Ch. 148

For a moment I wondered if the image quality was tricking me, but even the mage quietly assisting the call across from me seemed greatly flustered.

For the king to bow his head! He wouldn’t do that even to an emperor except on rare occasions.

“Your Majesty, that is far too generous.”

[How could gratitude to one who saved my life be excessive?]

“…I am Your Majesty’s subject, and Your Majesty is my king.”

I hadn’t been the most loyal vassal, but that was the plain truth. As long as I was a noble of Dmitri and he was the king, I was born with a duty in my bones to protect him whether I liked it or not.

It was only natural that I might die for him, but it was never natural for him to lower his head for me.

There was a vast gulf of station between the king and me. Such is a stratified society.

In short, the king had no need to thank me.

[No. Every day I live is thanks to the capable people who protect me. I am grateful for every moment I remain alive because of you.

I know it is only natural that you, as my subject, protect me—but if there were no sincerity in that, I would not be alive.]

I knew why Dikel III was loved by the people and respected by the gifted, but experiencing it firsthand made him even harder to betray than I expected.

Wise and steady, never losing a king’s dignity, yet bowing his head without shame.

I had no intention of betraying him, but this made me feel as if I ought to devote my loyalty—problematic, that.

Even if he was my king, diligently following someone was never my style.

[By saving me, you saved the father of my children, and further, you rescued the people’s king and prevented turmoil in the kingdom. Truly, you are my hero.]

‘Ugh, that sends a little thrill.’

Being praised by a king was definitely rewarding.

[On behalf of all Dmitri, I offer thanks.]

‘What a captivating man. Who’d have thought I’d one day be tempted to swear loyalty.’

[How shall I repay you? If there is anything you desire, speak it.]

“…I do have a request.”

[What is it?]

“First, please assign a mage to my family estate. We need communication facilities. I still haven’t been able to speak with my family. It’s terribly inconvenient with no way to contact them.”

[How fortunate. The population of the Crowell territory has exploded, so I’ve just granted permission to establish a Magic Tower. I’ll, of course, assign mages. Barring issues, you should have free communication within a year.]

So this is where human competence shows. How does he provide exactly what’s needed? I thought I’d met a very good king.

[Is that all? Anything else you’d like? If you need financial support, say the word.]

That would never be necessary, but I smiled anyway. Honestly, I was probably the richest person in Dmitri.

“Rather than that, I have other requests. Quite a few, actually… may I state them all?”

[Let’s hear them.]

“On my way out of the jungle, I found a child with talent for spirit arts. By some fate, she turned out to be the daughter of someone I knew long ago. I’d like to enroll her as my junior at the Royal Drike Academy. Would that be acceptable?”

[That won’t be difficult.]

“I’ll be the child’s guardian. I’ll vouch for her identity as well.”

The king’s attitude said it was no problem. With his prompt approval, the Headmaster would have no choice but to allow it.

At this point, Master Yael’s veto had vanished cleanly. Obliterated, practically to the edge of the universe.

[That can’t be the only thing. Tell me everything.]

“If I bare my true feelings… you might find me rather impudent.”

[I know full well you are a talent difficult to handle. You’re sweet to me because it benefits us both, and because it’s convenient.]

“…”

[I’d like to hear your true feelings.]

‘Well, you don’t become king by being foolish.’

I had to admit it. I liked this king.

“Glad to hear it. But what I want might be very difficult.”

[What is it? Do you seek power vast enough to transcend your birth?]

“No. All I want is… to be very free. I prefer that to power.”

[Freedom, is it.]

“Please don’t tie me down anywhere. Your Majesty, respect my life as a person. Please don’t try to rule or govern me. If you can keep that, I will swear long years of loyalty of my own accord.”

Just having the word “loyalty” leave my mouth was surprising enough. And I meant it.

If the king could grant what I wanted, I could give him what he wanted.

What he wanted was my loyalty; that was also why he treated me well.

[You are a difficult person.]

“I thought so.”

[Freedom is the opposite of power, yet at the same time it comes from power. Without power, one cannot be free.]

“Quite so.”

[You ask freedom of me because I am the one with the proper power to protect it—and likewise the one with the power to take it. …You are very astute. I will respect that. I will grant you the power to be free.]

‘This is why smart people are the best. We understand each other.’ I showed my joy with a broad smile.

Apparently the king found me far more desirable than I imagined.

Which also meant I could be a bit more willful.

[I’d been wondering what to do for you when you returned, but since your wish is clear, I can only grant it.]

“Since you honor me with respect, if I may ask further—my return trip may become a bit longer, Your Majesty.”

[Longer?]

I’d been chewing over one problem these past few days: whether to follow Ash or not.

It was a matter of curiosity versus hassle, reason versus interest.

Today I decided: follow, for now. Curiosity and interest won.

Parting ways with Ash would leave me a little disappointed, but more than that, the idea of returning to Dmitri started to feel burdensome.

Realizing that I wouldn’t be able to live as leisurely as before if I went back, I wanted to enjoy this freedom a little longer.

Ideally, I could stop hearing that “Saint” nonsense too.

[I hear you cannot use warp by constitution… do you mean the route will be longer than overland because of that?]

“Yes. I’ve found someone I’d like to observe for a while.”

[So you mean to travel.]

“Am I being too childish?”

[Not at all. You are still young. It is an age to want to travel… I had such a time as well.]

‘Our king deserves extra credit upon extra credit. If this keeps up, will he really make me swear loyalty?’

[Very well, do as you wish. If your desire is freedom, let us begin with this.]

“Thank you for your magnanimity. The Headmaster hopes I’ll return as soon as possible.”

[A political judgment, I imagine. Uncertain of the scope of your influence, they want to keep you under their wing for now. But my view differs—you first need time to come to know yourself. Experiencing the world will help.]

“Reassuring words.”

[I will await your safe return.]

“It probably won’t take too long.”

By rough calculation, Ash had at most half a year left.

He had to gather all the Guardians and return to the imperial palace in that time. If the time left were longer, I wouldn’t even think of watching—but half a year was short enough to tempt me.

[For someone believed dead to return alive—what is time, then?]

Everything was going smoothly enough to lift my spirits. If the king ordered a swift return, I would have had to comply, but thankfully he seemed willing to guarantee some of my freedom.

I wasn’t sure he’d react so calmly if he learned the person I wanted to observe was the Crown Prince of Elan, though.

I’d better keep that secret for now. Explaining how I figured it out is a pain, and I’d be annoyed if he tried to stop me.

[I have a question for you. It has long puzzled me.]

“What is it?”

[What is the secret that allowed you to block the dragon’s attack that day?]

It came in just when my guard was down, but I wasn’t rattled. I’d expected someone to ask.

“Spirit arts. I am a Spirit Mage, after all.”

[You mean spirit arts can do that? I’ve never even heard of such a thing. To think spirit arts are so powerful…]

“No. To be frank, it’s simply that I am powerful.”

[…Ah. I see.]

I knew I should be humble before the king, but what can I do about the truth?

Perhaps because I said it so boldly, the king seemed momentarily at a loss for words.

[Spirit arts, you say…? Strange. The palace spirit mages say they don’t know such power.]

“It’s an old power that’s been forgotten. I swear it is not a wicked force.”

[I’d like to know more.]

“That is… a very… secret power, so… no matter how curious Your Majesty may be, it’s difficult for me to…”

I glanced once at the mage sitting across from me, then back at the king, pretending to be mindful of another’s presence.

Letting a strong hint of difficulty show, I spoke with sorrowful eyes.

My plan was perfect. As always!

“What I can tell Your Majesty is only this: the power is so great that… the more it is used, the more one’s lifespan is shortened. That cruel fact.”

[What?]

“That is why it must never be made known to others.”

[Impossible! That sounds like a forbidden art…]

“Yes, a taboo. Exactly that. Great power demands a great price. It is a dangerous power, not meant for humans to bear. Because using it brings such side effects… it must be kept strictly secret.”

[Good heavens… to think you made such a sacrifice.]

While I was conning the king with a pitiable face, Rai, who had been hiding in my clothes, couldn’t hold back and butted in.

[…Um, excuse me? Master? I don’t recall that power taking any of Master’s lifespan. How long do you intend to live that your lifespan can even be taken? Better to take a flea’s liver.]

[It’s a lie, obviously!]

[Eh? Why lie about that?]

[In case war breaks out and they try to shove me to the front lines… What if they tell me to block every attack? If using it shortens my life, they won’t ask too often.]

[Aha! As expected, Master is a genius of crafty schemes!]

[Call me a genius of spirit arts, please?]

I marveled at my own brilliant mind, but I wasn’t dumb enough to show it before the king, who looked stricken.

Still, did that brat Rai just imply I’m a flea…? Well, coming from a creature that lives over ten thousand years, a human lifespan must look that small.

I found it annoying, but fooling the king in front of me took priority.

“The dragon took me that day because it grew curious about that power. It wanted to know how a human could block a breath.”

Nothing is as convincing as a lie mixed with a measured dose of truth.

The king didn’t know much about spirit arts, and a dragon’s breath was one of those supreme forces believed impossible for humans to block, so he had no choice but to believe my talk of a forbidden art.

Lifespan made for an excellent pretext. It could be five minutes, after all. Surely no one will complain later if I live long.

[I see. And the dragon spared you for that power?]

“Correct. The dragon also urged me to keep this power secret.”

[So dangerous, is it…]

Dangerous indeed. If everyone became rich, my being rich would be meaningless! I was the sort of person who could lie with a smile.

“Your Majesty. Strength is both a blessing and a curse. I swore to the dragon that this power would end with my generation. That has become my mission.”

Roundabout as it was, the point was: don’t ask for details about this power. And before the dragon’s shield, the king could probe no further.

[How much of your lifespan remains?]

“I don’t know, but I doubt it’s very long.”

‘About seventy years?’

Watching the lingering doubt on the king’s face, I swiftly pulled out the item I had prepared.

I had a trump card to break this sticky mood.