Episode 36. Rest to take the last step (1)
“Should I go?”
Tina grumbled, her hands in the pockets of her hooded sweatshirt.
“I have to go. It is a place to introduce the warriors who saved the empire and the kingdom from the demons.”
A few days ago, Seri contacted me.
He asked if I would send warriors to subdue the demon king, as if he thought that the Great War would not end unless he subdued the demon lord.
I replied that I would send it.
Then he talked about what it would be like to highly praise the achievements of the warriors and inform the people of the empire about the existence of the warriors.
Of course, I readily agreed.
Without them, not only the empire, but the entire human world would have been in great danger. I thought it was a very natural step to honor and reward them for their achievements.
“I haven’t even killed the demon king yet, so why are you making such a fuss? I was expecting a lot, but if I couldn’t kill even the demon king, I would curse a lot!”
“Huh. Tina doesn’t have the confidence to kill the demon king?”
“No! I am completely confident!”
Tina shouted in a fit of anger at Maria’s provocation. What kind of pride is she?
“But Tina has a point. She doesn’t understand why she wants to burden us. I have a reason to kill the demon king, so I have to kill him, but I don’t really want fame or money. I just want to live a peaceful life with her master like now.”
I understand their feelings.
They didn’t fight the demons as warriors, they obeyed my request.
It wasn’t for the sake of being welcomed by someone and raising one’s honor. They weren’t the ones who would be interested in such things.
So it was understandable to feel reluctance.
But.
“Your presence is necessary to restore stability to the Empire.”
“To find stability in the empire?”
“It is to calm the chaos of war by showing the people of the empire that we have strong power against the demons.”
Anyway, the tax collector has a really good head.
Heroes are a symbol of salvation in this world, so he must have thought that using them could change the atmosphere in the empire.
“I don’t care if the empire is unstable or not.”
Maria, who still has resentment towards the Empire, said while crossing her arms.
“…… It may be burdensome to introduce it in an official place where thousands or tens of thousands of people are watching, but it can’t be helped. Because you are already heroes and warriors who saved the empire.”
I said it as if it had nothing to do with my intentions, but in reality, I did not have a desire for the heroes to be known.
It is my wish that many people know what they have done so far, and it was also the happy ending I was hoping for.
“The more famous you become, the greater the burden that comes along, but the treatment will be different. If rumors spread that there is a hero among other races, no one will be able to ignore your people.”
I said while stroking Iris and Maria’s hair.
“So don’t feel too bad about it. Because they are good for each other.”
The two warriors accepted my hand and nodded. Fortunately, he seemed to understand.
Tina, who was quietly listening to the story, touched her chin and thought about something seriously before snapping her fingers.
“Then, to become famous, should I ask Emperor Se-ri for a huge piece of land?! I’m asking for about a quarter of an empire! And then, just like a nobleman, he builds a mansion and lives there!”
“Ohh!”
Iris and Maria sympathize with Tina’s absurdity.
Did you know that 1/4 of the empire’s territory is much larger than the grand duke’s territory?
Even if they received that amount of territory, if they did not have the power to govern the territory, the people of the empire would suffer as a result.
At the level of Tina’s head, she couldn’t have thought and said that much, so she thought it would be better for her to listen to her lightly passing words.
“…… Enough of the small talk, let’s go when you’re ready.”
It was time to depart.
* * *
“Welcome, Prause.”
Se-Ri was sitting upright in a dress with gorgeous decorations. Now that she was facing her, it was a feeling that reminded her that she had become a true empress.
“Does the clothes fit well?”
It wasn’t about the dress he was wearing, it was about the position of the emperor. A tax collector would immediately understand what I meant.
“…… Are you pretty?”
…… Wasn’t it?!
“It’s pretty.”
“Are you the prettiest in the world?”
“…… Okay.”
“Then…… Do you think you will fall in love?”
Seeing Se-Ri’s confident expression, I hated her somehow. A few years ago, she had such a low self-esteem that she wondered if she was the kind of person who couldn’t make eye contact with her.
“Ah! The emperor plays tricks on his master! Master is mine! I won’t give it to you!”
“… ….”
Tina says, holding onto my body. I hope she didn’t provoke Seri for nothing……. Maybe you can turn into a yandere?
“Huh… ….”
“Master is not a teaser.”
“Right. Master is mine.”
“It’s not even Maria.”
Oh, is it Iris?
“Then who is it?”
“It’s ours.”
…… Iris, the answer is bread point. I’m not a thing, where are yours and mine?
“If you keep saying that, will I say mine too?”
I pressed my forehead against the already overwhelming fatigue. Seri silently watched the trio of warriors with her eyes narrower than before.
As she was about to open her mouth, I jumped ahead.
“I don’t think I’ll fall in love with you because I’m pretty…… Now that I’m confident, I don’t think I’ll have to worry.”
“…… Something like the feelings of her parents who are barely relieved after letting their child become independent.”
She put on a bewildered look at my answer, then burst into laughter.
“Ha ha, just kidding. I’m so lacking as an emperor, so I’m borrowing little by little the power of Obama. Like Prauss, Obama gave hints instead of telling us directly. Thanks to that, the burden of running the empire is lightened.”
“I see. Seri, you’re competent, so if you continue like you are now, there won’t be any problems.”
“Then would you like to marry that talented woman?”
“…… What?”
“Ah, is this ‘seriously’?”
The heads of the three warriors, who were arguing, turned to Seri. Alas, you brought up a sensitive issue.
This is probably a declaration of war against the hero.
I could feel the will of the tax collector not to monopolize me.
“Now is not the time to talk about such things.”
I heard a creak from behind and turned around.
In the hallway in front of the door, I was contemplating whether or not an imperial knight would come in. When our eyes met, he hurriedly came in and saluted.
“Your Majesty, all preparations are complete. We also installed surveillance magic to show the hero’s performance, and there is no problem with the loudspeaker.”
“Okay. Go right away.”
Serri slowly got up and answered.
“Yes!”
“Oh, and.”
“Yes!”
“Don’t say what you just heard. If there are any bad rumors about me about Prause, it’s because you talked about it. You’d better be prepared for it then.”
An infinitely cold voice echoes hollowly in the room. The knight stunned and took a half step back. Facing Se-Ri’s glaring eyes, the knight swallowed her breath and opened her mouth.
“…… Yes, yes!”
“Okay then, let’s go. Prause.”
From noble mtl dot com
Wow…. ?
Since I was absent-mindedly, tax collector came up to me with a bashful smile and whispered in my ear.
“Or is it better to call you Mr. Seo?”
“…… Prause is enough.”
I reluctantly answered. I’m really weak
“Yes. Prause.”
He gently touches my arm and smiles meaningfully as he walks away. Where did you learn to look like this nerd? I never really taught…….
“Huh~ Your forearms are strong.”
I sighed as I looked at the back of Seri’s head as she left the room with a sly smile.
“Ah! I mean, even the master refuses! Don’t just listen!”
“Right! I’m sure you don’t intend to have an affair with us, but openly doing this…… !”
“It’s good to make sure that you have a relationship with the opposite s*x, Master. Otherwise, I will kidnap you to a remote island.”
Here is an added reason to sigh.
* * *
“By the way, it’s been over a month since Prause’s father passed away, right?”
“…… Yes.”
Has time already passed like that?
“Are you okay?”
“Thanks to those kids.”
I said while glancing at the tax collector from behind, pointing with my thumb at the shy warriors. Thanks to the warriors who didn’t give me a chance to be depressed, I was able to quickly get out of my gloomy mood.
After Parocco’s death, the warriors were also depressed for a week, but they began to behave as usual, saying that they couldn’t live like this forever.
As we acted according to that, we soon regained our daily lives and were able to act as we always did.
“I’m glad. Because those kids are by Prause’s side.”
“I think so too. I am truly grateful.”
Seri looked at me happily and raised the corner of her mouth.
“Prause.”
“Huh?”
“Hasn’t it become quite frank? The tone is still a little stiff.”
“I see.”
I wonder if it’s because it stays until the facial expression control is completely turned off? Or is it because I temporarily accepted Parocco as my father?
It wouldn’t be a bad thing either way.
“Something…… Now I feel like I’m looking straight ahead.”
“…… What do you mean?”
“Because Prause didn’t seem to be very impressed with whoever’s work. Even if it’s your job.”
Somehow, it felt like I was stabbed in the right direction.
“Because I accepted every situation as if it were someone else’s business, I was able to act more rationally than anyone else, and I was always able to resolve situations wisely.”
“Is that so?”
“When I saw Prause like that, I said he was great, but on the other hand, I felt something distant.”
As I listened without saying anything, the tax collector waved his hand as if he was embarrassed.
“Oh, of course! It’s my personal feeling. There really is no way Prause would be indifferent to his work.”
“…… It may not be completely wrong.”
Because I thought this world was simply a game world until I met the World Tree.
Even though I said I would accept it as reality, it was not easy to admit it because of the gap I felt whenever the knowledge I knew matched this worldview.
“But I am me.”
I am Prause in this world. Even if the soul dwelling inside is different, this fact does not change.
“Yes. Prause is Prause.”
Se-ri let out a big smile as if she was worrying for nothing.
“…… There is only one step left.”
“I see.”
Subdue the demon lord.
There was only one step left.
She stopped her steps before going out onto the terrace.
The knights guiding her also stopped at the same time. Seri slowly turned her body and looked up at me, then raised her mouth.
“Listen to my speech today! It will make the Empire’s people praise the warriors! And proudly subdue the demon lord and come back. When I return, I will be responsible for the compensation and I will give you anything.”
She shouted confidently, holding out her hand to me. I stared at it and caught it. She feels strength in her grip.
“Yes.”