I received a noble title.
Although it’s noble, it’s a kind of honorary title that cannot be inherited.
If the status doesn’t fit the position, royalty could revoke such noble titles.
Usually, it’s a title bestowed upon court jesters or maids.
To explain in detail is complicated… Anyway, it’s a title protected by the authority of the imperial family, but not recognized within noble society.
“Call me Lord Sentimental!”
“Rogue!”
“…Fine, Hero.”
“Hehe. Are you happy to receive the title?”
“I was until a moment ago.”
Calling me a Rogue at this timing makes me seem like some sort of robber baron.
Of course, I might have as much money as a robber baron, but… Maybe I should buy a yacht now.
After retiring from the hero party, I plan to cruise the world on a yacht.
“If the Rogue is happy, then I’m happy too!”
“Sure, thanks…”
“It’s my first time receiving a human title. It feels a bit strange.”
“You must feel that way as an elf…”
As the most noble of elves, being a high elf princess, it must be just ‘a bit strange.’
Moreover, elves are even renowned figures who participated in the legendary hero party 500 years ago.
Hero and Saint receive almost the same respect as high nobility in most human countries, so the title seems unnecessary, and as for wizard…
cough
I’m not sure if she is happy or not.
After all, wizard is not interested in anything other than magic from the start, so she is probably not paying much attention.
“Something suddenly feels better about being a noble or whatever.”
“Hehe, the Rogue is humble.”
Whether it’s quasi-noble or high nobility, it’s ultimately a meaningless title as long as I can’t escape from the hero party.
Honestly, at this point, it might be better to resign to my fate, enjoy some adventures, and retire when I am old…
“But there’s too much money!”
After all, being a wealthy retiree is everyone’s dream, isn’t it?
With plenty of money and a reputation for defeating the Demon Lord, there’s only enjoyment left in life, but not being able to do so felt maddening.
The more I thought about it, the more miserable I became, so I decided to stop…
“Hero!”
“Yeah?”
“To commemorate our rare visit to the capital, how about we all go see a play together?”
“Sounds good!”
Watching a play might lift our(my) spirits.
The theater in this world was quite magnificent.
Thanks to various productions using magic, it was a delight for the eyes.
Ice and flames, illusions and transformations intertwined, making it feel like standing in a strange dream world.
***
Honestly, the plot was a bit subtle.
It felt like a crazy drama with all sorts of twists and sensational events.
Extramarital affairs, NTR, secrets of birth, dragons, aliens… From the middle onwards, it was hard to tell if the genre of this play was romance or SF-fantasy.
Considering that the genre of this world itself is fantasy, should SF-fantasy just be viewed as SF? I’m not sure.
“The play was quite enjoyable, wasn’t it?”
“It was intriguing. It was quite different from what I saw 200 years ago.”
“What was the theatre like 200 years ago?”
“It focused more on theological themes, omitting the conventional content seen in today’s plays. I heard it faded away quickly due to shifting trends.”
Enjoying some leisure while listening to lectures from the living theatre historian elf.
Unlike the border at the Great Labyrinth, there were plenty of attractions in the capital.
It wasn’t just focused on adventurer guilds or alchemy guilds; there were various civilian businesses as well.
“Oh, our branch is here too?”
“Did you invest in this, Rogue?”
“Technically, it was invested with the funds from the hero party. Yes.”
Thinking about it made me feel bitter again.
Why does the goddess of luck cling to such a stern person and torment me like this?
She could have listened to me when I prayed for the lottery in my past life.
Or is it because I try to fail that I end up succeeding?
Maybe if I work hard and pray to succeed, I’ll end up failing instead?
“Hero. Is there anything you want me to do for you?”
“Huh?”
“If I do something like this, I would become more likable to you or something like that?”
“Just being by my side…?”
“I am already doing that…”
“Then, nothing! Hehe.”
“Sigh, alright. Still, sometimes it’s good to spend a little time apart and have some alone time…”
“Rogue, I don’t like being apart from you…?”
“No, well, if you’re saying like that…”
“…I don’t mind.”
“Hehe.”
“Don’t laugh. It’s endearing.”
Still, we’ve been together for a long time, so how could I dislike them?
They’re not bad guys.
I may be trying to escape from the party, but it’s not because I dislike them.
It’s just that I’m too lazy and lethargic to live with enthusiasm.
“Hehe, what about me?”
“I don’t mind you either, Saint.”
“What about me?”
“You too, elf.”
“….”
“…And the wizard too.”
Ahem.
Our holiday in the capital ended with reaffirming our strong bonds of friendship.
That night, I attempted to escape three times, but each time I was blocked at the entrance.
Just like usual.
The rogue name will be weeping….
***
The next day, a guest visited the hero party which was resting in the capital.
“Phantom Rogue Sentimental. Hm, should I call you Lord Sentimental now?”
No, it wasn’t a guest for the hero party, but for Sentimental himself.
“Rogue, do you know this person? This person has been looking for you since morning in front of the inn.”
“Ah, elf. Yeah, I know the person… ‘Phantom Rogue,’ huh? That nickname feels like ages ago…”
The nickname ‘Phantom Rogue’ was one of those given to me before I joined the hero party.
Looking back now, it’s a bit… embarrassing.
Honestly, it feels like something out of a teenager’s fantasy.
The person who shamelessly dug up his past spoke with enthusiasm.
“Phantom Rogue, they say you’ve received a title in this kingdom?”
“Y-your Imperial Majesty? Could you please not call me that? It’s embarrassing… I’m the one who should be embarrassed…”
“Your Imperial Majesty…? This person is…?”
“Yeah, that’s right. But that doesn’t mean you have to be formal with this noble lady here. This is just an informal and personal visit.”
The Emperor replied to the questioning elf with a hint of doubt in his voice, nodding naturally.
But the content was somewhat perplexing.
“What does that ‘this noble lady’ mean, Your Imperial Majesty…?”
“This noble lady is the foundation of the empire. When this noble lady speaks like this, it is the precedent.”
“Would it be appropriate for a rogue like you to have such disrespectful attitude towards the emperor? Considering that you have received the kingdom’s title, it could become a diplomatic issue, couldn’t it?”
“Isn’t it a serious diplomatic issue that Your Imperial Majesty is present in the capital of the kingdom without any notification…?”
I don’t understand why this lunatic is
.
“And, calling me the Rogue, does that not mean you don’t care about etiquette?”
“Hmm? Ah, indeed. I suppose I can accept it that way.”
“If it’s unpleasant, please correct it now.”
“Agreed. You have the right to do so.”
“I hope you don’t bring up the past in front of my colleagues…”
“Well, Rogue?”
“Um…”
“As far as I know, the Emperor of the Empire is…”
“Perhaps what you’re about to say is correct.”
“A polymorphic dragon… isn’t it…?”
In this world, there is only one country called the ‘Empire’.
The only emperor who has ruled that empire for thousands of years.
The fact that the Emperor’s true identity is a polymorph dragon was not even a secret.
“Are you curious about my race?”
“Please, don’t bring up polymorphs here. It really causes chaos….”
“Hehe, rest assured, milady. I have no intention of revealing polymorph in front of a dragon slayer like yourself.”
“Dragon slayer? Oh, you mean the Hero.”
“Yes!”
My mind is so scattered with just one guest arriving.
“Well, Your Imperial Majesty. Let’s talk alone for now. Hero, could you wait a moment while I have a brief conversation with our guest in my room?”
“Yes!”
I entered my lodgings with the emperor.
The emperor, who was looking around, plopped down on the bed.
“It’s a humble room.”
“Even so, it’s the most expensive lodging in the kingdom….”
“If it was the most expensive lodging in the empire, it would have been ten times larger and more comfortable than this.”
“Even if you speak like a child comparing toys…. Why have you come then?”
“You’re still as uncouth as ever.”
With the guilt of past sins, all I could do was break out in a cold sweat and try to be discreet.
It felt like witnessing the embarrassing moments of my adolescence.
I felt nauseous and wanted to run away somewhere immediately.
“Do you enjoy the life in the party?”
“Thanks to Your Imperial Majesty’s, yes, I do enjoy it.”
I joined the Hero’s party to atone for all the sins I had committed so far.
And the one who made that proposal was none other than the Emperor in front of me.
“After defeating the Demon King, are you planning to continue with this childish journey?”
“Haha…”
Indeed. Why am I still doing this?
Honestly, I want to retire right now.
“Back when you were stealing the empire’s secrets, you were a bit more spirited.”
“It’s a shameful past. I was quite immature back then too.”
“How about slowly returning to the empire now? Don’t worry, I have no intention of breaking the promise. I’m a bit puzzled as to why you’re still doing this.”
“I want to do that too….”
“Hmm?”
“I’m not sure how to explain this. It’s because the Hero won’t allow me to retire.”
“Can’t you just leave? As a Rogue who even with the full force of the imperial army couldn’t be captured, you should be able to escape easily.”
“That’s true… Would you like to make a wager for once in a while?”
“A wager?”
“If I disappear, then the Hero party will come retrieve me. If you manage to protect me from the Hero party ‘by any means necessary’ for a week, it will be considered Your Imperial Majesty’s victory. How about it?”
“I’m not sure what it entails, but… it doesn’t seem too difficult.”
And so the wager with the emperor was decided.
***
I imprisoned myself in the underground dungeon of the Imperial Palace.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been here.
“It’ll probably take about a day or so.”
“Rogue!”
“…Oh, Hero.”
“Where did you go by yourself?! I’ve been searching for ages…! I was worried sick….”
“Wouldn’t you give me some time to reminisce?”
“Sorry, sorry. Thud. Don’t cry; I won’t disappear anymore.”
“Really…?”
“Probably…?”
“Sigh….”
I received a noble title.
Although it’s noble, it’s a kind of honorary title that cannot be inherited.
If the status doesn’t fit the position, royalty could revoke such noble titles.
Usually, it’s a title bestowed upon court jesters or maids.
To explain in detail is complicated… Anyway, it’s a title protected by the authority of the imperial family, but not recognized within noble society.
“Call me Lord Sentimental!”
“Rogue!”
“…Fine, Hero.”
“Hehe. Are you happy to receive the title?”
“I was until a moment ago.”
Calling me a Rogue at this timing makes me seem like some sort of robber baron.
Of course, I might have as much money as a robber baron, but… Maybe I should buy a yacht now.
After retiring from the hero party, I plan to cruise the world on a yacht.
“If the Rogue is happy, then I’m happy too!”
“Sure, thanks…”
“It’s my first time receiving a human title. It feels a bit strange.”
“You must feel that way as an elf…”
As the most noble of elves, being a high elf princess, it must be just ‘a bit strange.’
Moreover, elves are even renowned figures who participated in the legendary hero party 500 years ago.
Hero and Saint receive almost the same respect as high nobility in most human countries, so the title seems unnecessary, and as for wizard…
cough
I’m not sure if she is happy or not.
After all, wizard is not interested in anything other than magic from the start, so she is probably not paying much attention.
“Something suddenly feels better about being a noble or whatever.”
“Hehe, the Rogue is humble.”
Whether it’s quasi-noble or high nobility, it’s ultimately a meaningless title as long as I can’t escape from the hero party.
Honestly, at this point, it might be better to resign to my fate, enjoy some adventures, and retire when I am old…
“But there’s too much money!”
After all, being a wealthy retiree is everyone’s dream, isn’t it?
With plenty of money and a reputation for defeating the Demon Lord, there’s only enjoyment left in life, but not being able to do so felt maddening.
The more I thought about it, the more miserable I became, so I decided to stop…
“Hero!”
“Yeah?”
“To commemorate our rare visit to the capital, how about we all go see a play together?”
“Sounds good!”
Watching a play might lift our(my) spirits.
The theater in this world was quite magnificent.
Thanks to various productions using magic, it was a delight for the eyes.
Ice and flames, illusions and transformations intertwined, making it feel like standing in a strange dream world.
***
Honestly, the plot was a bit subtle.
It felt like a crazy drama with all sorts of twists and sensational events.
Extramarital affairs, NTR, secrets of birth, dragons, aliens… From the middle onwards, it was hard to tell if the genre of this play was romance or SF-fantasy.
Considering that the genre of this world itself is fantasy, should SF-fantasy just be viewed as SF? I’m not sure.
“The play was quite enjoyable, wasn’t it?”
“It was intriguing. It was quite different from what I saw 200 years ago.”
“What was the theatre like 200 years ago?”
“It focused more on theological themes, omitting the conventional content seen in today’s plays. I heard it faded away quickly due to shifting trends.”
Enjoying some leisure while listening to lectures from the living theatre historian elf.
Unlike the border at the Great Labyrinth, there were plenty of attractions in the capital.
It wasn’t just focused on adventurer guilds or alchemy guilds; there were various civilian businesses as well.
“Oh, our branch is here too?”
“Did you invest in this, Rogue?”
“Technically, it was invested with the funds from the hero party. Yes.”
Thinking about it made me feel bitter again.
Why does the goddess of luck cling to such a stern person and torment me like this?
She could have listened to me when I prayed for the lottery in my past life.
Or is it because I try to fail that I end up succeeding?
Maybe if I work hard and pray to succeed, I’ll end up failing instead?
“Hero. Is there anything you want me to do for you?”
“Huh?”
“If I do something like this, I would become more likable to you or something like that?”
“Just being by my side…?”
“I am already doing that…”
“Then, nothing! Hehe.”
“Sigh, alright. Still, sometimes it’s good to spend a little time apart and have some alone time…”
“Rogue, I don’t like being apart from you…?”
“No, well, if you’re saying like that…”
“…I don’t mind.”
“Hehe.”
“Don’t laugh. It’s endearing.”
Still, we’ve been together for a long time, so how could I dislike them?
They’re not bad guys.
I may be trying to escape from the party, but it’s not because I dislike them.
It’s just that I’m too lazy and lethargic to live with enthusiasm.
“Hehe, what about me?”
“I don’t mind you either, Saint.”
“What about me?”
“You too, elf.”
“….”
“…And the wizard too.”
Ahem.
Our holiday in the capital ended with reaffirming our strong bonds of friendship.
That night, I attempted to escape three times, but each time I was blocked at the entrance.
Just like usual.
The rogue name will be weeping….
***
The next day, a guest visited the hero party which was resting in the capital.
“Phantom Rogue Sentimental. Hm, should I call you Lord Sentimental now?”
No, it wasn’t a guest for the hero party, but for Sentimental himself.
“Rogue, do you know this person? This person has been looking for you since morning in front of the inn.”
“Ah, elf. Yeah, I know the person… ‘Phantom Rogue,’ huh? That nickname feels like ages ago…”
The nickname ‘Phantom Rogue’ was one of those given to me before I joined the hero party.
Looking back now, it’s a bit… embarrassing.
Honestly, it feels like something out of a teenager’s fantasy.
The person who shamelessly dug up his past spoke with enthusiasm.
“Phantom Rogue, they say you’ve received a title in this kingdom?”
“Y-your Imperial Majesty? Could you please not call me that? It’s embarrassing… I’m the one who should be embarrassed…”
“Your Imperial Majesty…? This person is…?”
“Yeah, that’s right. But that doesn’t mean you have to be formal with this noble lady here. This is just an informal and personal visit.”
The Emperor replied to the questioning elf with a hint of doubt in his voice, nodding naturally.
But the content was somewhat perplexing.
“What does that ‘this noble lady’ mean, Your Imperial Majesty…?”
“This noble lady is the foundation of the empire. When this noble lady speaks like this, it is the precedent.”
“Would it be appropriate for a rogue like you to have such disrespectful attitude towards the emperor? Considering that you have received the kingdom’s title, it could become a diplomatic issue, couldn’t it?”
“Isn’t it a serious diplomatic issue that Your Imperial Majesty is present in the capital of the kingdom without any notification…?”
I don’t understand why this lunatic is
.
“And, calling me the Rogue, does that not mean you don’t care about etiquette?”
“Hmm? Ah, indeed. I suppose I can accept it that way.”
“If it’s unpleasant, please correct it now.”
“Agreed. You have the right to do so.”
“I hope you don’t bring up the past in front of my colleagues…”
“Well, Rogue?”
“Um…”
“As far as I know, the Emperor of the Empire is…”
“Perhaps what you’re about to say is correct.”
“A polymorphic dragon… isn’t it…?”
In this world, there is only one country called the ‘Empire’.
The only emperor who has ruled that empire for thousands of years.
The fact that the Emperor’s true identity is a polymorph dragon was not even a secret.
“Are you curious about my race?”
“Please, don’t bring up polymorphs here. It really causes chaos….”
“Hehe, rest assured, milady. I have no intention of revealing polymorph in front of a dragon slayer like yourself.”
“Dragon slayer? Oh, you mean the Hero.”
“Yes!”
My mind is so scattered with just one guest arriving.
“Well, Your Imperial Majesty. Let’s talk alone for now. Hero, could you wait a moment while I have a brief conversation with our guest in my room?”
“Yes!”
I entered my lodgings with the emperor.
The emperor, who was looking around, plopped down on the bed.
“It’s a humble room.”
“Even so, it’s the most expensive lodging in the kingdom….”
“If it was the most expensive lodging in the empire, it would have been ten times larger and more comfortable than this.”
“Even if you speak like a child comparing toys…. Why have you come then?”
“You’re still as uncouth as ever.”
With the guilt of past sins, all I could do was break out in a cold sweat and try to be discreet.
It felt like witnessing the embarrassing moments of my adolescence.
I felt nauseous and wanted to run away somewhere immediately.
“Do you enjoy the life in the party?”
“Thanks to Your Imperial Majesty’s, yes, I do enjoy it.”
I joined the Hero’s party to atone for all the sins I had committed so far.
And the one who made that proposal was none other than the Emperor in front of me.
“After defeating the Demon King, are you planning to continue with this childish journey?”
“Haha…”
Indeed. Why am I still doing this?
Honestly, I want to retire right now.
“Back when you were stealing the empire’s secrets, you were a bit more spirited.”
“It’s a shameful past. I was quite immature back then too.”
“How about slowly returning to the empire now? Don’t worry, I have no intention of breaking the promise. I’m a bit puzzled as to why you’re still doing this.”
“I want to do that too….”
“Hmm?”
“I’m not sure how to explain this. It’s because the Hero won’t allow me to retire.”
“Can’t you just leave? As a Rogue who even with the full force of the imperial army couldn’t be captured, you should be able to escape easily.”
“That’s true… Would you like to make a wager for once in a while?”
“A wager?”
“If I disappear, then the Hero party will come retrieve me. If you manage to protect me from the Hero party ‘by any means necessary’ for a week, it will be considered Your Imperial Majesty’s victory. How about it?”
“I’m not sure what it entails, but… it doesn’t seem too difficult.”
And so the wager with the emperor was decided.
***
I imprisoned myself in the underground dungeon of the Imperial Palace.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been here.
“It’ll probably take about a day or so.”
“Rogue!”
“…Oh, Hero.”
“Where did you go by yourself?! I’ve been searching for ages…! I was worried sick….”
“Wouldn’t you give me some time to reminisce?”
“Sorry, sorry. Thud. Don’t cry; I won’t disappear anymore.”
“Really…?”
“Probably…?”
“Sigh….”
