Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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Chapter 1 There are limits to the ostentation of the nouveau riche, the grass is always greener on the other side


　It was made of gold, silver, and jewels.
　The floors, pillars, walls, and ceilings are gold, and gems are scattered in various places.
　Perhaps they are real things.
　However, there is no way that Hanakawa has the eyesight to determine authenticity.
　This is because Hanakawa's appraisal skills are only the ability to look into the status of others.

　―― But, there is no such thing as a glass ball in gold plating-degozaru...

　It is a throne room made for a Sage, an Emperor. There was no way it could have been faked. A huge amount of wealth must have been spent here.

"How is it? About my throne?"

　Yoshifumi, the Sage and Emperor of the Empire of Ents, was sitting on his throne, leaning back.
　Of course, the throne is also extravagant, it boasts an incomprehensibly opulent.
　And on his throne, his women were leaning around.
　The women who were with Yoshifumi at the bar were apparently in a position to enter the palace.

"Well~, it's so gorgeous! I'm so impressed-degozaru!"

　Hanakawa was prostrate on the floor, one step down from the throne.

"Why don't you just be honest?"
"Eh !? No, I'm sorry to say that it's a true word from the bottom of my heart!"
"Really?"

　Yoshifumi is threatening him.
　But it wasn't that scary.
　Yoshifumi's clothes, words, and actions are those of a cheap thug, and he is not so intimidating.
　It was even hilarious.
　Something must have gone wrong, and he looks like a lowly man on a throne that he doesn't deserve.
　As expected, even Hanakawa did not feel fear for Yoshifumi.
　But except for Yoshifumi, it's a different story.
　The woman who is leaning on the throne can only be thought of as having the power to read Hanakawa's mind.
　In other words, no matter how much flattery and pleasantries he might have tried to put forth here, there was a possibility that his true intentions would have been completely exposed.
　Hanakawa found it terrifying and eerie.

　―― Uuh……. Should I push through as it is-degozaru...

　Since he is told to be honest, should he really be honest?
　Perhaps she is reading his mind, but should he still carry through that the words he just said are his true intentions?

"That... I think it's kind of ridiculous to make it so gold-plated, like it's overdone or something, like there are limits the ostentation of the nouveau riche, the grass is always greener on the other side... and like you are so much like a thug that you don't deserve the throne... "

　Hanakawa was afraid but decided to be honest.
　In the end, he thought, if they could read his mind, there would be no use in deceiving them.

"Ahh!?"

　Yoshifumi expressed his anger.

"I'm sorry-degozaruu!"

　Hanakawa rubbed his forehead against the floor.
　He thought it was over.
　After all, no matter what he said, he should have said something blunt.
　But nothing happens regardless of how long it takes.

　―― I think this kind of pattern is quite common. Look, when I look up from my kneeling position, I see that something has happened and the situation has changed completely, and I can't figure out what happened-degozaru!

　Hanakawa raised his face fearfully.
　Their eyes met.
　The situation hasn't changed at all.
　Yoshifumi kept staring at Hanakawa with a displeased look on his face.

"Hiiiiiiiiiih! He is still angry after all-degozaruyo!"

　Hanakawa dared to get down on his knees again, almost banging his head on the floor.

"You're so annoying, every time! Look at me, it's okay!"
"Then I'll take your word."

　Hanakawa raised her face without difficulty.

"...You're more brazen than I thought..."
"Then what should I do-degozaruka..."

　He would get angry if he told the truth, and he would also get angry if he got down on his knees. Hanakawa had no idea what to do. He had no choice but to open up.

"Well, fine. Ever heard of a court clown?"
"A clown-like person in the service of the king.... Isn't it?"

　Hanakawa had a memory of such a person appearing in some play.

"Well, something like that. I don't know that much about it either, but they were in a position where they were allowed to say whatever disrespect they wanted. A king is lonely. Everyone will say nothing but nice things. I guess we needed a guy like that too."
"Haa. So what?"
"You, be the court clown. Whatever you say, I forgive you. I'll only guarantee your safety."
"I don't like it-degozaru!"
"Ahh!?"
"B-But you said you would forgive me no matter what I said!"

　Although frightened, Hanakawa insisted.

"Muh... You're right... No, I don't know about that... Well, it's that. You have no right of veto. If you leave the capital, I'll kill you. Your freedom is only within this Imperial City. "
"I-Is it really okay for me to say anything?"
"Yeah. to me, to anyone. You will not be punished for it."
"Haa... But why me?"

　Hanakawa is not so naive to the world that he would immediately get carried away just because he was told so.
　Instinct told him that he should be cautious here.

"No matter who I make a court clown out of, I'm sure that they will play nice in front of me, a Sage and an Emperor. But I thought you were different. That's all."
"Haa... Indeed, since a lot of things have been leaking out since a few minutes ago, I honestly don't think it would have been possible for me to stay in the room anyway."
"And wear this"

　As Yoshifumi said this, a woman by the throne brought the carefully folded clothes.

"Is this a ...... clown outfit?"
"It's custom-made for you. You are too fat. The ready-made ones didn't fit you."

　He unfolded the clothes that had been handed to him.
　Hanakawa was reminded of a joker on a playing card.
　Hanakawa is not a person with a good sense of fashion by nature, but even he would hesitate to wear such a flashy outfit.

"Take care of it? If you don't wear it, you can't be considered a clown. You may even be disrespectfully beaten, okay?"

　It must have been decided long ago in Yoshifumi's mind.
　The atmosphere was no longer one in which Hanakawa could refuse, no matter how hard he tried now.