Chapter 20

"First, let's organize what might happen in the future."

Prince Alan stood up and took Jin's left arm. The bracelet glowed as it absorbed Jin's magic.

"The rumor of this bracelet and Kirie's sword will spread quickly. No matter how much we impose a gag order, it won't be contained. They were that overwhelmingly powerful."

"Kirie was just so amazing! It's bound to become a rumor!"

Kirie beamed with a bashful smile. She was cute. Adorably cool. Our girl is amazing.

"Shina! What about me? Was I cool too?"

Jin? Did you fight? Hmm? ...Maybe I didn't see.

"Ah, well, I didn't see you fight..."

Jin's shoulders slumped in disappointment. I'm sorry.

"Even if I didn't see, someone must have seen you! Don't be disappointed, Jin!"

"It's okay, Shina... I'll try harder next time so you can see."

Jin smiled weakly. According to Barry, Jin also performed exceptionally well. He struggled with the ice lizards but mowed down A and B-class monsters, and his command of the soldiers was impressive. The muscular soldiers were reportedly smitten with him. But I don't need that kind of information. It's too much.

"Can we get back to the topic? Jinkret, save your sulking for later."

Prince Alan, looking troubled by the digression, seemed more serious than Jin.

"Word will spread quickly that Shina is the creator of this magical artifact. Even without that, you stood out with your holy magic and offensive spells. You took down S and A-class monsters that we couldn't handle. I was amazed... What was all our hard work for..."

Prince Alan had a distant look in his eyes. The red flame bulls and ice lizards only looked like delicious meals to me. I'm sorry.

"Anyway, if it becomes known that you created this magical artifact, I think it will cause various problems. Not just in Marita Kingdom, but other royal families and nobles will covet this technology. They might try to control you to monopolize it. Some might even resort to force."

Just the monster-repelling incense is groundbreaking, and a former saint who caused an incident and was exiled for creating myth-level magical artifacts. It's a powder keg.

"Shina. From the perspective of Marita Kingdom, we want to place you under our protection. This technology falling into other hands, or even remaining in the hands of a single noble, would be militarily unbalanced. Ideally, we would like to protect you within the royal family."

Prince Alan made a straightforward proposal to me. It seemed honest and sincere from the perspective of Marita Kingdom.

"Furthermore, we would like you to marry one of the royal family members. That would ensure your protection. We can say, 'What do you have against my wife?' How about it? Can you consider it positively? Our princes are all handsome and have good personalities. Though a bit younger, how about the eldest son of the Crown Prince? He's around your age and hasn't been engaged yet..."

"Wait a minute! Said eldest son is Sirius, right? He's only 12! Three years younger than Shina!"

"He's mature for his age. I think he would suit Shina."

"Opposed! Shina needs an older man!"

"... (You're) too old!"

"Just a 7-year difference! It's common in noble marriages!"

"Shina might not like older men!"

"Let's ask Shina! Shina! If you were to get married, wouldn't you want a reliable older man?"

"Shina. Honestly, wouldn't you prefer a 2-year younger, fresh-faced handsome guy over a 7-year older man?"

"Sorry, sorry! The conversation has jumped too far ahead! Let's pause and calm down!"

Why did the talk about magical artifacts turn to marriage? And it's either the Crown Prince's eldest son or an older someone? I think compatibility and character are more important than age. Besides, I don't want to marry into the royal family.

"Sorry, I appreciate your feelings, but I can't consider marriage right now. Besides, it would be a mismatch in status."

It's been only a season since my previous engagement was broken. That's too soon.

Moreover, if I have to return to that exploitative life, I'd rather run away.

Jin looked anxious. I forgot, Jin knows everything I'm thinking. I'm grateful, but that doesn't mean I'm bound to him... Why are his eyes tearing up?

Prince Alan looked exasperated at Jin, sighed, and spoke to me.

"Shina, have you heard about the ethnic characteristics of Marita Kingdom?"

"Ethnic characteristics?"

In the book I found in the Glass Forest expedition, there was a section on the customs of various countries. For example, Daido Kingdom is conservative and values kinship. It's an old country that values tradition and resists change. And Marita Kingdom...

"Originally founded by a nomadic people. Innovative and diverse. They value martial prowess and are loyal to their principles."

"Our history is relatively short. Originally, we were a nomadic people with strong camaraderie. We gathered people without a home, worked together, cultivated the land, and built a nation. Therefore, our people value encounters and never forget favors. Once you're part of our group, we never betray you."

Prince Alan knelt before me and took my hand.

"Shina, you saved not only my life but also our soldiers and our citizens, the treasure of our country. We would never betray someone like you. I swear, on the honor of Marita Kingdom and our national pride, to protect you."

His eyes, like the summer sky, looked straight at me.

I wanted to believe him, but I also felt a resistance to trusting so easily. No one had ever spoken to me like this, except Kirie. It was sad that I couldn't trust people who spoke so sincerely. Over those five years, I had worn down many of my feelings.

Prince Alan looked at me with gentle eyes, even though I was silent and on the verge of tears.

"Sorry..."

"You have nothing to apologize for."

Prince Alan's gentle voice. He seemed to understand even my ugly feelings, and he was such a kind person.

"Shina, you don't have to trust us. You can just use us. We will never betray you! I'm happy just to have you by my side."

Jin's words were a bit creepy, but he seemed genuinely worried about me. His words were creepy, but...

I smiled, even as I was repelled by Jin's clingy, tearful plea.

Yeah, I want to trust the people of Marita Kingdom. Even if it's not immediate, maybe someday.

For now, it seems we need to report this to the king. That led to a confirmed audience with the King of Marita.

The king is Prince Alan and Jin's father. Both Alan and Jin say he's a down-to-earth person, but can you really be relaxed when meeting the king of a country? I feel like I'm being cornered, but it seems I have no choice.

I considered running away, but Jin caught me. I won't run, so let me go.