Chapter 45

"......, there's no alcohol, right?"

"This is a café, Mr. Brantark."

"I know that."

Most of my summer vacation in the capital was spent on monster hunting, and I finally had some time for myself in the remaining three days, but I was facing another turning point in my life.

I had gone to the headquarters of a major religion in the Helmut Kingdom, which has a significant impact on the Lingaia continent, to receive a full baptism, and ended up being engaged to the granddaughter of one of the important figures there.

Moreover, Cardinal Hoehnheim, the important figure, had already obtained the emperor's approval to the marriage by using his status, which allowed him to enter the palace.

Refusing this marriage would mean the end of my life in the Helmut Kingdom.

If I were to seek asylum in the neighboring Arkart Holy Empire, there was a high possibility of starting a second life, but unfortunately, I had little information about the neighboring Arkart Holy Empire.

Therefore, it was impossible for me to seek asylum.

In the end, I had to accept the engagement.

The girl, Elise, was so beautiful that out of ten people who saw her, twelve would turn their heads, and she had a bust that seemed to be from a different age group.

There are few men in this world who dislike large breasts.

I, for one, am extremely fond of them.

Besides, we were only engaged for now.

Noble children's marriage partners are decided by their parents' will.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for a marriage to be dissolved due to a change in circumstances.

There is no guarantee that Elise and I will end up getting married.

‘There’s no such thing as a stupid story. This is a marriage that the emperor has approved of.’

‘But what if the emperor, due to unforeseen circumstances, orders the annulment of the marriage?’

‘Such an accident is unlikely to happen! Or, do you dislike the girl, boy?’

‘No! She’s a perfect ten in my book!’

Especially, I thought her chest was great.

I still believe that there is no nobility or commonality in the size of one's chest, but when faced with the real thing, I think it's inevitable to change my mind.

‘(Hmph, you should call him a traitor...)’

I don’t know who he’s betraying, but I think I’m just a fool for thinking this.

‘That Cardinal! He has a fine granddaughter! She’s worthy of the Hoehnheim family’s saint!’

‘The saint of the Hoehnheim family?’

‘It’s her nickname. She’s famous in the capital.’

‘I didn’t know that.’

It seems like a very divine nickname, but it also makes me feel a bit sorry for her being so young.

Even I, when suddenly called a ‘dragon-slaying hero,’ feel confused, but since I’m an adult, I can manage.

In any case, it’s better to actually talk to her and see if we are compatible.

She might have a very bad personality, after all.

That’s why, after returning home to the Brant residence, I called Mr. Brantark and my brother Ehrich to a nearby café and explained the situation.

"I've been completely outmaneuvered by Cardinal Hoehnheim!"

Mr. Brantark was just screaming.

This was because, in the first place, the Count of Brechreiter, who had won the competition to be my guardian, was supposed to introduce me to my official wife.

But now, my official wife is going to be a relative of a central noble, and not just any central noble.

She is the granddaughter of a high-ranking official of the state religion, the Catholic Church, and the niece of the head palace mage, who has the emperor's trust.

Mr. Brantark, who had been completely outmaneuvered, was worried about what the Count of Brechreiter would say to him later, as it was also part of his job to protect and supervise me.

"Would you talk about an engagement while getting a full baptism? That’s not normal!"

It’s not normal.

People would think it’s inappropriate.

It’s not that it violates any rules, but it’s just not done.

"That’s what he does. Moreover, he even got the emperor’s word in advance. With the emperor’s approval, the Count of Brechreiter only needs to give his consent afterward."

Ideally, he should have informed the Count of Brechreiter in advance, but if he did, the Count might have taken action first.

That’s why he got the emperor’s word in advance, so the Count of Brechreiter couldn’t complain.

The Count of Brechreiter is a powerful figure in the south, but he often gets outmaneuvered by the central nobles due to the distance.

On the other hand, as long as he is being outmaneuvered, there are no local rebellions, and the kingdom remains peaceful.

"Maybe I should retire and live in the capital?"

At the age of fifty, Mr. Brantark was talking like an old man on the verge of retirement.

I remember a section chief from my previous life who had a similar expression after a major deal fell through.

"This time, it’s true that the Count of Brechreiter was also at fault, so I can’t say anything."

"Ehrich, you say that, but the lord doesn’t yell much. But..."

When he’s angry, he greets his vassals with a very creepy smile, which makes them feel cold down to their bones.

"There’s no point in complaining to the boy..."

"Even if Vel is a genius in magic, it’s impossible for a twelve-year-old to understand the complex political struggles in the capital and not be swayed. It’s impossible even for adults."

That’s right, I’m just a second-rate salaryman, and I don’t understand the complex and bizarre world of politics.

"That’s true. Ah, I should have used Alterior more."

Despite that, they reached the conclusion that it was too late, and the three of them were sipping the coffee that was served.

Coffee is a specialty of the south and is expensive because it is imported from there, but it is a drink that commoners in the capital often enjoy.

In places like Brantburg, it is much cheaper.

"Hey, that boy is..."

"The dragon-slaying hero, right?"

"He’s still young. He’s a cute kid."

"If you anger him, he might blow you away with magic."

This café is a well-known place where many nobles are regulars, and it serves delicious tea, coffee, and desserts, but it wasn’t a good place to have such a conversation in secret.

Families, young couples, and nobles with their attendants were occasionally peeking at us and whispering.

"Is there a customer who ordered the seasonal fruit tart?"

"Here!"

Ignoring the whispers, I cheerfully responded to the waitress who brought the dessert I ordered.

"Boy, this isn’t the time to be eating dessert so casually."

Actually, this café is listed in the capital’s famous shop guide, and Iena and Louise said the cake was delicious, so I wanted to try it too.

"Well, it’s already decided, isn’t it? Besides, I haven’t really had the chance to sightsee in the capital."

After all, I’m just a guy, and even if I have some talent in magic and am given a title by the emperor, I don’t have the courage to refuse it.

I wonder what kind of person can do that.

Was it a manga or a novel I read in my previous life?

There was a protagonist who could refuse the proposals and rewards of important people, but I think it was impressive that he could do it.

At least, it was impossible for me.

"That’s true. Ah, I should have used Alterior more."

Despite that, they reached the conclusion that it was too late, and the three of them were sipping the coffee that was served.

Coffee is a specialty of the south and is expensive because it is imported from there, but it is a drink that commoners in the capital often enjoy.

In places like Brantburg, it is much cheaper.

"Hey, that boy is..."

"The dragon-slaying hero, right?"

"He’s still young. He’s a cute kid."

"If you anger him, he might blow you away with magic."

This café is a well-known place where many nobles are regulars, and it serves delicious tea, coffee, and desserts, but it wasn’t a good place to have such a conversation in secret.

Families, young couples, and nobles with their attendants were occasionally peeking at us and whispering.

"Is there a customer who ordered the seasonal fruit tart?"

"Here!"

Ignoring the whispers, I cheerfully responded to the waitress who brought the dessert I ordered.

"Boy, this isn’t the time to be eating dessert so casually."

Actually, this café is listed in the capital’s famous shop guide, and Iena and Louise said the cake was delicious, so I wanted to try it too.

"Well, it’s already decided, isn’t it? Besides, I haven’t really had the chance to sightsee in the capital."

After all, I’m just a guy, and even if I have some talent in magic and am given a title by the emperor, I don’t have the courage to refuse it.

I wonder what kind of person can do that.

Was it a manga or a novel I read in my previous life?

There was a protagonist who could refuse the proposals and rewards of important people, but I think it was impressive that he could do it.

At least, it was impossible for me.

That’s why, even if my fiancée is decided for me, I can’t say that I want to marry the person I truly love.

That’s something only a protagonist in a drama can say.

When I think about it, I didn’t have a lover who could promise me a future despite the obstacles of our social status.

There was no way I could have a love life when I was almost a loner until I was twelve.

My low romantic aptitude made it inevitable.

So, I should accept the engagement and enjoy the remaining time in the capital.

"You’re a lot like Alfred in that way. He was also very laid-back and had a thick skin, despite his appearance."

"I’ll take that as a compliment. But, the engagement is just an engagement, isn’t it?"

As I mentioned earlier, there’s nothing more unreliable than a noble’s engagement.

It’s decided by the heads of noble families, and if one of them thinks it’s better to marry a different noble, it can be dissolved at will.

Besides, Elise won’t be living in Brantburg until she comes of age, so there’s no chance we’ll see each other often.

So, I don’t think it’s worth making a fuss over.

"The sweetness of the peach and the tartness and texture of the early pear."

It’s a dessert from a famous café in the capital, and it’s very delicious with a moderate sweetness.

I could never eat such a thing at home.

"Vel, is the tart delicious?"

"Yes, it’s exquisite."

"Mr. Brantark, you should give up. I’ll have one of these tarts too."

"Me too..."

The setting of a café made it questionable whether it was a secret, but in the end, the three of them couldn’t decide on a strategy for dealing with the sudden engagement and just ate the café’s famous cake before returning to the Brant residence.

"Mr. Vendelin, I hear that your stay in the capital is coming to an end. During that time, you’ve gone on two dragon hunts and haven’t had much time for sightseeing. Today, I will be your guide in the capital."

"Ahaha... With Elise, who was born in the capital, I can feel safe and secure."

"I am to be Mr. Vendelin’s wife. Please call me Elise."

"Is that so? Then, you don’t need to call me ‘sama’."

"No, that’s not possible."

"..."

The next day, with only two days left in the capital, I was discussing where to go with El and the others when Elise, whom I had just become engaged to yesterday, appeared at the Brant residence.

I couldn’t help but look at Iena and Louise.

They didn’t change their expressions, but I wondered why I had looked at them.

"Is this Lady Elise