episode_0061

“There is nothing I need to do at the palace.”

“You are very interested in the wizard who drove out the Demon Lord’s spy. Even when you arrive in Ignolia, some members of the Blue Rose Knights may come looking for you in the tavern. And nobles always like gossip, especially if it’s a young and handsome wizard.”

“Isn’t that what Ceresria wants? It means revealing who I am to people.”

In response to my answer, she smiled and took a step toward me, and I took a step back.

“Other countries will also pay close attention to the fact that a new genius has appeared in Araelia. That alone is worth it.”

“So you’re trying to use me.”

“Of course, Astan’s hometown is Araelia. If Astan accepts my proposal… … Because we may give out a light reward.”

“It’s quite scary to talk about family.”

“If you are put in the position of a princess, you have no choice, so will you allow it? This holiday is going to be quite long. The way to get to Araelia is either by carriage or using a portal, but my father, like me, is not a very patient person, so he will take the portal.”

“Can I think about it?”

After hearing my answer, Ceresria nodded slowly and still looked at me with a smile.

“It’s an offer you can’t refuse, right?”

“It’s so sweet, you can’t see it’s a trap.”

“Trap… … That may be so, with this choice Astan is a man of Araelia. Because it creates the appearance of declaring. You can stop by my hometown on the way to Araelia. I don’t know where Astan’s hometown is, but there is no space in Araelia where you can’t open a portal.”

“Thank you for your generosity.”

Then I bowed my head to her and walked towards Ignolia. If you go to Araelia, you can go home. It’s definitely an attractive proposition. I fully know that I cannot refuse.

However, the thought of falling into such an obvious trap was not so great. In the end, I will accept the offer… … If you go to the palace, you will probably experience a lot of things. But anyway, I had no choice but to accept the offer after thinking about it. Does it make sense for a person from Araelia to disobey the princess?

When I got to work, the questions everyone asked were the same. Some people asked me what that was, some people asked me what happened, and even customers asked me about how the rumor that I defeated the Demon King’s army spread.

I was more tired than usual, and probably because I had more work to do than usual, it was almost time to get off work, and as I was packing my bags, Aunt Toa spoke to me.

“There was someone looking for you.”

“Are you from Araelia?”

“Be quick to notice, I will even make a prediction soon.”

“I heard something on the way, where are you?”

“Over there, in the corner.”

Following Aunt Toa’s words, I turned my head and saw a driver drinking tea in a strange corner of the tavern. I heard that our store also sells tea, but I was surprised that someone actually ordered this. I packed my bags and sat in the seat in front of the driver, who looked at me and smiled.

“Has it been a while since we had a conversation like this?”

“That’s right, it was the last time before the spy was caught, so more time has passed than I thought. I have seen him patrolling a few times.”

“Her Highness Ceresria said she was coming to the palace this holiday. I came here because I was curious. Because it is our responsibility to investigate people who will enter the palace.”

“Why did you come here to investigate me? I heard you were returning to Araelia.”

“The withdrawal of the Knights will not be completed in a day or two, so this amount of leeway is enough. If you listen to the story you told, it seems like you are from the region of Araelia, but I am curious about where exactly you are from. Above all, when I first met you, you did not seem to be a very strong wizard, and I am curious as to whether you were hiding your strength on purpose. Well, please answer as much as you can, because the people investigating you are working separately even if I don’t ask you any questions.”

“I’m afraid, those words.”

The driver smiled softly at my answer. At first glance, it looked like a woman, but it had a very mysterious face, like a man. Her hair had also grown long and had a strange aura.

“Don’t ignore Araelia.”

As he was carefully answering the knight’s questions, the knight smiled when he heard the answer and placed a small dagger on the table. There was a detailed pattern engraved on the handle of the knife, as if to remind you that it was definitely not an ordinary dagger, and it was the kind of dagger that made you wonder if you would cut your finger right away if you put it on the blade.

“Your Majesty will take care of your convenience, but there are more warlike people in Araelia than you think, so even if there is an argument, he will not ignore you.”

“Is this like a knight’s badge?”

“A badge given to those who lead the knights. There are so many daggers like this, and they are not a nuisance, so feel free to carry them and return them if you get the chance.”

After speaking, the driver stood up and smiled at me.

“I hope you become stronger then.”

“Can I ask you one question?”

“If I know anything.”

“I’d like to ask you about it, because I don’t know anything about you.”

“Surn de Verot, leader of the Order of the Blue Rose. Can you remember?”

“If I see you again, I will greet you by name.”

“Not looking forward to it.”

With only one day left until the holiday, the last academy class was a trivial one like alchemy and the history of magic. During lunch time, many students, even those from other grades, came and asked for a duel. As usual, I refused all the duels, but in the meantime, Sharon also challenged me to a duel, which made me laugh with Sharon. After class, I go to work, and now it’s time to decide on the correct answer, so I check the correct answer on my own after work.

The correct answer was that I couldn’t refuse. Naturally, would it be possible to refuse the princess’s offer?

And as if to prove that fact, she was standing at the main gate of the academy. The person in charge of guarding the school gate today was Senior Arkadin. Where is Senior Arkadin? I thought about that carefully, but the correct answer was that Arkadin would have said that this kind of thing was a hassle and would have moved somewhere else.

As I carefully approached Ceresria, she waved her hand and smiled at me.

“Good night, right? It’s the last night before leaving for Araelia.”

“The sky looks like it might rain.”

“The moon is beautiful, and it happens to be full. Port Luna might be watching.”

And she started walking slowly towards me. The distinctive red eyes and black hair caught my eye. Are they really descendants of vampires? She was a woman who seemed like something out of a fairy tale or novel.

“Have you decided on the correct answer? I know the answer without even asking.”

“When I go to Araelia, please tell me what I need to do.”

“Probably, if your father is the type of person he is, he would throw a light banquet to commemorate my arrival. Well, even if it is a light banquet, since it is hosted by the royal family, a variety of people will flock, and if the opportunity arises, they may hold a martial arts festival. and… … Astan, you will attend the martial arts festival. Given your father’s personality, of course he would be like that. A new hero might appear, wouldn’t you be curious about his skills?”

“If I go out, I won’t get good grades.”

“Um, I don’t know.”

Ceresria covered her mouth and started laughing at my answer. The sound of laughter increasingly ringing in my ears felt different from her usual routine. Even her smile was elegant. He was a person with a lot of composure, whose true intentions were unknown.

Today, something felt different.

“The wizards of Araelia are not as strong as you think. You might not know it if you are from the academy, but the wizards who grew up in Araelia are not as strong… … You might get pretty good grades. Looking to win? My father would only let Astan play in the last game.”

And Ceresria carefully stood in front of me and looked up at me. As I looked at her face filled with my eyes, I slowly swallowed my saliva.

“If you go to Araelia with me, you can give Astan’s family a light reward, either at the princess’s discretion or the royal family’s discretion. It’s not difficult. Is there a prize you want? If not, I can think of whatever I want.”

“You made a promise regarding the prize.”

“I am not one to break promises, Astan. When have I ever broken your promise?”

At her words, I carefully took a step away from her, bowed my head towards her, and covered my left breast with my right hand.

“May the light of Araelia reach you, and thank you for your grace, princess.”

“May the light of Araelia reach.”

I woke up in the morning, washed my body, and changed my clothes. Since I was going to the royal family, I had to be polite, but the only clothes I had were my uniform, so I carefully put on my uniform and walked towards Ignolia.

When I arrived at Ignolia and arrived at a familiar square, there were many knights and Shurn standing there, and I looked around as I approached them. Has Ceresria not arrived yet?

While I was thinking about that, Shurn cautiously approached me and smiled, and I bowed my head towards him.

And as time passed, someone was walking towards Ignolia’s square. When I saw the figure walking slowly, accompanied by a maid, I felt different from usual. Although he had the same black hair and red eyes as usual, he exuded a strange sense of intimidation.

Of course, it’s in front of the knights, so it doesn’t get distracted.

As Ceresria approached the knights, Shurn opened his mouth.

“Knights of the Blue Rose, be respectful to the princess!”

And at the same time as the square shouted, all the knights knelt down on one knee to show respect to Ceresria, and Ceresria slowly approached Shurn and opened her mouth with a smile.

“I’m just going out, so there’s no need for such courtesy and formality. Are you early, Astan?”

“I’m a person who sleeps less than I thought, so can we leave now?”

“That’s right, it’s colder than I thought. It might rain even when I come back. It’s always sunny in Araelia, so don’t worry.”

As my conversation with Ceresria ended, one of the knights carefully walked out, took out a scroll with a magic circle engraved on it that opened a portal, and tore it open, and a large portal appeared in Ignolia’s plaza.

“Then let’s go.”

Ceresria extended her right hand towards me, and I held it carefully.