Ch.7171. Moonlight Drinking Party (2)

“Is your left hand alright?”

“……”

After sending away the grumbling Findenai, different faces came to visit me this time.

Magic Court Judge Tyrn Ol Velocus and Captain of the Royal Guard Gloria Grace.

Both were wearing casual clothes instead of their usual robes or armor, which was the king’s consideration.

This incident had put me at odds with not only the Grand Mage but also with them, though it was actually a misunderstanding. The king’s intention was for us to resolve any lingering resentment over drinks.

“Ahem.”

That’s why Gloria, feeling awkward, cleared her throat but spoke with certainty.

“I am one who follows His Majesty’s orders. I move only as his sword when he wishes it.”

“……”

“If His Majesty gives the same order next time, I will follow it silently. However…”

Seeing her speech growing longer, Tyrn beside her let out a helpless smile. I remained seated silently, looking up at her.

“I didn’t realize His Majesty could be mistaken. I’m sorry.”

Self-reproach that this wouldn’t have happened if she had noticed, and guilt for not realizing there was an issue with the king’s state of mind as his sword.

As Gloria bowed her head to me with those feelings, I took a sip of my drink.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“……”

“You were just doing your role. I have no feelings about it, so don’t worry.”

Gloria slowly raised her head at my answer. Tyrn beside her laughed heartily and said:

“See? He’s not the type to mind such things. A big-hearted man.”

“Hmm, I also heard you’ll be joining the royal household. I look forward to working with you.”

Gloria offered her hand for a handshake, but one of my hands was wrapped in bandages and the other was holding a glass.

Thinking she had made a mistake, Gloria tried to withdraw her hand, but I put down my glass and took her hand.

“Looking forward to it.”

Considering the story’s progression, she wasn’t someone I could simply overlook.

That’s why I intended to at least establish a cordial relationship.

“Why don’t you two speak informally? You’re going to be colleagues serving the same king anyway.”

“Hmm, then…”

“Do as you wish.”

Gloria, who had been cautiously gauging the situation, nodded with a more relaxed expression at my answer.

“Alright, I’ll be counting on you.”

That was the end of my conversation with the two. We weren’t close enough to continue talking at length anyway.

People were gathering around the huge meat that was starting to cook.

I remained in the same spot, just sipping my drink. There was no sign of getting drunk.

“Is this seat taken?”

Then another man approached me. It was King Orpheus, who should have been resting.

I tried to stand up, but he gestured and sat down beside me.

“I’d like to drink too, but they told me to refrain for the sake of recovery.”

Orpheus opened and closed his hand as if feeling empty. He needed rest because of the evil spirit that had possessed him.

He turned his gaze toward the fire and smiled.

“Well, you’ve overcome all three trials. Congratulations. Honestly, I didn’t think you could do it.”

“They were all quite difficult, so that’s understandable.”

“Heheh, indeed. Even I thought they were rather cruel.”

Defeating Magic Court Judge Tyrn Ol Velocus.

Resolving Elenoa Luden Griffin’s nightmare.

And finally, solving the mystery of the late king’s will, which could be called a royal family secret.

“You’ll receive ample rewards, but are you really alright with this?”

“……”

His gaze had reached me. The emotions contained within were worry and concern.

“It will be quite a turbulent time. You’ll face more ridicule and criticism than you expect, perhaps even something beyond that.”

“That applies not just to me, but to the kingdom as well.”

“That’s the responsibility I must bear.”

It was the right thing to say.

Because it was right, I found myself nodding in satisfaction without realizing it.

It was natural for the royal family to face criticism and condemnation regarding Black Mages.

But Orpheus didn’t like that I would be the subject of it.

“Perhaps it would be better to gradually move forward by revising the laws concerning Black Mages?”

I shook my head at his suggestion that it would be better to first eliminate the prejudice against them.

“It’s too late. And people would be even less accepting.”

“Hmm.”

“Don’t worry.”

When I answered firmly, Orpheus nodded slightly and said he understood.

I could feel his infinite trust in me.

“Ah, by the way.”

Orpheus clapped his hands uncharacteristically and probed cautiously.

“How old did you say you were?”

“Twenty-eight.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Orpheus nodded exaggeratedly, cleared his throat, and deliberately changed the subject.

“So, you and my sister spent time here often?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I heard you two spent quite a lot of time together, so you must be quite close?”

“……”

“…Was it that obvious?”

I didn’t bother to answer Orpheus as he scratched the back of his head, just moistening my lips with alcohol.

He sighed and patted my shoulder.

“Think about it. Elenoa seems quite fond of you, and I would certainly welcome someone like you.”

“……”

“And at twenty-eight, you’re at an age where it wouldn’t be strange to be married with children already.”

I removed the glass from my lips and answered slowly.

“I have a fiancée.”

“What?!”

Orpheus looked at me with a truly surprised expression, as if he hadn’t imagined this at all.

“Ahem, I almost crossed a line. I apologize.”

Orpheus reluctantly dropped the subject.

I hadn’t broken off my engagement with Erika to make it easier to resolve my relationship with Gideon.

‘This is useful after all.’

Being engaged to her serves as a good way to silence unnecessary interference from others.

‘Probably enough until I return to the academy.’

I believe that by now, Erika would have regained enough of her original independent self to bring the dissolution papers for our engagement.

After that, I wouldn’t be able to use the fiancée shield anymore, but I intended to use it as much as possible while I could.

“I didn’t know you had a woman you cared for.”

“It’s an arrangement between families.”

“I thought as much.”

His response that he had expected as much was somewhat irritating.

In the distance, I could see a maid running toward us. She seemed to be looking for King Orpheus.

“Oh dear, I’ve been found out. I’ll be going now.”

“I wish you a peaceful night.”

“Yes, you too. Drink moderately. You’re now the only Black Mage recognized by the kingdom. You’re precious.”

There was strength in King Orpheus’s steps as he patted my shoulder.

Through this incident, his mind hadn’t collapsed, nor had he lost his body to an evil spirit.

I hid my smile behind my glass as I watched his back, clearly stronger than before.

“Deus! Come over here and eat something!”

Darius called me, waving a piece of cooked meat in the air.

Deia also glanced at me and gestured, so I slowly got up and approached the two.

“Eat something with your drink. Don’t pass out drunk like you used to at the mansion.”

I’d heard many stories about how Deus used to wander around the mansion completely intoxicated.

No matter how much I drank, I didn’t even feel tipsy, showing how high my alcohol tolerance was.

“Ah, your hand.”

Deia, who had handed me meat, looked at my left hand and hesitated for a moment.

Then she slowly held the meat toward my mouth.

“I caused it, so I’ll take responsibility.”

“…I don’t have to eat it.”

I wasn’t particularly in the mood to eat meat. I wanted to savor my drink quietly in the cool night.

“Are you going to make me feel embarrassed?”

Deia glared at me with irritation. With a sigh, I reluctantly ate the meat she offered.

“Oh, ohhhh!”

Darius, watching from the side, looked at us with a moved expression.

Despite both Deia and I making sour faces, he paid no attention and held out his glass.

“Come! The bond between us three siblings represents the strength of the Verdi family! Raise your glasses!”

“Ugh, you’re not some old man.”

Deia frowned and glared at Darius from the side.

Clink.

I extended my hand and clinked my glass.

“Oh! Ohhhh!”

Darius was moved to near tears, and both our gazes turned simultaneously to the youngest.

“Betrayal?! Ugh, really.”

Finally, Deia reluctantly raised her glass.

Our three glasses clinked with the campfire flames as a backdrop, creating a cheerful sound.

It reminded me of the Peach Garden Oath I’d seen in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and I slowly withdrew my glass.

“This is touching! I thought we’d never have anything like family love!”

Darius, dancing with joy, squeezed between Deia and me, putting his arms around our shoulders.

At that moment, I quickly pulled away because of the gunshot wound on my left shoulder, and Deia burst out in anger.

“Are you drunk?! He’s injured! You should be careful!”

“S-sorry.”

Darius immediately apologized. In fact, if we were comparing injuries, Darius’s were more severe.

“Geez, are you okay?”

As both turned their attention to me, I glanced at my left shoulder and unconsciously said to the worried Deia:

“You could have shot a little more gently.”

“…Huh?”

“What?”

The two looked at each other after speaking simultaneously. Then they began rambling nervously.

“C-can guns even shoot gently? Ah! I guess since it’s a gun infused with mana, if you adjust that…”

“Was that even possible? If the power is determined by the user’s skill, it must be quite a sophisticated weapon.”

Looking at the two taking it quite seriously, I awkwardly said:

“It was a joke.”

The two froze.

They looked at me again simultaneously, and after about three seconds…

They burst out in exclamation.

“A jooooke?! Deus? THAT Deus made a joke?!”

“No way, where did you learn that! Well, I guess it makes sense! A guy who used to spend all his time with alcohol and women…”

The commotion spread instantly.

“The professor made a joke? R-really? What did he say?!”

“The master ignores what I say, but let’s hear what kind of joke he made.”

[My disciple has some cute aspects, doesn’t he?]

Looking at the people and ghosts gathering around…

“Sigh.”

Irritation washed over me like a tide.