Ch.182182. Send a letter to Honghwaru right away.

“Ah, no! Why is that guy getting an invitation to the Imperial Palace!?”

Jawil Wilson, who had abruptly risen from his chair and stammered his words, now hung his head low in embarrassment.

Unable to watch any longer, Federicks spoke up.

“Isn’t Jawil Wilson officially the hero who saved the people of Kataria territory?”

“He-hero!? Are you sure the invitation wasn’t sent by mistake?”

“It’s an invitation directly from His Imperial Majesty. It came with a message praising Jawil Wilson’s brave actions and hard work.”

I shook my head from side to side as I looked at Jawil Wilson.

“Thanks to having such an impressive nephew, this uncle is about to enjoy wealth and glory.”

“…I do feel guilty about taking credit. But what could I do? At that time, hiding Lucien was the only option…”

“Judging by your expression, you seem absolutely thrilled about it.”

“N-no, not at all! If I receive anything from His Imperial Majesty, I’ll give everything to our Lucien!”

Just now, when I stood up from my chair in surprise, I felt a cramp in my leg.

I slightly furrowed my brow and sat back down.

“Jawil Wilson.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“When you go to the Imperial Palace, don’t show off like last time. Just stay quiet.”

“Wh-when did I ever show off?”

“Don’t you remember? When I pretended to be Jawil Wilson, even after we were completely exposed, you alone continued your performance until the end. Do you know how mortified I was…”

Jawil Wilson’s shoulders slumped as if recalling the past incident.

“About that… I have nothing to say even now.”

“So, before you try to do anything at the Imperial Palace, consult with me first.”

“I’m not some child…”

“Are you asking for trouble? Children at least get away with mistakes because they’re cute, but you’re a full-grown adult, aren’t you?”

“…I understand. I’ll definitely consult with you, young master.”

I twitched my eyebrows as I looked at Jawil Wilson, still not fully convinced.

“Also, His Imperial Majesty might ask about the situation back then, so don’t give half-baked answers. Start thinking now about how you should respond.”

“Can’t I just say I lured the Black Hound to the Forest of Destruction and defeated it?”

“How will you explain the magical beasts in the Forest of Destruction?”

“Th-that… I’ll say I was lucky and didn’t encounter any other magical beasts.”

With my arms crossed heavily, I looked at Jawil Wilson with a pathetic expression.

“That’s your problem. When something’s bothering you, it shows all over your face!”

“…Is my face that transparent?”

“If even I can notice it, don’t you think His Imperial Majesty, who has been through everything, will be even more suspicious?”

Jawil Wilson, who apparently hadn’t thought about the audience with the Emperor, nervously gulped.

“Then how should I prepare my answers?”

“If we’re granted an audience together, I can answer on your behalf. But if you have a private audience with His Imperial Majesty, you’ll have to handle it yourself.”

“…Please help me.”

“The problem is that you’re inherently bad at lying, so my help won’t solve anything.”

Jawil Wilson stretched his neck toward me with an urgent expression.

“Surely you have a solution, young master!?”

“I do have one… but it would be difficult… No, never mind. You definitely couldn’t handle it.”

“Couldn’t handle it… What do you mean?”

“Someone without perseverance like you would find it hard to endure.”

I waved my hand dismissively, and Jawil Wilson clenched his fists and raised his voice.

“I’m practically Lucien’s uncle. For my niece, I can endure any risk.”

“Hmm, are you sure?”

“Yes, of course! It’s better than getting caught telling the whole story to His Imperial Majesty because I can’t lie, isn’t it?”

I rose from my chair.

Jawil Wilson straightened his back with a determined expression.

I looked at Federicks with a sly smile.

“Send a letter to Honghua Tower right away.”

*

“Father, why are we taking a carriage when we could just fly there?”

I gave a gentle smile at Lucien’s question as we rode in the carriage to the Imperial Palace.

“Going to the Imperial Palace without a carriage might raise unnecessary suspicion.”

“Then do I really need to come along?”

“I wanted to show Rumestia to our Lucien.”

Hearing my words, Lucien clapped her hands and spoke.

“Really!?”

“Yes, this time Uncle Riden Solice and the mercenary members are accompanying us, so while daddy visits the Imperial Palace, you can explore Rumestia with them.”

“…Are you forgiving me for my mistake in Kataria territory last time?”

“Yes, but you need to behave yourself in Rumestia this time.”

“I will…”

“If a situation like that happens again, don’t step in yourself. Leave it to Uncle Riden Solice and the mercenary members.”

Lucien nodded, then tilted her head curiously.

“But why is Uncle Jawil Wilson taking a separate carriage?”

I tried to hide my flustered expression as I answered Lucien’s question.

“Uncle Riden Solice is coming too, and it would be too cramped for four people in one carriage.”

“Ah, so that’s why he’s taking a separate one… Father, what kind of place is Rumestia?”

“It’s the most developed city in the Eastern Continent. It’s also very crowded.”

“…Then there must be a lot of thugs too, right?”

“Th-thugs? Where did you learn that word?”

Lucien thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up.

“Ah! When I went to Kataria territory with Uncle Jawil Wilson last time, he told me to be careful of thug-like people.”

“…How can you identify thug-like people?”

“Well, he said that if a stranger approaches with a scowl and talks to you without reason, they’re probably a thug.”

“R-right. Uncle Jawil Wilson taught you correctly this time. But don’t worry about it this time. Uncle Riden Solice and the mercenary members will escort you meticulously.”

Lucien spoke with a bewildered expression.

“That seems… a bit excessive…”

“Enjoy it. You’re Lucien, daughter of Selden Alphonse.”

Excited, Lucien rose from the carriage sofa.

Then, she stuck her head out the window.

“I’m so happy. I wish we could always travel like this and live together, Father.”

“Hmm, daddy isn’t really the type who enjoys traveling much.”

At that, Lucien pulled her head back from the window and made a gloomy face.

“R-really? Then what do you like, Father?”

“My daughter, of course!”

Lucien’s gloomy expression vanished instantly, and she twisted her body shyly.

“Heh… I mean besides me.”

“Daddy likes fishing in front of the house, or having a drink while enjoying the breeze.”

“I’ve read about fishing in books. You can catch fish, right?”

“Indeed, our Lucien is so smart!”

“And when can I drink alcohol?”

I was startled by Lucien’s question.

“A-alcohol? You want to drink?”

“I’m curious about alcohol itself… but I want to drink with you, Father.”

For a brief moment, I had a terrifying vision.

A vision of Lucien turning into a dragon while drunk and reducing the territory to ruins.

I cleared my throat forcefully.

“Ahem!! One drink is enough. And on second thought, rather than alcohol which is bad for your health, it might be better to visit other territories.”

“Really!?”

“Yes, once your coming-of-age ceremony is over and most urgent matters are settled, we’ll travel a lot together.”

“Wow!! I’m really looking forward to it!!”

By the way.

For all this to be possible, I must avoid returning to Alphonse territory.

I need to plan my strategy properly from now on.

That way, I’ll get closer to living the sweet life.

Screech-!

The carriage arrived in Rumestia while I was chatting with Lucien.

Perhaps because I was with Lucien, unlike with Jawil Wilson who gives me a headache just from talking, it felt like we arrived very quickly.

As I got out of the carriage, I saw that the carriage carrying Riden Solice and Jawil Wilson hadn’t arrived yet.

I lifted Lucien by the waist with both hands as she tried to follow me out of the carriage.

“Upsy-daisy!”

“Eek!”

I gently set her down on the ground and smiled softly.

“Our daughter, always surprised despite being able to fly through the sky…”

“I-I was surprised because you lifted me so suddenly!”

As I comforted the blushing Lucien, another carriage approached and stopped near us.

Riden Solice got out first and spoke.

“Young master, you arrived early.”

“I’m entrusting Lucien to you. You haven’t forgotten what I told you before we departed, right?”

“Yes, to be especially careful in crowded places, never go near areas with magical beasts, and never take my eyes off Miss Lucien.”

“Good. I’ll be back from the Imperial Palace soon, so please take care of her.”

And then.

Jawil Wilson stepped out of the carriage that had followed to replace the one I had ridden in.

Lucien’s jaw dropped when she saw him.

“Un-Uncle Jawil Wilson… looks strange!!”