DMHS 49

When the play ended, the sun had already set. Kian went with Lucien to the inn where they were supposed to meet the others.

As usual for a place aimed at travelers, the first floor also operated as a tavern and restaurant.

“Over here, Sir Kian!”

The princess waved both hands excitedly when she spotted Kian and Lucien. Kian went and sat in the empty seat.

As if they had been waiting, the food they had ordered began to come out one after another. A whole roasted goose, potatoes roasted so the outside was crisp but the inside soft, golden bread, and steak.

Maybe because they were pleased with the rare free time, the faces of those eating were bright.

The princess said excitedly.

“Do you know what I did today? I managed to skip stones fifteen times on the river! I could never do it when I practiced alone, but once Sister taught me the method, I managed right away.”

“No, today it was actually I who learned a lot from the princess. Especially the way you climb trees so well, I thought it would be useful to train the soldiers in case we have to fight in a forest.”

Of course, what satisfied them and what others understood were different matters.

The moment he heard it, a wrinkle appeared on Frederick’s brow.

“Unbelievable. In golden free time you spent it only skipping stones and climbing trees?”

“And what did you do, mister?”

“I did something very important and meaningful. Something I could never do anywhere else……”

As if pleased just by the thought, Frederick’s face flushed unpleasantly red and he continued.

“I went shopping for magic tools.”

“Ah……”

“Yes.”

“Uhahahaha! You cannot help but be jealous. But since you are my companions I will show you just a little.”

Frederick pulled the sack he had hidden under the table up onto his chair.

“Do you know what I got? Magic stones that cancel wide-area spells, dozens of potions, and the ‘Wish Magic Stone’ made in the Fifth Tower! They say it will grant whatever wish you make!”

Seeing him about to start pulling out all sorts of junk from the sack, Daisy raised her hand.

“Then grant my wish right now, Sir Frederick.”

“As long as it is not asking me to give you the stone, I will grant it.”

“I don’t care about that stone or those magic tools, so put them back in.”

Frederick looked around the group with a sullen face.

“You really are not curious about this?”

“You said it was made in the Fifth Tower.”

“Well, that is true. But sometimes good items do come out.”

Mumbling, Frederick pushed the sack back under the table.

As was well known, the Fifth Tower was different from the others. Unlike the other towers that studied orthodox magic, it created strange items that were between magic and trickery, wavering between real spellwork and sleight of hand.

Because of that, mages in the past did not acknowledge the Fifth Tower, but once the current master Heiss Zant became the tower master, all debate ended. That was how outstanding the current master’s ability was.

“Who knows, maybe this really is a magic stone Heiss Zant himself made.”

“How much did you pay for it?”

“I gave 5 gold.”

Hearing the price, the princess stuck out her tongue with a “beh.”

The price did not decide an item’s usefulness, but if it truly granted wishes, there was no way it would be sold for a mere 5 gold. Even selling it for 1 silver would still be profitable, and yet it sold for 5 gold. The merchant was clever.

“But you never know in this world.”

While Frederick comforted himself, Daisy turned her gaze toward Kian.

“Sir Kian, what did you do today?”

“Nothing much. I stopped by a boutique and bought clothes for Lird Lucien, then we had tea and watched a play, and the day was over.”

“Ah, so you had a nice date.”

The word used to summarize the day sounded unfamiliar.

Date?

Before Kian could question it, Lucien immediately answered.

“It was wonderful. Today was the happiest day of my life.”

“Really? What was so good about it?”

“Everything. Time with my mate passes so quickly, that is the only flaw.”

Frederick turned his head and scratched his goosebumped arm. Kian focused on the plate before him.

‘I am busy eating. I cannot hear anything around me.’

But Daisy pretended not to see Kian’s desperate effort.

“Sir Kian, it was good for you too, right?”

The question inevitably came back to him, and Kian dodged.

“The weather was very nice today. It was the kind of day that feels pleasant just sitting still.”

The problem was that Lucien was not the kind of person, no, not the kind of dragon, to let that pass.

“How about the date with me?”

“Well…… the weather was nice…… it was good.”

“Other than the weather, wasn’t there anything good?”

Kian’s knife pressed down harder on the food, clattering against the plate. He raised his eyes.

‘I need to fix that boy’s way of talking.’

Lucien knew very well how to weaken a person’s heart.

When Kian saw him peeking up with his eyes, watching to see if he disliked it, his mind went blank and the words he had wanted to say vanished. He found himself thinking, what is the point of picking at such a young person.

Kian sighed and answered.

“I just told you. It was all good.”

“Not all. I asked what it was like spending time with me. I thought it was wonderful, but maybe you didn’t.”

“Why do you think I didn’t?”

“I often mistake things on my own……. If spending time with me was unpleasant, I will apologize.”

Before he knew it, Lucien’s face looked like a puppy caught in the rain.

‘I lost.’

Kian did not want to drag on a pointless argument.

“I did not dislike it. It was not unpleasant either.”

“Then?”

“It was good. It was an incredibly happy day.”

“What part did you especially like?”

The words, “everything was fine except you asking too much,” rose to his throat. But Kian knew if he said that, everything would go back to the start. He racked his brain desperately.

“I liked seeing you in new clothes at the boutique. I also liked that you bought so many cakes, so I got to try all the different kinds. The play, honestly at first I was bored, but the later part became interesting. What about you? Did you enjoy the play?”

“Well. What was it about?”

“What? You were the one who chose it, but you didn’t even watch properly?”

“Your face was more fun than the actors on stage. When the prettiest and most handsome thing in the world is right next to me, why would I bother looking at anything else.”

“……”

Kian, pale-faced, speared the beans served with the goose.

Pok. Pok. Pok.

One bean per stab, fast and precise.

Behind him, the princess and Frederick chatted leisurely.

“Mister, what are those two talking about?”

“Don’t mind them. It always happens.”

“Could it be, that’s what they call a lovers’ quarrel?”

“You even know of that?”

“Of course I do. It appears in The Strongest Swordsman Who Stole the Identity Plaque.”

“You’re saying that novel has a lovers’ quarrel? You must have read wrong. I read up to the latest volume and Yan never had a romantic relationship with anyone.”

“Mister, what are you saying? In the earlier part there was even a love triangle. The scene where both a dragon and a god courted the Strongest Swordsman.”

“……? Princess, what kind of novel have you been reading?”

Their meal ended that in peaceful atmosphere.

***

The next morning, Kian’s group packed their things and left the inn.

After walking some distance behind Frederick, they reached a forest where trees grew thick.

“The Fourth Tower is in the middle of the forest. As some of you may know, the Forest of Creation is under an old spell. If you just walk in, you will wander the maze and come back to the village again.”

Frederick pulled a compass from his inner pocket.

“So when going to the Fourth Tower, you must walk while checking north. We may have to push through bushes, so fasten your clothes tightly so you don’t get scratched by branches.”

Daisy gave a final check to her own outfit and the princess’s.

“Then let’s set out.”

Frederick went to the front, followed in order by Kian, Lucien, and the princess. Daisy took the rear guard.

Not long after entering the forest, a vast natural sight spread before their eyes.

Trees that had grown for ages rose so tall they covered the sky, and the ground blanketed with grass and moss held damp moisture. Everywhere was filled with fresh green.

“How many years would it take for trees to grow this dense? A hundred? Two hundred? No, even four hundred would not be enough.”

At Daisy’s thoughtful words, Kian responded without thinking.

“Fifteen hundred years.”

Fortunately Daisy did not care about the specific number. She kept speaking in the same thoughtful voice.

“It would take that long? Fifteen hundred years ago is far before the kingdom was founded. Since it is a forest made in ancient times, the name Forest of Creation fits.”

Because there were barely any records from before the kingdom’s founding, people called the whole era before it “ancient times.”

Almost nothing was proven fact, it was a time filled only with guesses, myths, and legends.

“What do you think the ancient kingdom founded with the goddess’s blessing looked like? Was it really the paradise people say, where no one aged, no one got sick, and no one died?”

To Daisy’s question, the princess answered.

“No. If it was paradise, then candy rain would have to fall from the sky! Candy rain in the morning, chocolate snow in the evening. In the middle of the day, ice cream storms and jelly hail would be great too. Isn’t that right, Uncle Frederick?”