01x10 - The King's Defiance

[bunniefuu]

Wow !

So this is the Helstea Auction House!

Like a castle!

Hopefully we don't embarrass ourselves.

Don't worry!

Just enjoy the evening.

Let's go in!

You'll be wide-eyed in there!

Nobles and adventurers have been looking forward to tonight’s event for a long time.

This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity,

to purchase treasures from collectors like Vincent.

Ohh, such beautiful beast cores.

Wow

Fascinating.

Always stay alert so no mistakes happen!

Yes, sir!

Dad is totally different today!

Looking sharp, right?

He’ll be happy if you tell him that later.

Honored guests!

Let me first welcome our special guests!

His Royal Majesty Blaine Glayder!

Queen Priscilla, Crown Prince Curtis, and Princess Kathlyn.

The King must be highly respected.

With that, the auction celebrating Helstea's tenth anniversary is officially open!

This reminds me …

of my past life …

#10 The King Leans In

This blade is from a renowned blacksmith!

By channeling mana, it can conduct electricity to the tip,

is razor sharp, and can paralyze your enemies!

The starting bid is 50 gold coins!

51!

52!

53!

So suitable weapons can be infused with elemental magic.

I should try that sometime.

Whoa …

Got something in your eye?

Everything is way too expensive!

True that …

Huh? Where's Sylvie?

Eleanor was holding her just a moment ago …

I’ll go look for her real quick.

Who has the means and luck

to claim the next artifact?

Feast your eyes:

A baby World Lion!

World Lions usually grow into powerful mana beasts!

With this cub, the A-class is practically within your reach!

Father, I want that one!

Alright.

Who dreams of becoming a legendary beast tamer?

Starting bid is one hundred gold coins!

300!

400!

450!

One thousand.

His Royal Majesty bids one thousand gold coins!

Where could she be?

Sylvie?

Congratulations, the item is yours!

But no one would dare outbid you, Your Majesty.

What are your intentions

for your new pet?

I wouldn’t mind a partner,

but Curtis will take care of it.

That, of course, depends on

his motivation and performance.

I’ll do my best, Father!

Then I assume

you won’t skip your court lessons anymore?

Mother…!

Who knows?

Be a good little thing and

let me have a closer look at you!

Sylvie!

The royal summoner?

I hope he doesn’t cause trouble.

Excuse me, could you

please let go of the beast?

She’s actually my partner.

So not an auction item?

What a rare mana beast you have!

You’re very lucky!

And she seems incredibly tame too!

Don’t run off like that again next time.

I don’t like this.

Sorry, I need to get back now.

Leave the thing here!

Huh?

I’ve been searching forever for a mana beast

that meets my standards!

Excuse me?

I can unlock this beast’s full potential.

Hand her over!

I’m granting you the honor of a trade.

Be grateful and accept!

Why should I?

I am the royal court summoner!

So what?

This is about the good of the kingdom,

our future even!

Don’t you understand that, boy?!

He won’t back off.

Do you not know what happens

when you oppose the royal family?

Your parents will pay

for your defiance!

Come here and say that again.

I can feel pure bloodlust.

Vincent!

What’s going on here?!

Your Majesty, please step back!

Don’t worry about me!

Protect the others!

Who’s there? Show yourself!

That went too far …

I couldn’t control my anger …

Is everyone safe?!

For now, yes.

Can you escort the others out?

Sorry, Dad …

And everyone else.

I didn’t mean to scare you, Sylvie.

You’re Reynolds Leywin,

Captain of the Guard, right?

Yes!

I need a word with you.

You weren’t able to capture

the intruder, correct?

I am deeply sorry.

Unfortunately, this situation

requires disciplinary consequences.

I will comply.

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

Given that no one was harmed,

I suggest we show leniency.

Hmm.

Oh, what a beautiful mana beast you have.

I could raise it

under the best conditions.

He has served many years

as the royal family’s bodyguard

and has come to our rescue

countless times.

I see it as my duty to reward him

for his service from time to time …

and it seems he’s taken a liking

to your son’s partner.

I’m in hot water.

Moreover, with the right partner,

he could prevent such incidents.

What do you say?

Forgive me, Your Majesty, however …

Arthur!

Once again,

I must ask for your forgiveness, Your Majesty.

I wasn’t involved

in my son’s bonding with his partner.

He found her on his own.

Therefore, I don’t believe

I have a say in the matter.

Hmm.

Then let him answer himself.

Boy, haven’t you learned

to look your superiors in the eyes

when they speak to you?

I’m terribly sorry.

I need to keep calm.

He is the King of Sapin.

Your request honors me, Your Majesty.

But I’m afraid

I must decline.

No one could replace Sylvie for me.

Such insolence…!

It’s okay!

Then trade her for the World Lion

I just purchased.

Father!

What do you say?

You may have an

extremely rare mana beast,

but even full-grown reptilian beasts

can’t compare to the strength

of predator-type beasts.

Your Majesty,

perhaps you didn’t understand me:

I will neither give Sylvie away

nor trade her.

Twice now.

Twice you’ve refused

a royal request.

Arthur!

I’ll ask you one more time:

Would you give us

your partner?

Then allow me to ask you something too,

Your Majesty.

At what price

would you sell your children?

You asked me three times,

and I said no three times.

But your pride

won’t let you accept my answer.

So let’s assume this was

about your children.

At what price

would you give in, …

King Glayder?

k*ll him!

Insolence!

That’s treason!

Incompetent fools!

You can’t even execute a child?!

This beast is too valuable

for me to let it go!

What the… What’s happening?!

Your magic doesn’t work here.

What?

Get away from me!

You don’t stand a chance

against the royal court summoner!

Even if I do this?

M-My leg!!!

H-Help me!

Can’t anyone hear me?!

Why is everyone frozen?!

No one can hear you.

So listen to my words

while you still can.

You think you’ll get away with this?!

I serve the royal family…!

You too …

should know your place.

Please … help me …!

Arthur!

M-My head is pounding …

I guess that was too much.

I was able to briefly stop time, …

but it took a lot out of me.

I need more training.

How nice, you’re finally awake!

What happened

after I passed out?

Everyone panicked.

The doctor said you’d wake up soon, …

but it felt like an eternity to me.

And once again, I made her worry.

Are you really feeling okay now?

Don’t worry.

The change of pace is good for me too.

Look.

Oh, Eleanor would love that!

Give it to her as a gift

from her big brother!

I can get you something too,

if you want anything!

Really? But do we have money for it?

I hope Reynolds doesn’t lose his job.

What are you talking about?

I contribute to the household too!

Oh, really?

Alice’s products

seem to be very popular among nobles

and are sold at local markets.

Apparently they were even promoted by Tabitha.

Reynolds never comes shopping with me—thanks!

Isn’t that a bit much?

Don’t think that money

makes everything okay!

My son was nearly k*lled!

What’s going on?

Psst!

Excuse me …?

Arthur! How are you?

All good. I could go back to training right now.

Ah! Good to see you.

On behalf of His Majesty,

we apologize for yesterday’s incident.

With this, he wishes to express

his regret for the “minor mishap.”

“Minor mishap”…?

I should play the humble victim.

Thank you for taking the trouble

to come here for this.

What a well-mannered boy.

By the way, the guards involved

have been dismissed from duty.

Pah, they nearly k*lled a child,

and the King lets them off with a slap on the wrist.

It was your son who provoked them

with his inappropriate behavior.

But only because they…!

His Majesty also declares

that you will remain the Captain of the Guard.

That’s enough, Dad.

I went too far.

Besides, I’m fine.

Well, if you say so …

By the way, may I ask

how the court summoner is doing?

His leg seemed broken.

He was removed from office

and is receiving treatment.

Since regaining consciousness,

he’s claimed you caused his injury.

Huh?! Who would believe

such nonsense?!

Please, let me finish.

We concluded that the mana

of the guards

interfered with his spell,

causing the accident.

His Majesty is very upset

about the incident.

That’s why he wishes to express

his solidarity.

Your son seems

to have remarkable talent.

But he could use

a few lessons in manners.

Not everyone is as gracious

as His Majesty.

We accept the apology.

Dad …

You’re the one

who almost died.

Also, you can always use money

no matter what your plans are.

Thank you.

One more thing:

Your move was awesome!

I was once again painfully reminded

that I’m still just a child in this world.

If I want to oppose the powers that be,

I need power of my own first.

I’ve been waiting for you, Arthur.