you have co to accept most favorable. And you have my gratitude! But, I have crossed the border, and killed a man to save a little girl. Thus, I have exceeded my authority and betrayed Her Highness trust For this reason, I have co to confess my sin and accept my punishnt!

The commotion only exasperated.

But these girls are not at fault! So I have co to tell Her Highness! Should I perish at the gallows tomorrow, I but ask that you welco these girls warmly in my place!

Imploring the people with grand gestures, o how did Hifumi appear to the people! Although he too was a noble, for the sake of the people no, for the sake of slaves and people of another country he was willing to accept a punishnt, and to save themappear before the queen.

Moreover, upon his urging Arisa and Origa leaned out of the carriage. Including the driver, these were the girls he intended to protect; their young faces evoked in the people a desire to protect the girls.

Those children are the slaves you say

They were made slaves by those bastards at Vichy you know!

That knight-sama, though he is a little short, what a wonderful man

His aura is very different from other knights, no?

They were going to kill that little girl?

What demons those bastards at Vichy are!

A murmur of truth and gossip spread among the crowd, but every mouth sang Hifumi praise and expressed pity for Origa and the other girls.

While the murmur continued to spread, Hifumi urged his horse forward intending to et the Queen and bowed slightly requesting the people to clear him the way.

The gathering parted creating a path from the gate all the way to the royal castle.

And with a humble expression on his faith, Hifumi continued forward.

When he looked back, he saw Kasha frozen from anxiety in the coachmans seat, and Midas corps with a sour expression on their faces.

As they advanced through the street, myriad voices called to Midas group asking them to save Hifumi. Unable to accept nor deny the request, the knights decided to avoided making eye contact with anyone in the crowd which only increased the peoples anxiety; as a result, the crowd only grew louder.

(The knights too are unused to this, huh. Now then, what are the Queens thoughts?)

When Hifumi raised his gaze to the castle he saw a single girl standing on the balcony.

When Hifumi passed through the castle gate, the steel gate closed behind him.

Since he was advanced leisurely through the city, the people faithfully led him all the way to the castle. On the other side of the gate, so loudly petitioned the crown for rcy while others loudly criticized it.

Hifumi got off his horse, and the three girls exited the carriage.

Please leave the horses to . If you please, et with her Highness

Alright

Leaving the horses to Midas, they were lead into the castle by a single knight.

The knights on the inside, unlike the ti when Hifumi had first left the castle, were now looking at him with gazes full of wonder.

Since their gazes were also focused on Alyssa, Origa, and Kasha, the girls felt ill at ease.

Please wait in this room

The knight said, and the maid opened the door.

Prior to entering, Hifumi said,

Thank you for showing in. But the three people hiding inside the room, youre a bother: get out

Feeling the presence of a few people inside the room, the maid look inquisitively at Hifumihaving no idea what he was talking about, but the knight started to tremble.

Pajo and Midas would not do sothing like this, but the first division of the castle knights must not have heard yet of Hifumis abilities.

W-what are you

Dont play dumb well, I guess its fine

After entering the room, Hifumi stabbed his blade into the wall behind a decorative vase and the wall on the other sidedecorated by a painting.

He could hear so muffled voices on the other side, and blood flowed from the floor.

The guy in the ceiling seems to have run off, huh. YouI wont be as forgiving next ti

Stunned by Hifumis performance, the knights looked towards the place where their comrades now lay dead, and left in a panic.

The maid, unable to understand the transpired, just stood dumbfounded.

Could I get so tea? For a few people

P-please wait a mont!

Calling out to the maid, Hifumi flopped onto the sofa. He didnt really have an attitude of soone who ca to attone for his sins.

You havent forgiven any of them

I did forgive that guy, though?

While retorting to Kashas comnt, talking about the ceiling guy whom he let go, Hifumi tossed the katana into the storage.

You guys sit down, too. We still have lots of work to do

Perhaps wondering why the tea was late, Hifumi stretched his body with an aloof expression on his face; seeing this, the girls anxiety could only grow.

Her Royal Highness, Queen Iraria!

While Hifumi was casually sipping so tea, a maid knocked on the door and so announced.

And after the maid moved from the door, Iraria entered. Seeing two pools of blood, she frowned.

Please have the knight who escorted him here brought before later

She told the maid who placed the tea at her seat, and ordered that no one is to enter this chamber for a while. Iraria then sat facing Hifumi.

She was just as dignified and beautiful as when they had first t.

Its been a while, eh. I heard youre handling things pretty well around here

If possible, I would have preferred not to et you but I have caused you great inconvenience with Duke Lagraens and Viscount Hagentis incidents. Moreover, the n here have also acted excessively

Iraria directed her gaze at the blood stained floorboards.

Dont sweat it. Besides, Im putting your third knight corps to good use

Now then, you have sothing to tell ?

Ah, before that, I believe theres sothing on your mind, no?

Sighing heavily, the Queens eyes wandered off Hifumi and focused on Alyssa.

So you would be Alyssa, right? I have received the report

Y-yes! Umm what what is my fate?

With a gentle smile, Iraria tried to convey as much gentleness in her voice as possible,

Dont worry. You will be treated as this countrys citizen. If you so desire, how about working here in the castle?

Umm, about that I have yet to repay my debt to Hifumi-san.

I see. Feel free to co to my side at any ti

T-thank you

Smiling at Alyssa one more ti, Iraria returned her gaze to Hifumi.

You have handled things well, I see

Yeah, sohow

That was sarcasm

I know

Sipping her tea, Iraria continued.

I have received Pajos report. Since it ca from her, it covers the information contained in the docunts in your possession. And thanks to the commotion outside, my hands are rather tied, so Ill have to recognize Hifumi-sama as a hero and have our ambassadors to Vichy and Holanto pass along so unpleasant news to them

Moreover, Iraria continued,

Origa-san, Kasha-san

Yes!

Origa replied while Kasha stood poised.

Because of this countrys putrid nobles you have found yourself degraded to slaves; as a representative of the royal family who controls the nobles, I express my deepest apology. I apologize for my inability to do so publicly and hope that you will accept my apology

Your Highness, while we do regret becoming slaves, we have not faced any misfortune after being bought by Goshujin-sama. Moreover, we were able, with these hands of ours, to carry out revenge

Kasha rely nodded at Origas words, unable to decide whether or not she had the right to address the Queen herself. Honestly, however, like Alyssa, she was rather poor with words.

Your words put my heart at ease. Since yours is a special case, I will have the castle magicians release your slave crest. Well have this done imdiately, so please live freely from now on

We thank you for showing such unexpected benevolence

Origa and Kahsa deeply lowered their heads.

Furthermore, I would like to have Hifumi-sama beco a Viscount and rule over Fokalore and the surrounding villages in place of Viscount Hagenti.

Oh? I have co to receive a punishnt though?

Please stop joking around. If we were to punish Hifumi we would lose the goodwill of the people. Did you seriously expect to do sothing so thoughtless?

Hifumi was once again taken aback by how well Iraria carried herself as a statesperson. At the sa ti, he decided to make as much use of her as he could.

My bad. Ill gladly accept the title. Nor could I hope for a better land

Hope? Are you planning sothing again?

Iria asked with concern on her face; Hifumi rely sipped so tea and answered.

I will crush Vichy. So gruesoly that they will never think to cross paths again

And the look on his face stole everyones breath away