13-2
The Prodigal Prince Returns to the
Imperial Capital After About a Month
Translator : PolterGlast
Ending the return
journey, we came back to the Imperial Capital. Escorting Kachua
to the tavern-inn Yosuga, I turned my back on Kachua, who was waving
cheerfully.
「Shinza,
see you tomorrow!」
「Yeah,
there's nothing there, but tomorrow I'll show you around Erin. After
that is the food tour you're looking forward to.」
「You're
saying that again... Well, whatever, traveling with Shinza was fun,
let's take a job together again!」
「Yeah...」
However, I wonder if
that's a dream that will come true. Depending on Father's condition, I might
have to abandon this place right now and flee to the coastal provinces or
somewhere.
Unable to nod
clearly, I returned to the palace. Carrying two large wheels of goat cheese as
souvenirs from Fimbul.
Then, first and
foremost, I headed to Aniue's room.
「Aniue,
I'm coming in.」
「Ashley,
huh!」
「Oh
my... It seems you've witnessed an awkward scene.」
It seems they were
in the middle of political affairs. Next to Georg-aniue was even our
Consul, Puis, seemingly helping with Aniue's work. I placed the
round block of cheese on Aniue's desk with a heavy thud.
「It's a
souvenir, share it with Aneue and the others.」
「My,
my, quite a large souvenir, isn't it.」
Aniue
directed an exasperated look at the cheese, and then stared at me with an
equally exasperated, tired look.
「You
delinquent lord... Where did you disappear to for nearly a month...」
「Fufufu,
I never truly expected you to dump everything on me... There are several
political matters piled up that require your signature, so shall we return to Erin
together later?」
Political affairs,
huh. Perhaps I shouldn't have accepted a territory so easily after all... That
said, Puis seemed to find territory management rewarding, and his usual
sarcasm felt more like familiarity.
「Then
is it alright if I bring a guest?」
「Is
that a man?」
「No, a
girl. ...Or rather, was there a need to ask for the gender just now?」
「Yes,
seeing as you were holed up somewhere with that person for nearly a month,
right?」
Wait, stop saying it
like that, Puis. Aniue's eyebrows just furrowed in displeasure...
「Explain
it to me too. Where and what were you doing with that woman for a month.」
「Fufufu...」
Is this guy really
my subordinate...? Why is he laughing so happily watching me being glared at by
Aniue...
「I'll
explain. Before, I exterminated goblins in a northern village, and at that time
I met an Archer named Kachua. That Kachua came up to the Imperial
Capital as an adventurer, so I was worried and looking after her.」
「For a
whole month?」
「Yeah.
Some pilgrims said they wanted to go to Fimbul via Ratatosk, so Kachua
and I took the escort request. She's not just a little girl. She's a dead-shot
Archer capable of shooting through the gaps of armor three times in a row.」
Kachua's
growth is pleasing, so I ended up exaggerating the story a bit. But she did
possess that much talent. It should be fine to boast about Kachua to Aniue,
who is the pinnacle of the military arts.
「What a
meddlesome lord we have here... I'd prefer you direct that effort towards the
territory, though.」
「A
dead-shot Archer, huh. That's interesting... Alright, call that Kachua
to the palace.」
「...Wh-What
did you say?」
However, Aniue
said something unexpected. Aniue rarely jokes. Even now, he was deep in
thought with a serious expression, resting his hand on his handsome lips.
「Would
the White Dragon Palace be a good place. Atomina and Durin have
just returned there as well.」
「Yes,
since Ashley-sama bailed and didn't return, I had Atomina-sama
take over some of the work for Erin. However, those two are really good,
aren't they...」
I'm not keen on
paperwork, but causing trouble for Aneue is out of the question... I planned
to show Kachua around Naglfar, but should I use all of tomorrow
to finish up these political affairs...
「By the
way, where is Jii?」
「.........At
Father's place.」
Puis averted
his eyes, and Aniue's response was somewhat delayed. It seems it has worsened
further, Father's condition...
I wonder if, even to
Aniue, that fact feels like a time limit marking our parting.
「Then
I'll deliver the souvenirs and call Kachua. But if she refuses, please
give up.」
「No,
you must bring her here without fail.」
「My,
you're being unusually forceful.」
「Understood.
I'm sorry for disappearing for a month without saying anything. I'll definitely
bring her, so don't glare like that, Aniue...」
Sorry Kachua,
but please become a sacrifice for Aniue's mood. I left Aniue's study
and headed to the Emperor's special ward, the Red Dragon Palace.
◇ ◆ ◇
I was made to wait a
while, but eventually, permission to visit Father was granted. Led by a young
page deep into the Red Dragon Palace, I found Father and Jii in the bedchamber.
「Father,
Jii. It's been a
while.」 「A-Ashley-sama...?!」
The
Emperor—Father—perhaps lacking even the strength to speak properly anymore,
merely stared at me.
「I
intended to bring a souvenir, but—flowers might have been better for this.」
I pushed the Fimbul-produced
cheese onto Jii.
If he puts on a little more meat with this, I'll be more at ease.
「H-Heavy...?!
No, Ashley-sama, where have you been hiding yourself for the past
month...?!」
「I went
to Ratatosk and Fimbul. This is goat cheese, a souvenir from Fimbul.」
「Oh, this does look quite delicious.
If we baked a pizza in a stone oven—wait, that's not it! Please have some
self-awareness as the Lord of Erin! Even though your own father is in
critical condition, why can you disappear for a month? You really are...! Are
you a kite with a snapped string?!」
Ah... hearing Jii's scolding finally makes it feel like I've returned. I
think it was bad of me, but it was a necessary journey. For me to survive from
here on out, too.
「You
should eat properly, Jii, you've lost a little weight. If
you're not careful, you'll end up being buried along with Father before long.」
「Please
stop with the unlaughable jokes! Ha, Your Majesty, what is the matter...?」
The former page
noticed the Emperor's change, leaned his ear close to him, and responded. I
feel like both of them are staring at me for some reason.
「Ashley-sama,
His Majesty has some words for you.」
「What
is it, Father? The bad blood between us is gone, tell me whatever it is.」
I'm willing to
accept a little selfishness. I thought so, but for some reason, Jii clamped his mouth shut.
He seemed to be
hesitating with his words, so I let him be for a while, walked to the window,
and peeked outside the blackout curtains.
「Ashley-sama.」
「What
is it?」
「The
Empire. Georg. Atomina. I leave them to you. ...That is what His
Majesty said.」
「I
see... That is quite a difficult challenge.」
I was just agonizing
again over whether it was time to flee to the coastal provinces. If left to Puis,
the imperial territory of Erin should be fine.
But Georg-aniue
and Atomina-aneue won't accompany me on my flight. And the movements of
the second son Julius and the fourth son Yord are also
suspicious.
Aniue in
particular is being targeted by Yord. Unless I can provide a sword to
counter that magic sword at the very least, I can't flee just yet.
Abandoning the
Empire was synonymous with abandoning Aniue and Aneue. If I run,
I might never see them again.
「Ashley-sama,
your reply to His Majesty.」
「Jii, if you'd like, want to flee together with me?」
「That
is not funny. I know His Majesty's loneliness better than anyone. As a friend,
I cannot possibly leave this place.」
「Then
after that is fine. When Father dies, with me—」
「Are
you intending to evade the question? Now, your reply to His Majesty...」
He hasn't been
associating with me since I was born for nothing, has he. Leave Georg, Atomina,
and the Empire to me. Even if you say that... They're all exceptionally
troublesome.
「Leaving
the future of the Empire aside, I want to protect Georg-aniue and Atomina-aneue
too. But this country is just too massive. No matter how much I struggle
individually... The tide can probably no longer be changed.」
When I replied, Jii leaned his ear close to Father.
To think he can't even speak properly anymore. I hardly had any parent-child
memories with Father, but—as expected, this is painful to see.
「His
Majesty's words. The Empire. Georg. Even if it is impossible. Protect. Atomina.
He says...」
「Aneue,
huh... Understood. I will protect only Aneue no matter what, I promise
you. ...Well then, I will come again, Father.」
Having finished my
business, I left the palace and headed to the tavern-inn Yosuga to pick up Kachua.
Well, fine. When push comes to shove, I'll collude with Georg-aniue and even if I have to deceive her, I'll evacuate Aneue from the Imperial Capital. The candidate location is—the coastal provinces, after all? I'd like to travel the tropical countries with Aneue...
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