Chapter 244
Chapter: 244
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 244
>Chapter Title: Return (4)
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
-I'm bored. Come play. It'd be even better if you bring the Lilium detachment.
From the moment he'd sent that message to the imperial palace—like a joke at first—Seongjin had always kept situations like this in mind.
Because he wanted to tell Logan right away upon seeing him.
It was still too early to be certain, but perhaps the Mores that Logan was desperately searching for was none other than himself. In other words, there was no need to worry anymore about the vanished soul of Mores.
"Yeah. What is it?"
But the moment Logan settled into his seat and adopted a posture of attentive listening, Seongjin's mind suddenly went blank.
'Wait, what exactly should I say to explain this?'
Let me think this through carefully.
-Hey, Logan. Actually, a while back, I ate something wrong and my soul popped out. So I ended up going to a new dimension my dad created. Turns out our dad is the king of dimensions. Pretty amazing, right? And there, Dad told me that I might actually be Mores himself. Huh? Oh, he didn't give a full confirmation. He said he couldn't just say that carelessly. What? Proof? Well, there's no solid proof or anything...
No, that's not it.
Even if Logan was known as a pushover among the elite, asking him to believe this kind of insane nonsense was way too much!
"What's wrong? Seongjin. Are you still feeling unwell somewhere?"
As Seongjin let out a groan and pressed his forehead, Logan asked in a worried voice.
"...No, it's nothing. By the way, sorry. It looks like I lost that magic stone you gave me."
In the midst of his internal struggle, he snapped back to reality and realized he was saying something completely off-topic to Logan.
"I used it well, like a flashbang, but things were so hectic I didn't think to retrieve it."
"......"
"I feel bad for not taking proper care of a gift you went out of your way to give me."
A brief silence followed, and then a low chuckle sounded.
"Haha, what are you talking about? I didn't give it to you to store away—I gave it so you'd use it. I'm just glad it helped you in some way. Thanks to that light, I was able to find you without being too late, right?"
"Uh......"
"So don't worry about it anymore and focus on recovering, Seongjin."
Ah, Logan really was a good guy.
Except for those times he craved being treated like a big brother.
Seongjin wanted to say more because of that.
"...Yeah, okay."
Logan eyed the suddenly deflated Seongjin curiously and spoke.
"You should rest a bit more. I'll have your attendant maid bring something to eat, so lie down."
Clank, clank.
As Logan rose from his seat and took a step, the unfamiliar friction of metal clashing came from him.
'He hasn't even taken off his armor yet.'
The same went for Captain Masin, who was dozing crouched nearby. Seongjin felt solemn regret for putting everyone through this trouble with his foolish actions.
But just before leaving the room, Logan paused, hesitated, and asked.
"By the way, Seongjin."
"Yeah?"
"Do you remember? In the early dawn, when you briefly opened your eyes, you called for Brother Masin."
"Captain Masin?"
"......"
Seongjin tilted his head.
Did I? Come to think of it, I vaguely recall seeing the two of them half-asleep. Not sure?
What did I say back then?
"...Hmm. If you don't remember, then it's fine. Rest up."
Logan left the room.
Click.
Even after the door closed, Seongjin sat there blankly, head turned toward the direction Logan had gone.
What was that? It left a strangely nagging aftertaste.
'Hey, Demon King. Do you know what he was talking about? Did I mess up and say something to Captain Masin in my sleep?'
The Demon King, who had been silent, responded reluctantly.
[It was your usual sleep-talking. You do that kind of weird stuff all the time anyway.]
...Really? Is that so?
* * *
When Edith brought food, Logan woke Captain Masin and dragged him out of the room—coaxing the stubborn man who insisted on sticking by his side even if it killed him.
"If you stay like this, the patient can't rest comfortably, Brother."
When Logan added that Seongjin's clanking armor noise was getting on his nerves, Masin finally stood with a dejected look.
"Yeah, go get some proper sleep already."
"I'll be back soon, Your Highness."
"No need, Captain Masin. I said it's fine."
Finally left alone, Seongjin was eating with Edith's help when Orden and Hermann came to visit.
"Did you cough? How's your body feeling, Your Highness?"
"As you can see. Totally fine."
Seongjin waved off Edith, who had been feeding him stew.
Perhaps because his internals had been thoroughly churned by aura, he had no appetite and digestion felt off.
"I figured you'd be curious about the results of the recent battle, so I came to give a brief report, Your Highness."
Judging from Hermann's bright voice, Seongjin could guess the outcome without hearing it.
As expected, the damage to the Sigismund territory was less than anticipated.
Even after Seongjin had lost consciousness while moving the ice soldiers, Logan and the others had handled the battle situation well.
During this, Seongjin received an unexpected apology from Orden.
"...So it seems our achievements—mine and Prince Logan's—have been considerably downplayed in the public reports. I have no face to show you."
"Uh......"
Seongjin blinked beneath his bandages.
What is this, Lord Hendrick?
Not bad. He knows exactly what I want. He figured I'd prioritize actual gains over fame.
'Even if I rode with Inquisitor Valerie, having it widely known that I controlled a glacier troll—a magical beast—wouldn't be good.'
Considering various circumstances, he must have thought Seongjin would willingly sit at the negotiation table.
Even if it meant Seongjin taking a bit too much as compensation, preserving the territory's pride would be more beneficial in the long term.
The classic tactic of giving flesh to take the bone.
'The only consolation for Sigismund's current wounds is its pride at best. Plus, without major external aid, they can't guarantee the territory's safety. How anxious must the people be inwardly?'
Thinking about it, it wasn't a territory in a great position.
A frigid land with no notable specialties. Constantly invaded by magical beasts, forced to erect freakish ice walls to eternally guard against the demon realm.
It had achieved this level of development thanks to massive funding increases from old man Vincent's past contributions to the empire, and the successor margrave's excellent management.
'In a place like that, to constantly console and rally the people for operations, they'd naturally stake their lives on some sense of pride or justification.'
Well, it wasn't a bad deal for Seongjin. At least the margrave wasn't planning to fob him off with mere words.
Moreover, if he could downplay the damage without Seongjin's aid, conversely, he could inflate it absurdly at Seongjin's discretion.
'He won't show it, but his insides must be burning by now, right?'
Someone of the margrave's caliber wouldn't miss that point. He was probably prepared for slashed funding or other penalties.
Seongjin felt reasonably satisfied.
There's a saying that a smooth tongue can pay off a thousand nyang debt. But here, he's handing over money without even needing words—what could be better?
"I'm truly sorry, Your Highness."
But Orden was overdoing the guilt. Seongjin clicked his tongue softly.
You simple-minded fool. How do you plan to inherit and run the territory like this?
Leaving him be, he'd just keep taking losses endlessly, which was subtly worrying for someone like Orden.
"It's fine, Young Lord. I can understand the margrave's position."
Munch, munch.
Seongjin nodded as he chewed something being fed to him.
"Thank you, but Your Highness......"
"I said it's fine. You're the heir here. So put the trivial things aside and prioritize the people's perspective first."
"The people's......"
"Yeah."
Gulp.
Seongjin swallowed his food and nodded.
"You need to be cautious in every word and action. Examine the potential impacts on the territory from multiple angles and always make cool-headed judgments."
"That's......"
Orden flinched and trailed off.
Of course, it was because he'd received similar advice from the margrave earlier, but Seongjin had no way of knowing that.
Tilting his head at Orden's odd reaction, Seongjin accepted another spoonful of stew.
Nom, nom.
Then Orden suddenly threw out a question in an uncharacteristically agitated voice.
"Then does Your Highness think the same? That we must always view things objectively based on gains and losses and make cold judgments? Even if it means coldly handling it when the people or family suffer some damage?"
"Hm?"
Seongjin was a bit taken aback but soon swallowed and replied.
"Well, it's not wrong to say we should look at it objectively, right? There are cases where we have to accept some damage. When maximizing gains for the people or family, there will inevitably be times for cold judgments, won't there?"
Orden asked back in a dazed voice.
"Gains for the people or family?"
"Yeah, gains for the people or family. You want the best results every moment, but not everyone can get the maximum benefit, right? That's how the world works. So coldly evaluating those gains and making the most appropriate judgment—that's what you and the margrave should do, isn't it?"
"......"
Orden fell silent for a moment, then replied in a slightly trembling voice for some reason.
"...I see. Is that how it is? Perspectives and goals can differ this much! Even similar advice hits differently coming from Your Highness—it stirs the heart."
...Huh? Really?
Well, I don't know the details, but he seems pretty moved.
No wonder everyone in the palace comes to me for advice. It's that undeniable aura of profound reflection born from experience emanating from me.
Feeling proud of that thought, the Demon King sighed as if his psychic crystal would shatter.
[Delusions are free, but sigh......]
Why's this guy picking a fight all of a sudden?
Seongjin pouted, then accepted another approaching spoonful of stew.
"Well, since the margrave has shown willingness for proper compensation, don't apologize to me anymore. Instead, think about the actual benefits you can gain from it."
How about using this chance to show off Sigismund's prowess across the continent?
"We repelled an army of magical beasts with our own strength! The people's pride will boil over on its own."
Orden responded in a firm tone.
"Thank you. But Sigismund's pride isn't so fickle as to be swayed by empty bravado, Your Highness."
"Hmm......"
Well, fair enough. At least he's got spirit.
For someone so airheaded, he might manage somehow.
Munch, munch.
Then Seongjin suddenly realized something was off.
...Huh?
"What are you doing right now, Hermann?"
"Ah, caught me? This trick doesn't work twice. Still, you've emptied half the bowl already."
Hermann laughed heartily and clinked the spoon.
"You need to eat well when you're hurt, Your Highness."
Ugh, no way! Fooled by this guy again!
As Seongjin scowled in frustration, Orden slyly chimed in from the side.
"How about just one more spoonful?"
...Why you too?
Just one more bite, Your Highness.
Argh, take it away!
It was while he was bickering with the two.
"Hm?"
Sensing a sudden presence, Orden startled and looked up.
"What? Who's there?"
Even Seongjin's dulled senses picked up a familiar aura. Someone was silently approaching the open door.
"Sir Sharon? What brings you? Why approach without a word......"
Only then did Seongjin realize who it was, from Hermann's words.
Familiar, yet a presence completely different from her usual self. Unable to hide his delight, Seongjin said.
"I have urgent business with Sir Sharon. Could everyone step out for a moment?"
Hermann and Orden left the room, bowl in hand.
Then, as if waiting, Sir Sharon—no, the Holy Emperor possessing her body—approached with bold strides.
Her hurried momentum seemed unusually intense, so Seongjin quietly steeled himself. He was already expecting a solid flick on the forehead.
'This time it's a big one!'
Bracing for the impact, Seongjin squeezed his eyes shut.
But.
'...Huh?'
Whoosh!
Before he knew it, Seongjin was enveloped in Sir Sharon's embrace.
"......!"
Her arms trembled noticeably, revealing the depth of his agitation.
[Never again.]
The telepathic voice echoed directly in his mind, now somewhat familiar to Seongjin.
[Never do such a dangerous thing again. Understand?]
"......"
Seongjin flapped his mouth, at a loss for words.
Um, Father. I saved the Sigismund territory. If I hadn't moved first, the damage would've been uncontrollable.
He had plenty to say, but the words wouldn't come.
As if reading his thoughts, the Holy Emperor added a chilling warning.
[Remember this, Mores. Even if you strain yourself to save this world, the moment something happens to you, this world might as well not exist.]
A chill ran down his spine.
A declaration from this era's oracle—its weight was incomparable.
But wait a second. What this guy was saying right now......
[Do you understand? If you truly wish to protect this Delcross, you must first protect yourself. Remember it, and remember it again.]
"...I'm sorry."
Frightened by the implications, Seongjin finally apologized meekly.
I get it, Father.
Please calm down and stop with the scary talk.