Kurt III had taken the throne with the support of all the magic towers, led by the great magician Blundell. In many ways, when Kurt III was first crowned, he was essentially a puppet king of the Magic Society. He had only been twenty when he first jumped into the battlefield against the Andras Empire as king of Meltor.
Decades of bloodshed had transformed the boy king into a sober eyed king. He raised strong soldiers with a firm system of reward and punishment. However, he was also flexible enough to understand what magicians needed to be successful. His rule was governed by principles of reward and punishment, which had grown the kingdom to its greatest height since its founding.
This was the ideal ruler for the current Meltor Kingdom, Kurt III. Theo had grown up in Kurt III’s reign, and knew his achievements.
If they’re logical and rational, he will listen to anyone’s arguments.
All of Theo’s problems had narrowed to one. It wasn’t how to persuade the king, but how to talk to the king alone. Theo had some accomplishments to his name, but it was still difficult to meet the king personally. It was only possible for the tower masters and the top nobles of the kingdom.
However, his worries were wiped away in short order as Kurt III asked Theo to join him for dinner.
“Theo, it’s time.”
They would not be accompanied by nobles or servants, so they could discuss confidential matters. Theo, who wanted to avoid the attention of others as much as possible, accepted the invitation without hesitation. He had no idea that things would be resolved so easily.
He opened the door with a much lighter heart.
“Yes, I’ll go straight away.”
The middle-aged man waiting for Theo was the one who had delivered Kurt III’s invitation. The royal chamberlain, Douglas, was well known as the person who had risen from being a commoner to becoming the closest to the king. Despite his status, he had an unusually personable air about him.
“I will guide you there. Ah, if you’re feeling uncomfortable…”
“It’s okay.”
“Then we will proceed as scheduled. Follow me please.”
Theo was below him in standing, but Douglas treated him without discrimination. He didn’t care if Theo was a hero or too youthful. Douglas just served with an attitude that didn’t mix in any personal feelings. This faithfulness to his duties was probably what had caught Kurt III’s eyes.
In any case, all the preparations for dinner were done.
“His Majesty is waiting inside.”
Douglas stopped in front of a gorgeously lavish door. The patterns symbolizing the magic towers were harmoniously intertwined with the patterns symbolizing the royal family.
It meant that neither side was above or below the other as pillars of the Meltor Kingdom. The implication might annoy some authoritarian nobles, but independent magicians felt a strong sense of belonging when they saw it.
The man standing at the top of the Meltor Kingdom was waiting.
… Let’s go.
Theo placed his hand on the lavish door without shrinking back. He paused for a moment as he wondered whether there was weight reduction magic on the door. The door felt light under his palm, and he had no trouble opening it.
The scene beyond the door unfolded silently.
“Eek.”
Theo forgot all the words he planned in advance.
***
Theo had no idea how the situation had come to this. It had been a stroke of fortune that he had obtained a private meeting with Kurt III. The meeting place was the chamberlain’s own dining room, so it was fairly secure from eavesdropping.
However, he had not expected this variable.
“Now, ahh—” Veronica speared a big chunk of meat with her fork and raised it to Theo’s mouth.
Parents might do this with their children, or lovers. It wasn’t behavior that Theo could endure right under the king’s watchful eye.
He stammered, “T-Tower Master.”
Veronica frowned. “What, do you dislike me feeding you?”
“That isn’t…”
It was hard to turn her down, so Theo eventually opened his mouth obediently. He felt like a child. It also completely demolished the opportunity for a serious conversation.
Fortunately, Kurt III interrupted the interesting exchange. “Haha, this is the first time I’ve seen this. Veronica doesn’t take care of anyone, so she must be quite taken with you, Theo.”
Theo’s eyes widened. “Y-Your Majesty!”
Kurt III chuckled. “Don’t be shy. I called this tomboy so that you could relax, so please do so.”
So, the culprit was the king. Theo snuck an appraising glance at him. So even Veronica didn’t dare interrupt the king’s meal without permission. In a sense, it was a small consideration, but it had turned out a little awkward. Theo sighed deeply, looking like a person who didn’t get a good night’s sleep.
Well, it can’t be helped.
There was also a chance that Veronica would side with him. The situation was different from what he’d expected, but it didn’t change what he needed to do. He conversed with the two of them while waiting for the right time to bring up what he wanted to talk about.
I don’t know if it’ll be more appropriate to talk about it after a few dishes and drinks…
They talked about what had happened in Elvenheim. Theo described the five, out of six, high elves he’d met. He also mentioned the power of a guardian’s arrow.
As he described the razor’s edge battle with Laevateinn, the thirsty Veronica and Kurt III often emptied and refilled their drinks. One person was a ruler of a kingdom, while the other was too strong to go on adventures. So they lived vicariously through his stories.
By the time Theo’s eventful tale stopped, it was time for dessert and tea.
Kurt III exhaled and muttered softly, “… How great. I also want to live like you.”
“I am undeserving of those words.”
“It is a good thing that I issued you the national treasure. Some might say that I had a vision, but it was just luck. This is why the king shouldn’t be stingy.” Kurt III gulped down the last of his alcohol and placed his empty glass on the table.
The king had already gone through a few bottles with Veronica, but his purple eyes weren’t shaken at all. His expression was as attentive as always as he asked Theo, “So, what do you wish for now?”
Theo started in his seat. “…!?”
“Don’t say there’s nothing. At the very least, you must be thinking about something. I’ve listened to your story happily, but that isn’t the point of this dinner.” ｂ𝚍ｎｏ𝚟ｌ.
Theo bowed his head as he struggled not to reveal the astonishment on his face. He was worried about showing a disgraceful expression in front of the king. Kurt III had a friendly presence, but this was the man who had ushered in Meltor’s golden age.
Fortunately, he managed to maintain his composure.
“… I’ll be honest.”
There was no point beating around the bush. Regardless of who spoke first, the hierarchy didn’t change. Although he was a hero of the kingdom, he still had to be respectful.
When he was done, Veronica and Kurt III’s faces were carefully neutral.
Veronica didn’t say anything, while Kurt III asked, “Leave? Right now?”
From a practical standpoint, this was the most effective time to keep Theodore Miller in the spotlight. He had the biggest merit in the Elvenheim mission. He had embarrassed the Andras Empire and elevated the kingdom’s status. If Theo captured this opportunity correctly, he could become a marquis or an earl. If he desired, he could even receive the treatment of an elder in the Magic Society.
Kurt’s voice betrayed his confusion. “You also accomplished something remarkable with the book you took from the Zero Library last time. Thanks to you, the completed version of Battle Song has increased Meltor’s military strength by 10% across the board.”
It was a feat that had fueled Theo’s rise to the Superior rank as the fastest in history. Nobody even cared that he had claimed that the original book had been destroyed in the process.
Theo’s existence was like a good luck charm for the Meltor Kingdom. The royal family and nobles were very happy to nourish their relationship with him with more rewards.
“I will give you the right to take another book from the Zero Library.”
“……”
“It isn’t just one book. As a Prime, you have the right to freely rent any books in there. Isn’t it much more efficient to train in such a rich environment?”
“… Your Majesty.” Theo understood Kurt III’s feelings.
From the standpoint of his country, Kurt III couldn’t let Theo go so easily. The king wasn’t concerned about betrayal. However, Veronica had already confirmed Theo as a Tower Master candidate, and Elvenheim treated him as a national guest. It was very difficult to let such an excellent young man out of his sight. The king was also worried about the empire’s reprisal, who would be furious after this incident.
However, Theo didn’t bend. “Your Majesty, please understand my heart.”
“You…”
Theo added, “This last mission gave me a clue to reach the 6th Circle. The thing I require is different from wrestling with ink in my room.”
Theo raised his head to meet Kurt III’s grim gaze head on. There wasn’t any killing intent or fighting spirit in Theo’s eyes, but his will was communicated clearly. A heavy expression appeared on Kurt III’s face as he turned toward Veronica, who had been struggling for a while.
The moment that Theo’s expression started darkening…
“… Hoo, I don’t know,” Kurt III muttered.
All of a sudden, something flew toward Theo.
Tak.
Theo reflexively caught the item. It was a thin, but heavy metal bracelet, Theo could feel it brimming with magic power. It was bare of any decorations, but it was an accessory the king himself had been wearing.
Before Theo could ask what it was, Kurt spoke quietly, “It’s a self-defense artifact made by the Yellow Tower Master. I don’t know if it will help you, but it is better than nothing.”
Theo stared at him in surprise. “Y-Your Majesty.”
“As soon as you leave this room, you will be struck with inspiration and won’t leave your laboratory for a few months. It isn’t an uncommon phenomenon. Isn’t that right?”
“… Yes, that’s right,” Theo agreed slowly.
Theodore Miller was too famous. If he left the kingdom openly, he would be in constant danger of being assassinated. As such, using the fact that magicians were often shut up in a room while involved in research, they would make it seem like Theo was still in Meltor. It wasn’t a perfect camouflage, but it would buy him some time.
In other words, it was the same as allowing Theo to leave.
After making the drastic decision, Kurt touched his left forearm a few times. Then he turned toward Theo and said, “Then it is time for you to go. There is a lot of preparation needed to stay in a room for a few months.”
“… Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty,” Theo replied in a small, trembling voice before leaving.
The benefits which Kurt III mentioned were privileges that hardly anyone else enjoyed. Theo had been offered the chance to freely rent books from the Zero Library, and be treated as an elder. It was a huge kindness that the king had granted Theo’s request.
Theo’s heart was beating wildly, and a strange heat spread from it. He now understood why so many people praised the cold Kurt III.
***
After Theo left the room, Kurt III and Veronica were silent as they sipped their bitter tea. Then they finished off their desserts. Finally, someone broke the silence.
“… It was surprising.”
“Huh?” Veronica glanced inquiringly at Kurt III.
“I thought you would say that you want to follow him. Since it’s rare for the Red Tower Master to do any work directly, I was going to allow it if you grabbed my collar and shook me.”
The Blue Tower Master and Red Tower Master… It would be painful for one of the two pillars of the Meltor Kingdom to leave for any time, but that was how valuable Theodore Miller was.
Theo was a magician who seemed blessed by the heavens. He had become stronger at a monstrous rate, leaving behind achievements the likes of which were only seen in old stories. Theo was a youth who seemed to be walking the path of a hero.
Veronica looked down with a strange expression. “Umm, I wanted to follow him too.”
“But?”
“I was going to go with him, but then, I thought… I don’t want to deal with him at this age.”
This time, Kurt III was the one who made a strange expression. “Was there an incident?”
Veronica licked her dry lips lightly. “I thought he would catch up with me in ten years, but now, it feels like five might be enough.”
The sight of the red tongue moving smoothly could shake the heart of any man. Even though it was only a quarter, Veronica had inherited the lineage of a red dragon. The desires and passion running through her blood could never be compared to normal humans. It was the fate of every generation of draconians to ignite desire in both men and women.
Veronica’s instincts, inherited from her blood, were singing.
“… Perhaps I won’t be able to call him a kid anymore.”
Her heart beat violently as she looked at the door through which Theo had left.