Late night after the banquet ended.
In the place where the Imperial Princess and Lionel had been chatting a few hours earlier.
Two men stood there.
The Emperor and Richard.
A night wind quietly brushed over the deserted terrace.
Beside the table, one of the flower pots from the banquet hall sat completely withered.
"…So that is what it means."
The Emperor, who had been staring at it for a while, opened his mouth.
Whatever the Imperial Princess wished, this was a separate matter. A Guardian Knight was, before being the Princess's limbs, a knight who had sworn a knight's oath.
Reporting what he saw and heard to His Majesty was the duty given to him, and that duty stood above even the Princess's orders.
So in a situation like this, the Princess's request carried virtually no meaning.
"The necklace I gifted was, in truth, draining the children's vitality."
They were items he had gone to great lengths to obtain within the Tower for the two children born weak by nature.
The appraisal was perfect, and the Origin Script was perfect. Even the divinity connected to this ornament had been utterly appropriate.
Equipment that restores vitality is not all that common. It could be counted on one hand.
He had never considered that the two ornaments might have a problem.
The Emperor's expression hardened. With his eyes faintly open, wrinkles formed between his brows.
Richard could not particularly answer.
Because he had nothing to say.
After all, it was only natural that His Majesty would feel worse than anyone.
Tap.
The Emperor touched the dried plant and lightly pressed one leaf with his fingertip.
"When the necklace was put on, it became like that before one could even count to ten."
Richard always had to keep his gaze fixed on the Imperial Princess and Imperial Prince, so he had watched the entire process, including the plant having its vitality drained.
Rustle….
The dry leaf crumbled down powerlessly.
If so, if they had kept wearing the necklace.
Did that not mean his children would someday crumble away just like that dry leaf?
The Emperor's gaze remained on the leaf.
His thoughts deepened.
"…I owe a debt to the Duke."
The Emperor muttered lowly.
"Who, you say?"
"…Lionel, a child taken in by the Doloris Ducal Family."
"…A child?"
"He is said to be thirteen this year."
He felt surprise at the fact that a child of thirteen had accomplished such a thing, but.
The Emperor had already seen countless geniuses by then.
Of course, that his talent was as a Blacksmith and Appraiser was unusual and surprising, but….
That was all.
For a noble family, especially a ducal family, gathering talented children was common enough.
"…You said it was Compatibility."
"Yes."
Normally, Compatibility theory is something only wandering swindlers bring up.
"…Has the Duke belatedly opened her eyes to superstition?"
But for that to be so.
"…She is far too wise."
She does not make choices that result in loss.
Moreover… the illness was cured?
This must all point to the same thing.
Step.
The Emperor slowly turned his body.
"You said he retrieved the two necklaces."
"He said she would separately craft ornaments for both of Their Highnesses."
An interesting story.
The Emperor repeated that inwardly.
He discovered a problem and said he would resolve it.
Also.
The moment his identity was doubted, the Duke's guarantee followed for that child.
Also….
The moment the Duke warned that the child must 'definitely' be sent back.
His value was as good as proven.
In the Empire, it was not common for a noble of ducal rank to step forward to protect something.
"Richard."
"Yes."
"Tell them not to spare support for the ornaments that child will craft."
"I will do so."
And.
For saving my children.
Rustle.
The dried leaf of the flower pot was blown by the wind and completely crumbled.
I should give a certain reward separately.
"I shall grant the Three-Lion Emblem."
"……!"
"Since he saved a member of the imperial family, would this not be appropriate?"
In the Empire, there is no one who does not know the value of the golden plaque engraved with three lions.
Moreover.
If the recipient was a child of only thirteen…
But since the Emperor had said it was appropriate, it was therefore appropriate.
"…You are quite right."
Richard bowed his head.
***
"Let's hurry home."
After finishing my conversation with the Imperial Princess, I swiped the two necklaces and left the banquet hall to get into the carriage.
If I openly carried the necklaces out, attention would all focus on me, so for now I put them in my bosom and came out. They kept whining, which was also noisy.
I wondered where the carriage was, and found it had been parked together in something like a parking lot.
I spent some time finding it.
Dolores and Ruby seemed busy, and the banquet seemed to be over, so I came to the carriage first.
I had told them I would go to the carriage first, and they said they understood.
After all, to return home, they would have to come here.
I am really sorry, but right now the banquet or whatever is not important.
I need to go back right away and hit this and that and do all sorts of things.
I sat in the carriage and slowly looked at the two necklaces.
"…Should I try wearing one?"
What, I have an experimental spirit.
I felt like I might get a sense of it if I tried it on once.
A heaven of curiosity.
I grasped the pendant in my hand.
Honestly, directly hanging the Moonlight Essence was a bit scary, so I only tried the Sun Rising around my neck.
Click.
"……."
I closed my eyes and savored it. Was it the placebo effect? Somehow my eyes felt a little heavy.
[Brother, take it off.]
"Okay."
Clink.
Certainly, since I had only worn it briefly.
It did not seem to show an immediate effect on humans.
Just wearing it for a few seconds, I could not confirm any noticeable change.
Then the Moonlight Essence vibrated.
Whirrr!
Let it hum all it wants.
Once we get home, you are finished. After plenty of research, of course.
"Do not worry too much. I will treat you with the utmost respect."
Of course, outwardly I treated it politely.
I did not know why, but it seemed to understand words from earlier.
…Whir.
Well, look at that. It is quiet again because I am polite.
Well, I do kind of like bringing trouble on myself.
There is no need to earn the resentment of a god.
What a funny necklace.
Slam.
"You startled me!"
Because the carriage door suddenly opened, I almost dropped the necklace.
"…Lionel."
Dolores's expression was somehow unusual.
A slight tension lingered on her always gentle face.
"Dolores? Why, what is wrong?"
Dolores did not answer right away and climbed into the carriage.
Slide.
She closed the door and hugged me tightly.
Soft.
It was sudden, but it did not feel bad, so I stayed quietly in her arms.
"…His Majesty is looking for you."
"……."
His Majesty means…
The Emperor.
I had thought he might look for me, but I did not expect it to be so soon.
"…Then I."
I carefully opened my mouth.
"Should I not go?"
"…Just a moment."
Slide.
Her arms around me tightened faintly.
"…Stay like this just a little longer."
"……."
I stayed quietly in her arms and waited.
[She must be worried.]
About what?
Did I do something wrong?
I thought I had been as polite as possible.
Moreover, if he is the one summoning me, it cannot be a bad thing.
[……Hmm.]
[If brother is too capable….]
[After all, the Emperor is higher than Dolores?]
…Ah.
So that was what it was.
Only then did I understand what she meant.
My opinion might not be respected. I might be taken away by the Emperor.
That was it.
I grasped the arms wrapped around me.
"Do not worry."
Flinch.
"I am a child of the Doloris Ducal Family."
Because I was in her arms, I could not see her face, but.
I felt her shoulders stiffen slightly.
For a while, she stroked my head.
Slide… slide….
"I had prepared myself… but I suppose I was startled for a moment."
Only then did her arms loosen, and Dolores pulled her upper body away.
Peck.
She lightly pressed her lips to my forehead and smiled gently.
She recovers quickly. That is a relief.
"Let us go, Lionel."
Slide.
Dolores held out her hand to me.
I grasped that hand tightly and got out of the carriage.
Normally, to meet the Emperor, it was customary to go to the audience chamber of the Imperial Palace, but.
'…Today, it was decided that the audience would be held at the banquet hall.'
It was Dolores's words.
Ruby temporarily entrusted identity protection to the personnel of a nearby count's family.
Clack.
Step.
The banquet hall we returned to was completely different from a few hours earlier.
The bustling noise, the band's music, and the people's laughter had all vanished.
A few backs are illuminated at the end of the tidied hall.
And at that end.
Upon the throne at the seat of honor.
Only the Emperor sat alone.
Beside him, a woman in armor with yellow hair, and.
Richard, the Guardian Knight of the Imperial Princess who had been with us earlier, stood there.
The atmosphere was completely different.
Feeling tension, I tightly held Dolores's hand.
Dolores stopped before the throne.
Slide.
She placed one hand on her chest and bowed.
"…I greet Your Majesty."
I lowered myself as I had learned beside her.
I bent one knee and bowed my head.
Having done this once or twice, I had gotten somewhat used to it.
"…It is late at night, Duke.
A low voice echoed through the hall.
"Thank you for responding to my sudden request."
"I am honored."
Dolores answered calmly.
"This child is the one from the 'Ducal Family' that Your Majesty sought."
"……."
A moment of silence passed.
Just as the back of my bowed head began to prickle slightly.
"Raise your head."
I slowly raised my head.
"This is a place for rewards for merit. There is no need for either of us to speak at length."
"…I am honored."
"What you saw, how you knew, what you will do next. That belongs to you, so keep it in your grasp."
The Emperor continued calmly.
"Richard."
"Yes."
Richard, who had been standing behind the throne, quietly stepped forward.
"Bring it."
In his hand was a small golden box.
Click.
When Richard opened its lid and held it out to us.
I felt Dolores's body beside me tremble.
I looked down into it.
There lay a platinum-colored plaque.
On it, three lions were roaring magnificently.
The craftsmanship was considerable; the texture of the manes and the eyes showed it was not a hastily made item.
Even if asked to replicate it exactly, it would be difficult.
"…Your Majesty. For a child to receive it, it is still too early……."
"Hahaha!"
The Emperor burst into loud laughter.
Laughter echoed through the hall.
"…Too early, you say, when it is no different from saving the life of an imperial family member."
"……."
"The suspicion about that necklace would probably not have been raised until the day my children entered their graves."
Sigh.
Soon, the Emperor wiped the laughter from his face and leaned back against the throne.
"…Duke, do you know when I last granted this plaque?"
"……I know."
"Of course you do. The last family to receive this plaque was also the Doloris Ducal Family."
Huh?
I looked up at Dolores.
She said nothing and merely looked at the Emperor.
So Mama received this plaque too.
It feels a little different.
"I am merely pleased to grant it to the Ducal Family once again. Do you not think age is irrelevant?"
"…You are right."
"Receive it."
This time, it was said to me.
I received the golden box.
"…Thank you."
"There is no need to consider age when paying a price."
I received it preciously and wrapped it in my arms.
"You said you would craft ornaments."
"Yes."
"I will not spare any necessary support, so before you leave, tell Richard."
"…Thank you."
The Emperor looked down at me for a moment and smiled faintly.
"A human Blacksmith."
"……."
"I thought its line had been cut off after the Tower opened."
He nodded and leaned his body back against the throne.
"That it has arisen again is unexpected even to me."
"I am doing my best."
I answered briefly.
After all, how and where I learned what was not something to discuss now.
"…I see."
The Emperor gave a short nod.
And then.
Slide.
"However."
"……Yes."
"Is there any reason to go all the way back to the ducal territory?"
For a moment, I did not understand what he meant.
"…After all, once the items are completed, you will return here."
The Emperor continued calmly.
"Rather than wasting days on travel and rest, would it not be enough to send the Duke back first?"
"……."
Ah.
So this was it.
The Emperor is telling me to remain here.
"There is a place for you, conveniently."
The Emperor's voice became quite gentle.
"In this palace, there are several smithies left by past generations. They are the largest and finest facilities built by humanity in that era."
"……."
"It has been long since the line of those who used them was severed, but their maintenance was not neglected."
Slide.
He fully pulled away from the throne and leaned his upper body toward me.
"For crafting something… there will be no place as good as that."
The largest and finest smithy built by humanity.
Saying such a thing to a Blacksmith.
'That is cheating.'
A story anyone would be thrilled by.
I looked back at Dolores.
She said nothing.
What had Mama asked for in her message a few hours ago?
-That the child returns to his own home.
She was someone who had asked for exactly two things.
Perhaps sensing that one of the two might be overturned, she clenched her hand tightly.
I looked at that hand, and then.
"……!"
The moment Dolores held back and opened her mouth to say something.
"Tojar's Thunder Hammer is."
I quickly opened my mouth first.
I dislike conflict.
"It is the finest 'forging' hammer personally forged by Thunderlight Tojar. There is no object more optimized for use in a smithy."
Was that so?
Well, thinking about it, it might have been.
Hammers are all about the same, anyway.
The trace of laughter faded slightly from the Emperor's voice.
"The one I love and treasure most."
Slide.
"And also, since it is a precious hammer without which I can never work."
A precious hammer—at least this much was true.
I smiled faintly and added.
"If I do not return, there is no other way."
There is no need to discuss politics.
I cannot leave someone's side; I am someone's child.
There is no need for such words.
If a craftsman says he will retrieve his hammer, who would add anything to that?
The Emperor heard my words and gave a cold smile.
"……Then do as you wish.'
Then he gestured.
"Return."
I bowed my head deeply.
If he had insisted, there would have been any number of ways.
'Bring the hammer and work.'
One word would have ended it.
But he did not do so.
He might have respected me, a mere brat, or he might have understood my intention.
Clack.
We bowed and walked through the empty hall.
But somehow, it was strange.
Even though we turned the corner and were no longer visible to the Emperor.
Clack clack.
Dolores walked beside me without a word, but.
Her expression was blank.
She is not holding my hand. She held it while walking when we came.
I looked up at her face. Was she angry?
Was it because she thought it would not do, or should I have accepted?
With such worries, I passed the end of the corridor and went through the door.
Creak.
Thud.
The door closed behind me.
Just as I carefully opened my mouth.
"Um, Mama, I…."
Whoosh!
"……Huh?!"
Before I could even finish speaking.
Thump.
Dolores lifted me up and hugged my whole body.
She pressed my face firmly against her chest.
Thump, thump.
From the fast beating of her heart, despite her calm face, I could feel how nervous she had been.
And.
Dolores quietly whispered.
"…Tojar's Thunder Hammer."
"Yes."
"Did you not say it was not a forging hammer?"
"Hmm…."
I answered with a small laugh.
"Who knows? If used well, it might be usable."
Thump, thump, thump.
Dolores's heartbeat still showed no sign of settling.
She met my eyes.
Her eyes, facing me up close, felt slightly different from usual.
They were gentle as always, but.
"……."
A faint heat rippled within them.
Peck.
And then.
She lightly kissed my forehead.
"…I almost."
Her arms around me tightened again.
Squeeze….
"…I thought you would be taken from me."
Dolores said that and went down the banquet hall stairs.
"Duke…?"
"Who is in your arms…."
The pillar that had hidden us disappeared, and surrounding gazes focused on us, but.
"Let us go home."
Dolores did not care at all.
"All right."
When I answered.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
The sound of her heartbeat also quickened.