Chapter 260 (Self Edited) – Ex Strongest, Meeting the Person who Waits
The moment Soma woke up, what he saw in his field of vision was the stone ceiling.
It wasn’t that of his familiar room, and it was even slightly dirty. Furthermore, the surroundings were dim, and when he looked down, he could see the iron bars right there.
It was a prison.
However, Soma didn’t panic there because about five days had already pa.s.sed since he first saw this scene. He even began to get used to it, so he didn’t feel anything anymore.
“Well, if anything, I should say that I’m starting to get tired of seeing it.” (Soma)
While leaking a mutter that could be regarded as a murmur, Soma stretched out when he stood out. The ground was hard, so it was a bit still, but it was also something that he had already begun to get used to. While turning the shoulder lightly, Soma looked around and muttered.
“What should I do?” (Soma
It wasn’t his spare time.
When he looked at the corner of the room, there were two mountains. There were piles of books and they were divided into two piles because one had been read while the other hadn’t yet. The number that had been read was high, but the same amount was still left unread.
Given that, he wouldn’t stop doing it for at least a few more days…
“To be honest, I’m the type who is better at using the body than using my head…” (Soma)
If that was his purpose, there was no need to feel bothered, but after all, reading wasn’t his strong point.
In other words, he was tired of it.
“Hmm… I’d like to change my mood at least a little bit. I’m not saying for a day. An hour should be good enough…” (Soma)
And once he thought so, he couldn’t endure with that desire. Soma began to seriously consider whether doing so would cause any problems.
“Hmm… there seems to be no problem. No one would come until lunch time after the breakfast was brought in, and it was alright if he wasn’t here for a while. However, I have to leave a small hole in the wall to get out of here… Oh well, it’s a small matter.” (Soma)
“It’s not a small matter at all. I should say, I would like you to stop doing that by all means because I will get angry.” (??)
“Hmm…? Are you angry? Surprisingly, I just thought that you were in charge of everything.” (Soma)
“That’s a misunderstanding. I’m certainly called a king, but I’m not the one who puts this together. If anything, I’m also on the side of being used.” (??)
“Ooh, is that so?” (Soma)
Soma nodded as if he was admired with such an unexpected fact. After all, there were not many people who knew about ‘here’.
“By the way, may I ask you a question?” (??)
“Hmm? What is it?” (Soma)
“…Why aren’t you surprised? I should have talked to you all after completely erasing the presence.” (??)
“That is of course your presence isn’t completely erased, right?” (Soma)
Rather than saying it wasn’t possible, Soma turned his gaze to the outside of the bars and when he tilted his neck, the s.p.a.ce that should be empty, suddenly shook.
It was something that looked like a girl with pink hair that slowly eluded into the scene. Eleonora Lindenberg. The Fifth King and the ruler of ‘this place’.
According to the person herself, it seemed that he was an important person. But now that important person was staring at Soma without hiding her dissatisfaction.
“…Even so, I still have Special Rank skill to erase my presence, you know?” (Eleonora)
“Isn’t that the reason? I realize that you haven’t completely erased the presence because you’re relying on your skill.” (Soma)
“I don’t think it’s such a problem, but… well, that’s fine. After all, you’ve been doing random things until now.” (Eleonora)
“I don’t understand why I’m being blamed, but… it’s fine. So, what business do you have? It’s a little early for breakfast, and I don’t think you’ve come to see my face, right?” (Soma)
“Hmm… I can’t agree that it looks that way, but that’s certainly true.” (Eleonora)
Although she pouted her cheeks as if dissatisfied, Eleonora immediately stopped doing it, and changed her expression to a serious expression. And then…
“…I’ve kept you waiting for a long time, ‘The Demon King-sama’.” (Eleonora)
While looking at her lowering her head, Soma sighed. That sigh probably included the feeling of being amazed.
“You know, you don’t have to do that kind of exaggeration. It’s a pain.” (Soma)
“It’s true that I’ve kept you waiting. So, it’s natural to be sincere.” (Eleonora)
“Well, it’s better than being disrespectful. Anyhow, does that mean the ‘preparation’ is finally over?” (Soma)
“Yes. I was expected for it to ‘wake up’ a bit earlier, but it was later than expected.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm…” (Soma)
Soma was in such a place for five days in the first place because he had been waiting as Eleonora said. For some reason, he was brought to ‘here’, but she said that the ‘preparation’ wasn’t finished, so he waited here until it was finished.
There were various reasons why the place that she had been waiting for was more of a prison, and Soma himself was convinced in that fact.
“…Well, in a way, thanks to that, I was able to spend a meaningful time. There will be no problem.” (Soma)
“I would really appreciate it if you say so. Anyway…” (Eleonora)
“Hmm, am I going now? Should I make a hole in the bars instead of the wall for now?” (Soma)
“That also makes me angry, so I would be glad if you could stop it. It’s just that I’m not using this place now, but I don’t know if I have to use it later.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm… I see. In the true sense of those words, I may be staying here.” (Soma)
“I’m praying that won’t happen.” (Eleonora)
While discussing such things, Soma went out from the iron bars opened by Eleonora. There was a stone pa.s.sageway, and Soma followed Eleonora, who walked ahead in the lead.
The dim atmosphere remained until he climbed the stairs, and at the end of the stairs, it was a quiet s.p.a.ce. It seemed to be somehow tense, and at the same time, there was a healing air flowing there.
“I thought this when I first came, but it’s still a strange air flow.” (Soma)
“Honestly, we’re always here, so we get used to it, and don’t feel that much, but… I don’t feel bad if you say so. What we usually keep in mind is that we are able to create that kind of air.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm, to be honest, it’s good to be proud of it. As expected, this place is called the head temple, and it’s a place where the believers of Holy G.o.d want to come once.” (Soma)
“Is that what was written in the book I gave you?” (Eleonora)
“That’s right, but… weren’t you the one who did that?” (Soma)
“I did give it to you, but the selection of books was done by others. I told that it should convey the charm of us and the Holy City, but…” (Eleonora)
“Aah, I see. I thought that there were some reasoned and low-brow things mixed up…” (Soma)
Soma was convinced that it was like that as he looked around.
Although it was a bit exaggerated, it didn’t seem to be wrong. At least, as far as he could see, it was certainly something that seemed to be worth seeing once.
“If you say that, I’m relieved as one of the people who invited you here.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm, you really do want to feel proud, isn’t it? This place… the Holy City certainly seems to be a good place.” (Soma)
The Holy City.
Yes, this place was the Holy City where Soma was at the moment.
It was the capital where the Fifth King stayed, and it was the main shrine of the Holy Doctrine religion. It was a place that didn’t belong to any country, and that was allowed. Soma had come there in the form of being invited by the Fifth King herself.
However, according to the person herself, she did it for the outer appearance, and there was another person who really invited him. She hadn’t told him who the person was, but… perhaps, he would meet that person from now on.
While he was thinking about that, Eleonora stopped. There was a majestic door beyond that, and Soma could see at a glance that someone, who was waiting there, was definitely a suitable person.
However, Soma tilted his head there because even though he could feel the presence that there was someone on the other side of the door, he had a strange impression of that presence. Although it should be his first time to feel it, it felt somewhat nostalgic…
“Hehe, you seem to be a little puzzled as expected. However, I think you can easily understand the true nature of that feeling. That’s because ‘that person’ said that.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm… that person, is it?” (Soma)
No words were returned to the mutter, and the door was opened as a subst.i.tute. Along with the heavy sound, the scene on the other side was revealed.
Then…
“Nice to meet you. And welcome to the Holy City, Soma Neumont. Although this is self-proclaimed by a tentative name, I’m called Satya Lindenberg. But yes… would you be able to understand if I say you’re the cause of everything?” (Satya)
Someone in the appearance of a girl there was saying such a thing with a smile.
—
TLN:
- Satya used ‘Boku’ to address herself.