episode_0063

When asked about any discomfort during my time in Alpen, the only responses I received were dismissive, as expected from someone suddenly approached by a guest.

So, it was only now that I looked directly into someone’s eyes and engaged in a proper conversation.

Up until now, all I had done was observe Lycia and make snide remarks from a distance.

“His Majesty had high expectations after hearing about your reputation.”

“I am worried that I may not meet the expectations as exaggerated as they may be.”

“From what I personally saw, it didn’t seem that way, so you don’t have to put on airs.”

Was she talking about the events in the Alpen Mountains?

Naturally, the princess must have seen me wielding the Radiant Sword.

Come to think of it, if the princess wanted to go to university, there was something I could ask her.

“Does Your Highness plan to study theology as the chosen discipline at the university?”

“As a member of the royal family, it is a study that must be done.”

In this medieval world of academia, theology was the alpha and omega.

It was the foundation for learning magic, and even if that wasn’t the case, boasting a bit of knowledge required passing this course.

And when it came to theology, it was also what Lycia wanted to learn. Would we end up taking the same classes?

I didn’t know much about the ecology of the medieval-academy, so I figured I could ask and find out when I saw Lycia at the university.

The conversation didn’t last long as it was a place set up for masking and mingling.

After a brief introduction and discussion of future plans, there was nothing more to talk about.

“Since His Majesty has also had a good conversation with you, you should be able to return to Alpen soon. Do you need more time separately?”

“No, anyway, Father will return to the Empire soon. And I can’t cause any more trouble for Princess Kanosa.”

“Then let’s plan to return in two days.”

“Yes. Well, please take care until you go to the university.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“Your Highness, Your Highness. Shall we go and have some fun together?”

“Huh? Oh, sure!”

It seemed like Lycia had more to say than me.

After the conversation ended, the girl went out to play with the princess.

I was a little worried about not being able to adapt to a new space when I went to university, but if I had friends, it would be okay even without me.

Soon, I could faintly hear Lycia talking with the princess under the window.

Friends. What was I doing at that age?

I was just a seedling who might not see the faces of my peers tomorrow, as I was constantly on the battlefield.

Starting my childhood without a home or family was the same, but I was glad that Lycia seemed to be able to live a better life than me.

It was a good time.

*****

Before noon, I received news that the Emperor was leaving the palace.

There was no grand farewell party. The Pope’s attitude was evident, and the parties involved didn’t really care for it in the first place.

It was so small that it couldn’t even be called an event. Just like when he first arrived at the Kanosa Castle.

Only a few monks who had followed him on his way out, the Marquis, and myself went to see him off.

Indeed, the Emperor was a man who kept his word like a sword.

The farewell I bid him the night before was because I knew it would really come to this. From barbarians to heretics, even to the Emperor. I still couldn’t adapt to the straightforward language and actions of the people of this era.

“I entrust my daughter to you.”

“Of course. The contract will be faithfully fulfilled.”

The conversation with the Emperor was over with just one word. Although I didn’t add any more words in front of the people like I did yesterday, I felt like I could hear a voice anticipating what would come next.

I bid farewell by waiting until the group became a small dot and disappeared over the hill.

The only guests left in the Kanosa Castle were me, the princess, and the Pope.

The princess and I were done once we returned to Alpen. However, the Pope, who was heading towards a meeting to select a new Emperor, had now become a discarded pawn.

What should I do now that I’ve betrayed the Emperor? I should quietly return to the Papal office.

Moreover, the Marquis, who had been having a stroke of bad luck since the New Year, was gradually losing his grip, prompting the Pope to declare his return.

I, too, made preparations to return to Alpen. Since there was no luggage to pack, I quickly finished my preparations and planned to set out on my journey two days later.

Having already traveled this path once, I could quickly reach Alpen.

And the moment I entered the village, I was accosted by the steward who had been curious about what I had been up to.

It was obvious that there were plenty of stories to chew on in this era.

The tales of knights recited in the streets were entertaining, but the fact that justice and morals had fallen to the ground in reality made me feel bitter for no reason.

The stories that were most popular here were those that contained tales of war or high-ranking individuals.

In that sense, the confrontation between the Pope and the Emperor was something that everyone in the world was paying attention to, and it was not an exaggeration.

It was new, provocative, and the outcome could have a significant impact on the life of an ordinary person.

It was impossible not to take an interest.

In a world without the internet, rumors could not reach everyone at once.

However, thanks to the support of the nobles who were paying attention to this outcome, the rumor could spread far and wide at a galloping speed.

And so, the rumor spread with a time lag like this.

When the New Year arrived, the Emperor personally crossed the Alpen Mountains on foot.

People admired his bold decision, while some scoffed at his audacity.

A fortnight later, the Pope stood the arriving Emperor on a snowy plain.

People were moved by his determination and forgiveness, and this time, they scoffed at the Pope’s audacity.

Three days later, the Emperor, who had endured barefoot with only a single piece of cloth, finally received a pardon from the Pope. And there was not a single scar on his body.

People were ecstatic that the conflict had been resolved, but there were also many who questioned whether the Emperor was truly human.

This was the story I heard from the steward in the city after returning to Alpen.

If you cross the mountains, a three-day wait could be exaggerated to ten days, but since my village was not far from Kanosa Castle, the rumors and the truth were not significantly different.

So far, so good. Considering the rumors of this era, it was commendable that there were no lies mixed in.

Of course, this evaluation changed when the steward told me this.

“I heard that you personally mediated between His Majesty and the Princess.”

Did I say that?

“They say you traveled between His Majesty and the Princess, leading to reconciliation, isn’t that right?”

When I didn’t confirm, the steward asked with a puzzled expression.

It’s true that I traveled between them, but the latter part is a new story to me.

What could have happened? Is it another rumor fabricated and spread by someone like last time?

…No, upon further thought, I understand how things are unfolding.

To be considered a messenger, one must at least be an Emperor, a Pope, or a Marquis, which made me realize that I had fallen from grace to become a mere messenger.

However, from the perspective of those who can only watch from the sidelines, they can only interpret the actions of running around all day to improve the relationship between the two as an effort.

Yet, the parties involved couldn’t possibly reveal that they were embarrassed or annoyed and order someone else to convey their message.

I decided to speak up to correct the misunderstanding of the manager.

“What I did was inevitable. It’s because His Highness has realized His Majesty’s sincerity.”

“But in the process, you also played a role, didn’t you?”

“Well, that’s… true.”

“Indeed! I understand that you possess the qualities of a negotiator.”

The manager then added that news of Alpen and the surrounding villages had spread.

It seemed like he was solidifying some kind of misunderstanding.

Nevertheless, this wasn’t something that would harm me, and most importantly, I didn’t have the ability to shut people’s mouths without resorting to physical means.

I also had the thought that people might eventually forget about this gossip once it became boring.

And so, about a week passed.

“Are you the negotiator Lavender who reconciled the Pope and the Emperor?”

“You’ve found the right person. This is the one who brought peace between the Pope and the Emperor.”

“Oh, I’d like to hear more about that story. Is that possible?”

“Of course. So, this story dates back to about a month ago….”

Unbeknownst to me, I had become a miraculous negotiator.

The manager, without me saying anything, was chatting with passing pilgrims and doing his own thing. I knew from experience that this wasn’t something that could be resolved just by adding a few words.

As I listened to their conversation with half a mind, I suddenly remembered something and reached for the ray gun hanging from my waist.

Negotiation. That’s what it was.