Chapter 62: Your Majesty, That Was Self-Destructive… Or Rather, Going Too Far by Fine
[space_man][space_man]Even though it was nighttime, the Clawsolas Belphegor’s driving noise attracted attention, and curious gazes were directed from the windows of the buildings facing the street as it strode towards the capital’s center.
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[space_man][space_man]Guided by the guards who were waiting along the way to the Clawsolas stableyard on the outer edge of the castle town, I stepped onto the lifting wire pedal from the cockpit for the first time in several hours and descended. A woman who appeared to be a civil official from the Principality approached.
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[space_man][space_man]”Welcome to Vern. We are deeply grateful that you have responded to our request for reinforcements.”
[space_man][space_man]”Ultimately, it’s for the sake of my own country as well, so I feel uncomfortable being treated with such excessive courtesy.”
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[space_man][space_man]”Fufu, the Knight King of Lizel is as straightforward as the rumors say. I will also be staying in the barracks where you will be lodging, so please do not hesitate to ask me, Miranda, if you need anything.”
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[space_man][space_man]As I nodded to her faint smile, Captain Xenos, who had come up beside me, spoke in his characteristically booming voice, truly without hesitation.
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[space_man][space_man]”Thank you. Actually, I was counting on having dinner here, and I haven’t eaten yet.”
[space_man][space_man]”Ugh, Father… There’s a better way to say that.”
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[space_man][space_man]”It’s no problem at all. We have cooks standing by in the kitchen, so I’ll have them prepare something warm for you.”
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[space_man][space_man]She readily agreed, her eyes moving quickly to grasp the number of people who had gathered after dismounting from their Clawsolas, and then gave detailed instructions to one of the guards.
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[space_man][space_man]Ignoring Revia’s delighted mutter of “Yes!” beside me, I turned towards the increasingly loud sound of wheels and cobblestones, and a two-horse carriage entering the stableyard came into view.
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[space_man][space_man]”It seems that your country’s Resident Officer has also returned.”
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[space_man][space_man]As Ms. Miranda said, the carriage that slid in bore the Knight Kingdom’s emblem, a Westernized version of the Seiwa Genji family crest. Zaisel, who had welcomed us at the capital’s wall, opened the door and stepped out.
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[space_man][space_man]With the key personnel assembled, we moved to the staircase of the barracks, where the light of magic lamps leaked out. As we were about to enter our respective rooms to freshen up… Eleia, the silver-haired, blue-eyed mage, made a remark that stirred controversy.
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[space_man][space_man]”Please don’t worry about me. I’ll be staying in the same room as Onii-sama.”
[space_man][space_man]”Eh, but there’s only one bed in the room we’re borrowing, right?”
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[space_man][space_man]Revia’s question was valid. According to the prior explanation, the second-floor section we were provided was exclusively for knights and mages, and all the rooms were private.
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[space_man][space_man]However, despite the knights’ attention to their exchange, Lloyd, who was at the center of it all, declared cheerfully,
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[space_man][space_man]”It’s not unusual. She sometimes sneaks into my bed.”
[space_man][space_man]”In the winter, I warm up the bed for him♪”
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[space_man][space_man]”What are you two doing…”
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[space_man][space_man]As Kotono stepped away from the Lunavadis siblings, looking slightly taken aback, I watched Eleia’s triumphant expression with exasperation when I felt a tug on the sleeve of my knight uniform.
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[space_man][space_man]Turning to see what it was, the red-haired girl tilted her head with a mischievous gesture, taking the opportunity to tease me.
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[space_man][space_man]”Hey, Claude♪ Should we share a room too?”
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[space_man][space_man]Revia leaned against me, thinking I would be flustered, but unfortunately, thanks to Izana’s frequent sharing of my bed, I have developed a variety of resistances.
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[space_man][space_man]”Ah, the warmth of soft skin is not bad.”
[space_man][space_man]”Huh!? W-wait a minute!”
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[space_man][space_man]Using a technique taught to me by the one-eyed mage Sariel as a playful retort, I naturally wrapped my arm around her waist, pulled her closer, and embraced her tightly against my chest.
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[space_man][space_man]”Haugh… No, everyone’s watching…”
[space_man][space_man]”It’s alright, I’m just kidding.”
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[space_man][space_man]Revealing the joke, I patted the red-haired head and released the blushing Revia from my arms… but for some reason, Kotono’s cold gaze pierced me as well, making me realize that everyone else was at a loss for how to react.
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[space_man][space_man]After a few seconds of awkward silence, Fine cleared her throat cutely to lighten the mood.
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[space_man][space_man]”Your Majesty, that was self-destructive… or rather, going too far.”
[space_man][space_man]”I apologize. I misjudged the timing of my retreat.”
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[space_man][space_man]”Muu, a good relationship is…”
[space_man][space_man]”Don’t finish that sentence, Xenos.”
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[space_man][space_man]I interrupted the Knight Captain before he could say something I had heard before our departure.
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[space_man][space_man]Thinking about it objectively, if the Chief Magician or Izana’s attendant mage had witnessed this, I would surely be burdened with extra paperwork or abducted to an empty room for corrective guidance.
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[space_man][space_man]’…I should avoid behaving out of character. I’ll apologize later.’
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[space_man][space_man]While I was reflecting on this, glancing at the red-haired girl who had hung her head and fallen silent, everyone began to move, heading to their preferred rooms upstairs.
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[space_man][space_man]There was no point in staying here, so I started to walk away when Revia grabbed the hem of my jacket and looked at me with a somewhat resentful expression.
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[space_man][space_man]”… I desire pastries from “Honeycomb”.”
[space_man][space_man]”Alright, let’s make a deal.”
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[space_man][space_man]Keeping this small promise for after our return in mind, I went up to the second floor of the barracks and knocked on a random door to make sure no one was inside before entering.
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[space_man][space_man]There, I removed my sword belt and light armor, feeling lighter. After joining everyone for a late dinner in the downstairs dining hall, I used the simple shower provided in the officer’s quarters.
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[space_man][space_man]Since the battle would begin as early as tomorrow, or the day after at the latest, I slipped into bed without delay. Just as I was about to lose consciousness… I sensed the presence of someone I had just met in the hallway.