Ch.151Chapter 151

As expected, the Princess had recognized me from the beginning and had been treating me that way all along.

The fact that she immediately burst into tears and threw herself into my arms when I said those words proved it.

Then it’s certain that I’ve been in a half-dead state for over 10 years.

Wait.

That means I’m already over 30 years old.

…Ah, my youth, completely gone to waste.

Perhaps finally satisfied, the Princess slowly pulled away from me.

It seemed even she couldn’t control her actions, and her face was full of embarrassment. It would be better to give her some time to collect herself.

“…So you’ve finally recovered your memories, Tanthyn.”

But as expected of our strong Princess.

She somehow overcame even her embarrassment and began speaking in her usual voice.

“Yes.”

“That means you’ve also been to Lintpia, I assume.”

When I nodded in response to the Princess’s words, she gave a slightly sad smile.

“…After Tanthyn died, the world truly changed. Because of my younger sister’s rampage, the snow fell more heavily, and humans became disappointed in and began to hate the divine races. So I came to live in Rondan, in the outskirts. My mother told me to do so.”

Demeter’s judgment was wise.

The profession of The Huntsman emerged to incite hatred against the Outer Gods, so they wouldn’t have left the Princess, who was half-divine, alone.

Even though her vitality was overwhelming compared to any other living being, she wouldn’t have been able to withstand the relentless violence.

“You’ve endured much, Princess. If it weren’t for you, the Empire would have already fallen.”

“No, Tanthyn. It’s all thanks to your sacrifice. Both before you lost your memories, and after.”

The Princess said this while her face turned slightly red for some reason.

My sacrifice, huh.

I only did what needed to be done.

I’m not being humble.

This isn’t like saying anyone would have done the same in that situation.

At least for me, I simply thought I would have deeply regretted not acting that way in that situation.

Rather, it’s the Princess who is amazing for carrying out duties that suddenly fell upon her without complaint until now.

“Tanthyn, I have a favor to ask. Will you grant it?”

“That depends on what it is?”

“…Can’t you just agree without hearing it first?”

“It might be something beyond my capabilities.”

“Then I won’t ask.”

What’s this?

Why is she suddenly acting so childish?

It just makes me more curious.

Well, the truth is I was going to grant whatever favor she asked.

As I said earlier, she’s been through so much.

She probably hasn’t received any praise or reward from anyone, so shouldn’t I at least do that much?

So I pretended to think about it for a moment, then smiled brightly and said:

“Alright. I’ll grant whatever favor I can.”

At my words, the Princess smiled with what seemed like joy and approached me.

What is it? I wondered if she just wanted another hug like before.

And then, it happened so quickly I couldn’t even process it.

“…?!”

The Princess wrapped her arms around my neck.

She was already putting so much strength into her arms that it was difficult for me to back away.

Her face came closer.

I felt something soft.

I was so surprised that I absurdly thought my lips had become public property.

After a moment, the Princess pulled her lips away and wore an expression that seemed somewhat pleased.

“…Since that day, I’ve thought only of you. The way you saved me when I was nearly dead, committing insubordination that could have resulted in severe punishment, and beyond that, willingly sacrificing yourself for the Empire. In that image, I felt a vitality different from life force itself.”

Ah.

Wait a minute.

Willing is willing, but…

This is an accident.

“Actually, I thought you wouldn’t recover your memories, so I was trying to seduce you subtly, but since you’ve regained your memories, I won’t be so frustratingly indirect anymore.”

The Princess pointed at me with a mischievous smile.

“Raedan Tanthyn, by royal command. You are to become my husband.”

Well.

Right.

Everything’s gone to hell.

#

Yes, well.

It’s become normal now for my head to feel like it’s about to explode whenever these things happen.

It’s fine now because they don’t directly manifest in this world, but I have no idea what to do when they start walking around these streets themselves.

Since the Princess seemed to have finished her business and was now sending me outside, I thought it was time to start my work.

Having combat power doesn’t mean everything is resolved—otherwise, Napoleon wouldn’t have lost the war with Russia.

The most important thing is to formulate a strategy, and the next most important thing is to properly equip the knights.

I’m not particularly concerned about the knights dying.

Since Demeter has joined this war, that part is essentially already resolved.

Just revive them before they die, and that’s that.

That’s why I decided to first go find Simtol.

#

“So, you’re asking me to make weapons for all the knights from now on?”

“Yes. Please.”

“Get out of here, boy. It’s annoying enough having unqualified people coming in one by one, and now you want mass production? Find another blacksmith.”

Sigh, this isn’t going to be easy.

Even getting my own weapon from him was a struggle, begging and pleading.

I guess it can’t be helped.

I’ll try asking one more time and then think of another solution.

“Isn’t there any way? We now have all the forces needed to defeat the Giant of the Snowy Mountains.”

“I don’t care. That damn Giant of the Snowy Mountains or whatever—I’m going to die soon anyway, so what does it matter?”

I suppose I understand Simtol’s position.

War inevitably causes damage to both sides.

At Simtol’s age, he’d probably rather live a peaceful life than deal with such losses.

That’s probably why he’s telling me to find another blacksmith.

But it had to be Simtol’s weapons.

At this point, Simtol was the only blacksmith who could make weapons of the quality found in the armory.

It seemed like the only option left was to somehow manipulate the armory to get weapons.

“Hey, old man!”

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.

Simtol’s expression turned harsh as soon as he saw the owner of the voice.

“Another damn nuisance has arrived.”

“Come on, I asked you for a favor! Why are your answers different from front to back!”

“Nonsense. I told you to handle it yourself, when did I ever say I’d do it?”

“That’s the same thing!”

The owner of the voice was Mushin.

Wait.

How did he know to come here?

When I gave him a questioning look, Mushin just smiled and gave me a thumbs up.

“Come on, just do it this once. Is this how our relationship is?”

“Our relationship is a freezing cold one.”

“If you keep acting like this, I won’t see you anymore! Do you know how many weapons I’ve helped you make…”

“Good grief, how noisy. Fine, I’ll do it, alright?”

Wow.

It seems that stubbornness beats logic and manners after all.

When Mushin started whining to Simtol like a child throwing a tantrum, Simtol agreed to my request with an exasperated expression.

But there was an unexpected twist.

“You two need to go fish for some sense in the sea.”

Saying that, Simtol placed on the table the materials he had been busily moving around.

Now that I looked, he had been gathering iron and materials to make weapons.

Could it be that while verbally refusing, he was secretly planning to make them for me?

What am I going to do with this tsundere old man?

“Old man, you should fix that gruff way of talking. Why are you so nice to me sometimes with a smile, but so harsh to others?”

“If you’re done, get out. I’m busy.”

With Simtol’s tone becoming even more irritable, Mushin and I had no choice but to flee.

If we stayed any longer, we’d probably face verbal abuse more painful than a physical blow.

Outside the forge, Mushin suddenly started laughing heartily, clearly amused by something.

As I looked at him with curious eyes, he suddenly patted my shoulder and brought his face close to mine.

When I responded with a questioning look, he smiled contentedly.

“I hear you’ve recovered your memories?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then I can finally tell you this.”

Mushin smiled as he slipped something into my hand.

It looked like a note.

“Thanks for that headbutt back then. If it weren’t for you, I would have killed more Outer Gods.”

“…?”

Headbutt?

The only person I’ve taken down that way was the vice-captain in Lintpia.

Wait.

Hold on.

“Wait…!”

“I need to go organize supplies now, so I’ll be off!”

Mushin said his piece and slipped away.

Watching his retreating figure, I felt somewhat nostalgic.

I opened the note Mushin had given me.

<Please take care of my daughter.>

Hmm.

I understand the intention, but…

Mushin was pouring lava on an already burning house.