An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

"Thank you for your hard work. Please leave."

"yes!"

After his subordinates walked out of the room with regular footsteps, Gaharud turned his gaze to Liliana, who looked nonchalant.

Liliana noticed Gaharud's gaze and gave him a smile that was both worried and troubled. Her expression seemed to say: As a princess, while she was concerned about the report just now, she also knew she had no right to interfere in the affairs of other countries.

In a way, Gaharud thought, it was really remarkable that she could pull off that expression.

"This is really a headache. After the attacks of incredibly powerful monsters and demons, next up is an incredibly powerful group of four wearing incredibly powerful masks... What are your thoughts on this matter, Princess Liliana?"

"...I don't know either. The report mentioned that it was a secret weapon unit of the demons..."

"Yes, that's a possibility. I know there's no reason for a demon to wear such an outrageous mask, but the possibility isn't zero. Even if one of them can manipulate light magic at will and wields a dazzling divine sword."

"...Yeah, it's really scary."

"Indeed. When asked about their motives, they're actually demanding improvements to the treatment of demihuman slaves. It's so bizarre, even I find it terrifying. They don't seem like people from this world. Are we encountering an unknown enemy?"

"That's what I mean."

Liliana's expression remained unchanged.

Jaharud observed Liliana with amusement, but the smile on his face was as strong as a fortress. After all, it wasn't a rigid smile, but rather a smile that a member of the royal family could freely transform to suit the occasion.

However, Liliana's slightly disordered breathing did not escape Gaharud's eyes.

"Princess Liliana."

"What's up?"

"I remember that the hero and that Nagumo Hajime went to the sea of ​​trees together, right?"

“…Right.”

"I see. Actually, we recently captured some very interesting demihumans."

"?"

Liliana realized the true identity of the masked stranger and felt a cold sweat break out. She blinked in surprise when she heard Gaharud suddenly change the subject. Gaharud continued nonchalantly:

"That's a very special tribe—the rabbit people."

"..."

Liliana felt as if all the pores on her body had opened up, but she had strengthened her smile mask and had become the fifth Mask Ranger.

"Even though they were outside the forest, they were able to hold their own against the Imperial soldiers, and they exuded a murderous aura and dominance that was unlike anything a Bunnyman could possess."

"Oh dear! Even the Bunnymen, known for their gentleness, have tribes like this. How terrifying..."

"Not only that, their equipment is also amazing, made of precious ores that can only be found in the Great Labyrinth of Orcus."

"Feabelgen's technical prowess shouldn't be underestimated."

"Yes, if it was truly made by the craftsmen of Feyalbergen, I think only a 'peerless alchemist' could mass-produce such fine equipment."

"..."

Her stomach was twitching, and Liliana mentally asked Helena to pour her a cup of Helena's special black tea, which was good for her stomach, after the negotiation was over today.

Just then, there was another knock on the door.

"Come in."

"Yes! Excuse me, but since this is an emergency, please allow me to report!"

"It's okay. What's going on? Another masked figure?"

"No, no, that's it—it seems like all the Hauriyas in the dungeon have escaped!"

"..."

Gaharud turned his gaze towards Liliana.

He was unusually expressionless, his cold eyes fixed on Liliana.

Liliana perfectly feigned indifference and said, "Oh, this is terrible."

At the same time, I screamed in my heart.

(Here he comes! That person is definitely here! Only he can rescue people from the Imperial Castle Dungeon without anyone noticing! By the way, what are Mr. Kouki and the others doing!? Covering their faces but not hiding the holy sword, there's no point in wearing a mask! Idiot!)

Jaharud asked in a blank tone with a blank expression:

"Excuse me, Princess Liliana."

"Yes, Your Majesty, what is it?"

"Nagumo Hajime has exceptionally powerful companions, right? Is one of them a rabbit-man?"

"Yes, there are indeed rabbit people."

So what? Liliana tilted her head cutely, a puzzled expression on her face.

She changed from a smiling mask to a stunned mask, and anyone who saw her would think her expression was one of disbelief.

Liliana is known as the kingdom's talented lady, possessing many masks! She is impeccable!

But she screamed in her heart!

(I've been discovered! I've definitely been discovered! Maybe I'm even suspected of involvement? Damn it! Why am I being treated like this! His Majesty the Emperor is looking at me with a look he's never given before! This is all Mr. Nanyun's fault! That's right, Mr. Guanghui and the others making such a scene while wearing masks was definitely Mr. Nanyun's plan... No, it's a prank! This is already a prank! He must have known that this would affect me, how awful! Ugh, his careless treatment always hurts me so much, and I'm obviously a princess.)

Facing the expressionless Gaharud, Liliana showed a cute puzzled expression, pretending to be clueless, while grumbling in her heart.

The next day.

A welcome party was scheduled to be held that day to announce Liliana's marriage to the Crown Prince. Liliana had been busy preparing for the dinner since early morning.

At this time, a report was received.

"Princess Liliana, um, I heard you have a visitor at the gate..."

The servant received the rumor from the gatekeeper and came to inform in confusion.

Hearing that there was an unscheduled visitor, Liliana was also a little confused and asked quietly:

"Who is it?"

"I heard that he claimed to be a hero."

"Why are you visiting openly?!"

Liliana couldn't help but scream, and the servant was startled.

However, she had no time to explain herself. After all, the wanted criminal, whose true identity was obvious, came through the main gate, and the mastermind must be with the hero.

"Go meet them immediately! You must bring them to the reception room in my room! No one will refuse, take them there! Please!"

“Yes, yes!”

The servant was grabbed by the shoulders by the princess and asked for help nervously, and he ran out of the room in panic.

"Hol~~~na! We must stop Mr. Glory and the others before they reach His Majesty Gaharud! Get ready!"

"Leave it to me!"

The maids, led by Holina, took action together.

Liliana also prepared angrily, thinking, "What kind of trouble is he planning to cause this time?"

Although the Imperial City, symbolizing the [Horusha Empire], is located in the imperial capital, it is surrounded by a moat nearly 20 meters wide and sturdy walls with magical defense measures.

There are even aquatic monsters roaming in the moat, soldiers are always patrolling the city walls, and the only entrance is the main gate connected by a huge drawbridge.

There are also restrictions on who can enter the Imperial City, and in principle, they must present a magical entry permit.

In front of the suspension bridge, there is a huge public office that looks like the Arc de Triomphe in France. If you don't pass the city inspection here, you will not be able to cross the suspension bridge.

If anyone tries to illegally intrude, they will be immediately thrown into the moat filled with monsters...

Inspections within the city hall were also relentless, and even businesses with entry permits had their merchandise meticulously inspected, so attempting to sneak in by hiding in cargo was, of course, impossible.

In other words, illegally invading the imperial city is extremely difficult.

Guanghui was queuing in front of the Arc de Triomphe waiting for inspection before entering the city, and he glanced back.

Behind him were his usual team members, childhood friends Shizuku and Ryuutarou, as well as Suzu, Hajime and the others.

In order to enter the imperial city through the main gate with dignity, Hajime and his group came to the imperial capital again.

Witnessing the grandeur and strict inspections of the Imperial City, Guanghui couldn't help but think—

Although he and his companions made a feint to the east and attacked in the west, it was not easy to rescue the Haolia people without causing a commotion.

Of course, they had spatial teleportation magic, so invading and escaping were not difficult. However, just entering the city was met with such strict defenses, and the security within the Imperial City was even more strict.

Even if you find out the location of the dungeon in advance, it is impossible to move accurately if you don't know the correct location.

After the invasion, they supposedly searched on foot, yet remained completely undetected and even managed to rescue the Hauriya people. Glory could only admire them.

Feeling the "gap" between Hajime and himself once again, Kouki couldn't help but sigh.

Incidentally, the troops outside the city were responsible for dealing with Guanghui and his men, and it was impossible to mobilize troops from within the Imperial City. Therefore, a feint to the east and attacking in the west would have little effect. At most, it would have made the troops inside the city nervous, wondering, "Is something going on outside?"

"Next... stranger, show me your permit."

The gatekeepers saw Guanghui and the others with suspicious expressions.

Since only a limited number of people can enter the Imperial City, most of them are familiar faces to the gatekeepers.

Furthermore, even if it was their first time entering the city, those who were invited into the Imperial City were generally well-dressed. Therefore, people like Guanghui and his companions dressed as adventurers were naturally rare, and attracted even more suspicious glances.

"No, I don't have a permit, but I do have this..."

"What? ...Status board? What about a status board?"

Of course, none of Hajime's group had a permit to enter the Imperial City.

However, Guanghui's position is very useful at this time.

He was, after all, a "hero." From the world's perspective, he was God's trump card sent to humanity in the war against demons, and the leader of God's Apostles.

Without a permit, the gatekeeper's eyes held a murderous look, but upon seeing the word "Brave" displayed on the status board, he looked alternately at the board and Kouki's face.

Seeing that something was wrong with the gatekeeper, his colleagues around him began to turn their eyes.

"Um...are you the hero...sir? The apostle of God summoned by the kingdom?"

"Ah, yes, I am the hero. We originally came here with Princess Liliana, but we had something else to do..."

"Whoa whoa……"

After learning Guanghui's identity, the gatekeepers whispered to each other.

Their expressions were full of questions, such as "Why didn't you come with Princess Liliana?" and "Why didn't you contact us beforehand?" and so on.

That being said, they hesitated, fearing it would be disrespectful to pursue the matter, as the other party was the "chief apostle" of the god they believed in. Therefore, the soldiers assumed that Guanghui and the others were on a secret mission and decided to inform their superiors first.

They timidly asked Guanghui and his group to wait, and several gate guards rushed towards the Imperial City.

They were taken to the lounge of the town hall.

Waited about fifteen minutes.

"Yue sitting on Hajime's lap" had become a natural occurrence, and no one was bothering to correct it. Meanwhile, Shia, Kaori, and Tio were fighting over who would sit on the other lap, each holding the other's hand, refusing to yield. Suddenly, hurried footsteps could be heard from the other side of the suspension bridge.

"I heard that the hero and his group have arrived...are you the ones?"

"Ah, yes, that's right, it's us."

The man who came was an imperial soldier of exceptionally large build. Judging from the attitude of the soldiers around him, he seemed to be of high status.

He looked at Guanghui who answered without hesitation, checked the status board, and looked tentatively at the other members.

During that process, he noticed Xia in a blind spot. She suddenly opened her eyes wide in surprise, and then an obscene smile appeared on her face as if she had discovered something interesting.

Feeling the sudden, unpleasant gaze directed at her, Shia's body trembled slightly.

"I have confirmed your identity, Brave Lord. I am Captain Gulide Haff of the Third Company. Please be patient. Princess Liliana has been informed of your visit and is awaiting you in her room. I will have my subordinates lead the way... By the way, Brave Lord, who is that bunnyman? Is that not a slave collar around her neck?"

"Eh? No, she is..."

The man who calls himself Gulide Haff returns the status board to Kouki and asks about Shia for some reason.

However, even if he asked, Guanghui didn't know how to answer.

The necklace Shia was wearing was clearly not a slave's collar, so it was clear she wasn't a slave. And Kouki wasn't sure if she was Hajime's lover. Honestly, Kouki was thinking, "You shouldn't ask me about that..."