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Published at 23rd of May 2023 05:35:32 PM


Chapter 70

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Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield

Melchior Astra Solmontana, Crown Prince of Solmontana

Clawis Omnibus Worstitters/Clawis Garcia, Crown Prince of Worstitters

Rivera Hernández, Clawis’ aide/escort

Benedict Regalia Worstitters, Wise Beast King of Worstitters

Marshal Hastings Fels Worstitters, the King of Worstitters’ older brother

Earl of Aldridge, advisor of the Royal Order of Magicians

A coat of arms with two lions rising majestically, looking up at the brilliantly shining sun.

Even I, who don’t know much, can tell which family the crest belongs to without bothering to ask.

I frowned when I saw the crest of the shining sun that was printed on the envelope Aurora gave me.

“……What’s this?”

“This is an invitation to the royal castle from His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“……Why?”

I have no idea why I’ve been summoned to the castle. I don’t know, so if I could, I would like to decline. I am not good at formal occasions in the first place, and since I am a commoner after all, I would be no match for him if he punished me for disrespect by behaving roughly in the royal castle.

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to give a reward to Sapphiras-sama for the Worstitters incident.”

“Does that mean that Percival was also summoned?”

“No, only Sapphiras-sama this time.”

“Percival also fought together at Worstitters.”

“I heard that Percival will be summoned at a later date.”

“Can I refuse?”

“Do you think you can refuse?”

Aurora smiles brightly. It’s a smile as if to say that ‘If you can refuse, why don’t you refuse?’ If you want to refuse, you can refuse. After that, all you have to do is run away.

However, I feel comfortable with my current life to the extent that I can’t simply throw away various things and run away.

“……Understood. Thank you very much.”

It’s really annoying, but I reluctantly, really reluctantly, received the personal letter from the Crown Prince in order to save the ducal family’s face.

At dinner that day, when I told Percival that I had been summoned by the Crown Prince, he made a difficult face and was lost in thought.

“……Sapphiras. If the reward from the royal family does not meet your expectations, please answer that you would like to have some time to consider.”

“Eh? What? Is it going to be such a troublesome thing?”

“Miss Aurora told you that the reward is related to Worstitters, didn’t she?”

“Yes.”  

“Perhaps the royal family wants to tap into Sapphiras’ abilities as a magician.”

“Ah, something like that……”

I see. So that’s how it is.

Of course, I have no intention of serving the royal family, so let alone take time to consider, I will refuse on the spot. I don’t know what they’ll say, but it won’t be disrespectful because I’m just declining the reward.

And so, I’m now standing straight in front of His Highness the Crown Prince.

In the audience chamber, which is not that large, on either side of the wall are the Duke of Bloomfield and Aurora. Then there are a few people who look like members of His Highness’ entourage.

“You don’t have to be so respectful, Sapphiras-kun. Today is not a formal occasion.”

If there was no need to be so respectful, it would have been better to be in the salon of the school instead of the royal castle.

“Regarding the previous work at the Worstitters, although it is unofficial, we have received words of gratitude from His Majesty, King Benedict and His Highness, Crown Prince Clawis. We believe this is worthy of a reward for our country, which is about to form an alliance with the Beast Kingdom.”

“I am very sorry to say this, but I did not do anything to deserve a reward. I merely lent a little help to a friend who was in trouble. The ones who actually put down the rebels and rescued His Majesty, the King of the Beast Kingdom, were His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Clawis, his close aide, Rivera-dono, and the loyal knights.”

That’s actually what happened. Besides, I don’t know what kind of unsolicited rewards might be forced upon me. I have to show the attitude that I will not accept this.

“Is that so……it would also be silly to ask in a roundabout way to someone who is aware of it. Let’s be honest. As the spouse of the Second Prince, would you be willing to join the royal family?”

Ha?

Wasn’t the Second Prince sent to the foot of Mount Paluum? You think forcing such a dodgy bastard on me is a reward? I definitely don’t need that. I’m in front of His Highness the Crown Prince, but I inadvertently made a blank expression.

“I know. You don’t have to make that kind of face. I have no intention of forcing my foolish brother on you. I am truly sorry, but the only seat in the royal family is currently next to that one. But he won’t come back here unless there is something significant. Even if you say spouse, of course you don’t have to fulfil that role. It is only a formality. For us, it is important to have a magician like Sapphiras in the royal family of Solmontana. Besides, you will have an unencumbered life and a secure position, so it can’t be a bad thing, can it?”

You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s a lot of inconvenience. A rock-solid position? When you don’t know what they’re thinking and not knowing when I’ll get tripped up?

Is this what Percival was talking about? Of course, let alone take time to consider, I immediately refused it here.

“With all due respect, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I cannot accept your offer. Even though I insulated myself, I was a member of the Earl of Aldridge’s family. If such a person were to be named part of the royal family, it could cause antagonism from those who would not be happy about it. I have no intention of becoming a source of disaster for the royal family.”

The Earl of Aldridge’s reputation is not good. The son of the former Earl of Aldridge becomes a member of the royal family, and not only the magical nobility, but also the magicians and knights are likely to complain that the incompetent will be even more conceited. I think this is persuasive enough even if it is just a pretext.

“You needn’t worry about such things, Sapphiras-kun. It’s my job to handle it.”

No, no, that’s not it. I’m bringing out something people don’t want to say in order to refuse. Read the atmosphere.

But this guy says he understands right? Is the only way to be disrespectful and say what I really think?

“……Let me state it clearly. I absolutely refuse to be that prince’s companion, no matter how much of a formality it may be. Besides, I have no intention of using this power for anything other than my own will. If it is not in accordance with the wishes of the royal family, it cannot be helped. It just means I won’t have a homeland, right?”

When I stated this clearly, the aides were disturbed. If you’re going to be a noisy, why don’t you guys go be the spouse? What kind of punishment is it if the reward is to be the Second Prince’s spouse? Even if it is just a formality, I can’t do it.

I am terribly sorry for His Excellency the Duke of Bloomfield, who I am indebted to, but if you force me to go ahead with this, I’ll have to repay the favour I’ve received so far from outside the country. My freedom is about to be taken away. This is a situation worth running away from.

“Your Highness Melchior, isn’t it fine not to push this further?”

Aurora’s voice rang out, as if to dispel the unease that had risen between me and the aides.

“……That’s right, Aurora. I’m sorry, Sapphiras-kun. It was indeed disrespectful to ask a man of merit to be a companion to that person while saying it was a reward.”

Oya? There’s been a sudden change of direction.

“No…….”

“But it is true that I would like to give you a reward, even if it is only for your sincere concern for your friend, it was certainly in the good of our country. Especially for me.”

The alliance with Worstitters was something the Crown Prince was pushing for at his own initiative. If the king’s brother, Hastings, had remained on the throne, the Crown Prince would have been criticised accordingly.

“Is there anything you want?”

No, I don’t want anything. I just want to have a good time at the academy and become an adventurer after I graduate……Ah, that’s right. I’ve got something I want. I’ll take your word for it anyway. At least I’ll be based in Solmontana, so you won’t have any complaints.

“Well then, with all due respect. When I reach 16, I would like your permission to register as an adventurer at a Guild in Vanderwall.

“……I see. I understand. I will grant your request.”

When I glanced at the wall, His Excellency Duke Bloomfield smiled slightly.

In other words, if I refused the reward (I don’t know if it’s a good thing to say) from the beginning, it would have ended up around here. His Excellency the Duke knew that no matter what he did, he couldn’t put the reins on me.

Even so, the first reward he offered me was too much. I must have been very unlucky in terms of companions.

But I don’t need a companion as long as I have party mates. I’m an adventurer, being light1身軽, could mean light, nimble, agile but in this context, I think it means light, to travel light is just right.




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