RPG chapter 53

53　Before the debut

The outline for the special costume for the Twelve Apostles has ben completed

「Hey Jira, don’t you think choosing that mantle is bad?」

「That’s right-ssu. Not only it gives off the feeling of a scoundrel, it’s also just a small accessory (rather than a costume)」

I refuse!

There are plenty problems about that aspect already!

「Other than that, since the task is done, can we return now?」

「This is the executive attendance, huh」 (means doing simple job, basically just showing your face at work, just like an executive)

I feel very guilty for receiving salary just from finishing a job like having our measurements taken

However, the real start of the Twelve Apostles is still in the future, it’s basically free time until then. We can do anything we like for the time being

It might be fine because the empire’s value system is basically “strength is justice, strength is the law”……。

Then, Forte comes and says while squirming

「Ji, Jira……!　You have time after this, right?　As mentioned before, a congratulation party with me……！」

However, her plan didn’t go smoothly

「Everyone, his Majesty the Emperor is calling for you. Please come to the audience immediately」

The guard inside the castle told us

「Shit! That unnecessary manager-like emperor!」

「Don’t be so harsh!?」

I thought that the emperor wouldn’t appear until the very end. But he really did

Naturally, we can’t afford to refuse after being summoned by the most important personage of the empire, so we moved together

◆

「Hmm, what a magnificent view!」

In the audience, the emperor sitting on the throne does really look like an emperor

「Finally, with twelve people, the Twelve Apostles is completed. You will become the sword as well as the shield of the empire, the weapon to destroy the enemies of the empire. With your works, the empire will flourish more and more」

Did he summon us just for that?

To say the same thing he said before?

「Tsk, isn’t this the same thing he has talked multiple times before? We know, so let us return now……!?」

「Forte, house」 (a dog command)

Forte is like a elementary schooler who wanted to go home as fast as possible

Is it because she wants to have a congratulation party with me?

「Twelve people, everyone, huh……」

At both sides of the throne are Grey Ryuuga and Wartaiga who didn’t appear at the measurement place

Certainly, everyone is here

Grey Ryuuga, who was beaten by me recently, has completely recovered

The vitality of the 『dragon』 is high after all

「However, it’s not perfect yet. Your appearance is still too shabby. At the debut, you must dress dazzlingly to frighten the lookers. I have setup the preparation for that」

「Yes, your Highness the emperor」

Someone said respectfully

「In that day, we will appear with our best form and make all people awe in fear」

「Umu」

The emperor nodded, seemingly satisfied

「As I said, we intended to have an official debut for the twelve of you in near future. At that time, every governors and high officers of the empire will gather, guests from outside of the empire will be invited too. Show off your dignified appearance at that time」

A show of force

Intimidation is a legitimate diplomatic tool. The beast pieces received from beast god Beast, as well as the twelve strong people who absorbed them, that is a more than enough of a threat itself

Showing them, make others recognize them as a threat. The emperor really know how to use his power well

「Your official duty won’t start until after the debut ceremony. Do not neglect your self-training until then」

「How long is it until the debut ceremony?」

「It’s planned to be half a month later」

Half a month……?

Unexpectedly far, isn’t it?

「We are not that hurry. Because there will be spectators from all over the country as well as from other countries, travelling time should be about that much」

He said as if he has read my heart!?

「Even so, they still need to be hurry. By seeing to what extend they obey our unreasonable demands, we can understand how obedient they are toward the empire」

The emperor had a scary smile on his mouth

Even now, he is being eaten by the beast aura, also there is a back and forth battle (between the Holy wisdom art and the aura) inside his body. However, he is quite vigorous nowadays, to the point that you can’t believe he had collapsed the other day

「However, there are problems」

Yes?

「While calling all over the empire, only one district didn’t reply」

「…………!?」

Ignoring the call from the empire?

Isn’t it pretty much an act of treason?

「They have some nerve to ignore the call from me. Not only it watered down the debut of the Twelve Apostles, it also brought contempt from inside and outside of the empire. This situation can’t be overlooked」

The emperor’s eyes shine red like a charcoal fire

「That is the main reason I summoned everyone. Though unexpected, it will be your first official duty」

In other words

「Visit the district that ignored the call and interrogate their intention. Then, depending on their reply……」

The emperor didn’t finish his order

But it was terrifying on the contrary

「Then, who will go? Two……, no, three people should be plenty?」

「Your Highness the Emperor, please allow me!」

It’s the regular pattern where everyone vigorously replies

「Please allow me to visit the imprudent fellows and show them the power of your Majesty the Emperor. Those who defy your order shall be killed!」 (?)

「No, that duty is mine!」 (Gashi)

「Mine!」 (Rei)

「No, mine!」 (Seki)

The hands are raised one by one

Perhaps they are thinking “it would be bad if we didn’t show our eagerness, right?”, but getting too carried away is not good either

I know that if I carelessly say 『Then, I……』, the pattern will change to 『Sure, by all means』

There are also members who keep silence just like me, like Forte for example

Because she is waiting for the party with me after this, I think

If she receives the mission then a party is not possible after all

Also, Wartaiga is silent. High-ranking official don’t carry such a trivial task like this after all…… was what I thought, but。

「Your Majesty the Emperor……」

That is not the case here

The first rank Grey Ryuuga personally stepped forward

「I nominate myself for this mission, please allow me」

「…………」

As expected, when the number one announced his candidacy, others can only keep silence

The emperor looks down on the kneeling Grey Ryuuga with chilling eyes

「Refrain from it, you fool」

「Please give me your order. Please grant me a chance to cleanse the stigma of the other day……」

Grey Ryuuga received a huge defeat in the gozen match with me previously

It seems to affect him strongly

He is impatient to make up for that by getting merits, no matter what it is

However, the emperor takes no notice of Grey Ryuuga’s impatience

「So tedious, just stay out of this, this is not where you should go」

The emperor’s cold words freeze the expression of not only Grey Ryuuga himself but also of the other members of the Twelve Apostles

Then……。

「In this case, how about this, you Highness the Emperor」

I step forward

「I and Grey Ryuuga, please dispatch the two of us」

「Jira!?」

Forte screamed for some reason

「……What is your motive？」

「Your Majesty the emperor’s worry is that it would be an exaggeration if the first rank would deal with the rebellious district. If you add me into that, the first rank and the twelve rank, that would be a perfect balance on average」

That is a nonsense reason, but unexpectedly, it gets through

The emperor has a bitter smile……。

「You are an unreadable man as usual. Fine, do as you want. You can use that fool as you like too」

Grey Ryuuga kept prostrating and didn’t raised his face

With this, my first mission as the Twelve Apostles begins

「Jira!　The party!?　The party with me!?」

I somehow received Forte’s consent after promising to definitely have a party with her after the mission ends