Stupid Heroes ~We Draft Candidates~ (WN): Chapter 61

 

Chapter 61: The Power of the Luine Kingdom

 The second day of the swordsmanship competition featured individual competitions.

 The final was, as most expected, a match between Yuya and Jin. Up to that point, the two had fought each other without any danger at all, and the result of the final match was also as most had predicted. The result of the finals was also in line with most expectations, with Yuya winning.

 Jin certainly had some awkwardness in his movements, as if he was still reeling from his defeat the day before. Even without that, however, there was no doubt that Yuya was the superior fighter.

 The title of hero. Yuya showed its value in a spectacular manner.

 At the venue where the battle was over, an award ceremony was being held. Yuya is standing in the center looking proud. The person who appeared in front of him as the award-giver was Princess Grace of the Luine Kingdom.

 Princess Grace was dressed in a luxurious pure white dress and adorned with glittering jewels. Protected by knights on her left and right, and flanked by many attendants, she walked out with a dignity befitting a princess of a great kingdom.

 Yuya and the other hero candidates who stood waiting to receive their awards were overwhelmed by the atmosphere that Princess Grace exudes.

"Yuya Kisaragi!"

"Yes!"

"It was a splendid battle worthy of the title of hero."

"Thank you"

"Your power must be used for justice."

"Yes"

"Good guidance will surely appear before you in the future."

"Yes"

"I look forward to that day."

"Yes!"

 This was a blatant solicitation that was not appropriate for an award ceremony. The person who received the invitation was elated by the invitation from the Luine Kingdom, which finally arrived.

 But that doesn't mean that no one complains about it upfront. At the most, they would have been annoyed at the guest of honor's presence.

"Did I underestimate them?"

"That's right. I don't think I was wrong in my evaluation of Princess Grace. But the subjects around her were worthy of the great kingdom of Luine."

"It was our fault that we were distracted by Princess Grace and did not see it."

"Maybe that's what she was there for, but it doesn't change the fact that we were set up."

"Is this settled?"

 For the first time, the Luine Kingdom revealed its will. However, it cannot be said that it is the final decision.

"There is that much difference in strength."

"But that's the result of the swordsmanship tournament."

"That's right. In other words, the situation is the same. What is the reason for this move?"

"If she's serious, she's trying to keep us in the dark."

"It could be a cover, too."

"Then why bother? It's business as usual."

"The same as before?"

 Jin was completely defeated. But will the Izrim Magic Kingdom still consider Jin as a candidate for the bidding? That's what Heinz meant by his question.

"...I have no other choice. And if one of us can't win, then two of us. If that doesn't work, then three. That was the plan from the beginning."

"But I'm not so sure about the second or third."

"Ara? That's not decided either. It could change."

"Not change, but change?"

"Either way is fine."

"Fumu. Do you have any idea who the second or third person might be?"

"You understand, don't you?"

"In short?"

"Even if I have an idea, I wouldn't tell you if I did or didn't."

"That's right"

 The movement of the Luine Kingdom, one of the major powers. This will cause things to move again in a big way. It is the Kingdom of Luine that has that much influence.

◇◇◇

 The Adventurers' Guild at dusk is bustling with adventurers who have returned after completing their requests.

 Most of them go to the tavern immediately after receiving their reward money, but there are also a few who eat a simple but not extravagant meal in the upstairs cafeteria.

 For low-ranked adventurers who have yet to earn much, the guild cafeteria is a very useful place with excellent cost performance.

 In the midst of such a crowded cafeteria, there was a group of people who were gloomy and somber. It was Jin and his group.

 They had come to the swordsmanship competition with a fair amount of confidence. However, the result was an unexpected defeat. It was impossible not to be depressed.

 Most of the faces had a somber look on them. Most faces, not all.

"You look happy, don't you?"

"Eh? No way? I'm so shocked and depressed."

 Akira answered Manami's question in a hurry.

"You are lying. Akira looks happy."

"......It's just Manami's imagination, isn't it?"

"But Akira was able to win against someone in Class B."

 In the competition, Akira beat the Class B students. He was causing what is called an upset.

"I only won the team match. I lost the individual match."

"But it was a good match. Aren't you happy?"

"……A bit"

 After being pursued by Manami many times, Akira finally admitted.

"See, I knew it"

"Because the opponent is Class B and the title is a knight. Isn't it amazing that I was able to fight with them on an equal footing?"

"I agree"

"That's something to be happy about, right?"

"Yes. I think so."

"It was worth the training. If you work harder, you will be able to win. I had such a good feeling."

 In this competition, Akira was able to realize the results of his training. He can't help but be happy that he was able to show his power, even though he was despised as a dropout.

"Yes. That was good."

"Right?"

"Shut up! Be quiet!"

 It was Riko who interrupted the lively conversation. Her eyes were glaring at Akira.

"Why don’t you think about the atmosphere of the place a little more?"

"I thought about it and stayed quiet."

 The reason Akira was holding back his happiness was because he was concerned about Jin, who had been defeated by Yuya.

"Then you have to be quiet all the time."

"Yeah, okay."

 Akira easily withdrew, but that didn't convince Manami.

"Akira did his best, so I think he should be happy."

"Manami, you, again, you're making a statement that disturbs the group."

"I didn't mean to do that"

"Even if you didn't mean it, it will happen as a result."

"That's Riko."

"What's that!?"

"Nothing..."

 Riko raised her voice. Manami remained unsatisfied, but she kept her mouth shut.

"...Enough. Lately, it's been like this. I wasn't sure about this, but I still think we should celebrate."

"Why do you say that?"

 Akira couldn't understand why they were going to celebrate after she had told him to be quiet.

"It's like a fresh start. We're going to make a fresh start and try to do our best again."

 She is giving a good reason for this, but Riko just wants to celebrate.

"...Why don't you ask the person who's the most depressed about it?"

"I'll do that. Hey, what do you think Jin?"

 Riko's tone when she talks to Jin is clearly different from before. This is also common these days.

"Celebrate..."

"If you don't like it, you don't have to push yourself."

"No, that's right. It didn't turn out the way I expected, but there's no doubt that I did my best."

"That's right."

"Let’s take a break and start over again."

 Jin knows that the people around him care about him. He felt sorry for it and he accepted to celebrate.

"So it's good then?"

"Yeah"

"I understand. Then, we need to find a restaurant as soon as possible. Do you know of any places?"

"I've been to one before."

"Was it good?"

"The taste was outstanding."

"Really? So that's where you want to go?"

"There..."

 His memories of that store include Kazuki. Jin suddenly remembered it.

"Is something wrong?"

"It's quite a luxury store"

 None of the people in his memory are here. Jin didn't feel like talking about his memories.

"Is it expensive? Is it impossible?"

"No, it's probably fine. Besides, my master is familiar with it, so I'll ask him how much it is."

"Yes. Then the first candidate is that store."

"Are you going to look for another place?"

"That's what being an organizer is all about. You're going to have to go with me, Jin."

"Me?"

"It's a change of pace. You've been so tense for so long, I think you need to take a break."

"Is that so?"

"That's right"

 Riko, who no longer hides her ulterior motives for Jin, makes the people around her look dumbfounded. Manami, in particular, is in a bad mood because of Riko's attitude, as if she had completely forgotten about Kazuki.

 This is also one of their daily routines.

◇◇◇

 Yuya, on the other hand, had a different experience.

"Welcome, please come. Yuya-sama."

"Ah, yes"

 The place where he was called was supposed to be the dormitory of the academy, but when he entered the entrance of the dormitory, he saw that many maids were welcoming him on the red carpet.

"Go ahead. Please come in. There are some steps, so please be careful."

 Saying that, the maid takes Yuya's hand and led him down the corridor.

"This way, please."

 The maid led the way down the corridor. The sound of the footsteps indicated that they were being followed by a number of other maids.

 Eventually, he was led to a room in the dormitory. There was nothing in the room that reminded him of a dormitory. There was only a large mirror hanging on the wall.

"Please change your clothes here."

"Eh?"

"I prepared the clothes here without permission. I hope you like it."

"Haa"

"Then, Yuya-sama, please change your clothes."

"Eh? No way?"

 The maids who came with him gathered around Yuya and took off his clothes one after another. Yuya was made to be naked in the blink of an eye. A soft gown was worn over it.

"……Clothes?"

"No, it's for bathing."

"Bathing?"

"Didn't you sweat? Well, let me wash it away."

"……Yes"

 Yuya's heart fluttered at the words of the maid, [I will wash you off]. The obscene imagination was floating around in his head.

"Well then, Yuya-sama. Let's go to the bathroom from that door."

"Ah, yeah"

 With the guidance of the maid, he proceeds to the door in the back of the room.

 It was a bathhouse. Ahead of them was a large stone bathhouse that looked like a swimming pool, but had a different atmosphere from Japanese public baths and hot springs.

"There is a bath like this in a place like this?"

"The bathhouse was originally there. We rebuilt it in a form suitable for our country."

"I see."

"Is this your first time in a bathhouse like this?"

"No, I've taken a bath like this before."

"I see. Then come here. Let's wash your body lightly first."

"Eh?"

"This way."

"Yeah"

 The indicated place was just before the stairs leading down to the bathtub. Yuya stood there.

"I'll pour you some hot water. Please tell me if it's hot."

 Saying so, the maid removed the gown from Yuya's body.

"…………"

 Yuya stood in the bathroom, naked.

 It was another maid who poured hot water on him. One of them lifted Yuya's arm, and the other slowly poured hot water on that arm. After checking Yuya's reaction, they quickened the force of the pouring. The other one rubbed his hand as she washed Yuya's body with the hot water.

 The hand of the maids moves from the arm to the neck, chest, upper body, and then to the lower body. Yuya's lower body was responding perfectly to this, but the maid was unconcerned.

"Now then, Yuya-sama. Let's soak in the hot water."

"……Yeah"

 Yuya is full of anticipation for what is to come. He tries not to let such feelings show on his face, but in his own mind, he tries to follow the maid's words and get down into the bathtub.

 The maids took his arms from both sides as if to support him. The two women soaked in the bathtub together. They were clad in white silk, but that was meaningless once they were soaked in the hot water. Their white skin and even the buds on the tips of their breasts were exposed.

 As Yuya soaked deeply in the hot water, the maids rubbed his body from both sides in the same way as before. Yuya's face was stained bright red due to the fact that it was different from being soaked in hot water.

"Then, I will polish your body for the last time. Please get up."

 Yuya wanted to stay in the same position forever, but he could not ignore the words of the maid. No, Yuya would have been able to say what he wanted to say under normal circumstances, but he was too excited right now to even think about it.

 Next, the maid invited him to a bed in a private room right next to the bathtub.

"I'll scrub off the grime here."

"Yes"

 This is no doubt. Yuya's chest throbbed more and more.

"Which one would you like?"

"Which?"

"I will let Yuya-sama choose whichever you want. If you want more than just the scrubbing, that is."

"That's?"

"I thought it would be better to calm your racing heart."

"……I see."

 It wasn't his feelings that were stirring, it was Yuya's lower body. Furthermore, even the desires in his heart that had been suppressed began to rise by the maid's words.

"Which maid would you like?"

"...I prefer you."

 The maids on both sides also have the appearance of being beautiful enough, but Yuya's favorite is the maid who is guiding him. The sharp and clear atmosphere was unbearable for Yuya right now.

"...I understand. I will be your partner."

"Yes. Then, please."

◇◇◇

 Even after he has done things with the maid as he wished, Yuya still feels like a complete king. Just standing there, his whole body is wiped with soft towels in every corner, and after cooling off in the breeze sent by the maids, he is made to put on new underwear and clothes.

 Even Yuya, who knows nothing about clothing in this world, was provided with what he could tell were fairly high-quality clothes.

 After the change of clothes, the original purpose of the event finally begins. Up to this point, it was just a preparation.

 Walking down the hallway of the dormitory, he arrived at the dining hall. The dining hall was so ornately decorated and furnished with such massive furniture that one couldn't tell what it looked like in its original state.

"Then please wait here."

 The maid told Yuya in a calm tone that gave no indication that there had been an affair. Yuya could not stand her attitude, but he did not say anything. Considering the person who will appear in the near future, this is not the time to be hitting on the maidens.

 The door opens almost at the same time as the maid leaves.

"Did I keep you waiting?"

 Princess Grace entered the dining room.

"No. Not at all."

 The dignity of a princess who does not allow him to harbor ulterior motives. Hearing that, Yuya's feeling of being a king was blown away in an instant.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation. You must be tired, having just finished a battle."

"No, I don't even feel tired at that level."

"That's right. Overwhelming victory, it was a battle just like the word."

"Thank you"

"This is the first time I've talked to you like this. I'll introduce myself again. I'm Princess Grace La Tour Luine of the Luine Kingdom."

"I'm Yuya Kisaragi."

"Since this is a great opportunity, I will introduce you to someone from our country. Come in!"

 In response to Princess Grace's call, several men enter and take their seats.

"Introduce yourself"

"Ha. Yuya-dono, nice to meet you. I'm Ryan Kelly, a knight belonging to the Platinum Knights of the Luine Kingdom. Nice to meet you."

"Yes"

 With his handsome face and robust body that showed that he was well-trained even over his clothes. Ryan was a rival for Yuya.

"Then, next is me. Rod Mayhim belonging to the Royal Guards of Luine Kingdom."

"Yes"

 Rod is not so good looking, but his intellectual atmosphere attracts people's attention.

"The last one is me. Hank Holding. I'm an unranked, unappointed official."

 Hank was the last to introduce himself. He has a presence that does not match his self-introduction of no rank and no authority.

"He is"

 Ryan added words with a wry smile.

"What do you mean?"

"Hank’s father is Otto Holding, the Prime Minister of the Luine Kingdom."

"The prime minister's son... and not an official?"

"He's a bad son. He's doing this job out of the courtesy of Her Royal Highness."

"Haa"

 Even Yuya knew that it was not what he said. He just didn't know how to respond.

"What do you think? The three of them are excellent young people who are said to be responsible for the future of the Luine Kingdom. I thought they would inspire each other."

"I see. Young aspiration from the Luine Kingdom is amazing."

 Saying that, so are Heinz and Hyde. The only reason Yuya said such words was because he was overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

"Aspiration is another world language, right?"

"Yes. Aspiration. It has the meaning of those who hope for the future."

"I see."

"Your Highness, would you like to have the meal delivered soon? Let’s talk while we eat."

"Yes. Let's have a meal."

 Then, the meal was brought. It also overwhelmed Yuya.

 Yuya lived in the mansion of the head of the Church Knights, but the wealth of the Church and the Luine Kingdom were different. And above all, the level of cultural development was very different. In a church-based country, it is difficult to develop a culture of luxury.

 The meal served in front of Yuya is just that. It was simply a dish made with extravagance.

"This is delicious"

"Does it suit your taste?"

"Yes. This is the first time I've had such a delicious meal in this world. I've never eaten it in my original world either."

"I see. That was good. I have to praise the chef later."

"I'm glad you invited me today. But why me? Until now, I had no contact with the Luine Kingdom."

 Yuya casually mentions that he has always been dissatisfied with it.

"I have to apologize for that. It's not that I was ignoring Yuya-dono. There was a reason why I couldn't have contact with you."

"Reason?"

"Our country boasts the largest territory on the continent."

"Yes, I know"

"Our army is strong, our country is prosperous, and the people live in peace."

"Yes"

"There are many countries that are jealous of that. There are more than one or two that would drag us down with them if they had to."

"……That's probably true"

 In Yuya's head, the faces of Heinz of the Lemberg Empire, and Hyde from the Izrim Magic Kingdom, are showing. Princess Grace said in a way that made him think so.

"In such a situation, what would happen if it was known that our country was trying to bid for Yuya-dono?"

"They'll get in the way?"

"That's right. They would try to discredit our country by telling you falsehoods."

"I see."

 And that's exactly what they will say to make him not believe what Heinz and Hyde say.

"Therefore, our country has hidden the hero candidate we will bid on."

"So why this time?"

"I thought it was about time to let people know about our country."

"But we have another year."

"If we want them to know, we want them to know thoroughly. Then one year will fly by."

"I agree"

"I want you to know the good points and bad points of our country. And I hope we can fix the bad points together."

"……Yes, I understand"

 Even though he should know the meaning of the words, Yuya easily spits out words of approval. It is a thoughtless statement, even if it is a bit of a stretch.

"I'm glad to hear a good answer. I'm sure you're tired today, so after you finish eating, please rest. We can talk more thoroughly tomorrow."

"I understand what you're saying, but what do you mean by rest?"

"I'll prepare a room for you. I'll let the maid guide you later."

"Room..."

 Room and maid. With these two words, Yuya no longer felt compelled to say no.

"For the time being, you should go to the academy from here. Our country's history, politics, and military affairs. There are too many things to teach you."

"…That’s right. I will do so."

◇◇◇

 As soon as he finished eating, Yuya enthusiastically went to the prepared room with the guidance of the maid. That way, she knew exactly what Yuya was thinking.

 When the presence disappeared, Princess Grace erased her smile and opened her mouth.

"I'm glad I didn't bring my maid. Hank, do you understand?"

"It's obvious that if you use seduction, it will be like that. That man has no restraint."

 The maid who dealt with Yuya was not a real maid. They had read Yuya's behavior and prepared a woman who would have no problem being so.

"Is that woman okay? Will her identity be exposed?"

"Originally, it's not something I would talk to Her Royal Highness about."

"Don't worry. Talk to me."

“Even if they are called prostitutes, if they are high-class prostitutes, they will behave better than unskilled nobles, of course, and they will be better educated. That is why they can make more money in one night than the average person can make in a lifetime.”

 A super high-class prostitute. The purpose of preparing such a woman was not just to protect her maid, but also to give Yuya the utmost satisfaction as a professional.

"In other words, you are spending that much this time?"

"Yes"

 The woman will work for days, even months in some cases. A huge reward is prepared for the woman.

"Is it worth it?"

"Looking at yesterday's and today's battles, I don't think it's a mistake."

"Yes. I never thought there would be such a difference."

 A big difference in ability between Yuya and Jin. This was unexpected even for the Luine Kingdom.

"It means that the title of hero is not just an appearance."

"...Will he take the bait?"

"He's already on board."

 It's too late to worry. Yuya is on the board as soon as he comes to this world.

"But won't the demands keep getting bigger and bigger?"

"Even if that happens, where is the country that can respond to that more than our country?"

"I agree"

 The higher Yuya's demands become, the fewer countries can meet them. This is the purpose of the Luine Kingdom.

"I'm going to let him experience the ultimate in luxury. Everything else will feel shabby after he's experienced it."

"Especially in a small country in the far north?"

"Yes. Not only there. Other countries are the same. Neither Lemberg nor Izrim can do the same thing as our country. If he wants to have the same experience, he has no choice but to come to our country."

"That's right... do I still have to talk to that guy?"

"Please stop now. This is the critical moment."

"...I understand."

 Entertainment by the Luine Kingdom exercising its overwhelming financial power. There was no way Yuya could resist that power. He doesn't remember Princess Amalia, and Yuya spends his time in this place as he pleases.