Chapter 58

The Parliament Building -- a tall tower also known as the Holy Tree Temple.

In the meeting room of the six great noble families, I was negotiating while holding a sapling of the Holy Tree in my hand.

My main negotiating partner was Alberk, a nice middle-aged man.

The faces of the six great noble families attending the meeting were filled with great displeasure, which made me incredibly happy.

In particular, Lambert, the head of the Feve family, was raging in front of me.

I was talking to them while looking at the sapling.

Rude attitude? Well, I think this is enough for them. After all, I'm a foreign student and don't have much good feeling towards the Republic.

"So, how much compensation can you give me?"

Lambert shouted.

"F-fuck you! Do you know how much damage was done to the Feve family's territory! I will lodge a protest with the kingdom!"

I laughed.

"Ooh, you're being tough. I'll pass that on to His Majesty."

As I grinned, Lambert's face turned red.

He couldn't accept the fact of his defeat.

To be precise, it wasn't a defeat.

Pierre's drunk lackeys just went wild.

The Republic was trying to push this through.

The reason was that they could handle it as an internal conflict externally.

"You want me to take responsibility? But, if I do, it means that the Einhorn was attacked by the Holy Tree, right? Is that okay?"

Alberk glared at Lambert and silenced him.

"…This incident, indeed, the lawlessness of the Feve family is outrageous. The Republic will apologize. However, can you decide the compensation on your own?"

I held the sapling of the Holy Tree in my hand.

"First, I want compensation for myself. This time, you cursed the prince and the other foreign students, right? The country will deal with that. But, I want you to be prepared for appropriate compensation for me personally."

I presented the amount.

Gold ingots, magic stones, and resources—just an enormous amount.

Lambert's eyes widened.

"B-bullshit! You want me to pay this much to you alone!"

"Of course. If you hadn't left Pierre alone, this wouldn't have happened. Besides, I have a position to maintain. If I handle it too weakly, I won't be able to face His Majesty."

Alberk looked at the amount.

"…Alright. We'll pay it."

I was quite demanding, but as expected, the rich have their ways.

"But, we want the gemstones back."

Alberk's statement was met with nods from the others.

The gemstones, which concentrated magic power, were valuable to the Republic.

Luxion had collected a considerable amount while destroying the Republic's airships.

"I refuse."

The six great noble families looked surprised.

"No, by the Holy Tree's oath. I said to hand over everything in the Einhorn. Since the Einhorn recovered it before you could, it's mine, right? I already handed over the drunkards, so there's no problem."

Lambert stood up and pointed at me.

The crest on the back of his right hand was glowing.

"Don't get too cocky, brat!"

I showed him the sapling.

Lambert's crest lost its light, and I declared.

"Shall we end the unbeaten streak for real this time? Don't think it's just the Einhorn."

I was satisfied to see everyone on guard.

There's only one, but it's a bluff.

The negotiation continued, but the Republic, which was mostly defeated, accepted my conditions. Mostly because Luxion had already investigated how much compensation they could prepare.

Was it negotiation or intimidation?

It felt like that.

◇

Returning to my home after a long time.

I was taking care of Noel.

Luxion was watering the sapling of the Holy Tree while observing it.

"Still, it's quite amusing. The nobles who want the sapling of the Holy Tree don't know that the Holy Tree is the cause of it withering."

According to Luxion's investigation, the reason the sapling of the Holy Tree doesn't grow is due to the Holy Tree itself.

There should only be one Holy Tree in this land.

…It seems wrong as a plant, but since it's not a normal tree, it's pointless to worry about it.

And, I understood why the nobles wanted the sapling of the Holy Tree.

They wanted it as a preparation for the power of the Holy Tree, like me. More to protect themselves from underhanded means like what Pierre did… It's quite an internal reason.

They wanted the sapling for that purpose, but upon investigation, it was found that the sapling doesn't grow in the land where the Holy Tree exists.

No matter how much they want it, they can't get it.

Indeed, it's amusing.

I was more worried about Noel.

"…He's weak."

"It seems he's close to his limit."

Then, Marielle visited my home.

"Ani—Lion, I have something to talk about?"

While being surprised by Marielle's unstable words, I went to the entrance and saw a painful-looking boy with bandages.

He bowed his head slightly.

"I, I heard you're taking care of Noel!"

I led him into the room.

When the boy entered, Noel raised his head from the baby bed.

He was apparently waiting for his owner.

"Noel!"

The boy approached Noel, crying, and extended his hand.

Noel licked his hand, seeming to sniff his owner's scent.

"He can't smell much anymore. He can barely see, if at all."

Luxion's words made me say,

"Idiot. It's enough that he knows you're there. Noel realized that his owner is there. That's enough, isn't it?"

The boy was also crying.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Noel."

It was a touching reunion.

We decided to talk outside.

◇

Outside, we talked.

Marielle's bruise on her neck had disappeared.

It vanished when Pierre lost his crest—his blessing.

"Brother, um, that…"

Marielle handed me various things.

Evidence of Pierre's connections to the organization he was involved with and evidence of what he was dealing with.

"Ooh, we have more negotiation material now."

Marielle was still afraid of me.

"W-well, I've reflected and worked hard this time… I'm sorry, brother! Please forgive me!"

Even in the courtyard, she prostrated herself outside, and I looked at her in exasperation.

"…Idiot. I already forgave you long ago."

"Eh!?"

When she looked up, there was dirt on her forehead.

"Didn't you notice? When Pierre did all those things, I was also working behind the scenes. I sent Luxion to investigate and get information from him."

"It's disgusting. Did he really think he could transfer me with just a minor curse? He's too foolish. If not for Master's orders, I would have annihilated him."

Marielle's eyes welled up with tears.

"Wh-what! I worked hard!"

I placed my hand on Marielle's head.

"Yeah, you did well. I'll use this effectively. By the way, I've contacted the kingdom to ease up on you all."

"Eh!"

I explained to the now cheerful Marielle.

"I also received a reply from the queen. She said she'll ensure you can live a decent life. A cook and a few servants will be sent with the next envoy."

Then, I took out an envelope with Arzel Republic's banknotes and handed it to Marielle.

"It's pocket money. Use it to supplement your living expenses for now. With eight of you, you can afford some luxuries with that."

Marielle, who put the thick envelope in her pocket, was shedding tears of joy.

She clung to my leg.

"Brother!"

"Shut up, get off! I'm only doing this because you reflected. If you hadn't, things would have stayed the same. And if you misbehave, I'll take back the pocket money!"

Marielle clasped her hands in prayer and thanked the sun.

"I'm glad I worked hard! God hasn't abandoned me yet!"

…Well, I wonder.

Considering I was reincarnated into this world.

Marielle looked at me as if she remembered something.

"Wait, but, you beat up Pierre, is that okay? The event will be ruined!"

I shook my head.

"You're an idiot. Did you see the protagonist and Emile? It's strange for them not to be together with that kind of relationship, right? It's an event where they can get along. If necessary, I can support it, but it's not a big deal, right? Besides, it wouldn't be strange if they had a physical relationship. What's with that sweet atmosphere? It makes me sad just to watch."

I'm separated from my two fiancées and only communicate via email…

Marielle thought for a moment and, deciding it wasn't necessary, nodded.

"Right! I got to beat up that bastard, so that's more important!"

"Right!"

As we laughed together, the boy who had been in the room came out with Noel.

—Noel had passed away.

◇

The boy's name was Jean.

He came from the countryside and was studying hard at the academy.

He brought Noel, who had been with him since childhood, because he had no family.

Noel was probably waiting for Jean until the end. He might have relaxed and passed away after seeing him.

After talking for a while, it was already night.

Jean was holding a box with Noel's ashes.

"So, what are you going to do now?"

When I asked about his future plans, Jean shook his head.

"I don't know. But, I have to repay the scholarship. I'll probably have to work."

I sighed.

"…Pierre is gone. You should re-enroll."

"I want to, but the scholarship has been cut off. If I re-enroll now, I'll have to repeat a year, and I don't have the living expenses."

I put money on the table.

"Eh?"

"It's the money I took from Pierre's family. Take it. After all, you were injured. It's compensation."

"B-but…"

Jean looked down.

"Finding Noel was a kind of fate. You can earn more if you graduate, right?"

"Y-yes, that's true. Graduates do better."

I forced it on him.

"Then, re-enroll."

Jean looked at me.

"The noble of Holfaart is kind."

"No, I'm just particularly kind. Marielle—other foreign students. Especially the five beautiful ones, they're good-looking but foolish. Be careful."

Jean thanked me and left the house, hugging the box with Noel's ashes.

He was going back to his hometown.

Once alone, Luxion spoke to me.

"…You feel lonely, don't you?"

Looking at the baby bed, I agreed.

"Yeah."

Noel was gone.

It's a bit lonely, but I'll get to work.

◇

Holfaart Kingdom's royal palace.

In the office, Roland, with dark circles under his eyes, was crumpling a letter from Leon.

"Are you well, Your Majesty?

Are you sick? Please let me know if anything is wrong.

By the way, things are going well.

I'll send back the officials you dispatched with detailed information, so please send a negotiator.

We can squeeze a lot out of them now. It will be busy (laughs).

From a servant who is unworthy of you"

"What does this mean! Why is the letter here so soon! I just sent someone, and they should just have arrived!"

Roland, who had been worried about the conflict with Arzel, realized it had ended and things were going well.

He facepalmed.

"I want to execute him."

Mylene, who received a different letter from Leon, opposed this.

"No way. What kind of justice is it to judge a knight who showed the kingdom's pride!"

"It's my fault for not supervising him! He caused trouble and then solved it himself! He took away my elegant time…"

Mylene was exasperated.

"In the future, officials will negotiate the details. We need to send a suitable negotiator. Have you decided who to send?"

Roland looked up.

"There's no one… I'll send him. The academy is about to have summer break."

◇

Holfaart Kingdom's academy.

Under the watchful eyes of Angel and Livia, Claire was projecting an image in the air.

The ones watching the image were Leon's friends, bound by a contract.

A much more binding relationship than the Holy Tree's oath.

Daniel was trembling.

"—So, come for a summer vacation. Arzel Republic is fun."

Raymond was stunned.

"What do you mean, bring a lot of luggage and send an airship? We have plans for the summer!"

The image cut off, and Daniel was also angry.

"I finally got to bring my girlfriend to my hometown! Going to Arzel and coming back will ruin most of my summer vacation!"

The other boys were also distressed.

Livia looked apologetic.

"Um, let me talk about the reward first."

When Livia mentioned the reward, the boys' attitudes changed.

Daniel talked to Raymond.

"Isn't it a lot?"

"The magic stones and supplies for the trip are on Leon. The reward isn't bad. With this, I can repay my debts."

Angel summarized.

"Leon got compensation from Arzel. The reward is genuine. For a long trip abroad, the crew's skill is essential."

No matter how good the performance, if the crew isn't trained, it's dangerous.

That's why Leon relied on his friends.

To transport the large amount of resources and other compensation from Arzel.

Livia was exasperated by the boys' newfound enthusiasm.

"You weren't interested just a moment ago."

Angel shrugged.

"To make people work, the reward is important. Well, let's work hard. Besides, the more airships, the safer the journey."

Claire sounded excited.

"It's going to be busy. We need to prepare! I'm getting a new airship ready."

Livia placed her hand on her chest.

"Will Leon be surprised?"

Angel smiled.

"He will."

Seeing the two, Daniel and Raymond's faces turned sour.

"…I'm getting angry at Leon."

"Coincidentally, I feel the same. Maybe we can get something for free over there."