episode_0436

Daemon’s reaction to my statement that I wouldn’t do anything was one of suspicion.

– The owner won’t do anything? I’ve never seen the owner take a break before…

“I didn’t mean I wouldn’t do anything and just rest.”

Through the top, SSR characters went to receive their unique equipment.

Since they still don’t know that they can enhance their unique equipment, time will fly by as they deal with that task.

– Oh, it’s definitely going to be boring.

The Empire is currently in a more powerful position than ever before.

Although they haven’t fully recovered from the food shortage caused by the attack of the locust monsters, Mona Hwangtae-nyeo has achieved great success in the subjugation team, solidifying her position as the successor.

‘It’s quite significant that strange phenomena are occurring as soon as Hwangtae-nyeo ascends the throne. Let’s see how Hwangtae-nyeo handles this situation.’

How long can I continue to clean up after the Empire by myself?

If I’ve been running around for the Empire to this extent, it’s time to start gaining experience so I can stand on my own feet.

I need to see how much the Empire can handle the schemes of the contaminated areas.

To obtain a high-quality sword, don’t you have to forge it by repeatedly hammering it?

I’m already looking forward to the day when I will meet her, who has ascended to the position of Hwangtae-nyeo after the coronation ceremony.

※ ※ ※

Hwangtae-nyeo’s coronation ceremony was held first.

Usually, it takes several months to prepare for a coronation ceremony, but the Emperor ordered it to be held quickly, drastically reducing the preparation time.

The coronation ceremony was held in just one month of preparation.

Since it was advantageous to hold the coronation ceremony as soon as possible, Mona Hwangtae-nyeo welcomed the quick preparation.

“I’m back!”

Erin Tina was surprised by my absence, but she reassured me that she would do well on her own and participated in the coronation ceremony alone.

“How was it?”

“It was incredibly splendid, grand, and impressive! Anyway, I think it’s something you must experience in your life.”

“Is it really that impressive?”

Erin Tina detailed what happened at the coronation ceremony to us, and even though it was hastily prepared, it seemed like a lot of effort was put into it.

She mentioned that there were performances on the streets after the coronation ceremony, but she couldn’t see them because she had to deal with some matters.

“I had to deal with annoying nobles during that time. If I didn’t have to greet Hwangtae-nyeo, I would have run away immediately.”

“Still, it seems like you enjoyed it.”

“I said I wouldn’t go for no reason… I’m sorry. I should have gone.”

Even Negi, who said he wouldn’t go because he had to open a general store, seemed disappointed after hearing about the ceremony.

I laughed at his words while watching my surroundings and asked.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not the type to enjoy going around sightseeing anyway. It’s just that there were things you would have liked, so it’s a shame you couldn’t go. You would have enjoyed it.”

Negi needed to make an effort to ensure that his memories with the Marquis of Hutton did not become good memories.

He probably felt regret that many new memories could have been made if he had gone to the coronation ceremony.

“I thought it would be similar to the subjugation team departure ceremony. But it was completely different.”

“You shouldn’t compare the departure ceremony and the coronation ceremony. I should have explained it to you before we went.”

Erin Tina said, hearing Negi’s misunderstanding.

Even if I had known about that misunderstanding, I wouldn’t have been able to explain exactly what a coronation ceremony is because I’ve never seen one myself.

It’s not strange for ordinary people to think it would be similar, as they don’t often have the opportunity to see so many people gathered together.

“The position where the successor to the empire is decided. Moreover, it was an event that the emperor showed enthusiasm for after a long time. I don’t know when the next opportunity like this will come, but make sure to attend when it does.”

“Yes, I will do that.”

What will happen when the emperor works with enthusiasm?

The amount that ordinary people couldn’t even look at was used for the coronation ceremony.

Noble cooperation, wanting to impress the next ruler of the empire, would have added to the spectacle, so even if you went to watch, you would have had your fill.

“Since it’s already in the past, let’s forget about it.”

Looking at Negi nodding his head at Erin Tina’s words, she continued.

“When Princess Hwangtae ascends to the emperor’s throne next time, make sure to come and watch together.”

“Can I go to such a place?”

“There’s no reason you can’t. Negi is also a citizen of this country.”

Who could stop a citizen of the empire from watching the emperor’s coronation?

“Yes. Make sure to come with me next time. I was bored going alone.”

“You?”

Erin Tina also actively persuaded Negi to come with her.

In fact, Erin Tina wouldn’t have been bored even if she had gone to the coronation ceremony alone.

The bees would have bothered her a lot as they flocked to the flowers, though.

To my surprise, Erin Tina rolled her eyes at my words and said.

“Do you think people approaching me at such events would have made it fun for me? It would have been uncomfortable and annoying.”

“Well, it must have been annoying and not fun.”

“Oh! I almost forgot to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Princess Hwangtae was looking for you, asking why you didn’t come.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“So, what did you say?”

“I said I had to go alone because I was busy. I also mentioned that I would find time to visit you separately later.”

“Good job.”

Erin Tina seemed to have covered for my absence well.

“She took care of me a lot from the moment I arrived. Considering what you did, I thought it was fair treatment. The problem is that you didn’t come, but I went alone.”

“If you were treated well, it’s as good as me being treated well, so it doesn’t matter.”

By the way, I didn’t know she would mention me directly and go looking for me.

“We should talk separately when we meet later.”

“Yes. I mentioned that when we meet Princess Hwangtae next time, right?”

“Unique equipment? Right. Is there something you want me to pay more attention to at the top?”

It was unfair for me to monopolize all the credit.

Erin Tina also helped me a lot in solving problems.

“No, the top is fine as it is now. There’s no one who can touch us, so what could be lacking?”

“You don’t have to give in just because of me.”

“I mean it.”

Erin Tina could be as greedy as she wanted.

But she knew what I wanted to ask, so she didn’t want to burden me further by adding more to it.

“Don’t worry about the top, focus on achieving what you want. The top exists to help you with what you do.”

“…Thank you.”

Erin Tina had taken over the position of academy teacher to help me and was now in charge of the top.

If asked who had helped the most so far, I would not hesitate to answer Erin Tina.

“Princess Hwangtae’s help is essential, but without Erin Tina, it would have taken twice as long.”

I didn’t expect Erin Tina taking over the top to have such a significant butterfly effect.

Initially, I had expected Erin Tina to help establish the framework of the top.

But not only did she continue to handle the top duties that I hadn’t expected, but she also actively helped with what I was doing.

“Thanks to Erin Tina, I realized that I don’t need to use SSR characters only for battles.”

If it weren’t for her, I would have continued to ponder how to incorporate SSR characters into my troops.

“SSR characters are talented individuals. Limiting their use to just battles would only create constraints.”

Nevertheless, I always held a sense of gratitude towards Erintina.

On a day like today, where it wasn’t easy to give up, I couldn’t help but be thankful for willingly pushing the benefits towards me.

“After everything is over, I should just hand over all my shares to Erintina.”

With such ambition at the top, wouldn’t she gladly accept it?

Having already sold weapons to her and completed enhancements, I couldn’t think of a proper way to reward her for her help, so I pondered.

Erintina seemed satisfied, as if my acknowledgment was enough.

“Oh, by the way, I saw Princess Haehwa at the coronation ceremony.”

“It seems like Princess Hwang invited her.”

“Yeah. We had a brief conversation…”

Had a brief conversation?

Was there some sort of issue that Erintina was trying to obscure with her words?

“Why? Is there something wrong?”

I thought she was doing well, so Erintina’s reaction was perplexing.

“I think you should pay more attention to Princess Haehwa?”

“Indeed, I’ve been quite busy lately, so I haven’t been able to pay attention… Is there something wrong?”

I was preoccupied with handling the duties of a viscount.

I had mentioned that she would often visit the general store, but as she gradually adapted to academy life, her visits became rare.

“Don’t tell me the details. But she doesn’t seem to be in a good mood.”

“….”

What on earth could it be?

Was Princess Haehwa having trouble adjusting to the academy?

The vivid image of Princess Haehwa smiling brightly in front of me came to mind.

It was absurd to think that someone with her personality couldn’t get along with others.

Moreover, there was no way that SSR characters, who were generally loved by users, would bully Princess Haehwa.

“If such a character were to appear, it would cause chaos.”

While there were characters with unique personalities in the setting, it was unlikely that such malicious behavior would be assigned to SSR characters, who were supposed to be loved by users.

Most SSR characters had a kind nature.

“Tell me more in detail. What did you see when you met Princess Haehwa?”

“I might have misunderstood, but she seemed to be visibly drained of energy.”

Drained of energy?

I couldn’t be certain that there was a problem to that extent.

“I should meet her first and then form an opinion. Thanks for letting me know.”

It was my responsibility as the one who brought her to study abroad.

I shouldn’t have let my guard down and assumed that Princess Haehwa would do well. It seems like I had let my guard down too much.