Ch.127Chapter 127

An awkward air hung in The Princess’s chamber.

I thought it was just me, but seeing The Princess’s face looking like it might explode at any moment gave me some relief, though that didn’t dispel the tense atmosphere in the room.

“…What?”

The Gardener’s voice turned sharp after hearing The Princess’s words.

It was so sharp that a chill ran down my spine the moment I heard it.

And that wasn’t all—I felt like the Outer Gods were about to emerge one after another to add their opinions as usual.

“M-may I ask why that’s wrong?”

I threw out those words to calm their anger, as responding to each of them individually would be no small task.

In my mind, it was a way to show I wasn’t being disrespectful while indicating I wasn’t interested in what they had to say.

“What? Oh, um.”

Fortunately, The Princess only blushed and couldn’t speak properly.

Thanks to that, I could hear what sounded like sighs of relief from the Outer Gods.

Y-yes, everyone.

I’m on your side.

Thinking that, I hoped The Princess would just send me outside.

But reality wasn’t as accommodating as I’d hoped.

“Well… because I want to talk with you?”

The Princess responded to my vague question with equal vagueness.

“…Pardon?”

“W-well, you see? Tanthyn, you’ve rejected all the rewards I’ve offered, and I have a lot to say to you!”

…Princess, please finish your thoughts when you speak.

My mind is in chaos again!

It’s so dizzying that I can’t even begin to describe it!

Still, thanks to her follow-up, things seemed to calm down a bit, which gave me some relief.

“If that’s the case… I truly haven’t done anything worthy of such rewards.”

“If what you’ve done doesn’t deserve rewards, then who does…? Other knights receive rewards for doing just 1/10 of what you do.”

1/10, huh.

The difference between those knights and me is that I have something close to a cheat key called “coward mode,” while they achieved their results through their own efforts.

Of course, no one would believe me if I explained this.

“I’m different from them.”

So I kept it brief.

In context, it should have conveyed “Compared to their efforts, I fall far short.”

But for some reason, The Princess seemed greatly flustered by my words, and her face turned red again.

Wait, why this time?

I swallowed dryly as I waited for The Princess’s next words.

Hoping she wouldn’t say something that could be misunderstood!

“…That’s right, Tanthyn is of a different caliber than the others.”

Finally, The Princess spoke.

“Or perhaps… contrary to your denials, you’re aiming for something greater.”

The conversation seemed to be taking a strange turn.

“N-no…”

“But considering everything you’ve done so far, there’s nothing of greater value than the rewards I’ve been offering. If you’re even willing to give up honorary positions…”

The Princess wrapped her arms around herself and smiled slightly.

“…Perhaps marriage to royalty is your goal.”

And with those words.

The space in my head violently exploded.

#

“…Princess.”

“Yes?”

“…Did you do this knowingly?”

“Of course not.”

“…There’s no other explanation for this position!”

The Outer Gods had gone into such a frenzy that I momentarily blacked out.

And in that brief moment, The Princess had placed my head on her lap.

Knowing full well her words had caused my reaction!

“…What kind of planter would be good?”

“Forget the planter. This woman will no longer let her husband roam free. So, a rope made of dragon hide…”

Ugh, ahhh!

They’re still causing a commotion!

I wondered why The Cook was so quiet, only to sense a strange contempt from him.

Such states often led to even stronger aftereffects, which only made me more afraid.

“I knew Tanthyn was connected to them through the horn, but I didn’t realize you were constantly connected like this.”

The Princess said that while slightly averting her gaze.

“And… I’m just saying what you want, right? As someone who’s essentially indebted to you… I should listen to your wishes.”

This Princess must be out to get me today.

Why is she making things so confusing?

Your statements are making the Outer Gods ready to burst out at any moment!

Unlike before, though she was blushing, she showed no signs of weakening resolve, as if she had prepared herself for this conversation.

“Or… does Tanthyn not like me?”

Now she’s even making advances?!

If I agreed here, I’d make an enemy of the royal family, but if I denied it, I felt like the Outer Gods would tie me up and make me disappear somewhere.

“P-Princess. Please give me some time to think.”

So I used the most deceptive tactic in human relationships.

Postponement.

Saying I would answer after completely organizing my thoughts implied that making a decision now would be hasty and not good for either of us.

In other words, it was the most effective way to buy time.

“What?”

Even The Princess seemed not to have expected this answer, responding with a slightly stunned expression.

“I don’t dislike you, Princess. However, I am merely a knight. If someone like me were to have such a relationship with you, it would certainly cause significant social ripples. Then we would have to do it secretly, which would also be dangerous.”

“…That’s true, but…”

I thought I heard something strange, but I chose to believe it was my imagination and moved on.

“So when the situation is completely resolved, and we succeed in fully saving Rondan, I will give you my answer then. By that time, I think I can give you a definite answer.”

It sounded hopeful, but it meant I could still reject her when the time came.

It had the terrible drawback of making the other person wait, but considering the snowball effect that would occur if I rejected her here, it was better for me to be the bad guy.

Hearing this, The Princess made a contemplative sound and twisted her lips.

Then, as if she had reached a conclusion, she snapped her fingers.

“Then visit my chamber once a week. That should help solidify your feelings, right?”

Wait, how did it turn out like this?

I felt like I was being gaslighted somehow, but since it was a royal command, I had no choice but to obey.

But why does The Princess seem more aggressive?

“I have one question.”

“Yes?”

“This is supposed to be my reward, but why are you more passionate about it…”

For some reason, The Princess’s hair seemed to float slightly in the air at my words.

Then she exhaled sharply, made me stand up, and pushed me toward the door.

“J-just think of it that way! I’ve said all I needed to say!”

What, what is it?

Why is she acting like this?

Ah, wait.

There was something really important I needed to ask.

As I reached the door of The Princess’s chamber, I raised my hand.

“Ah, Princess! There’s one last thing I’d like to ask!”

“What is it!”

Her voice suggested she wanted me to leave quickly.

Earlier she didn’t want me to leave, and now she wants me to go.

I can’t figure her out.

“Did Sir Mushin seem alright to you earlier?”

I couldn’t ask directly, so I casually posed the question to The Princess, showing concern.

The Princess heard my question and suppressed her urgent demeanor, seeming to recall what had happened earlier.

“Yes, he seemed fine to me?”

#

After leaving The Princess’s chamber, I felt somewhat disgruntled.

Visit The Princess’s chamber once a week?

Even going once a year was stressful enough.

It might not bother her since everyone is her subordinate, but from a subordinate’s perspective, it’s quite difficult.

Seeing this, I wonder how soldiers in the military managed when they frequently encountered high-ranking officials.

Well, anyway.

So The Princess didn’t notice anything strange either.

I thought she might see something different, being half-Outer God like Asti.

Or is it really just my imagination?

I was scratching my head and about to head down to the knights’ headquarters when—

“Don’t come near me!”

Suddenly, a piercing female voice came from below.

Judging by the location, it was from the knights’ headquarters.

That would be the voice of the Knight Commander.

Could something have happened?

I quickly descended the dangerous stairs and rushed to the Vice Commander’s office.

As I approached, an eerie silence hung in the air.

Normally, I should have heard the Vice Commander shuffling papers.

Something was definitely wrong.

I thought about knocking, but why bother in an emergency?

So I turned the doorknob and entered directly.

“Is everyone alright!”

As I entered, I was shocked.

The Vice Commander with wide, surprised eyes.

Mushin scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

And.

The Knight Commander huddled in a corner, wrapping her arms around herself as she stared at Mushin.