About two weeks after the battle in Nadar territory.


　Ceylan, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Rynor, returned to the capital with his bodyguards after his first battle on the Mildare Plains with an overwhelming victory. The streets of the capital were filled to overflowing with his subjects, celebrating his victory.


　This is what was written in the records of the royal family's activities.


　Naturally, the royal capital was abuzz with talk of Ceylan.
　He successfully defeated the vicious nobles who had committed treachery with his own hands.
　He also fought valiantly in the front line and captured many heads of the enemy.
　He organized and commanded the lords, and led them to victory through his unconventional measures.
　And so on.


　He even split the earth with a single swing of his sword, and slaughtered over a thousand enemies with his royal magic.
　I don't know if it's because of bias or because of the exaggeration of the stories, but the original stories have been passed down with tail fins, back fins, chest fins, belly fins, and butt fins.
　However, all of them are in praise of Ceylan.


　Moreover, there are already tales of Ceylan's valor and plays starring him.
　On the other hand, Count Bowe was punished not only for running away from the enemy, but also for the damage he caused to his allies.
　I feel a little sorry for him because of the influence of Barug Gulba, but I guess that's just the way it is.
　Military nobles are paid for their service in war.
　Refusing to fight, then, is to abandon that way of being.
　Therefore, it is only natural to treat them as such.


　Meanwhile, Arx was a week late for Ceylan's triumphant return.
　He has returned to the capital after completing his treatment and rest in the fortress city of Narvalondo.
　He is currently in the waiting room of the Royal Castle of the Kingdom of Rynor with his uncle, Clive Arbent.
　The reason why I came to this place is, of course, to have an audience.
　As soon as I returned to the capital, I was summoned by Clive.


　--His Majesty wants to see you.


　That's what he told me, and I was granted an audience with King Shinru Kuroselrode and Crown Prince Ceylan Kuroselrode.


　Arx was now dressed in the traditional attire favored by the nobility.
　Her bottoms were half pants style, and she wore high socks and sock garters under her feet.
　The lace-up boots on the feet are well polished and shine like black pearls.
　Her top is a jacket, and the collar of her shirt is fastened with a thin ribbon.
　On her back was a borrowed, ornate indigo cloak.
　His left arm is, of course, immobile and remains slouched down.
　His personal belongings are a single bag containing certain documents.


　Dressed like this, I was about to meet King Shinru for the first time, but I felt like a tin doll who forgot to grease it.
　My body is stiff with tension and I can't move my joints as I should.
　It takes a lot of effort to move even one finger.


　On the other hand, my uncle Clive is as usual.
　While puffing wildly on his cigar, he looked down at the document at hand and flipped through the pages.
　I looked up at my uncle with a nervous look on my face.


I'm not sure what to say.　Are you okay, ......?

"Oh?　What do you mean, are you okay?

Well, the audience, I mean.

It's not okay?　I don't think you have to worry about it.

But ......


　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm not sure what to do.
　I was very nervous when I had an audience with Seiran in Narvalondo, but this time I'm far more nervous than that.
　After all, I am about to meet the highest authority in this country.
　You never know what might happen if you don't watch your every move.
　In the first place, the children of a lower class nobleman, even a disinherited one, are almost like commoners.
　It would be impossible to meet them formally, let alone by chance, considering their position.
　Naturally, it is impossible not to be nervous.


　I guess Crabbe saw through my inner thoughts.


"It's not like you're going to get eaten the moment you meet him.

I'm sure you're aware of that, but ...... you don't punish your subjects based on your mood, do you?

I've never punished anyone based on their mood. Though he does often talk about beheading.

"Zan, zan, zan: ......!

Oh.


　Crabbe says such horrible things.
　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.


　...... Perhaps that really is the case.
　As soon as I thought about it, I got up from the sofa in the waiting room.


"Let's meet again some other day, Uncle. I'm going to turn around today.

Idiot. That's more rude.

The neck is important to a man. It's vital.

I'd like to meet a creature that's not deadly. Just sit down.

No, I'm afraid my stomach is killing me. ......

It's no use. Give up on your gut. It's important to cut the world out.

If you cut off your stomach, you'll never survive in this world!


　While I was whining, an official from the royal castle opened the door and walked in.


"It's ready, sir. Come in.


　The official's brief words were a declaration of despair.




Oh, here we are at last: ......


　As I was watching the official's back and holding my head in my hands, Crabbe said in disgust.


You knew this was coming, didn't you?　It's your fault for not being prepared for it.

I didn't think it would come so soon.

I thought you always said that you had to be prepared for anything that might happen.

You don't have enough time to prepare. Kids don't have enough time by far.

If you're going to call yourself a child, you might as well be one.

Yes!　I, Arx Raytheft, am twelve years old!


　I did a Hail Mary and made a joke, and then, boom, I got hit on the top of the head.


Uncle, it hurts.

"You've got to be kidding me. You've got to be kidding me. ......


　It's true that for once I'm being too goofy.
　But if I don't do something like this, the stress and pressure could destroy my spirit.
　I was hoping that a certain amount of crazy tension would be tolerated.


It's time to go.


　After Crabbe's words, we left the waiting room and went to the throne room where King Shinru was waiting.


　...... Crabbe is dressed as usual with his military uniform pulled over his shoulders.
　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.
　The officials, civil servants, and even military nobles who work in the castle show a fearful attitude towards him as they pass by.
　I guess this is the dignity of a national mage.
　It's not only the dignity he wears, but also the fact that this is a country where mages tend to be respected.


　It's also possible that this is why noblemen with less magic power are looked down upon. ......


　In any case, while peeking out from behind Crabbe's back, you will arrive at the room at the end of the street.


　I had assumed that the throne room would be brightly lit, but contrary to my expectations, the room was dark.
　The ceiling is so high and the darkness makes it seem like a starry sky.
　On the side of the room, there was a waterway, and underneath it, glittering glass shone blue light, and there were indirect lights everywhere.
　For a room that requires dignity as the throne room, the interior is quite stylish.
　You can even feel the storyline of the room, as if it were a theme park.
　However, the room seems to maintain the appearance of a throne room.
　The back of the room is several steps higher, and there is a difference in height equivalent to a skip floor.
　It was more than twice as high as Ceylan's throne room, which had been improvised in Narwallondo.


　Moreover, there is a considerable distance between the bottom of the steps and the throne.
　At the top of the tier was a curtain, and behind it was a faint throne.
　The chair is trimmed with gold and covered with a red sheet, exactly the same as the throne that everyone thinks of.
　There is still a discrepancy with the interior, but ...... it is probably because of the origins of the royal family.


　In accordance with the basic norms, kneel in front of the throne and bend down.
　Then he bowed his head, trying not to look ahead.


His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, come in.


　Immediately after those words came from somewhere.
　Immediately after those words were echoed from somewhere, two signs appeared behind the curtain.
　They were probably Sinl Clothelroad, King of Rynor, and his son, Crown Prince Ceylan Clothelroad.
　Following them, Ewlad Raine appears from the side of the room, accompanied by his bodyguards.
　The sound of gong-like percussion instruments echoed through the tranquil room.
　The room regained its serenity as the sound of the well-reverberating bells and the last lingering echoes disappeared.


　Immediately after, I felt a piercing pressure from above my head.
　It was probably the gaze of Shinru. A gaze that seemed to inspect me from top to bottom. It was the same as the one directed at Ceylan before, though of course with a different severity.


"Both of you, face up.


　A voice called out to him, but in accordance with formality, he raised his face as the voice called out again, "Face up.


　A man sits on the throne.
　His face is obscured by the curtain.
　His long, golden hair shines in the pale light.
　His shirt is unbuttoned, and his chest is bare.
　While I was thinking how wild he was, Shinru eventually opened his mouth.


"You're Arx?

"This is the first time His Majesty the King has granted me his will. My name is Arx Raytheft, the eldest son of the Raytheft family. I have come here as summoned by His Majesty.

"You seem to be able to greet people fairly well. I'll give you a passing grade.


　With those words, I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
　It was a severe situation to be evaluated even at the first meeting, but I felt somewhat relieved to be told that there was no problem.


"I've heard about you, but you really have a woman's face, don't you?

What?　Ah, yes. ......

I've been told that you have a really feminine face. I commend you on a job well done.

What?　I'm very pleased to receive your praise, Your Majesty.

"Keep up the good work.

"I will continue to do my best for the kingdom and the royal family.


　So that's it for his words about the magic meter and his performance in the battle.
　When the time is right...


"And here.


　He then presented a document he had brought to one of the guards.
　Since he had already discussed the material with them, they took it easily and brought it to Shinru.


　Shinru took the document and turned it over, then back to the front.


"What is this?

"It's a note on how to prevent royal magic from being used during the war.

That's what you reported a while ago, isn't it?

Yes.


　Yes, the data on insulation and invulnerability is something that must be submitted to the royal family.
　Royal magic, lightning magic, is a royal secret.
　Mages in the country are strictly forbidden to look into this, and anyone who touches this secret will be punished without exception.
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　For that reason, he had reported via Crave that he was submitting the documents he had compiled earlier to the royal family.


　Shinru flipped through the contents of the document, as if reading it diagonally.


...... I see. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

You'll need to use it in conjunction with the items listed on the same page, and it won't prevent powerful magic, but...

So you do know what the spell is?

With all due respect.

Did you teach it to me, Cleve?

No. I'm not that familiar with it myself.

No. That's not possible. ...... Arks. How did you know about it?


　I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.
　This must be the king's intimidation.
　In an instant, I felt a deep chill in my core.
　My skin becomes so dry that it almost chaps and cracks.
　I have been immersed in a variety of intimidating sensations, but this is probably the first time I have been physically stimulated to this extent.
　If I make a mistake here, my path will probably be blocked.


　Putting myself in the midst of the danger of being torn apart, I carefully uttered the answer I had prepared in advance.


I'm investigating natural phenomena in parallel with my research on magic, and the phenomenon I was investigating just happened to be the same one.

How do you know what it is?　I'm curious as to how you were investigating the nature of it.


　If you go into that, it is indeed difficult to explain.
　When I was at a loss, Shinru lifted the document and said,


"...... Oh well. I'll forgive you for your auspicious attitude in bringing this right away. From now on, you are not allowed to investigate this phenomenon without permission. Do you understand?

"Ha!


　You're very strict. No, I've touched a part of what is considered forbidden.
　It would be more merciful not to behead him and imprison him.
　Perhaps it was because of the development of the magic meter that they were able to get away with this.


　In the midst of all this, Shinru looked over more materials.


"Regarding the generation, the nature, and the relationship with magnets: ...... It's quite interesting. Look at this.

"Yes. It's very interesting.

"Hmm, I'll have to give this a try. ......

Father, I'd like to have a look at it later.

Yes.


　Shinru and Ceylan are having a good time together, looking at the documents together.
　It seems that Shinru and Ceylan have a very good relationship with each other.
　After this exchange, the air suddenly cooled down.


　The air in the room suddenly cooled down, and Shinru's body exuded an air of supremacy.
　It was as if he had just been waiting for an answer from me.
　What could be the reason for his cold stare? I thought about it.


"There's one thing I want to tell you about the battle.

What is it? What is it?

I'm going to pretend that you never took credit for protecting Seyran from the Imperial Vice Admiral.

"Father!


　When Ceylan heard Shinru's words, he shouted in surprise.
　I don't know if Ceylan was told about this beforehand.


　On the other hand, Crabbe did not say anything about .......
　I suppose this is to be expected. It's the word of a king I believe in. Unless there was something wrong with it, he wouldn't have objected.


　Meanwhile, Shinru was unconcerned about Ceylan's confusion.


"Do you understand?


　He is forcing you to say yes.
　...... Now, Shinru rests his cheek on his elbow. His gaze is very cold. It's as if he's trying to price you out. The king of Rynor has a serene sense of intimidation. And a physical intimidation that resonates in your core. In this world, every single person who is truly great has a different actor that makes you sigh.


　Then, Ceylan spoke up.


"Father, I have a question for you.

What is it?　Tell me.



Father. Arx sacrificed his left arm to save mine. It would be unreasonable to pretend he didn't deserve it.

Do you want to know why?

Yes, sir. By all means.

The royal family's reputation will be enhanced if you defeat them single-handedly. You have no idea how much prestige it will bring to you to destroy an enemy army on your first mission, and then take out an Imperial general, even if he's your second-in-command, who took you by surprise.

...... But then, what about the hardships of Arx?

It's true that it's against the law to take away the labor of your subjects. But for the Crosselords, all is forgiven.


　Shinru continued to speak.


The kingdom is still in a period of instability. The empire is increasing its pressure year by year, and in your father's generation, the important stronghold of Kassa was taken. Externally, the gap in power between the lords and the royal family seems to be narrowing. I'm sure you can see the benefit of the royal family's increased power here.

"That's .......


　Shinru pressed Ceylan, as if he should have understood. Of course, it's not as if Ceylan couldn't see the logic in this. Of course, it is not as if Ceylan doesn't understand this logic.


The rest is just too much credit. If you announce all the credit for the Arks, it might reach your credit.


　Indeed, it might.
　He took credit not only for the battle with Dusseyr, but also for the defeat of the soldiers he led, the Kuro Panthers.
　He also discovered Poluk Nadar's trap before the battle and successfully attacked the base where he and Deet had been gathering information.
　In addition, he was also awarded one of the top ranks at the time of the war.
　In addition to his many achievements, he is only twelve years old.
　His reputation may be higher than that of an ordinary noble.


"Arx. Do you have anything to say?

No. Not particularly. I have no objection, sir.

It's gonna take a lot of credit away from you.　Is that what you want?

Yes.

Then show me here that you have no double-mindedness.


　As if in response to Shinru's words, he stood up and put his hand on his chest.
　And then.


"I am forever loyal to the royal family.

"Good. If you misspell that word, you will pay for it with death. Do you understand?

Yes!


　After this ritualistic exchange, Ceylan asks.


"...... Arx. Are you sure about that?

I have my reasons for not letting my name get any bigger than it needs to be right now.


　Sure, making a name for yourself is a quick way to frustrate your parents.
　But the problem is what comes after that. It's a good idea to keep a low profile, as you can't deny that your rise to fame will point the finger at Lisha.
　It's better to wait a few more years before you make a big name for yourself.
　Now is not the right time.


　Then, Shinru suddenly opened his mouth.


".........

What?

You're so smart for a kid, you're kind of creepy.

"What's ......?


　He says something I didn't expect, and my mouth starts to water.
　If you look, you will see that Shinru looks somewhat uncomfortable. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.


　On the other hand, Crabbe erupted with a "Haha! on the other hand.
　What are these people really?
　While I was feeling indescribably unreasonable.


　Suddenly, the curtain is lifted from the inside.


What?


　What's going on? As I was thinking about this, Shinru appeared from behind the curtain.
　While we were bewildered by the unusual situation, Shinru stepped down to the middle of the steps and sat down properly.
　Then he beckoned to us. He urged us to come over.


　The one who sounded impatient with the situation was Ewlad, a member of the Kingsguard.


"Your Majesty, it's .......

I don't care. At least this one.


　He approached Shinru, who fluttered his hands to dismiss him, and knelt in front of him.


Let me see your arm.

What?

"I heard you got stuck using magic.


　Follow Shinru's words and take off the bandage.
　The arm looks normal now, but it's still almost as immobile as when I woke up.


　Shinru took his arm and moved his fingers, arm, and joints, and then his brow furrowed and a mysterious expression appeared on his face.
　Does he have some knowledge of medicine?


...... is awful.

I'm going to try to find a way to heal my arm.


　Shinru put his hand on my head.


"As a father, I want to thank you. I want to thank you for protecting Ran.

What a waste of words.

You're still going to be useful to me. I was just doing you a favor.


　I'm just doing you a favor." Shinru said bluntly, and Crabbe looked at him as if he'd been taken aback.


Tell him you're worried about him. You're still as cynical as ever.

"Oh?


　Crabbe's amused expression collided with Shinru's swear words.
　Crabbe's amused expression clashes with Shinru's cursing.
　It was unnerving to listen to.
　Shinru clears his throat as if to regain his composure.


If there's anything wrong with the treatment, tell me. I'll spare no effort.

What?

There'll be a ceremony in a few days. I'll send you a letter, be sure to come.


　I'll send you a letter, so be sure to come. ...... Anyway, that was the end of our first audience.