“Then, Reysir and Liolikin, tell me what you would like to receive as well.”
“I would like to receive a spear that I can use in actual combat.”
“Oh, t-then… then I’ll take a shield! I’ll take a shield! A big and sturdy one…!”
“I can certainly grant you the items you desire.”
It seemed like Liolikin had copied Reysir’s answer a bit because he couldn’t think of anything. Regardless, their decisions were very appropriate. These were rewards at a level that the Imperial Family could provide without any burden.
***
‘From now on, there’s no telling when or where we’ll get caught up in the Demonic Realm. Equipment for actual combat is very, very important!’
No matter how petty and narrow-minded the collection of people in the Imperial Family might be, they valued their prestige just as much for that very reason. So, even if just to be conscious of public perception, they would likely bestow armaments crafted by an exceptional master, something Reysir and Liolikin wouldn’t even dare to order themselves.
“I would like to converse with you all a bit longer, but I have something I must report to my father as soon as possible. Regrettably, I must take my leave.”
“First Imperial Princess. I have one request.”
The comment about wanting to talk more might have been out of politeness, but the statement about needing to leave in a hurry was likely the truth. Nevertheless, as soon as I spoke up, Fjodra settled her half-raised body back into her chair.
“Speak.”
“Regarding the countermeasures for diplomatic issues caused by the Anomaly, I would like you to be the one who came up with them, rather than me.”
“Why? If it becomes known that you predicted the reaction of other nations and even suggested a solution, not only would you receive a great reward from my father, but the Austri Duke would also see you in a new light, wouldn’t he?”
Why? Because I hated the thought of even catching the Emperor’s eye, and the Austri Duke seeing me in a new light was utterly useless. In the first place, I hadn’t brought it up hoping for a reward. It was simply because I wanted to lighten my own conscience by resolving a problem in advance that would have befallen the Protagonist of Another Novel. However, I couldn’t tell her the truth so bluntly.
“Through our conversation today, I have realized that the First Imperial Princess is someone who never forgets the past and understands proper etiquette.”
“So you think that if you grant me a favor, you will be able to receive corresponding help in the future.”
“Yes. Even if I were to gain recognition by meddling in political matters, wouldn’t I just end up being needlessly kept in check? Therefore, I judged that it would be more beneficial for me to leave the reward in your hands.”
“If that is the reason, then I shall gladly take charge of it.”
With that final exchange, we all stood up. Fjodra left first to have an audience with the Emperor. Reysir, Liolikin, and I followed a maid’s guidance and walked toward the Ma-cha Waiting Area…
“Hey, so… regarding that? Since we were talking about birthdays earlier. In a few days… I mean, January 14th is my birthday. If you have time…”
Liolikin spoke up hesitantly. Even though it was a somewhat long sentence, he only paused occasionally and didn’t stutter or drag his words out. It was clear that he had been ruminating on those words over and over, waiting for the right moment to say them. But even so.
“I don’t have time.”
I cut him off flatly. Liolikin made a tearful face at my cold response, but what can’t be done can’t be done. I already had so many things to learn during the vacation, and I had to keep up with my training in the meantime. Wasn’t I already planning to waste another day because of the award ceremony?
‘Come to think of it, I’ll have to run into Reysir then too.’
I couldn’t increase the number of encounters with the Original Protagonist any further. Especially if that meeting were to take place in a peaceful slice-of-life segment like a birthday party? Wouldn’t it be weirder not to get caught up in a dangerous incident?
‘The protagonist in a work of fiction is always like a black hole that attracts trouble.’
This was especially true for a protagonist of an Angst Genre where a peaceful time was rarely allowed, like Reysir. Thus, I persuaded Liolikin with the following words.
“It’s not just me; it would be best if you didn’t invite anyone to your fief for a while. You shouldn’t hold a banquet either.”
“Why… is that?”
“What will you do if an Anomaly occurs while you’re celebrating your birthday? No, that might actually be a better situation. At least if the location is inside the lord’s castle, there will be a minimum number of troops stationed there. But what if you arrived at the Trembler Viscounty through a Gate and got caught in an Anomaly on the way to the castle? If a guest were to be seriously injured or even die, do you have the confidence to take responsibility and compensate them?”
“Ah… ugh… I don’t…”
“Then just spend this year’s birthday quietly with your family.”
“Uwaah. I understand….”
Liolikin couldn’t hide his disappointment, and his shoulders slumped as he trudged along. He would also be becoming an adult after this birthday passed. Based on his appearance alone, it felt like he should have become an adult ten years ago. I don’t know why he acts so much like a child and makes me worry.
“…What do you want for a birthday gift?”
“Ar-are you giving me one?!”
To think he would regain his energy and his eyes would sparkle immediately at the mention of a gift. He was truly simple.
“Yes. I’ll send it to you, so if there’s something you want, tell me.”
“I like anything as long as it’s from you, Karbaldr! It would be even better if you picked it out… personally, with a lot of effort and care.”
“Then I’ll just send something on my own.”
“Yes!!”
Since the Imperial Family was planning to bestow a new shield upon Liolikin, I could just give him a mace as a gift. I decided on Liolikin’s birthday gift in about 0.3 seconds.
‘By the way… why is Reysir being so quiet? It’s making me nervous…’
If it were the usual Reysir, he would have suggested inviting Vigdis and Hailga to have a party together the moment Liolikin mentioned his birthday. Or he should have at least opened his mouth by now to promise that he would also send a birthday gift. But the Protagonist of Another Novel still didn’t say anything. He just walked silently with a stiff face. Detecting the unusual atmosphere, Liolikin also became quiet.
‘Did he really feel betrayed by me?’
That thought suddenly occurred to me. It was a great opportunity to get an apology from the Imperial Family, but I had ruined it. Perhaps he had misinterpreted the words I said in the previous chapter to mock the Imperial Family’s attitude. He might have mistakenly thought I was sincerely defending them and flattering them. Or maybe he suspected that I was using his family’s name just to line myself up with the First Imperial Princess.
‘I never had such intentions…. But if Reysir is misunderstanding me like that, wouldn’t it be better to just leave it as it is?’
Since I had been trying to cut ties with the Original Protagonist, if he was disappointed in me, it was something to be welcomed. Even though I had not only suggested a way for the Imperial Family to move past this without apologizing, but also advised them so that they wouldn’t have to return all the gains they had taken from the Daudabiner County. Still, given the time he had spent with me so far, Reysir wouldn’t become hostile toward me unless I tried to kill him first. He would probably just erase my existence from his mind, thinking of me as someone who just briefly passed through his life. Just as I had always wanted.
“Did… Karbaldr come in the family carriage?”
When we arrived at the Ma-cha Waiting Area, Liolikin asked a question upon seeing a luxurious carriage engraved with the crest of House Austri. To the readers, this might seem like an obvious thing to ask, but the reality was different. Although Ragfrid and Valtraus were currently staying in the Duchy, they originally lived in the Capital. That was why I was able to travel from the Gate facility to the Imperial Palace in a family-owned carriage they had used, but it seemed Reysir and Liolikin had come in a carriage prepared by the Imperial Family because they didn’t have one. In that case, they should return in the carriage provided by the Imperial Family for invited guests, just as they had come…
“…Reysir. Why are you getting into this carriage?”
“You’re going to the Gate facility anyway, aren’t you?”
Even after committing the atrocity of boarding someone else’s carriage without permission, his attitude was nothing short of brazen. However, I couldn’t bring myself to get angry at him. I wondered if he was doing this to confront me regarding the conversation I had with Fjodra while we were heading to the Gate facility. I might end up hearing a lot of resentful words. Still, I braced myself not to get hurt and boarded the carriage. And to prevent the Protagonist of Another Novel from saying anything too harsh to me, I also had a third party, Liolikin, who would act as a controller, board the carriage and sit next to Reysir.
Soon the carriage departed, and I hugged the baby Dragon, who was excellent at relieving tension and stabilizing the mind. But…
“Mya-ang?!”
He was taken away. The Protagonist of Another Novel suddenly grabbed Yor, who was in my arms, and pulled him out like he was pulling a radish, then placed him in Liolikin’s arms. It was an utterly incomprehensible action. I, who had Yor suddenly snatched away; Yor, who suddenly ended up in Liolikin’s arms; and Liolikin, who ended up holding Yor in a daze. While everyone was feeling bewildered and flustered.
“Karbaldr, thank you so much…! Thanks to you, not only was I able to restore my parents’ honor, but I was also able to reclaim the precious hometown that my family has cultivated for generations.”
The person responsible for throwing everyone into confusion suddenly grabbed both of my hands and out of the blue, expressed his gratitude. I had prepared myself to be scolded, so what on earth was happening? Was it sarcasm? If so, what was the point of seizing both of my hands?
“Why are you making a face like you just heard something incomprehensible?”
“That’s because… I thought you would resent me…?”
“Why would I?”
“You must have wanted an apology from the Imperial Family…. Without even checking your intentions, I not only created a justification for them not to apologize but actually told them how to save face, didn’t I? So, of course…”
“Was that why you were being so nervous and watching my reactions? Because you were afraid I would dislike you?”
“Wh… what are you talking about?! There’s no way I would be afraid of such a thing??”
“Liar.”
“No, I mean, I really………….”
“Really?”
Reysir looked at me and smiled with an expression that I couldn’t tell if was one of satisfaction or being deeply moved. His eyes held a whirlwind of emotions, a mix of warm heat and surging joy. It seemed that the reason Reysir had maintained a stiff face until the carriage departed was because it was difficult to suppress those intensely swirling emotions.