Chapter 183: Little Kiara's Guardian Is the Celestial Fox Himself?
After Noah reduced the pressure on these officials, their actions became increasingly unrestrained. Once Noah learned that Manaka Sajyou had entered the city, these individuals quickly became aware of it as well.
They gathered together after Manaka Sajyou entered Rome City and immediately approached her.
Although it couldn't be described as entirely open, at least they no longer concealed themselves as they had before.
Manaka Sajyou's cloak was specially prepared with Suggestion Magecraft aimed at ordinary people to prevent trouble.
Others would perceive her as a middle-aged person in her thirties.
Because of this Suggestion Magecraft, these officials saw nothing unusual and directly intercepted her, inviting Manaka Sajyou to their secret base—the small tavern located behind the main road.
At first, Manaka Sajyou was curious about who these people were.
It wasn't until the officials revealed their intentions.
"Adjutant Officer, you may not remember us, but we are undoubtedly former officials of Rome. After receiving news of your return toward Rome City, we began preparations. Now, funds are ready, weapons are prepared, and personnel are mostly assembled. We await only your command!"
Manaka Sajyou took a moment to understand their plan.
When she heard they intended to seize an opportunity, mobilize troops while Noah was traveling, intercept him on the road, and shoot him dead on the spot, she nearly laughed aloud.
She didn't know how ordinary people viewed Noah, but even from here, she could sense his presence—radiant and dazzling, like the sun upon the earth.
Sometimes, Manaka Sajyou even thought—even a god might not possess such brilliance.
So, to think of intercepting and assassinating Noah... who did they think he was?
Perhaps it was because Noah usually appeared too approachable, completely unlike those lofty gods who treated humans as weeds. Otherwise, these individuals likely wouldn't have conceived such a foolish idea.
But... it didn't matter.
Since they placed their hopes in her, she would deliver the despair that Noah had failed to make them feel.
With this thought, Manaka Sajyou casually took a seat on a stool beside the bar.
Then, the other officials suddenly felt a numbness throughout their bodies and collapsed to the ground.
They looked up at Manaka Sajyou seated above, completely unable to comprehend.
And at this moment, Manaka Sajyou spoke to them.
"Although you placed your hopes in me, I'm sorry—I came to pledge allegiance to King Arthur."
"As for you... thank you for adding another chip to my pledge. If you're even worthy of being considered chips, I won't forget you before I sleep tonight."
"In any case, thanks a lot."
Noah, who was fully aware of the situation on Manaka Sajyou's side and was waiting for her to bring her pledge, sat behind the desk in his study, watching a communication window before him and listening to Kuro's report from the other end.
"You've already arrived there... Alright, first deal with those people. If you capture that Terminal of yours, just hand her over to White—then follow the map I gave you, trace upward along the locations of the Huns, make a big loop, and come back."
"Mm, I trust you."
"...What I said earlier was meant for you to spend a long time thinking over. You need time to help you figure out why you're not a weapon but Altera, and you also need time to adjust to a life no longer as a weapon. So don't rush, take it slow."
"Good, that's settled."
After ending the communication with Kuro, Noah leaned back in his chair. Watching Fou jump from above into his lap, he then spoke to Mary in his mind.
"Keep an eye on Kuro's situation for me. Although I don't think she'll run into any problems, I did impose some additional requirements on her. So if those small nations or tribes have any ulterior motives, naturally, I'll have to step in and clean up the mess for her."
"Understood."
Although Mary's Clairvoyance has some blind spots, aside from those, her Clairvoyance is still quite useful.
In a sense, she essentially serves as Noah's eyes.
This also allows Noah to often have room for precise maneuvering in many matters.
"I don't foresee any issues on this end either. However, regarding Manaka Sajyou... Although she has hidden herself, the disturbances she causes cannot be concealed. So I see she should be heading toward the palace."
Mary said this, and Noah nodded in response.
"Don't worry, I've pretty much arranged everything that needs to be arranged. Now, all that's left is to wait for her to arrive."
Noah gave his reply, and indeed, that was the case.
When Manaka Sajyou brought these Roman officials to the palace gates, she had actually considered how she would enter the palace interior.
After all, she had brought so many people with her.
Moreover, after her arrival, these officials immediately began wailing at the palace guards, putting on an act as if they had all been kidnapped by this person before them!
To be fair, both they and Manaka Sajyou believed that the guards would surely trust these officials more than Manaka Sajyou. That's why the officials were wailing here, grasping for a slim chance of survival.
But...
"Silence!"
The Enforcement Knights guarding the palace first harshly shouted, frightening the officials into immediate silence. Then, after confirming Manaka Sajyou's various characteristics, the Enforcement Knights respectfully performed a standard knight's salute to her.
"You must be Miss Manaka Sajyou, correct? The King has been waiting for you for a long time. We'll take care of these individuals; please proceed inside."
Hearing this, Manaka Sajyou removed the hood covering her face, dispelled the Suggestion Magecraft, restored her original appearance, and smilingly entered the palace.
As for these officials, who were being dragged away one by one by the Enforcement Knights, some initially refused to believe their fate and shouted defiantly. But when their crimes were presented before them one by one...
These individuals were once again reminded of the terror of Noah!
In recent days, they had been deceived by the smooth progress of various matters.
But now, thinking back... Indeed, if it weren't for Noah's tacit approval, how could things have gone so smoothly!
That one had already known about our plans all along!
Understanding this sent chills down their spines, and they fell completely silent, each one escorted back to their hometowns by the Enforcement Knights.
Once they all arrived at their destinations, the second round of public executions would begin!
This was their fate.
Meanwhile, guided by the Enforcement Knights along the way, Manaka Sajyou arrived at the main hall of the palace, where Vivian then led her to Noah's study.
"Please come in."
At Noah's words, Vivian pushed open the door.
Although this wasn't Manaka Sajyou's first time seeing Noah, it was their first formal meeting.
Manaka Sajyou felt a rare hint of nervousness, but she quickly suppressed it.
Noah spoke at that moment.
"Manaka Sajyou, right? I've heard about you for a long time. I've always wanted to meet you, but I didn't expect to miss you last time. Instead, it's only now that I'm finally greeting you properly."
"Please, have a seat."
Hearing Noah's words and seeing his bright, sunny smile, Manaka Sajyou nodded and sat on the sofa reserved for guests in the study.
Noah then walked out from behind his desk and sat opposite Manaka Sajyou.
"I don't like beating around the bush, so I'll get straight to the point. Manaka Sajyou, during Rome's lowest point, you single-handedly lifted Rome out of its decline. Even under the leadership of Lucius and Quintus, you prevented Rome from falling apart—I've seen your abilities firsthand. So, would you be willing to become my Adjutant Officer and lend me your strength?"
Manaka Sajyou clearly hadn't expected Noah to speak before she did, nor had she imagined that he had been paying attention to her for so long.
This filled her with pleasant surprise.
"I would!"
She clasped her hands together as if in prayer or like a bride responding at a wedding—but in any case, that was how she gave Noah her answer. After taking a deep breath to calm herself slightly, she then presented the offering she had brought this time.
"This is exactly what I desire. Of course, I don't want to make things difficult for you, so for the position of Adjutant Officer, I've prepared some offerings. I hope you'll like them."
Manaka Sajyou had originally prepared two offerings, which would have made three if she included the officials.
But after truly meeting Noah and feeling his trust and attention toward her, Manaka Sajyou suddenly felt that three wasn't enough!
However, she had only prepared this much and didn't want to keep Noah waiting any longer.
In that case...
She suddenly remembered something!
Besides these three offerings, wasn't there another piece of information she could share with Noah?
When she was brought here through the Distortion, she wasn't the only one—wasn't there also that female Merlin!
That guy hasn't shown up yet. According to the memories of Merlin sent through the Distortion regarding that woman, he must be plotting something terrible!
So I can inform Noah in advance, letting him prepare early!
With this thought in mind, Manaka Sajyou regained her usual elegant smile.
"My King, if we count the officials just now—the tribute I have prepared for you this time totals four!"
"Allow me to explain—in detail."