“Johann!”
“Oh, Karina. Did you wait long?”
“No, not at all. Did you have a good conversation? You’re quite the noble one, aren’t you?”
“What?”
“Pardon?”
“…Right, I was quite the noble one.”
Looks like he was nailing the whole noble saint cosplay in front of Karina. How did he hold back those innuendoes? I pushed away the question that popped up in my mind and grabbed Karina’s hand.
“Isn’t that right? That person taught me a lot of things. Like how to use sacred power efficiently… how to handle sacred power during healing, the usage of sacred magic that only a saint can use…”
“Seems like they taught you a lot.”
“They even cheered for our relationship.”
I felt like he was telling me to hurry up and confess.
Couldn’t he just act a bit noble towards me too? Why does he act all noble towards Karina while treating me like some local aunt?
Ah, I suddenly wanted to expose him.
Karina wouldn’t believe it anyway, and even if she did, she’d just be shocked, so I wasn’t planning to do it. There was no reason for Karina to be shocked because of me.
“I’m glad. They told me they were cheering for us too.”
“That’s a public endorsement from Sabrina. Hehe…”
Karina and I strolled leisurely towards Yeomyeong-gwan, chatting along the way. From what happened during the past month to the story about the sealed Dragon, we talked for a while before stopping momentarily as Yeomyeong-gwan came into view.
“A bit disappointing… Should we take another walk?”
“Taking another lap wouldn’t be bad.”
“Hehe, a moonlit date~”
I was a bit hungry, but I could always eat later. I walked down the moonlit path with Karina.
——————-
“Hey, how’s the state of the seal around the Dragon?”
“Sir Kalintz! It’s still intact, but the seal is slowly deteriorating! If we don’t make any repairs, it’s expected that the seal will break within a week!”
“A week, huh…”
“I should start calling that Geren guy soon.”
If the Dragon, which had been sealed by the entire continent hundreds of years ago, was about to be revived, Geren would surely rush over excitedly. I had a plan to call over all the famous mercenaries and knights who were somewhat known for their strength on the continent.
Compared to a well-trained army, we might not measure up, but it was still a necessary action.
The Dragon was the kind of being that had to be dealt with like that.
Just knowing the timing of its resurrection didn’t mean it would be easy to subdue.
“Let’s hope it ends easily…”
“Sir Kalintz, you look troubled.”
“Prince Killian, you’ve arrived?”
Kalintz looked at the armored Prince Killian. The Third Prince fell from grace due to being possessed by a Demon, and the First Prince got kicked out of the Emperor’s favor for acting up at the banquet.
The Second Prince, who was naturally designated as the heir, asked with a gentle smile.
“Are you worried?”
“The survival of this Empire, no, the continent is at stake. How could I not be worried?”
“With all the troops of the Empire gathered here, I believe we can defeat the Dragon.”
Prince Killian’s words brimmed with confidence. But Kalintz couldn’t help but see through his subtly stiff expression.
“Sounds like empty bravado…”
But it wasn’t wrong to throw some bravado. Just being out on a battlefield—especially one that could determine the outcome of the continent—was a heavy burden.
For a rookie who had never experienced war, it was an immense responsibility.
Still, the Second Prince volunteered to take on the position of commander to seize the opportunity that had come his way. Of course, he was just a figurehead commander, but even so, there would be some merit in achieving a feat.
“Gotta make a solid impression this time!”
There might never be another chance like this again. Even if he just went with the flow, it was a prime occasion for achieving great merit. So, the Second Prince took the commander position, delegating strategies and tactics to the experts.
It would be more efficient to leave strategies to the pros while he just roamed around cheering. It wouldn’t mean anything for someone without experience like him to barge in and give pointers.
“The battle with the Dragon will be very dangerous. Although the elite forces of each country are arriving, I think it’s hard to predict the odds of victory.”
“If you’re saying that, it must be true.”
Prince Killian nodded solemnly to his words. Having lived in submission his whole life, he had a knack for grasping reality.
“I hope when the fight breaks out, you’ll stay in the rear.”
“Feeling guilty just staying back here after coming all this way.”
“Prince Killian, you will be the one to lead the Empire in the future. If you were to return, the Empire would fall into great chaos.”
With only one legitimate successor left in the Empire, his words carried a deep concern for the Empire.
“To think such a heavy responsibility is being placed on my shoulders… it truly weighs down on me.”
“Still, you must see it through, Prince Killian.”
“…I’ll do my best as long as I’m able.”
“Surely, your character is better than that of the First and Third Princes.”
The Second Prince might also have some shortcomings in being Emperor, but at least he wasn’t a troublemaker. Kalintz felt somewhat bittersweet as he spoke to Prince Killian.
“Then I’ll take my leave for now. I have matters to attend to.”
“Take care.”
Kalintz turned and walked towards where Geren was. It was much quicker for him to head out himself than to send someone else.
—————
“Uncle, is that a Dragon Slayer?”
“Yeah.”
“It looks a bit peculiar…”
“It’s made for a special purpose.”
I couldn’t use swords like that, so a special device is required to use the Dragon Slayer comfortably. I still needed some practice with it, though…
“You’re good at coming up with stuff like this, Uncle. It’s impressive…”
As she said that, Viola hugged me from behind. Her head naturally rested on my shoulder. Maybe she was being spoiled since there was no one around.
Viola got shy surprisingly easily, so moments like this happened only in the workshop.
She actually had a lot of cute sides to her.
“Viola.”
“Yeah?”
“Can you step aside for a moment?”
“Step aside?”
“Yeah.”
Viola tilted her head but stood next to me as I asked. I turned my body toward her and made another request.
“Can you turn around?”
“Suddenly, why?”
Nonetheless, Viola obediently complied with my request.
The moment I saw her back, I slipped my hand under her armpit and lifted her up. She was startled and flailed her legs when her feet left the ground, but as she settled on my knee, she froze like a scared child.
“Uh, Uncle?”
“No need to be so timid. When you want to be spoiled, let it all out.”
“Uh, um… but this is a bit… embarrassing.”
“With just the two of us here, what’s there to be embarrassed about?”
Viola shrank away from my hand wrapped around her waist. It seemed like being hugged from behind was still a big hurdle for her.
“I smell like medicine from all the research I’ve been doing, so it probably isn’t pleasant…”
“I’m not bothered by it.”
“You’re so lewd, Uncle…”
Not sure if I’d call it lewd. I wasn’t even touching any sensitive areas. Yet, she was saying that while not even trying to pull away.
“Sometimes, being like this is good for research too.”
“What kind of logic is that?”
“Just relax, putting yourself in my arms. Don’t stress so much with the research. I’m getting worried just listening to you struggle.”
“No, that’s possible! But I’m making good progress!”
“That’s a relief then.”
“I’ve made some improvements on the formula, and if I keep going like this, I feel like I’ll hit my target soon.”
“Is that improvement difficult?”
“Yeah. It’s a bit-”
Viola started to rattle on about the enhancements to the formula while I held her. Honestly, I understood about half of it, but I responded appropriately as she shared her worries.
Expressing concerns like this could be a significant mental boost.
Having someone to vent to makes a huge difference.
“…Did I talk too much about myself?”
“No, I don’t mind listening to you, so it’s all good.”
“Eep…! That’s cheating, Uncle.”
Viola blushed and moved in my embrace. Her cute reaction made me want to tease her more. It’s just too adorable how shy she seems.
Surprisingly, it was curious that she was the only one among the five of us who was so innocent.
Millia had been spoiled since long ago, and Elisa and Karina became more alluring over time, while Sif was kind of stuck in between while subtly clinging.
I have no idea how it ended up like this.
“If you don’t like it, I can let you go.”
“No, it’s not that I dislike it… You’re just a pervert, Uncle…”
Bowing her head made Viola’s blushing neck visible. Her reaction was too cute, and I felt compelled to tease her even more. Just when I was pondering how to poke fun at her, the workshop door burst open.
“Johann! Headmaster Merlin is calling for you!”
So, the time has come.
“Viola, I’m sorry, but I have to head out.”
“Huh? Oh, um…”
I set Viola down and stood up.
The fact that Headmaster Merlin had called meant… the hunt could start soon.
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