Estimated reading time: 7–9 minutes
Chapter 3
○○○
As the departure date from the castle approaches, the relationship between Princess Puffy and I grows more intimate.
Recently, Princess Puffy has been trying to understand why the development of magic has stagnated in this world.
She has several hypotheses about the cause and has been searching for evidence in numerous documents.
Princess Puffy, who used to sit across from me in the library, now sits beside me.
This happened two days before I was set to leave the castle.
「Sir Yamada, why do you try so hard?」
Princess Puffy asks me with a serious expression.
Looking into her eyes, I realize that she is trying to take a step into my heart—I clearly understand Princess Puffy’s intentions.
I feel it would be rude to lie or make excuses.
「It would sound cool if I said I’m doing this to save this world, but the truth is, I have to return to my own world.
So, the reason I’m putting in so much effort, even sacrificing sleep, is ultimately for myself.」
Princess Puffy waits for me to continue, not averting her gaze.
「Everyone back home is worried about me.
Especially since I’m very close to my grandparents. They spoiled me and raised me in place of my working parents.」
「Sir Yamada, you love your grandparents, don’t you?」
Princess Puffy asks with an affectionate expression.
「I love my grandpa and grandma, and they love me too.
Recently, my grandma’s health hasn’t been great, and I think things might get pretty bad if I’m not there.」
「I knew it…」
Princess Puffy speaks as if she has made up her mind.
「I knew Sir Yamada was a kind person.
You’re working hard for your family. And for Sir Ryūgūin, who isn’t here.
Am I right?」
It’s not entirely wrong.
Of course, my efforts are for myself.
That’s a given.
But I do think that some of my hard work will also benefit that spoiled Ryūgūin.
「I’ve decided. I’ve been acting and striving as a princess for my own sake.
But like you, Sir Yamada, I want to be able to hold my head high and take pride in myself by working for the people of this country and for someone important to me.」
And then, and then—she repeats this a couple of times.
「I will carve out my own world.」
She declares, looking into my eyes.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her dignified expression, which was different from the melancholic look she sometimes showed.
I felt a strange attraction to her.
「The peace of the world and the development of magic. Your world may lie beyond that.
That’s why I—that’s why…」
At that point, Princess Puffy seems to realize what she is saying and blushes so hard it’s almost audible.
She clears her throat with a cute 「ahem」 and asks me, albeit a bit late.
「May I call you ‘Ichiro’ from now on?」
She is praised for being capable and beautiful, but at her core, she is a girl around the same age as me.
I wanted to support her.
And I wanted her to support me.
The season of parting is almost upon us.
When will we meet again?
I don’t want to leave.
I feel this from the bottom of my heart.
I mustn’t let her see these emotions—so I swallow everything and hide my true feelings with a smile.
「Of course, Puffy! We’re close enough for that.
Please call me Ichiro from now on.」
I hope she doesn’t see through the smile I’ve somehow managed to put on.
Uncharacteristically, I found myself praying to the so-called gods.
○○○
Time flies, and the day of departure arrives in the blink of an eye.
I throw my luggage into the carriage provided by the country (not luxurious at all).
The destination is the Mirror Dungeon, about a three-week journey by carriage from here.
Since it’s a departure, I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, so I asked the King and Princess Puffy to keep the send-off to a minimum.
Perhaps that’s why there are only three people seeing me off.
The Chancellor, who is always on the move (in my opinion).
The Knight Commander, who has repeatedly beaten me to a pulp.
The Abbess, whom I owe a great deal to.
Those are the three.
First, the Chancellor pats my shoulder with his usual scowl.
「We too will do what only we can do. Seeing you made me strongly feel that things can’t go on like this.」
I think I see a hint of tears in the corner of the Chancellor’s eyes.
He frequently came to watch my training, and he often dropped by with snacks when I was studying, so I was worried that he might not have much work to do as the Chancellor.
That’s the impression I got, so while I was concerned about whether he had free time and if the country would be okay, I never dreamed that the Chancellor thought so highly of me.
「Thank you very much. It’s a cliché, but let’s both do our best at what we can do!」
The Chancellor firmly grasps my outstretched hand.
Next, the Knight Commander, whom I owe the most to, stands before me.
「Yamada, just between us, you’ve already surpassed my strength.」
「Me? Really?」
I’m not thick-skinned enough to get cocky about that.
「Have confidence. If you can overcome that hellish special training, you can do it. We knights will also devote our lives to our country and the world.」
The Knight Commander concludes with a 「ha ha ha,」 saying that if I return safely, he might even introduce me to his daughter.
「When I come back safely, please train me again.」
The Knight Commander gives me a big hug, as if to say, 「Of course!」
Lastly, it’s the Abbess.
Despite being sisters, many of them are young girls, and the one who leads them is her—Siesta.
「Holy Knight, please don’t overdo it. If you get injured, rely on Mika, the Saint, immediately.」
「Thank you for coming to see me off. I understand. With the Saint by my side, I have the strength of a hundred men.」
As I flex my muscles to show that I won’t make her worry,
「Originally, I wanted to take care of your recovery myself, but… I simply couldn’t muster the power. So please, take my heart with you, even if only my heart.」
Siesta clasps her hands together and prays to God.
「Let me say it again, don’t overdo it… You’re just an ordinary people like us, and yet we rely on you… I’m sorry.」
Siesta, whom I thought was a kind big sister figure to the other sisters.
She has a gentle personality and always asked me, 「Are you pushing yourself too hard?」 whenever she sensed I was mentally exhausted.
「Siesta, thank you for everything.
I respect you—I respect your kindness.」
Siesta buries her face in her sleeve, unable to hold back her tears.
The farewell cheers from the three of them almost bring tears to my eyes.
In the first place, summoning me was against their will.
Just like the Princess, I’ve heard them say many times that 「the people of this world should deal with the problems of this world.」
That’s probably why they treated me well.
Of course, there must have been feelings of sympathy and atonement.
But I know it’s not just that.
They warmly sent us off—and that meant more to me than anything.
「Well then, Ryūgūin and the Saint are waiting in front of the carriage, so I’ll be off. Let’s both do our best at what we can do!」
I start walking forward.
At that moment,
「Wait a mooooooment!!」
I hear a voice from the direction of the castle—Princess Puffy’s voice.
「Please waaaaaait!!」
She comes to the front of the carriage where I am.
Out of breath, she still raises her voice to tell me something.
「I’ll wait! I’ll always wait! I’ll always pray for your safety! So please, don’t overdo it!」
Tears like pearls spill from her beautiful eyes.
「When you return safely, I-I… I adore you!」
She leaps.
Into Ryūgūin’s arms.
…Huh?
Into Ryūgūin’s arms?
Why Why Why?
I can’t understand it no matter what.
But that’s how it is.
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