9. Name lending

"Am I misunderstanding? I think I heard the nuance of making me a king."

"That's how I said it."

I hit Morrow's chest, who nodded solemnly. Morrow looked happy.

"... what do you mean? Aren't you going to be the new king?"

"If that happens, the people will smell the turmoil. The royal capital seems to be peaceful at first glance, but in fact it is in a state of balance in a dangerous situation. If you know that a coup d'état has already occurred there, the foolish king will disappear. They will be happy to see you, but they will not welcome the bloody new king."

"Is that so? Even now, your policy seems to be popular, and it seems like it's going to turn out unexpectedly."

"Yes, it will eventually.

"So, am I the king?"

"I don't know why." It was written on my face, and Danbas slipped out from behind Morrow.

"I came up with the idea.

"Aside from whether this person will be called as a matter of course." What what? "We're getting a little confused."

"In other words, after announcing Morrow as the culprit, you're announcing to the whole country that I defeated it?"

"You don't have to give a specific picture of the culprit. The important thing is not what happened, but the fact that Lord Idea will be governed. Maintain the current policy and make the country better and richer. Just by you declaring that, the people will be convinced and feel at ease."

"You're such an idiot." I'm starting to feel like I'm being tricked, but Morrow and Danbas don't seem to be joking. Rather, it is frighteningly serious.

"... do I have that much name value?"

"I should have said so."

When I asked about it, Celia affirmed something so late. This...maybe there was a bit of a discrepancy in my understanding. Celia's common sense is insane to me. The opposite is also true, but anyway, it seems that I still don't have enough understanding because of that.

"My impression of the new king is different just because he is not the same person who purged the royal family and nobility.In addition to that, if Idea-sama reigns, there will be no voices of dissatisfaction or anxiety from anywhere. I guess

"Is that so... maybe so?"

For someone like me, who is treated as a character in a fairy tale, to pop out and declare "I'm going to be the king from now on" would certainly have a tremendous impact on the people. Another point is that even though it's a fairy tale, 50% of the people believe in the existence of the Primordial Witch. If no one believes me, even if I call myself that, it will only be taken as a prank.

And what's even more important is that you can't really complain about "The Primordial Witch". No, not that I'm respected or feared, just that I wouldn't know what to say.

"Of course, it's me and Morrow-dono who actually carry out the policy, as before. If so, there's nothing to worry about."

Both Morrow and Danbas are so confident in their assertions that I'm starting to believe them as well... Well, as a magician, they're undoubtedly geniuses as politicians. I'm sure there are various benefits that can be obtained by using my name. Although I don't know much about it as a layman.

"But I see, just lending my name doesn't mean I can actually rule the country." If that were the case, there would be no real harm. I wonder if I can borrow it. In short, it's just a name lender. ...It's a little too big to say that it's just a country, but regardless of the scale, in reality it's no different from becoming the owner of a small shop somewhere in name.

"So, does Celia also agree with this?"

"──I thought it was a good idea. I also don't have the ability as a bureaucrat, so I can't see the future of the country correctly... but at least now, with the help of Idea-sama, the people It is certain that the

"Hmm, I see."

I thought that if she wasn't on the side of moving the country, she would have a slightly different opinion, but surprisingly she doesn't seem to think so. This could be a model case for how people feel about me.

She's at a loss, but... because she said she'd be with him until the end. The request has exceeded expectations, but I wonder if it's kind of uncool to rebut it here. I think you have the right to refuse, don't you? "I think there is, but if I actually did that, it would be very pathetic for me to be touted as a legendary witch." I don't know.

──Aside from that, it's not like I'm without benefits from accepting this offer.

"I also have a condition. If you can keep it, you can lend me your name."

"Please say whatever you want."

"It's not that big of a deal. Well, first of all, I would like to ask if there is a death penalty system in this country? If not, please create one."

"There is a death penalty system, Idea-sama. Thugs who deserve it as a punishment will be executed as a matter of course."

"Then it's fine. My request is 'securing death row prisoners'. If possible, it would be helpful if you could gather them in this royal castle, but can you do it?"

"There is also a dungeon here, so it should be possible to renovate the entire basement.

"Is it difficult?"

"No! I will definitely make it happen. How else?"

"No, that's all. … Ah, I would like you to not kill the prisoners on your own. If it's difficult to carry them alive, then at worst you can let them die. That's the end of the conditions."

When I finished saying that, both Morrow and Danbas made a face like "That's it". I don't know what, I wonder if I thought I would want a mountain of gold and silver treasure. Or did you expect more unreasonable demands to be thrown at you?

Because he was so enthusiastic about meeting even the most difficult requests, he must have felt let down.

"Then, are you sure you want to make a decision?"

"Where's the confidence you had until now?" Morrow timidly asked when it was time to get the final confirmation. Being able to hide that anxiety and wear that many masks during a presentation is definitely for politicians. he laughed a little.

"Okay, do whatever you want. I have some things I want to do myself."

"What do you want to do? What is it?"

"Yeah. First of all... tell me where the village where Morrow was born is located."

◇◇◇

"What are you going to do with the prisoners?"

After facing each other in the carriage for a while, Celia suddenly said so. At that moment, the view out of the train window went up and down. Even a large stone was thrown up... but there was almost no shaking inside the car. Great shock absorption. There must be such a mechanism at the joint between the wheels and the fuselage, or even under the seat. I was also surprised by the first carriage I got on, but this one is on a different dimension. As expected of a prodigal royal family car. It seems that there was no choice but to be extravagant even in this part.

The gilded and unappetizing exterior was painted black for the time being. maybe. Well, there's no need to rush.

"By the way, it's not the horse that's pulling the carriage." Its true identity is a moving stone statue in the shape of a horse. It seems that Danbas made it himself, and royal carriages used to travel without a driver from long ago. No other care or rest is needed for the horse. I honestly admired the convenience, but the royal family complained that the horse looked gray and poor. How much is it?

The horse Bing Statue, a moving stone Horse of Li that runs with inexhaustible physical strength, advances at a considerable speed. It's non-stop, and it's simple and fast. But I'm trying not to run it at top speed. This is because even the king's carriage can't absorb the impact if it goes that fast.

"By the way, I have to answer Celia's question while thinking about the carriage that has become my exclusive use."

"be on one's mind?"

"yes"

"I'm just curious," Celia cautiously added. Even if he intended to do anything to the prisoner, he would not mention it. It would be a manifestation of intention.

"You're hard, Celia.

"That's... it seems difficult for me."

He smiled embarrassedly and didn't try to pry any further. correct. Personally, I don't mind if you step in, but I have no choice but to show that Celia is drawing a line against me. So let's go over here for a bit.

"I wanted to do a little experiment."

"Experiment, huh?"

"Yeah. Its contents are a secret."

Celia thanked Rigi and said, "Thank you for teaching me." This is going to be boring until you reach your destination. But I thought it would be nice to do something like that once in a while, so I got into the carriage too. If you just want to go to the place you want, all you have to do is let Celia, who has the totem, go first.

"The place you're looking for." It is, of course, his land where Morrow and his mother were born.

I plan to inject the magic of Eidos into it, just like I once did to Morrow.