Chapter 79

"Yesterday, I found this in my pocket. It's not mine, but could it be Raser's?"

At breakfast, I showed Raser the silver pocket watch that had been delivered to me before I went to bed.

It was the laundry staff who found it and, recognizing it as something valuable, hurried to deliver it. It was a silver pocket watch with an eagle mark intricately carved on the lid.

"Blow!!"

Raser spat out the consommé soup he was just about to drink, looking quite surprised.

The soup spilled onto the tablecloth, and the servants nearby hurried to wipe it up.

"Sorry. I'll clean the rest myself, so could you please step aside for a moment?"

At Raser's request, the four servants left the room.

Given his flustered appearance and the fact that he had made us alone, it seemed like he had found something troublesome...

"Bro, even if you tell me to forget it, I've already seen it, so I'll explain. Oh, before that—"

Raser searched his pocket and carefully took out the silver pocket watch. The mark on the lid was different, but the shape was the same, a silver pocket watch.

"Good. It doesn't seem to be mine. This pocket watch is something that only a select few of the country's most important figures are given. I was taught to value it as much as my life, so I never thought someone would lose it... I can't explain much about it, but if you open it, you should see the name of the person who lost it engraved inside."

Probably my sister... Raser muttered sadly. Raser's sister is Lady Maria, right? I've heard she's a delicate young lady, but from the way Raser worries, she probably isn't as delicate as her reputation suggests.

"...It says 'Kururi Heran' is engraved."

"Blow!!"

He spat out the consommé soup he was trying to drink again, the second time today. The napkin seemed to be running out of energy to catch the soup.

"Hey, can I see it?"

"Here."

He threw it, and Raser used his whole body to catch it.

"Don't throw it!"

"Ah, yes."

He was scolded.

In a fluster, he still carefully examined the watch. His eyes were somewhat similar to Iris's when she appraises magic stones.

"...It's the real thing. When did you get this?"

"Well, it was in my pocket last night, and a diligent laundry staff member delivered it."

"Hmm, it doesn't seem like you received any explanation. Hmm... Hmm... I wonder if I should talk about it..."

"Is it that important?"

"Yes!"

After much deliberation, Raser seemed to have made up his mind and looked into my eyes.

"What I'm about to say must not be repeated to anyone, not even you, Bro."

"...Okay."

"Then, I'll tell you. This watch can only be issued by one person in this country... the King."

For a moment, I thought about how much it would be worth if I sold it, but I suppressed the thought.

"I don't know why the King gave this to you. You don't know him, right?"

"No."

I can say that for sure.

"Well, my father is a bit strange, so it might be best not to think too deeply about it. What's important is that you have this watch now. If you didn't know about it, maybe he wanted you to hear it from me."

This is starting to sound serious? I'm more interested in the ice skating he promised to take me to today. I heard there will be a lot of beautiful women there.

"This is something that comes into effect in emergencies in the country of Kudan. The King entrusts it to someone he believes can save the country in times of chaos. With this, you can prove your identity, and you can even command the army and the treasury. It's like a bundle of privileges."

"What about in peacetime?"

"...It's just a useless object."

"Oh."

"What are you disappointed about...? Maybe it was given to you because of your achievements in the Heran territory or other factors that could be judged. Bro, even if it's a burden, can you keep it carefully?"

"Hmm, well, since I received it, I'll keep it. I don't think it's something to show off, so I'll keep it quietly. In an emergency, I doubt I can do much, but I'll try my best."

"That's not true. I'm sure the King's judgment was correct."

It feels like I've been promoted.

I don't mind.

It means the King recognized me, right? That's a good thing.

But, what did he see in me? And from where did he see me?

It's too mysterious, the King.

"Oh, it's snowing."

Outside, the light snow had turned into a blizzard. It's not a good day for skating, more like a good day for Kamakura.

We could have a snowball fight, but the wind is so strong that it might create magical balls flying in strange trajectories.

"Is skating canceled...?"

"Unfortunately, it seems we have no choice. If you'd like, we can visit the cavalry barracks today? They've been noisy about wanting to meet you."

"Huh? Will I get beaten up?"

"No, they're welcoming you. It's not a very clean place, so I didn't want to show it, but since we have the time, it might get even noisier if I don't."

"I see, maybe I'll get a thank you for the sword?"

"I don't think they're that formal, but you can hope, right?"

So, the plan changed. From the dancing ground of cute women to the stuffy men's quarters.

There was a building inside the wall, separate from the castle, where the knights were. I heard that the top knights have private rooms inside the castle, but only a few have them.

It's a tough path if you don't have the right skills and background.

My friend Vain would have eventually come here if things went smoothly, right? Or rather, he would have come here. Thinking about that, I looked up at the cavalry barracks.

Noisy voices echoed from inside. It seems impossible for men to gather and be quiet.

"Ah, Prince!"

When we entered the barracks, a young man noticed the Prince. He looked to be around 20, definitely older than me.

"What are you doing here?"

"You called for me, so here I am."

"Huh? So, the red-haired guy is Kururi Heran?"

"Yes, my Bro, Kururi Heran."

"Whoa, really!? Really!? You're really here!?"

He started making a fuss, and the others who were relaxing in the barracks gathered one by one.

Who is it!? That red-haired guy. Really? He looks so different. Isn't he too young? Is he a fake? Possible. A fake made by the Prince. It's a scam. Scam.

They're saying whatever they want. We're not a sideshow! Disperse!

"Everyone, calm down! I have something to say first."

A woman stepped forward from the crowd.

From her appearance and the sword at her waist, which I forged, I guessed she was the woman Jeremy's brother fell in love with. What was her name again?

"I'm Madi. The sword at my waist is one you forged. It's really good, a fine sword. Your skill is the talk of the barracks. It's gotten to this point."

"Thank you."

This state means most of the knights are gathered at the entrance, pressed against each other. Indeed, the enthusiasm for the sword is intense.

Madi, if I remember correctly, is Jeremy's brother's lover.

"So, I have something to ask as a representative... Can you forge another sword for us?"

A chorus of surprise rose from behind.

Unfair! I was first! I have money! Make one for me! Idiots! Men!

The last jeer couldn't be tolerated, and the knight who said it was hit by Madi.

Raser stood in front of the noisy group.

"Unfortunately, Bro is on vacation and won't take any job requests. I only brought him here because you were noisy. Consider it a stroke of luck to have seen him. Bro is my Bro."

Unfair! Rotten Prince! You're only pretty on the outside, but you're black-hearted! Baby, baby! Raise my salary!

The last jeer has nothing to do with Raser!

Say it to someone else. The other jeers would be a problem if Raser wasn't so kind!?

Maybe they jeer because they know he's kind.

"Come on, Bro, we've done our duty to them. Let's go back and have some sweets."

"Wait!"

Madi stopped us. She looked like she remembered something.

"Right, Kururi Heran, if you don't mind, would you meet our captain? Captain Rott wanted to meet you. He doesn't usually ask for such things, but it's rare, so I told him. It's up to you if you want to go."

Captain Rott...

That's Vain's family name. Since they're a knight family, it must be his father.

Why does he want to meet me?

Is it because I led his precious son astray!! and will be cut down...? I don't want to go if that's the case. I'm thinking too much.

"I know where the captain's room is, so I can show you if you want to go."

Hmm, I was hesitant, but if he can show me, I'll go. In front of the Prince, the captain probably won