Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The King's Proposal
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After barely escaping from the Blue Tower, I safely returned to the palace.
Lying down on the bed in the guest room, all the fatigue that had built up until now came crashing over my body.
There were still things left to do for my utterly blissful unemployed life.
Dalpi had gotten the money from Erps and paid the intermediary the promised amount for the land.
I had prepared the materials needed for construction and planned to start building the 70-square-meter two-story structure where we would live from now on in earnest.
But first, I needed to sleep.
My bladder was full, and my head had been aching all day, so at this rate, I’d die from overwork.
I fell asleep without even greeting my sister that I was back.
"……."
I woke up from sleep.
The reason was the commotion around me. When I opened my eyes, Dalpi and Haniell were looking at me with extremely surprised expressions.
"You scared me."
"D-Did you wake up?"
When I asked what they were doing in my room, they said they had been debating whether to wake me up or not, since I’d been in a deep sleep with no response for two whole days.
"Did I sleep that long?"
"Yeah. No exaggeration, at first we thought you were dead."
I usually slept a lot, but I never imagined I’d set a new record of two full days.
"Yawn…"
I stretched.
Everyone says sleeping for a long time makes your body heavy and your head hurt, but for once, I felt refreshed.
"Young master. There’s good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"Right after waking up?"
"You’ve always preferred to take the bad one first."
That was true.
I told her to tell me the bad news first.
"I’ll handle this. The guards said Ouriel requested a visit with you."
Haniell explained in Dalpi’s place.
Ouriel, currently imprisoned in the Logness underground jail, hadn’t said a word despite the guards’ repeated interrogations. Like a parrot, she kept repeating that she’d talk about the terrorist organization only if I came.
I narrowed my brows slightly.
Why did Ouriel want to see me?
Even if she hated me like the enemy who killed her parents—ah, but she was the one who tried to kill Porto, so that analogy doesn’t fit.
Anyway, even if I was the most hated person in the world, tied up like that, she couldn’t seek revenge; she’d just get grilled by me.
What on earth was she scheming?
"I was really torn about whether to tell you. But I figured it’s better to know…"
Haniell said she hoped I wouldn’t have to go through any more hardships after all the chaotic events lately, but I was actually grateful she told me.
"I’ll handle this myself."
"Okay. Got it. But your sister’s here, so if you need any help, just say the word."
No matter what trick Ouriel had prepared, it would be useless in front of Nob AI, so I figured I’d hear what nonsense she had to say.
Personally, I was quite interested in her crimes.
Humans are creatures who always wonder about the cause once they see the result.
"So, what’s the good news?"
"His Majesty the King wants to see you. Seems he wants to discuss the reward he promised you at the banquet in advance."
Damn it.
That’s not good news.
"I guess I’ll have to go this afternoon…"
"I’ll inform Art accordingly."
I let out a deep sigh and shuffled back to the bed.
I needed more sleep.
"Hehe, then rest well."
Haniell smiled, said she was grateful to have received guest treatment in the capital thanks to her little brother while alive, and quietly left the room.
Seeing her look much more at peace than when we were at the estate made me feel rewarded.
Everything I’d done so far felt incredibly solid and fulfilling.
Of course, I was pretty scared about having aggro from the King and many others, but anyway.
As I grinned at Haniell’s words, Dalpi suddenly spoke up.
"You’re amazing, young master."
"Huh?"
Nah, no need for lip service between us.
But in appreciation of her sincerity, maybe I’d hear some praise from my maid.
I didn’t show it, but I perked up my ears inwardly, looking forward to Dalpi’s words.
"How did you manage to sleep in such a way that your hair looks like a bird’s nest gone wild?"
"Huh?"
I touched my head.
Oh.
Even by feel, I could tell an enormous bedhead had formed.
"You’ll need to tidy up before meeting His Majesty. Come over here."
"Argh!"
Then Dalpi went wild on my hair.
***
"You summoned me, Your Majesty."
Bimark twitched one eyebrow as he took in Ester’s appearance upon entering the audience chamber.
He’d thought he was quite handsome last time.
From his outfit to his hair, everything was stylishly styled.
He could rival Ainz Schubergen, the star theater actor known as the synonym for pretty boy.
"‘Flower visage, moon-like grace’ is a phrase usually for beauties, but your looks draw more eyes than flowers blooming arduously in a garden. No better words fit. Haha, once you come of age, you’ll make many noble ladies weep."
"…You overpraise me."
Bimark laughed heartily.
Not only his previous achievements, but the plague that should have caused countless deaths had been safely eradicated by his hand.
As a king ruling the nation, he couldn’t help but find him endearing.
Moreover, he had saved his daughter.
As a father and as a king, he owed him a great debt.
A hero and benefactor deserved proper treatment.
However, before thanks and rewards, he had to say this first.
"Ester Tristy."
"Yes."
"I feel sorry about what happened to the Tristy family. It must be a great sorrow to have family involved in such an unfortunate incident. I want to offer my condolences."
Ester bowed his head.
"On the contrary, I feel apologetic. I believe I bear great responsibility for failing to notice the corruption of one of my closest blood kin and letting her cross an irreversible river."
Bimark shook his head.
It wasn’t right to speak of moral responsibility to a boy not yet of age.
If there was guilt for neglecting Ouriel, it lay with Family Head Porto.
"……."
Every time he saw Ester, it was truly wondrous.
At 15, Troil had been like other boys his age, loving to play outside and avoiding studies, troubling his parents greatly. Yet this boy had accomplished in mere half a year what even outstanding adults couldn’t.
There had never been such a genius in the kingdom’s history.
He would likely be recorded as the first, only, and last.
"You saved the kingdom. Here, on behalf of all, I express my thanks."
The antibiotic and mana suppressant Ester had developed this time were miracles saving the current people and countless future lives from disease.
The drugs would evolve further through the life school and physicians.
And that wasn’t all.
Noctias of the Blue Tower said the Basic Pathology he established could raise the kingdom’s physicians’ level by two stages.
The hel-tank being developed by the Red Tower would become the means to lead the kingdom to victory in the war against the demon race.
Beyond that, the widespread authority techniques centered on the Steel Lion Knights, the solved Millennium Problem, the secured Necronomicon, and more—his achievements spread immense influence.
There’s a famous saying about geniuses.
At first denial, in the middle envy and jealousy, and finally admiration.
Though Bimark had never denied or envied Ester.
Now, as one human, he was in awe of him.
At first, he saw him as talent he wanted to keep close.
Now, well.
Having realized he wasn’t someone who could be moved by his will, wishes were meaningless.
Bimark resolved to bare his true heart to Ester here.
"I need you."
Ester was silent.
"To the north of Yustina lies a mighty empire, to the south devil-worshipping heretics, to the east demonkin, and within, vicious terrorists lurk. To put it metaphorically, the kingdom is winter, with countless subjects shivering in the cold of fear and anxiety."
He had no doubt there was someone who could end this long winter.
Surely, such power existed in the genius called Ester.
"I want to see it. A warm spring where smiles bloom on countless faces…"
Bimark rose from the throne.
He approached Ester and extended his hand.
This was not coercion, but a proposal.
If Ester joined, those words would turn from dream to reality.
To a genius who needed no material honors or money, the king sold a dream and future.
But.
"I’m grateful for your high regard. Your Majesty’s dream is truly beautiful. That’s why I must apologize. I cannot accept your proposal. Please forgive my disloyalty."
Bimark couldn’t hide his sigh.
Struggling to conceal his burning heart, he asked the reason.
"Because I have things I must do."
It was the exact same phrase he’d heard from Ester’s maid, who assisted the Tristy Academy professor.
Ester didn’t explain clearly what those things were.
Bimark thought a genius like him surely had sufficient reason.
"Once you finish those things…"
Resolved to accommodate the benefactor who saved his daughter, he merely.
Gave an awkward smile to Ester and promised a future time.
***
For resolving this plague, Bimark promised to grant me a title and considerable money at the banquet.
I didn’t refuse, because no fief came with it.
To explain simply.
The title I was to receive this time was the Sephirond Marquisate.
This region called Sephirond was located in the far east of the continent, beyond the kingdom’s eastern border, swarming with demonkin.
In other words, granting dominion over land outside the kingdom’s territory meant no people, no taxes—zero practical value.
It was just an empty title to make me feel good.
A vassal without a fief, like an honorary medal.
In fact, though called marquis, its value was less than the Tristy barony in practice.
Still, the honor was immense.
Excluding hereditary titles, in kingdom history, receiving even an empty marquisate from the king was rarer than swordmasters. It was the greatest reward he could give me, refusing a fief.
Anyway, the second audience ended like that.
As I showed full courtesy to Bimark and was about to leave the audience chamber.
"Oh, by the way, do you have a fiancée set? I know you’ll have your coming-of-age next year."
"Not yet, but…"
Bimark pondered briefly before continuing.
"Hm. What do you think of Livian as a partner?"
I blinked.
Suddenly telling me to marry the princess?
What the hell was this old man saying to me?