Ch.273273. Where Did It Get Smaller?

“Clara, to the platform.”

As countless eyes were fixed on the platform, Clara slowly ascended from below with a tense expression.

Despite her nervous look, her steps were filled with confidence.

When Clara reached the platform and bowed her head, my gaze turned toward my colleagues from Lake Territory.

“From today, I am establishing the Guardian Corps to protect the Alphonse family and Lake Territory. And I hereby appoint Clara as the first commander of the Guardian Corps.”

Applause and cheers erupted from the knights, mercenaries, and territory residents who had come to witness the establishment of the Guardian Corps.

Looking at the scene with satisfaction, I spoke to Clara in a low voice.

“Your walk looked confident when you came up just now, so why the gloomy face?”

“I’m still not sure if me becoming the Guardian Corps commander is really the right thing.”

“Come on, if you want to compete with the daughter of a family head and Jawil Wilson, you need to be at least a Guardian Corps commander, don’t you think?”

As I laughed playfully, Clara just glared at me without saying a word.

Then, she quickly changed her expression, turned around, and raised her hand in the air.

-Wow!! Our commander is the prettiest!!

-Commander Clara!! Please take good care of us!

-We’re skilled enough not to hold you back now, so you can expect great things!

-I can’t wait to hunt monsters with the commander!

This time, it was the prospective Guardian Corps members standing in a row below the platform, sending cheers and applause.

No, from today, they were official Guardian Corps members.

Looking at them with a satisfied smile, I raised my voice.

“Let’s have a party all night long!”

*

“Hah, is this all the reports?”

After establishing the Guardian Corps and entering the study, I found piles of reports.

As I skimmed through them with a sigh, Federicks pulled something out of his pocket.

“A letter from Baron Byron, sir.”

In his hand was a letter stamped with the family seal.

I reached out with eyes full of expectation.

“Let me see.”

I immediately opened the letter and curled up the corners of my mouth as I skimmed through its contents.

“Federicks.”

“Yes, sir?”

“My father says he’ll find someone for you to marry?”

“….What?”

“I sent a letter to my father. I told him you seemed too lonely and asked if he would allow you to get married.”

“Without even consulting me, sir?”

I waved my hand dismissively at the bewildered Federicks.

“Come on, what’s there to discuss? You can meet them first, and if you don’t like them, you can reconsider then.”

“….What?”

“Right? You have nothing to lose by meeting them, so why refuse?”

“No…. that’s true, but still, you should have consulted with me first.”

I rested my arms on the desk, propped my chin, and spoke indifferently.

“That’s what I’m doing now.”

“Doing what?”

“Consulting with you.”

“….”

Federicks looked at me with an incredulous expression.

I could sense he had mentally cursed me several times already.

Ignoring that, I continued.

“I think we still have plenty of time to prepare slowly. It will take my father quite a while to look into it.”

“Hah….”

“Or would you like to send a letter to my father saying you’ve changed your mind?”

“….I’ll meet them first.”

“Great, next!”

With a booming voice, I slowly skimmed through the reports.

“The academy professors have all gathered already?”

“Yes, they’re currently staying at Lake Manor.”

“Oh, really? I should meet them then.”

“Shall I arrange a light dinner tomorrow evening?”

“Let’s do that.”

This time, Federicks straightened his back and spoke.

“Ah, right! And Saint Claudia is still undergoing treatment.”

“It’s still not finished?”

“It seems to be taking longer than expected.”

“Is she deliberately prolonging her treatment to meet me?”

When I asked with a tilted head, Federicks let out a short sigh.

“She’s a saint who serves the gods. How could that be possible?”

Federicks wouldn’t know.

That if it’s not just any saint, but Saint Claudia, it’s entirely possible.

I sighed as I skimmed through the reports.

“Hah…. I should meet Saint Claudia before meeting the academy professors.”

“Most treatments start early in the morning, so shall I schedule lunch?”

“Make it a bit later than lunch.”

“….Pardon?”

“I’m afraid I might get indigestion if I have a meal with Saint Claudia, so I’d rather just have tea.”

“Understood. By the way, was the nobles’ gathering successful?”

I nodded leisurely at Federicks’ question.

“Yes, Castle Town will be busy from now on.”

“Because of the remedy?”

“Yeah, from now on, you should call the remedy ‘hair loss solution.'”

“You’ve already named it? But won’t it be difficult for Castle Town to handle production alone?”

“It won’t be mass-produced initially, so it should be fine, but we’ll need to recruit people for the future.”

“If you’re planning to sell it secretly, you’ll need trustworthy people, right?”

“By that time, won’t the hair loss solution have spread throughout the Eastern Continent? Then there won’t be any need to hide it.”

Federicks, seeming to find this reasonable, continued with a calm expression.

“Then I’ll give Castelton a heads-up.”

“Good. Anything else to report?”

“No, sir.”

“Alright. Shall we head out now?”

“….Pardon? Where are we going?”

As I put on my coat, I couldn’t suppress the twitching corners of my mouth as I spoke.

“To unwind.”

*

-Young master, have a drink.

-Your skin looks especially good today! Would you like to accept my glass too?

-I thought you were handsome from the first time I saw you, but your beauty seems to shine more and more!

-Young master, try this appetizer too!

At the banquet celebrating the establishment of the Guardian Corps.

When Federicks returned after discussing some simple business matters, the Guardian Corps members were already thoroughly intoxicated.

-Y-young master, have one more drink before you go!

-Where are you going! You have to party with us tonight!

After barely shaking off the clingy Guardian Corps members, I sat at a table far from the center of the banquet hall.

Across from me was Jawil Wilson, drinking alone with an uncomfortable expression.

I smiled slightly and spoke.

“Why the face?”

“Ah…. I wanted to talk to Clara, but she seems busy….”

“It’s the day the Guardian Corps was established, so Clara must be busy, don’t you think?”

“….I suppose so? I came with determination today, but it seems I picked the wrong day.”

“That’s why you should have spoken up earlier. Why do you keep hesitating?”

“I don’t know. I just feel smaller whenever I stand in front of Clara.”

“Where?”

Jawil Wilson, thinking he had misheard, quickly shook his head and looked up.

“….Pardon?”

“Where do you feel smaller?”

“Young master, you’re starting to resemble Miss Miria Alphonse more and more, I think?”

“Blood ties are truly formidable.”

“….I just meant that I feel diminished as a person.”

I patted Jawil Wilson, who was sighing, on the shoulder and pointed to Clara in the distance.

“Look at that. Don’t you see how knights and mercenaries are gathering around Clara, trying to strike up a conversation?”

“Th-those bastards…. There are plenty of women in the Guardian Corps, but they’re specifically targeting Clara….”

As Jawil Wilson was about to jump up to head toward Clara, I gently pressed my palm on his shoulder and continued.

“How old are most of the women in the Guardian Corps?”

“T-twenty or twenty-one.”

“Wouldn’t knights and mercenaries be more attracted to mature women like Clara rather than younger ones?”

“….I suppose so.”

“Don’t be complacent just because you have Vivian Catharia. You know better than anyone that Clara has been popular since childhood.”

Just then, a woman’s voice came from behind.

Jawil Wilson and I reflexively turned our heads.

“Young master.”

“….Huh?”

It was Clara, who had somehow come to our table.

She seemed to have put more effort into her appearance for the party, looking even more radiant than usual.

As I tilted my head, she politely bowed.

“May I borrow Jawil Wilson for a conversation?”

Oh my….

So Clara couldn’t wait and approached first.

Well, it’s certainly a wiser choice for her to take the initiative rather than waiting for the hesitant Jawil Wilson to speak up.

I gave Jawil Wilson a faint smile and nodded slightly.

“What are you waiting for?”

“….Pardon?”

“Clara wants to talk to you.”

“Ah, understood.”

Jawil Wilson rose from his chair, stiff as a robot.

Then, with a rigid posture, he left the banquet hall with Clara.

“Hah….”

I really hope things go well for them today.

That way, Jawil Wilson can focus and perform well on the next mission.

I diligently turned my head, scanning the surroundings.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall had grown lively.

I firmly placed my palm on the table and stood up.

And then.

I quietly slipped out of the still bustling banquet hall alone, wearing a gentle smile.