“Johann oppa! What’s this?”
“It’s a gift.”
“Is it for your birthday?”
“Nope.”
I looked at the gift boxes from various nobles with a satisfied expression.
From the First Prince, Second Prince, to the Third Prince.
The gifts sent by nobles wanting to befriend me were all expensive items. From costly jewelry to clothing, gems, and weapons…
If I sell everything, I could build two Yeomyeong-gwan with this.
While I stared at the gift boxes, I placed a curious Amy on the bed and pushed the boxes aside.
“I want a gift too…”
“I’ll buy you a birthday present later.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“My birthday is August 2nd! You have to buy me something! Promise!”
Since August 2nd is about the time of vacation, I would have to drop by here whether I like it or not. I can just buy a gift and present it then. I linked my pinky with Amy’s and shook it a couple of times.
I’m not sure if they make promises like this in the West, but hey, this is a world in a game, so let it slide. It’s a country made for a game, so there’s nothing strange about it.
“Haha, Amy. Are you bothering Sir Quartz again?”
“Kalintz-nim.”
“That’s enough. What’s the big deal between us?”
Kalintz said while glancing at the pile of gift boxes in the corner. He looked at me in disbelief after seeing the stacked gift boxes.
“You’ve received quite a lot, haven’t you?”
“They say if you can’t avoid it, then enjoy it, right?”
With the Duke Ryan backing me, it was inevitable that this situation arose, as the three princes were trying to recruit me.
The West has lost its power due to the death of high-ranking nobles, and they’re trying to fill that gap by promoting Count Ziklint to a higher rank for management, but rebuilding will take time.
The nobles and citizens of the West harbor significant resentment towards the Empire due to the demon invasion.
The only way to easily calm the sentiments of the West is to borrow my power.
If I, the hero who prevented the destruction of the West, support one of the princes, I could win over the people’s hearts.
The old man in front of me probably knows that too. But having seen how dirty the political arena is throughout his life, maybe he doesn’t want to get involved in political struggles.
“Can you handle what’s to come?”
“The three princes won’t antagonize me just to recruit me. Sure, the First Prince is in a favorable position for now, but the power of the Third Prince is not to be underestimated.”
The First Prince isn’t incapable, but he has flaws that make him unsuitable to be emperor. He’s too emotional and tends to go on whims, causing a lot of trouble.
Though the Third Prince is also from the same family, it’s not unusual for royal siblings to stab each other in the back.
The history of the royal family is often written in blood, after all.
“The three princes aren’t that easygoing.”
Kalintz sighed, looking worried, and advised me. But what’s done is done. I recalled the original story and the tale Duke Ryan once told me and opened my mouth.
“A greater ball can cover a lesser ball.”
If the three princes try to touch me, I can ensure they won’t be able to challenge me with a greater ball. Knowing the storyline, I was prepared for potential complications.
“What’s all this suddenly?”
“Duke Ryan mentioned that the Agares cult is stirring in the capital.”
“…I see you remember that.”
“It’s valuable information, isn’t it?”
It’s indeed very important information. Moreover, it intersects somewhat with what I know from the original story.
In the original, Agares might not appear directly but is mentioned here and there… The demon Sifri is a different story, however.
According to the original, Sifri should be lurking in the capital, pretending to be an aristocratic lady right about now.
Knowing Sifri’s identity, if I choke her at the right moment, that alone would make a significant accomplishment.
She would likely be cautious of me, so she won’t come over easily, but I’ll have my ways if she dares to come after me.
“There’s a high chance the demon is hiding in the capital. Or… they might already be disguised and mingling amongst humans.”
“…That’s not something I want to believe.”
“Demon?”
“Amy, old man here has something to discuss with Sir Quartz, so could you please go to the garden first?”
“Um~ Okay!”
Despite everything, being a duke’s daughter, she seems to pick things up quickly. I glanced at the closed door after Amy and the maids left and turned my attention back to Duke Kalintz.
“Is there a way to prove that there are other demons?”
“I heard there’s a debutante season in summer.”
“Right. Don’t tell me…?”
“I’ll be debuting in the debutante season. If I, the first human to have killed a demon, participate, the demons might take an interest.”
To catch a demon, one must enter the lair of the demon.
I loathe crowded places, but sometimes one must endure some hassle to achieve their desired results.
If things go well, I might be able to deal with at least one prince as a bonus.
“Haha… you’re serious about catching demons.”
“Demons are a scourge of humanity, and I must capture or eliminate them. Perhaps I’ll ask Duke Ryan for additional investigations on the Agares cult.”
“Understood. I will relay the information through Merlin.”
“Thank you.”
“By the way, what will you do about all those invitations over there?”
I briefly glanced at the mountain of invitations on the table. Invitations from lower to high-ranking nobles sent to me. But I had no intention of attending.
I’ll play hard to get.
“You can use them as firewood. I plan to leave right away.”
I’ve already had my personal meetings with the princes, so there’s nothing to worry about.
“What?”
“If I say I’m worried about the safety of the Saint, who would stop me?”
Even if the nobles want to mess with me, they can’t do so right now.
They might feel somewhat disappointed, but…
“Haha…”
Kalintz looked at me with disbelief and let out a hollow laugh.
“You really live life on your own terms.”
—————————-
“It’s a gift.”
“…What are all these gift boxes?”
“The nobles gifted them to me, probably because they liked me.”
I dismantled some to make accessories and took the quality parts of the weapons to melt down. Having received them, I need to make good use of them.
“Won’t you accept them?”
“…Thank you.”
I smiled as I glanced at Karina wearing a necklace adorned with the symbol of Kalon Church, then looked down at Millia tugging at my sleeve.
“Yo~han, don’t I have one?”
“Of course, you do.”
Where did I put it? Oh, here it is.
I handed a box that was as large as her body to a wide-eyed Millia. She looked up at me, shocked by the size of the gift box.
“What’s this?”
“They say it’s a doll that’s trending in the capital.”
“A doll?”
“Just like that. Open it up in your room.”
“Okay! Thank you!”
“Elisa, I hope this helps you.”
“Me, me…?”
Did you think I would forget your gift?
I handed a beautifully wrapped thick book to Elisa. She looked up at me, clutching the gift to her chest.
“Th-thank you…”
“It’s a beginner’s guide to First-Class Magic, so it should be helpful if you read it at least once.”
In the game, it was a book that raised your First-Class Magic proficiency, but I’m not sure if that effect applies here.
“Huh? What’s this? Is it a gift-giving time?”
“You came at just the right time. Renny, I have a gift for you too.”
“Really? What is it?”
Looks like you’re also looking forward to your gift. I pulled out the gift box I prepared for Renny.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a limited edition whiskey from the capital. They say it tastes fantastic.”
“You really are the best!”
How much does she love alcohol? I shifted my focus from the ecstatic Renny to the shy Viola standing alone.
“Viola, I have a gift for you too.”
“What is it? What is it?”
Looks like you’re buzzing with excitement too.
So let’s not delay. I handed her a heavy box emitting a peculiar fragrance.
Viola looked puzzled at the box, then sniffed it and looked at me with wide-eyed shock.
“You’re giving this as a gift?! Really?!”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Uncle! I’ll never forget this kindness!”
“Johann, what did you give Viola?”
When I glanced at Karina, she was staring at me with genuine curiosity.
If you’re curious, I should let you know.
“I brought back rare herbs for alchemy.”
As for the gift for Sif… I’ll give it to her the next time I meet her.
“The weather is chilly, so let’s continue this discussion inside.”
“Okay! Let’s go!”
I walked into Yeomyeong-gwan, surrounded by the nostalgic scents of the children.
It was a week before the start of the second year’s first semester.
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