Episode 151: The Marriage Proposal, Revisited
As planned, we had come to the Marquis Randall family’s residence to proceed with Kai and Yukina-san’s marriage.
It seemed they had prepared properly, and Yukina-san’s pops was also present.
On our side, the two concerned parties, Yuri, and I were seated, while the two who recently became Guardian Knights were waiting behind us.
Amidst this, when we introduced ourselves, they indeed showed surprise at Kai’s name.
“…This is quite a surprise. Are you truly the Kai-dono who was said to be the Marquis Ignat family’s right-hand man?”
As expected of a Lestall general. He seemed to know not only about Ignat but also about Kai.
Kai, too, answered the Marquis calmly without being intimidated.
“Yes. Until Prince Rui accepted my defection, I was working as an assistant to the general.”
Following that, I gave Marquis Randall a general summary of the events so far.
How Kai, who had crossed the mountains risking his life, asked me to treat Natalia-san, and I accepted.
How Ignat was told by the Emperor to send a bride to take responsibility for the defeat, and decided to defect.
How I accepted their defection and made them my Guardian Knights.
There were many things I couldn’t say, so it was quite a condensed version, but it should be sufficient as an explanation for why they are with me.
I thought I had given an explanation that would make sense, but the Marquis didn’t seem to be grasping the story.
“No, in the flow of the story, I can somewhat understand up to the point where he handed over the family headship and defected.
If you flip through the pages of history, there are countless similar stories.
However, why would Prince Rui make a former marquis from an enemy nation and Kai-dono his Guardian Knights?”
One usually appoints the most trustworthy knight as a Guardian Knight, he said, looking suspicious.
“At first, I only kept them by my side for surveillance, but the reason I had them become my Guardian Knights is because they genuinely pledged their loyalty to me.”
For me, it was a natural thing since capable, strong, and good-natured guys said they wanted to become my knights, but even when I told him that, he showed a troubled expression.
“Now that I’ve heard you declared independence, I can somewhat understand, but I’m surprised King Belfast allowed it under the circumstances at the time…”
No, even Pops was reluctant at first, as expected.
He probably wouldn’t have accepted if Ignat hadn’t brought the Empire’s secret arts.
It was only recently that he approved of making Ignat my Guardian Knight.
Well, it was more of a development to avoid Princess Lena’s demands, though.
“Due to such circumstances, we were able to detect the Imperial Army’s movements in advance.”
“I was a little puzzled as to how you even accurately grasped their strength… I see.”
I continued the small talk, explaining how they had contributed to our side and that they were loyal retainers with deep affection.
When the conversation reached a lull, I got to the main topic.
Knowing these facts, would he not reconsider and approve their marriage? I asked.
“Hmm… The marriage of Kai-dono, formerly of Imperial nationality, and Yukina, huh.
If the Ignat family is independent from the Empire and Belfast has welcomed Kai-dono as a noble, I don’t think there’s a particular need to see it as a problem, but concealing those circumstances is not acceptable.
For nobles, blood ties are important. If it absolutely had to be concealed as a wartime secret, shouldn’t you have refrained from the engagement itself?”
Being told that, I had no words to reply.
Ugh… As I was at a loss for words, Kai, sitting next to me, spoke up.
“Your Excellency Marquis Randall, His Highness merely answered Lady Riana’s question, ‘May I try to woo him?’ with ‘It depends on his own intentions.’ He never intended to hide anything.
It was I who fell for Lady Yukina and pressed the matter unreasonably.”
Perhaps because I looked troubled, Kai desperately tried to cover for me and was bowing his head.
However, this matter was not Kai’s responsibility.
While thanking Kai with a “Thank you,” I stopped him and faced Marquis Randall.
“Yes. It is as Your Excellency the Marquis says.
I deeply apologize that my shortsighted thinking led to an act lacking in trust.
As a token of my apology, I have prepared a gift. Would you accept it?”
To encourage him to consider it positively, I straightened my posture, apologized with utmost sincerity, bowed my head, and took out a complete armor set in a wooden box from my Storage Magic, placing it on the platform. But then, I heard a somewhat flustered voice.
“No, no, no, I never intended to blame you strongly, you know?
As allied nations standing together, I merely said a word considering our future.
I am well aware that there was no intention to disparage you. So, please, raise your head.”
“Please accept it for now,” I said, keeping my head bowed, and gently pushed the wooden box forward.
“No, I have no intention of refusing it, nor did I ever intend to oppose it, so please, really, raise your head.”
“Is… that so… I’m relieved. I am grateful for your kindness.”
Ah, that’s good.
If the Marquis had no intention of opposing, then it was pretty much decided, I thought, raising my head and sighing in relief. However, for some reason, it was the Marquis who looked relieved.
“However, I can’t think of a reason for you to go this far. Prince Rui, why are you so invested in this marriage?”
He posed the question, saying that normally, it’s our side whose status doesn’t match.
The answer to that is simple.
It’s because I’m not the type of person to care about the social status of a marriage partner.
“Well, they are both my friends, so I couldn’t bear the thought of ruining it because of me…”
Thinking he wouldn’t understand, I told him my true feelings, albeit a little timidly, but the reply I received was contrary to my expectations.
“Ah, I see. Since you associate with my daughter, you must have been friends with Yukina since your student days as well.
And if it’s a proposal from Riana on top of that, there’s no room for doubt.”
Saying that, the Marquis showed a refreshed expression and sent a sidelong glance.
“Heisuke, you have no objections, do you?”
Immediately after the Marquis’s question, Yukina-san shot a strong gaze at her pops, nodding repeatedly, as if silently telling him, ‘Approve it.’
She looked like she wanted to speak, but she probably couldn’t interrupt Marquis Randall’s question.
She was desperately signaling with her expressions.
However, he said, “Eh, of course, I have no objection, but…” while rubbing his hands together ingratiatingly and peeking at us.
His eyes, revealing his greed, glinted dully.
Ah, I see. I understand this without him saying anything.
He wants something from us too…
Sensing that, I activated my Storage Magic, but at that moment—
“You fool!! After they’ve shown such sincerity, you still try to extort them?! Don’t embarrass me, you imbecile!”
“Eek! I had no such intention!
O-Of course, I will offer my blessings!”
Pops cowered in fear, taking a defensive posture.
Because her father was exuding an overwhelming aura of a petty person, Yukina-san looked down, covered her face with both hands, and muttered, “I can’t take this anymore…”
Kai, who had looked tense the whole time, also gave a wry smile.
Soon after, I received an apology from the Marquis, but the atmosphere had become awkward, so I started talking about the armor set’s performance to dispel it.
This armor set was also made from an Abyss boss, so it’s high-performance.
Ichirou made it in a short time as a break from studying, so its performance is considerably lower than the powered suits Yuri and I wear, but it’s still exceptionally good compared to existing equipment.
First off, it automatically compresses magical power, making it incredibly hard and sturdy.
Due to the compression, the power of magic also increases, and for some reason, the range over which one can manipulate magical power also expands.
“Hoh. That is quite an item…”
“Yes. The enhancement limit for Enhancement Magic also improves, so I think it will be invaluable against formidable enemies.”
“Wha-!? I’ve never heard of such a magic tool…” the Marquis exclaimed in surprise.
I was surprised by this too.
Magic that acts within the body cannot benefit from an amplifier, so enhancement-type magic cannot be augmented by magic tools.
Magic circles can vary in strength based on size, but for the same size, there’s a limit no matter how much magical power you pour in. That’s common knowledge for magic users.
However, this equipment raises that limit.
Perhaps because Tsukine-san can’t use magic, he told me about the compression but just said he wanted Mei to analyze it and try various things, so I didn’t realize it. It was only when I heard Ichirou’s explanation that I first noticed that effect was active even when I sparred with Honoka.
At first, I thought that if someone could use Enhancement Magic and Mana Manipulation, they could just increase their output, but when I learned that the limit itself increases, I was surprised at that time too.
Even with this armor, the effect of Physical Ability Enhancement jumps up by about seventy percent.
However, this is compression, not amplification, so naturally, as the effect increases, magical power consumption also increases.
It doesn’t jump up ridiculously; it’s a seventy percent increase over normal enhancement.
For someone with a lot of magical power, the fact that Enhancement Magic, which normally has a limit of about three times no matter how much magical power is sent, can have its limit raised to five times is extremely attractive.
There was no way he, a man who leads from the front, wouldn’t be interested in such equipment.
“A-Are you sure I can really accept something this magnificent…?”
“Yes, of course. It’s for the sake of my Knight’s happiness, after all.”
When I said that, glancing over at Yukina-san, the Marquis seemed to understand.
“I see. I shall do everything in my power to ensure no obstacles arise from our side,” he said, smiling and nodding.
Good, that was the reaction I expected.
To be honest, because I agreed without thinking things through, it led to a rather troublesome situation.
I wanted to prevent Yukina-san from being used as a spy against us or the Empire.
If he says that, I’m sure Marquis Randall will genuinely be considerate.
After that, we were tied up for quite a while, what with meeting Riana and Yukina-san going around with Kai to make their greetings. However, since the three of us got excited about finally being able to tease the couple to our heart’s content, it didn’t feel all that long.
Seeing the happy couple return, Riana, still in high spirits, teased them, “Oh my, snuggling up so close. Are you two already that head over heels for each other?” But…
“Yes. Thanks to you, we certainly are. Thank you very much! Ufufu,” Yukina-san replied, clinging to Kai’s arm, brimming with happiness, which in turn made us feel completely stuffed.
Riana, who should have been enjoying herself, looked at each of us in turn, her expression gradually turning sorrowful.
“I can’t take it anymore… Why can’t I find a partner? Rui-san, hey, why?”
Well, that’s just because the person you were aiming for was already married… I thought, but knowing it would only rub salt in the wound of her heartbreak, I chose different words.
“I-I wonder why, you’re so beautiful. Yuri?”
“Huh!? Uh, well, maybe because you’re like a flower on a high peak? Yukina-san?”
“Yes. Since even I managed it, I’m sure you’ll find someone soon too, Milady,” Yukina-san said with a face that seemed to radiate happiness, causing Riana to break down crying.
Perhaps not intending to deliver the final blow, Yukina-san looked bewildered, muttering, “Eh…”
I do feel sorry for her and hope she finds a partner soon, but honestly, I’m not too worried.
She’s a charming woman, both in looks and personality, and on top of that, she’s a Marquis’s daughter.
If she actually tried to find someone, she should be able to do so quickly.
By the time Riana recovered, thanks to Yuri’s earnest efforts to console her while flustered herself, it was time for us to take our leave from the Marquis’s estate.
Upon returning to Belfast Castle and informing Pops that I had received his approval, he remarked that if their marriage was decided, they would need a place to live, and a small mansion was assigned to them.
Apparently, it was one of the mansions he had prepared for me to use as I pleased, and there were others – another small one and a large one.
At the same time, Kai was paid his salary from the state.
It seems the state will cover my Knight’s salary. Apparently, there’s a budget set aside for me.
Well, that makes sense.
Ordinary princes don’t go off to earn money elsewhere, so they wouldn’t be able to pay it themselves.
As I chuckled at this, Pops nodded with a serious expression and said, “This is part of the Mithril you brought back. Use your budget freely without worrying about its purpose.”
Even if he says that, with a mansion provided and no need to pay my Knight’s salary, there’s hardly anything left to spend it on.
When I replied that I couldn’t think of any further use for it, he laughed and said, “Hey, hey, you’ve got your wedding with the young lady, don’t you?”
“Oh, ooh!! Yuri… we can finally have our wedding ceremony!”
“Y-Yes!”
“Now, now… I was the one who brought it up, but don’t get strangely hasty, alright?
A wedding for you two will take time to prepare, so it’s still some ways off.
I’ll take care of the arrangements, so for now, focus on the matter of the Ancient Race.”
With that, Pops left the room.
Of course, I understood that much.
It’s certain to be a grand affair, a wedding befitting Royalty, and even after preparations are complete, some time will be needed so that the invited guests can attend without rushing.
But still, I was deeply moved that my long-desired wedding was finally starting to become a reality.
It seemed Yuri felt the same way, as she subtly took my hand.
“This is one thing I don’t want to be interrupted. Let’s get serious about tackling the Empire’s troubles too.”
“Yes. However, it’s an inherently difficult matter.
If only we could bring Ver-san over to our side, the whole issue with the Empire could be resolved in an instant…”
That’s true.
To be frank, it’s pretty much a matter of waiting for the right timing to make contact.
I know it’s difficult.
But I’ll do it.
Because my wedding with Yuri awaits beyond that!