Chapter 38

Thank you for always visiting.

Let me ask a question within this activity report.

If you have time, I would be very happy to receive your response, even if it's just a few words.

When dealing with those who make a living from magic or creatures, several preparations are necessary for survival.

First, you must have items that can resist and face them; if you are caught off guard, you must consider yourself as good as dead. Being unarmed against magic is the same as being dead from the start. That's why you must understand that facing a magic knight is especially troublesome.

Even if you have items, you must never continue to look into the opponent's eyes.

Lastly, if you feel something sweet in the voice, hurt yourself. You might already be enchanted.

——From the New Knight Training Guidelines of the Unified Nation of Ishtalika.

“Haa... haa... in the middle of a meeting. I apologize for the intrusion! Is Lord Lloyd here?”

At the sound, the members in the grand conference room looked at the door, which had opened with a loud noise.

There stood a knight, breathing heavily from rushing, searching for Lloyd.

“I’m here. What is it!”

“A-Ain-sama... Katima-sama has broken the seal on her laboratory and escaped! She’s heading for the castle gates!”

“Katima, huh. She must have had help.”

“...No, Your Majesty. Even Katima-sama would find it difficult to break the seal from the inside.”

“The method can be questioned later. Your Majesty, I will go to stop Ain-sama.”

Even in an unexpected situation, Marshal Lloyd was able to respond calmly.

His mind was focused on one thing: doing everything to protect the Crown Prince.

That was all.

Silvardo was somewhat relieved, as Olivia had returned to her room a little while ago. If she hadn’t, he would have lost his composure even more upon receiving such a report.

“Hurry, you can use the Royal Guard if necessary. Do whatever it takes to stop him.”

“As you command.”

Stopping Ain’s current movements in a direct physical confrontation would be difficult even for Lloyd. Understanding this, Lloyd picked up a sword without a blade that was displayed in the conference room.

“I’ll borrow this.”

“...It’s fine. Minor injuries are inevitable. Do whatever it takes to stop him.”

“Understood.”

* * *

“Hey, Katima. Why are you following me?”

Ain, who had escaped from the laboratory, found Katima walking beside him.

“I’ve finished my work, Nyaa. I’m tired, so I’m going to rest in my room, Nyaa. Really, Ain.”

“Aren’t you going to stop me?”

“You’ve crossed the line where I can stop you, so it’s too much trouble, Nyaa.”

“Do you feel sorry?”

“I’ll definitely be grilled by Father and the others, Nyaa... and you’ll have to explain what you did, Nyaa. Really, this nephew of mine is outrageous, Nyaa... Well, goodbye, Nyaa.”

Suddenly, Katima started to hop in a light rhythm.

Though they were still far from parting ways, she seemed to have noticed something and left Ain to head to her room.

“Why suddenly... Ah, I see. Thank you, Katima.”

Ain understood why Katima had suddenly left. A little further ahead, at the midpoint of the path leading from the underground to the grand hall, she was there.

“Good day, Ain. Haven’t seen you since yesterday?”

“Yeah, it’s been since yesterday. I’m glad to see you today.”

“Oh, what an honor to hear such words from the Crown Prince. How about coming to my room for some tea?”

Crown Princess Chrona, who had grown even more beautiful over the past few years. This year, as Ain turns 11, Chrona will be 15.

At the Liebe Girls' Academy, where many young ladies gather, she is so popular that she is called the reincarnation of Olivia, and countless families of female students have proposed marriage to her.

Just by walking from the station to the academy, she has gained numerous fans, and there have been several instances of public declarations of love.

Despite this, many men who desired a connection with her, a woman of such beauty and high education, were countless, but their wishes were never fulfilled.

“Having tea with a beautiful woman like you, I’d be nervous, you know.”

“Oh, how embarrassing, Your Highness. ...Shall we go to my room?”

“I’m sorry, but I have a prior engagement today.”

“...How cruel. I mustered up the courage to invite you, and you’ve never invited a man to your room before, Your Highness.”

A different kind of conversation, one that neither Ain nor Chrona would normally have. This was a conversation to hide their true feelings from each other.

“I have to go and defeat a big fish. I’ll buy some delicious seafood from Magna on the way back, and we can all have a feast tonight.”

“...Are you really going?”

“Yeah.”

“Even if I beg you to stay?”

“Yeah.”

“Even if I say I’ll give you everything right now?”

“...My heart almost moved. But I’m going.”

Chrona, who didn’t want Ain to go at all. But she understood Ain’s firm resolve and had her own pride.

“...Is it unseemly for a woman to throw a tantrum when a man is so determined?”

“I don’t think it’s unseemly. I’m glad you’re worried about me, so when I come back, can you say ‘welcome back’?”

“Haa... You’ve been stubborn since you were little.”

Opening the way, Chrona stood aside.

“Thank you. I like that about you, Chrona.”

“Oh? You didn’t say you like me?”

“...Maybe next time.”

Though he had feelings for her, Ain wasn’t yet able to be honest. Because they understood each other’s feelings, the frustration grew, and it had continued for these past few years.

“At times like this, women are happy when you say it out loud. Have you remembered that?”

“Yeah, I remember. ...I’m going now.”

Because Chrona had opened the way, Ain could pass through.

As he passed, Chrona approached Ain.

“Mm... go on, with the blessing of the goddess.”

“It’s a blessing that seems to ensure victory, but it’s not on the mouth, is it?”

“Fufu, maybe next time.”

“I see, so this is how you get back at me. I learned something. Thank you, Chrona, I’m off!”

Ain’s cheek was blessed by the goddess. It was a bit disappointing that it wasn’t on the mouth, but he decided to save it for later.

To keep Ain focused, Chrona didn’t show her tears, but the moment Ain was out of sight, tears streamed down her cheeks.

Ain ran the rest of the way. He climbed the stairs to the grand hall one at a time and finally arrived.

“Hey, Ain-sama. You look good, the weather is nice, isn’t it? Are you going for a walk?”

As expected, Ain thought. But he couldn’t be stopped. It’s time for the main event, Ain thought, tightening his resolve.

His opponent was the Marshal, one of the strongest in the Unified Nation of Ishtalika.

“Hey, Lloyd. The weather is nice, so I thought I’d go out and relax. Want to come with me?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept your kind invitation. I haven’t finished my work yet...”

“That’s a shame. Then I’ll go alone.”

“That won’t do. You need a guard. So... where are you going?”

The atmosphere changed with those words. The glass windows seemed to tremble.

The pressure Lloyd emitted was something Ain had never experienced before, something unparalleled.

“I thought about getting some souvenirs for Mother. How about the port town of Magna... So, can you step aside, everyone?”

Ain used the same thing that stopped Katima. Ain didn’t understand the principle, or even what he was using, but he somehow understood it in a deeper, wordless place, like his soul.

If he had been a moment slower, Lloyd would have been in Ain’s reach. He managed to take the initiative at the last moment.

The Royal Guard who came with Lloyd seemed to be unaware of what was happening to their bodies, but they could sense the changes.

“Breaking the seal is one thing, but this movement-stopping technique is quite impressive. It seems Ain-sama has suddenly become very strong.”

“...Lloyd seems quite calm. Katima was struggling to speak.”

“I am the Marshal, after all. But... hmm, even I find it ‘difficult’ to move.”

Sweat appeared on Lloyd’s forehead. He must be trying his hardest to move his body.

“That’s good. I’ll leave while you can’t move, Lloyd.”

“The victor is always right. There’s no room for complaints from the loser. But, Ain-sama, you’re going to do what you want. Please don’t forget the meaning of that, as it comes with a lot of responsibility.”

Ain was surprised at how easily Lloyd backed down. He was also surprised that his movement was so easily stopped, but now wasn’t the time to think about it. He had to head for the station.

Ain hurried out again, heading for the station to board a train, and ran with all his might.

* * *

“What a delightful person.”

In the grand hall after Ain left, the Royal Guard were still stiff. Warren, who had just arrived, saw the scene. Lloyd muttered to himself and was deep in thought.

“I don’t know what happened, but it’s clear that Ain-sama has left. It seems our Crown Prince is even more mischievous than Olivia-sama.”

“Warren, you’re right... Well, hmm!”

Lloyd, who had been stiff, shouted and his body was suddenly freed. There was a sound like something breaking.

“Oh? Was it a charade?”

“I wish I could say that, but unfortunately, I was completely caught off guard. The distance from Ain-sama allowed me to release the spell.”

“Hmm... So, Lloyd, do you know what was done?”

“It was a binding spell. I never expected such a high-level spell to be used. Binding spells are easy to deflect if you have a defense, but the problem was that I didn’t have one.”

“Binding spells are only effective against people. Even wearing monster materials can provide resistance.”

“That’s right. I regret not sending someone to fetch that defense, along with the urgency.”

Lloyd had said it was difficult to move, but the fact that he was sweating was undeniable. But only Lloyd knew whether he could move in that situation or not.

* * *

Ain, having successfully left the grand hall, was running towards the castle gates. He couldn’t use a carriage, and it would take too long to prepare a horse.

So, he decided to run with all his might.

“Damn... This castle is ridiculously large. I’m surprised, even though it’s my home!”

The White Knight Castle of Ishtalika was so large that it took a considerable distance to get outside.

This was particularly unpleasant for Ain at the moment.

Running continuously, Ain finally reached near the castle gates. There, someone was waiting for him.

“Ain-sama. I didn’t expect you to come this far.”

“Dill...!”

Dill, who now served as a knight in the castle. Even after graduating from the academy, he often guarded Ain, and they had become much closer.

His sword, unlike his father Lloyd’s, was wielded with a dance-like grace.

Though still young and a new knight, he had become a recognized swordsman, even among the castle’s knights, as Ain’s personal guard.

“It’s no use trying to stop me. I’m heading to Magna.”

Before Dill could say anything, Ain declared it was no use trying to stop him.

But the result was completely different from what Ain had imagined.

“...I will accompany you. Here, use this horse.”

Dill, who said he would go with him, brought out another horse from the shadows and told Ain to use it.

“Dill!? You came to stop me, didn’t you?”

“I do serve Ishtalika, but first and foremost, I serve Ain-sama personally. In a situation like this, I can at least make a joke. If I get fired, I hope you can hire me as a knight personally.”

With a bright, cheerful smile, Dill revealed his thoughts.

Seeing Dill, who said he would be fired and asked to be hired, Ain was surprised but also smiled and expressed his gratitude, fully accepting Dill’s resolve.

“I’ll hire you anytime. In fact, if I ever form my own knight order, I’ll make you the captain! Thanks for preparing the horse, let’s head to White Rose!”

“Understood!”

* * *

Getting a horse as a means of transportation was fortunate.

It allowed Ain to arrive at White Rose much earlier than expected. Riding through the main street, he felt a strong sense of guilt towards the citizens.

He thought he should find an opportunity to apologize later.

“Come on, Ain-sama, let’s go! You can tie the horse here!”

“Alright!”

Normally, they would tie the horse where carriages stop and proceed to the station.

Seeing Ain and Dill arrive on horseback, the station’s guests started to wonder what was happening.

“Oh my, Your Highness, what’s going on?”

“Majorica, sorry, I have an urgent matter and I’m heading to Magna.”

“To Magna now...? Your Highness, you don’t mean...”

On her way back from an outing, Majorica met Ain, who looked like this for the first time. Hearing the word “Magna,” she understood.

“...Your Highness! Take this!”

Majorica threw a cloth bag to Dill, who was standing next to Ain. Dill caught it, but it seemed quite heavy, as he was struggling.

“I’ll bill the castle later, so don’t hesitate! These are healing stones from the Heelbird I just acquired!”

“...Ah! Thank you!”

Healing stones from the Heelbird were useful for recovery. As a parting gift, Majorica decided to give them.

“Ain-sama, please hurry.”

“See you later, Majorica, I’ll visit your shop again!”

“...Please have a safe journey.”

Then, Ain ran towards the train, and he had to somehow get the royal water train to operate.

Normally, the train couldn’t be operated without going through several management processes, such as the butler’s office. The problem was how to get it running.

“Ain-sama, I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

Dill spoke while running.

“The royal train is the only way to make it in time. But to operate the royal train, many procedures are required.”

“Ah! I was just thinking about that!”

“There is only one way to bypass it.”

“!? Tell me!”

“Use the Royal Decree. It’s an absolute command power granted only to the royal family. However, if it’s deemed to be used improperly, there’s a possibility that your position as Crown Prince will be revoked when you return to the capital.”

Dill said it was a possibility, but in reality, it would almost certainly be revoked. Disobeying the king’s orders and deliberately heading to a dangerous place, using the power improperly, would lead to that.

Still, Ain smiled.

“Can it get the train moving?”

“It can. But I don’t approve of using it, even though I’ve brought you this far. Do you understand?”

“...Dill”

“Understood.”

Ain thanked Dill again. He was happy to have such a dedicated servant.

“Continue your guard. We’ll head to Magna as planned.”

Dill knew Ain would say this. It was his last resistance and advice. But now that his master had made up his mind, he decided to do everything to fulfill his wish.

“As you command.”

The commotion in White Rose continued without being quelled.

Ain and Dill went to the station master’s office and used the Royal Decree to get the royal train moving.

After departure, when Silvardo and the others received the news, they issued a stop order via a communication device.

But the train didn’t receive the order. Some kind of interference affected the communication, and the train didn’t stop.

* * *

Ain ordered the driver to push the engine to its limits. The way he used it, it seemed the engine would be difficult to operate again without replacement upon arrival.

They reached the port town of Magna in about half the usual time. The town was as beautiful as ever with its pleasant climate and clear sea, but the people’s demeanor was completely different.

The stalls were closed, and the market was not open. Everyone was trembling in fear of the sea dragons.

“The atmosphere is terrible.”

“You’re right. But it’s to be expected with sea dragons. And this time, there are two... It’s an unprecedented situation, and the port town doesn’t know what to expect.”

“Dill, what do you think? What are the chances of Chris and the others?”

“...Probably they can handle one. The sea dragons cause significant damage every time they appear, but we have made several preparations. The result is the Ishtalika fleet. But with two, it’s not just double, and it’s hard to predict.”

“Don’t beat around the bush. Be honest, you think the second one will take out the expedition, don’t you?”

His concern was appreciated, but Ain still wanted to know what Dill really thought. They continued the conversation.

“With all due respect, the outcome you suggest is highly likely.”

“I see. Well...”

Ain started to think about what to do. Not only how to get to the scene, but also how to deal with the sea dragons.

“Ain-sama, how do you plan to defeat the sea dragons? If you had a Dullahan, you might stand a chance, but you’re not a Dullahan.”

Dill, who had become a castle guard and a personal guard, even as a trainee, had heard about Ain’s Dark Knight.

The Dark Knight was strong, but it didn’t seem capable of delivering a decisive blow to the sea dragons.

“Hey, Dill, where are the sea dragons’ magic stones?”

“...They should be embedded in their foreheads.”

“I see. Got it. Well, then we need to prepare a boat next.”

“Your Highness! What method do you plan to use?”

Even when asked by Dill, Ain didn’t answer. He