Ch.243Chapter 243: A Small Wish

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After several days of laughter, chatter, and enjoyment passed.

Once my fatigue-stained body had completely recovered and Shizu no longer needed to look after me.

I devoted myself once again to my duty of escorting the diplomatic delegation.

Though it was called escort duty, there wasn’t much for me and the other knights to do while staying in a friendly nation free from the threat of demon realms.

Most of my duty time was spent following the delegation like a shadow as they focused on diplomatic negotiations, which was rather tedious.

“The Solarium knights are diligently guarding their delegation again today.”

“Even if it’s just a formality, they look reliable just standing there.”

“Did you hear? They say the knights assigned to this delegation are among the empire’s finest young knights despite their age.”

“I heard that two of those three standing over there were chosen as successors to the Divine Weapons during the Great Holy War. They look impressive just standing there, yet the one who bestowed a great favor upon us wasn’t even a Divine Weapon successor. Hmm…”

“If someone without a Divine Weapon could fight equally against a demon realm deity, how powerful must the official successors be? And I heard these escort knights don’t even hold high positions in their country despite their abilities. How strong must the higher-ranking active knights be…?”

“Even if they’re from across the sea, it’s best to maintain good relations with neighboring countries.”

“Yes, absolutely.”

The voices of people around us who were filling their idle time with gossip helped alleviate my boredom… somewhat.

I would have said that without trailing off if they had only alleviated my boredom.

“That must be the one. The Solarium knight who saved His Majesty from danger.”

“We owe such a great debt to a foreigner. Our Imperial Guards should have been the ones to protect His Majesty.”

Comments like these specifically pointing me out were occasionally heard, so I couldn’t just mindlessly listen.

In the past, I wouldn’t have cared what people said about me.

But now I understand that each of these comments affects not only my reputation but also that of those around me.

To prevent any criticism or negative comments from those engaging in casual conversation.

“…”

I simply maintained a straight posture and focused on my duty, regardless of what was being said about the three of us from a distance.

“He keeps such a straight posture while focusing on his duty, even though it doesn’t seem necessary.”

“Our young Imperial Guards should learn from him.”

Well, there is some reward in maintaining a proper posture, even if forced.

Though unintended, I had drawn the attention of many people in a foreign country, so I needed to be careful about everything.

Originally, when our delegation first arrived in Luoyue, the capital of the Golden Moon Empire.

There were others among the delegation, including the escorts, who were more frequently discussed by the people of Golden Moon.

Though it hardly needs mentioning, I’ll mention it anyway—Princess Lucretia, the head of the delegation, and Shizu, the wielder of the holy sword Lumen, whose name was widely known even on other continents.

In the case of Her Highness, she strictly maintained her male disguise during public activities, and as the leader of the delegation and a member of the imperial family of a friendly nation, she couldn’t help but attract attention.

As for Shizu, since being recognized as the wielder of the holy sword, the military achievements she had accumulated in the north had spread widely even here in Golden Moon.

At first, stories about Shizu’s martial prowess dominated conversations, but as time passed, they were increasingly replaced by praises of her beauty, creating a somewhat amusing situation.

…I could tolerate the praises of her beauty, but the problem was when some tried to cross the line by asking if they could speak to her or share a meal with her.

Whenever I heard such comments, I, as her fiancé, would stand beside Shizu and give them one stern look, after which they would fall silent as if nothing had happened, so it wasn’t particularly bothersome.

After my regression, when I first looked in a mirror, my expression was undeniably fierce, and though it had softened somewhat over the three years that passed.

I’ve come to realize during this trip to the Golden Moon Empire just how difficult it is to change one’s natural countenance.

Anyway, when I returned to escort duty, I expected to pass the time listening to people talk about Her Highness or Shizu.

But since I had saved the sovereign of the Golden Moon Empire, Emperor Wei Taiping, people’s attention was focused on me, giving me no shortage of things to be concerned about.

Having ascended to the throne at a young age and embraced the magical engineering that originated in the Solarium Empire despite opposition.

He was a wise ruler who had greatly enhanced the national power of the Golden Moon Empire, already the hegemonic power of the Eastern Continent, and I was being called a hero for saving his life—it was impossible not to be conscious of this.

…If only information about the crimson mist spread by Adorator’s fragment when it first manifested here had been shared, the Imperial Guards of the Golden Moon Empire could have resolved the situation without my intervention.

But because I stepped forward through the panicking Imperial Guards and confronted Adorator, earning military merit.

I feel strangely conflicted whenever I hear people calling me a hero.

Well, according to what Shizu told me in the hospital room, thanks to my timely intervention blocking Adorator’s attempt to taint the Luoyue area with malice.

Emperor Wei, who had his energy drained by Adorator that day, and the Imperial Guards who rushed to save him only suffered from exhaustion requiring a few days of recovery, with no other significant damage.

In other words, I was highly praised not only for saving the Emperor but also for preventing innocent casualties.

I’m not sure if it’s guilt for taking praise that others should rightfully receive.

Or self-loathing for feeling pleased by such praise while outwardly feeling ambivalent about it—I can’t distinguish between the two, which is why I described it as ambivalent.

While I was in the hospital bed, Her Highness informed me that I would be the first foreigner to receive a military merit medal from the Golden Moon Empire. I politely declined and resumed my escort duties, only to frequently hear people praising me for this decision, which made me feel even more conflicted.

A military merit medal? Is that even appropriate?

What’s the point of receiving a medal for achieving something a bit more spectacularly that others would have accomplished if they’d had the time?

It would only feed unnecessary vanity.

[What nonsense are you talking about? “Anyone could have responded given enough time”? The fact that it ended with people merely fainting from exhaustion was the result of you stepping forward without hesitation when you saw the dangerous situation.]

Paphnir sharply rebuked me after sensitively detecting my thoughts.

‘If I had at least destroyed Adorator’s fragment, my heart wouldn’t feel this heavy. I would have gladly accepted the medal too. But that didn’t happen. Despite the sudden variable, I essentially missed the seed of future trouble. I can’t help but smile bitterly at being praised as a hero for that.’

After I defended myself with my reasoning, Paphnir seemed to find it awkward to continue scolding me and fell silent again.

Ah, as I keep listening and thinking, I feel a gloomy energy rising from a corner of my heart without me realizing it.

I should shake it off. Nothing good comes from dwelling on negative thoughts.

Instead, I should focus on other things.

What I need to do going forward.

What I need to overcome.

What I need to protect.

And…

*Swish swish*

“Cal, you seem too tense. You can relax your shoulders in this situation. Hehe.”

A precious person who comforts me by gently stroking my head, which had stiffened while I was lost in my worries.

As soon as I saw Shizu standing on her tiptoes to stroke my head.

The dark clouds in my heart disappeared, replaced by a warmth reminiscent of sunshine emanating from Shizu’s smile.

There was no reason to overthink things.

The vow I’ve repeatedly made since my regression—to protect this precious person before me—has been well kept so far, which is why I’m receiving such excessive praise.

[…You’re slow to realize.]

Paphnir’s cutting voice resonated in my head, pointing out my dullness.

But now, rather than feeling annoyed at Paphnir’s words, I felt humble as I calmly organized my heavy thoughts.

I pray for what is to come.

I earnestly pray that everything I now see with my eyes and hear with my ears will remain unshaken and untainted even when facing the great calamity that approaches.

That it will preserve its purity without the slightest distortion.