An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

"Kaori, please! Help Nagumo-san with the healing magic!"

"Eh? Shizuku-chan?"

Kaori was confused. Beside her, Liliana was wavering, her eyes wide open as she asked Hajime, "Who are you!?" She seemed deeply shocked by the disparity in treatment between herself and Gaharud.

“…What kind of reaction is that, you guys!?”

Hajime's eyes twitched with anger. He also knew how to adapt to the situation and usually just ignored her.

However, this time, there was a reason why he couldn't be expelled from the Imperial City. Provoking the Emperor wasn't the best option, so he showed minimal courtesy. But...

This was too shocking for their companions, although Yue and the others were not affected.

Gaharud laughed and teased:

"Haha... As expected of someone who can fabricate stories and deceive the people without a care in the world, even flattery is easy for you? But now, speak in your usual manner. Seeing the reactions of the heroes, I have a rough idea of ​​your usual character. However, I've heard Princess Liliana say that you are so indifferent to others. Seeing such unequal treatment, the princess is about to cry, right?"

Hajime looked at Liliana with suspicion, as if to say, "What unnecessary words did you say, you idiot princess?" Liliana turned her head away, ignoring him.

"I'm interested in the real you. Stop talking like that."

"...Is that so? Then I'll proceed as usual."

"That'll be fine."

At Gaharud's urging, Hajime and the others took their seats in order.

After seeing them take their seats, Gaharud finally shifted his gaze away from Hajime and curiously observed Yue and the others sitting next to Hajime. The look he gave Shia was particularly meaningful.

Then, his gaze shifted towards Guanghui and the others...

He skipped over Guanghui and immediately smiled happily when he saw Shizuku next to him.

"Shizuku, long time no see. Have you decided to be my wife?"

"Your Majesty! Shizuku has already refused!"

Before Shizuku could reply, Kouki answered first.

Gaharud glanced at Kouki, scoffed, and immediately looked directly at Shizuku. He clearly didn't take Kouki seriously, and Kouki's forehead veins bulged with anger.

Seeing the two people's reactions, Shizuku sighed and said seriously:

"I have no intention of taking back my words. Please allow me to decline your Majesty's proposal."

"You're so cold, but that's what makes it fun. I want you to say it yourself that you choose me over your original world. I'm looking forward to the day when your pretty face turns red with love for me."

"That day will never come... and besides, you already have a queen, right?"

"So what? Are you unhappy with being my concubine? Well, it would be much more troublesome to make you my principal wife..."

"That's not what I meant! I meant that you already have the Queen, yet you're still hitting on other women..."

"What are you talking about? I'm the emperor. Having ten or twenty concubines is perfectly natural."

"Hmm... That's right. Anyway, I won't be your Majesty's. Please give up."

"Since you can't rely on God to return, you will stay in this world, right? I will take my time to conquer you. Be prepared, Shizuku."

It seemed Gaharud was truly drawn to Shizuku. His Majesty, a man of strong desires, seemed unable to be dissuaded by mere rejection, his piercing gaze fixed on Shizuku.

Shizuku turned her head away with an expression of deep disgust, but he didn't care.

At this moment, Shizuku turned her head away and her eyes met Hajime's by chance.

Hajime's gaze wasn't as sharp as usual, and he seemed a little distracted, but he must have been listening. His eyes were clearly teasing Shizuku, saying, "You're born to be a hard worker (laughs)."

Shizuku felt angry and flicked her finger at the sugar cube that came with the tea.

Although the force was far less than that of Hajime, the sugar cube bullet still flew out at high speed, hitting Hajime's disgusting face squarely...

But it missed. Shi opened his mouth to catch it.

He deliberately chewed the sugar cube, savoring its sweetness before swallowing it.

Shizuku seemed very unwilling to accept this, but Hajime had already returned to his absent-minded expression.

Seeing this, Gaharud turned his sharp gaze towards Hajime again.

Look carefully.

"Hmph, what a disgusting situation... Nagumo Hajime, I have many questions to ask, but first, you have to answer one."

"Huh? What?"

"Have you already slept with my Shizuku?"

““““Puff～～!?”””””

Gaharud suddenly asked a shocking question with a serious expression, causing everyone, including Shizuku, to spit out their tea.

Even the guard standing behind Gaharud showed a headache and said, "Your Majesty... Is that the issue you are most concerned about...?" It seems that they were also born to be hardworking.

Shizuku asked loudly in panic:

"Wait, Your Majesty! Why are you asking such a question all of a sudden?!"

"Shizuku, shut up. I'm asking Nagumo Hajime."

Gaharud stopped Shizuku, his eyes still fixed on Hajime.

I felt speechless.

"What brings you such thoughts?"

"Because Shizuku seems to be opening up to you... Although judging by her attitude, it seems she hasn't, but just to be on the safe side, it's better to ask."

"Oh, of course not."

"...Well, you didn't lie. So what do you think of Shizuku?"

At this question, all eyes in the room turned to Hajime.

Guanghui's eyes were stern, and Ryutaro and Qian seemed to be in a state of confusion.

Yue and the others looked at Hajime with various emotions.

Hajime thought, "Why does the first question I'm asked when I meet the Emperor have to do with Shizuku?" He sighed and shifted his gaze towards Shizuku for no apparent reason.

Shizuku's expression was very amusing.

Hajime tilted his head, looking at her in confusion.

Shizuku's ears seem to be turning red...

Anyway, Hajime spoke his true feelings.

"...She's a bit of a nanny."

"Okay, if you want to fight, I'll join you. Let's go outside, Nagumo-kun."

Shizuku glared at Hajime, calling a 17-year-old girl in her prime a "maid" and slowly stood up.

The previous subtle atmosphere was gone.

Ling and Ryutaro, who were standing by, seemed to have anticipated this situation and quickly stopped it.

"...What an unexpected answer... But never mind, Shizuku, don't accidentally fall in love with him, okay? Because you're mine."

"I'm not your Majesty's lover, and I won't fall in love with Nagumo-kun! Please stop discussing this!"

"Okay, okay, don't be so angry. Denying too much will only make things worse, okay?"

“Mmm…”

After hearing what Gaharud said, Shizuku couldn't say anything back, so she could only sit down angrily.

Ling smiled wryly and tried to comfort Shizuku, while Kouki glared at Hajime for some unknown reason.

"Nagumo Hajime, don't attack Shizuku either, okay?"

"Don't worry, I have no interest in her at all. Anyway, if you really only have nonsense to say, I'd like to withdraw now."

"I don't think it's nonsense. This could be about the birth of a new concubine or queen, right? It's clearly a crucial topic concerning the future of the empire... Never mind, I definitely don't want to talk about Shizuku. You're also aware of your abnormality, right?

Gaharud had deliberately distracted Shizuku, all to buy time to observe Hajime. He now realized he couldn't delay any longer, and his aura shifted. While previously he had exuded a domineering aura, still tinged with a hint of playfulness, Gaharud's aura now resembled a sharp blade unsheathed.

He stated the biggest reason for taking the time to meet with Hajime.

"I've heard Princess Liliana tell you about your exploits. You're the conqueror of the Great Labyrinth, and with the power you gain from that place, you can create a divine artifact... Your divine artifact could annihilate a demon army in one fell swoop, reducing a journey that would take two months to complete in just two days. Is that true?"

"real."

"And you have no intention of providing those artifacts to the Kingdom or the Empire?"

"right."

"Hmph, one person possessing such a powerful force... Do you think that kind of thing is allowed?"

"Whose permission do I need? What can they do to me if I don't allow them?"

Hajime's concise answer made Gaharud's eyes narrow, and his domineering aura became even stronger.

The guards behind cooperated with Gaharud to release murderous aura; in contrast, the aura of the people hiding around the room was even thinner, and the situation was almost explosive.

"Your Majesty, Ga-Garrud! What are you thinking about?!"

Liliana complained palely. She didn't understand why Gaharud had done something like "kick a dragon in the buttocks," even though she had given him a warning beforehand to prevent things from escalating to this point.

However, Gaharud’s eyes were fixed on Hajime, and he didn’t answer Liliana.

The tense atmosphere made Guanghui and the others' expressions stiffen, and they couldn't help but stand up.

Despite the heavy murderous intent bearing down on him, Hajime remained unmoved, like a willow tree in the wind. As he casually reached for his tea, his eyes darted around in several directions, as if to say, "I see you guys, huh?"

The other party seemed to understand the situation and could feel that their aura was slightly shaken.

"Hahaha, forget it, forget it. I've been completely caught. This guy is truly a monster. If we attack now, we'll all be killed."

Jaharud let out a hearty laugh, his domineering aura subdued, and the people around him followed suit. Seeing is believing, and as the emperor, he seemed determined to witness Hajime's strength with his own eyes.

Hajime was speechless and said to Gaharud:

"Why do you look so happy?"

"Hey, hey, I'm the leader of the Empire. How can I not be excited to see someone so powerful?"

Gaharud's answer was indeed in line with the style of people from a country that prioritizes power over everything else.

Guanghui and the others took a deep breath and sat back in their chairs. Liliana touched her abdomen, feeling a stomachache.

"But then again, the woman next to you is incredible. Hey, where did you find her? If I'd known there were such a wonderful woman, I would have approached her directly... Give me one, Nagumo Hajime."

"Don't be silly, or I'll blow your head off... No, it doesn't matter if Tio is yours."

"W-what!? Damn you, Master, you're selling me to another man like nothing happened! Fufu, this is such cruel treatment... I can't stand it! Fufu."

"Although her personality is a bit problematic, at least she looks like a good woman, right?"

"Sorry, the Emperor doesn't always accept anything. I can't eat that drooling pervert either."

"These two, you dare say such outrageous things right in front of me! Ugh, after this, I will definitely be taken away by your majesty. Forcing me to do this in front of your master... Fufu, um... I need to change my underwear."

Seeing Tio's expression as if she had been liberated, His Majesty the Emperor was also shocked!

Gaharud coughed, then pulled himself together again, seemingly deciding to pretend he hadn't seen anything.

"Personally, I'm more interested in the bunnyman over there. I've never seen a bunnyman with hair color like that, and she's even unfazed by my presence. Her courage reminds me of the toy I captured recently. Do you have that impression?"

Shia's eyes twitched at the thought of Gaharud's "toy." Yue, standing beside her, gently held her hand under the table.

"Toys? I don't know what you're talking about..."

"You don't remember? Then do you want to come and see them later? I actually have a few more, all women and children, and they're quite good stuff—"

Gaharud was bluffing. Hajime had already confirmed with Kam that all the captured people had been rescued. Gaharud was probably trying to trick Hajime into telling him something.

To this, Hajime had only one answer.

"I'm not interested..."

"Oh? Those guys have incredibly sophisticated daggers and equipment, and you're not interested in that? A peerless alchemist?"

"I don't use weapons like swords..."

"...Is that so? Someone escaped from the dungeon yesterday. Do you know of any artifacts or special magic that could easily allow one to enter and escape this imperial city?"

"I don't know... I wish there really was such a divine weapon."