Third Outer World Story Series: Pumpkin Sorcerer - Chapter 77

Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter

“Um, you are His Majesty Akito, is that correct?”

“Who else could I be if not him…”

At the king’s words, Pumpkin turned to the concubines and the Elf man to confirm the veracity of his words.

And they all nodded in unison.

This was apparently His Majesty the King Akito Senko.

“Well, to speak the truth, I am from the countryside, so I had only heard your name from First Prince Saku. Also, I am not familiar with honorifics and the like, so I would appreciate it if you could excuse me for my behavior.”

“Hmm. Your outward appearance… Oh, I get it. You are the Spalpkin, the dragon-slaying sorcerer, that Count Kunuki was referring to.”

“Uh, well, I suppose you could say that.”

While responding to the king’s words, Pumpkin told the Elf man with only a glance that he should be the one who explains to the King the rest of the story.

Pumpkin said to the Elf man by his glance only, “You should be the one who tells the King the rest of the narrative,” while responding to the king’s words.

The Elf man was stunned with his mouth open, but as soon as he realized the meaning of Pumpkin’s gaze, he shook his head and refused. However…

“At any rate, it seems that the current situation will be explained by the Third Prince Gouki’s subordinate?”

“What! You!?”

“Hmm. May I inquire?”

“Eh, ah, yes!”

Pumpkin forced the vine to come to the surface by wrapping it around his arm.

It’s okay! You can do it! I don’t believe you would act inappropriately to the extent of offending the king, at least not from the manner you have been treating him! So think of this as a chance to elevate yourself to the next stage in your life!

“Phew. So, who are you over there? Are you one of the Second Prince’s men?”

Pumpkin turned to the Lizardman who had brought the king here as the king was being informed of the situation.

This Lizardman guy still had not let down his guard against them.

“Right. I serve His Highness the Second Prince Tsurugi.”

“Hmm.”

The distinction between this man and Pumpkin and those two over there was likely that he was a knight by profession. He had a different vibe than they did. Even the way he responded to them gave off that impression as well.

“What… defying the barrier and putting everyone in the castle to sleep… those imperial court sorcerers might be fainting. The battle could be over in an instant, depending on how it is used.”

And here the king was muttering something at his wits’ end, perhaps the conversation between him and the Elf man was over.

Let me warn you, [Resonance Concerto Spell?Good Night Day] consumes a significant amount of magic power, so without replenishment, my limit is once a day, too.

“Oh, yeah. I have a question for Your Majesty, do you have any insight into their trump card?”

“What…!”

“You…!?”

“Calm down. Did you hear about the trump card from… Saku?”

“Yes, there must be something that could turn the tide of the war in one fell swoop. Furthermore, I was requested by the First Prince to destroy that trump card if possible.”

The king, while restraining the Lizardman guy with his hand, showed an appearance as if he was pondering something in response to Pumpkin’s question.

The king seemed to have an insight into the matter but was wavering on whether or not he should share it with others.

Since the question Pumpkin was asking now was more like a confirmation of what he had seen, if the king had time to think about it, he would rather have him answer it right away.

Also, Pumpkin was now convinced that Lizardman was a knight. His reaction was exactly that of a knight.

“Only I, the king, and those exceptionally close to me are informed about the presence of a magical storehouse in the castle’s basement. Ray and the others might be able to take advantage of the magic if they take action.”

[[[…!?]]]

“…”

The king’s remarks left everyone, save Pumpkin, speechless. Or rather, even the concubines themselves were unaware of it. How could the Fourth Prince know about it? Well, either someone leaked it or he found out by chance.

“Your expression suggests that you are aware of this. Although I don’t recollect informing Saku, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Ray was aware of it.”

“Well, I’m positive that there is something in the basement. I am a sorcerer and sensitive to the presence of things after all.”

For the record, he didn’t hear about the basement from the First Prince. Pumpkin simply saw it with his usual magical vision.

It would seem that a sorcerer with outstanding detecting skills would be able to sense something given the amount’s unbelievable abundance. And indeed, even Pumpkin could sense some kind of presence, so it would be safe to assume at least this much.

“I see. I guess it’s true what they say about being out of standard…”

And while Pumpkin was having such thoughts, the King then gave a sigh as usual.

…Not knowing is more the norm, is that so? Well, the magical storehouse has been exposed because of its lax hermetically sealed process! You ought to get a grip on yourself, imperial court sorcerer!

“The king and the others will lead the party to evacuate in that case, and because everyone in the castle will be asleep for the next half-day or so, you should be okay as long as you keep an eye out for the guards outside the castle.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“I am heading to the magical storehouse. That is the extent of the prince’s request.”

“Alright. Then I will show you the entrance and we will escape.”

The king and his rescuers entered the hidden passageway after guiding Pumpkin to the magical storehouse, but it took some time, and with the last person entering it, the door to the hidden passageway was closed.

The Third Prince’s men, according to the Elf man, were at the end of the hidden passageway, and since the Lizardman man arrived here without hesitation, the Second Prince’s men were undoubtedly there as well, so there was no longer a need to be concerned about them.

“Well, I guess I’d better hurry then.”

Pumpkin muttered this as he made his way to the magical storehouse that the king had told him about.

The subterranean mass of magic power was already gradually shifting its appearance, both in terms of color and shape at this time.