As Long as You Have the [Shop] Skill, the Dungeonized World Is a Breeze ~The Bullied Youth’s Payback

Chapter 133 – To the Treasure Vault

“Hiro-sama, my attendant has been rude. I sincerely apologize.” (Noalia)
“No, I don’t mind. She has a valid point.” (Bouchi)
“I’m glad to hear that. Where were we again…?” (Noalia)
“Ah, about what I found curious about you, second princess-san.” (Bouchi)
“Err… Could you please call me by my name?” (Noalia)
“…Well, as long as you’re okay with it.” (Bouchi)
When I glanced over at her maid, she was gazing at me with displeasure, which was to be expected.

“We will be allies in working to save my little brother, so please feel free to call me by my name.” (Noalia)
“…Okay. Then Noalia, I don’t understand why you want to rescue Nike.” (Bouchi)
“Nike is my younger brother, you know?” (Noalia)
“I know that he’s your half-brother. But I heard that the concubines didn’t get along with each other. The way the first wife and the other concubines treated Shuren was especially unpleasant. From that, I can guess that you were probably warned by your own mother to be careful about making contact with Shuren and Nike.” (Bouchi)
To prevent any emotional attachment, Noalia’s mother probably tried to prevent her from having contact with Shuren and Nike so that she wouldn’t care that much if they were gotten rid of. Despite that, I couldn’t understand why she would betray the Empire to try and save Nike.

Then, Noalia gave a sad smile and spoke quietly.

“Well… It’s true that at first, my mother forbade me from having any contact with Shuren-sama and Nike.” (Noalia)
As I had expected, that really was the case. She went on to claim that Shuren was conspiring to kill the other heirs to the throne and elevate Nike to the position of emperor.

Because of that, Noalia was forced to live locked up in her room for a long time, being guarded by those around her, in fear that she might be assassinated at any moment.

“But one day, I snuck out of the palace and went into the city.” (Noalia)
“Snuck out?” (Bouchi)
“Ah, excuse me. Err… I was always locked up in my room, and it was way too cramped, so…” (Noalia)
As Noalia said that with an embarrassed look on her face, the maid standing next to her let out a sigh, shrugging her shoulders. Looks like she got in big trouble for that.

At that time, Noalia, who was enjoying her first taste of freedom out in the city since a long time ago, was almost run over by a horse-drawn carriage in the streets.

“It was Shuren-sama who protected me at that time.” (Noalia)
Back then, Shuren had been forced by the emperor’s first wife to move out of the palace and live in a mansion in the nobles’ district of the city. When Shuren was out shopping, she saw Noalia in distress and helped her.

At first, when Noalia saw Shuren’s face, she was terrified, thinking that she would kill her. Well, that was a natural reaction, considering how her mother had been telling her that while she was growing up.

However, thanks to Shuren, Noalia had remained unharmed, but Shuren suffered an injury on her forehead as a result of the accident. Even so, Shuren never got angry with Noalia. On the contrary, she was concerned for her well-being and spoke gently to her. Noalia was touched by Shuren’s warmth and was able to get to know her better.

“After I learned what kind of person Shuren-sama was, I tried to figure out why the other mothers were so against her. When I found out about their ugly, jealous, and downright foolish acts against her, I understood that Shuren-sama was on the side of righteousness.” (Noalia)
From then on, Noalia tried to devise ways for Shuren and Nike to meet, but it wasn’t going too well.

When Noalia’s mother found out that she was seeing Shuren frequently, she was naturally given a strong warning by her mother and consequently forbidden from going out into the city.

Even still, Noalia couldn’t stand the treatment that Shuren was receiving and continued to keep contact with her through letters delivered by D’esta while trying to improve her situation, but…

“…One day, I received the news that Shuren-sama had died in her mansion.” (Noalia)
Noalia’s voice was filled with frustration, and tears welled in her eyes as she seemed to recall that time.

“I couldn’t do anything. She saved my life once… but I couldn’t do anything to repay her.” (Noalia)
As I watched her tremble while speaking, I could tell that she was truly repentant. It didn’t look like she was acting.

“Then, I thought hard about it… whether or not there was anything the foolish me could still do. That’s when an idea occurred to me.” (Noalia)
“To release Nike from the Empire?” (Bouchi)
“…Yes. Shuren-sama said that she wanted Nike to live freely. She wanted him to be free to do whatever he liked, without restriction.” (Noalia)
But that didn’t happen. At least, not by her own hands.

“I visited the kingdom of Allods… and met with Rajie-sama.” (Noalia)
She gave Rajie the letters Shuren had written, and she began to work with him to find a way to release Nike from the clutches of the Empire.

That was when the plan to free him during the chaos of the war came about.

“But some irregularities happened, and we ended up failing. But… there’s no way we can just give up like this.” (Noalia)
Noalia, who had been trembling weakly as she narrated thus far, looked up at me with a powerful gaze.

“We have gathered here to fulfill Shuren-sama’s last wishes. Nike, our precious memento of Shuren-sama… We will definitely get him back.” (Noalia)
Hearing Noalia’s declaration, Rajie, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

“I would like to request you to prepare a place for us to escape to—a safe haven, if you will.” (Rajie)
I see. In other words, he still wanted food, clothing, and shelter from me. I thought he was going to ask me for my assistance in rescuing Nike.

“So it’s okay with you for me to not participate in the rescue operation?” (Bouchi)
“Of course, it would be helpful if you assisted us, but if things don’t go well, it could result in a battle. Do you have the means to fight?” (Rajie)
“If I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t have come to a place alone like this.” (Bouchi)
“…Hmm, indeed.” (Rajie)
I spoke truthfully, since this geezer would see through it even if I lied.

“Besides, the conditions of this request were to ensure Nike makes it out safely from the imperial capital, right? Then this rescue operation failing would be a setback for me as well.” (Bouchi)
Cooperating with these guys would mean losing a big business partner in the Empire. If I didn’t do everything I could to succeed and receive a humongous reward for it, it wouldn’t be worth it in the end.

“Do you have an outline for the rescue mission yet?” (Bouchi)
“…For the most part. Well, it’s quite simple, really. At midnight, we will go to the room where Nike-sama is held captive and break him out. Then, we will leave the imperial capital.” (Rajie)
It certainly was simple. Well, it was good that it was easy to understand.

“What are our numbers looking like? Will everyone in this building take part?” (Bouchi)
“We have already secured an escape route. There is an underground passage in the capital known only to the royal family. We will enter the palace through that passageway, take Nike-sama, and leave through the same route.” (Rajie)
“An underground passage known only to the royal family? Don’t tell me, that’s where…?” (Bouchi)
“Yes, you don’t believe it?” (Rajie)
“I can only believe what I see with my own eyes.” (Bouchi)
“…Then I’ll show you that I was speaking the truth. Noalia-sama, may I?” (Rajie)
“You were the one with the good eye, weren’t you? I trust you.” (Noalia)
Noalia seemed to have quite the strong trust in Rajie.

“Rajie-dono, if you will, please leave it to me to guide the way to the treasure vault,” D’esta offered. I tried to guess what she was on her mind. Naturally, Rajie asked for her reasoning, and D’esta replied with a dignified expression.

“I don’t trust him yet. Even though you have acknowledged him, there are people who would be saddened if anything were to happen to you.” (D’esta)
“…..Then you can come with us. If I get attacked by him, you will protect me, right?” (Rajie)
“Yes, by all means!” (D’esta)
I didn’t really care either way. I just wanted to hurry up and see the gold, silver, and other valuables I’d be rewarded. As I thought this to myself, D’esta glared at me sharply.

“Listen here, alright? If you make any suspicious moves, I’ll cut you down right then and there.” (D’esta)
“Yeah, yeah. Suit yourself.” (Bouchi)
D’esta grimaced at me, dissatisfied with my impassive attitude.

I didn’t really mind it, since I thought that D’esta’s concern was justified. In the first place, I would stand by what I said.

As long as there was a reward, I wouldn’t one-sidedly change my mind or go against what I said.

“Then let us be on our way. Come along now.” (Rajie)
Rajie picked up a lantern hanging on the wall and headed for the door at the back of the room.

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