Vol 1 Chapter 23 – Sparks

“How is it that a hero of your standing comes to this place? You should be handling the emergency situation occurring in the north. Because you loiter here, Noah takes on dangerous work like slaying dragons.”

“That could just as easily be said of you. Why would someone of royal standing, meant to guide others, be here?”

“It is only natural. There are those from foreign lands who pursue Noah. To protect him from all such threats, my presence at his side is essential. This too serves the nation’s interests. His strength as a man surpasses any strategy.”

“Don’t drag him into petty power struggles!”

“He was born a nobleman. It is his fate.”

“Such hollow words…!”

Before me unfolded a fierce exchange between the hero and the princess. The intensity was remarkable. Two who should cooperate to protect the nation, yet here they were, sparring so viciously. I found myself genuinely worried about the state of things.

“What are you doing at Noah’s shop?”

In the midst of this, Ryshia arrived.

When had she gotten here? Everyone was assembling so suddenly it caught me off guard.

“Ah, I see… An earl’s daughter. What brings you here?”

“What is it?”

Both Reine and Tail turned toward Ryshia with questioning expressions.

“How foolish. Both of you. Noah is special, isn’t he? Is there anything more precious than his will? I am Noah’s childhood friend—the one who spends the most time with him and has grown alongside him since childhood. Do either of your positions surpass such a connection?”

Ryshia was an earl’s daughter. Against the titles of royalty and hero, her rank seemed far too weak. Yet she faced them both with a poised expression, wielding her childhood friend status as her weapon.

“W-What is this sudden talk?!”

“Childhood friend…? What of it?”

“I was directly designated by Noah yesterday to be his betrothed.”

“…?!”

Wait—hold on. Wasn’t that a bit too much like a nuclear weapon? The words were far too strong.

“Is there anything dearer to him than his heart? Anything more precious than what I hold?”

“W-Where is this coming from?!”

“T-T-This is… you’re speaking nonsense, aren’t you?!”

Confronted with such a sudden bomb, both Reine and Tail showed unprecedented agitation.

“Can we keep quiet?”

“…?!”

It looked like things were about to get messy. With that thought, I infused my words with a touch of magic to settle the situation.

Vol 1 Chapter 24 – And Furthermore

Everyone was getting far too worked up. Regardless of whatever battle raged over me, I lived by my own creed—to be free. I had no intention of belonging to anyone.

“So then, Lady Reine. Since you came to my shop, you must have business with me, yes?”

Reine was, all things considered, earnest. She was essentially buried under administrative work. With the northern wilderness in such turmoil, she wouldn’t come here without purpose. She must have something to ask of me.

“…!”

At my question, Reine drew a sharp breath.

“I came here to relay a request… from Her Majesty.”

She spoke as if the words were difficult to voice.

“Hmm? From Her Majesty the Queen? What could Her Majesty possibly want with me?”

“There has been a massive rampage of magical beasts in the northern wilderness. She requests that you lend your strength to quell it.”

“?! What are you saying?! To rely on a man’s power… This is an insult to us who fight on the front lines, is it not?!”

“A-Are you seriously asking Noah for more?!”

“I’m refusing.”

“Eh?! Why?!”

Ryshia had been about to shout her objections at Reine, but the moment I flatly rejected the proposal, she turned her questioning gaze toward me instead.

“It’s a hassle.”

My research into magic was merely a hobby. It wasn’t about protecting anyone. I possessed enough conscience to help if someone in need was right in front of me, but I wasn’t about to go out searching for troubled people to assist.

“I worked hard already. I’m taking it easy for a while. I’m hardly a saint, after all.”

Defeating the dragon should count as sufficient work. There was no need for me to exert myself further, surely.

“Well, I wasn’t thinking of you as saintly, but…”

“Her Majesty anticipated that response as well.”

“Hmm?”

I’d cut the conversation short and was about to shoo the three of them away so I could wait for other customers, but Reine continued.

“I came prepared with words for the event of your refusal.”

“Eh? What? There’s nothing you could say to move me, no matter—”

“If you agree to this request, Her Majesty will permit you access to the Forbidden Archive. A place normally accessible only to an extremely limited few.”

“I’m going.”

There was no hesitation needed.

At Reine’s next words, I answered immediately. The Forbidden Archive—the place I’d once seriously tried to sneak into. If I could gain access, I would go without question.