Chapter: 796
Moving to the opposite side of the continent during your honeymoon is a bittersweet thing, but here I am visiting for the wedding of an academy friend. It’s hard to meet someone from a different nationality directly without the excuse of a wedding.
So, I packed my bags with a heavy heart, but once I arrived in Yuben, I made sure to put on a cheerful face. Showing up as if I were dragged here against my will would not only be a diplomatic faux pas but also an affront to our friendship.
And since I’m here, I decided to take a break and enjoy myself. After all, Lather said to make myself comfortable while I’m visiting, so I’ve stayed in Yuben even after the wedding.
“How have you been?”
“Couldn’t be better!”
Five days after the wedding, I finally met Lather.
Whether he’s been enjoying his honeymoon or not, Lather has opened his home to me, inviting Via and Serra instead of holding court in the royal palace. Maybe he finally remembered about his friend after the initial honeymoon buzz wore off.
Of course, I fully understand. Inviting acquaintances just a day or two after the wedding? Only a weirdo who has no feelings about marriage would do that! It’s just something a heartless person would pull.
To be honest, that five-day time frame Lather enjoyed isn’t really that generous. Being a newlywed couple made up entirely of wizards, and having such cold personalities makes this timeline work.
“I said it during the wedding, but thanks for coming all the way to Yuben. I couldn’t be there for your wedding.”
“Don’t sweat it. With your brother causing a ruckus, let alone royalty attending, it would have been even more chaotic. Ainter was enough for a friend.”
“Well, I appreciate you saying that.”
I shook my head, and Lather chuckled lightly.
It’s genuine, not some half-hearted consolation. With a powerful family member in the Empire and royalty among the guests, if foreign royalty came to such a wedding, I’d have lost my mind.
“Speaking of which, isn’t Tannian’s wedding in a few weeks? You’re heading to the Holy Kingdom soon, right?”
“What’s with deciding my plans without asking?”
“Come on, did you really think I’d assume you wouldn’t go? You’ve spent more time as an imperial council member than a student at the academy, so I figured you’d be sharper than a few years ago.”
I couldn’t help but smirk at Lather’s blunt words.
He’s not wrong. Once I attended Ainter’s wedding and now Lather’s, it’s pretty much a given I’ll also attend Tannian’s wedding. I’m only a month apart from each, so it would be weirder to attend one and not the other.
Plus, I’ve traveled to the Yuben United Kingdom for Lather’s wedding, so saying it’s difficult to go to a foreign country is off the table. Yuben is overwhelmingly closer than the Holy Kingdom.
‘Next year, it’ll be Armein.’
If I attend Ainter, Lather, and Tannian’s weddings, that leaves only Rutis left. Not attending even one wedding would be utterly blasphemous, so I’m pretty much obligated to show up to Rutis’s next year.
It’s maddening! Back when I graduated from the academy, I thought communicating through a communication device would be the extent of it. Who would’ve imagined we’d be meeting face to face?
“Well, let’s put aside your busy schedule talk for now.”
Lather’s words made me a bit irked. How could he just drop in and then abruptly call it off? What kind of etiquette is that?
“…Is it okay if I touch him for a second?”
But then I caught sight of Robert, snug in Via’s arms, and my annoyance vanished in an instant.
Once again, Robert’s cuteness seems to be Lather’s kryptonite. His hands twitched, clearly itching to give that adorable baby a pat.
“His cheeks look so fluffy and cute, don’t they?”
“He doesn’t look like you at all, so he’s quite adorable.”
I nearly bristled again but managed to compose myself. If he doesn’t look like me, he must take after Via, and that’s a solid argument. It’s better for him to look like her if he wants to grow up beautifully.
Anyway, as I nodded lightly to Lather’s request, he stood up and walked over to Via.
Then he gently reached out, using his knuckles instead of his fingertips to avoid scratching.
‘Whoa.’
What an unexpected display of manners prompted my admiration.
Newborn skin is extremely delicate, so you shouldn’t blindly poke with your nails. I was ready to hurl complaints if he wasn’t careful, but thankfully, he took appropriate action.
“Can I call this kid my nephew?”
“If it’s comfortable for you, then go for it.”
Lather’s lips curled into a grin, seemingly pleased with my answer.
“U-uh?”
Before long, Robert’s eyes slowly fluttered open, perhaps responding to the unfamiliar touch.
“Did I wake him?”
“Nope. If he woke up just from a light touch, he’s probably well-rested.”
As I reassured the flustered Lather, his trembling hand finally calmed down.
It’s a remarkable sight. That cold and stoic guy is shaken like this? The only time I’ve seen him express such emotion was while playing chess against Rutis.
“U-u—”
And strangely, it appeared Robert was no exception. If you woke up to some blue-skinned human touching you, it’s only natural to be a bit puzzled.
“A-uh—”
“…What is he saying?”
“He’s asking for pocket money.”
“Ah, I see.”
A joke turned into reality made Lather pull out coins from his pocket without hesitation.
It was so smooth that it caught me off guard. This dude will probably become a doting parent, whether he has a son or daughter.
“By the way, there’s something I’m curious about.”
Feeling like I might end up resembling that friend who bullies his buddy into giving away money, I hurriedly changed the subject.
“I heard your brother is still in Yuben. Do you know what’s up with that?”
“Hmm? Isn’t it better to ask him directly?”
“I did, but he mentioned he’s preparing to create a new world. I figured he must be losing it, so I just wrapped up the chat.”
Even through the communication device, I could sense the madness. Continuing the conversation would probably just drain me.
Originally, my brother spent more time being ‘not himself’ than being ‘his normal self,’ but who would’ve thought he’d act out on the other side of the continent?
“A new world, huh? That’s not entirely off-base. If he succeeds in breeding imported beasts, it might indeed create a new ecosystem in the Empire.”
“Oh, is that what it was?”
As soon as I heard Lather’s response, I felt my mind relax.
With the bizarre statements he made, I thought he was embarking on some strange project, but it turned out he was simply continuing his usual work. I heard about my brother preparing to import beasts as soon as I arrived in Yuben.
But I had no idea he was still working on it. Just how many is he planning to import? Is he trying to populate the northern region with all these creatures?
“As far as I remember, the Judicial Minister is at the Magic Council. Are you going to check it out?”
“The Magic Council?”
An unexpected location and suggestion came out of Lather’s mouth.
Why on earth is my brother at the Magic Council? He may be Marcilio’s husband, but he has zero connection to magic.
…Hmmm.
“Forget it. I don’t think someone working at the council would be interested in visiting another country’s council.”
“Heh, true.”
“Besides, even our little Robert, cute and quiet as he is, would think home is more comfortable than somewhere unfamiliar.”
As soon as I mentioned Robert, Lather nodded vigorously.
‘Am I crazy enough to go there?’
Watching Lather, I quietly sipped my tea.
The very name of the Magic Council sounds sketchy, and if my brother is there, it’s highly likely something’s gone awry. Something must have happened to entrap him there.
What good would coming to such chaos do? Let my brother handle it and I’ll simply return home without fuss.
‘He’ll figure it out.’
Since I arrived separately, I can leave at my own pace. We don’t cling to each other as family, so leaving together isn’t our style.
Plus, I’ve already spotted some interesting things with family, and I’ve happily visited a friend after several years, so I’ve done what I needed to do. Unlike my brother, I have absolutely no lingering feelings about Yuben.
‘Let’s head back tomorrow.’
And I need to prepare to cross into the Holy Kingdom…
*
Trixie’s surprise lectures didn’t wrap up in just one day.
Over a hundred enthusiastic wizards sparked joy from their long-awaited lectures. These two factors combined turned the Magic Council into a vibrant spectacle for several days.
For me, escaping the discussions of those wizards was a stroke of luck, and if Trixie seems pleased, I had no intention of stopping her. And if the members of the Magic Council are filled with awe and respect for Trixie and look kindly upon me and Lin for giving her this opportunity, then it means I’ve gained something.
It might be the opposite side of the continent, but this is the third strongest nation. Building positive relationships with such powerful figures is something to welcome.
Yeah, it can’t be a bad thing, but…
“Where are you, anyway?”
– Home.
While I was stuck at the Magic Council, Erich went AWOL.
I was annoyed. Even if we entered the country separately, this jerk didn’t bother to secure a place for his little brother despite all the consideration he showed. Not to mention he just up and left me behind?
– Robert looked tired, so I simply left.
But now that he brought up my cute little nephew, I couldn’t muster the heart to scold him. If Robert is tired, then it’s valid.
– Oh, so you’re at the Magic Council, huh?
“Yeah. How’d you find out?”
– I heard from Lather. At least stop by to say farewell before you head back. He thanked you for coming from afar.
“Sure, I’ll at least say my goodbyes.”
After chatting about a few more things, I hung up. I could feel my desire to return home bubbling if the conversation dragged on.
“Your Grace.”
– The Judicial Minister? What’s up all of a sudden?
I shifted my smoldering desire to return into affection for my little brother.
“I’m about to head back, so I wanted to contact you early. I plan to import 300 water buffalo and wild buffalo, just as Your Grace instructed, and also bring over 20 different beasts for a trial run.”
– Looks like Behemoth is going to be busy. Understood.
“And my brother just returned from his time abroad, it seems. If you could personally encourage him for the friendships formed with Prince Lather, it would be a glorious honor for him.”
– Oh? Is that so?
The Emperor smiled gently at my somewhat playful request.
– I see. Even during his honeymoon, Baron Hardiner has devoted himself to the Empire; he deserves adequate rewards for such dedication.
I couldn’t help but smile at the Emperor’s words.
My dear brother. Thanks to him returning home first, he’ll probably get his reward much sooner.
No need to express gratitude. It’s all a reward for his hard work!
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