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Chapter 85. A Finished Conversation

“So, you and Frodil-sama were doing such things behind the scenes... Maybe it’s not good to stay cooped up in the office all the time.”

“I really think you should stop doing that.”

After most of the post-processing was done and the work was more or less wrapped up, I sat on the grass in the plaza at the edge of the academy, talking about various things with my father. I told him everything except for the part about Grimoire and my reincarnation—how Frodil had tried to assassinate the royal family, how I had committed treason, how we couldn’t understand each other because we were too similar, and how it ended up with me having to kill him.

My father is basically a soft man. He had some time on his hands after that, so he looked into the Magic Knights and found a magazine from when he was still the 3rd Division Commander, before he became the Vice Captain. The magazine said he was too soft to be considered a knight who protects the nation. I wondered what it meant to be written about in a magazine… But that’s probably why he was in the 3rd Division, where there was less action. Well, regardless of what the magazine said, my father had always been soft on me. Specifically, he would say we were going to practice swordsmanship and beat me up, but if I faltered a bit and started bleeding, he was the one who panicked the most.

“Well, a lot happened, didn’t it?”

“I don’t think it’s something that should be brushed off like that.”

That’s why I’m honestly used to seeing him nodding like this, unable to punish me as the Vice Captain.

“As the Vice Captain of the Magic Knights, aren’t you being too lenient? Treason and the assassination of the Minister of the Interior… I think it’s more than just a death sentence—you could be executed publicly and fed to livestock in front of the populace, and no one would complain.”

“Scary… My son’s saying something incredibly dangerous.”

Be serious.

“I think I understand what you’re trying to say, Theo. But if I were to eliminate you just because it’s my duty... Who knows what will happen to the country after that?”

“I don’t intend to take any key positions in the country.”

“That’s not what I mean. How many people are preparing for that ‘end’ you speak of?”

“Anyone else can do that, not just me.”

If you tell this to Father, he can take care of it, and both Elixira and Jeremiah know about it, so they can handle it. I’m just... tired.

“I understand that you want to be judged fairly for your crimes, but the world isn’t fair.”

“So you’re letting me off out of sentiment?”

“Yes!”

It’s almost refreshing… I wish I could be that clear-cut.

“I might be saying something completely unacceptable as a public official, but even if a hundred useless people die, I’d rather have someone as competent as you survive! If I didn’t think like that, I couldn’t do this job as Vice Captain of the Magic Knights.”

Your mindset is still that of a corporate drone.

“And besides, Theo, it’s not that you feel guilty about killing people, but rather that you’re deeply troubled because you killed Frodil-sama, who was always thinking of the country’s best interests, right?”

“So I didn’t think of life as equal either?”

“If you put it harshly, yes.”

That’s true… I’ve killed many of Frodil’s men, and I’ve killed enemies from the western nations too, but I don’t feel particularly bad about that… Sigh… I guess humans can’t handle things perfectly.

“Maybe you should live a bit more selfishly?”

“If I live any more selfishly, I’ll end up at the center of the world.”

I already think I’m a selfish person, but Father seems to think otherwise about me. Well, maybe he’s just saying that because he’s my parent, but if someone looked at me objectively, they’d probably think I’m a pretty selfish guy.

As if she had been waiting for my conversation with Father to end, Princess Elissa was standing there. I doubt she could hear what was said from that distance… Does she need something from me?

“There’s a lot I want to say about what happened, but first, I want to thank you.”

“For what?”

“…For showing me how much of a child I was, with my head stuck in princess mode.”

Ah… I don’t really care. Anyone would turn out that way if they were raised without being told anything. In Princess Elissa’s case, it’s just an environmental issue. That’s why I think the king being a bit carefree and a doting parent is dangerous.

“So, I hope you won’t feel too down about it.”

“About me?”

“Because you killed Frodil-sama, right?”

Hmm… It’d be easy to say yes, but honestly, I don’t want to talk about it.

“That’s a conversation I’ve just finished. I’ll move on from here.”

“I see… But part of the reason you killed him was for my sake, wasn’t it?”

“No.”

“What?”

Why? I only stopped him because I didn’t want to get caught up in a war.

“Wait, what?”

She seemed confused, but I was acting in my own interest from start to finish. Frodil and I were alike, but that’s the one completely different thing… That man fought for the country, I fought for myself.

“Really!?”

“Isn’t that obvious by now? Sure, from one perspective, it might seem like I fought to protect Princess Elissa, but that’s just because it would’ve been a hassle if you died. I never felt a personal desire to protect you.”

“You’re lying! You’re saying that now?”

Sorry, but I’m not a romantic; I’m a realist.

“…I’m shocked. It could’ve been such a nice moment.”

“Well, it would be a problem for me if it turned into a nice moment. I’m a commoner, and you’re royalty, remember?”

“That’s… I understand what you’re saying, but…”

If you understand, then realize that there’s a status difference. From now on, create a romantic atmosphere with someone who’s on your level.

“Do you really dislike me that much?”

“I don’t dislike you as a woman… but being royalty is just a hassle.”

“Is it the status!?”

Of course. You might think marrying royalty sounds glamorous, but once married, you’d be expected to behave accordingly. If you can’t have children, you’ll be deemed useless. On top of that, your life will be constantly threatened, and you might be executed for political reasons. There’s no upside to it.

“Theodore is so… Theodore.”

“That’s what Father just told me.”

“Yes… I wouldn’t want to see you turning into someone who easily runs after women.”

What do you mean by that?

“…Let’s stay close from now on!”

Sigh... I keep telling you I don’t want to, but you really don’t listen, do you, Princess?