Episode 124
"Hmm."
"...Ah."
Opening my eyes, I see Cania in front of me.
No, not just visible—she's lying in bed, completely embraced against me.
"Greetings, young mas... ugh."
"...I told you not to look into my unconscious."
Staring blankly at Cania in that situation, I soon pinched her cheek and began speaking with a furrowed brow.
"I told you last time that you didn't need to go out of your way to do something like that."
"I apologize."
It was only after listening to about 5 peaceful lessons that I noticed something was off, but at that moment, I was able to escape from the long dream.
I'm not particularly fond of lessons to begin with, but seeing how calm my mind became, it seems to have had some effect.
[Special Note: Star's Blessing/Time-limited/Partner's Blessing/Fatigue]
"...Don't do that next time."
Just in case, I even checked the special notes in the information window, then sighed and spoke.
After all, Cania did this for my sake, so how could I be angry?
And without her help, I wouldn't have been able to wake up this quickly.
"Then, the report..."
"Young master, just a moment."
As I released Cania's stretched cheek and tried to get up, she tightened her arm and held me back.
"What's wrong?"
"Just for a moment, let's talk for just a moment."
".....?"
Saying that, Cania quietly buried her face in my chest.
"Cania, for now..."
"Young master, don't you also prefer this?"
"Huh?"
Cania, who interrupted my words, spoke with a triumphant expression.
"I know everything."
"What?"
"Everything about you, young master."
Somehow Cania looked cheeky, so I grabbed her cheek again, and she started giggling.
"Hehe..."
"You're acting strange."
"Is that sho?"
Cania used to apologize and bow her head when this happened, but suddenly she started being assertive.
"So, what did you want to say?"
Thanks to that, slightly flustered, I asked, and Cania, who was giggling, spoke in a low voice.
"Come to think of it, I don't think I need to say it."
"What?"
"Because even without asking, I can figure out the answers."
Frowning at Cania who kept talking vaguely, I sighed and got up.
"Report on what has happened so far."
"...As expected, you won't rest."
"I rested to my heart's content in the dream you prepared, so now I need to work again."
Hearing that, Cania also sighed in turn, then took out a notebook with a businesslike expression I hadn't seen in a long time.
"First, it has been two weeks and five days since you collapsed in the forest."
"...A bit short? Last time, although there was overlap, I was unconscious for three months."
Hearing that, Cania made a slightly flustered expression, then quickly changed her expression and answered.
"That time, since there was overlap, it appears to have taken particularly long. And special treatment methods were also conducted."
"...Is that so?"
When I asked with some uncertainty, Cania nodded with a calm expression and answered.
"Yes, that's correct."
"Well, if you say so, then it must be. Then... what about the slave market?"
"The slave market... will open within a few days."
"It's finally here."
Seeing me look slightly anxious at the fact that the second semester's main event was approaching, Cania asked with a worried expression.
"Will you be alright? Since you were collapsed for over two weeks, has there been any disruption to your plans..."
"...That's not it. I've been doing this for a long time. It's just that since it's such an important event, I feel some pressure."
[Main Quest: Slave Market Liberation]
- Quest Content: Raid the soon-to-open large-scale slave market, liberate the slaves, and prevent the impending disaster!
[Reward: Increase in Hero's Armament awakening level, increase in total mana]
[Failure Penalty: Reputation greatly decreased]
Saying that, I displayed the slave market liberation mission window in front of me.
"What exactly is the failure penalty?"
"Reputation greatly decreased."
"Isn't that better than having your life force and lifespan reduced?"
To Cania who asked that, I answered in a somber voice.
"This is a mission I must succeed at even if it weren't a main quest."
"...True, that's also right."
If I fail the mission, I won't be able to save all those slaves.
Moreover, the repercussions will have a significant impact on the main scenario, and it will be remembered as a lifelong regret.
Therefore, I will definitely succeed in this mission no matter what happens.
"Do we have classes today? Cania?"
"Today is the weekend."
"Good, I need to go out for a moment... ugh!"
As I stood up saying that and lost my balance, swaying, Cania hurriedly caught me and spoke with a sigh of relief.
"Why do you want to go out suddenly? You need to rest now..."
"I have something to discuss with Klana about the slave market liberation."
Saying that, I added in a low voice.
"And Klana and I have had many ups and downs, right?"
"And so?"
"So... I thought I'd take this opportunity to have a heartfelt conversation..."
Cania's expression suddenly started to turn sharp.
I don't know why, but she looks like an angry cat, which is quite cute.
"...Ugh."
Thinking such thoughts, Cania's facial muscles started to twitch.
"Please take that cane over there."
"...Oh?"
Staring at the particularly cute Cania today, she turned her gaze and pointed to a cane in the corner of the room.
"It appeared in the dream?"
"Yes, it's a specially made cane that everyone combined their efforts to create for the weakened young master."
"...Oh my."
As she said, various powers began to be felt from the cane.
I don't know exactly, but it seems like it would receive an artifact grade if brought to the Magic Tower, so perhaps this is the strongest cane in the world?
Moreover, it has a cat and moon-shaped decorations that I like. Whatever else, I really like these.
"Then, I'll be back."
"Oh, by the way..."
I was leaving the room with such silly thoughts.
"...I love you, young master."
"Cough."
I started coughing at Cania's sudden declaration.
"...I see."
After stroking the cane for a moment, I replied in a low voice and began to leave the room.
"...I know you answered 'me too' in your heart."
Cania muttered something from behind, but I decided to ignore it for now.
.
- Knock knock knock
I was able to arrive at Klana's dorm room faster than expected.
"Are you there?"
Because, in the first place, we were located in the same noble dormitory.
Only dukes or imperial family members of the Empire were qualified to live on the top floor of the dormitory, which only those of the highest status among nobles could access.
"Please come in."
After waiting briefly in front of Klana's room, I heard Klana's voice, full of tension.
- Creak...
Soon, opening the door and entering, Klana, who had been frozen in her chair, saw my face and started gulping nervously.
"........"
Like that, for a moment, silence lingered between the two of us.
"...It must be evening already. Seeing the sun set."
"Ah, yes..."
"It seems you knew I was coming."
"Th-that's... Cana informed me beforehand..."
Finally managing to start a conversation, but awkwardness still lingered between us.
'Should I just speak informally in a friendly way...?'
Thanks to that, sitting restlessly across from Klana, I was tempted by a sudden thought but then shook my head.
In the previous timeline, and now as well. How much guilt I felt whenever I spoke informally to Klana.
She has spent her life fighting to be treated as an imperial princess and as an emperor. Speaking informally to such a Klana would be denying the efforts she has made all along.
"I came here because there is something I must discuss with you, Lady Klana..."
"Please speak informally."
"Excuse me?"
I was using honorifics despite the awkwardness, but an unexpected response came out.
"Ar-are you really okay with that?"
"I ask you to."
Flustered, I asked again, and only after hearing Klana's answer in a low voice did I begin to speak informally, stumbling over my words.
"Ah, I under...stand. Then, getting back to the main topic..."
"How is your body?"
"Ah, it's fine. I slept well for about two weeks, so I feel refreshed."
But thanks to Klana interjecting at an unexpected timing again, I answered reflexively, and she started quietly biting her lip.
Did I make a mistake?
"...Anyway, the first thing I want to talk about is your position as emperor."
Thanks to that, I spoke while watching her reaction, and Klana nodded with a pale face.
"I said it before, but I will make you emperor."
".....Mm."
Declaring to her with a serious expression, I began to speak in a low voice.
"I can't put the Starlight Ducal House at the forefront, but I will support you with the wealth I possess. The same goes for the forces of the underworld."
"......."
"If you don't ascend to the imperial throne, there is no hope for this empire. You know that well, don't you?"
Saying that, Klana lowered her head deeply.
"Klana, there's no need for unnecessary guilt. You haven't done anything wrong."
Knowing well that her mental state had been unstable all along, I urgently took her hand and spoke, and Klana started to flinch.
"Let's shake off everything that has happened and make plans for the future. Time is of the essence right now, isn't it?"
"...Yes."
"Good, then I'm counting on you from now on."
Having successfully elicited a positive answer after earnestly persuading Klana, I breathed a sigh of relief and was about to move on to the next topic, but.
"Then, for the next topic. The slave market will open in a few days, right? So I need your cooperation... hmm?"
Feeling something foreign in the hand I was holding with hers, I tilted my head and asked.
"Klana, what is this?"
"...Check it yourself."
Hearing that, I still wore a puzzled expression as I opened my hand.
".....?"
Then, in my palm, a bead made of gold and silver was suddenly held.
"What is this?"
"It's a byproduct of the Blood Oath."
.......What!?"
Looking at the bead with a puzzled head, hearing Klana's declaration, I sprang from my seat and shouted.
"Y-you! Who did you make this contract with!!"
"F-Frey."
"Tell me right now. I'll find a way to release it no matter what."
Saying that, Klana started to widen her eyes in surprise.
"Who threatened you? Those damned fiancés? The First Princess who uses her body carelessly? Or is it the First Prince after all?"
"Frey."
"Just tell me who that bastard is. I'll beat them first, then I'll somehow find a way..."
"Frey, it's you."
Pouring out heated words to her in excitement, when Klana carefully pointed at me and spoke, I was left speechless and frozen.
"I, made a Blood Oath to you."
"...What do you mean?"
"Back then, at the ballroom, you used the remaining oath authority to propose to me, remember?"
To me, Klana, even discarding honorifics, clearly reminded me of the past events.
"...I want to serve only you, not the empire, not the imperial citizens, not the sun."
She finished speaking, quietly blushing.
"So marry me. Frey."
"...What?"
"If you want, I'll be the second, or even below that."
Hearing those words, as my hand holding Klana's trembled, she added with a sad smile.
"Just give me a chance to atone before it's too late."
At that moment, the sun visible outside the window completely disappeared.
.
Meanwhile, at that time.
"Serena! Is it true that Frey is really here?"
"...Yes, that's right."
"I see! Be prepared, Frey!"
Serena and Peruche were descending and descending the stairs leading to the academy's basement.
"What kind of evil and wicked plan is it this time... ugh."
Peruche, who believed Serena's words completely as she descended to the basement, soon turned into an ice sculpture.
"S-Serena... it's too dark here..."
Because, naturally, the academy's basement was filled with darkness, which Peruche absolutely detested.
"Hurry and go in."
"Eeeeeeek!!"
Like that, Peruche, frozen at the entrance and staring blankly, was pushed by Serena's hand and sucked into the basement entrance.
"...If we're going to stop the Western Continent trip, we have no choice but to use tricks."
Looking at Peruche like that, Serena stroked the wounds on her body.
"By the way..."
Taking out from her bosom a device identical to the moon-shaped decoration attached to Frey's cane, she began to quietly mutter.
"...Something keeps getting twisted with my husband?"
After saying that, she followed Peruche into the basement and closed the door.
And silence flowed.