Chapter 70

Settlement comes after hard work (2)

"Unlike the only daughter of Tanpet de Neju or Kision's own daughter, to the nobles, you are like a person just born yesterday. You're the hero of the capital, and you've been knighted, but you don't attend any social gatherings, and nobody knows you personally."

Prince one praised the wizard, prince two wanted to dig him a grave, and prince three considered him a friend for an adventure. Anyone sensitive to the flow of power would soon pay attention to Kleio.

"His Majesty Philippe's condition is growing worse every day, and now that you're in the midst of a confrontation between the three princes, the attention on you will be tremendous. Your name will be on the tongues and in the ears of all kinds of people."

"I know."

Kleio replied, returning Gideon's letter to the envelope. He was prepared for it, but he didn't like the attention he would be receiving. No matter how much he avoided it, the narrative that had already begun to unfold wouldn't leave him alone. No, rather, it may be helpful to him to increase the degree of narrative intervention, to achieve his purpose of making Arthur king, and to grasp the author's intention and identity. Kleio grabbed his own teacup as Dione quieted down. Only the sound of sipping the tea rang out quietly.

Dione looked at Kleio with refreshed eyes. In her thoughts, this mastermind was a quiet man who wasn't the type to lead others. He wasn't the kind of person who wanted power or attention, with no convictions or political goals. Yet, as it were, he was about to head into a storm of political conflict without enthusiasm or excitement. Dione now had a hard time guessing where his will was, what strange things were hidden away in his heart.

"So, how does it feel to be at the center of the storm between the three princes? It's your own will to jump into this battle, so you won't regret it, right?"

"I have to say yes. I must apologize to you in advance. In the future... there will be a lot of work."

"If I ask you, you won't tell me what will happen so that I will be waiting for that time. But when you rely on me, I rely on you. We are partners."

Instead of answering, Kleio only smiled faintly. His dull brown hair calmly reflected the afternoon sun, his sharp and thin shoulders not covered by neither a wool shirt nor a sweater. To her eyes, the boy's smile, with no energy and a weak presence, seemed worn out.

'This kid, at times, doesn't feel like a seventeen-year-old boy.'

Dione had to admit that she was more than interested in her partner and ward. At that moment, a person broke the mysterious atmosphere by opening the front door. It was from Arthur.

"Oh, there was another guest! Long time no see, Lady Dione! Lei, you're up today too! The dean fixed your injuries, but I was worried since you had been sleeping all day yesterday and the day before!"

Arthur, with a large box in hand, walked in and sat down. He looked so lively that it was hard to imagine he had been covered in wounds just a week ago.

"Oh my, it has been a long time, prince Arthur. But this time, I can't treat you with a smile. What did you do with my ward?!"

At Dione's hearty shout, Arthur fluttered exaggeratedly. Dione had been similarly upset with him after the assassin attack last summer.

"Lady Dione, I'm not trying to make excuses, but I received most of the injuries. Look, my shoulder is still stiff."

"No, is the prince the same as our master who catches a cold from the wind?"

"Oh, even if I have a thousand mouths, there is nothing for me to say. But let's say I had a thousand. If you treat this wizard who is the scariest wizard I know as weak, I have to refute you."

"You only have one mouth, so don't talk anymore."

Kleio was caught between Dione and Arthur.

'Lady Dione... The person who taught me that is her.'

Arthur shrugged, displaying his bandaged arms. The backs of his hands and his cheeks that were exposed outside the bandages were still a reddish color. Cel, Isiel, and Arthur had all been injured, and he had heard that Cel and Arthur's wounds had been particularly severe. Zebedee said that treating the distorted skin had been postponed to a lower priority. Arthur walked around the school as if nothing happened, but Kleio was also worried about him and was beginning to wonder if he had to cast the healing magic himself. When Dione raised the blade in defense of him, Kleio felt embarrassed.

"Lady Dione, out of the four, my injuries were the least. I'm really fine. If you are still worried, I will be more careful next time."

"I hear that declaration, but you will run into danger without pulling back. You always surprise me."

"That's right, Lady Dione. Your master always shocks people. Even though he uses such horrible magic, he grows sweet when it's cold. He can't stay up late, and he has to sleep for three days... If you hadn't woken up today, Professor Zebedee might've mistreated me."

"That's right, even from Master Zebedee's point of view, my promising master is much better than a prince who only has an accident because he is full of power."

Placing the teacup down, Kleio opened his mouth in vain. Dione's expression was a bit too provocative. Of course, Arthur wouldn't lose out when it came to impudence.

"Lady Dione, a word of correction."

"I don't think it's appropriate to have someone sit there and say that so boldly..."

"What is inappropriate? I could speak of Lord Kleio's splendor a hundred times! Kleio, you used magic to break the clock and free us. You were a lifesaver, but it's not enough to congratulate you. I must also repay you."

"It's because I wanted to leave, but Arthur, in return. Remember what I said before about an interview with the Archbishop?"

"Oh, I was going to mention that right away... Are you reading other people's minds now?"

"It must be a coincidence. But, is it possible to see her?"

"What, she awoke the day we returned from the remembered world? As soon as she recovered, many came to speak to her. Hopefully, we can see her before winter is over!"

Kleio, recalling the portrait of Archbishop Istoria reflected in the light of a gasp lamp, felt an ache in his stomach. He wouldn't get another chance to meet someone who could be the only clue to the author.

"Okay, good job."

"What, I said you can talk to her, but you don't look happy at all. Why are you upset?"

"The cost of a piece of mana stone and my life was calculated to be worth that one meeting, so I just collapsed."

"No, why not? There are more... Um, can I take it out here?"

Arthur suddenly grew conscious of Dione as he read the atmosphere.

"It's fine. Lady Dione here is my guardian and business partner; you don't need to hide anything."

Arthur immediately handed a pouch over to Kleio; then, he placed the large box he had brought onto the table.

"Now, this is yours too. The research wizards of the Defense Force searched it as quickly as possible and returned them. They were worried it would seem like they were trying to steal your loot. What's the name of this? In the remembered world, it came up, but I didn't have time to read it..."

Promise kindly provided a message right above the box.

[Cape Coat in the Summer Garden

-Relic

―When worn, it maintains a constant body temperature throughout the year.]

"The Cape Coat in the Summer Garden. Try to use it well."

"Oh, do you think this is the rumored magic tool?"

While the two spoke, Dione gently stepped back and shook her head. It seemed the magic tool was also of interest to her.

"Has rumors of this spread already?"

"In the news of the social world, I am no less behind the crown prince's secret information department. I knew that what had come out of the door this time was clothing."

"Oh, I'm sick of the information department. Then, the invitations in this box here were drawn out by those rumors, right?"

"Oh, you have better eyes than you seem to."

"Well, our Sir Kleio is a person that all party organizers in the capital are eagerly waiting for!"

"Arthur Reignan, can you stop talking now?"

"Even though you're in that position now, you hate it. How about getting used to it now?"

"Okay, don't shout anymore."

Kleio held onto a fleeting desire to side with Melchior to stay out of the limelight.

"Hmm. Young master, it can't be helped that people are making a fuss. It's a magic tool obtained from that door. Oh, can I take a look?"

Kleio nodded happily.

"It's just clothing that keeps your temperature. It doesn't block magic or protect you from a sword or guns, but everyone is interested."

'They would go wild for a windbreaker then if this is interesting.'

It was a long coat with a light gray outer part and an indigo blue lining, with a cape extending from the shoulder to the waist. It had a soft texture similar to gabardine, but it was light enough not to have any weight.

"Hey, you can block both with magic. The researchers have heard that it keeps your body warm in any place. Lei is always cold, so it's perfect for you."

Dione took the clothes with a tilt of her head, looking over at Kleio.

"This would be cute with the rabbit fur muffler those cute friends of yours gave you before. On the subject of items from dungeons, this is rather sophisticated."

"If Lady Dione says so, it must be a great dress. I wonder what Isiel would think. Ah! Isiel..."

"I know, prince. You are the young swordsman of the Viscount Kision. Why didn't she come today?"

"Isiel is still being held at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Defense Force and is writing a report on the destruction of the remembered world. Isiel, who has excellent writing skills and patience, will suffer."

Arthur had abandoned her without any remorse.

"Anyway, Lei will be sick for another week, so please dress him up warmly and take him out to eat something hearty."

"Ahaha. What's that, it's like a date. Well, it's not bad for me because the master is my type."

"Anyway, everything I acquired from the dungeon is now Lei's. Is there anything that will offend you?"

"The prince. You're still naïve and don't know the hearts of others."

At Dione's enigmatic remarks, Arthur and Kleio grew confused.