Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: See You at the Academy
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[Yaaawn... Goodnight, Master...]
"Goodnight, Lumie."
Lumie was already yawning lazily, curling up beside my head to sleep.
She could doze off anywhere as long as her head was resting on something.
I followed her lead and lay down on the pillow, but these days, with my habit of barely sleeping, I wasn't particularly eager to drift off.
'Academy entrance exam... and I even met the Hero...'
It had been a hectic day. I'd encountered two-able characters at the entrance exam, and by sheer coincidence in that dungeon, I'd run into the Hero's party.
The story was already veering off course big time.
The-able characters were more 'romance novel' than expected, and the Hero turned out to be surprisingly upright.
'Where could he be...'
Thinking about the last major variable, the 'protagonist,' made my head throb.
Did he know the future? Was he hostile to the Crown Prince? How strong was he exactly?
My mind swirled with endless worries.
But what snapped me out of it was the faint sound of footsteps in the corridor.
-Creak...
"Veronica?"
"Eek! Hehe... Busted..."
The nighttime visitor sneaking through the door was Veronica.
She had the blanket wrapped around her body, only her head peeking out, grinning sheepishly as she spoke.
"Hehe... I couldn't sleep, so I came to see you, Apostle!"
Knowing she wouldn't be turned away, she trotted over and flopped down beside me.
"Lie down with me, Apostle! Come on!"
I chuckled at her adorable urging and rolled over to face her.
As I gazed into her gently folded eyes, Veronica planted a light kiss on my forehead.
A laugh bubbled up at the sudden affection.
"Ah! Your brow's relaxed now!"
Just as Veronica was chasing away all my worries, her soft lips parted.
"Don't worry, Apostle. We've got your back..."
'Ah.'
[No matter how good the food, clothes, or fun you have, they're all you think about. Treat them like gifts from the heavens and cherish them.]
I must've been wallowing in some early-morning melancholy again.
What was I even so worried about... with my comrades right here by my side.
Her sweet words from those pretty lips effortlessly swept away the dark clouds in my heart.
I couldn't hold back anymore...
"Mmmph! Slurp!♥ Tomorrow... Mmph! In the morning... we're going to... slurp... visit Grandma..."
As our shadows overlapped, Veronica murmured with a melted expression.
"Apostle... do you know...?"
"What?"
Veronica lifted the blanket covering her body and said,
"Jenia's sleeping...♥"
"Our little pup! Stay one more night..."
"I'm heading to the Academy soon, but I'll visit often."
"Haha! We'll be seeing the Crown Prince around a lot, then."
After being force-fed two full breakfasts at the laden table, we finally set off for the imperial palace.
"Grandpa, Grandma, I'll come back soon, so take care."
"Grandma! Next time, I'll bring tons of gifts!"
"... I'll come again, Grandma."
Jenia waved brightly, while Veronica clutched her stomach, looking utterly drained.
Grandma eyed Veronica with concern.
"Pup... you were too sick to get up this morning... is your tummy upset?"
"Hehe, I'm fine, Grandma."
Jenia sneakily elbowed my side while Grandma wasn't looking.
[Slurp! What's that vibration...?]
The exquisite technique of her elbow strike hit my waist dead-on, and I held my breath, focusing every ounce of willpower on keeping a straight face.
"Don't get sick, my little pups! And good luck with your new friends at the Academy!"
"“It was an honor to meet you!”"
"Cough...! Ahem... Well, we'll be off then!"
We received their warm send-off and headed to the main gate.
"Can you believe we met the Tower Master?!"
"I even got invited to the Magic Tower!"
"I wanna eat more food..."
With the Hero's party discipline completely shattered, everyone buzzed excitedly, sharing their impressions.
It was finally time to return to the imperial palace.
My home, where Sebastian—of unknown status—and my soon-returning family awaited.
I bid farewell to the Hero's party.
"Take care, everyone. This is where we part ways."
"Yeah! See you at the Academy!"
With that brief goodbye, we arrived back in the capital.
"Uuuugh..."
"Ah! Thanks, that's exactly the document I needed."
"Uuuuugh..."
"Here it is. By the way, any letters from the Valiant Kingdom?"
"Uuuuugh... ooooh..."
"Tch, still awaiting disposal, huh... Whatever, not worth the brainpower."
"Uuuuuh aaaah!"
"Hey now! The fault lies with their kingdom, so don't worry! More importantly, Sebastian, eat something."
"Ooooh aaaah!"
"Ah, slip of the tongue... Sebastian. His Majesty returns tomorrow, so take some vacation days. Lily's scheduled the same, so keep that in mind."
"I am deeply grateful for this gracious benevolence, Your Highness."
Sebastian, who had been practically a zombie, sprang back to life the moment vacation was mentioned.
His eyes were still a bit wild, but at least he'd handle work mechanically now. Good enough.
Lucky me, getting such an excellent... aide.
For the record, slavery was abolished long ago as an evil law unforgivable even by the gods.
Just saying.
With Sebastian burning himself out like it was his final act, we tore through the paperwork in no time.
Before I knew it, it was late night.
"Good work, Sebastian. Time to head out..."
-Bang!
'Missed his movement...?'
He'd skipped the entire sequence: standing from the desk, saying goodbye, heading out the door. Sebastian was gone.
I was dumbfounded by this genius of clocking out, who even evaded a 7th Circle mage's senses.
But that lasted only a moment. Quitting time wasn't just for him.
Thinking excitedly of my family arriving tomorrow, I dove into bed and forcibly shut down my consciousness to sleep.
Or so I thought—when I opened my eyes, morning had come.
"Apostle! Sleep well?"
"..."
"Apostle?"
Veronica's puzzled voice confirmed this was reality.
'Lately, my sleep...'
Come to think of it: (Sebastian working,) with Jenia, with Veronica, meetings, work, Jenia, Veronica...
I hadn't felt fatigue properly, so the moment I closed my eyes, I crashed into the deepest sleep.
Apparently, my mind craved rest independently of my body.
Reflecting on my poor self-awareness, Veronica smiled.
"Apostle, you've barely slept lately. Waking up refreshed after so long must feel great, right?"
"Yeah... Better than I thought. After hitting 7th Circle, sleep felt like a waste, but I've changed my mind."
"Hehe, good thinking. Ah! The Saintess is arriving soon—we should go greet her. Here's your outfit!"
I changed into the clothes Veronica prepared and headed to the gate, where Jenia waited prettily dressed for the family.
The servants were dismissed; they probably wanted a quiet return.
Jenia greeted us brightly under the radiant sunlight.
"Ah! Sleep well?"
Seeing her after a good rest, Jenia looked even prettier.
"Liam?"
"Yeah, you're beautiful today too."
Jenia beamed, clearly not minding the sudden sappiness.
"What's this? Buttering me up?"
"Nah, just... after sleeping properly for once, my mind feels extra clear? Like everything's sharper."
"Wait... how many days since you last slept?"
"Once or twice a week, just shutting my eyes briefly."
"Oh my god... Even Sword Masters sleep more than that."
"Yeah... I'm reflecting on it. Ah! Here they come!"
Just before Jenia's nagging could start, a modest carriage approached.
The door opened as it stopped before us, revealing a lavishly ornate interior.
The Grand Imperial Camouflage Carriage Mark II for travels—its deviousness was all too familiar.
That sleep machine had knocked out Lancelot nearly three digits' worth of times.
Pride as its creator warred with dread at the monster it had birthed.
I was secretly betting to myself.
'Heh... Serena must be out cold in dreamland by now, right?'
And the first to step out was...
"Big brother!!!"
'What?'
Looks like I'd underestimated a child's stamina.
As always, Serena dove at me in full hug-me pose.
Tasting defeat, I floated her gently into my arms amid her giggling.
"Did our princess have fun?"
"I'm a princess~ Oh right! Big brother, I got you a gift!"
"Ooh~ Serena! You got a gift for me too? My goodness... when did you get so big..."
"Huh? Weren't you at the marquisate? Where's mine?"
...I pulled a few items from my spatial pocket for the smirking Serena in my arms.
"Big bro's the best~!"
She's so cute... so healthy...
"Serena~ You can't do that to your big brother."
Mother descended the carriage, holding Father's somewhat haggard-looking hand.
Along with her impeccably smooth face.
Amazement at her feat—besting a Sword Master with a commoner's body—faded as she spread her arms.
"Son, won't you hug your mother too?"
I nodded with a smile and hugged her, still holding Serena in one arm.
"Have a good trip?"
"Hehe, thanks to our son, it was wonderful... How did you think of that? Rely on you next time too."
-Gulp
Father's throat bobbed fiercely, but no one paid it mind.
That's just life as a man.
I looked at Father and said,
"Pleased with it?"
"...Count on you."
Hm, perfect answer.
Basking in the family's warmth, Jenia curtsied gracefully.
"Mother, welcome back safely?"
"Sis! Sis's villa was the best!"
"Hehe, we were pampered thanks to our daughter-in-law. The imperial family's blessing."
In the midst of this happy atmosphere, one more introduction was due today.
"Veronica, come here."
Veronica approached hesitantly.
"Hehe, welcome back?"
"Sis got even prettier!"
"Veronica? Ah!"
Everyone seemed to catch on quick.
I met Father's eyes and declared,
"Father, I'm marrying Veronica too."
"Make it so."
Permission came easier than expected.
Well, considering Astion's tension, Valiant's shock, and Orpheus trembling before her...
Veronica's standing had skyrocketed post-war.
The public even called her the true goddess incarnate, her popularity overflowing the imperial house.
Still, worry lingered in her eyes as tears streamed down.
"Sob... I... I'm sorry... Sob!"
"Oh dear? Why cry on such a happy day, sweetie?"
At Mother's gentle comfort, Veronica wailed even harder.
"Hic... Waaah!"
Jenia patted Veronica's head fondly, and Mother drew her into an embrace.
"There, there... Sweetie—what worries weighed you down to cry like this? Stop now."
"S-sto... p! ...Hiccc..."
Mother soothed Veronica's back tenderly.
"Sweetie—no, should I call you daughter-in-law now? Hehe... Thank you for coming to our son."
"Big bro! Put me down—I wanna hug new sis too!"
New sis? What's that mean, Se-Serena...
As Serena hugged Veronica too, she cried even more cathartically.
Taking in the scene, Father stood beside me and asked,
"So, when's the engagement?"
"Thinking about it. Soon."
"Timely overlap."
"Gotta head to the Academy soon."
"The Academy..."
Father gazed into the distance, reminiscing about his school days.
"Fine place."
High praise.
Surprised by the unexpected reply, I asked,
"Did you learn anything useful there, Father?"
"No, but it was where I reunited with your mother."
'Ah.'
I just nodded.
Seeing Veronica sniffling, it seemed imperial duties were mostly wrapped up.
'Time flies...'
The child once prone to mana overload was now a 7th Circle mage.
The one-line extra lady would become the world's noblest woman in time.
The woman wailing in the cold prayer room was now hailed as the goddess manifest.
I couldn't claim full credit... They'd given so much too... Hm...
It was clumsy, full of mistakes.
But we'd all achieved it together.
Stacking it carefully, bit by bit.
Isn't a child's wobbly tower endearing?
Now it's time to refine it.
We'll press forward, building a new foundation.
Solid enough that nothing shakes it.