Chapter 119
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Translator: Xrecker
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: The End of Childhood
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The armistice agreement was signed in the still-damaged Royal Castle of Oz.
Eleven treaties in total were drafted and notarized. They were approved with the royal seal I had taken from the king, giving them legitimate authority in the international community.
The Demon Lord, seeking harmony rather than conflict, allowed Prince Tipetarius, King Oscar’s heir, to retain his title, but he was stripped of all political power.
Since Doom Land, the Demon Lord’s territory, was too far away for him to rule Oz directly, he appointed Ozma as the governor-general, instead of a new king.
She, having already distinguished herself among the younger demons, was inaugurated without any major issues, and Oz successfully became a demon colony.
Colony Oz.
The birth of Governor-General Ozma and the Oz Governorate.
***
Five days after the Oz Kingdom's unconditional surrender, which had been prompted by the devastating power of Fat Man, Ozma and I were invited to Prince Tipetarius’s residence.
A butler led us to a room that appeared to be a study, where a middle-aged man with black hair and black eyes stood up from his chair.
This was my first time meeting Prince Tipetarius in person.
He was both the Prince of Oz and the Duke of Dresden. Aside from his youth, he had rarely made public appearances, preferring to remain in the royal castle or his own territory.
He had already secluded himself by the time I had become active in high society, in place of my reclusive master.
He looked somewhat haggard. He glanced at me, standing beside Ozma with my dog mask on, then bowed respectfully to Ozma.
“Welcome, Governor-General Ozma.”
Ozma waved her hand dismissively.
“Skip the formalities. Get to the point.”
Prince Tipetarius looked at her for a moment, then unbuckled his sword and placed it on the table.
“As of today, I renounce my royal title and all the privileges that come with it. Please, allow me to return to my territory, Dresden, and live out the rest of my days.”
“Oh?”
Ozma, surprised by the unexpected proposal, sounded intrigued.
Prince Tipetarius, on the other hand, looked at her with a confident expression.
Ozma asked,
“Why would you renounce your title? I said you could do as you please, as long as you didn't interfere with politics.”
Prince Tipetarius chuckled, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice.
“What’s the point of living in luxury when my country has lost its sovereignty and my people their freedom? The world will surely condemn me. They’ll say I’m living well while my country is in ruins. I want to leave this city, if only to escape their judgment.”
Ozma didn’t answer immediately, instead glancing at me.
I understood her unspoken question and replied telepathically,
‘It’s your call. He’s bound by a Geass, so he can’t interfere with politics. He’s a puppet.’
‘But it feels… wrong to let him go so easily.’
‘Then kill him.’
‘Father told me not to.’
Ozma, having decided she needed more time to think, said to Prince Tipetarius,
“This is a difficult decision. Can I give you an answer tomorrow?”
“As you wish.”
“Is there anything else?”
“This residence holds many of my memories. While it’s officially a royal villa, I would be grateful if you would grant me ownership, as I’m renouncing my royal privileges.”
“…Alright. I can grant you that.”
Prince Tipetarius closed his eyes and bowed deeply.
“Thank you for your generosity. I have no further requests.”
He said, his face pale, then stumbled as he tried to straighten up.
Ozma, concerned, reached out to him.
“Are you ill?”
Prince Tipetarius, leaning on the desk for support, nodded.
“I’ve been frail since childhood, due to a chronic illness. The recent stress has worsened my condition.”
He looked like he was on the verge of death. Ozma, her heart softened, helped him to a chair.
“Then I’ll be on my way. Rest well. I can send a doctor if you wish.”
“…I won’t forget your kindness, Governor-General Ozma.”
He said, bowing his head.
“Let’s go, Patrasche.”
“Yes.”
Creak
The butler, who had been waiting outside, escorted us to the exit.
As we boarded the carriage, Ozma asked,
“Kaldrash, what do you think? Should we let him go?”
I removed my mask.
“Well, he didn't seem to be lying about his illness. The timing is a bit… convenient, though.”
His poor health would explain his rare public appearances.
“So, he wants to go to Dresden to recuperate?”
“The fresh air and clean water there would be better for his health than Oz. And there’d be no one to judge him.”
“Hmm.”
Ozma was still undecided. I offered a solution.
“If you’re so worried, just add another clause to his oath. Something like, ‘Upon returning to Dresden, you will not approach Oz, nor will you engage in any rebellious activities.’”
“Oh, that’s a good idea.”
“If he’s truly disillusioned and wants to retire, he’ll accept the condition. If not, he’s up to something.”
It had only been five days since the kingdom’s surrender, and the citizens of Oz were still restless.
That was why the Demon Lord had left two-thirds of his army behind when he returned to Doom Land.
Of the fifteen thousand soldiers, one-third were warriors from other tribes, so he had essentially left his entire army in Oz.
As a result, the Four Heavenly Kings were also stuck here, residing in the royal castle.
The Demon Lord truly loved his daughter.
“Then I’ll send someone tomorrow to inform him of my decision and have him swear the new oath. Any objections, Kaldrash?”
“It was my idea, so of course not.”
“Hehe, as expected of my fiancé.”
“Can you… not call me that? I’m still not used to it.”
“Would you prefer ‘Minister of Finance’?”
“Honestly, I don't want a high-ranking position. Is there anything lower?”
“How about my personal secretary? You’ll never have to leave your desk.”
“…I’m fine with Minister of Finance.”
Our silly conversation continued until we reached the Royal Castle of Oz, which was now serving as the temporary headquarters of the governorate.
***
After Governor-General Ozma left, Prince Tipetarius, his face pale and sickly, sat in the living room, by the fireplace, and spoke with the golden-haired girl.
“Your Highness, are you really leaving me here alone and going to Dresden?”
The Hero, Sophia, asked. He smiled wryly and nodded.
“I’m no longer a prince. You can call me Tip. Lady Sophia.”
“But you’ll always be a prince to me.”
“Tip.”
The Hero muttered, “Tip,” a reluctant expression on her face.
Prince Tipetarius then explained, his voice tired,
“As I said last night, I’m bound by an oath. I’m a mere figurehead. I can’t engage in politics until the oath is broken, so no one will follow me. Therefore, I have chosen to renounce my title and return to my territory, rather than wither away in the capital.”
“Then take me with you! I’m still so young!”
Prince Tipetarius shook his head slowly.
“No, Lady Sophia. You can do this. That’s why the Goddess chose you as the new Hero. So please, have courage.”
“Courage…”
“No winter lasts forever. And no kingdom is eternal. Even if I’m gone, someone else will carry on my will. And I have chosen you as my successor, Lady Sophia.”
The Hero looked up at the prince, her eyes filled with tears.
“Your Highness…”
“You are no longer the abused Sophia, tormented by your stepmother. So, be more confident. My butler, Alfredo, will assist you in every way.”
Prince Tipetarius, who had never married and had no children, had entrusted everything he had left in Oz to the kingdom’s only hope.
His house, his fortune, his butler, and even the family name he had created to operate under a different identity.
“You are now the new head of the Glorious family. Please, save this kingdom.”
The happy, yet failed, prince said, handing her a ruby ring.
A moment later, the Hero nodded, her expression resolute.
“If you say so, Tip. I’ll try.”
She placed the ring, the symbol of the head of the family, on her finger.
“I will save this kingdom.”