The Magic Kingdom of Morian (3)
"Princess. Your companions have arrived."
"Please let them in."
Ignoring the disapproving glances from the maid guarding the door and the knights who looked skilled at a glance, I stepped into the room where Princess Lyla, looking more tired than usual, awaited.
"You look extremely exhausted. The life of a popular figure must be quite the burden."
"…Did you come here just to tease me?"
"No. I was wondering how it feels when everyone clings to you just to exchange a single word—unlike back in the Empire."
"Not particularly pleasant."
With a light wave of her hand from where she sat, the teapot and cups floated into the air and arranged themselves. After sipping the tea with elegant poise, Princess Lyla directed her gaze toward me as if inviting me to sit. I took the seat across from her and savored the aroma.
The only problem was that it lacked sweetness. Was there no sugar?
"By the way, how did you do that just now? Was that the spirit magic I've only heard rumors about?"
"It's merely a minor application of a lower-grade wind spell. As you know, we handle most household chores ourselves at the Academy. Without something like this, it would be rather inconvenient."
Aha. So that was how she maintained that intricate hairstyle and immaculate attire without attendants. There was a trick to it after all. Of course, such a feat required exceptional mana control—something only a supreme-grade controller like the Princess could manage with ease. Perhaps Hau Pendevig could pull it off as well.
The Princess let out a weary sigh.
"At this point, I'm not sure whether I came here as an escort or to attend social gatherings as a distinguished guest. Don't you find it strange, Chrome, that I'm staying alone in a room far more luxurious than Sir Valkius's—the very person I'm supposed to be guarding—with guards stationed outside the door?"
Uh… well?
"In that regard, perhaps you should also spare some understanding for Sir Valkius, who must endure sitting on pins and needles in a room more extravagant than the Empire's own Princess."
Honestly, the very premise of royalty and high nobles undertaking mercenary-like missions was absurd to begin with. It was the gap between the ideal of merit-based selection and harsh reality.
"With the audacity to talk back to royalty like you do, Chrome, it should be fine."
"Hey, if there were many people like that, I'd be in trouble. I wouldn't be able to monopolize the seat beside the Princess like this."
"I'll forgive your disrespect after witnessing the courage it takes to say something so embarrassing without hesitation."
Ah, she smiled. Seeming somewhat refreshed, the Princess gave me a look that clearly asked, So, what's next?
I silently pointed to my eyes and ears with my fingers.
The next moment, a gust of wind swept through, and an opaque dome-like barrier materialized around us.
As expected of the Successor of Red and Blue Blood—a template character whose cheat-like specs were balanced by complicated environments and constraints. Her quick comprehension and response made her abilities truly all-purpose.
"Now we can speak freely. So, what exactly is happening behind this mission?"
"Hmm. On the contrary, I'd like to ask you—did the Chancellor truly tell you nothing?"
"Ordo von Devien? I found the last summons strange, but it seems he's involved after all?"
Damn it. That man hadn't even explained the situation to the person directly involved? At this point, I doubted whether even Valkius—with his magical beast body—knew the true purpose of the request. No matter how important secrecy was, there had to be limits. Was he planning to pin everything on me if things went wrong?
I shoved the warning to keep my mouth shut to the back of my mind and recounted everything that had transpired during my meeting with the Chancellor, leaving out no detail.
Pride? Was that really important right now?
After hearing the full story, the Princess furrowed her brows, her expression a mixture of displeasure and reluctant understanding.
"In short, this request is merely bait to draw attention. I am nothing more than a decoration meant to make that bait more effective. I suspected there were many strangely loose ends…"
"So what will you do? Will you quit?"
She stared at me quietly for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"Being used is unpleasant, but throwing a tantrum won't benefit anyone. I'll endure it. After all, the work we must do hasn't changed much."
"Really?"
"What does that surprised look mean, Chrome?"
"No, it's just… I had the impression that if you disliked something, you'd smash everything in sight."
"……It seems I need to have a deeper conversation about what kind of image I hold in your mind, Chrome."
Uh… a volcano? Of course, if I said that aloud, my fragile body would be reduced to tatters before a high-tier magical bombardment. I quickly changed the subject.
"Well, at least compared to poor treatment, this isn't so bad. You're receiving special attention, but the others are also being treated well enough to wonder whether they came to work or to sightsee. If it weren't for you, Lady Lyla… the situation would be very different."
Unlike the other vassal kingdoms, Morian didn't even send requests to the Academy and wasn't particularly fond of Empire visitors. Thanks to the Pendevig siblings, we wouldn't be turned away at the door, but it was clear we wouldn't have received favorable treatment.
"I don't know how this will sound, but honestly, it feels as though we're being welcomed more warmly than we would be in the Empire."
Princess Lyla seemed burdened by her current treatment, but considering her status, it wasn't strange at all. She was the Empire's Princess—not some distant relative, but the daughter of the Emperor who effectively ruled the entire continent. For her to receive even this level of courtesy was unusual.
"Even so, the work that needs to be done doesn't change. Just as I am Lyla Everblaze Barhart."
She declared this calmly, then looked at me and continued.
"Even if there's more to the story, the surface request entrusted to us remains difficult. I'll be counting on your performance, Chrome."
"Uh, is there anything I can actually do?"
"If things go as I expect, there will be quite a lot."
Her words proved true.
"Greetings, Princess Lyla! It is an honor to meet you."
"Ah, I'm sorry. It seems Princess Lyla isn't feeling well at the moment. Please save your greetings for later."
"Haha. How is the food, Princess? If you require anything, please don't hesitate to say so."
"Hey, Lady Lyla, this food is incredible. You should try some—the chef's skills are remarkable."
"Princess, this is but a small token of my regard. Please accept it."
"Ah, please hand it to me. I'll keep it safe for you."
After the farewell party—held as a modest send-off before departing Pendevig territory—Darius Pendevig approached me.
"You seem quite busy attending to the Princess. If you wish, I could assign someone to assist with minor tasks in my stead."
"No, no—thank you for the thought, but the Princess dislikes noisy surroundings. Ah, of course, that doesn't mean this party is unpleasant, so please don't misunderstand. I simply lack eloquence."
"Is that so? For someone lacking eloquence, you speak quite fluently."
"To assist the Princess with my limited abilities, I must make an effort, mustn't I?"
"Hahaha."
"Hahaha!"
Behind us, the group whispered among themselves.
"That man is truly skilled at jabbing people's nerves."
"Indeed. A serpent's tongue, if ever there was one."
"I warned Father about him. His very existence is toxic."
"It's the first time I've seen Father twitch at the corner of his mouth."
"…Hey, are you lot not going to stop him? Is the Academy always this chaotic?"
It was noisy, and I had no desire to play this role either. What good would come from earning the ire of the head of one of Morian's most powerful families? It was a necessary evil.
"Thank you for the farewell party, Sir Darius. But now we really must be going."
At the Princess's words, Darius Pendevig showed a hint of reluctance but bowed respectfully, deeming it improper to detain us further.
"A carriage has been prepared, and I've notified the other families along the route. There should be no obstructions on the way to the Lake of Wisdom. If possible, I would like to send additional personnel…"
"No. What you've done so far is already more than enough, Sir Darius. Besides, I've heard the Lake of Wisdom does not welcome large numbers of visitors. A smaller group would be safer."
"If you insist, then so be it. Eagle, Hau—ensure you serve the Princess well."
"Leave it to us, Father."
"There's no need to worry."
Looking back through the carriage window as we departed, I saw the people who had come to see us off still standing there, watching our retreating figures.
They continued to watch.
Even as their forms gradually faded from view, the people of the kingdom kept their eyes on us until we disappeared completely.