Chapter 66 – Reward

After hearing Fabiana’s words, I had no idea how to react, so I just lowered my head.

Using mana, I barely managed to suppress the laughter that threatened to burst forth.

This crazy woman.

I think she’s crazy, but I understand why she did it—which makes it even more ridiculous.

-What’s with that look, Luna?

-I’ve been worried about something lately.

-What the hell, did you cause trouble again?

-You immediately start cursing when I say I’m worried. That’s why people call you an idiot.

-What worries could you possibly have besides gambling?

-I do have worries, you idiot. My concern is… when we finish everything and return to the continent, what if the Emperor and Pope say something different?

-You’re worrying about something pointless.

-There’s a political aspect that simpletons like you wouldn’t understand. In a future where humanity’s enemy has disappeared, the only way to unite humanity again is to create a new enemy.

-So, you’re saying the Emperor or Pope might betray us? Turn us into humanity’s enemy?

-…That’s right.

-What does the great Yurpia say about this?

-I’m not pathetic enough to rely on Yurpia for such trivial matters.

-Hmm…

-What? Why are you looking at me like that?

-Nothing. Just seems like you’re worrying about something completely useless.

-This isn’t useless, it’s something that will really happen…

-If. Just if those two bastards suddenly change their tune, then we’ll just beat them up. Even if you can’t do it, I will. If I’m not around, then Paulo or Kaloso will handle it. If they’re not available, Arisa will take care of it.

-So you’re saying you’ll beat up the Emperor and Pope?

-You’re talking like we haven’t done it before. Hey, do you know how many times we slapped the Pope when we rescued you from the Holy Kingdom? And the Emperor too. Even if those bastards turn us into humanity’s enemy, we’ll still win.

-…Ronan. What you’re saying sounds like you’ll kill all humans who oppose us.

-I don’t kill humans. I only kill those who aren’t human-like. And if they dare touch me… us, what wouldn’t I do?

-Ronan. It sounds like your mouth is possessed by a terrible demon.

-This woman complains even when I take her side.

-Still, haha. Listening to your nonsense makes me think my worries are indeed useless. You’re right. Violence is an excellent means of communication that can smooth over most situations.

-If you’re done worrying, then heal me.

-Heal you? You didn’t even encounter any demons, so why are you hurt?

-I fought with Paulo.

-…Why?

-That bastard stole my meat.

-But you also steal his all the time.

-But Paulo had put poison on the meat he stole.

-And Paulo ate it?

-Yeah.

-Then he should be weak; how does he have time to fight you?

-He attacked me, saying he’d kill me before the poison spread.

-…So where is Paulo now?

-Over there.

-Oh, oh, oh!! Luna!! Lunaaaa!! Paulo’s dying!! Hurry!!

-You idiots.

Did she really keep that promise?

Because the Emperor changed his tune?

I slowly rubbed my trembling lips with my finger to calm my laughter.

If I burst into laughter in front of Fabiana after hearing that the most revered Emperor had been beaten up, I doubt she’d let it slide easily.

“…Ahem. I see.”

“Why are you making that face?”

“What’s wrong with my face?”

Fabiana’s eyes narrowed.

“It’s too rigid. As if you’re trying to hide your expression. Eliaernes, I didn’t know you were capable of such coyness.”

“…It’s not coyness.”

The conversation that followed consisted of questions with little substance.

Unlike our previous personal conversations, these were strictly about politics—topics I neither liked nor found surprising.

Humanity’s enemy has appeared. It’s time for humanity to unite. The Empire’s prestige will rise. And with it, Fabiana’s prestige will also increase. But that wasn’t what Fabiana wanted. Someone was behind all this. That person had blown this incident out of proportion.

With these words, she was subtly revealing the culprit to me.

The Empire’s First Prince, Anton de Hermann.

“Is it appropriate for you to tell me this?”

So I asked directly.

But Fabiana only smiled faintly and shook her head.

“I know you won’t use this information for anything underhanded, so it’s fine. You’re a noblewoman with little interest in politics.”

“That’s true.”

“To think the next head of House Eustetia cares so little about politics. It’s somewhat concerning.”

“It’s not mandatory to care. Besides, my father is still in good health. He’ll live for many years to come. So there’s no need for concern.”

“Duke Turrius Eustetia would laugh heartily if he heard that.”

“…That’s not quite what I meant.”

Fabiana chuckled, then stood and heavily sat on the desk buried under documents.

“Beware of my damned brother.”

“What are the chances I’d get involved with the First Prince? He’s not even at the academy.”

“If there’s no reason, he’ll create one. That’s how royalty operates. He might try to establish a connection with you through this reward.”

“But you’ll prevent that, won’t you?”

Fabiana wouldn’t allow such interference. After all, on the surface, it appeared that I, Fabiana, and Silina had developed some sort of friendship.

“Hahaha! Correct. Precisely right.”

“While I know you would never do so, Princess, I must say this: please don’t view me—or rather, House Eustetia—as a political instrument. I helped you, Senior Fabiana, as a fellow student, as Eliaernes, not as an Eustetia.”

This statement wasn’t directed only at Fabiana. It was a warning to the entire royal family.

Though “warning” might sound too threatening, House Eustetia could afford such bold statements.

“I swear on my honor that I will never use House Eustetia as a political instrument.”

“Thank you for responding to my impolite words so readily.”

“It’s nothing for my benefactor. I would do much more for you. If you wished, you could even call me sister, and I would gladly—no, happily—accept.”

“That’s a bit…”

“You’re making an even more dreadful face than when you drank that tea earlier.”

“…It’s not that bad.”

Fabiana, chuckling, picked up a mana-powered pen and glanced at me.

“Though it wasn’t obvious, you… really seem to care deeply about House Eustetia.”

I simply shrugged, grabbed a handful of candies from a small basket, and tucked them into my pocket.

“It’s House Eustetia, after all.”

Then I watched as Fabiana stood up and began tackling her mountain of paperwork.

“Princess, one final question.”

“If it’s about the Treasury and Forbidden Archive, they will open around noon tomorrow.”

“No, not about that.”

“Oh?”

Her gaze, which had been directed at her documents, returned to me.

“The information in the Imperial Forbidden Archive—do all royals know everything that’s in there?”

Fabiana shook her head.

“No. Only His Majesty the Emperor knows all of it.”

“Even you don’t know, Princess?”

“What I know is probably just the tip of the iceberg.”

A faint smile formed on my lips at this welcome news.

“Thank you. I enjoyed our conversation.”

“Then perhaps we should arrange more such meetings.”

“Human hearts are so fickle. While it’s pleasant to converse briefly like this, the thought of extended interactions seems… strange.”

“So?”

“Not too frequently—perhaps once every two months.”

“That’s too infrequent. Let’s make it once a month.”

“Agreed.”

I bowed my head and immediately turned to leave.

Behind me, Fabiana softly murmured,

“If ever I find myself unable to act, would you look after my sister, Silina?”

“Since that’s a request and not an order, I’ll do my best.”

“That’s more than enough. Thank you, Eliaernes.”

Fabiana was smiling brightly.

When I left Fabiana’s room and returned to my own, the door was completely repaired, just as Mikel had said.

Back in my now-comfortable room, I spent some busy hours there.

I dragged my stiff, aching, painful body into the bathtub, bathed thoroughly, and dried my hair completely.

Then, instead of my usual shabby training clothes, I put on my academy uniform—the one perfectly tailored to my figure.

I also tied my hair as neatly as possible with a black-ribboned cord.

It was somewhat clumsy, but not terrible.

Finally, after drinking a fatigue recovery potion, a stamina recovery potion, and a nutrient-rich potion…

“What am I doing… sigh.”

I stood in front of the mirror, confirmed my complexion was gradually improving, and then used my device to summon Yurasia.

[Come.to.my.room.for.a.moment~?]

Exactly ten minutes later.

Knock knock. A very polite knocking sound echoed.

“It’s open.”

The door opened silently, and in walked an exceptionally well-groomed Yurasia.

The sight made me chuckle softly.

“We’re both the same, aren’t we, Yurasia?”

“W-what? What do you mean?”

“We both dressed up properly.”

Though our reasons differed.

Yurasia likely dressed neatly because she was part of the knighthood, while I had cleaned up so that if any unexpected visitors came, they wouldn’t worry about me.

“Sit here.”

I patted the spot next to me on the bed. With very careful movements, Yurasia perched on the edge.

Then she gazed at me with clear, attentive eyes.

“Why do you think I called you here?”

To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and concerns. And to help enhance Yurasia’s achievements, I wanted to prepare what she should say.

“Um… I’m not sure…?”

But our innocent Yurasia couldn’t grasp my intentions and merely looked around with her curious blue eyes.

Watching her, I giggled softly.

“We need to coordinate our stories before everyone arrives.”

At that moment.

“…Huh.”

Yurasia’s face turned bright red.