Chapter 75

While thinking about such things, Claudia called out to Noah.

“Noah, sit down. Come over here!”

“No, I’m fine.”

“What’s wrong, Noah? Since there’s no adult around, you don’t need to stand so formally, right?”

“I appreciate your concern. However, if I sit down, I won’t be able to protect the princess in an emergency.”

Wilhelm then widened his eyes and smiled.

“Alright, I respect your beliefs. ... Claudia, can you sit by yourself?”

“Pfft... Noah, you’re so stubborn!”

Claudia puffed out her right cheek and sat down on the chair. She chose to sit next to Erenfried because there was a real reason why Claudia had returned to Abinoia.

“Hey, Erenfried. Didn’t Adeleheit have many disciples?”

“Yes, Claudia.”

Erenfried had read many books about magic. He particularly favored those about Adeleheit, and his knowledge about the impact of Adeleheit’s death on later generations was more extensive than Claudia’s.

In the evening, Claudia, sitting in a chair in the guest room, sipped her tea and spoke to Noah.

“—I had a disciple who was skilled in barrier magic.”

She had just had a dream about that disciple the night before.

“His name was Sievel, and he had silver hair. He tended to stay in his room.”

“Silver hair...”

“Stuart’s garden reminds me of Sievel. It was protected by a magnificent barrier, and Stuart’s presence was completely hidden.”

“Presence concealment is part of barrier magic.”

She nodded, causing the water in her teacup to ripple.

“King Lewis of Clingate said that the first king of Clingate was my disciple from my previous life. However, Lewis said he couldn’t remember the first king’s name.”

“Do you think the first king was the disciple named Sievel?”

“Perhaps. In any case, I want to find out who that disciple was. The sleeping princesses are all descendants of the royal family of this country—meaning they are descendants of the disciple.”

Claudia recalled their nostalgic appearances.

“I still remember the nature of each disciple’s magic in detail. To wake the princesses from their sleep, using their own magic would be the best way to do it.”

With this in mind, she came to Erenfried to ask him about it.

“Erenfried, did you know? The first king of Clingate was one of Adeleheit’s disciples!”

“Really? Claudia.”

Erenfried’s eyes widened, and Claudia smiled.

“Really! Because King Lewis told me!”

“Wow...”

Erenfried pressed his lips, a mix of frustration and excitement on his face.

“Claudia, this might be a secret of the Clingate royal family.”

“A secret?”

“At least in the documents I know, there’s no mention of Adeleheit’s disciple being the first king of Clingate or that he ended up in that region...!”

Wilhelm, who had been leaning on the table, frowned.

“Maybe this Lewis is lying to Claudia to show off.”

“It’s possible, but from what I’ve heard, he’s a wise prince. Would he go out of his way to lie about something like this...?”

Erenfried looked at Noah, who, implicitly asked for his opinion, opened his mouth.

“From my perspective, it seems unlikely that Prince Lewis would have a reason to lie about this. Also, I felt a bit of a discrepancy when I heard the princess’s story.”

“Go on, Noah.”

“Prince Lewis is known to be wise and excels in his studies. ... Would such a person really ‘forget’ the name of their country’s first king?”

“... It’s hard to imagine. For a commoner, maybe, but he’s a prince.”

“If he’s not forgetting but deliberately keeping it secret, it makes sense. ... The theory that it’s a royal secret might not be far off...”

Emilia’s face changed when she heard Noah’s words.

“Claudia! You shouldn’t tell anyone else what you heard from Prince Lewis. You might end up in a terrible situation if they try to silence you!”

“Don’t worry. Noah and I will protect Claudia. Right, Noah?”

“Of course, Prince Wilhelm.”

(Hmm...)

While the children were making a fuss, Claudia was thinking.

(Asking Erenfried about which disciple was the first king of Clingate won’t help. ... The more I think about it, the more...)

She sighed softly.

(That’s right. The course of action is clear.)

Claudia got up from her chair and announced to her brothers.

“Phew. I’m getting sleepy, so I’m going to bed!”

“No, Claudia. You need to take a bath first.”

“Noah will use his magic to make me shiny! Erenfried, let’s make it a competition. Who will find the name of the first king first, me or you?”

She ran to Noah, clung to him, and waved.

“Goodnight!”

“Hey, Claudia, don’t rush like that...”

“Excuse me.”

Noah picked up Claudia and cast a transfer spell. In an instant, they returned to the guest room in Clingate. Noah, who obediently transferred, seemed surprised by Claudia’s sudden action.

“Princess. What’s the sudden... Could it be...”

Noah, who seemed to have noticed something, frowned.

“... Now?”

“You’re sharp, Noah. You’re smart and perceptive.”

“—”

With a light sound, smoke filled the air. From it, they appeared, now in their adult forms.

“Actually, I already knew the exact location where the princesses are being held.”

“... You’re going to infiltrate in this form?”

“If we’re caught, it could become a diplomatic issue. The princess of Abinoia and her attendant meeting the hidden princesses of Clingate...”

She giggled and placed her long fingers in front of her lips, acting mature. Noah, also in his adult form, sighed.

“... At least wait for us to return, or you’ll be scolded by Karlheinz.”

“If I get scolded, it will be just me. You can rest easy, Noah.”

Claudia smiled, and Noah, unable to resist, opened his mouth.

“... I’ll go with you. Ultimately, it’s my own decision.”

“Fufu”