Author: Himezaki Shiu	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Jiro	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The carriage stopped in front of a door on the side of the big tree. For a moment, I thought if we’d go in, but then I realized that it’d be impossible to enter alongside the carriage.

We were currently being escorted to see the king by Sarok and four other knights. From what I understood, this floor served as an audience chamber, and above it was
what other nations would call a royal castle where the royals lived while the noble district lay below.

Life here seemed like it’d be though, but it would likely become easier after some adjusting. I also couldn’t help but wonder if they used magic to ease their overall burden.

After all, the inside of the tree wasn’t dark; rather, it was illuminated using magic and was even cozy thanks to the tree’s natural warmth. It clearly showed that the tree was still alive, which only made me wonder if living here was really alright.

“Is it really safe to gouge out the tree like this?” I asked.
“There’s never been an issue ever since the kingdom’s founding,” a nearby knight replied.
“I understand.”

I was aware that this was the king’s floor—the equivalent of a royal castle—so I knew I couldn’t respond too casually to the knights.

Furthermore, I’d noticed that we were under heavy surveillance ever since our arrival. It was likely a standard procedure, but I wanted to know how they viewed us. In the end, we were simple adventurers capable of clearing A Grade requests.

If they were to judge us purely on our statuses, they’d quickly find out that we were close to D Grades in strength. This would in fact let them know that we likely had some kind of trump card, so this kind of surveillance was expected.

Then again, if my assumptions were correct, they likely sought me out as a being of overwhelming strength. Maybe they were even afraid that I’d have way too much influence as a member of the Ancient Elves.

Though we were in a monarchy, they couldn’t completely disregard the sentiments of their people, no matter how much they might want to. Most of all, once people learned that I was a high-ranked elf, it’d be easy to influence them.

It was similar to using a celebrity for an advertisement. If done well, it’d be highly effective, but if the celebrity acted out, it could cause problems. It was the same as Tsunoe’s case. Though she’d been used for her skill more so than anything.

After walking for a while, we appeared before a massive door. Its appearance made it clear that someone of importance was waiting on the other side. I wasn’t quite sure how I ended up in this position, but I’d always thought that it would be Fujiwara and Fumitsuki who’d end up meeting with royalty and nobility in this way.

I could definitely see them getting put in the template scenario of saving the carriage and the person inside ending up being a noble’s daughter or even a princess. Though I didn’t know if they’d actually ever involve themselves with nobility or royalty.

That aside, at the door, the knights discussed something amongst themselves before one of the knights opened the door, revealing a grand throne. Sitting upon it was an elder with dignified air and long hair.

However, calling him an elder was a bit strange, but I didn’t know how one should refer to older elves. He didn’t look all that old, but he wasn’t young either. Despite this, he still looked older than any other Elf I had seen.

To be honest, I wasn’t even sure how long elves typically lived. My knowledge about the life span of the different species was still something I’d gotten from my time on Earth, so I couldn’t figure out much about the Elf in front of me.

I could assume he was the Elf King, and there seemed to be other Elves around him as well. It seemed safe to assume that these were the highest-ranking members of the Tree of Spirits’ society.

A few knights were present as well, eyeing us warily. Each one’s status was at the level of an A Grade adventurer, if not higher, with an average number of over 200. Even so, I wasn’t that surprised, as something of this level was expected from the king’s guard.

Lullus and I were led before the king, and the knights around us kneeled. Naturally, I didn’t follow after them. I was, after all, regarded in equal standing to royalty, so I did not need to kneel.

Among the royal family, the king had the highest standing, with the prince following him. In my case, I’d been told that my standing was on an equal footing to the king. And since I was viewed on the same level as the king, this meant I didn’t need to kneel before him¹.

You could call it sophistry, and maybe it was, but I had enough power to handle any accusations or disrespect if they arose. Thus I simply waited, gathering information.

“What impudence to stand before the king,” someone muttered.

It was inevitable that my stance would provoke irritation among those around me, and perhaps even the king himself. But I wasn’t scared, so I replied calmly while still standing tall.

“The knight over there told me that my standing is equal to the king’s; is that incorrect? If it is, then it was his foolishness to blame. Not mine.”

Honestly, I didn’t know if what I’d been told was correct. They could very well punish Sarok and then turn that charge of disrespect on me too. The one to have the final say on this would be the king himself.

“It is fine. I have indeed given the orders that you are to be treated as my equal.”
“But Your Majesty!”
“Don’t make me repeat myself,” the king said firmly.

With that, the high-ranked Elf who’d confronted me fell silent.

(I wouldn’t have expected anything less from a king.)

I couldn’t remember how the king of Fraus carried himself, but I could imagine that he’d had a long and dignified reign as well.

“Nevertheless, if you push it too far, you will have to bear the consequences.”
“I am aware.” I nodded.

I knew that although I was on the same level as the king, I still had to keep my pride in check. I knew from my past experiences, like the one in the Fraus Kingdom, for example, that spirits were elusive and couldn’t simply be found by searching. Thus, antagonizing them wouldn’t be wise at this stage.

“May I ask why you called on me, Your Majesty?”
“Given your race, it’s only natural that I summoned you here; do you not agree?”
“Let me rephrase my question. How did you know my race?”
“I am not obliged to answer that.”

I couldn’t figure out what the king was thinking at all, but it felt like he would want something in turn for the answer. It felt like I was once against being tested, and I honestly wasn’t too fond of it.

“In that case, how about we pretend that my alleged disrespect earlier did not occur?” I countered, glancing at the elf who had been quick to challenge me.

His eyes were now tightly shut, seemingly holding himself together. His face was turning red as if he was about to burst out in anger at any moment.

“There are higher ranked individuals in the Other Races as well. They are often identifiable by their high status and by their race’s distinctive traits. I heard that you’d crossed the forest at the kingdom’s border. For someone your age to complete such a feat would likely mean that you are of a higher race. There’s also your hair and eye color. Those alone tell me all I need to know.”
“I understand.”

(So it was that. I should note for the future that looking like an elf too much is not good². How in the world was I supposed to know that!)

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Footnotes:

Robinxen: Don’t you love it when the protagonist explains something they have already said? Really love that word count.
Robinxen: I don’t understand this line at all. But I’m just an editor.