Chapter 426: The Sun Still Sets (2)

I’ve been cursed. Not by some run-of-the-mill sorcerer’s curse, but by a being as mighty as the Dragon Lord.

“Then I suppose I’ll be seeing the black child again in the future.”

No matter how I look at it, it’s definitely a curse. When the Dragon Lord personally says something like “I’ll see you again,” isn’t that the most potent curse and brand? This brand is a terrible one that can only be erased when either the Dragon Lord or I die.

And it’s obvious which of us will die first, so in other words, it’s a brand I’ll carry for life. It’s too horrifying.

“But isn’t it fortunate if you only see him next time? I’ve heard of servants who served three or four generations.”

“Ah, here’s the real curse.”

However, Eli, hearing my lament, spat out even more chilling words. Well, they weren’t exactly curses, but to the listener, they were worse than any insult. Three or four generations? How could she say such a thing?

So, with a hint of resentment, I tickled Eli, who was sitting on my right knee.

“Th-that’s unfair! You can’t deny it either, so you’re doing this…!”

“Quiet.”

At my sincere gesture, Eli burst into laughter and squirmed. I was holding her waist tightly so she couldn’t escape, so all she could do was wriggle like a squid on a grill.

“Hee-hee, hee-hee, hee-hee…!”

She twisted her body almost to the point of crying, but I didn’t let go. That’s how far over the line her words had gone.

What? It’s fortunate if I only see him next time? There are servants who served three or four generations?

It’d be lucky if it ended at four generations.

I closed my eyes quietly, feeling conflicted. I hadn’t thought about it in the cave because of the Dragon Lord’s custom-made curse, but I’m in a situation where I’d be fortunate if it ended at four generations.

Trixie’s lifespan amplification potion. If I take that potion, I could live for hundreds of years, which means I might end up serving not four, but fourteen generations. I might find myself saying “This is Eimankar XXX” in front of the Dragon Lord, and hearing “It feels like just yesterday when XVII ascended the throne” in response.

Damn it.

I feel like crying. While a long, healthy life is every human’s wish, it’s a different story when that longevity spans hundreds of years. Even the Emperor would probably shake his head if told to live for hundreds of years.

But it’s hard for me to refuse. If I don’t choose longevity, it means Trixie will have to live through hundreds of years alone.

It’s complicated.

I let out a small sigh. I had planned to decide slowly since the longevity potion supposedly takes decades of use to take effect, but after seeing the Dragon Lord, the lifespan issue I’d buried in the back of my mind resurfaced.

Of course, it’s not something I need to decide right away. This isn’t just my and Trixie’s problem, but an issue for the entire family.

Still, I can’t help feeling bitter and conflicted. Whichever choice I make, no matter how long I deliberate, I’ll have to prepare for sorrow—

“M-Master.”

“Hm?”

A voice from my left knee interrupted my thoughts.

“Eli seems to be reflecting too, so maybe you could let her go now…”

At those words, I turned my gaze towards Eli,

“Hic, ugh…”

“Ah.”

Seeing Eli almost crying, I immediately withdrew my hands. I must have been too focused and ended up causing excessive damage.

“As expected, Pene has a big heart.”

“Y-you flatter me!”

Feeling embarrassed, I deliberately addressed Penelia, and Pene, called by her nickname instead of her full name, trembled and responded loudly.

Her amusing reaction made me laugh involuntarily. Pene, who was just barely getting used to physical affection, sank again at the mere two-syllable nickname. Despite having enviously watched Eli being called by her nickname.

“It’s not flattery. I called you kind because you are kind.”

With those words, I kissed Pene’s lips. Since Pene is sensitive in many ways, it’s right to show such affection whenever time allows. Even now, as I’m kissing her, I can feel her trembling.

If I were to express less affection because of her sensitivity, we might face the unprecedented situation of a bride fainting at the wedding. That won’t do.

“Again, you’re creating a nice atmosphere without me!”

Meanwhile, Eli, having regained her senses, suddenly bit my ear.

The attack was so sudden that I almost bit Pene’s lip along with it.

After reporting the Imperial Count title succession to the Emperor, paying respects to the Dragon Lord, and playing with Eli and Pene while visiting the capital—

Though my cheeks and lips were swollen from dealing with the wild Eli during the last part of the schedule, I was able to smoothly finish the tasks I needed to do in the capital and return to the academy. All in all, it ended smoothly.

It would be easier if we could all be together.

However, separate from the smooth conclusion, I sighed as soon as I entered the inspector’s quarters. As I feel every time, it’s incredibly inconvenient having my lovers scattered about. It’s a bizarre and terrible situation where meeting one means not meeting another, and doing skinship with one means not doing it with another.

If all my lovers could be gathered in one place, or at least if conditions allowed me to meet them all within a day, it would be so much better— but sadly, that’s difficult.

Should I really start commuting?

I lay on the bed, seriously considering it.

Commuting between the capital and the academy via teleportation—it’s an idea I briefly considered before but put on hold, and now it’s time to reconsider it. Soon Mar will graduate and get married, making the mansion in the capital our base, but the club members are still students, so I need to maintain my position as an academy inspector.

It’s a headache. If I become a permanent fixture in the capital, it would mean neglecting the foreign royalty, but if I choose the academy, I’d be spending my newlywed life at work. Either choice would be excruciating, so commuting seems to be the answer.

With Trixie here, it’s not impossible.

The fortunate thing is that I have the continent’s greatest magician by my side. This means teleport commuting is possible both theoretically and practically.

Instead, I might feel a sense of self-loathing, like a husband commuting by hitching a ride in his wife’s car, but…

Is pride worth that much?

In other words, if I can endure that self-loathing, there’s no problem. I can manage both newlywed life and civil servant duties, and with the capital and academy within daily commuting distance, I can meet all my lovers in a day. No need to worry about my lovers being scattered like now.

…I should bring this up soon.

Thinking about it, it doesn’t seem strange to hitch a ride with an older wife who started her social life earlier.

I decided to think of it that way.

After a short but fulfilling weekend, I finally faced Villar again.

“The second-year schedule is coming to an end. This year seems to have flown by faster than last year.”

I nodded at Villar’s calm words.

Whether it’s because there was a lot of work or because I briefly went north, the second-year schedule feels like it passed quickly.

No, maybe it’s because the club members have been quieter compared to last year. When the members behave, academy life tends to be smooth.

“It’s been two years since I met Sir Villar… I’m starting to feel sad about parting ways next year.”

“I’m glad. It seems I’m not the only one feeling that way.”

When I spoke with a slight smile, Villar returned a joking response.

A reaction I couldn’t have imagined when I first met Villar. Two years seems to have been enough time to build a friendship even with a stoic knight.

“Ah, I heard you inherited your title. Belated congratulations.”

“You’re still quicker to congratulate me than most foreigners.”

At those words, Villar couldn’t help but chuckle. Well, the only foreigners I’ve seen are just those at the academy—

“Then how about a gift? I think this might be quick even including imperial citizens.”

Saying that, Villar pulled something out from his breast pocket.

It was a pocket watch.

“…You’re the first to give me a gift, Sir Villar.”

“I’m honored.”

I was momentarily flustered by the unexpected situation. Indeed, I’ve received many congratulations, but this is the first gift.

Well, what gift could you give to someone who’s inherited the insane wealth of a title and territory? Unless it’s something truly precious, it’s better not to give anything. Any gift would likely be quickly forgotten.

Yet Villar deliberately presented a gift. And a common item like a pocket watch at that.

What’s this about?

I quickly racked my brain. Although Villar and I have grown quite close over these two years, he’s not someone to act without reason. This pocket watch must have its own significance.

Reading my questioning look, Villar offered an explanation.

“Actually, this isn’t a gift I prepared. It’s a token of appreciation from His Majesty the King for the inspector who has been excellently guiding His Highness Rutis.”

I see, so it’s a gift from the King of Armein, not from Villar.

…

?

What?

Who?

I handed the pocket watch to the inspector, who was staring with wide eyes in apparent surprise.

To be honest, I’m also surprised and honored to the point of bewilderment. To think I’ve been carrying His Majesty’s bestowed item in my breast pocket—my heart is pounding, and my hands are trembling.

But if even I, a mere messenger, am like this, how much more so must the inspector be? A king is a king, even if of another country. The inspector can’t help but be deeply surprised.

I’m glad I could give it to him, even if it’s only now.

I inwardly sighed in relief as I watched the inspector receive the pocket watch with a complex expression.

I started carrying this pocket watch during the summer vacation this year. When I briefly returned to my homeland, it was an item I was managing under His Majesty’s orders. He said he would give a signal someday, and then I should deliver it to the inspector.

“…It’s the Robens’s royal family crest.”

“Yes. His Majesty had the royal crest engraved as it’s a gift for someone he considers a benefactor.”

I naturally answered the inspector’s murmur as he just opened the watch’s lid.

This watch is not a mere timepiece. It’s an item given to loyal subjects who have shown fervent loyalty to the royal family or rendered great service to the country, or a symbolic item given to individuals the royal family must become close to.

And the inspector is clearly the latter. He’s someone His Majesty believes must establish a friendly relationship with for Armein’s future.

It’s understandable.

The inspector is currently at the pinnacle of the inspectors. Moreover, he played a crucial role in the Empire’s northern conquest.

That’s why His Majesty can’t help but worry. What if the inspector’s blade is someday turned towards Armein? What if he follows in the footsteps of the Iron-Blooded Duke who left an indelible scar on Armein in the past?

As a result, His Majesty has extended a hand of friendship to the inspector, a subject of another country. Even if he can’t prevent the inspector from going to war under the Emperor’s orders, he aims to prevent the inspector from becoming a war hawk who demands conflict first.

“I’ve received an overly generous gift. It’s a shame I can’t express my gratitude in person.”

Fortunately, the inspector’s reaction wasn’t bad at all.

That’s enough.