Chapter 26

To my surprise, we received 1 million views.

Thank you very much for all the visits.

Several weeks have passed since the day Ein went on his first hunt.

Two ships from Ishtalika headed for the Duchy of Euro, and one of them has returned to Ishtalika.

One of the two ships was mainly responsible for transporting materials and other necessary supplies, so it returned home after completing its assigned tasks.

Warren, who had compiled the report from the civil servant on the returned ship, was about to report to Silverwood and the others.

"Warren, does this mean we can start the full-scale mining of the sea crystals?"

"The quality of the sea crystals from the Duchy of Euro is suitable for practical use, and there are no particular issues with the mining. Therefore, we can proceed with the plan as scheduled."

Silverwood and the others were confirming the quality of the sea crystals from the Duchy of Euro while listening to Warren's explanation.

The quality of the sea crystals was suitable for use in magical devices, and a sufficient amount of samples had been brought from the Duchy of Euro.

"This is excellent news, Your Majesty. If the quality of the sea crystals is not an issue, it is truly a cause for celebration as we look to the future."

"Yes. Let us also pray for the discovery of new mining sites."

"Warren, are you done with your report?"

"No, there is still more. Of course, I have also received a letter from Duke Amour, and there are a few items that require Your Majesty's approval."

"You are deliberately delaying the report, aren't you...?"

Silverwood had one thing that was particularly on his mind.

It was about Duke August and his entourage. The noble who had gone through the trouble of contacting Ishtalika via Euro and wished to come to Ishtalika.

He was concerned about the granddaughter of the Duke, who he had heard was taking good care of the flower she received from Ein.

"Don't push the Emperor too far, Mr. Warren?"

"Hahaha, indeed. Then, I shall also report on Duke August and his entourage, which I believe the Emperor is interested in."

"Always a troublesome vassal."

With a slight laugh, Warren took out a document and began his report while looking at it.

"Crowne August. She is four years older than Lady Ein."

"Continue."

"As a result of our investigation, it seems that the third prince of Haim proposed unofficially."

"Really?"

"That's quite an interesting development."

Upon hearing Warren's report, Silverwood and Lloyd exchanged smiles that seemed both pleased and scheming.

"Yes, quite interesting, isn't it? By the way, it seems that Miss Crowne was not inclined to accept, but the third prince does not seem to be giving up easily."

"Interesting. Lloyd, isn't this turning into a pleasant situation?"

"It's becoming more and more interesting, Your Majesty. Please, Mr. Warren, continue your report."

The two urged Warren to continue. For them, who did not have a favorable view of Haim, this story was becoming increasingly entertaining.

"And at the party the day before Olivia and the others returned, it seems that Ein and Crowne met and became friends."

"Warren's information-gathering skills are always impressive."

"Yes, indeed. I am always worried that I might be investigated myself, given how you manage to gather information without my knowledge."

Warren, the Prime Minister of Ishtalika, was a master of information gathering, unmatched by anyone else.

Even information from Haim, which was on a different continent, was thoroughly investigated along with the trade with Euro.

Seeing the high level of his information-gathering skills, Lloyd also offered his praise.

"Once we arrive, I would like to speak with her directly to understand her character."

Crowne, who had brought about a pleasant situation for Silverwood and the others, made him want to meet her in person to assess her character.

* * *

The former Duke of August and his entourage had no idea what kind of conversation was taking place in the royal palace of Ishtalika.

Graf, the former Duke of August, was on board an Ishtalikan ship with Crowne, Alfred, a few guards, and an old servant.

"Quite impressive, isn't it, Alfred?"

"Yes, indeed. I never would have thought this was inside a ship."

The room where Graf and his entourage were accommodated was designed for Ishtalikan nobility, and the facilities and interior were satisfactory for them.

Crowne and Graf had separate rooms, but they were almost identical, with only the arrangement of furniture differing.

"Grandfather, it feels more comfortable than the August family mansion."

"Yes, I thought that even with rooms designed for nobility, it would be a ship and there would be some discomfort and movement."

"There is none at all. It's as comfortable as the mansion, if not more so."

Graf and his entourage were able to enjoy their stay on the ship without feeling any movement.

The fact that Crowne was comfortable, which had been a concern, was a relief to Graf, Alfred, and the servants.

"Our servants' rooms are also impressive. While they are not as luxurious as this room, they are comfortable to live in and do not feel any movement either."

Alfred and the other servants and guards were, of course, given separate rooms. However, these rooms were also comfortable, and the Ishtalikan entourage had no complaints.

"It was like a fairy tale from a distant country, but now it feels more real, Grandfather."

For Crowne, Ishtalika was only an image from her studies.

Even though her father, Harley, had studied abroad, she could not imagine what it was like from his stories.

Even when boarding the ship, she was so surprised by the sight of the ship that she could not even speak.

"Yes, and now that we have reached this point, Haim can no longer interfere."

Graf's concern was the third prince's proposal.

They had left the country under the pretext of Graf's convalescence, passing through a trading city to reach Euro.

While some interference was expected when leaving Haim, there was nothing particularly significant.

If anything, a person close to the third prince had approached Crowne, asking her to reconsider the proposal more positively.

The fact that they had not yet resorted to forceful means was fortunate for Graf.

In a normal situation, a marriage proposal from the royal family would be accepted by a noble serving the country.

However, the August family, being a ducal family, had managed to delay the issue without easily accepting it.

The third prince, who had taken a strong liking to Crowne, wanted her to like him, even if it took time, so he had not resorted to forceful means.

"Would you like a refill of tea?"

"Thank you, Alfred."

"I'll have one too."

Alfred refilled the tea, observing the situation.

Graf was thinking. He expected that some issues, big or small, would arise in the future.

However, the fact that they were not happening now was the most important thing for him.

* * *

"School?"

"Yes, school. We'll go when you turn seven, okay?"

In Olivia's room late at night, Ein and Olivia were having a light conversation before bed.

During the conversation, Olivia suddenly suggested that Ein should go to school.

Upon reflection, it was normal for someone Ein's age to go to school.

"Come to think of it, I'll be seven soon too."

"Let's celebrate, okay?"

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it."

Ein was about to turn seven.

More than a year had passed since they arrived in Ishtalika, and he had become a full-fledged Ishtalikan.

He was already a familiar face to the knights and servants in the castle, who called him "Your Highness" or "Master Ein."

The official debut of Prince Ein was planned for after he turned seven.

"What kind of school will I go to?"

"Well... What kind of school would you like to go to, Ein?"

"Wait, I get to choose?"

"Yes, you can. There's a large academy in the port town where we first arrived in Ishtalika, and there's also a prestigious academy in the capital. There are a few famous ones further away, but they might be difficult for you to attend due to your position."

It seemed that the limit was the academy in the port town. There was a dedicated water train, and it was easy to return to the castle if anything happened.

The other option was the academy in the capital. Ein did not want to be separated from Olivia, so he had decided in his heart to choose the academy in the capital.

"If I go to the academy in the port town, will I have to live there alone?"

"I think you'll have a few guards with you, but as a member of the royal family, you'll be going alone. Don't worry, I can endure it."

Olivia was trying to hold back tears.

Upon hearing about living alone, Ein decided to reject it.

"I don't want to be separated from you, so the capital is the best option for now. If I go to the academy in the capital, I can commute from the castle, right?"

"You're such a good boy, Ein. Thank you, I'm happy too. If you go to the academy in the capital, you can commute from the castle. However, you'll probably have to take the water train to get close to it."

"Wait, it's quite a distance away?"

"It's definitely in the capital. However, the capital of Ishtalika is quite large, so people often use the water train to move around within the city. It would take too long and be tiring to travel by carriage."

Ein thought it made sense. However, he wondered if it was okay for the crown prince to take a regular train to school.

He thought it might cause a commotion or if the academy had a dedicated water train.

"By the way, is it okay for the crown prince to take the water train to school?"

"Someone will accompany you as a guard. Eventually, you'll have your own dedicated guard, so you'll have to wait until then."

Ein was relieved to hear that he would have a dedicated guard.

It would be foolish to let the crown prince ride the train alone.

"But I'm starting to look forward to it. I haven't really interacted with many people my age."

"Yes... I'm sorry, Ein."

Ein had no friends his age.

If you counted Crowne, he had one, but she was not around.

Olivia apologized for the situation.

"It's not your fault. But... What's the academy in the capital like?"

Before Olivia could apologize again, Ein changed the subject. He wanted to know more about the academy in the capital.

"Right! You want to know what the school is like. I'll explain, Ein."

Olivia began to explain the academy in the capital to Ein.

The school's name was Ishtalika Royal Kingsland Academy. Kingsland was the name of the capital of Ishtalika, and the school used it directly.

The school was called "Royal" because the highest authority was Silverwood. The national academy was run by the state of Ishtalika.

The royal academy was of course at a higher level, and it was difficult to get in. The number of students was less than half of the national academy.

Incidentally, Ein was planning to attend the royal academy.

However, it was not as simple as just getting in.

"An exam?"

"There's no cheating in this. You'll have to work hard, Ein."

It was a multiple-choice exam.

It could be math, history, or law, and excelling in one field was enough to get in.

Of course, using magic to sell yourself was also an option.

"Hmm, in my case, my strengths are Toxin Decomposition EX and Dark Knight, right?"

"Honestly, even if you use the Dark Knight skill, I don't think it will be recognized. I don't think there are people who have actually seen it. I think it will be fine, but if something happens, it might get complicated. Also, Toxin Decomposition EX is still a secret..."

The Dark Knight, which normally does not reside in a person, was not suitable for use in the exam.

That left Toxin Decomposition EX, but its uniqueness meant it was not yet ready to be made public.

"So, I guess I'll have to use a sword...?"

"I'm disappointed that you can't use your special skills, but there's nothing we can do about it."

When told to show a particular strength, Ein reluctantly decided to use his sword skills.

If he demonstrated his strength as he did in training with the castle knights, it would be enough.

His efforts, which had earned him a boon, and the results of his training, were enough to match even a regular knight, let alone someone his age.

"I think it's not bad to compete with your sword skills. You're already able to beat the castle knights, right?"

"Yes, that's true. If that's the case, will I be able to pass?"

"Of course. The knights of Ishtalika are selected to be in that position, so they are quite capable."

"Then I'll make sure to train until the day of the exam. By the way, when is the entrance exam?"

"Since there are many applicants, there's an exam for children under seven every month."

Since it was held every month, Ein thought he would finish it quickly.

He did not want to be caught off guard later.

"Since the next exam is coming up soon, would you like to take it, Ein?"

"Yes, I want to finish it as soon as possible. Can I apply?"

"Alright. I'll prepare what we need in the morning."

"By the way, when is the next exam?"

Olivia, who said she would prepare in the morning, made Ein think the exam was coming up soon.

"It's less than a week away. Are you okay, Ein?"

It was much sooner than expected, but since it was just a matter of swinging a sword, he thought he would be fine. He just needed to be in good condition on the day of the exam.

"I'm fine. Please let me take the exam next week."

"Alright. I believe in you, Ein, but I'll be cheering for you!"

* * *

Ein had been looking forward to the exam for the past few days.

He thought he could do it the same way he trained with the castle knights, but he was also excited to show his skills to people outside the castle and to see the academy with his own eyes.

On the day of the exam, Ein, who did not yet have a dedicated knight, went to the Royal Kingsland Academy with Chris as his guard.

Just like when they went to the magic stone shop, Chris hid his face with a helmet to avoid causing a commotion and wore his personal armor instead of the royal guard's armor.

Incidentally, Chris's personal armor was much more expensive than the royal guard's armor.

The two headed to the White Rose, the largest station in the capital.

This time, they took a regular water train instead of the royal family's dedicated water train.

The area where the academy was located was a kind of academic city with several academies, including the Royal Kingsland Academy.

They boarded a train heading to this area.

In less than 15 minutes, they arrived at a place bustling with many students.

The entrance exam for the Royal Kingsland Academy was held every month, and many applicants gathered from all over Ishtalika.

Even excluding the applicants, there were a considerable number of students from other academies walking around, which surprised Ein.

"There are so many people."

"This area is called an academic city within the capital. It's always crowded with students, researchers, teachers, and parents."

Ein was a bit put off by the constant crowds.

"I don't like crowded places, but I'll do my best to pass the exam."

"I believe you will pass, Master Ein. Please follow me, the Royal Kingsland Academy is this way."

Led by Chris, Ein headed for the exam venue.

Looking around, he saw a few people accompanied by guards.

It seemed that children of nobility generally attended schools in this academic city, and it was common to have servants or guards with them, as Chris explained.

"I believe Lloyd's child also attends the Royal Kingsland Academy."

"Wh-What!?"

Chris casually mentioned something significant.

Ein was so surprised by the fact that he could not react.

"Lloyd has a... child? Is Lloyd married?"

"Oh, you didn't know, Master Ein? I thought you already knew."

"No, I didn't know at all."

"Umm... What should I do...?"

Chris seemed to be wondering if he should explain, as he was unsure if he was the right person to do so.

"It's okay, Master Ein... There's no problem, yes. Master Ein, you've actually met Lloyd's wife."

"Wh-What? You're joking, right?"

"It's the person who makes tea for Lady Olivia every day. Lloyd's wife."

"M-Marsa!? The small Marsa and the big beast-like Lloyd are married!?"

Ein, who was usually calm, lost his composure at the revelation.

He could not understand at all how the small, cute Marsa and the beast-like Lloyd could be married.

"Please calm down, Master Ein. Many people think the same... Yes, everyone thinks so, but..."

"Right? I didn't feel any couple-like vibes at all."

"It seems they maintain a certain stance within the castle. Both have their positions, so they try to keep a certain decorum and avoid showing a couple-like appearance within the castle."

"O-Oh, I see. Well... It's good as long as they get along."

There was no couple-like conversation or behavior, and Ein had not noticed it at all since he arrived in Ishtalika.

Now that he thought about it, he lived mostly within the castle and did not know how people spent their time outside.

"When they have days off, they are often seen shopping together. I