Chapter 426
I’ve fallen under a curse. Not just any curse, but one from a being as mighty as the Dragon Lord.
“Then I guess I’ll get to see the little black guy again next time.”
No matter how I think about it, this is definitely a curse. If the Dragon Lord himself said, “You’ll see me next time,” it’s nothing short of a powerful curse or damnation. This mark can only be erased when one of us is dead—it’s a dreadful mark.
And it’s clear who’s likely to kick the bucket first, so it’s safe to say it’s a lifelong mark I’m stuck with. What a horrifying thought!
“Well, isn’t it a relief that you’ll at least see him next time? I’ve heard of servants who’ve served three or four generations.”
“Ah, so this is where the real curse lies.”
But instead of sympathizing with my plight, Erich threw out a chilling remark. Sure, it wasn’t exactly a curse, but from my position, it felt worse than being insulted. Three or four generations? How can anyone even say that?
So, feeling a bit miffed, I tickled Erich, who was sitting on my right knee.
“Stop it! This isn’t fair! You can’t even deny it!”
“Shh.”
With a serious gesture, I managed to make Erich burst into laughter and twist and squirm like a piece of squid on a grill. There was no escaping—it was all about holding her waist tight!
“Hehe… Hheeek…!”
Even though she twisted like she was about to cry, I didn’t let go. What she just said crossed the line spectacularly.
“What? At least I’ll see him next time? And I’ve heard of servants serving three or four generations?”
‘If it ends at four, then thank goodness.’
With a complicated heart, I quietly closed my eyes. I hadn’t thought of it right away because of the Dragon Lord’s personalized curse in the cave, but it dawned on me that if things ended at four generations, I’d be fortunate.
Tricky’s lifespan extension potion. If I took that potion, I would live for centuries myself, opening the door to possibly serving fourteen generations instead. Picture me saying to the Dragon Lord, “This is Aiman-ka, 30 years old,” and hearing him reply, “Just recently a 17-year-old ascended the throne.”
‘Damn it.’
Tears were almost spilling out. Immortality is a universal human wish, but when that longevity spans hundreds of years, it changes the narrative. The emperor would probably refuse if someone told him to live for hundreds of years.
But I couldn’t refuse. If I didn’t choose longevity, it meant Tricky would have to endure centuries alone.
‘This is tough.’
I released a small sigh. Although the lifespan potion requires years of consumption to be effective, I wanted to decide slowly. But going through this thought again after seeing the Dragon Lord brought the issue of the potion back to my mind.
Of course, this isn’t something I should decide right away. It’s not just my problem; it concerns the whole family.
Yet the bittersweet and complicated feelings couldn’t be avoided. Whatever choice I made—how long I pondered—sadness was bound to come.
“Um, Master.”
“Hmm?”
The voice from my left knee broke my train of thought.
“It seems like Erich is reflecting, so maybe let her go now…”
Turning my gaze back to Erich,
“Hhuh…”
“Oh.”
Upon seeing Erich almost on the verge of tears, I quickly withdrew my hand. I got a bit overzealous, I guess.
“Pene’s heart is certainly wide.”
“Too much flattery!”
Feigned embarrassment flashed across Pene’s face as she tried to respond, her nickname taking effect more than her full name. It was amusing enough to make me chuckle. Pene, who was still getting used to physical affection, blushed at just a two-syllable nickname, while Erich wore a look of jealousy.
“Flattery? I only said you’re nice because you are!”
With that remark, I planted a kiss on Pene’s lips. Being sensitive in many ways, I should express my affection whenever I have a chance. Even now, the vibration from kissing felt prominent.
If her sensitivity is that weak, and I refrain from showing affection, we might end up with the unprecedented event of the bride fainting at the wedding. That would be a disaster.
“Everyone but me is having a good time!”
Just then, Erich, back to her senses, suddenly bit my ear.
The sudden ambush almost made me bite Pene’s lips too!
With the emperor reporting the succession of the imperial count title, greeting the Dragon Lord, and then messing around with Erich and Pene, I was exhausted.
In the end, though I ended up with swollen cheeks and lips from Erich’s antics, I managed to finish up everything that needed to be done in the capital and could finally return to the academy. All’s well that ends well.
‘It would be nice if we could just stick together.’
However, despite this tidy ending, sighing deeply as soon as I entered the investigator’s lodging, feeling the same discomfort as always from our spread-out love interests. It’s a bizarre and terrible situation where being with one means I can’t be with another, and the tension adds up.
If only all my lovers were in one place or at least if there were conditions allowing me to meet them within a day. Unfortunately, that’s almost impossible.
‘Should I really consider a daily commute?’
I lay on the bed, pondering seriously.
Telecommuting between the capital and the academy—something I brushed off before, but it feels like it might be time to reconsider it. Soon, when Mar graduates and gets married, the mansion will serve as the hub, but all the members will still be students, necessitating me to keep up the role of the investigator.
It’s a headache. Becoming a resident in the capital would mean leaving foreign royalty unattended, and opting for the academy would make it seem like I’m still living at work right after a honeymoon. Either way, it’s bound to be a blood-boiling situation, so commuting sounds like the only solution.
‘As long as Tricky is with me, it’s not impossible.’
The silver lining is having the continent’s top magician beside me. That makes daily telecommuting theoretically and practically possible.
Though it’ll feel a bit humiliating to be a husband hitching rides alongside his wife,
‘Is pride really such a big deal?’
In different words, if I could handle that sense of humiliation, there would be no issues whatsoever. I could manage both my married life and official duties, and with the capital and academy functioning as overlapping zones, I would be able to meet all my lovers in one day without worrying about this current odd situation of them being scattered about.
“…I should bring it up soon.”
Thinking it over, maybe it’s not so strange to ride along with my older wife who started her social life first.
I decided to think that way.
After a brief yet fulfilling weekend, I finally came face to face with Villar again.
“Looks like the second-year schedule is coming to an end. This year feels like it’s flown by faster than last year.”
I nodded at Villar, who opened his mouth casually.
With so much work to do, it could be that time sped by, or maybe it was just because I had briefly been to the northern region. Either way, it felt like the second-year schedule passed quickly.
Or perhaps it could be that the members were quieter than last year. If just the members behave well, academy life can be quite easy.
“It’s been two years since I met Sir Villar… It’s a bit sad to think we’ll part ways next year.”
“Glad to hear it’s not just me who feels that way.”
With a hint of a smile, I casually spoke, and Villar jokingly replied back.
Back when I first met Villar, I couldn’t have imagined such a reaction. It seems two years was enough time to build a good rapport, even with a stoic knight.
“Oh, by the way, I heard you’ve inherited your title. Though it’s a bit late, congratulations.”
“Things move fast among foreign nobles.”
Villar chuckled lightly at that remark. Really, the only foreign nobles I’ve seen were those in the academy.
“Well, how about a gift? That’s also a fast move, including from the empire, I think.”
As he said that, Villar pulled something out from his coat.
It was a pocket watch.
“…This is the first gift I’ve received from Sir Villar.”
“An honor.”
Admittedly, I was a bit taken aback. I had received many congratulatory messages, but this was the first actual gift.
What kind of gift could one give to someone inheriting such a bizarre fortune like a title and territory? Unless it’s something truly valuable, it’s better to keep it. Any gift would quickly fade from memory otherwise.
Yet, Villar insisted on giving a gift. A pocket watch of all things.
‘What’s going on?’
I quickly racked my brain. Although I had become close with Villar over the past two years, he wasn’t the type of person to act without reason. That pocket watch had to carry some significance.
As if reading my thoughts, Villar initiated an explanation.
“Actually, this isn’t a gift I prepared. It’s His Majesty the King’s gesture towards you for your excellent guidance of Young Lord Rutis.”
Oh, I see. It came from King Armain, not Villar.
…
?
‘What?’
Who?
*
I handed the pocket watch to the flabbergasted investigator.
To be honest, I was just as shocked and honored. The idea that I was carrying a gift from his Majesty the King made my heart race and my hands tremble.
But if I was feeling this way just as a messenger, how much more must the investigator be flabbergasted? No matter how glamorously a foreign king may be, a king is still a king. The investigator certainly couldn’t help but be astonished.
‘At least it’s good that I could deliver it now.’
Seeing the investigator accept the pocket watch with a complex expression, I inwardly sighed in relief.
I’d started carrying that pocket watch since the summer break. During a brief return to my homeland, it was given to me by order of the king. Whenever I received a signal, it would be then I was to deliver to the investigator.
“…This bears the emblem of the Robens Royal Family.”
“Indeed. Since it’s a gift presented by His Majesty, it bears the royal family’s emblem.”
I responded naturally to the investigator’s murmured observation as he opened the pocket watch.
This watch isn’t just any regular watch. It’s a piece reserved for those who’ve shown devoted allegiance or service to the nation or is handed to someone that the royal family must maintain close ties with.
And the investigator is unmistakably in the latter category. The king believes that for the future of Armain, he must establish a friendly relationship with this individual.
‘Seems reasonable enough.’
The investigator is currently at the pinnacle among all the inspectors. Moreover, he has played a crucial role in the imperial military campaign in the north.
Thus, it’s only natural for the king to be cautious. There’s always the worry that one day, the investigator’s blade might turn against Armain, or that it could repeat the burdens placed on Armain by the Iron-blood Duke.
As a result, the king has reached out a hand of friendship to the investigator, who is a subject of a foreign land. Even if the investigator becomes embroiled in war—and it wouldn’t be easy to stop him—he certainly wouldn’t be the one to instigate it.
“I’ve received an undeserved gift. It’s a shame I can’t thank him in person.”
Fortunately, the investigator’s reaction wasn’t too bad either.
That’s all that matters.
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