Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The King's Summons
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"Sis. Feeling any better?"
"I'm always the same. Hehe, thanks for worrying. But what's that?"
I offered the medicine to my sister, who was sitting demurely on the bed.
The remedy I'd prepared resembled modern pills.
I'd packaged fast-absorbing powdered medicine in gelatin capsules for easy consumption, with the recipe naturally provided by Nob AI.
Since it directly affected the human body, I'd double-checked if it was truly safe.
『Misoprostol, Benexite, Leva Mifid, alginic acid, sucralfate...』
Even if you say that, I don't understand...
『Hmm, let me explain it more simply. It's a mix of stomach medicine, anti-inflammatory painkillers, and a mana suppressant. The effects aren't overwhelmingly strong, so long-term use should be fine without issues.』
Okay.
『If you're still worried, running clinical trials is an option.』
It's fine. I trust you.
You gave me the ingredients, the manufacturing method, the components—everything.
From today, you're not Nob AI anymore. You're God AI.
『I prefer my original name, but...』
『If the user prefers God AI, I'll change it.』
『From today, I'm God AI. Nice to meet you.』
『(*´▽`*)』
No. If you like the name Nob AI, I should call you that.
Let's keep working well together, Nob AI.
『Gasp, thank you. Looking forward to it.』
『՞ ⸝⸝> ̫ <⸝⸝ ՞』
Anyway.
"It's medicine. Try taking it with some water."
"Medicine...?"
Haniell seemed intrigued by the pill I'd made.
She stared at it intently for a long while before popping it into her mouth and washing it down with water.
"The effects should kick in about thirty minutes from now. Please take it steadily every morning, thirty minutes after breakfast. Your mana production should decrease compared to usual."
I slowly explained her condition to her, based on what Nob AI had told me earlier.
"Anyway, if your body feels particularly worse or any issues arise, stop taking it and let me know."
Haniell wore a puzzled expression.
"Did you make this yourself, Ester?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
Maybe she found it hard to believe since I wasn't a professional doctor.
Honestly, even I'd eye a pill handed to me out of the blue by a fifteen-year-old boy with suspicion.
"Wow. My little brother... how are you so smart?"
Haniell slowly pulled me into a hug and stroked my head.
"S-Sis?"
"I'm so proud that Ester is my little brother!!"
Her nonstop affection was truly overwhelming.
As a kid, I'd have clung right back, but for a grown boy like me, it was a lethal dose.
"You made me medicine, so I'll work hard to get better too."
"Don't push yourself. And there's one favor I'd like to ask."
She seemed to know exactly what I wanted to say.
Before I could even finish, she spoke up.
"You want me to leave the mansion with you?"
I nodded slowly.
Kenneth's death had been a shocking event not just for Tristy Autonomous Region, but for me too.
No matter how urgent the situation, it was the death of the family head's son.
Especially since it wasn't voluntary—it was a disaster caused by someone else's schemes—so I couldn't help feeling wary.
"I'll do that."
An unexpected reply came back.
I'd thought she'd refuse.
"Didn't you say before that you had a promise with Mother?"
"Yeah. I did. That's why I clearly said I'm taking the family head exam."
"Why the change of heart?"
Haniell smiled faintly as she gazed at the garden of rainbow flowers.
That place, blooming with amaranths symbolizing eternity, was made by our late mother.
"You remember the garden of rainbow flowers? It was around when you were eight. Father tried to tear it down—do you recall?"
I shook my head.
It was the first I'd heard of it.
"He must've thought hiring gardeners was a waste. He prioritizes other things over aesthetics."
Tristy Mansion had no decorations.
This stemmed from Porto's emphasis on frugality.
Right after becoming family head, he'd sold off all luxuries except antiques symbolizing the Tristy family to merchants—he was a severe cheapskate.
The garden of rainbow flowers must've looked the same in his eyes.
"I desperately stopped him in the end, but I hated how things I truly cherished could vanish in an instant at Father's word."
Haniell gently took my hand.
Today, her warmth felt especially soothing.
"My promise to Mother was two things. One, to protect the garden of rainbow flowers symbolizing eternity. The other, to look after my precious little brother. If I become Tristy's family head, those would be easy to do."
Haniell bowed her head deeply.
And apologized to me.
When I asked why she was suddenly apologizing, she said softly.
"I realized it was reckless. Looking back, as long as a sickly me stays in the mansion, I'm not helping you—I'm just worrying you. Sorry. If I'd listened to you from the start..."
Haniell seemed to feel guilty for not properly caring for me since falling ill.
She said she was sorry for not standing up for me against the siblings' bullying like she did in my childhood, and that receiving help now made her feel unqualified as a big sister.
I held her hand and said.
"You've protected me all this time."
In my childhood, Haniell was my sole sanctuary.
She was the only family who fought my friendly siblings for my sake as the discarded child, my one ally.
She taught me love and human warmth in Mother's place when I was worthless.
That was more precious than any treasure in this world.
I was just repaying what she'd given me.
Without her, I'd be a completely different person now—180 degrees opposite.
"From now on, I'll protect you, Sis."
"......"
Haniell smiled quietly.
Tears welled in her eyes, so I gently wiped them with a handkerchief.
***
I sipped coffee while studying the map.
Currently, I was preparing to move.
I had 1.1 billion credits at my disposal.
Precisely, I'd received payment from Porto recently, holding about 15 million in cash, with the remaining 1.09 billion to come from selling the Hel-Tank.
The deal could be done in Erps, so no issue.
"Young master."
While selecting a territory with easy access to medicine and good living conditions, Dalpi suddenly spoke to me.
"Your demeanor has become much more refined."
"Hm?"
"You finally look like a proper young noble."
Hm.
Was I currently in the mode of the softer, kinder genius mage Ver. 2?
『No.』
Dalpi complimented that my diction and voice were far cleaner than before.
It seemed Nob AI's body control had unconsciously imprinted the feel.
Anyway, good was good.
I'd take it as a positive.
"Seems we have a guest."
Dalpi stood up.
I looked back at the map.
'No place beats the capital, huh.'
The capital of Justina Kingdom was Logness Royal Territory.
It was the territory directly ruled by the king and the kingdom's largest city by population.
Logness boasted countless attractions: theaters, concerts, art galleries, and it was where my favorite flintlock novels were first published.
It was also the hub for myriad delicacies, so food would be enjoyable too.
The downside was high housing prices, but with 1.1 billion, I had nothing to fear.
I'd spend nearly all of it, but if I wanted, I could build a mansion rivaling Tristy's in the royal territory.
Knock knock.
As I indulged in pleasant imaginings, a knock came.
"Come in."
Assuming it was Dalpi, I said casually, and the door opened.
I couldn't help blinking.
One was Dalpi, usually expressionless, now fidgeting awkwardly.
The other was a middle-aged man in splendid attire standing beside her.
I knew that suit.
I'd seen it at social gatherings as a child.
It was the garb of royal spokesmen.
"I am Art, the envoy here to convey His Majesty's words. Are you Sir Ester Tristy?"
『On』
"Yes. I am Ester Tristy."
Art immediately straightened his clothes and unfurled the king's edict with flourish.
Shwaaak—
"Genius who unraveled the Millennium Problem, mage who deciphered the Necronomicon's barriers, hero who predicted the eastern kingdom's anomaly and saved countless lives—Ester Tristy, come at once to Logness Royal Territory for an audience with His Majesty Justina. Should you be too busy or unable to attend for unavoidable reasons, We shall personally visit Tristy Autonomous Region to meet you."
He recited the edict's contents word for word in a solemn voice.
The facial muscles Nob AI was holding steady twitched.
Pardon?