Chapter 42

As today's portion has become quite long, I will post this amount first. I apologize for it being shorter than usual.

If I can summarize it, I will post the continuation today, but if I can't, I apologize.

Several things have become clear about the magic stone that Ein has sucked.

However, due to time and circumstances, it was decided to discuss the continuation later, and they had a meal.

The meat that Ein brought from Magna was that of a sea dragon. Silvad, who had to deal with Ein bringing such a thing without saying anything, ended up holding his head, but after a few seconds, he became quiet after putting the meat in his mouth. The taste was so good that Silvad had no choice but to remain silent.

There were other topics as well, such as Chris, who turned bright red while taking care of Ein, but the dinner party ended in a warm atmosphere.

After having a meal, the group took a break and decided to rest for the day. Ein and the others were very tired, but those who had been waiting were not without fatigue either. They had been constantly worried, and Silvad and the others had been straining their brains in meetings for a while. It was decided to discuss the details later, and for now, they would disband for the day.

Ein then went to Olivia's room with her.

"Um, Mother? Why is it like this?"

"I was so worried about Ein that I couldn't bear it..."

Ein was supposed to clean Olivia's room. However, since his arms couldn't move, he wasn't going to start cleaning right away. He had simply been invited by Olivia.

The door was leaking, and when he entered the room, he couldn't help but ask what had happened. The room was covered with tree roots and a few flowers.

"Martha said that Mother is a powerful dryad..."

The tree roots spread out from the sofa where Olivia had been sitting.

"In the end, my essence is that of a dryad... So when I get upset, it ends up like this."

"You don't have to look so embarrassed, you know?"

"But, Ein? When I think of it all as part of my body, it's inevitable to feel embarrassed."

When he heard that, Ein could understand a little. Values differ from person to person and from race to race, so he decided to accept it.

"So, I have to clean up the roots that Mother put out, right?"

"Yes, please, Ein."

Ein thought that he should do this much since he had caused worry. He also wondered if he could produce roots himself.

"Can I produce roots too?"

"Even though you're more human, I think you can. Let's practice together next time."

Ein was curious about what kind of practice it would be, but he decided to look forward to it.

"Alright, Ein, come here?"

Olivia, sitting on the sofa, invited Ein.

"Next to me?"

"No, not next to me, here."

Olivia lifted Ein, who seemed a bit heavy, and Ein also lifted his body. Then Ein was placed on Olivia's lap.

"Alright, it's fine now. You did a great job. Good boy, good boy..."

Ein, pulled into Olivia's chest, had his head gently patted. As this continued, tears began to well up.

"Oh, what...?"

"It's okay, good boy, Ein... You've worked so hard. It's all right now. There's nothing to worry about."

Strangely, there was no embarrassment, only a warm feeling. The tears continued to flow, and Ein kept crying.

"Why... Why so much..."

To save Chris, the adrenaline that was excessively secreted in Ein's brain had suppressed his fear. Even after the sea dragon was defeated, he couldn't calm down, probably due to this. Now, back in the place where he felt the most secure, Ein finally realized that he had been afraid.

He might have died, Chris might not have been saved, and Chris might have died right in front of him. There were many reasons to be afraid. The mind that had been forcibly suppressed in his head was finally surfacing as emotion.

"Yes, yes. Ein has worked so hard, but there's no need to worry or be afraid anymore. Ein has returned here with everyone. So it's all right now."

Ein, unable to speak through his tears, let out a sob. What he had done was too much for his body and mind. Olivia, who understood this from the moment Ein returned, saw it at first glance.

"Mo... Mother..."

A sight unimaginable from the usual Ein. But he was still 10 years old, almost 11, and still a child. Because he had done things beyond his age, he was now showing his age-appropriate side to Olivia.

Ein continued to cry for a while. His body, which had been greatly fatigued that day, fell asleep in Olivia's arms.

*

When Ein fell asleep in Olivia's arms, in Silvad's room, Silvad, Lalarua, Warren, and Lloyd, a total of four people, were gathered to talk.

"But, don't you think it's a bit pitiful that there's no reward at all?"

Lalarua spoke, expressing her dissatisfaction.

"...Lalarua, I understand what you're saying."

"In other words, you can't give a reward, can you?"

"Y-Yes... But as a royal, I cannot give a reward either."

"However, Your Majesty. The Princess understands, but Ain, who has become a hero, did act on his own. Nevertheless, he has achieved such great deeds. Without a reward, it's..."

"...Lloyd, you're right. Indeed, the people might be dissatisfied."

To the people, Ain was a hero. The fact that Ain, who had done so much, received no reward due to his own responsibility was a problem. This was a source of worry for Silvad.

"I understand that. But..."

"That's why, you? I have one proposal. Will you listen?"

"...Go on."

"What did Ain ride to triumphantly return to the capital?"

Hearing what Lalarua said, Warren nodded several times, as if he already understood.

"Princess Olivia."

"Why? Why Princess Olivia?"

"Well, it was the best choice. I couldn't use my ship, and Magna has Princess Olivia. It would be better to use Princess Olivia than Princess Katima."

It would be better to use Princess Olivia than Princess Katima, he was about to say. But Lalarua interrupted him.

"You're as clueless as ever. You're not stupid when it comes to the country, but why do you become like this when it involves family..."

Lalarua, who had come to the private space, spoke to Silvad without reservation.

"Warren, you understand, right?"

"...It's simply because Ain doesn't have his own ship."

"Exactly. That's why Ain couldn't ride his own ship to triumphantly return. I understand that he was too young to have his own ship. But... isn't it just the right time now?"

"Everything the Princess says seems to fit together nicely."

Hearing this opinion, Silvad began to think. The ship would be given by the country rather than as a reward from Silvad and the others. It might not seem to make much difference who gave it, but for the royal family, each detail was important. Therefore, Silvad saw no problem with this.

"Since he saved many lives, it's only natural for the country to give a reward. Don't you think so?"

"M-Mmm... Indeed, you're right. Then, let's proceed with this matter immediately."

"No, wait. Actually, the short sword I gave to Ain is gone. Do you remember?"

"I understand that, but..."

"That's why I have an idea. Is it okay?"

Feeling the forceful presence of Lalarua, Silvad urged her to continue.

"First, tell me what you're thinking. It's making my heart race."

"Today, we've acquired two good things."

"...Princess. You don't mean..."

Warren seemed to immediately understand the meaning and looked at Lalarua with surprise.

"Let's use one. We will create a masterpiece that will become a symbol of our country, Ishtrika, a ship that will surpass your White King."

"Princess, are you serious!?"

"Lalarua, you... really!?"

"Yes. We have two, and it's the first time we've brought in two whole ones. We will allocate the one placed in Magna and use it for the country. This way, there will be no complaints. And the sea dragon that Ain defeated and brought to the capital... we will use it."

It was an unprecedented idea, and compared to the materials used for royal ships in the past, it was incomparable.

"We will use the entire material from the sea dragon that Ain defeated to build a new royal ship for Ishtrika. How about this name?"

The sea dragon ship Leviathan, that was the name she suggested.

If it were to become a symbol of Ishtrika, it would not be a bad idea. The White King, which the king of Ishtrika had inherited, was aging, and the idea of building a new ship had already been considered. Moreover, it would be a good measure against future sea dragons.

It made sense to give it to Ain, the future king and crown prince.

"It will be a ship worthy of a hero, Your Majesty."

Hearing this from Warren, Silvad's mind was filled with various ideas on how to realize this proposal.

"Not bad. I feel the same way."

The royal family of Ishtrika has always been known for the excellence of its women. Lalarua, too, was no exception, and she had been a great help to Silvad.

* November 13, 2019 Addendum

Regarding the typo reporting function, we do not apply it to reports other than typos. Please refrain from reporting content or phrasing issues.